By Sara StrongRecycling throughout Rock County will change immediately: glass will no longer be accepted, but magazines will.The county is removing glass from its recyclable materials because it is costly to sort and has little or no value.Doug Bos, at the Land Management Office, said, "Recycling markets have changed, and by the time you process glass and sort it, you’ve lost money."Putting glass in landfills isn’t the worst alternative, since it’s non-toxic, and there’s not as much glass on the market anymore. Glass makes up just 5 percent of what’s currently recycled.However, the local recycling changes will have a big impact on businesses that use glass bottles. Luverne Sharkee’s co-owner, Dave Halverson figures his garbage collection fees will double, to about $415 a month, with the extra glass in dumpsters."I’m sure it won’t make much difference to residential people," Halverson said, "but for businesses, it’ll add up."While glass is no longer recyclable in the county, magazines, which create more landfill waste, will be accepted at Ketterling Services, Luverne. People can’t put magazines, glossy paper or catalogs in the county recycling sheds or in their curbside pick-up bins, but they can take them to Ketterling’s.Rock County will pay Ketterling $35,000 for processing, and $12,000 for hauling recyclables from out-county sheds. The county will receive $49,800 from the state for the recycling program next year.People are reminded to recycle newsprint, white paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, tin and plastics Nos. 1, 2 and 3. People should also rinse items and remove lids.The current county recycling contract, approved Tuesday, is in effect through Dec. 31, 2007.

By Sara Strong The law enforcement debate between the city of Luverne and Rock County is about more than the money, or even the service.Sheriff’s Department employees are feeling the pressure, and some are looking for new jobs. Beyond that, the county worries that filling vacant positions will be difficult if the department is seen as unstable.County Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "Talking to the officers was sad. These are good contributors to the community and they are worried about their jobs and their families."Discussions on law enforcement had stalled to a certain point until a special joint committee meeting Wednesday morning. The city and county decided to continue negotiating the contract for 2005.The city of Luverne has sent numerous alternatives to the county’s budget proposal, but the county says it operates at the cost of doing business and can’t cut deals with the city.Wildung said, "I think we’re further apart than we were in February. It’s a pretty big schism, to be able to find some sort of compromise."The latest proposal from the city changed the funding formula and would mean paying $336,000 less than budgeted.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said the county can’t operate the department at its current standard without splitting the cost with Luverne, as it has since 1998."You’re not overcharged for the services," Oldre said. "And if you think you can do it cheaper — go ahead." City Administrator Greg LaFond said, "No one here has complained about services in the sheriff’s department and, as I’ve said time and again, we have no intention of creating our own department."Commissioner Ron Boyenga said the county developed a budget and the city can "take it or leave it."He said, "What you do is pick out numbers you don’t like, and you’re ignoring what’s positive for the city."The city says it shouldn’t pay for prisoner room and board and medical expenses because that’s a county obligation, outside of any contracts.The county says it isn’t required to provide for crossing guard services and other department items it picked up when the city and county departments merged. The county also pays any overages each year.Oldre pointed out that the county’s personnel expenses rose when the departments joined because the county had fewer staff than the city at that time.LaFond said, "But we have no control over our services; we’re just a revenue source."Law enforcement is just one contract the city and county share and which has been a sticking point during the mutual budget crunches.Oldre said, "Why is it that you have the attitude that ‘What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is negotiable’?"Looking aheadWildung said the city should come up with a number it can pay the county for law enforcement. Then, the county will use that figure to develop a plan for the department in that funding scenario."Maybe you can do it cheaper, and if you can, then the citizens will understand it, and I say good luck to you," Wildung said, "But there’s a lot more to running a police department than you might think."Oldre said, "If you can provide an equal or better department, do it."Rather than give the county an overall dollar amount it wants to contribute to the county Sheriff’s Department, City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said it is important to note line items within the budget.Again, prisoner room and board is something the city doesn’t think it should pay. Vander Kooi said, "We want to preserve the concept that there are separate functions."County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said, "The contract means you are a buyer of a service, it doesn’t buy you the right to do their budget. … You aren’t going to get the same service for $336,000 less; it’s logically impossible."Vander Kooi said it is important to note what the county would have to provide because of state statutes. He said escalating costs in certain areas of the budget shouldn’t mean an automatic increase for the city’s fee.

