For the 28th year, the city of Luverne has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
At their April 25 meeting, City Council members formally recognized city finance director Robyn Wessels for her efforts in qualifying the city for the award.
“Thanks for the great job you do,” Mayor Pat Baustian told Wessels.
He pointed out that Wessels had big shoes to fill when former city finance director Barb Berghorst retired, and he thanked Wessels for maintaining the legacy of excellence.
Wessels thanked the council but also credited city staff for their contributions to qualifying for the award.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. It represents a “significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the city of Luverne for its comprehensive annual financial report every year since 1994.
It is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with high standards for preparing government financial reports.

A group of women motorcycle riders will ride through Luverne Saturday as part of the International Female Ride.
The riders, roughly 100 expected to participate, will leave Sioux Falls around 10 a.m. and will take county roads to Luverne, arriving between 11 and noon.
They’ll parade through town before stopping for lunch at JJ’s Tasty Freeze on South Highway 75.
The event is sponsored by Vern Eide Motoplex to spotlight women riders in the area, but all riders are welcome, according to organizer Lynnette “Nettie” Lawrence, Vern Eide apparel consultant and two-wheel enthusiast.
“Building lifelong bonds with local women and having a blast, all while riding and exploring the natural landscapes and historical landmarks of this region, can be rewarding,” she said.
“There’s a lot to be learned from group riding. Creating a community who watches out for one another, builds personal character.”
She said roughly 19 percent of motorcyclists are female, nearly doubling from 2009, with the median age of female motorcyclists being 39.
The largest interest appears mostly in cruisers, followed by scooters, and then sport bikes.
“Female motorcycle clubs have grown increasingly popular as women are drawn to motorcycling for the camaraderie and outdoorsy feel and fun,” said Lawrence, a member of the local Litas lady riding chapter.
The International Female Ride Day will start at 9 a.m. at Vern Eide Motoplex with women-owned businesses serving coffee and breakfast on site.
Also, women-owned businesses will offer a vendor fair throughout the day, and a raffle drawing at 3 p.m. will benefit the Children's Home Shelter for Family Safety (formerly Children’s Inn).
Lawrence can be reached at llawrence@verneide.com

Foster Care Month in May offers an opportunity to recognize foster parents for providing care and stability to children in crisis across Minnesota.
Children often experience mental health challenges from trauma and family disruption. In fact, mental and behavioral health is the most significant unmet health need for children and teens in foster care.
As many as 80 percent of children in foster care have significant mental health issues, compared to about 20 percent of the general population.
“Addressing the mental health needs of children, youth and parents can bring success to families who get the support and services they need,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.
Children who cannot safely remain at home may be placed temporarily in family foster care or a group residential facility. In 2022, 11,235 children and young adults in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care.
When out-of-home placement becomes necessary, relatives and kin are the first consideration.
Maintaining these relationships can increase stability, reduce trauma and help children maintain a sense of family, belonging and identity.
Minnesota counties and agencies are working to preserve family connections, with 62 percent of children in foster care in Minnesota placed with relatives.
Even with the growth in relative and kinship placements, many agencies still need more foster parents, particularly those who can help meet children’s mental health needs.
Counties are seeking foster families with expertise – or willingness to learn – to support children with trauma and other mental health needs.
Culturally appropriate mental health supports that recognize the identity, culture and lived experiences of children and youth help make services and supports more effective and result in better long-term outcomes.
Foster parents may be licensed to provide training and assess foster families’ strengths and needs. They also help create individual training plans to meet the needs of children in foster care.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services provides funding to train and support foster families.
Ideally, these agencies have a large enough pool of foster parents to enable children and youth to remain in their communities and schools, while having their needs met.
For more information visit the Department of Human Services’ webpage, mn.gov/dhs.

Each day in May I’m walking at least 9,000 steps, and walking more than four miles a day allows for a lot of thinking.
A recent New York Times article with the headline, “Lean into negative emotions. It’s the healthy thing to do,” has me thinking differently.
It appears when we experience a bad feeling, we don’t have to love the feeling. We just have to try to feel neutral about it.
The study found people who react neutrally were just as psychologically healthy as those who reacted positively. They suggest approaching the feeling with curiosity.
After all, the feeling won’t be around forever.
And it appears well-being increases with age.
As I move toward my sixth decade of life, I’ve turned my focus on my physical well-being.
As a result, I recently put my negative emotions toward the medical community behind me.
I visited a physician for a health check-up after a decade-long hiatus.
“Normal” is what she confirmed as a baseline, just in case my health condition changes for the worse.
The best part of the whole visit was when the nurse asked me to step on the scale — that’s when normal felt really good.
I was no longer considered obese.
When the “Healthy Communities” survey for planning at Southwest Health and Human Services appeared in my mailbox, I was excited to tell someone that I exercise regularly. I’m no longer considered overweight and I pay attention to my diet.
I answered all 64 questions and wondered if only those who work at their wellness respond to surveys?
Do people lie?
Tell the whole truth?
I’ll admit that prior to starting my wellness journey six months ago, (I suspect this is what most people do) I would have set the survey aside and promptly forgot to answer the questions.
Those answers could bring more wellness benefits to our communities no matter what our physical conditions are.
Now that I am more aware of walking paths throughout the region, I appreciate communities and individuals who make these public amenities possible.
Now we just have to use them because there is nothing better for the mind than a little fresh air as we view the natural environment around us.
I don’t know about you, but this month I am going to experience nature firsthand 9,000 steps at a time.

