Luverne Blaze fastpitch softball team sent two teams on to state competition this past week.
The Blaze 14U team traveled to Rochester July 22-23 and took home second place in the Minnesota State Championship.
The 14U team played three games Saturday, July 22.

The Luverne Redbirds qualified for the Region 13C tournament, finishing the regular season with a 19-1 record overall and capturing the Gopher League Championship with a 14-1 record.

Mortgage foreclosure sale

set for Aug. 31

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:

DATE OF MORTGAGE: March 3, 2004

The Redbirds hosted the Tea Steam Wednesday, July 19, winning 16-3 in 6 1/2 innings.

The Steam was Luverne’s last game of the regular season this year.

On July 18 Rock County Food Shelf Co-Director Katie Baustian posted a call for donations on the organization’s Facebook page. 
“It has been a while since our shelves have been this bare,” she wrote. “If you enjoy donating items, we are in need of many.” 
The post included photos of mostly bare shelves at the food shelf location on Maple Street in Luverne along with a list of a dozen specific items most in need.
The post was shared by 55 people and spurred a number of donations in the last week by individuals, organizations, businesses and churches to help restock the shelves. 
“We knew that would happen,” Baustian said. 
“This community has always been so generous; once they knew there was a need, they stepped up. We’re so grateful for that.”
Baustian and co-director Mary Gehrke said that even though the shelves are mostly full again, the situation highlights the community need for the food shelf and for the donations to continue.
The program receives no government funding.
 
Increased use
The food shelf is open every Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. and also from 5 to 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. 
Families can visit the food shelf twice a month. 
The food shelf serves 35 to 48 families per week, an average that is higher than it’s ever been. 
“Some families have one person, some have up to 10,” Gehrke said. “So that’s a lot of people being served each week.”
The food shelf distributes 1,600 to 1,800 pounds of food per week, which is an average of 40 to 50 pounds per household. 
Gehrke said there are new households visiting the food shelf every week. 
“Oftentimes they have jobs and may be moving to town for those jobs, but they need the help when there are moving expenses, rent deposits and other things at that same time,” Gehrke said.
“We’re happy to help them get settled or on their feet in their new community. Some of them may move around more and aren’t here as long because of changes in their work.”
Other reasons for the increased traffic at the food shelf, according to Baustian, may be higher grocery prices, children home from school in the summer, more retired people on fixed incomes, and changes in government support available to families. 
“We ask people if they are using EBT or food stamp benefits, and many say they have recently gotten a job and no longer qualify for those benefits, but they still are in need of support for food,” Baustian said. 
Those 65 and older comprise another growing population accessing the food shelf. 
“It can be very hard to afford groceries on such a fixed income,” Gehrke said. “Sixty-five to 75 is our fastest growing group that uses the food shelf now.”
Gehrke and Baustian said personal care and hygiene products are also very popular at the facility. Toilet paper, dish soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent and feminine hygiene products are some of the most needed items. 
“You don't realize how expensive those items have gotten,” Gehrke said. 
 
‘Dignity of the person’
The food shelf previously operated in cramped quarters in the basement of the United Methodist Church.
The fact that it now has its own building on Maple Street may be another reason for increased use, Baustian said.
“We are in our second year in this facility now and it’s made a world of difference,” she said. “To have this larger, open space with a waiting area is just a much more enjoyable experience.”
The directors said since the move to the new space, those visiting the food shelf are able to “shop” on their own and even use grocery carts.
“It really is like shopping at the store,” Gehrke said. “We want them to feel comfortable.”
“It’s about the dignity of the person,” Baustian said. “That’s the big goal.”
Gehrke said the food shelf is also working to make the food selection more appropriate for the people of different cultural backgrounds who are served by the program. 
“If we can add new foods that are more popular or familiar with people from different backgrounds, we definitely want to do that,” she said. 
Gehrke added that one regular volunteer at the evening shift at the food shelf also speaks Spanish. 
“You can just see the peoples’ faces light up when they are able to visit with her in their own language,” Gehrke said. “All of those things make the food shelf experience more dignified.”
 