DNR gives pheasant hunters a longer seasonIf you’re a pheasant hunter, the Department of Natural Resources has decided to extend your hunting season this year.Previously, pheasant hunting season ended on Dec. 19.Under the new DNR regulations, pheasant hunters will now get to hunt with friends and family through the holiday season, until Dec. 31.According to Ed Boggess, DNR Fish and Wildlife Division policy chief, the extension will offer more hunting opportunities without harming pheasant populations.According to Boggess, a number of hunters did not favor the extension, but the biology of pheasant populations supports the change and the DNR has the emergency authority to close or reduce seasons if necessary.According to Kurt Haroldson, DNR wildlife biologist in Madelia, the slightly increased harvest will not affect the pheasant numbers during the following year.The hunting season extension was requested by pheasant hunters and was supported by DNR biologists and by Pheasants Forever.Previous year’s numbers show that pheasant populations increase when hen harvest is less than 20 percent.Although hen pheasants cannot be legally harvested in Minnesota, the DNR estimates that 11 percent of hen pheasants are killed, accidentally or deliberately shot during the hunting season.More than 100,000 people hunt pheasants in Minnesota. This year’s season will begin on Oct. 16. A small game license and a $7.50 habitat stamp are required.Nitrate water testing coming to LuverneIf you rely on well water for your drinking supply, getting it tested for nitrates on a regular basis can be important.A free nitrate testing clinic will be at the Rock County Fair, from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 30. The Rock County Land Management Office is co- sponsoring the clinic with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.According to the MDA, the state’s wells have a high nitrate level and this is the most common contaminant in Minnesota’s ground water.If you want to participate in the testing, you must bring at least one-half cup of water in either a Whirl-Pak plastic bag, or a Ziploc type bag.You should let your faucets run for five to 10 minutes before collecting the sample.If you have any kind of water treatment system, softener, reverse osmosis or distillers, you should take a sample before and after the treatment process to determine if the system is properly removing the nitrates.Samples should be taken 24 hours prior to testing and should then be refrigerated until testing.The process takes less than five minutes and the homeowners are given the results on the spot.Class of ’89 is planning a get- togetherThe class of ’89 is planning its 15th class reunion this summer.The dates for the event will be August 13 to 15.Events for the weekend will include a social hour at Sharkee’s Friday, a golf tournament at Luverne Country Club Saturday morning and a banquet at Sharkee’s Saturday night.For more information, contact Angela (Earl) Ahrendt, Sara (Schei) Altman, Dave Halverson, Julie Laabs, or Sara (Dispanet) Oldre.More political opportunitiesLast week I told you about the opportunities for public service you could have with the city hall opening.This week I was going to fill you in on the county and school board options, but since Lori is putting it in her column, I’ll let you read it there and spare you the redundancy.Lori’s column with all the local political vacancies can be found on the columns page.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Wanted: Sincere,intelligent residentsto run for local officesAnyone who’s paying attention can see there’s plenty going on in local government.In City Hall, despite earnest promises to make peace and save money, our city administrator has not gained ground 10 months on the job.He’s come up with no new savings to taxpayers, is costing heaps in administrative micro-management and has laid to waste cooperative ventures that took years to build.Our city administrator’s position, unfortunately, is appointed. City residents can’t vote him out of office.Those who hired him, however, are elected, and can be replaced by voters on Nov. 2.Now’s the time, local electorate, to start thinking about new leadership, as the filing period for city council and mayor closes July 20.We have fewer than 12 days to rustle up candidates for a mayor (a two-year term) and two four-year council positions (north and south wards).Affidavits of Candidacy must be filed at City Hall by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 20. Questions about filing may be directed to 449-2388.City Hall isn’t the only place with opportunities for new leadership this fall.With the state of Minnesota balancing its budget on the backs of local governments, things are getting interesting in county and school arenas, too.There’s never been a better time for sincere, intelligent residents to consider getting involved with prioritizing spending for programs and processes.In the past few years I’ve been involved in too many conversations with too many potential leaders to not dedicate a column to this topic.This is the beauty of a democracy: If we don’t like the way things are done, we can replace the people who are making things happen.Even if we’re satisfied with the work of our current elected officials, it’s a good idea to get involved at a level where we can make a difference.I’ve always admired people who dare to run for local office. It’s not an easy job, and those quick to criticize should be prepared to offer reasonable alternatives or run for office themselves.That chance started July 6 and ends on July 20.In county government, three commissioner seats are up for election, and on the Luverne School Board, three seats are open for four-year terms.The deadline for those filings is also 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the courthouse and district office, respectively. The phone number for the Rock County Auditor’s Office is 283-5060, and the Luverne District office can be reached at 283-8088.

