By John RittenhouseA late model street stock driver from Adrian enjoyed his most successful racing weekend of the 2004 season.Brad Klaassen posted feature wins at different tracks on Friday and Saturday nights, turning in the top effort in what was a five-feature title weekend for area drivers.Klaassen opened the weekend by topping a field that included four area street stock drivers at Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Friday.After winning the first heat race, Klaassen made it a clean sweep by winning the feature title later in the evening.Competing against Klaassen in Rock Rapids were Luverne’s Scott Overgaard (second in the first heat and second in the feature), Adrian’s Mark DeBoer (third in the first heat and third in the feature) and former Rock County resident Darrin Korthals (second in the second heat and fourth in the feature).Klaassen’s winning streak continued at I-90 Speedway in Hartford, S.D., Saturday.After winning the second heat race, the Adrian driver raced his way to the feature title in street stock competition.Luverne’s Jesse Akkerman (first in the first heat and second in the feature) and Korthals (second in the first heat and fourth in the feature) completed against Klaassen in Hartford.Luverne’s Scott Overgaard competed in the Wissota late model division at I-90 Speedway Saturday, placing seventh in the first heat and seventh in the feature.Adrian’s DeBoer, Luverne’s Mike Steensma and former Luverne resident Anthony Mann joined Klaassen as feature winners over the weekend.DeBoer won the first heat race and took top honors in the feature event during the street stock competition at Lake County Speedway in Madison, S.D., Saturday.Ellsworth’s Greg Roemen, and Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch raced in different classes at Lake County Speedway.Roemen placed fifth in the second heat race and sixth in the sportsman feature. Deutsch won the first heat race and finished third in the hobby stock feature.Steensma came up with a feature win at Nobles County Speedway in Worthington Saturday, where he took the checkered flag in the modified division.Marlin Kracht, a modified driver from Ash Creek, placed second in the feature at Murray County Speedway in Slayton Friday.Mann’s feature win came in the sportsman class at Rapid Speedway Friday. After placing in the second heat, Mann won the feature race.Ellsworth’s Roemen placed second in the first heat and third in the sportsman feature at Rapid Speedway.Rapid Speedway also drew five area hobby stock competitors Friday.Luverne’s Seth Stegenga (second in the first heat and fifth in the feature), Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch (third in the second heat and ninth in the feature), Luverne’s Robert Carlson (fourth in the first heat and 11th in the feature), Ellsworth’s Mike Deutsch (third in the second heat and 15th in the feature) and Magnolia’s Josh Klay (first in the second heat and 16th in the feature) all raced in the hobby stock class at the Iowa track.Six hobby stock drivers from the area raced at Huset’s Speedway, near Brandon, S.D., Sunday.Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch (first in the first heat and second in the feature), Magnolia’s Klay (seventh in the first heat and fourth in the feature), Magnolia’s Larry Kracht (second in the second heat and fifth in the feature), Magnolia’s Bobbi Kracht (fifth in the first heat and 10th in the feature), Luverne’s Cory Schmuck (second in the first heat and 11th in the feature) and Ellsworth’s Mike Deutsch (fourth in the second heat and 12th in the feature) all mixed it up in the hobby stock class.Adrian’s DeBoer placed third in the first heat and third in the feature in the street stock class at Huset’s. Luverne’s Akkerman placed seventh in the first heat and eighth in the street stock feature.

By John RittenhouseA team that struggled early in the season finished the campaign with a bang during the Luverne Community Education Minor League Baseball Tournament this week.Minnwest Bank, which sported a 1-5 record at one stage of the season, completed what ended as a six-game winning streak by posting three straight wins to take top honors in the league’s annual postseason tournament.Entering the tournament as the No. 4 seed in a six-team field, Minnwest opened the tournament by defeating Jubilee Foods last Thursday before posting a pair of big upset wins Tuesday night.Minnwest faced Tri-State Insurance, the tournament’s No. 1 seed and the regular season champion of the Minor League, in the semifinals.Minnwest controlled the game early, but Tri-State rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and forced an extra fifth inning.Minnwest completed its upset during the extra frame by pulling out a 27-25 win.Waiting for Minnwest in Tuesday’s championship game was second-seeded Dairy Queen.Dairy Queen faced No. 3 McDonald Optometric Clinic, which beat Hanson Silo by one run in Thursday’s opening round, in the semifinals.Trailing 13-10 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, Dairy Queen rallied to score four runs and pull out a 14-13 victory over McDonald Optometric Clinic.The championship game seemed to belong to Minnwest, the league’s team of destiny.Minnwest outscored Dairy Queen in all four of the game’s innings on the way to title-clinching 28-21 win.