Support still needed
The directors pointed out that there are many ways to support the food shelf's continued mission. 
Donations of non-perishable food and hygiene products can be dropped off on the east side of the building on West Maple Street, and cash donations are always welcome.
“We purchase about $3,000 worth of groceries a month,” Gehrke said. 
Each month one or two Rock County churches are also encouraged to collect items for the food shelf.
“Some churches do it all year around; some just during their month,” Gehrke said. “We appreciate all the donations we can get.”
Baustian and Gehrke said local physicians and many other groups donate food for holidays and other special occasions throughout the year. 
For example, 4-H and other groups have created “birthday bags” that have all the supplies needed for a child’s birthday party in a bag that parents can pick up in order to provide a birthday party for their child. 
The Backpack Program, which provides take-home food for school-aged students, also distributes from the food shelf. 
The organization partners with the local farmers market in a number of ways to provide more healthy options, and local gardeners share fresh fruits and vegetables with the food shelf as well. 
Baustian said Sunshine Foods in Luverne donates excess food and other products. “Sunshine is very supportive,” she said. 
“We are also part of the food rescue program through Dollar General,” Gehrke said. “At times they donate food from their store to use before it is no longer useful.”
Overall, the co-directors of the Rock County Food Shelf say they’re grateful for the support and are always ready to share information about the important program to others.
“If anyone or organization would like a tour of the food shelf and learn about how we operate, please contact Katie Baustian,” the July 18 Facebook post stated.
“We appreciate your continued support of our mission.”
Questions can be directed to Baustian or through the food shelf Facebook page.

Blue Mounds State Park became the sixth location last week where an all-terrain trackchair is available for public use through the DNR.
The trackchair is battery-powered and can travel on trails that can’t be accessed using a regular wheelchair.
According to Blue Mounds State Park manager Chris Ingebretsen, the trackchairs can maneuver on the majority of the park’s trails.
“They won’t be able to use it on the Burr Trail or on the 1- and 2-mile loop,” he said.
The trackchair is limited to trails with inclines of 20-percent or less and is unable to be driven over thick mud areas.
A battery-operated trackchair can travel four- to seven-miles before recharging.
There is no charge for use of the chair, but visitors must have a state park permit.
Reservations for the trackchair are made through the state park’s main entrance office.
Ingebretsen tried the trackchair himself last week.
Top speed is 3 mph.
“It’s a nice leisurely ride,” he said.
Ingebretsen had his own parents in mind when he filled out the application for a trackchair in the Blue Mounds.
“My mom is an avid hiker, but my dad can’t do long distances,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for them to do a long-distance hike together again.”
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources launched the trackchair program in 2022 with five chairs.
“These trackchairs represent the type of investment the DNR will make over the next several years, thanks to historic legislative funding for our Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) Initiative, which aims to ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy world-class outdoor experiences,” said DNR commissioner Sarah Strommen.
Action Manufacturing of Marshall was awarded the bid to provide the eight additional trackchairs to state parks, including the one at Blue Mounds.
Cost of the chair is currently $15,800.
The amount is more than last year’s $14,500 per chair cost.
“We added a few more amenities,” said Jamie McBride, a consultant for the state park and recreation program.
These include joy stick that can be operated from either side of the trackchair, a place to carry a backpack or bag, and extra pockets so users don’t have to hold personal items in their laps.
The trackchair can be used year-round.

The Luverne City Council is considering $4,039,200 in capital improvements for the proposed 2024 budget.
At their July 19 meeting, council members heard budget requests from city department heads as part of the normal city budget process. 
Expenses for water, wastewater, electric, fire, government buildings, parks and recreation, streets, airport, pool and fitness, parking lots, Luverne Loop and civil defense make up this year's requests. 
Council members will vote on the proposed capital expenses at an upcoming meeting. 
Those expenses will be factored into the city’s overall budget that needs to be in place by mid-September’s preliminary levy decisions.
 
Wastewater- $1,090,450
The Wastewater Department led all departments with a total request of $1,090,450. 
According to city officials, the majority of that expense, $782,950, will be to extend sewer services for the proposed multifamily housing development in the Sybesma Addition. 
“We want to be ready for that development, including the possibility of the need for a lift station for that development,” said City Administrator Jill Wolf. 
Other expenses in the Wastewater Department include $50,000 for sewer line replacement, $15,000 for new equipment including pumps and valves as needed and half the cost of a one-ton dump truck ($42,500) shared with the Water Department. 
2024 Capital Improvement Budget Requests
City of Luverne
 
