It will be a busy construction summer at Luverne Public Schools as work continues on the Alumni Garden, located on the east side of the middle-high school. Crews continue to bring in granite blocks that make up the outdoor classroom portion of the $1.4 million project, which is expected to be finished in September. Parking lot improvements began May 31 when Hulstein Excavating of Edgerton milled off the old asphalt surface. The $819,000 project is expected to be finished in August. Work has also started on the installation of a new, larger sign for the district along Highway 75.

Dispatch report
May 26
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on N. Summit Avenue, Hills, reported vandalism.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 3, Beaver Creek, reported a road and drive laws complaint.
•Complainant on W. Main Street reported narcotics law complaint.
•Complainant on S. McKenzie Street requested extra patrol.
•Complainant reported lost property.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 21, Magnolia, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 31st Street, Hills, reported a public nuisance.
May 27
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported disturbing the peace.
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on 41st Street, Ellsworth, reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on W. Main Street reported suspicious activity.
May 28
•A warrant was issued at Mower County Sheriff’s Office.
•Complainant on County Road 4, Beaver Creek, reported a theft.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 6, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant at the National Guard construction site reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported found property.
May 29
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported debris.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported vandalism.
May 30
•Complainant on 41st Street and 190th Avenue, Ellsworth, reported an outage.
•Complainant in Luverne reported a theft.
•Complainant on 161st Street, Luverne, reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported a disorderly.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported suspicious activity.
May 31
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported trespassing.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported vandalism.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 5, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 91st Street reported a fire.
•Complainant on Lincoln Street and East Park Street reported road repairs.
June 1
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a civil issue.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 13 exit ramp, Luverne, reported a fire.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported an outage.
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on Maple Street and Oakley Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a disorderly.
June 2
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a disorderly.
•Complainant on 80th Avenue, Hardwick, reported theft.
•Complainant on County Road 4, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
In addition, officers responded to 5 motor vehicle accidents, 1 vehicle in ditch, 2 transports, 3 escorts, 7 ambulance runs, 8 paper services, 6 animal complaints, 5 fingerprint requests, 7 burn permits, 1 background check, 1 alarm, 5 purchase and carry permits, 6 stalled vehicles, 81 traffic stops, 17 abandoned 911 calls, 4 reports of cattle out and 3 follow-ups.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will set approximately 20,000 traps this year looking for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar), formerly known as gypsy moth.
This work is part of the MDA’s annual trapping survey program and is designed to protect Minnesota’s forests and urban areas from new infestations of spongy moth by detecting potential problem areas for future treatments.
While the goal of the program is not to trap every spongy moth, trapping is vital to early detection and slowing the spread. In 2022 a record number, 101,763 spongy moths, were trapped, making it even more important that efficient trapping efforts continue.
Survey staff have begun setting traps and will continue through July. Traps will remain in the field through August in the southern region of the state and through October in the northern region.
The “delta” traps are small, triangle-shaped and made of cardboard. Bigger “milk carton” shaped traps will be set in select areas of Lake, Cook, and St. Louis counties to accommodate potentially higher numbers of moths.
All the traps contain a pheromone to lure in male spongy moths if they are present.
To be successful, it is important to maintain the trapping grid.
In addition, this year the MDA is asking the public to be extra vigilant on spotting potential infestations and reporting potential spongy moth sightings via the Report a Pest online service or by emailing reportapest@state.mn.us.
“With the public’s help, this work protects industries like tourism and forestry from economic harm and saves Minnesota’s urban and forested areas from environmental damage,” said Plant Protection Director Mark Abrahamson.
Spongy moth caterpillars are a problem because they eat the leaves of over 300 types of trees and shrubs, favoring oak, poplar, birch, and willow.
Severe, repeated infestations can kill trees, especially when the trees are already stressed by drought or disease. Multiple life stages of spongy moth are also a human nuisance.
For more details about the trapping survey program and spongy moth, visit the MDA website.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding pesticide applicators of state-specific restrictions for the use of dicamba herbicide for the 2023 growing season. Engenia by BASF, Tavium by Syngenta, and XtendiMax by Bayer are the only dicamba formulations labeled for use on dicamba-tolerant (DT) soybeans. In Minnesota, dicamba products cannot be applied on DT soybeans after June 12 south of Interstate 94 and after June 30 north of Interstate 94.
In addition to the cut-off date, these three dicamba products cannot be applied in Minnesota when the air temperature is over 85° Fahrenheit at the time of application or if the forecast high temperature of the nearest available location exceeds 85°. Forecast temperature must be recorded at the start of the application. This restriction is for the entire state.
When applying these products, applicators must have all applicable labels in their possession. Compliance with these Minnesota-specific restrictions and other restrictions listed on the product label is mandatory.
This year’s cut-off dates were first announced on Jan. 10, 2023, and follow the state restrictions of the 2022 growing season. Because of those dates, the MDA saw a significant decrease in alleged drift complaints.
“We understand there have been weather challenges this spring that may have caused concerns for growers who want to use this crop management tool,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen.
“However, delaying applications to try and control later emerging weeds may result in poor performance, and later applications present other risks. We wish to preserve this tool for farmers without impacting neighboring crops, homes, farms, and gardens.”
Dicamba is most effective early in the growing season. Product labels recommend application on small broadleaf weeds that are up to 4 inches tall.
To manage weeds after the June 12 or June 30 cut-off dates, herbicides from Group 9 (Glyphosate), Group 2 (Pursuit, Classic, FirstRate), and Group 14 (Flexstar, Cobra, Cadet, Ultra Blazer) can be used. If your soybeans contain the Enlist trait, broadleaf weeds can be controlled with Enlist One or Enlist Duo herbicides. Other 2,4-D formulations cannot be used postemergence on Enlist soybeans. If you have herbicide resistant weeds such as waterhemp, follow University of Minnesota Extension recommendations on layering of residual herbicides such as Dual, Outlook, Warrant, and Valor.
The postemergence dicamba products for use on soybeans are “Restricted Use Pesticides” for retail sale to and for use only by certified applicators.
 