By Lori Ehdeand Jolene FarleyKurt and Lynette Elbers, Steen, are rocking their infant son, Sean, in a cradle that’s been in the family for five generations.Lynette’s grandfather, Steen native Andy Rozeboom, has been researching the history of the cradle, which arrived in the United States from Holland nearly 120 years ago.Andy’s grandparents, Charles and Tjasse Vander Ploeg took the cradle to the states when they moved here from Uithuisen, Netherlands in May 1881. Their daughter, Cena Vander Ploeg, was 2 at the time, but she remembers later rocking her brothers in it.When she married John D. Rozeboom, the cradle was given to her, and she rocked all 11 of her children in it, according to Andy.Two of Cena’s sons, Charles and Andy, used the cradle for their families. Charles rocked his children in it and passed it down to his younger brother Andy.Andy’s four children Andrew J., Melvin, Barbara and Erwin all spent time in it as babies. Barb took the cradle with her when she started a family with Willis Sandbulte, Steen. At that time, Andy refinished the piece, and found that it was made with three different types of wood.Barb’s daughter, Stacy (Mente), Luverne, used the cradle in recent years, and now has passed it down to her younger sister, Lynette (Elbers).Andy is still digging up family history on the cradle, but he suspects more than two dozen babies spent their infant months in the family heirloom.When she lays her son in the cradle, Lynette Elbers remembers the ancestors that used it before her, particularly her grandmother who is deceased. "Every time I use it, I think of her," she said. "It’s just neat to know my mom laid in it and we were in it. So many generations have been in there." He can’t confirm this, but Andy thinks the cradle was originally made in Holland by Grandpa Vander Ploeg, who was a carpenter and furniture maker by trade.(To pull, if needed):Cradle trail: from …oCena Rozeboom to …oAndy Rozeboom to …oBarb Sandbulte to …oLynette Elbers to …oBaby Sean Elbers

By Lori Ehdeand Jolene FarleyKurt and Lynette Elbers, Steen, are rocking their infant son, Sean, in a cradle that’s been in the family for five generations.Lynette’s grandfather, Steen native Andy Rozeboom, has been researching the history of the cradle, which arrived in the United States from Holland nearly 120 years ago.Andy’s grandparents, Charles and Tjasse Vander Ploeg took the cradle to the states when they moved here from Uithuisen, Netherlands in May 1881. Their daughter, Cena Vander Ploeg, was 2 at the time, but she remembers later rocking her brothers in it.When she married John D. Rozeboom, the cradle was given to her, and she rocked all 11 of her children in it, according to Andy.Two of Cena’s sons, Charles and Andy, used the cradle for their families. Charles rocked his children in it and passed it down to his younger brother Andy.Andy’s four children Andrew J., Melvin, Barbara and Erwin all spent time in it as babies. Barb took the cradle with her when she started a family with Willis Sandbulte, Steen. At that time, Andy refinished the piece, and found that it was made with three different types of wood.Barb’s daughter, Stacy (Mente), Luverne, used the cradle in recent years, and now has passed it down to her younger sister, Lynette (Elbers).Andy is still digging up family history on the cradle, but he suspects more than two dozen babies spent their infant months in the family heirloom.When she lays her son in the cradle, Lynette Elbers remembers the ancestors that used it before her, particularly her grandmother who is deceased. "Every time I use it, I think of her," she said. "It’s just neat to know my mom laid in it and we were in it. So many generations have been in there." He can’t confirm this, but Andy thinks the cradle was originally made in Holland by Grandpa Vander Ploeg, who was a carpenter and furniture maker by trade.(To pull, if needed):Cradle trail: from …oCena Rozeboom to …oAndy Rozeboom to …oBarb Sandbulte to …oLynette Elbers to …oBaby Sean Elbers

