Remember When

10 years ago (2009) •Detour signs went up Monday, and the bridge was closed Wednesday, diverting Luverne’s East Main Street traffic to other routes over the Rock River. Contractors began at 5 a.m. Wednesday pouring concrete for the bridge deck in the eastbound lane. A two-inch bridge deck surface will overlay the concrete. According to the Rock County Highway Department, East Main Street will be…

10 years ago (2009) •Vietnam War Veteran Buck Underwood, Luverne, said the worst part of the war was coming home. Instead of cheers, he and others were welcomed with protests. “There’s some stuff you can’t forget. It’s just something you just carry with you,” he said. On Saturday, June 13, Underwood and seven other veterans from Rock County attended an honorary reception they deserved 45 years…

10 years ago (2009) •Luverne has long taken pride in its well-established trees and shaded parks and boulevards. But as the emerald ash borer infestation makes its way through the upper Midwest, it won’t go unnoticed in Luverne. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, roughly half of Luverne’s trees are ash species, so the EAB will be particularly devastating when it arrives…

10 years ago (2009) •Minnesota’s primary seat belt law went into effect Tuesday, giving both drivers and passengers even more incentive to buckle up. The new law means drivers and passengers in all seats — including the back seat — must be buckled up or in the correct child restraint. Making it a primary offense means law enforcement can stop motorists solely for seat belt violations. This…

10 years ago (2009) •As students left for summer Wednesday, Cloyce Smith left her art classroom for the last time. After 39 years in education, Smith is now beginning a new project, retirement. “You know when you are ready to be done,” she said. “The time is right.” According to the back of her “survivor” shirt she wore on the last day, Smith has taught in five different schools with 11…

10 years ago (2009) •A first-ever Memorial Candlelight Vigil unfolded Sunday night in pristine weather on the Rock County Courthouse lawn. It was a last-minute idea that attracted a modest crowd for a poignant ceremony at sundown. About 100 people gathered by candlelight around the stately Rock County Veterans Memorial to pay tribute to local soldiers who were killed or missing in action. Rock…

10 years ago (2009) •Papik Motors in Luverne learned last week that it survived the latest round of cuts announced by General Motors. Last week the automaker notified 1,100 dealerships — 18 in Minnesota — that it will pull its brand off their lots. Papik Motors in Luverne is not among the dealerships affected. According to owner Gary Papik, Luverne, the local dealership remains strong. “Papik…

10 years ago (2009) •Luverne High School senior Skyler Hoiland plans to one day open his own five-star restaurant. Hoiland took top honors in a culinary event Saturday in the Twin Cities, and professional chefs agree his plans will likely materialize. “I wouldn’t doubt it for a second,” said Kevin Sanderson when asked about Hoiland’s  professional odds. Sanderson is president of Le Cordon Bleu…

10 years ago (2009) •When Luverne’s airport reopens this summer, the runway will be twice as long, and it will have hangar space for up to 24 aircraft. Anticipating increased air traffic and service business, Luverne’s new fixed based operator and management team are already preparing for opening day. Darrell Gilmore of Great Planes Avionics Services Inc. has expanded his Tea, S.D., avionics and…

10 years ago (2009) •Clear your calendars Saturday, May 9. Dancing with the Rock County Stars at the Palace Theater is a show that will not disappoint. “The whole night is going to be fun,” said Sue Sandbulte, service excell- ence representative at San- ford Hospital Luverne. … This year’s gala is based on ABC’s television series, “Dancing with the Stars.” Hosts for the Luverne event are Dan and…

10 years ago (2009) •It’s easy to look past the green sign above the office door on South McKenzie Street in Luverne. In much the same way, it is easy to look past domestic and sexual violence, according to Raevette Loonan, Rock County advocate of the Southwest Crisis Center. “Secrecy keeps violence happening,” she said. So, for 25 years the Southwest Crisis Center (SWCC) has been “helping…

10 years ago (2009) •The Rock County Commissioners are taking steps to address budget shortfalls for 2009 and coming years. “The board is aware there is a problem and is taking early steps to solve it,” said County Administrator Kyle Oldre. After several financial retreats involving the board and department heads, commissioners accepted a proposed budget that would address expected shortfalls.…

10 years ago (2009) •The city of Luverne may have to pay $40,000 to help clean up contaminated soil in Raleigh, N.C. The city became part of federal Superfund litigation because more than 25 years ago Luverne did business with a company that sold and serviced oil-filled electrical transformers. Ward Transformer Sales and Service reportedly caused widespread PCB contamination in the early 1980s…

10 years ago (2009) •City officials learned this week that Luverne’s drinking water is safe, despite the fact that it was exposed to a material that’s now considered hazardous. For the past several weeks, health officials have been investigating whether drinking water in 15 Minnesota cities is contaminated with chemicals used in fire fighting foam. Luverne is on that list of fire departments that…

10 years ago (2009) •Luverne City Council members took action Tuesday to extend city sanitary sewer service to the Rock Veterinary Clinic. The vet clinic’s private septic system needs to be replaced, and Dr. John Bowron has requested city sanitary service be extended to the property south of Interstate 90. The property is currently outside city limits, but City Council members recognize…

10 years ago (2009) •Two Luverne suspects are in jail on charges of theft, swindling and possession of counterfeit U.S. currency. Multiple law enforcement agencies were in Luverne Tuesday to execute search warrants on two Luverne residences. Arrested were 29-year-old Dennis Prater at 300 ½ West Bishop Street and 33-year-old Terrance Schaffer at 903 E. Dodge Street. … LaDonna Van Aartsen, cashier/…