By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne girls put an end to an eight-game basketball losing streak by ambushing Southwest Christian by six points in Luverne Tuesday.

The Cards lost their eighth straight tilt by 13 points in Pipestone Thursday.

Luverne, 3-14 overall, host Redwood Valley tonight before playing in Adrian Monday.

Luverne 55, SWC 49
The Cardinals were able to recover from a slow start to upend the E-Gals in Luverne Tuesday.

Trailing 12-2 early in the first quarter, things didnÕt look good for the home-standing Cards. Luverne, however, rallied to outscore SWC 53-37 the rest of the way to post a six-point victory.

"We played a lot of good basketball after that slow start," said Cardinal coach Jason Phelps. "A lot of the things we've been working on all season came together Tuesday."

After falling behind by 10 points early, the Cardinals went on a 12-4 run to trim SWC's lead to two points (16-14) by the end of the first quarter.

Luverne moved in front by two points in the second quarter and took a 33-28 lead at the intermission when Maggie Kuhlman hit a three-point shot right before halftime.

The Cards led by three points (42-39) after the third quarter before prevailing by five in the end.
Patricia Willers led LHS with 12 points and nine rebounds. Kuhlman had five assists.

Box score
Kuhlman 3 1 0-0 9, Lange 2 0 2-3 6, Pick 4 0 0-4 8, Top 4 0 0-3 8, P.Willers 4 0 4-6 12, S.Willers 1 0 0-0 2, Bush 0 0 2-4 2, Kopp 4 0 0-0 8.

Team statistics
Luverne: 23 of 56 field goals (41 percent), eight of 20 free throws (40 percent), 28 rebounds, 14 turnovers.
SWC: 18 of 58 field goals (31 percent), 10 of 21 free throws (48 percent), 17 rebounds, seven turnovers.

P-J 52, Luverne 39
The Cardinal girls scared the home-standing Arrows before falling by 13 points in Pipestone Thursday.

P-J, a team that lost two games overall entering the tilt, found itself facing 14-12 and 24-18 deficits at the first two quarter breaks and tied at 30 after the third quarter.

By making some defensive adjustments that confused the Cardinals in the fourth quarter, P-J outscored LHS 22-9 to win by 13.

"We lost our composure in the fourth quarter," said Cardinal coach Phelps. "They switched to a full-court press and fell back into a half-court man-to-man defense, and we didn't adjust to it very well. We were turning the ball over a lot, and they were nine-of-nine at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter."

Luverne's Sarah Lange scored all 12 of her points while carrying the Cards to a two-point lead in the first quarter. Luverne led by as many as 10 points in the second period before settling for a six-point halftime cushion.

Patricia Willers recorded a double-double for LHS by scoring 10 points and racking up 10 rebounds. Maggie Kuhlman had four assists for the Cards.

Box score
Kuhlman 0 1 0-2 3, Croft 1 0 0-0 2, Lange 6 0 0-2 12, Pick 1 0 0-0 2, Top 0 1 0-2 3, P.Willers 4 0 2-3 10, S.Willers 1 0 1-1 3, Tofteland 1 0 0-0 2, Bush 0 0 0-0 0, Kopp 0 0 2-2 2.

Team statistics
Luverne: 16 of 42 field goals (38 percent), five of 12 free throws (42 percent), 29 rebounds, 32 turnovers.
P-J: Field goal totals were unavailable, 14 of 20 free throws (70 percent, 19 rebounds, nine turnovers.

By Lori Ehde
There's no such thing as too much love and attention for children - or old people for that matter.

The Foster Grandparent program in Luverne Elementary School benefits both ends of the age spectrum while helping teachers at the same time.

Jim Vink, Luverne's only foster grandparent so far, can't say enough good things about the program.

"I really enjoy it," said Vink, who serves as a foster grandparent to Shirley Harrison's kindergarten students.

"What I enjoy the most is the reaction of the kids toward me. Some of them say 'Mr. Vink, I love you.' And that's very rewarding."

The Foster Grandparent program came to Luverne with a $3,600 federal grant through the Rock County Collaborative. The point of the program is to provide additional positive role models in classrooms.

Luverne has funding for 10 foster grandparents, but so far Vink is the only one who applied. Applicants must be 60 years old or older and must have an interest in working with children.

For Vink, who is paid only $2 per hour, it's a dream job. "I just love it," he said. "I just get to be a grandparent to the kids."

