10 years ago (1996)"Matt Ebert successfully defended his state speech title. Going into the state speech tournament, H-BC junior Matt Ebert didn’t want to think too much about last year’s meet. He wanted his focus to be on the matter at hand — winning the "Great Speeches" category at the 1996 Minnesota State Speech competition.Ebert easily made it through the two preliminary rounds with the best score of all contestants and added a successful final round performance to capture another state title."25 years ago (1981)"For the second time in a 4-day time span the H-BC 4x800 meter relay team shattered their school record. Their time of 10:29.4 broke the record they set on Saturday by 38 seconds! The relay team was made up of Joan Olson (2:37.4), Sheri Hawes (2:45), Danette Hadler (2:32.9) and Brenda Goehle (2:32.0)."50 years ago (1956)"Not to be outdone, Hills service stations are taking part in the gas war which has been raging in the area for some time. Presently, you can fill your tank for 26.9 cents per gallon, the cheapest we’ve seen gas for many years. Ethyl gas is now 29.9 cents per gallon."75 years ago (1931)"The newly organized Luverne National Bank opened for business in the former First and Farmers National Bank building last Monday with the old Hills boy, A.A. Anderson, as cashier and managing officer. All your Hills friends are wishing you all kinds of success, Andy." 100 years ago (1906)"The farmers between here and Lester have secured sufficient contributions from the business men of Hills to aid them to build the telephone line from E.C. Dahl’s place to Hills, which adds another farmers’ line to the list."