By Lori Ehde
Luverne's reputation for its strong special education department is bringing more special needs students into the district.

At the same time, the district is better equipped to recognize special needs, which is also raising the number of students in Luverne schools.

While Luverne's total student enrollment has steadily declined through the years, the number of special needs children has increased, due in part to referrals from South Dakota hospitals.

At last count, on Oct. 29, there were 182 students in Luverne who met criteria for individual education plans. That compares with 177 in December 2000.

District Psychologist Renee (Breuer) Guy updated Luverne School Board members on the status of special needs programs in the district.

"I do think people have heard about Luverne and know that Luverne is a great place to be, especially if you have children with special needs," she said.

Guy said administration requested Luverne's special education department be evaluated by the Pipestone Special Education Cooperative, of which Luverne is a member.

"We have some concerns in our department with our case loads," Guy said. "We have more children with more severe needs, and there's a concern we may not be providing the best quality program. We're doing our best, but that's why we requested the evaluation."

Child Study Coordinator Carol Svingen, Luverne, is conducting the evaluation for the co-op. She has requested detailed information from special education staff and is interviewing each staff member individually.

"I wouldn't doubt there will be some recommendations," Guy said.

Specifically, she's worried about the ratio of professional special needs teachers to students. She said Luverne's response to increasing student numbers has so far been to increase the number of teachersÕ aides.

The result has been that the teachers are spending more time managing their aides than seeing students.

For example, middle school special needs instructor Lucinda Rofshus oversees 15 students and eight aides. "We have students with a lot more special needs," she said. "I've seen a real increase in the severity of those needs."

Special needs costs are reimbursed by state and federal sources, and services for open-enrolled students are billed to home districts. Slightly more than 6 percent of Luverne's special needs students are open-enrolled here from other districts.

Guy said she didn't want to leave the board with the impression that special needs students have not been served; rather she said evaluating the department will help her determine how best to serve them.

Svingen started the evaluation late in October and will likely conclude in the first week of December. There is no charge to the Luverne district for the evaluation.

By Lori Ehde
The jury trial for Rock County Feedlot Officer John Burgers, charged on multiple counts of soliciting and accepting bribes from Global Ventures Inc., is so far scheduled for Dec. 10 in federal court.

That date may be extended, however, because the prosecution has indicated it will seek additional charges against Burgers which will allege more specific illegal acts.

Burgers, 48, of Hills, was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday, Sept. 20, on charges that he accepted money from the Pipestone hog operation Global Ventures Inc. to overlook mismanagement of potentially hazardous waste.

He was placed on paid administrative leave from his duties as director of the Rock County Land Management Office pending an internal investigation of allegations contained in the indictment.

Meanwhile, Burgers' attorney has filed a motion to suppress statements Burgers made Sept. 18 to FBI Special Agent Michael Dudley.

In those statements, handwritten by Burgers, he said he received roughly $200,000 in loans from Global Ventures.

He admitted receiving loans on June 18, 1996, of $89,797.55, on Dec. 19, 1996, of $3,000, on March 26, 1997, of $103,000 and on Dec. 4, 1997, $5,000.

"I asked for these loans initially from Dave Logan, who sent me to Mike Morgan," Burgers wrote in his statement. "The loans constituted preferential treatment because I knew I could not get these loans anywhere else."

Alleged illegal activity dates back to early 1996 when Burgers learned of a potentially hazardous chemical spill being dumped at a Global Ventures hog facility.

Instead of notifying the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Burgers advised Global Ventures to take care of the problem.

"...I heard rumors the bank and Global Ventures were involved in suspicious money transactions. I knew Dave Logan would see me as something of value and that he would know that I could make it tough or make it easy on Global Ventures. I expected for that reason Logan could help me get loans at Pipestone Bank," Burgers wrote.

"Dave Logan used me as his heads-up guy to tell him of potential problems."

Burgers said he always paid back or made payments on the loans, except the $5,000 loan. "I told Logan I needed $5,000 dollars. He said don't worry, we'll just get a little loan at the bank. One week later, Logan called and said the $5,000 was in my account and not to worry about the payments. I thought I would be paying the loan back later," Burgers wrote.