The grant specifies that his time be spent with the children - not on clerical work such as photocopying or errands.

In the classroom, he helps small fingers with glue and scissors, and he helps young readers sound out new words as they venture into words and sentences.

During recess, he plays with the students, catching small bodies off the slides and giving them an extra hoist in the air on their way down.

He's been known to defuse student scuffles by reminding them to be kind and to say they're sorry.

"It's my goal to be kind to the kids and help them in any way that I can, mostly by being a loving grandparent," said Vink, whose own grandchildren live on the West Coast. "I hope I can have a positive influence on them."

After suffering a stroke more than a year ago, Vink could no longer drive for Rock County's Heartland Express bus service.

He was left with limited use of his right hand, and his brain was affected in some capacities. "The stroke erased the number system in my brain," he said, for example.

He's had therapy, but he said reading and communicating with the children has helped improve his health.

School counselor Marie Atkinson-Smeins said the program has benefits for the students, teachers and the foster grandparents.

She encourages local seniors to apply.

Interested applicants can call Luverne Elementary School, 283-4497, for more information, or 1-888-205-3770, to apply.

Dave Knips has been a certified nurse anesthetist at Luverne Community Hospital since 1982.

By Lori Ehde
This week, Jan. 20 through 26, is National Nurse Anesthetists Week, and Luverne Community Hospital's Dave Knips says having an anesthetic is now safer than the risk of driving.

Knips, a certified nurse anesthetist, started at Luverne Community Hospital in 1982. Since then, he's seen significant improvements in methods and outcomes of anesthesia.

"It's safer today to have an anesthetic than it would be to drive your car down Main Street," he said.

National mortality rates have improved from 1 in 100,000 20 years ago to one death for every 240,000 anesthesized people today.

Knips said this is due to improved technology and medication and better training for nurse anesthetists and physician anesthesiologists.

"In the past, emerging from an anesthetic could take hours. There was more nausea and vomiting," he said. "Now patients emerge faster and are clearer mentally."

Since the hospital purchased a Bispectral Index Monitor in December 1999, anesthesia in Luverne has become an exact science.

The BIS monitor analyzes brain waves to determine a patient's exact level of consciousness.

In addition, vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature and oxygenation are used to determine depth of anesthesia.

With more precise monitoring, anesthesia staff can tailor a patient's anesthetic to their exact needs. This results in a decreased wake-up time, which ultimately leads to fewer complications.

Certification for nurse anesthetists requires seven years of training and education. Knips went to Mount Marty College, Yankton, S.D., for a four-year degree in nursing.

He spent nearly two years training in critical care, such as an emergency room or a coronary care unit.

He then completed a two-year anesthesia program, also at Mount Marty, which offered one of the first degrees in anesthesia in the nation at the time.

The difference between a certified nurse anesthetist and an anesthesiologist is that prior to anesthesia education anesthesiologists receive medical education while CRNAs receive nursing education. Both receive the same two-year anesthesia training.

Knips said working with people and being able to help them through their hospital experience is the most rewarding aspect of his job.

"It's an ever-changing challenge," he said. "Most people think I give one shot, the anesthesia begins, and my job is finished. This is just the beginning. Every anesthetic is different, and every patient responds differently. It's my job to see patients receive the best anesthetic possible for their situation."

Knips grew up near Magnolia and graduated from Adrian High School.

He and his wife, Brenda, live in Luverne and have four children: Stacey, Megan, Erica and Matt.

By Sara Strong
A long-time goal for the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center is closer to being realized.

Tuesday the Pool Commission gave Director Darrell Huiskes the go ahead to purchase a zero-depth entry ramp for the pool.

Huiskes said that after researching it, he thinks installing the ramp will be doable with funds outside the center's regular budget. Cost of the ramp that will be bolted to the existing pool is $6,220.

A survey of pool members about two years ago showed that was a top request for improving the pool. Slightly disabled or those there for physical therapy may find the ramp easier for entering the pool and less conspicuous than using the chair lift. The chair lift will still be available.

Commission member Ken Hoime said he's continually heard the request and thinks it will keep a lot of members happy.

Pool and Fitness Center's future
The Commission also discussed the upcoming requests for proposals (RFPs) that the Rock County Board and Luverne City Council approved advertising for.

Commission member Ed Bouwman said, "As an advisory body we should send our recommendation to the governing boards."

