By Sara Strong
Rock County Sheriff candidates are both long-time members of the local department, current sheriff Ron McClure and sergeant Mike Winkels.

Ron McClure
McClure has been in law enforcement for 34 years. "I love my job and I care what happens to the community," he said.

Through his years of service, the job has gone through an evolution that McClure has supported.
First, as the county and city of Luverne law enforcement departments merged, and now, as community policing is a trend Rock County is adopting as its manner of policing.

He sees the joint law merger as a positive thing for the county. It allowed for the investigator position, which the county attorneys will testify, has made reports and legal work more efficient.

When the concept of community policing arose earlier this year, the department faced more changes. "I support community policing, I believe in it very strongly. It will bring the community closer to us, and by doing that, weÕll increase trust."

McClure said a noticeable change in community policing is the feedback individuals will get from officers, who will follow through more regularly with victims or complainants.

Encouraging two-way communication will help the department in the long run, McClure said. "Sometimes people might just have better ideas."

Much of the local talk recently has been about drug use in young people. "ItÕs alarming and we have to continue to work on it, but we still have good kids. This is something weÕve always been working on," McClure said.

The drug problems now, he said, are different in nature because of the harshness of the chemicals ingested when using substances like methamphetamine.

Community policing will bring more communication with the public, but as an elected person, McClure still sees the department as setting its own goals from within.

Much of McClureÕs work involves a mixture of family issues with crime solving. "ThereÕs almost nothing I wouldnÕt do for people who need me," he said.

He wants to remind people that the department is investigating reports of illegal activity and following through to make solid arrests that canÕt be challenged.

Mike Winkels
Mike Winkels has been in law enforcement for 24 years and works with about 130 children with the D.A.R.E. program in Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne schools.

Those contacts, he said, keep him connected with parents and young people and help bridge law enforcement and the community.

He thinks itÕs appropriate for the community to be involved in setting agendas or general goals for the department, with the sheriff, as an elected person, leading the department through those goals.

The philosophy of community policing, Winkels said, has been present in the Rock County Sheriff's Department in some capacity. The recent and ongoing training will help formulate specific ways to make it more complete though.

"We need to be better about getting information back to people and get out and talk and meet people," he said. "But some were already following up on things on their own."

Winkels said heÕs made good contacts in the community since heÕs lived here. "I had young kids when I moved to Luverne and I think that helped."

People got to see and know him outside his capacity as a law enforcement officer. For example, he developed relationships with children competing in sporting events with his children, who are now adults in the community.

Winkels said he supports adding an additional officer to the department to help ease logistical challenges like covering vacation times.

He also said the sheriff shouldn't spend as much time transporting prisoners, as the current arrangement is.

"Transports don't have to be done by non-sworn officers. A sheriff needs to be around more," Winkels said.

He'd like to see the department utilize part-time officers, non-sworn employees or volunteers to help the sheriffÕs department run more efficiently.

Winkels acknowledges the drug problem in the community, but adds that drugs, to some extent, have always been a problem.

"Parents can't allow risky behavior, like smoking cigarettes at home," Winkels said, because it can escalate to larger problems.

Theft and property crime are often related to drug use and supporting habits, Winkels said. But even with that activity locally, he points out that violent crime is low in Rock County and that people should generally feel safe.

Winkels said the department is always checking on leads from the community. He said officers stop suspicious vehicles on traffic violations, ask where they are coming from or going to, but stay within the law to avoid civil rights violations.

Ongoing investigations take time to develop into solid arrests, he said.

By Jolene Farley
Those who appreciate history find the First National Bank and Trust building on Main Street in Beaver Creek an interesting step back in time. The structure has changed little since it was built around 1917.

"I love it here," said part-time employee Jodi VandenBosch. "I like the history. The people are so friendly."

The interior and exterior of the building still closely resemble the description in the next seven paragraphs from the history book, Roaring Beaver, a Story of a Prairie Village, by Carl Kahler.

"Around 1917, bank directors made plans to enlarge their old 21 feet by 41 feet building. The new building would not be ordinary. It would be architecturally unique in the Midwest.

The old building was almost completely torn down except for the vault and the west wall that was attached to the wall of Dunbar's store.