Background information
Since dicamba was first registered for use on dicamba-tolerant soybeans in the 2017 growing season, the MDA has fielded complaints each year of alleged off-site movement onto neighboring property. The chemical is highly volatile and can damage non-target plant species through spray drift and/or volatilization. The annual total reports for alleged drift were:
2022: 322021: 3042020: 1282019: 202018: 512017:                                            249

The popular Tales from the Graves historic reenactments for the Historical Society moved this year from Maplewood Cemetery to the plaza on East Main Street.
The event attracted nearly 300 people and organizers noted that the new venue has better access for parking and walking, and the shelter house offers protection from hot sun and other elements.
Featured characters this year were Simon Skovgaard, Edia Headley, Margaret Vegge and Hugo Goehle. Performers were Pucky Sandager, Elaine Hansen, Terri Ebert and Tom Goehle, respectively.
“They put much time and thought into this, and their preparation definitely showed,” said History Center director Wendel Buys.
He said this year’s stories featured historical characters that provided a broad spectrum of Rock County eras and employments.
The Tales from the Graves booklets detailing the life history of featured Rock County characters are sold as a fundraiser for the Historical Society.
The books are still available for $5. Call the History Center at 507-283-2122.

Open house
An open house bridal shower for Kaitlyn Roberts, bride-to-be of Thomas Vagjrt, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18, at Take 16 Brewing Co. at 501 E. Main Street, Luverne.

LSS meals at Generations
 
Monday, June 12: Parmesan chicken, green beans, fruit cocktail, bread stick, dessert.
Tuesday, June 13:
Meatballs, mashed potatoes, carrots, bread, pudding.
Wednesday, June 14: Turkey noodle casserole, broccoli florets, cinnamon baked apple slices, dinner roll, cookie.
Thursday, June 15: Roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, peaches, bread.
Friday, June 16:
Lemon pepper fish, scalloped potatoes, mixed green salad with dressing, dinner roll, birthday cake.
Half-Price Day sponsored by St. John Lutheran Church.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Pam Franken at 283-9846, extension 11 to reserve one day prior, to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older.
The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on October 14, 1943.
 
