Phil Gorter’s retirement from G&S Auto marks the end of an era on roadways in the tri-state area.
In January he sold to Kevin Aaker and Andrew Hemme, and the business will continue as a service station and tow operation on South Highway 75.
“Our hope is to continue with as little change as possible for customers,” Aaker said.
“We didn’t want to see someone from out of town buy G&S and move it out of town and have another empty building and no one in town to help out when people need it most.”
They realize they’ll have big shoes to fill in the station and on the road.
 
Angel in a tow truck
For 25 years Gorter was the registered responder for AAA emergency roadside service, and for many who needed rescuing, he was an angel in a tow truck.
Hutchinson motorist Bruce Carlson, for example, suffered a heart attack in 2004 when his pickup was being towed.
“We hear about caring people that go about quietly helping people, and on Jan. 27 I had the good fortune of meeting one of those people who is from Luverne and was there for me when I really needed help,” Carlson shared in an April 2004 letter to the editor.
“Phil drove me to the Medical Center emergency room entrance, wheeled me into the hospital emergency room, and stayed with me until a doctor and the emergency room staff took over. Phil’s concern and making sure that I got prompt care made a big difference for me, and I appreciate his ‘Good Samaritan’ spirit.”
Carlson is among dozens of motorists through the years who were moved by Gorter’s compassion in business.
A signed photo and football from former Minnesota Viking Randall McDaniel resulted from another such rescue in 2003 when McDaniel’s friends had trouble on I-90 with a car they were test-driving for him.
Gorter helped them get back on the road, and soon after, he received McDaniel’s gift along with a note.
“We want you to know how much we appreciate the help you gave our friends,” he wrote. “It’s nice to know the world is still blessed with caring and compassionate people like yourself.”
Gorter’s work ethic didn’t go unnoticed by AAA, which named him the 2013 Service Provider of Excellence, which distinguished him as one of the finest providers in the club’s national roadside network.
“We are extremely proud of you and recognize your commitment to world class service, valuing safety in all that you do, solving members’ problems at the roadside through trained service technicians, and your commitment to the community you serve,” Auto Club Vice President Robert Kaczor wrote in Gorter’s letter of commendation.
“These are truly values of excellence, and G&S Auto Sales and Service demonstrates them all.”
Lt. Matt Sorenson, who retired in December from the State Patrol, accompanied Gorter during many harrowing incidents with distressed motorists at crash scenes.
“Working on the roads, we deal with tow operators a lot, and G&S was awesome,” Sorenson shared during Gorter’s Feb. 11 retirement party in Luverne.
“People would be broke down, some of them traveling cross country with car trouble and bald tires with $4 to their name. … I’d feel bad calling Phil, knowing he probably wouldn’t get paid, but he’d come out and help.”
Sorenson said many were hesitant to be towed, but he assured them, “These are good guys; they’ll take care of you.”
 
Blessings and sacrifices
Gorter’s wife, Denise, acknowledged that business often interfered with family, but she said they felt part of the mission. “Phil always loved his job,” she said. “And that was very helpful to know he was out there doing what he loved – helping people.”
He said he was grateful for law enforcement standing behind him on roadside rescues, and he said he’s indebted to his family and dedicated employees for their sacrifices to the business through the years.
“I was blessed to have all my children work for me at some point or another,” he said about his daughter, Jessica, and sons Matthew and Brent.
In his early years, he worked with Ed Fonkert and Brent Schepel, and his most recent family of employees included Mike Hart, Cody Lanoue, Mike Mulder and Max Power.
At his retirement party, he said he was grateful for all of them and others.
“When I started 25 years ago, I never thought I’d be standing here at my own retirement party,” he said.
“There were some tough times, but through the grace of God and friends we got through it. … Thank you and God bless you all.”
 