By John RittenhouseA rain-shortened championship game left First Farmers & Merchants Bank holding the championship trophy of the Luverne Community Education’s Major League Baseball Tournament Wednesday, July 21.First Farmers & Merchants Bank completed its two-game run through the tournament by defeating Latham Insurance 9-4 in a game that was ruled complete with Latham’s batting in the bottom half of the third inning.Like all major league games (consisting of players in the fifth and sixth grades), the championship tilt was scheduled to last six innings.The plan changed when a summer rainstorm rolled through the area, forcing a delay that led to the game being called complete before three full innings were completed.Based on play this summer, First Farmers & Merchants Bank posted a mild surprise by winning the tournament.The eventual champions, the tournament’s second seed, defeated No. 3 Hardwick State Bank in the first round of the four-team event.The win sent First Farmers & Merchants State Bank into the July 21 title tilt against No. 1 Latham Insurance, which defeated No. 4 McClure Electric-Plumbing in the first round.Prior to First Farmers & Merchants Bank’s rain-shortened win over Latham Insurance in the championship game, Hardwick State Bank defeated McClure Electric-Plumbing in the third-place game.

By John RittenhouseLuverne took top honors during the South Third District VFW Baseball Playoffs by posting a pair of 10-run wins at Redbird Field late last week.Luverne disposed of Slayton by the 10-run rule during Thursday’s semifinals before defeating Edgerton by the 10-run rule during Saturday’s championship game.The wins improve Luverne’s season record to 19-8 and send the Cardinals to the Third District Tournament at Legion Field in Marshall Saturday and Sunday (possibly Monday).The Cardinals will play Olivia, the second seed from the Northern Division, in a 1 p.m. game in a first-round game of the four-team, double-elimination event. A win would send the Cards to a 5 p.m. game later that day. A loss would force Luverne to play again at 3 p.m.Luverne 10, Edgerton 0The Cardinals strolled to a 10-run win over Edgerton during Saturday’s championship game at Redbird Field in Luverne.Luverne pitcher Andrew DeBoer threw a one-hit shutout and teammates Marc Boelman and Chris Fitzer drove in three runs each to lead the Cardinals to the tournament title.DeBoer, one of three Cardinals to slap two hits in the game, threw five innings of two-walk, two-strikeout ball to notch a complete-game win.Edgerton, the team that eventually placed second to advance to the district event, never put together a serious scoring threat against Luverne’s pitcher.The Cardinals supported DeBoer by scoring runs in four of the game’s five innings.Luverne loaded the bases in the first with Jake Clark slapping a single, Boelman reaching base on a fielder’s choice and Tyler Reisch being hit by a pitch. Back-to-back singles by Fitzer and Ben Nath plated Clark and Boelman respectively, giving the Cards a 2-0 lead.The Cards increased their lead to 5-0 by scoring three runs in the second.Derek Elbers singled before Clark and Brett Lundgren drew walks to load the sacks. Boelman then doubled over the left fielder’s head to score all three runners on base.DeBoer helped his own cause in the third inning by slapping a single before Elbers drew a walk. Clark then delivered an RBI single before Lundgren chased home a run with a groundout to make it a 7-0 difference.Luverne scored three runs in the fifth to end the game by the 10-run rule.Craig Oeding reached base on an error before scoring the first run on a groundout by Clark.Elbers, who walked before Clark’s groundout, and Clark scored on Fitzer’s two-run single to end the game.Box score AB R H BIClark 3 2 2 2Lundgren 1 2 0 1Boelman 3 1 1 3Reisch 3 1 0 0Fitzer 3 0 2 3Nath 3 0 1 1DeBoer 3 1 2 0Elbers 2 2 1 0Oeding 3 1 0 0Luverne 13, Slayton 3The Cardinals advanced to the tournament’s championship game by disposing of Slayton by 10 runs during a five-inning game played at Redbird Field Thursday.Luverne fell behind 3-0 in the game’s first inning, but the Cardinals bounced back to score 13 unanswered runs and win the game by the 10-run rule.Craig Oeding led the charge by driving in four runs with two hits. Brett Lundgren, who pitched a complete game, and Derek Elbers added three RBIs each to the winning cause.Slayton protected its early lead through two and one-half innings before Luverne exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the third.Lundgren drew a walk and Tyler Reisch reached base on an error before Ben Nath opened the scoring in the third with a two-run double.Andrew DeBoer singled home Nath to tie the game at three. A two-run triple by Oeding, which was followed by a two-run single from Lundgren, capped the seven-run inning.Luverne went on to score three runs in the fourth and fifth innings to put the game away.The Cards loaded the bases in the fourth with Chris Fitzer drawing a walk, Nath being hit by a pitch and DeBoer slapping a single.Elbers chased home the first two runs with a single, and Lundgren added a sacrifice fly to make it a 10-3 game.Reisch reached base on an error, Nath walked and DeBoer was hit by a pitch to load the sacks in the fifth. Elbers delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the first run of the frame, and Oeding’s two-run single ended the contest.Lundgren limited Slayton to four hits without issuing a walk during a five-inning stint on the hill. Lundgren fanned five batters.Box score AB R H BIClark 2 1 0 0Lundgren 1 1 1 3Boelman 4 0 0 0Reisch 3 2 0 0Fitzer 1 1 0 0Nath 2 3 1 2DeBoer 3 3 2 1Elbers 3 1 2 3Oeding 4 1 2 4