Department/Category           Total Amount
Requested
Wastewater                            $1,090,450
Water                                      $650,750
Electric                                    $638,000
Streets                                     $395,000
Fire                                          $350,000
Parks and Recreation              $315,000
Luverne Loop                          $265,000
Parking Lots                            $150,000
Gov’t Buildings                        $100,000
Pool and Fitness Center          $30,000
Civil Defense                           $30,000
Airport                                    $25,000
 
Water - $650,750
Many of the Water Department’s capital requests are also related to the Sybesma Addition housing development that would need $343,250 in water line extensions. 
The department is also requesting $160,000 to paint the interior of the north water tower. Related to that, $25,000 is planned to install a variable frequency drive (VFD) to the north booster station, which allows water to be pumped faster or slower based on need. 
The VFD on the north end of the town will allow water pressure to remain adequate when the north water tower is out of service for painting. 
 
Electric - $638,000
Electric Department funding requests include $200,000 for distribution system upgrades and $150,000 for transformers. The department is requesting $120,000 for power plant improvements, including tuck pointing and completing window replacements. 
Another $60,000 is requested for streetlight poles and fixtures, including replacing the banners on Highway 75 in 2024. 
 
Streets - $395,000
A new dump truck with a plow comprises the majority of the Street Department’s capital requests for 2024.
The $295,000 request was approved for 2023, but the order was delayed, so city staff are now requesting it for 2024. 
According to Public Works Director John Stoffel, the new truck will replace a 2000 model dump truck that has served the city well for over 23 years. 
“It's an everyday use vehicle,” Stoffel said. “It’s used year-round.”
He requested another $100,000 to replace a 2005 pickup for the department as well. A large built-in tool box is included on that truck. 
 
Fire - $350,000
The Fire Department is requesting $350,000 in 2024 for a new rural pumper truck to replace the current one that’s nearly 25 years old.
“The trucks are kept so clean and shiny and maintained so well, you don't even realize how old they are,” said city council member Kevin Aaker at the meeting. 
 The total cost of the rural pumper truck will be split between the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets, and funds from the townships’ fire protection contracts will be applied to the cost. 
 
Parks and Recreation - $315,000
Parks and Recreation Department capital purchases include $150,000 for Hawkinson Park improvements. 
According to Stoffel, the development of the Luverne Loop has expanded the size of the park on North Cottage Grove Avenue as well as its access and visibility. 
“We hope to add nature-themed play equipment in that park, which will be unique to the city,” Wolf said. 
Stoffel said the city is also considering adding one or two pickleball courts at the park on the west side of town. 
“We’re getting lots of requests for more pickleball courts so we’re going to look into what we can do,” Stoffel said. “We know there’s a demand out there right now.”
The Parks Department is also requesting $85,000 to replace an 11-foot mower and $50,000 for improvements at Kolbert Park on West Main Street. 
“We’ve heard some requests from neighbors in that area to update the outdated equipment,” Wolf said. 
 
Luverne Loop - $265,000
A new fence and retaining wall along the Loop trail near the left field of Redbird Field is being considered. 
“There’s quite a drop-off there now, and this will help with drainage,” Stoffel said.
Additional landscaping around The Lake ($65,000) and new benches with attached coverings for shade ($50,000) were also requested. 
 
Government buildings - $100,000
Replacing the roof on the Carnegie Building for $25,000 and tuck-pointing at the Palace Theatre for $75,000 were the requests under the government buildings category of the capital requests. 
 
Parking lots - $150,000
A request for $150,000 to repair the north parking lot at City Hall was included in the capital requests. 
“The project would include leveling and help with drainage and improve safety, especially in the winter with ice buildup,” Wolf said. 
 
Civil Defense - $30,000
A new civil defense siren will be worked into the rotation of the current seven sirens throughout Luverne. 
“We’ve replaced two sirens in recent years,” Stoffel said. “We try to do about one a year to keep them current; it’s good to update them.”
 
Pool/Fitness - $30,000
The Pool and Fitness Center capital requests include $20,000 to replace the diving board and stand and $10,000 to purchase additional exercise equipment. 
According to city staff, the diving board was refurbished in 2008 and the current stand has been in place since 1992. 
 
Airport - $25,000
Airport manager Ben Baum is requesting $25,000 to purchase a used skid loader to replace a 1982 skid loader currently being used at the airport.