By Jolene FarleyBeaver Creek farmer Spencer Sells was attending FarmFest in Redwood Falls when the storm hit Rock County last Tuesday. "We started hearing reports of a storm coming through," he said. When he called home, he was told the storm packed high winds and his corn was "about two feet off the ground."His first thought when he saw his fields was, "How are we going to harvest something laying that flat and how much did we lose?"All of Sells’ corn acres in Beaver Creek Township were damaged and the effect on yields will be unknown until after harvest. "The wind was so strong it’s surprising anything was still standing," he said.Since the storm, about 50 percent of Sells’ corn has recovered, but many of the ears are still close to the ground, and some corn was uprooted and would have to develop new root systems to thrive. The weather for the rest of the growing season and during harvest will determine how the crops recover, according to Sells. Another windstorm closer to harvest or wet weather could further damage the crops. "We don’t want any more weather to interfere with filling that kernel," he said.Sells’ corn had pollinated, otherwise his fields would have been a total loss because corn cannot pollinate lying close to the ground.Sells said he’d never seen anything like the damage this storm caused, but he feels fortunate that he didn’t lose any buildings. Farmers are scratching their heads wondering how to harvest the fields with tangled stalks, some stalks up, some stalks down. "They are going to be extremely hard to harvest," Sells said. "It’s probably going to be a lot of trial and error."

By Jolene FarleyThe Hills-Beaver Creek school board approved three hires and a resignation at a Monday meeting.Jennifer Madsen was approved for the 80-percent high school special education position at a salary of $26,120. Madsen is currently teaching in Vermillion, S.D. Angie Blosmo was approved for the part-time elementary gifted and talented position. Nicole Fey filled the position last year. Blosmo’s salary was set at $1,575 per year. Scott Harnack was approved for a 25 percent math position and a 25 percent computer position filled by Roger Jackson before his retirement. His salary was set at $18,218.Board member Steve Esselink ran the meeting after Alan Harnack abstained from the vote about Scott Harnack because of a conflict of interest. The district can ask for a variance to allow Harnack to teach classes after Aug. 1, according to Deragisch. Superintendent Dave Deragisch and Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus have taken on the remainder of Jackson’s duties. "That’s how we’re doing it now and we haven’t blown up the system yet," Deragisch said.The board regretfully accepted the resignation of head cook Brenda Hansel. Deragisch asked the assistant cooks if they would be interested in Hansel’s position and they declined so the job was advertised. In other business:
The board opened bids from three venders for propane and fuel oil. The issue was tabled until one of the bids was clarified. The board was uncertain if a minimum quantity of propane needed to be purchased for the listed price and the type of fuel oil wasn’t specifically identified. "I think we need to get this clarified," Deragisch said. "We need to compare apples to apples here."
The Truth in Taxation meeting for the district was set for Tuesday, Dec. 7.
Deragisch is hoping to organize an all-school reunion in June of 2006. The last time the district hosted such a large reunion was 1991.

By Jolene FarleyNew Vision Co-op in Beaver Creek continues cleanup after two elevators and a grain leg toppled during the storm last Tuesday. Crews were dismantling the elevators this week and management estimates the task will be complete in 10 days to two weeks. "Sight cleaning and harvest planning are our top priorities at New Vision," Western Area Supervisor Mick Thon said. No harvest policies will change due to the bin loss in Beaver Creek, according to Thon. "We’re still going to be able to handle all the grain," he said. New Vision is licensed for a certain amount of grain storage so any excess grain can be moved to a different location, according to ThonA 468,000 concrete silo has been under construction at the Hills facility this summer and is expected to be ready by harvest. New Vision officials haven’t decided if the elevators in Beaver Creek will be rebuilt yet. "That decision would be made by the main office," Thon said. New Vision officials in Worthington are working with insurance adjusters. The bin site was ruled a total loss. "When the insurance company comes up with an offer it will go before the board and general manager," Thon said.Management has solicited bids from contractors, but hasn’t received any estimates back yet, according to Thon. If the elevators were rebuilt, they wouldn’t be ready for this year’s harvest. Order delivery for materials is about two months out.