It’s the first week of May, and until this week it felt more like March. Prom has passed, citywide cleanup is in the books, and Mother’s Day and the Minnesota fishing opener are just around the corner.
Driver, beware, because this week is garage sale week. Some sales start on Wednesday, but for the most part Thursday through Saturday are the big days. Traffic through the neighborhoods will be heavier than normal where quick stops and midblock U-turns will be the norm.
This week the city crews have been picking up branches and by week’s end will more than likely be starting their weekly mowing schedules.
A week or so ago we all received our proposed property taxes for the upcoming year. It’s no surprise there was a bit of grumbling at the coffee shops and bars, but I challenge you to find a city that does a better job of plowing streets in the winter and cleaning up our household junk, not to mention the hours and hours of mowing they do every summer.
Another treasure this city has is Redbird Field, which by the way is the site of an exhibition baseball game between the hometown Redbirds and the Sioux Falls Canaries at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6.
The Take 16 Brewing company is sponsoring the event. Admission is bucks for adults and free for students.
Birds Brew Pale Lager, brewed by Take 16, will be available at Redbird Field and at the after-party in the Take 16 beer garden.
Nothing says summer like baseball, beer and brats.

Question:  My husband always used to say “never use your cruise control during any rain.” Is that still true with advances on tires and technology?
Answer:  He is correct. Cruise control should never be used on wet or icy roadways.  If your wheels lose traction, the cruise control will continue to accelerate, causing the vehicle to skid. By the time you realize you are skidding, it could be too late.
With dry road conditions, cruise control helps you safely monitor your speed, stay within the speed limit, and improve driving comfort on long, fairly straight stretches of road. It should be used only when you are able to drive at a steady speed with safe road conditions.
When deciding if you should set your cruise control:
•Ask yourself if it’s safe to travel the speed limit. If not, it isn’t safe to set your cruise.
•Is there limited visibility? If it’s foggy, snowing, or raining and your range of visibility is significantly reduced, play it safe. Don’t set your cruise.
•Is traffic moving smoothly? If it’s stop-and-go, or there’s heavy traffic around you, it’s not safe to use cruise.
Remember that using your cruise control can be an advantage when driving long distances, but YOU are your vehicle’s best safety feature.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

April 21
•Complainant on 211th Street, Hardwick, reported theft.
•Complainant on Highway 24, mile marker 3, Steen, reported debris.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 11, Luverne, reported suspicious activity.
April 22
•Complainant on County Road 11, Hills, reported an abandoned vehicle.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 6, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on 21st Street, Hills, reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported assault.
•Complainant reported a miscellaneous call.
April 23
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported a missing person.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 7, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on Redbird Road reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on Luverne and Estey streets reported illegal burning.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 11, Luverne, requested motorist assistance.
April 24
•Complainant on Linden Street requested assistance from another department.
•Complainant on W. Interstate Drive reported a fire.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street requested an unlock.
•A warrant was reported on E. Dodge Street.
•Complainant on Oak Drive reported a civil issue.
•Complainant on Main Street, Steen, reported suspicious activity.
•A warrant was reported on S. Kniss Avenue.
April 25
•A warrant was reported at Day County Sheriff’s Office.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a parking issue.
•A warrant was reported on 70th Avenue, Beaver Creek.
•A warrant was reported on E. Crawford Street.
•Complainant on Dodge Street and Highway 75, Luverne, reported harassing communications.
•Complainant on Highway 75, Interstate 90 overpass, Luverne, reported debris.
April 26
•Complainant on County Road 4 and 81st Street, Beaver Creek, reported weapons.
•Complainant on Pine Drive reported a disorderly.
 
In addition, officers responded to 2 motor vehicle accidents, 2 transports, 10 ambulance runs, 4 paper services, 3 animal complaints, 1 fingerprint request, 33 burn permits, 1 background check, 1 alarm, 3 purchase and carry permits, 3 stalled vehicles, 46 traffic stops, 11 abandoned 911 calls and 2 OFPs.

Earth moving work is underway to bring a Kwik Trip to South Highway 75 in Luverne.
Company officials said Luverne’s Kwik Trip footprint will be 9,000 square feet located on 2.88 acres just south of the Econo Lodge Hotel near the intersection of Highway 75 and Gabrielson Road.
The Luverne Kwik Trip will be open 24 hours per day, seven days a week, with 20 full-time employees.
The newer “Gen 3” design will be similar to the Kwik Trip in Windom and will include all the same amenities except a car wash.
The gas station convenience store is known for its fried chicken and take-home meals, and it also has vegetables and fresh meat for grilling, plus potatoes, bread and bakery items.
Kwik Trip has its own dairy, sweet goods and bread production in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from where it distributes directly to more than 800 of its stores in the Upper Midwest.
In addition to standard convenience store merchandise and grocery items, Luverne’s Kwik Trip fuel pumps will have unleaded, premium and E-85 gas (no diesel).
The Luverne location is among several new Kwik Trip stores in the works, including one in Worthington and several in Sioux Falls.
Construction will begin this fall, with opening expected in January 2024.

Nineteen-year-old Zach Jennissen traveled on foot from Sioux Falls to Luverne Monday night as part of a 600-mile trek to Canada.
The 2022 Foley High School grad has been making the trip since he was in sixth grade to promote the 30 for Freedom cause to end human trafficking.
“I’m blessed that I get to use my gift to improve the lives of others,” he said Monday.
“Human trafficking is something that is near to my heart and it’s a large issue in this country. It’s much larger than people know and I’m trying to make it known.”
He stayed with Canaan Petersen in Luverne Monday night and continued the next day to Mankato. His future route includes St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth and eventually through Grand Portage. 
30 for Freedom started with one man’s vision to get 30 of his friends to run 30 miles to raise $30,000 on his 30th birthday to help victims of sex trafficking.
Brent Silkey’s vision has since then inspired thousands to raise $1.56 million in the past seven years.
Jennissen’s FB page has a Venture Miles link to support his cause.