Power is ‘Face of G&S’ Aaker and Hemme own it separate from body shop
Power, who had been a longtime towing employee for Gorter, said he looks forward to continuing the G&S tradition of excellence in both auto service work and AAA towing.
“There is no way anyone can fill those shoes,” Power said. “But we hope we can continue to earn the trust of everyone who Phil helped, and I am committed to upholding the service integrity Phil worked so hard to build up.”
Aaker and Hemme jointly purchased G&S as a separate venture from their Luverne Body Shop business and will operate them as two separate entities.
They said Power is the new face of G&S Auto.
“We are just helping Max with an opportunity to run a business,” Aaker said. “We’re glad to be part of honoring Phil’s beautiful spirit and how he blessed those who turned to him in their time of need.”

D.A.R.E., a relationship-building program between law enforcement and children, returns to Rock County schools Feb. 27 after an absence of several years.
Having additional staff at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office is making it possible for deputy Jeff Stratton to return to his school resource officer position, at least for a few hours a week, to implement the D.A.R.E. program in fifth-grade classrooms.
The program’s underwent significant changes since it was last offered in schools in the mid-2010s, when the program transitioned away from “Drug Abuse Resistance Education.”
“Now it’s really built around making good choices,” Stratton said. “Not just about drugs and alcohol.”
Stratton completed a two-week training course in January, where he learned how to lead students through various scenarios. The scenarios allow the fifth-graders to talk about challenges they may have already faced.
Focus is on showing the students they have a choice in the discussions they make versus just listening to lectures from a peace officer.
D.A.R.E. now stands for Define a problem, Assess your options, Respond (make your decision), and Evaluate.
Drug and alcohol resistance is emphasized for a week or two in the new 10-week program, but other program topics include bullying, peer pressure and tools for good decision-making.
Stratton said the new approach leads students down a better life path, while developing two-way communication with law enforcement.
Positive communications became a hallmark of the program that began in Los Angeles in 1983 before the nationwide curriculum was developed.
D.A.R.E. came to Luverne in the late 1980s.
The program changed in 2013 when researchers determined that the program focus didn’t reduce the abuse of drugs or alcohol as intended.
Stratton became the school resource officer last year to work in Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek school districts.
Months into the new job, Stratton was reassigned to patrol duty due to a staff shortage and upcoming retirements.
The last two open patrol positions will be filled later this month. Stratton anticipates returning to the schools full time in May, when the two patrol officers finish their introductory training.
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board approved the return of the D.A.R.E. program at their Feb. 13 meeting.
Luverne School Board members are expected to approve the return of the program to the fifth-grade curriculum at their Thursday night, Feb. 23, meeting.

When Alaska’s “Last Great Race on Earth” begins March 4, sixth-graders at Luverne Middle-High School and staff at Rock Veterinary Clinic in Luverne will be following mushers along the 1,000-mile race course.
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race enters its 51st year, while this year’s Luverne sixth-graders are the third class to follow mushers on the race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska.
Sixth-grade teacher Deb Hoogendoorn leads the curriculum that has students reading “Alaska’s Iditarod” by Emily Schlesinger and “Woodsong” by Minnesota author Gary Paulsen.
“We take the information we gather to practice our reading skills and relate what we have learned to the live event,” she said.
Each student also selects a musher to follow during the actual race that begins March 4 and can end as soon as eight days later.
Musher and Minnesota native Brent Sass is a favorite among the Luverne students.
Sass won last year’s 50th anniversary race (finishing the race in eight days) securing his first Iditarod win.
“Brent is an inspirational speaker and sends a message of believing in yourself and working hard to achieve your dreams,” Hoogendoorn said. “Many past students will ask about the race, especially if they catch me wearing an Iditarod shirt.”
Hoogendoorn wore an Iditarod T-shirt Friday, when students zoomed with the musher whose parents live in Excelsior, Minnesota.
Sass lives in Eureka, Alaska, having moved there in 1998 and worked with four-time Iditarod winner Susan Butcher. He completed his first race in 2006 and raises his own dogs, Alaskan huskies.
Sass told students he cares for 58 dogs.
“I love what I do,” he said, while sharing the camera with lead dog Slater and his brother, Pink.
When not racing, Sass operates a dog sled tour business.
Care for the dogs is extremely important, and Sass withdrew from the 2017 Iditarod because his dogs struggled to pull the sled.
“We carry a spot tracker,” he told the students. “Press the button and the vets will come.”
 