The basement was enlarged and a new building was constructed measuring 36 feet by 41 feet. The new building was made of brick, stone and concrete.

Two pillars and pilasters in classic Greek style are topped by four Kasotas. Stone capitals that support a massive frieze are carved with THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

The floor of the bank is Tennessee marble and the interior of the bank is Rosetto marble. Interior trim is quarter-sawed oak.

The materials in the bank are, and were the very best obtainable.

The bank building is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places."

The bank has a long history of ownership changes but is currently owned by First National Bank, Brookings, S.D. The banks in Luverne, Beaver Creek and Magnolia were purchased in 1999. The Magnolia branch closed in 2001.

"The Beaver Creek location has always been here," said First National Bank President Ryan DeBates.

The bank was robbed only once in its history, according to employee Marlys Rauk. Although currently working in the Luverne office, Rauk began her banking career in 1974 at the Beaver Creek branch.

In January of 1980, four employees (including Rauk) and one customer were locked in the bank vault by robbers. The bankÕs president hid under his desk and set the hostages free immediately after the robbers left. The Federal Bureau of Investigation later caught the thieves.

Current bank hours at the depository in Beaver Creek are 8:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday.

HISTORICAL BANKING NOTE:
On March 6, 1933, two days after Roosevelt's inauguration, he declared a "national bank holiday" and closed every bank in the United States.

All banks were examined and given a passing or a failing grade. They all remained closed for nine days and only solvent banks re-opened.

There were few transactions allowed in the interim. Customers could cash one check for $10 at the bank only if they needed it for food or medicine. They had to state what they were going to use the money for. They could cash a payroll check if it was marked "payroll check." New accounts could be opened with cash or a government check, but not with a check drawn on another bank account.

All Beaver Creek banks re-opened. After the re-opening of the solvent banks, the safety of accounts was guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, a federal agency. Under the new law, the federal government guaranteed all accounts to the limit of $90,000.

Distinguished judges Pastor George Clausen (left), Peace Lutheran Church, Rock Rapids, Iowa; Pastor Daniel Ramacker, Steen Reformed Church; and Pastor Connie Stone, First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek sample one of 13 entries made by Tuff Home staff in the Pumpkin Bake-Off Contest on Friday.

Photo by Jolene Farley

As Shakespeare would say, fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Volunteer witch Sandy Feucht (right) and her grandson wizard, Cody Flier, serve homemade witches' brew to spooks, young and old, at the Hills Community Club Halloween party on Saturday.

Photo by Jolene Farley

It must be an election year.

If there's ever a time to question our careers in journalism, campaign season is it.

We're either favoring one party over the other, or we're completely dropping the ball by not photographing a grand political fundraising dinner. We charge too much for advertising, and we're too stingy with our editorial freebies.

It's a time when we hunker down, grit our teeth and hope we live to see another election season.

Much like the Christian creed to "be in the world but not of it," journalists are expected to maintain an unbiased, objective approach to campaign coverage while at the same time taking our well-formed personal opinion into the voting booth.

Daily newspapers, it seems, have it easier. Every day, they have new pages to fill with election news in addition to daily news.

At the Star Herald, as it is at most small weeklies, we have one paper each week, and only 16 to 20 pages to work with. Considering many of those pages are already filled with our usual community news coverage - which believe it or not, does continue despite election season, it leaves a limited news hole to cover political candidates.

So, we in the weekly world, take the approach that we will cover our little corner of the world and we cover it thoroughly.

Readers will find very little information about our candidates for governor, Supreme Court, Secretary of State and other state offices in the Star Herald. It's not that those offices aren't important, but we figure our readers can find information about those candidates in their daily newspapers.

What they will find in the Star Herald, however, is information they can't get anywhere else. Two weeks ago, the Star Herald profiled each of the 25 candidates running for school board in three area districts. Last week, the Star Herald covered responses by candidates for State House of Representatives at the Chamber's Candidate Forum. This week, the Star Herald is publishing in-depth interviews of both the sheriff and mayor races. Bet you wonÕt find that in the Globe or the Argus.

WeÕre the first to admit we fall sadly short in our efforts to adequately inform local readers on their voting choices, but we also arenÕt so short-sighted as to assume we're their only source for election information.

