By Jolene Farley
When Bob Metzger heard his part-time employer, Jackrabbit Bus Lines, Sioux Falls, S.D., was asking for drivers to drive buses at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, he jumped at the chance.

More than 800 buses were needed to transport athletes and media to and from sporting events.

By September Metzger, who drives bus when he isnÕt working as a cattle buyer, knew he would be driving one of eight buses, leased from Jackrabbit Lines to Lewis Brother Bus Lines, to Salt Lake City.

Metzger, who is a Lester, Iowa, resident, had to submit a resume and a picture and pass a background check to get the job.

Metzger's group left for Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 24, with empty buses. When they arrived at their destination, drivers attended two days of schooling and started driving on Monday, Jan. 28.

Metzger learned procedures on how to deal with protesters. "Usually they are there," he said. "but I think they were so scared of security they stayed away."

Metzger's route, which ran from 2 p.m. to midnight, was from the media center to the speed skating oval (auditorium) and back.

At the media center, giant screens projected each event as it happened, and reporters broadcast coverage to countries around the world.

Metzger said he was honored when he was chosen to transport athletes to the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics.

He was disappointed when he realized after arriving home that bus drivers were provided with passes, worth around $800, for opening ceremonies.

The drivers were not told the passes were behind their security badges. "We didn't find out until two weeks later," said Metzger.

Metzger said he sometimes didn't recognize the athletes as he transported them, but when he saw them on TV he recognized them.

"When they performed on TV we knew we hauled them," said Metzger.

Security was an issue at the Olympics. Those attending sporting events waited about 20 minutes to work their way through security lines.

"It was tight, very tight," said Metzger. Bus drivers were issued security passes so they didn't have to stand in security lines.

After the buses were full, sticker seals were placed on the closed doors of the bus. If a seal was broken when it arrived at its destination the bus had to be reinspected by security.

Police escorts were sandwiched between each bus when Metzger transported athletes for closing ceremonies.

Metzger said many people collected pins at the Olympics. Sponsoring companies and others offered pins for visiting tourists to purchase.

"People would buy pins, trade pins. There were pins going for $100," he said.

Metzger arrived home with a pin collection himself, including a "Driving for the Gold" pin he received from the bus company.

Salt Lake City is a very nice town, according to Metzger. Mornings he wasn't working he toured the city and appreciated the "easy driving" on the very wide and parallel streets.

"Brigham Young made the streets so you could turn an oxen and cart around in them," he said.

Tuff home residents Ruth Smith (left), Alice Goettsch and Signe Egebo color eggs on Friday with Pastor Lowell Berg in preparation for Easter. Residents enjoyed bars and a beverage while choosing a color to dye their eggs.

Photo by Jolene Farley

By Jolene Farley
I was unsure what I'd encounter when I set off on a 13-day trip to Bolivia, South America, with Mano a Mano on March 13. Story inside.

Peterson purchases law firm in Tyler
Glen Peterson, an attorney with Skewes Klosterbuer and Vajgrt, has purchased the Lee Bush law firm in Tyler.

Peterson started working for Skewes Klosterbuer and Vajgrt in August 1998.

He came to Luverne after graduating from the University of South Dakota in May 1998.

Tuesday, April 2, was Peterson's last day in Luverne.

Bush sold his law firm because he was recently appointed a district court judge by Gov. Jesse Ventura. He will replace Judge Marshall in the Marshall, Minn., seat.

Peterson will work with Bush until April 26, when Bush will be sworn in and Peterson will officially take over the practice.

Work to continue on Highway 60
The next phase of a four-lane Highway 60 will begin in a few weeks.

This year's section of four-lane upgrade will run from Heron Lake to Wilder.

The project is expected to start in May and run through November.

The total cost of the project is $14.4 million. Land acquisition costs were an additional $2.1 million.

As economy improves, bankruptcies reach new highs
The high-flying economy that came to a sudden stop a while ago caught more than a few people off guard.

After a decade of unprecedented growth and prosperity, 2001 set a new record for bankruptcies.