"Around a year later, Dave called and said Mike would meet me. Mike Morgan and I met at the Hardwick Corners. He gave me cash to pay on the $5,000 loan. Mike Morgan gave me cash two more times until the $5,000 loan was paid off."

Burgers' statement is marked by frequent expressions of remorse. "I knew at the time I should not have taken these monies. I knew these monies was for something job-related that I had done in the past for Global or for something they may want me to do in the future," he wrote.

"I took it anyway because I was in such a terrible financial position. I have never attempted to pay back the monies, nor has anyone asked me for the monies."

In filing the motion to suppress Burgers' statements, his attorney questions the "voluntariness" of his statements.

At the start of Burgers' written statement, however, he asserts, "I, John Burgers, make this statement freely and voluntarily with no threats or promises of any kind."

He also writes, "I regret very much that I got involved in the whole thing. My conscience and sleep have been very difficult ever since I received the preferential loans and the $5,000 cash. I know I did not have to make this statement, however, I wanted to clear the air and get all this off my chest."

Global Ventures was also charged with offering bribes, and both Burgers and Global Ventures entered not guilty pleas in October.

By Sara Quam
The Luverne City Council Tuesday passed a conditional use permit for Burdell and Julia Kruse to store rock materials in their backyard.

The original request comes to the council as a recommendation from the Planning Commission with specific limitations.

The Kruses, who live at 609 N. Cottage Grove, own a business that collects large boulders from area farmers' fields and then sells them for landscape decorations or other uses.

The business is set up across from the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on Walnut Street, but their backyard is needed for extra storage.

The backyard falls in a flood plain and is next to a residential district. The actual storage space borders Dodge Street and Cottage Grove.

Some area residents complained, but the Kruses said they were willing to be accommodating in as many ways as possible, for example planting 125 trees along the property line.

The council said during its discussions that it felt the Kruse business wouldn't inhibit the residential feel of the neighborhood.

Mayor Glen Gust said, "If they are successful they might add to the employment base and certainly to the tax base."

Councilman and Planning Commission member Jim Kirchhofer said that the limitations are set because of the permit falling under "conditional use." It protects the city from having problems if any of the conditions aren't met.

Some of the conditions include:

providing off-street parking and loading space
properly anchoring the boulders to prevent flotation in the event of a flood
providing storage of other material or equipment that is readily removable in the case of a flood warning
limiting hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
displaying or storing boulders only in the northern 2 1/4 acres of the lot
properly controlling weeds
displaying the boulders in a single layer formation with no large piles
The conditional use permit will terminate effective upon change of ownership on the property or after five years, whichever happens first.

At the five-year mark, the Kruses will reapply for the conditional use permit and the conditions will be reviewed if necessary.

Since the reapplication is mostly to reassure the city, the council recommended that the future council waive the application fee when it comes due.

Luverne's Gold'n Plump now employs 250 people.

By Lori Ehde
Gold'n Plump has been in Luverne for only three years, but Friday was a day of celebration at the local plant as the corporation marked its 75th anniversary.

State and local dignitaries attended the event, which featured plant tours and a catered chicken meal.

At the start of the party, Luverne plant manager Greg Aubert provided a history of Gold'n Plump since it opened on Dec. 14, 1998.

When IBP left Luverne in January 1998, it employed 370 people, and its closing signaled a low point in morale for Luverne economic development. But Gold'n Plump offered new hope later that same year.

The company immediately spent $2 million remodeling the former IBP plant and started operating with 120 employees. Today, Gold'n Plump in Luverne employs roughly 250 people with an annual payroll of $6 million.

The Luverne plant starts with cleaned, fresh, unpacked, USDA-inspected chicken from the company's other processing facilities in Cold Spring, Minn., and Arcadia, Wis.

These products are then deboned, trimmed and packaged - plain, stuffed or marinated - in the form of ready-to-cook products for retail or food service clients.