When the RFPs do come in, Bouwman said the Pool Commission and governing boards shouldn't forget that one option is also leaving the facility as it is and making improvements from within.

"While all the RFP talk is going on in the background, we should do what we can now to improve what we have," Bouwman said.

County Administrator Kyle Oldre agreed. He said every option should be on the table with no hidden agendas and no secrets. "And if come July, we're sitting here with business as usual," he said, "maybe that's a lesson learned."

By Sara Strong
With the new legislative session opening Tuesday, Rock County and area city leaders are watching for developments, especially those related to Gov. Jesse Ventura's budget proposal.

In order to compensate for an almost $2 billion state budget shortfall, Ventura has proposed additional state taxes and spending cuts.

Luverne City Administrator Matt Hylen is keeping his eye especially focused on proposed cuts to Local Government Aid, which is to supply the city with almost $1.4 million in property tax relief in 2002.

"It is a danger to the city that this money could be cut," Hylen said.

Ventura had first said a 20-percent cut in LGA was warranted, but has since reduced it to what would amount to $89,681 in 2002 and $79,351 in 2003 for Luverne.

Hylen said that still translates to big budget impacts for a city with Luverne's tax base.

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, which represents outstate city interests, agrees. It maintains that the governor's concern has remained focussed on the Metro area.

The Twin Cities and their surrounding suburbs wouldnÕt feel the crunch cities like Luverne would. For example, Medina, population just more than 4,000 gets $4,501 in LGA so a reduction in aid wouldn't hugely impact its overall budget.

Medina taxes less than Luverne does due to significantly higher property wealth. Its tax rate is 102 compared to LuverneÕs 135. Higher wealth cities are able to receive more money from taxpayers with lower tax rates.

If Luverne has to make up for lost state aid with taxes, residents will notice in either significantly increased property taxes or reduced services.

"We're government," Hylen said, "and we have to pass on the cost or cut services. This could have long-term impacts; it's not a quick fix."

If citizens don't voice opinions to state lawmakers before decisions are made, they are doing themselves a disservice, Hylen said. The city's future budgets and tax rates will be reactionary to the state decisions, so looking to the city later on may be too late.

Targeting reserves
The original idea for LGA cuts came from Ventura's perception that cities are sitting on plump bank accounts.

In looking for ways to trim the budget, Ventura noticed cities often have healthy reserves. Hylen said those bank accounts that often look healthy need to last the city six months between aid payments.

"It's good fiscal planning to have reserves for projects the city is working on," Hylen said. In fact, the state isn't spending $1 billion of its reserves for the same reason.

State economists had previously advised that cities hold on to some of their reserves because of an impending recession.

Hylen said that if big budgets are a concern for the governor, then Ventura should be examining the state's. The stateÕs budget has more than doubled since 1990 while the city's has increased by only one-third.

And during those years, state aid to Luverne has remained steady, according to City Financial Director Barb Berghorst. She said that if inflation is considered, state aid has actually decreased through the years.

"It aggravates me when the state is claiming that cities are being irresponsible with their money," Hylen said.

Another point the city is considering when opposing the governor's plan is its credit rating. If the city changes spending habits too drastically or spends down the reserves, it could affect bond ratings for projects like this year's proposed street improvements.

When the city takes out a bond for extra funds, an interest rate is attached. A better credit rating usually gets better interest rates. Those interest rates are passed on to taxpayers, or in the case of special assessments, specific property owners.

LGA is property tax relief used for police, fire, parks, streets, the pool and the library. It provides 59 percent of the revenue to fund these services.

Effect of cuts
on county budgets
Similar aid for counties is called Homestead and Agriculture Credit Aid. Rock County will see reduced reductions of $53,193 and $64,967 in 2002 and 2003 if Ventura's proposal passes.

Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre said he isnÕt sure how much legislative support the governor's proposal has.

But if it's support grows, state services that the county is required to use may cost more too.

"If they make the reductions and increase our costs at the same time, that'll put us in a squeeze," Oldre said.

Human Services and Corrections are departments the governor proposed reduced spending in, and Rock County would notice.

In Human Services, for example, the governor's plan calls for the county's share to double in what it pays for the Willmar treatment center. It also would cut Welfare to Work program funding and reduce many educational programs for state aid recipients.

Both the county and city realize the governor's proposal is just getting looked at by legislators. But if Minnesota residents want to support or counter it, the time to do that is now.