2001 saw nearly 1.5 million bankruptcy filings by consumers and businesses, 97% of which were personal, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Evidently, people who thought the golden '90s would last forever and overextended themselves on credit got caught with too little in savings when the rainy days of 2001 came.

For those choosing the bankruptcy route, three recommendations are:

Review your budget quarterly.
Save 10% of your after-tax earnings in a savings plan.
See a financial counselor.

It shouldn't be surprising that with the increase in bankruptcy the unemployment rate has also increased.

Non-farm employment shed a seasonally adjusted 1,300 jobs in February, the 11th loss in the past 12 months.

The biggest losses were in services and retail trade.

Peak unemployment in Minnesota came in January, at 4.9 percent, compared with 6.3 percent nationally.

Are you a friend of the Library?
If you want to help support our local library, attend the annual meeting of Friends of the Library.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m Monday, April 15, the Rock County Community Library basement.

Steve Kallin from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will speak on "Touch The Sky Prairie," one of the local Brandenburg projects.

The lost is found
A couple weeks ago Star Herald editor Lori Ehde reported on one of Rock County's recent fires, this one at the home of Harvey and Tamara Horn, Luverne.

Fortunately for the Horns, no one was hurt, and even the dog got out safely, but they noted one potential loss.

Someplace in the rubble and ashes was Tamara's wedding ring.

Tamara, who was in the hospital, recovering from the birth of their third child, had taken off her wedding ring a few weeks earlier due to swelling in her fingers.

At the time of story in the March 21 edition of the Star Herald, the wedding ring was still missing.

We are happy to report that Tamara called the Star Herald this week to say that her wedding ring has been found.

It was discovered on the floor of their bedroom in the ashes.

The family has taken up temporary residence in the City Centre Apartments.

Hey, kids, got a good fish story?
If you've got a good fish story and would like to share it, I have a writing contest for you.

The Minnesota Fishing Federation is sponsoring a writing contest for kids to share their favorite fish story.

The stories may be handwritten or typed and must be on one side of one sheet of paper.

An extra sheet may be used if you have a photo or colored picture to accompany the story.

The contest is divided into two age categories, ages 6-12 and 13-17.

Entries should be mailed to Fish Tales, P.O. Box 450, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.

All entries must be postmarked by April 20.

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

ISD #2184 School Board meets Feb. 28
FEBRUARY 28, 2002
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Library on Thursday, February 28, 2002, at 7:30 p.m.

The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Cary Radisewitz. Also present: Superintendent Vincent Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Jan Olson, Melody Tenhoff, Gary Fisher, Dianne Headrick, Roger Headrick, Greg Antoine, Terry Nelson, Linda Limesand, Emily Matthiesen, Diane Robinson, Louise Thorson, Tina Egland, Gordie Hansen, Cloyce Smith, Dale Nelson, Dave Svingen, Craig Nelson, Al Brinkman, Carol Goehle, Deb Vander Kooi, Beth Capistran, Sandy Klosterbuer, Linda Gulden, Jane Cote, Bonnie Kirchhofer, Linda Bakken, Jodi Rops, Joanne Gabrielson, Tom Lanoue, Michael Wenninger, Dan Amborn, Karla Osterday, Patsy Amborn, Marie Atkinson-Smeins, Chris Nowatzki, Doug Dooyema, Joel Swanson, Matt Crosby - K101/KQAD Radio, and Sara Strong - Rock County Star Herald.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Don Bryan. Superintendent Schaefer announced that there is an addendum to the agenda. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda and addendum. Motion carried.

Jodi Rops, Linda Bakken, and Joanne Gabrielson made a presentation to the School Board regarding the Child Guide program.

Beth Novotny spoke to the School Board regarding the Fine Arts program.

Administrative reports were given.

Motion by Stegemann, second by Tofteland, to approve the consent agenda to include the School Board minutes of January 24, 2002; the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of January 31, 2002; and to appoint Superintendent Schaefer to the Luverne Community Economic Development Commission. Motion carried.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve payment of the District bills in the amount of $923,572.30. Motion carried.