According to information provided at Friday's party, the local plant processes about 750,000 pounds of chicken per week, about 39 million pounds per year.

The company prides itself on good employee relations. Starting pay at Gold'n Plump is $8.25 per hour with higher wages for afternoon shifts and raises after 90 days.

Employees receive a full benefits package, including paid holidays, flexible hours, medical and child care flexible spending plans, longevity recognition program, on-site leadership and skills training, bonus plan, 401(k) Plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan and tuition reimbursement program.

To help employees celebrate the plant's one-year anniversary, employees who had been there for the full year received a Gold'n Plump winter jacket and individual recognition for their service. Every worker, regardless of employment time or position, received three cases of chicken breasts.

Aubert said in addition to the many of the employee paychecks spent locally, Gold'n Plump circulates $1.6 million through the local economy by doing business with local merchants.

"That doesn't include the money spent by vendors staying overnight in Luverne, eating at local restaurants and staying at local hotels," Aubert said.

Gold'n Plump early on initiated the Live in Luverne Program to provide housing assistance to employees as well as promoting growth in Luverne.

During the lunch, Gold'n Plump CEO Mike Helgeson presented a check to Luverne Mayor Glen Gust for $20,000 as part of the five-year donation to the city that was pledged when the company took ownership of the plant.

He also presented a check for $1,000 to the local Red Arrow Drive. Employee payroll deductions amounted to another $7,000 for Red Arrow. This year, the corporation pledged $1,500 and the employees have pledged nearly $9,000.

"We're happy they're here," Mayor Gust said. "They are a company that takes care of their people and their community."

Gold'n Plump was started in St. Cloud by E.M. Helgeson, Mike Helgeson's grandfather. The company is now the largest integrated chicken producer in the upper Midwest.

For more information on Gold'n Plump, see www.goldnplump.com.

By Sara Quam
Thanks to community and private support and a low-interest loan from the city of Luverne, Netbriefings has its first two employees at the new branch office.

The loan agreement met with no disagreement from residents and was signed Nov. 8. A well-attended open house followed at the new office space behind the Brandenburg Gallery.

The City Council and Luverne Economic Development Authority wholeheartedly supported the endeavor, even creating a revolving loan fund to accommodate the large loan amount - $250,000.

The Internet Webcasting company came up with more than $200,000 of its own equity.

Jeff Ernst will be the branch manager. He was employed by Gateway Computers in Sioux Falls before taking this position.

Amber Weinkauf is the marketing specialist for the office and will work on things such as press releases but will also branch into sales. Her job description will be broad since there's a small staff.

Weinkauf is a Luverne graduate who went on to get a marketing degree at Winona (Minn.) State University. She is training in St. Paul this week but will be back in Luverne soon.

"I know a lot of people in Luverne so it'll be nice to be there and see people even though I wonÕt be working directly with them," she said.

As a Webcasting company, Netbriefings streams live audio and video for corporations wanting to have meetings in different locations. The company can also archive the meetings for large companies that may have employees who need to catch up.

Netbriefings has some clients that Rock County may recognize. Embers America uses the company to archive versions of events for franchise employees to use for communications or training. In the city of St. Paul, Mayor Norm Coleman used Netbriefings' products and services to deliver the annual State of the City Address.

Most recently, Netbriefings held Web events for the chief executive of the NASDAQ stock market, U.S. Sen. John McCain and Hewlett-Packard.

Netbriefings first announced that it would locate to Luverne June 21 and started working on a loan agreement with the city of Luverne.

Final deal from the city

Amount: $250,000

Term: 120 months at $2,820 a month

Interest rate: 0% years 1 and 2 (payments deferred); 2% fixed over remaining life of the loan.

(The LEDA reasoned that because the first two years of a company's existence is so crucial, stopping interest accumulation would help ensure the business stays in Luverne.)