By Lori EhdeA large incoming class of kindergarten students has prompted concern about large classes, but administrators this week came up with a solution most are happy with.With 119 students, the previous five teachers would have had 23 to 24 students in each classroom, a number most educators say is too high for such young students.Adding a sixth teacher’s salary, however, at a time when the district is cutting its budget hasn’t been a popular option.A small crowd of parents and elementary teachers attended Tuesday’s meeting, prepared to urge the board to hire a sixth teacher.An announcement by Elementary Principal Stacy Gillette early in the meeting eliminated the need for those prepared statements.When she and the teachers took a closer look at the actual numbers attending this fall, they noticed a smaller-than-expected first grade.So, she announced Tuesday, that a first-grade teacher will be moved to kindergarten, bringing the kindergarten class sizes to a more manageable 19 to 20 students per classroom.There are 89 students in first grade, so the remaining four first-grade teachers will have 22 to 23 students per class, instead of 17 to 18 students.She said first-grade teachers receive help from Reading Recovery teachers, so that will offset the higher numbers in those classrooms.In recent months, some parents have requested the district offer the option of every-other day kindergarten or half-day kindergarten as a solution to the large class sizes.Gillette said that’s no longer a formal option."We’ve always made adjustments for parents who want to home school their children part time," Gillette said, "but I can’t guarantee what part of the curriculum they’re going to get, especially if they’re going every other day. There might be gaps."She said of 106 families questioned this summer about the part-time kindergarten option, six families were interested. In personnel matters, the board …
Accepted the resignation of Tracy Cornish, paraprofessional.
Accepted the resignation of Shelley Krueger, Early Childhood Family Education parent educator.
Hired Krueger as Early Childhood Special Needs teacher and Interagency Early Intervention Committee coordinator at a salary of $20,050.
Hired Tim Homan, middle school social studies teacher, head wrestling coach and ninth-grade football coach at a combined salary of $47,590.
Hired Lindsey Bonnett as EBD teacher at a salary of $28,643.
Hired Amy Anderson as English teacher and Fall Play director at a salary of $28,643.
Approved supervisory and confidential employees salaries (the Star Herald will follow-up on these next week).Budget cutsThe board approved the following budget cuts Tuesday:
a cheerleading advisor will be for football only (there hasn’t been interest in cheerleading for other sports lately, anyway).
middle school and high school classes need to have a minimum of 15 students for the class to be offered.
the district will provide busing for Minnesota State High School League activities only during the season.District Finance Officer Marlene Mann reported that these cuts, along with all others the board has made this year, plus staff resignations, puts the total budget cuts at a total of $342,000.The goal was to cut $350,000 to $375,000 to compensate for projected losses in state revenue in order to keep the district out of deficit spending.In other business:
The Aug. 3 storm ripped off part of the elementary school gymnasium roof. A temporary fix is in place, but it still has not been repaired. It’s unclear whether or not there will be long-term damage to the floor.
A steak fry from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Eagles Club will benefit the Luverne School Foundation.
Approved University of Sioux Falls student teaching agreements for Jessica Christensen, who will student teach in Linda Gulden’s second-grade classroom, and for April Wessels, who will student teach in Pam Christensen’s third-grade classroom.
The board reviewed quotes for a wide-area mower with snow blower. Sun Turf, Sioux Falls, had the lowest price of $34,800.
The next School Board meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26.
The first day of school is Wednesday, Sept. 1.

