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Remember When March 21, 2019

10 years ago (2009)
•City officials learned this week that Luverne’s drinking water is safe, despite the fact that it was exposed to a material that’s now considered hazardous.
For the past several weeks, health officials have been investigating whether drinking water in 15 Minnesota cities is contaminated with chemicals used in fire fighting foam.
Luverne is on that list of fire departments that used the foam, formerly manufactured by 3M Co.
In many cities, fire departments used the foam in training exercises and then flushed it into storm sewers or left it to seep into the ground.
The possible contaminants, a family of compounds known as perfluorochemicals, do not break down in the environment and accumulate in humans and wildlife.
3M stopped making two of the compounds, known as PFOS and PFOA, in 2002, but they remain in foam stockpiled by fire departments.
Luverne was placed on the list of cities most likely to have been affected by the contaminants based on the depth of its wells, proximity to the training area and other factors.
Luverne’s water was tested, and city officials learned last week that its waters are safe.
 
 25 years ago (1994)
•The Luverne and Magnolia school districts have worked together for many years, but they have maintained separate school boards with independent philosophies. How independent is evident as two schools try to iron out their differences and work together.
It’s probably safe to say Magnolia Board members and voters would rather keep the school open as it is now. But times and the economy of scale seem stacked against them. In the words of demographer who described the gloomy future of rural Minnesota, “Tomorrow will not be like yesterday.”
If the two districts are going to combine, they are going to need more discussions, and they are going to need direction from parents and taxpayers. Last week’s meeting, with the two boards openly airing their differences should have happened earlier so they could get past the hard feelings and work toward positive solutions.
 
50 years ago (1969)
•Luverne’s Rural Fire Department and City Fire Department are now one unit offering more equipment and knowledge to all Rock County citizens. The department will be known as the Luverne Fire Department.
“One of the biggest reasons for the change was insurance,” Chief Curt Maxwell said. “Now on a rural fire, we’re covered with the same protection as in town.” The rural association sold all fire fighting equipment and vehicles to the city recently for the sum of $1,001. The rural department owed $1,000 on a new rural truck and this has been paid off.
 
75 years ago (1944)
•Gasoline “T” coupons must be called for in person between April 1 and April 5, at the local ration board, it was announced this week. Formerly these coupons were mailed to the consumer, but under a new regulation, this method of distribution is no longer permitted.
New “T” rations are based on previous allotments the board said, and all who apply for new rations must furnish their 1944 license number and must also turn in their unused ration stamps, for the first quarter.
Renewals uncalled for after the last of the month in which coupons are issued will be cancelled.
 
100 years ago (1919)
•Christ Lunzmann, of Denver township, a subject of the Imperial German government, was taken in custody Wednesday evening by Sheriff Frank Wiggins to answer to the charge of having firearms in his possession while his country was at war with the United States.
The indictment against Lunzmann has been returned earlier in the day by the grand jury, and upon being brought before the court the defendant gave a cash bond of $500 for his appearance, and was ordered to report to the court yesterday morning.
He appeared in court at the time stipulated, with M.W. Chunn as his counsel, and entered a plea of not guilty to the indictment.

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