Payment Terms: Two years principal and interest deferred at no interest. Loan repayment beginning in the 25th month, continuing for 96 months

Collateral: Third position on accounts receivable; third position on equipment; first position on intellectual property/patent

Guarantees: Personal guarantees of $75,000

Warrants: LEDA receives 25-percent warrant coverage. In consideration for the terms of the loan, LEDA receives 62,500 warrants to purchase Netbriefings stock at $1 per share. LEDA can exercise the warrants at any point during the term of the loan, but the warrants expire 30 days after the date of pay-off of the loan.

Employment projections: Minimum expectations of five employees by the end of the first year and a target objective of 35 employees at the end of the fifth year to the 10th year.

If the company employment does not meet the minimum expectations, the interest rate will increase by 2 percent for the following year. The interest rate rise may be cumulative, such that if Netbriefings never meets its minimum annual employment expectation, the interest rate will rise to 12 percent at the end of the fifth year and remain at 12 percent until the loan is paid off.

If the company employment exceeds 35 employees, the interest rate will be reduced to 0 percent and stay at that rate as long as the company maintains 35 or more employees in Luverne.

Provided the company continues to be an employer in Luverne, an employment average will be conducted from the time the company reaches 35 employees until the end of the 10-year term. Based on the average, the company will be awarded a grant of $1,500 for each employee over the 35 mark.

If the company fails to employ the minimum expectations in Luverne, the LEDA shall have the right to declare default in the loan agreement, the balance of the loan shall become due and payable and the interest rate shall immediately rise to 12 percent until fully paid.

If the company is sold and the operation is eliminated in Luverne, the above loan default terms will apply and the company shall be liable for a penalty payment equal to 25 percent of the outstanding loan balance.

Peggy Goettsch's kindergarten class is the Luverne Elementary featured class of the week. Pictured are (front row, from left) Erica DeBoer, Alex Hylen, Debra Rogers, Julianne Anderson, Jada Hoven, Jonathan Ehde, (second row) Blake Ziegler, Joshua Haugom, Ellen Dahl, Kendall Meyer, Riley Verbrugge, Hanna Johnson, Kianna Smallfield, (third row) Michelle Lysne, Anna Tofteland, Hailey Hamann, Brent Thompson, Logan Norman, Alexis Bennett, (back row) Mrs. Cindy Reu, Miss Sara Walraven, Mrs. Peggy Goettsch. Not pictured is Jody Chanthalangsy.

These kindergarten students have been working on beginning sounds and high frequency words, they are starting a unit on families and they are learning about numbers 0-12 and hope to count to 100 by spring. Student teacher, Sara Walraven, Hills, is helping them learn, too. With Thanksgiving coming soon, they have made turkeys, painted paper blankets and have made Pilgrims and Native American puppets. "We really enjoy the recess time when we get to use the playground epuipment," Goettsch relates for her students. "School is exciting, and it is so much fun to do things with our new friends!"

Photo by Lori Ehde

An empty Minnesota Southern Railroad car derailed or "picked a switch," as railroad personnel termed it, in Adrian around noon Thursday, leaving officials wondering how to upright the car. Initially, loaders were used to push the car upright, with the hope of releasing the tension between cars enough to uncouple the disabled car. Minnesota Southern was moving railroad cars down the lines all morning with no difficulties, according to officials. The errant car decided to follow the main line rather than route onto a sideline with the other railroad cars. Terming the derailment "one of those freak things," officials are unsure why the car "picked a switch." After permits were obtained Friday morning, a crane was used to lift the car upright. Until Thursday, no derailments had occurred on the line in more than 10 years, according to a railroad official at the scene.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth quarterback David Top (12) runs for a gain against Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster during Friday's section championship football game in Hills. Top ran for the final touchdown in a 21-0 victory that clinched a berth in the state tournament for the Patriots.

By John Rittenhouse
A stout defensive performance carried the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth football team to its first section championship since 1997 Friday night in Hills.

With the Patriot resistance leading the way by recording a shutout, H-BC-E won the Section 2 Nine-Man Football title for the first time in four years with a convincing 21-0 victory over Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster.

The win gives the 10-0 Patriots a berth in the quarterfinal round of the Minnesota State High School Nine-Man Football Tournament.