By Jolene FarleyTwo former Rock County residents were named to the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame.Lee Sandager, formerly of Hills, and James Crawford, formerly of Beaver Creek, were among 75 chosen out of 180 nominations."The 75 people selected were pioneers and leaders in agricultural education in Minnesota during the 75 years of Minnesota FFA," Minnesota State FFA Advisor Joel Larson said. Sandager and Crawford were inducted into the Hall of Fame Monday, April 26, during the Minnesota FFA Convention. The FFA Hall of Fame began this year as part of the 75th Anniversary of FFA celebration. The Minnesota FFA Alumni Association tentatively plans to induct one to three people per year to the Hall of Fame after this year, according to Larson.The following excerpts are only a sampling of the men’s achievements.James CrawfordJames Crawford, Mountain Lake, was nominated for the Hall of Fame by three individuals."The time and commitment Mr. James Crawford dedicated to the FFA and agricultural community is unparalleled," Tom Appel of the Mountain Lake FFA Chapter wrote in his nomination letter. "Crawford established the FFA Children’s Barnyard at the Minnesota State Fair. Now known as the Miracle of Birth Center, it has grown into one of the main attractions."He received the Honorary American Farmer Degree in 1960, for his efforts in beginning the Minnesota FFA Children’s Barnyard – the first state to sponsor an FFA Children’s Barnyard. In 1978, another milestone was marked during the "Great Minnesota Get-Together" as the Mountain Lake Chapter was the recipient of the Premier Exhibitor award for the 22nd time in 28 years."Jim is largely responsible for the success of hundreds of former students, wrote Dean Harder, Mountain Lake. "When Jim retired from Mountain Lake High School Agriculture department in 1983, hundreds of calls and letters were received thanking Mr. C for his tremendous leadership and advice."Crawford was named Minnesota Agriculture Teacher of the Year in 1971.Lee Sandager"Lee taught agriculture from 1948 (Climax) until 1980 (Forest Lake). He began in Forest Lake in 1950 and was responsible for many, many innovative changes from new semester courses to FFA program initiatives," wrote Robert Marzolf, Stacy, in his letter of recommendation about Sandager.After teaching, Sandager traveled extensively throughout the world to over 100 countries to observe and evaluate agricultural production and land use, specifically to the developing nations of Africa and Asia. He worked in 24 countries of the world, conducting investigative studies.He was named Minnesota’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1976 and Minnesota’s Outstanding 4-H Club member in 1946. He is the recipient of the Honorary State Farmer and Honorary American Farmer Degree for achievements in agricultural education. He directed an FFA Chapter that earned 20 national awards, plus more than 100 state and national individual honors. He wrote or contributed to many FFA and agricultural publications. Sandager now resides in Marine On Saint Croix.

By Sara StrongWith seven more wind turbines going up in Rock County this fall, the process of harnessing the natural resource for energy is a topic of interest.Just how towers are constructed and operated is also considered important to emergency personnel in the county.MinnWind, the local group which owns the towers, gave a tour Tuesday to law enforcement, fire department and emergency medical personnel.Mark Willers, MinnWind president, explained how the towers were constructed and reminded the group of interesting facts about the towers.oThe towers have a 35-foot deep foundation. They consist of a large culvert around the outer ring, and a smaller culvert on the inside. In between is cement, reinforced by bolts and vertical and horizontal rods every two feet.oThe current four towers produce .95 megawatts of electricity. The new project will have towers that produce 1.65 megawatts of electricity due to increased efficiency.oThe current blades are 54 meters long. The new towers will have blades 84 meters long. Other MinnWind president Tom Arends said, "These have become a real community project and people are so interested in it. It is a part of the community rather than an individual profiting from it."We have to put up with the wind, and the beauty of it is, we can sell it now."

By John RittenhouseZach Wysong and the Luverne American Legion baseball team experienced a tough weekend at the Brookings (S.D.) Wooden Bat Tournament.Luverne won the opening game of the event Friday before dropping four consecutive tilts as play continued through Sunday.The tournament was a rough one for Wysong, who had one hit in 12 official trips to the plate. He did drive in two runs and score twice. Wysong also was saddled with a pitching loss during the event.Wysong went hitless during a a pair games played Friday.The Luverne shortstop went 0-2 in a 3-0 win over Pipestone in the tournament opener Friday morning.Wysong was 0-3 during an 8-1 loss to Coon Rapids Friday afternoon.Wysong’s most productive game of the tournament came Saturday morning, when the Cardinals dropped a 16-9 decision to Mayville-Portland (N.D.).He was struck by pitches in the second and third innings, scoring runs both times.Wysong also picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly when Luverne took a short-lived 9-7 lead in the third inning.The Luverne shortstop picked up one RBI without a hit during Sunday’s first game against Dassel-Cokato.Wysong chased home teammate Jared Pick with Luverne’s lone run in an 8-1 loss with a ground out in the fourth inning.Wysong picked up one of Luverne’s four hits during a 5-0 loss to Brookings Sunday night.Wysong slapped a single in the sixth inning to pick up his first hit of the tournament.He also pitched all six innings against Brookings, allowing five earned runs, six hits, six walks and registering seven strikeouts.Luverne, which had a game scheduled against Slayton on Tuesday cancelled, will take a 9-6 record into the regular season finale against Okabena at Redbird Field tonight.The Cards open the Sub-District Tournament in Slayton at 6:30 p.m. Friday.