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: December 13, 2001ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $48,750.00MORTGAGOR(S):Dawne Renee Heintzman, and Doug John Heintzman, Wife and HusbandMORTGAGEE: Centex Home Equity Company, LLCDATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:Recorded: January 11, 2002Rock County RecorderDocument #: 151935LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:A tract of land in the Southeast Quarter (SE 1/4) of Section 11, in Township One Hundred Three (103) North, of Range 44 West of the Fifth Principal Meridian, which is described as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the Southeast corner of said Southeast Quarter, thence going in a Northerly direction on the East side of said Southeast Quarter 933 feet to the point of beginning, thence going in a Westerly direction 541 feet parallel to the South side of said Southeast Quarter, thence going in a Northerly direction 483 feet parallel to the East side of said Southeast Quarter, thence going in an Easterly direction 541 feet parallel to the South side of said Southeast Quarter, thence going in a Southerly direction 483 feet to the point of beginning.COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $52,266.99THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: September 16, 2004 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office Courthouse Steps, West Entrance Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation:NONETHIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.Dated: July 29, 2004Centex Home Equity Company, LLCMortgageeWilford & GeskeAttorneys for MortgageeLawrence A. WilfordJames A. Geske7650 Currell BoulevardSuite 300Woodbury, Minnesota 55125(651)209-3300File ID: 04405(7-29, 8-5, 8-12, 8-19, 8-26, 9-2)

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofGerald K. Vande Kamp aka Gerald Vande Kamp, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 19th day of August, 2004, at 11:00 O’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated December 26, 1989, and for the appointment of Delores Ann Vande Kamp whose address is 1168 241st Street, Hardwick, Minnesota 56134 as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: July 20, 2004 /s/ Timothy K. ConnellTimothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge/s Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikDouglas E. Eisma Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828I.D. #158343(7-29, 8-5)