H-BC-E will play 7-4 Fergus Falls Hillcrest Lutheran Academy at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Fergus Falls.

If the Patriots can turn in another solid defensive performance like the one they used to blank SV-RL-B, the FFHLA Comets will be in for a long afternoon.

A big SV-RL-B squad wanted to assert itself physically against the Patriots like they did the first time the teams met in Hills Oct. 5, but the H-BC-E players were not intimidated.

In fact, the Patriots learned some lessons from their 21-20 win early in October that helped them blank the Raiders in the section title tilt.

"We did a really good job of covering their power running plays," said Patriot coach Dan Ellingson.

"They hurt us with their power running the first time we played them. We moved our defensive ends inside a little bit more Friday, and they did a good job of forcing SV-RL-B to run outside. We made Paplow (Ryan, SV-RL-B's tailback) run laterally instead of straight ahead, and that is not his strong point."

SV-RL-B's running game was supposed to be its strength, but a spirited defensive performance by the Patriots held the Raiders in check. SV-RL-B was limited to 81 rushing yards and six first downs for the night.

"We played really well defensively. They didn't get their first first down of the second half until their very last possession. They had six first downs overall, three in the first half, and three in the second half," Ellingson said.

The Raiders matched H-BC-E's defensive intensity during a scoreless first quarter, but a key special-teams play by the Patriots in the second quarter set the stage for a 14-point burst that gave the hosts a comfortable lead at the intermission.

After forcing the Patriots to punt, the Raiders opened the door of opportunity for H-BC-E when the SV-RL-B return man, who was signaling for a fair catch, had the ball carom off his body.

H-BC-E senior Matt Buck recovered the loose ball on the Raider 35, and Patriot quarterback David Top tossed a 31-yard pass to Brad Haak that gave the hosts a first down at the Raider two-yard line three plays later. Fullback Lyle DeBoer covered the remaining two yards on the next play, and the first of three extra points by Tyler Bush gave H-BC-E a 7-0 lead.

"A big play by one of our special teams really turned things around. Buck recovered the fumbled punt, and we scored four plays later," Ellingson said.

Chris Reid, who has made a number of big plays from his tailback position this fall, produced another one before the first half was complete.

Reid, who carried the ball 24 times for 162 yards in the game, broke a long one when he dashed 59 yards for a touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the second quarter. Bush's kick made it a 14-0 difference.

The Patriots put the game out of reach on the second play of the fourth quarter, when Top capped a drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Bush’s extra point ended the scoring.

H-BC-E will face a different type of offense when it travels to Fergus Falls to face the Comets Saturday.

"They run 90 percent of their plays out of the shotgun formation," Ellingson said. "They'll spread a defense out by using three wide outs, and they'll run the ball out of the shotgun. They are a quick team that has an excellent quarterback and a very good wide receiver. It should be a good match-up for us."

FFHLA stumbled out of the starting blocks this year by losing its first three games, but it went 7-1 since then.

One of the Comets' early-season losses came against Chokio-Alberta-Herman-Norcross, a team that was ranked No. 2 in the last state football poll. FFHLA gained revenge for a 31-6 early-season loss to C-A-H-N by beating the Spartans 22-14 in the Section 3 championship game last Thursday.

"They are a good team that is peaking at the right time," Ellingson said of the Comets.

Team statistics
H-BC-E: 204 rushing yards, 54 passing yards, 258 total yards, nine first downs, seven penalties for 60 yards, one turnover.

SV-RL-B: 81 rushing yards, 72 passing yards, 153 total yards, six first downs, four penalties for 40 yards, three turnovers.

Individual statistics
Rushing: Reid 24-162, L.DeBoer 13-22, Jesse Leuthold 2-11, Top 2-6, Chris Tiesler 1-6, Kevin Van Batavia 1-minus 3.

Passing: Top 4-9 for 54 yards, Receiving: Haak 2-32, Darin DeBoer 1-14, Brant Deutsch 1-8.