Mr. Schaefer announced that the MS/HS HVAC Remodeling Project bid deadline has been extended two weeks. No action will be taken.

Superintendent Schaefer informed the School Board that two quotes had been received for the asbestos removal to be done during the Easter break. M.A.A.C. in Montevideo quoted $15,600.00 and Quad States also of Montevideo quoted $6,733.00. MacNeil Environmental will oversee this project. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to accept the quote of Quad States in the amount of $6,733.00. Motion carried.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve the SW/WC Service Cooperative contracts for the 2002-2003 school year in the amount of $46,942.86. Motion carried.

Motion by Kopp, second by Walgrave, to accept the retirement of Pauline Ailts, bus driver, effective December 31, 2001; approve hiring Amanda Buysse as full-time Special Education teacher; approve hiring Emily Johnson as part-time Speech Pathologist; approve a leave for Denise Fick on February 20-21, 2002; approve a leave of absence from February 25-March 1, 2002, for Henrietta Elbers; approve a leave of absence for Laura Earl from February 25-March 1, 2002; approve the resignation of Elizabeth Moe, Title 1 Asst., effective March 8, 2002; and, approve a leave for Karla Osterday on March 11-12, 2002. Motion carried.

Motion by Tofteland, second by Stegemann, to set the entire fee for the Driver Education program at $180 per student to be paid in full by May 22, 2002. Motion carried.

Committee reports were given. Don Bryan reported on behalf of the Personnel Committee that the negotiations with the Luverne Education Association are pending arbitration.

Mr. Schaefer requested a consensus of the School Board to allow the School District to participate in "Wrap-around" in Rock County.

Chairperson Don Bryan reviewed the upcoming meeting dates. Superintendent Schaefer handed out his performance appraisal to be completed by the Board members and returned to Chairperson Bryan.
Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Dated: February 28, 2002
Rebecca Walgrave, Clerk
(4-4)

By Sara Strong
This year's economic downturn has almost doubled Rock County's job counseling caseload compared with last year's.

Brian Sietsema is helping people who can work find it.

Sietsema works only with people who are able to work in some capacity. He tries to help them identify or develop job skills and find suitable work.

As a job counselor for the Private Industry Council, Sietsema contracts with Family Services to work with clients receiving cash assistance.

That cash assistance has a lifetime limit of 60 months as set by the state Legislature in 1997. So those who were in the program at that time can expect to lose those benefits in June.

Sietsema said most of his clients receiving cash benefits move in and out of the program, but one family could hit the maximum next March.

"People used to be able to do a lot of job hopping, but in this economy, I tell them not to quit a job unless they have one lined up for sure," Sietsema said.

Keeping jobs is something Sietsema said some of his clients have difficulty doing in any economy. The responsibility, along with other barriers, like training or transportation, can prevent people from becoming fully independent.

His job is kept as efficient as possible by working in close proximity to financial workers and other Family Services workers. This keeps communication open on case files and ensures that clients are both kept in line and helped to the maximum ability of the agencies.

Sietsema has also started a local Job Club to serve some of the clients who used to have to go to Worthington.

He credits local employers for giving some of his clients valuable work experience. "We have really good business people here," Sietsema said.

The Private Industry Council pays for the position of some workers in order for them to get work experience and better job references.

Living in southwest Minnesota doesn't offer many opportunities for high paying jobs.

The Minnesota Department of Economic Security reported in January that more than 60 percent of job vacancies in the region required a high school diploma and pay a median wage of $8 an hour. Another 18 percent of job vacancies didn't require a diploma and paid $8 an hour.

That leaves vocational training, two-year degrees, bachelor's degrees and advanced degrees with the smaller portions of job openings, and even those pay a lower wage than in other parts of the state.

The message that study sends is that the majority of job openings don't keep the most educated workers and that workers who take the available jobs don't make enough to support families.

Sietsema points out that the state makes exceptions for people who can't work and that they will continue to receive cash assistance past the state limits.