By Lori Ehde
When Goldn' Plump employee Georgia Greve was injured in a work accident last week, it appeared she'd lose her arm.

Greve, Luverne, said it happened so quickly she doesn't recall details, but somehow her left arm got caught in machinery in the quality control department.

It happened at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24.

She said she was conscious through the whole ordeal and praised Goldn' Plump supervisors for acting quickly to cut her free and seek medical attention.

She was taken first to Luverne Community Hospital, where she was immediately transported to Rochester, due to the severity of the injury.

The arm was broken in three places, and it was evident she had sustained extensive muscle and tissue damage.

"They really thought I was going to lose my arm," Greve said from her hospital room Monday. "I did, too, at first, but I just knew God was going to help me keep my arm."

She underwent surgery immediately on Thursday when doctors put in plates and pins. Doctors also operated Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, and infection is the biggest concern.

Her arm remains in a "wound vacuum," to keep it draining properly and to prevent infection.

Her son, Chris, lives in Rochester, which, when given the choice of being transferred to Rochester or Minneapolis, Greve chose Rochester.

She said plant manager Greg Aubert and other Goldn' Plump staff have been to Rochester to see her. "That means a lot to me," she said. "They're a wonderful company."

She credits the quick thinking of Goldn' Plump staff and skilled doctors both in Luverne and in Rochester for saving her arm.

Goldn' Plump is investigating the accident, and Aubert issued this statement in a release:

"We are saddened that this injury occurred and are doing everything we can to assist the family during this difficult time."

It's unclear whether she'll regain full use of her arm, but Greve said she feels as if prayers - hers and those praying for her - were answered.

"There are a lot of people out there praying for me, and I thank everyone for those prayers," she said. "I think they were heard."

Greve can receive correspondence at Mayo Clinic, St. Mary's Hospital, 1216 2nd St. SW, Rochester, MN 55902.

She estimated she'd be there another week.

Luverne fourth-graders gave tours of their indoor, hand-made rainforest Thursday. Shown above are Mrs. Jacobson's kindergartners walking by the alligator pit. The tour guides explained to other classes the importance of the rainforest and preserving its presence in the world. They said that rainforests are important to all climates and plant and animal species. Rainforests used to cover 14 percent of the earth and now they cover 6 percent. This particular tour was led by Danielle Schilling, Kelsey Theesfeld and Caitlin Miller. They studied the rainforest mostly in Tim ChristensenÕs science classes and worked on the project since before Christmas. Next, the class is studying the ocean.

Photo by Sara Strong

Alfred A. Meyer, 78, Princeton, died Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002, at Foley Health Care Center in Foley.

Memorial Services were Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Williams-Hanson-Kaun Funeral Home in Princeton. The Rev. Stephen Cook officiated.

Alfred Meyer was born to Asmus C. and Sophia (Jansen) Meyer on Jan. 24, 1924, in Trosky. He grew up on a farm in the Pipestone area. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He married Margaret M. Harding on April 3, 1943, in Minneapolis. He worked at various jobs in the heavy equipment industry and later worked in the small engine industry. They retired in Princeton and lived there until moving to Foley Nursing Center. Mrs. Meyer died in July 2001.

Survivors include two sons, Larry (Beverly) Meyer, Zimmerman, and Neil Meyer, Coon Rapids; one daughter, Sandra Clayson, Princeton; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Mr. Meyer was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Margaret.

Williams-Hanson-Kaun Funeral Home, Princeton, was in charge of arrangements.

Sandy Klosterbuer's first-grade class is this week's featured Luverne Elementary class of the week. Pictured are (front row, from left) Alec Johnson, Jordan Kruse, Jessica Richters, Matthew Arends, McKayla Schilling, Grant Pearson, (second row) Logan Herman, Joey Vajgrt, Nathan Visker, Katie Eeten, Brian Barnhart, Joey Gacke, Ethan Ganun, (third row) Caleb Sanderson, Emilie Baloun, Justine Hanson, Emilee Johnson, Allison Dohlmann, Jeremy Rome, (back row) Connie VandeVelde, Sandy Klosterbuer and Cheryl Cronberg.

Mrs. Klosterbuer's students are busy learning about animals in Science. At the end of the science unit each child will mold his or her favorite animal out of clay. Then, using shoeboxes, they will create the animals' habitats. She said her students enjoy learning how to write stories in the Writing Block, and they are becoming good readers.

Photo by Lori Ehde