We hope that local readers will use all resources available to them to become educated on their voting choices. To learn about Rock County's candidates, see the Star Herald. To learn about who's representing Rock County in Washington, buy a daily.

Senate and House candidates debate this Sunday
To be a better informed voter, don't miss the televised debates to be aired on Pioneer Public Television.

The debate between the candidates that want to represent Rock County in St. Paul will be aired Sunday, Nov. 3.

The Senate debate between the Republican challenger Alex Frick from Luverne and Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL), Tracy, will be broadcast at 1 p.m.

Their counterparts in the House, Rep. Ted Winter (DFL), Fulda, and challenger Doug Magnus (R), Slayton, will debate at 2 p.m.

For reception with an antenna, Pioneer Public TV is on Channel 20, and Mediacom will broadcast the debate on Channel 8.

Sign up for "Do Not Call" starting Monday
Starting Monday, Nov. 4, the Minnesota Department of Commerce plans to begin registering consumers for the "Do Not Call" list.

In the past months, the department has been working on the computer and phone systems that will be needed to accommodate consumers who want to shield themselves from the notorious telemarketers.

According to Minnesota Commerce Commissioner, Jim Bernstein, his department is expecting a flood of calls and Web site hits when the registration begins on Monday.

Callers will be allowed to register up to three residential phone numbers during a single call.

The phone number and Web site will be announced Monday for those who want to register.

NCS Pearson, a Bloomington company, has been awarded the contract to compile the "do not call" list and manage the system.

Under the new law, telemarketers will be required to buy the list and delete any name on it from their database.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2003.

Certain organizations are exempt from the law and do not have to purchase the Do Not Call list before phoning Minnesota residents:

Nonprofit organizations
Political organizations
Businesses with a prior relationship with the customer
Businesses that do not intend to complete the sale over the phone, but rather complete the transaction in a face-to-face setting.

Other aspects of the new law include:

All telemarketers will be prohibited from using devices that disable caller ID on consumer telephones
Telemarketers will be required to immediately identify themselves, the company they represent and the product they are selling.

The Star Herald will report the phone number and Web site when they are announced.

Trick or treats and a haunted house
Along with the trick or treats handed out by Luverne businesses, you can also attend a haunted house.

As I told you last week, Luverne merchants will be handing out Halloween candy from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today (Oct. 31). Signs in the windows will identify which 47 merchants are participating.

The new feature this year is the haunted house. The Peer Helpers will be decorating the Carnegie Cultural Center for the haunted house. The haunted house will be suitable for smaller children.

The price of admission is a canned item for the food shelf.

The hours for the haunted house are also 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Don Robert "Squint" Obele, 80, Hardwick, died Thursday Oct. 17, 2002, at Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.

Services were Sunday, Oct. 20, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. The Rev. Mark Mumme officiated. Burial was in the Maplewood Mausoleum, Luverne.

"Squint" Obele was born to Alf and Clarinda (Tomte) Obele on April 6, 1922, in Lismore. He attended school in Kenneth and Luverne. He entered the U.S. Army in 1941 and served his country in the Coast Artillery. He served in Alaska, England, France and was part of the crossing of the Rhine River in Germany. He returned from the service in 1945.

He married Marion (Babe) Meints on July 16, 1947, in Hardwick. He drove school bus in Hardwick from 1951 to 1960. In 1960, the couple moved to California. They moved back to Hardwick in 1970 and bought the Valley Springs Bar. They operated the bar until 1975 when they moved back to California. The couple returned to Hardwick in 1985. He repaired and sold old houses.

Mr. Obele was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He enjoyed collecting antiques.

Survivors include his wife, Marion (Babe) Obele, Luverne, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Obele was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Luella Woodley, 93, Luverne, died Monday, Nov. 4 at Good Samaritan Home, Pipestone. Visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne. Services will be Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Luverne, with REv. Paul Fries officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Don Phillips, 60, formerly of Luverne, died Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Ypsilanti, Michigan. Funeral services were in Ann Arbor last week. On Sunday, Nov. 10, the family will gather for worship at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, for the 10:45 a.m. service, afterwards a committal service will be held at Maplewood Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. Nie Funeral Home, Ann Arbor, is in charge of arrangements.