Clients who lose cash help will continue to qualify for healthcare, food stamps and day care if they are employed.

Merle Cook presents an option for a suit to a customer in the men's department in 1978.

By Lori Ehde
Legends in the retail clothing industry will tell you adaptability is key to survival.

In the case of Cook's Clothing, Luverne, itÕs that plus a healthy dose of hard work that has kept them in business for 50 years.

Merle and Bob Cook are celebrating a landmark year this week, reflecting back on where it all started April 2, 1952.

Merle's start
For Merle, now retired, retail clothing is the only work he really knew.

He started in the industry at age 16 when one of his lawn mowing clients, a men's clothing store owner, offered him a job.

That summer of 1941 he embarked on what would be lifelong career. For $5 a week, he worked after school and Saturdays at Lawler and Huntting in downtown Fairmont.

"At the time, $5 a week was great," Merle said, "and it beat the heck out of mowing lawns."
He remembers selling suits for $20 apiece, shirts for $3 and ties for $1.

After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and served a year as a tail gunner in Germany during WWII.

When he returned to the States, he worked five years for LaskerÕs Clothing and for a short time at Greene's Clothing in Worthington.

When Merle's tie salesman told him of an opening in Luverne, he interviewed with Dick Creeger and got the job.

He started at Creeger's on April 2, 1952, marking the beginning of a 50-year retail clothing career in Luverne.

Merle enjoyed 25 years with Creeger and learned to respect his management style. "I learned to pay attention to business," he said. "Dick was a good man."

Bob's start...
By 1976, Merle had become a partner in Creeger's, and Dick Creeger offered him the opportunity to buy the men's department.

"It wasn't a big decision for me because by that time I was more than ready to have my own place," Merle said. "I took the department right down to the bare walls and moved it across the street."

It wasn't long before he was looking to hire some help.

His son, Bob, at that time was teaching in Australia on a two-year contract. He had graduated from Augustana College with a math degree and a computer minor.

Australia had experienced a birth explosion and had to recruit trained teachers to keep up with students.

"I remember writing to him and asking if he needed any help with the store," Bob said.

His dad responded with a brief letter. "You can start Monday, May 1."

Though he was teaching advanced high school math at the time, Bob knew he could do the job for his dad.

"I've always been a salesman," he said. "I was selling math in those days."

He remembers delivering the Worthington Daily Globe as a boy, and during a six-month subscription promotion, he brought his route from 29 subscribers to 85.

Working for his dad, Bob learned to respect what business ownership was about. "This business is full of detail work," Bob said. "There are lots of little things to keep track of."

With his hard work and dedication, Bob quickly earned the respect of his father. "I wasn't surprised," Merle said. "I knew what he was capable of."

Bob said he made it easy for his father to ease into retirement.

"I was always there to take care of the business - not only the business but to take care of the customers," he said. "That type of customer service comes only from ownership."

Merle retired in 1989, but he keeps up daily contact with his son and with the store. "We still have a good working relationship," Bob said.

Merle's retirement was sealed by the introduction of computers that year. "I don't even know how to open the till now," he said.

The expansion years
Computers weren't the only new thing at Cook's once Bob took over.

In 1991, Cook's Ladies Wear opened after Luverne lost Creegers Ladies Wear and Bostwick's. "We figured the menÕs clothing business would suffer, too," Bob said.

"It was a matter of adapting. I wanted to be able to capture a bigger market because our profit margins were dwindling. We felt a need to do more business, and we felt this town needed women's clothing."

The addition brought Cook's from five to 14 employees, and between the two stores, the business occupied 10,000 square feet.

The two stores operated across the street from each other from 1991 to 1997.

Also during that time, Cook's opened a men's and women's store in the Marshall mall. From 1995 to 1997, the 10,000-square-foot store operated with 20 employees.

When that mall lost its anchor, JC Penney, Cook's in Marshall closed. "It wasn't a profitable venture," Bob said.

Challenges, rewards
Two things have happened in the clothing industry that have made the business increasingly challenging.