This may sound funny, but Mrs. Anna Varah, Hardwick, swears it’s the truth. She owes her life to maple syrup water.
Born in Clayton county, Iowa, Dec. 25, 1869, the daughter of William and Rosella Ostreich, she was a mere baby when she became very ill. The physician from Elkader, who was called to care for her, prescribed maple syrup water as her only medicine. She eventually recovered, after she had once been considered dead. She was so ill that she lay motionless and cold, and was given up by the family. However, when they began to bathe her with warm water, she began showing signs of life, and she is still lively to this day. Because of her illness, she was unable to walk until she was three years old.
Her family lived on the Big Turkey river, in Clayton county, and she recalls that the river often provided them with fish for the family table. One catfish her father landed, she relates, touched the ground and he was carrying it over his shoulder.
She attended public school but little, because she was third oldest of a family of 12, and her help was required at home. “I got some schooling,” she states, “but I forgot about everything I did learn, which wasn’t much.”
As a girl she helped her father with the farm work. When he cut the small grain with a “cradle,” her brother raked it together, her mother bound it into bundles, and she would gather the bundles together and would set them in a shock.
She had planted corn, dropping three kernels at a time by hand. In those days, no one thought of using a cultivator, she states. All the corn was kept clean with a hoe, and a hoe was also used in planting and covering the corn.
Their farm was a clearing in a wooded area. The settlers had no money to buy wire fencing so they made rail fences from the available timber, to keep the cattle from going into the fields. “Sometimes the cows would get smart,” said Mrs. Varah, “and they’d learn the crotches in the posts. Then they’d get into the fields, and we’d have a lot of trouble.”
One cow in each herd, she added, would always have a bell so that the cattle could be located in the timber land where they were pastured.
Local sugar shortages are considered a joke by Mrs. Varah. “Why, we’d go a year at a time, and even more, without seeing a grain of white sugar,” she stated. “Father raised sorghum, and we’d tap the maple trees in the spring and get maple sugar and that’s all.”
Farmers raised a few hogs, and in the early days, they butchered them out during the winter time. She recalls neighbors would have “regular slaughtering bees” at which time, several farmers worked together killing several head of hogs. These would be stored in huge coolers for some time, until they were frozen solid, and then would be hauled like cordwood to town from where they were shipped to the market.
Later, when more hogs were being raised, the farmers would get together and drive them to the stockyard in their town from where they would be shipped to the packers. Mrs. Varah remembers how much trouble the men often had in driving them across the bridge across the Big Turkey river. Many times, they would have to make them swim across, when they would start across the plank flooring of the bridge. Mrs. Varah pointed out that making a hog swim is dangerous, as they are naturally poor swimmers, and often cut their own throats with the hooves on their front feet.

Area students graduate from MSU Mankato
Two area students received degrees at Minnesota State University, Mankato, following the Spring 2023 semester.
Faith Mounce, Hills, graduated cum laude with a  Bachelor of Science in marketing and in CERT, graphic design.
Jesse Kontz, Luverne, earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and in law enforcement.
 
Schultz graduates at Northwestern
Amanda Schultz, Luverne, graduated from Northwestern NEXT, a 2-year program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, Saturday, May 13, at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.
 
Gehrke, Ripka earn degrees at Mitchell Tech
Dyllon Gehrke and Braydon Ripka, both of Luverne, graduated from Mitchell Technical College in Mitchell, South Dakota, on May 3.
Gehrke earned a degree in heating and cooling technology, and Ripka graduated with a degree in power line construction and maintenance.
 
Raymon receives degree at Northwestern
Garrett Raymon, Hills, graduated summa cum laude at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, Saturday, May 13, with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and ecological science.
 
USD Vermillion announces dean’s list and academic honors
The University of South Dakota, Vermillion, has released the dean’s list and the academic honors list for the Spring 2023 semester.
Named to the dean’s list were Kailey Rozeboom, Hills, and Sydney Biever, Brandy Pilaczynski, Sadie Reisdorfer,Madeleine Schmuck,McKenzie VanGrootheest,Brooklynn Ver Steeg, Lauren VerSteeg, and Gracie Zewiski, all of Luverne.
Named to the academic honors list were Mackenzie Petersen and Mace Walgrave, both of Luverne.
To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale with at least 12 graded credits. Students who qualify with  fewer than 12 credits are named to the academic honors list.
 
Olson graduates from Morningside
Rylee Olson, Luverne, graduated Saturday, May 13, from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry.
 
Area students receive degrees at USF
Three area students graduated from the University of Sioux Falls on Sunday, May 21. Jake Haugen graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, and Derek Lundgren and Grace Steensma received Bachelor of Arts degrees.
 
Area students earn degrees at LATI, Watertown
Four area students graduated following Spring 2023 semester at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota.
Paige Sandbulte, Luverne, received a degree in agriculture; Chase Bosch, Hills, earned a degree in diesel technology; Nicholas Nekali, Luverne, completed a degree in heavy equipment operator; Sean Elbers, Steen, earned a degree in welding technology.
 
Emery makes dean’s list at Winona
Sam Emery, Luverne, was named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2023 semester at Winona State University. To be eligible, students must earn at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and have completed a minimum of 12 graded credits.
 
Wenzel makes Morningside dean’s list
Mia Wenzel, Luverne, was named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2023 semester at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. To be eligible, students must earn a 3.67 or higher on a 4.0 scale.