By Lori EhdeA Windom man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly rear-ending a motor home and fleeing the scene Friday night on Interstate 90 west of Luverne.According to the complaint filed Monday in Rock County District Court, authorities caught up with 32-year-old Abel Snell in Worthington.The accident happened at about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the eastbound lane of I-90 a few miles west of Luverne.It sent a 2004 model, 28-foot motor home into the median with a family of five from Lexington, Ken., all of whom were injured.Fourteen-year-old Steven Barnett was airlifted from the scene to Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, with internal injuries, including a lacerated liver and injury to his lungs.His mother, 39-year-old Dayna Barnett, was taken by ambulance to Luverne Community Hospital and then airlifted to Sioux Falls with multiple broken bones, including a pelvic fracture and other internal injuries.She underwent surgery to stabilize her condition to transport to the Mayo Clinic, Rochester.Her husband, 40-year-old Mark Barnett refused treatment in Luverne for head and facial cuts, and their other two sons, Christopher, 12, and Michael, 16, were treated and released in Luverne.The motor home driver, Mark Barnett, told officers he was traveling eastbound in the right-hand lane with his cruise control set at 65 mph when the accident happened.He said the back of the motor home suddenly whipped to the right, and it entered the median and rolled.Barnett said he had not seen a vehicle coming up behind him prior to the impact.Snell was not injured and his 1998 GMC pickup received moderate front-end damage, including a length of plastic bug deflector that was later used specifically to tie him to the scene.According to the complaint, witnesses told state troopers they saw a white pickup or SUV leave the accident scene and head east.The Minnesota Highway Patrol alerted Worthington authorities to watch for the vehicle, and at about 11 p.m. city officers there reported they’d found the vehicle and were attempting to stop it.After returning to the interstate, this time westbound, Snell reportedly fled officers for 1 1/2 miles before stopping.Officers noted front-end damage on the pickup, and it was missing a piece of plastic bug deflector strip that later matched the one found at the accident scene.Snell was reportedly driving erratically and acting intoxicated, and officers recovered numerous containers of beer from his pickup.A blood sample was sent to the BCA lab in St. Paul to test its alcohol content.His driving history shows two DWI convictions in 1998 and another in 2000. His driving privileges were revoked in June this year.Snell was charged Tuesday in Rock County District Court with 13 felony counts and nine gross misdemeanor counts. The most serious of which, first-degree driving while impaired, carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, a $14,000 fine or both.The other counts of criminal vehicular injury were related to causing "great bodily harm," "substantial bodily harm" and "bodily harm."As of Tuesday afternoon, the boy was still in the intensive care unit at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls. At that time, his condition did not appear life threatening.After 10 hours of surgery in Rochester, the woman was still in ICU as of Tuesday afternoon.

By Sara StrongThe tentative Rock County Pool and Fitness Center budget for 2005 includes a 15 percent rate increase for members.Other revenues are on the increase, too. Cash deposits were $29,000 between Oct. 1, 2003, and Sept. 30. That compares to $7,100 the previous year.Rentals or sales of goggles, earplugs and water diaper revenues are twice what they were last year as well.City Administrator Greg LaFond chalks up the revenue difference to more internal controls in depositing procedures.Revenue increases will help make up the subsidy lost by the county not contributing to the pool budget anymore.The county and city each contributed $61,000 this year, and if they both contributed next year, it would be $55,000.Another cost savings for the facility will be a reduction of operating hours, starting Oct. 1.Surveying numbers of people at given hours, staff said later evening hours were hardly drawing any use.New hours will be Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.The reduction of 16.5 hours per week will save the budget staff time. Two people are on duty through most shifts.

By Lori EhdeIt’s been nearly a year since Hardwick’s Randy Scott was killed in a motorcycle accident, and friends and family are observing the anniversary with a memorial ride Saturday.Scott, 55, Hardwick, died Aug. 16 when his Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a Cadillac driven by Congressman Bill Janklow who sped through a stop sign at a rural intersection in Moody County, S.D.While former South Dakota Governor Janklow, suffered legal and political ramifications of the accident — including jail time, Randy Scott’s family and friends are left with only their memories.The best way they know how to honor his memory on the anniversary of his death is to take a motorcycle ride in his name.The Randy Scott Memorial Ride will start with registration at 10 a.m. at the Howling Dog Saloon, Luverne, and the ride will begin at noon with a "blessing of the bikes."Stops along the way include Kenneth, Trosky, Hardwick, Eagles Club in Luverne, and the South Dakota towns of Trent (which is near the rural intersection where Scott died) Sherman, Corson, Valley Springs and the D&D in Brandon.Ride organizer and Howling Dog manager Jodi Christy said bikers will be encouraged to split up and stop at the nine locations in varying order so large groups don’t overwhelm small communities all at once.Bikes will reconvene in Luverne at 6 p.m. for a raffle and silent auction to benefit Dollars for Scholars, the Minnesota Veterans Home and motorcycle awareness in Scott’s name.A similar memorial ride organized Oct. 4, 2003, in Randy’s name attracted 750 motorcyclists and raised more than $3,000 for local charities.