Notice of Public HearingPublic Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Luverne, Minnesota (the "City"), will meet on August 10, 2004, at 5:00 p.m., at the Municipal Building Council Chambers, 203 Main Street, in Luverne, Minnesota, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on a proposal that the South Dakota Health and Educational Facilities Authority (the "Issuer") issue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $78,000,000 (the "Bonds") for Sioux Valley Hospital and Sioux Valley Regional Health Services, each a South Dakota nonprofit corporation, or any corporate affiliate thereof (collectively, the "Borrowers"). The Bonds will be issued in one or more series pursuant to Sections 1-16A-1 through 1-16A-92 of the South Dakota Codified Laws, as part of a plan of finance to provide the Borrowers with moneys for projects located in the States of South Dakota and Minnesota. Public approval by the State of South Dakota will be obtained following a public notice and public hearing regarding the Bonds and the projects financed in the State of South Dakota. In Minnesota, proceeds of the Bonds will be used, together with certain other moneys, to pay or reimburse the Borrowers for the payment of the costs of acquiring, constructing, remodeling, renovating and equipping replacement facilities for Luverne Community Hospital, including an 82,000 square foot 28-bed hospital with expanded surgical and rehabilitation areas and updated medical and obstetrics space and an attached 17,000 square foot physician clinic, and the acquisition and installation of equipment therein, including necessary and attendant land acquisition, facilities, equipment, site work and utilities thereto (collectively, the "Project"). In addition, a portion of the proceeds of the Bonds will be applied to pay expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the Bonds including, if deemed necessary, bond insurance premiums and/or liquidity or credit facility provider fees, a deposit to a debt service reserve fund and capitalized interest and related working capital. All of the improvements financed or refinanced by the Bonds in Minnesota are or will be initially owned, operated or managed by Sioux Valley Regional Health Services at: 1600 North Kniss Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota. The Bonds shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of the City, the State of Minnesota, the State of South Dakota or of any political subdivision thereof other than the Issuer or a pledge of the faith and credit of the City, the State of Minnesota, the State of South Dakota or of any such political subdivision other than the Issuer, and neither the City, the State of Minnesota, the State of South Dakota nor any political subdivision thereof will be liable on the Bonds nor will the Bonds be payable out of any funds other than those pledged and assigned under the Loan Agreement between the Issuer and the Borrowers and the Master Trust Indenture among the Borrowers, certain affiliates of the Borrowers and the First National Bank in Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as master trustee, as amended. The Bonds will not be issued by the City, nor will the City have any liability with respect to the Bonds. The public hearing is required by Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Written comments may be submitted to Greg La Fond, City Administrator of the City of Luverne, Minnesota at his office located at 203 Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, until August 10, 2004. Immediately following the public hearing, the City Council will meet to consider approval of the issuance of the Bonds. Notice dated: July 22, 2004(7-29)

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSLUVERNE, MINNESOTANotice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the City of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota, at the office of the City Administrator, 203 E. Main St., PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659, until 10:00 AM on August 9, 2004, and will be publicly opened at said time and place for the purchase of one (1) 40 foot Aerial Man Lift Device with Service Body. Plans and specifications, proposal forms and contract documents may be seen at the office of the City Administrator, City of Luverne, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156. No bids will be considered unless sealed and accompanied by a bidder’s bond naming the City of Luverne as oblige, certified check payable to the City of Luverne or a cash deposit equal to at least five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid, which shall be returned or forfeited as set forth in the Contract Documents and General Specifications. The City reserves the right to retain the deposits of the three lowest bidders for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids, waive irregularities and informalities therein and further reserves the right to award the contract for the best interests of the City in its sole option. Greg A. LaFondCity Administrator(7-29)

10 years ago (1994)"Health care reform is already happening in Luverne and Adrian. The most visible signs are several joint ventures between the Adrian and Luverne hospitals."During the past year or year and a half, we've had a lot of stimulus," said Luverne Community Hospital Administrator Gerald Carl. Whether it's the uneasiness of seeing several rural hospitals fold, pending national legislation or changes at the state level, area health-care providers are responding.The joint ventures between Adrian and Luverne started when the two communities received a rural health-care transition grant that provided $50,000 a year for three years beginning in September 1991."25 years ago (1979)"It was like a bad rerun.Saturday about 11 p.m. another dose of severe summer weather hit the area. Generally the recent attack brought heavy rains and high winds, but there was considerable damage from hail.… Lawrence Thode, who farms in the southeast corner of Springwater Township, considers his crop a total loss."50 years ago (1954)"Two races of local interest developed this week as J.F. Gilfoy, Lismore, filed for state senator, and Mort B. Skewes filed again for county attorney. … Thus, there will be no primary in September for any of the local officials, and only two contests at the general election in November." 75 years ago (1929)"By a vote of 86 to 50 the freeholders of the city of Luverne went on record as favoring the providing of textbooks free to students of the grades at the meeting of the independent school district of Luverne."100 years ago (1904)"On Thursday of last week H.Q. Snook purchased the fixtures and tables of the Snook billiard hall from his brother J.L. Snook, and will hereafter conduct the business, giving it his personal attention."