"The way people dress has changed," Bob said. "They're more relaxed about it. We looked at who we were for many years and what we're about. Now we're selling casual as well as dress up."

Gone were the days of selling suits and ties for a living, and these changing trends forced Cook's to diversify into shoes and other accessories.

"That's part of being in retail," Bob said. "People were spending less on better clothing and more on better shoes."

The other change Bob and Merle noted was in customers' buying habits.

"I don't think today that customers are as true as they used to be," Merle said. "It used to be if you did a guy a favor, they'd keep doing business with you the rest of their lives. I had third generations coming to me."

Now, he said, people shop wherever they can get the best deal - and that often means shopping outside of Luverne.

Bob said working hard to meet business demands didn't come without a personal cost.

"There were times I should have been at home being a better husband and father. It was nothing to put in 60 hours a week in that store," Bob said.

"Sometimes I'd like those little boys around again, and I'd like to go home and play with them, but there were only so many hours in a day."

Merle said the rewards have balanced those sacrifices. "Probably what I enjoyed the most was pleasing customers," he said. "There's a lot of satisfaction in that.

Bob agrees. "It's that personal satisfaction in helping someone look good."

Cook's is celebrating 50 years this week with special sales and free coffee and cookies every day.

By Sara Strong
For the first time, the state is giving all counties the option of taxing gravel extraction rather than granting it on the previous county-by-county basis.

Rock County has considered the tax before but brought it up at the joint meeting of township boards and Rock County Commissioners Tuesday.

The townships will continue to consider the issue with the county in a meeting that calls for one representative from each township to join the County Board for discussion.

State law calls for the county to receive 60 percent of the tax revenue, the townships to receive 30 percent and the remaining 10 percent to go into a fund for reclaiming gravel pits when they are abandoned.

The meeting between townships and the county will first explore whether there is township support for the tax and then determine how the 30-percent township portion should be allocated.

The state doesn't specify whether the township of the gravel's origin should get a higher portion of the revenue, whether it should be split equally among townships or whether it should have a different formula altogether.

The gravel tax was first discussed as a way to recoup costs of wear on roads used by heavy gravel equipment. It also considers that gravel is a resource that, once gone from the county, can't be replaced.

The gravel tax would be a production tax - the extractor pays quarterly based on the amount of gravel mined.
The law was modeled after the iron ore tax.

All gravel, no matter if its origin was outside the county, would be taxed at the same rate.

Within the next 15 years, the gravel supply is expected to be in high demand, according to County Engineer Mark Sehr.

Now in the state, 23 counties have a gravel tax, but this is the first year the Legislature opened it up to all counties.

Rural watchdogs
Signs of drug use or manufacturing may not be on the forefront of most township residents' minds, but Deputy Evan Verbrugge said they can be a big help to the local police department.

"The county is small, but yet it can be big, so if you suspect something's going on, let us know," Verbrugge said. "We might not be able to see what you do."

He spoke to township representatives on the signs of drug use and manufacturing, which is becoming more common in rural areas.

Verbrugge pointed out that tips could lead to an investigation that might take some time to garner a search warrant. He asked people to be patient in waiting for results from their tips, because they often aren't immediate.

Farmers with anhydrous ammonia are asked to keep their supplies out of reach of thieves and to report any suspected thefts or tampering.

Even if a methamphetamine manufacturer isn't caught with the drug product, just tampering with anhydrous ammonia is a felony that carries a five-year sentence.

Verbrugge went over the chemicals used to make the drug and supplies that often accompany the use and manufacture of meth, or speed.

Some of those materials are: ephedrine, iodine, lithium batteries, lye, anhydrous ammonia, match boxes, salts, household cleaners, alcohol, ether, bowls, blenders, hot plates, rubber gloves, gas cans, rubber tubing, coffee filters and paper towels.

Many other similar products, although common on their own, signal possible meth manufacturing.

The speed drug (sometimes called crank, ice, chalk or crystal) shows up in users as symptoms like sores on skin, body odor, poor hygiene, paranoia and lack of sleep.