By Sara StrongAsk almost any longtime Luverne resident, and you’ll hear the same thing: "I’ve never seen anything like it." Winds at nearly 90 miles per hour swept the area Tuesday, Aug. 3, and returning appearances to normal could be a few weeks away.For most of the week, Luverne looked like a tornado touched down — but most of the damage was in trees. Some homes and vehicles, signs, fences and other property were damaged, but the downed trees were most visually striking. Mike Leach has worked throughout the country for Jacobsen Tree Service, cleaning up after storms. He said, "It is unusual that there isn’t as much damage to homes or cars, or even more windows broken, considering the amount of tree damage there was."All streets and alleys were passable by 9 p.m. Tuesday.The city is working alone from now on, and has to remove stumps, fix fences, cut hanging branches and replant trees.Public Works Supervisor Ken Vos said, "One good thing is, that trees can always grow back. Nobody lost their life or entire home."Accepting helpWith all the cleanup ahead, Vos said he is thankful for the extra help that came the city’s way."I can’t even mention everyone who helped because I’ll forget somebody," he said. "The entire Public Works Department is appreciative of all the help."The cleanup has stalled regular Public Works duties, like mowing, mosquito spraying and street patching, but the department is taking it day by day.Four private contractors and four city and county groups added extra labor and equipment to the Luverne crew. In all, 40 dump trucks were hauling trees, and 65 to 75 people were working on the cleanup each day.The city crew itself was expanded by adding other city employees.Vos said, "Everybody from the city mechanic to the liquor store manager helped. We had a lot of good workers out, and everyone I asked to help, did."City electric and water/wastewater workers also left most of their regular work to help the Public Works Department. City employees put in 928 hours as of Tuesday.Workers had taken about 1,200 loads of trees out of town by Tuesday.Vos estimated that if the department hadn’t had extra help, it would’ve taken the city until Thanksgiving or Christmas to get the cleanup project completed.The extra help from private contractors will cost the city about $120,000 in the end.City Administrator Greg LaFond said, "Considering that there was no loss of life and no injuries, and we lost 1,000 trees, the cost is unfortunate, but it is not unreasonable."One of the extra contractors, Don Gayken, of Don Gayken Trucking in Sioux Falls, S.D., said he was impressed with the city’s clean-up efforts and service. He said it’s more than he’s seen in most towns."I told the guys, ‘Boy, you really take care of these people. About the only thing you don’t do is vacuum their lawns for them,’" Gayken said.Paid workers aren’t the only ones helping to return the town to normal.Band students cleaned school grounds Thursday morning instead of their regular practice.Rock County, Jackson County, Rich DeSchepper, city of Hills, city of Edgerton, state of Minnesota, city of Marshall, Luverne Fire Department, Community Corrections all donated equipment and labor to the cleanup. Lewis Family Drug, Harveen Gluf, Joyce Bennett, Casey’s, Glen’s, Sears, Sheriff’s Department, Methodist Church, Medical Center, Jason Graves, Ace Hardware, Subway and Pizza Ranch all donated food, refreshments and beverages to workers.Minnegasco donated $1,000 to the city to go toward replanting trees. Save or don’t save a tree?Rock County Master Gardener Mary Tilstra contacted the Star Herald office shortly after the storm to issue a warning about salvaging damaged trees."While driving around Luverne and seeing all the tree damage, I was concerned about all the trees that were partially blown down," said via e-mail. "When people lose lots of trees, they often want to save any tree that they can. But a lot of these trees are considered 'hazard trees' and will need to be cut down."Tilstra encouraged property owners to contact the Extension Office or visit the Web site for an Extension bulletin," Storm Damage to Landscape Trees" that gives suggestions for treatment.The site is www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD7415.html"It's so sad to see all those beautiful trees destroyed," she said.

After the school board meeting Monday evening, the board members and I sat and talked about Tuesday’s storm. We talked about whose property and crops were damaged and how we weathered the storm ourselves.We had heartening tales to tell about the boundless energy that volunteers displayed cleaning up the mess left by the storm. Superintendent Dave Deragisch complimented the community of Beaver Creek for the help the school received from community members and firemen. "I’d really like to thank everyone from Beaver Creek," he said. "I no more than pulled the big branches off the school yard and they were gone," he said.We talked about how Tuesday evening, after working all day in town, Beaver Creek fire department volunteers removed debris from the Beaver Creek Cemetery because a funeral was scheduled for Wednesday.When I was in Beaver Creek Tuesday taking pictures and talking with Mayor Al Blank, many volunteers were hard at work picking up branches and debris, running chain saws, tractors and trucks. They were on a mission to return the community to its once pristine condition — or as close as possible to the way it was before the storm blew through.I am certain others have tales to tell about friends and neighbors checking on each other, and helping with clean up after the storm. It’s times like these that show what living in a small community is all about. Every cloud has a silver lining!