Defense: Curt Schilling 23 tackles, L.DeBoer eight tackles, Kyle Braun eight tackles and one sack, Leuthold seven tackles, D.DeBoer four tackles and one interception, Buck two tackles and one fumble recovery, Deutsch one tackle and one sack, Lee Walraven one sack, Tiesler one fumble recovery.

(Above) Gerald Haak stands next to one of the bunkers he called "home" during the Korean War. (Below) Haak and a fellow serviceman clean the firing lock on one of the 105 Howitzer guns used during the war.

By Jolene Farley
With Operation "Enduring Freedom" in full swing in Afghanistan and many of America's soldiers fighting to maintain our way of life, Veterans Day holds added meaning this year.

Many men and women either fought for our country in past wars or did their part to support those fighting. Many veterans have an opinion on "Enduring Freedom."

Now 69, Gerald Haak, Hills, was 20 years old when he was shipped to Korea in 1952 as an Army corporal.

He stayed until the truce was signed, and he remembers "a lot of noise and destruction" from his time in Vietnam.

Haak's company moved frequently, providing artillary support to the infantry. They moved along the enemy lines knocking out enemy positions with a Howitzer 105. "We were just like sitting ducks out there because we were moving so much," he said.

Haak remembers a very cold climate. His company slept mostly in bunkers, never in buildings, in snow more than a foot deep at times.

He clearly remembers lying in bunkers listening to the firing, day and night.

Haak and the others in his company were awarded the Bronze Star for their bravery.

Despite harsh conditions, Haak thinks it was "worth it all," and he thinks Operation Enduring Freedom is worth it, too.

"We can see how we depend on freedom. I think they are doing the right thing," said Haak. "If we don't protect ourselves they will just come over and run over us. Terrorism won't stop."

Haak fears a long, drawn-out battle. Americans all need to do their part and work with the nation's leaders and stand behind them, according to Haak.

"We took freedom so much for granted we thought nothing else could happen," said Haak, "This was a real awakening. We need to stand behind all the people in the military."

Haak added, "We all have to pray."

Vietnam veteran Gawaine Diekevers, 53, Steen, agrees with Haak. "We can't let terrorists continue," said Diekevers. The Army drafted him in the spring of 1968 and by fall he was on his way to Vietnam.

Diekevers served in an artillery unit and a supply unit. Later he became a liaison person, mapping locations for infantry and artillery units.

The majority of the enemy fire occurred at night, Diekevers said. Heavy rains forced his unit to move frequently. The enemy took advantage of the moves by firing on the troops.

"There were times you would wonder if this is going to be the end," said Diekevers.

Diekevers credits his Christian upbringing with providing strength during the difficult times. "Whatever would happen I never feared death," he said.

President Bush and his cabinet should be upheld in prayer and supported in any way possible, according to Diekevers.

"I feel for those serving their time over there," he said. "I give them a lot of credit for going over so we can keep peace."

He said subtle dangers, not as worrisome in past wars, could be an issue in "Enduring Freedom," such as a danger to the food and water supply or the danger of contracting various diseases.

"So often it is not until years later when these things show up," he said. Soldiers sacrifice for their country by spending years in the service and find out later they have also sacrificed their good health.

"I've never seen a religion yet who could destroy lives in the way they do and call it a holy war," Diekevers said.

Sixty-four-year-old Orv Sundem, Hills, was a member of the Minnesota National Guard for 12 years. Sundem joined the day after his 17th birthday, eventually achieving the rank of E-6 in an infantry division for a mortar platoon.

He took a break from the Guard for nine years, then rejoined for three years. He was never called for active duty but was always prepared to serve, particularly during the Cuban Conflict.

Sundem is sympathetic toward the loss of innocent lives in the Afghanistan conflict but says "that's part of war.ÕÕ

He agrees with how the United States is handling the situation. "I think it's a job that's got to be done," he said. "Otherwise we are going to see a lot more of it (terrorism)."

All the men agreed everyone should take the time this Veterans Day to remember those who have served in the past and also those who are currently defending our country under inhospitable conditions.