Hospital project on schedule, unaffected by the stormDespite some rumors of storm damage, the new hospital project was unaffected by the recent 90 mile per hour winds.According to Hospital Administrator Jerry Carl, the roof was on, and the windows and masonry were in place, keeping the project protected from some of the other devastating damages that occurred to others in town.The only effect the storm created on the construction site was some blown around insulation, which Carl said they weren’t even sure came from their project.With the building fully enclosed, Carl is confident there should be no future delays and the winter interior work should proceed as scheduled.Work moving inside will also mean that you won’t be able to drive by the project and check on roadside progress in the future.Sheet rocking has already begun in some parts of the lower level.The new building is scheduled to open June of 2005.When open, the new 93,000 square foot hospital will have cost $17.3 million.Relay for Life achieves new goalThe final numbers for the Relay for Life fund-raiser are in, and the results have everyone smiling.This year’s initial goal was $35,000. When that goal was met early, the group decided to try for $45,000.That goal was met weeks before the relay itself, and the group crossed the $50,000 mark during the relay.According to Vivian Holst, treasurer for the group, after all the post-relay funds had been collected, the total has reached $62,085.36.According to Holst, most towns the size of Luverne try to hit the $30,000 mark and are very happy if they reach $40,000.Communities twice the size of Luverne often doesn’t see more than $45,000.How did this get started?In 1964, Gordon Klatt was a pre-med student, studying at St. Thomas University.In 1985, he found himself a practicing surgeon in Tacoma Wash., dealing with the ravages of cancer.According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, in May 1985 he decided to ask for pledges from community sponsors, then ran and walked around a track for 24 hours.Klatt’s solo marathon covered 81 miles, raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society and started the annual Relay for Life event that has since gone nationwide.It is now the American Cancer Society’s largest fund-raising activity.Last year more than 3,000 community’s recruited teams to walk overnight in memory of loved ones and in celebration of survival.Luverne’s 4th annual Relay for Life was the weekend of June 18 and 19 at the Luverne City Park, with 22 teams participating.Sioux Falls Main Street hires former Luverne EDA directorSioux Falls has a new Main Street economic development director that should be familiar to many in Luverne.Dan Statema, former EDA director for Luverne is the new "Main Street Maestro" for Sioux Falls, according to the Argus Leader.Statema graduated from University of Minnesota, Mankato, before accepting a job as EDA director and city planner for the city of Janesville, population 2500.From Janesville, Statema came to Luverne where he served as the EDA director for nearly two years.His resignation was effective in July of this year.Accepting the Sioux Falls position takes Statema back home, where he graduated from Sioux Falls Washington High School in 1994.Statema is taking over the position when the downtown Sioux Falls area is on a high.Occupancy rates since 1990 have risen from 60 to 90 percent.Downtown Sioux Falls property owners recently voted to assess a special tax assessment on them through the creation of a Business Improvement District.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com