Verbrugge reminded people that touching the product itself or anything related is hazardous and that law enforcement should be the first call.

Sheriff Ron McClure said the county calls in state experts to handle manufacturing sites because of the dangers. If there is a spill on a manufacturing site, McClure said, even the dirt has to be removed.

The best way to help law enforcement is to record suspicious activity. Jotting down a license plate, description and time of day helps officers because they often get a call and the vehicle or person is gone.

Township residents can sometimes be more aware of unusual traffic patterns on roads that used to see little activity. They might notice a presence at a formerly abandoned rural building.

Verbrugge and McClure urge people to call with information that may seem small because it could spur the department to do further investigations.

The talk with township officials Tuesday has already gotten the department feedback. Wednesday morning McClure reported that his office got a call from someone who attended the township meeting. That person reported a suspicious vehicle on a gravel road.

A deputy checked on the vehicle, which was sitting on the side of the road. The driver was listening to South Dakota law enforcement on a scanner and upon further investigation, was found to be wanted on three warrants.

A chase ended in South Dakota with an arrest that might not have happened without the tip.

By Sara Strong
While the concept of community policing may be in favor, the Rock County Board of Commissioners isn't sure if it wants to support it financially.

The board reviewed a proposal Tuesday from the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute. It could assess, design, implement and evaluate the Rock County Sheriff's Department practices and procedures and help it on its way to a new type of law enforcement.

The department has said it's open to change, and the city and county have met in committees on the subject already.

The board didn't vote on the proposal Tuesday but will bring it back to the table at its April 16 meeting.

Board Chair Jane Wildung said, "I think we can learn from an assessment and take a step-by-step approach to see what we can do."

Community policing is a proactive approach to law enforcement that stresses community involvement and communication. It includes things like attending community functions in addition to following up with crime victims or communicating areas of concern with the public.

Wildung said she supports the idea of the outside firm analyzing the department, but the high price tag is why she suggested not purchasing the entire package at once.

An estimate for the assessment portion is $10,000 in wages and travel and lodging expenses.

The assessment would include analyzing the current and future expectations of the department. The Institute would interview local people to get a feel for the perception of police work. It would also study internal operations that the public doesnÕt necessarily see.

The assessment would come in the form of a report that would identify the current strengths, weaknesses and challenges of the organization and the gaps that exist between the current and desired performance levels.

The department and city and county would have this objective report to use when looking at areas to improve.

Commissioner Ron Boyenga said he wondered if a local committee could be formed to do the same thing at a much cheaper rate.

Wildung said she would prefer to see the assessment completed sooner than later.

Commissioner Wendell Erickson said he was torn on the issue mostly because of the high cost attached.

"We do need something to happen; maybe this is the right piece," he said.

Property sales
The first step in assessing the tax base for 2003 starts with tallying residential and agricultural sales in the county.

County Assessor Tom Houselog reported those numbers to the Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. In summary he said the county isn't seeing an increase in sales so far. The county's tax base isn't experiencing a swell either, because property values aren't seeing a huge increase. Houselog said that can always change with new construction.

County-wide agricultural estimated market values had an overall increase of 3.9 percent, with a range of 1 percent less than or 20 percent more than the previous value.

The majority of sales were in the western third of the county.

In other business the board:
Learned that staff and a committee agreed on a new director for the Land Management Office. Eric Hartman, Okabena, will begin duties April 15 at a salary of (COMING).

Agreed to share costs with the city of Luverne and Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital for an Arbor Day tree planting. Sixty trees that are already eight to 10 feet tall will be planted at Schoneman Park.

The ceremony on April 26 includes family members of Hospice patients tying ribbons around the trees. The county's cost is $1,200.

Received an audit report from State Auditor Roger Albertson. He said the county's records were mostly clean but suggested minor areas of record keeping that could be improved.

The county saw a net equity gain of $176,000 and has about 11 months of operational costs in reserves. Fines paid from the Global Ventures hog operation and related bank crime convictions helped the county's balance somewhat this year.

Family Services has a healthier reserve compared to the last audit, largely due to decreased expenses.