Dr. Tschida: one of 50 vets at the race event
One of 50 veterinarians monitoring the health of almost 1,000 dogs at this year’s race is Dr. Emily Tschida (pronounced Chee-TA) from Rock Veterinary Clinic in Luverne.
Tschida, an avid Iditarod fan, was chosen to volunteer her time and expertise to this year’s event in October. She applied for a veterinarian position in previous years but hadn’t been chosen until this year’s race.
“It has always been an event that has fascinated me,” she said. “I am surprised they took me because I didn’t live in Alaska and I don’t have a lot of sled dog experience.”
Veterinarians work in teams of three or four, overseeing the health of all the canines and helping in case of emergencies. The vets follow the mushers along the 1,000-mile road as the dogs and mushers reach each of the 26 checkpoints.
The application warns volunteer veterinarians of crowded living conditions, haphazard meal times, sparse rest periods and travel by air or in snow machines.
The event only selects four rookies annually to replace the seasoned, retiring veterinarians.
“Many individuals do not function well under these conditions,” cautioned trail committee veterinarian Stuart Nelson Jr.
“I can never recall a general musher meeting prior to a race when someone hasn’t expressed concern for having their dogs examined by a rookie veterinarian.”
Tschida’s interest in the Iditarod grew from reading and watching stories about the infamous race depicted in “Balto” and “Togo.”
Interest in animals led to her career in veterinary medicine.
She’s worked at the Rock Veterinary Clinic for 10 years as a general practitioner and surgeon.
“One thing about veterinary medicine, it is comparable,” she said. “Dogs are great, and they are super fun.”
 
Dog sleds helped in 1925 epidemic
Traveling by dog sled is the most common mode of transportation across Alaska.
The Iditarod mimics the path taken by a sled dog team in 1925 when serum needed to reach Nome from Anchorage to combat the diphtheria epidemic.
Gunnar Kaasen drove the final two legs of the pony-express relay into Nome behind his lead dog, Balto, through a blizzard hurling 80 mph winds.
Togo was also a lead dog who led his team across the most treacherous stretch of that 1925 trip.
Sixth-grader Maesa Boyenga said she’s excited to learn more about sled dogs and mushers after learning about the transfer of medicine.
She’s following Brent Sass as her Iditarod musher.
“He went to high school with (LHS sixth-grade teacher) Mrs. Thone,” she said. “I was excited to learn more.”
The students follow their assigned mushers at the race’s start March 4 and monitor the mushers’ daily check-ins on Iditarod.com.
Hoogendoorn plans to add Dr. Tschida’s experiences to the curriculum.
“We plan to reach out to her to come and tell us about her experiences and more inside happenings when she returns,” she said.

The Luverne girls’ hockey team is headed to state playoffs after the Cardinals took down New Ulm 4-0 in St. Peter on Feb. 14 to claim the 2023 Section 3A Championship trophy.
This is Luverne’s fourth year in a row being crowned the 3A champs, but the Cardinals have yet to win a game at state.
This year’s opening round was set to begin Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the Xcel Energy Center with an opponent yet to be determined.
Luverne’s seeding and opponent draw could change the Cardinals’ outcome this year for the chance to win against larger metro teams.
 
Section 3A Championship Game
Those who braved the elements to attend the Valentine’s Day game in St. Peter were not disappointed.
It was the third time the Cardinals beat New Ulm this year, after taking down the Eagles 4-1 in their season opener Nov. 15 in New Ulm.
The two teams met again at the Blue Mound Ice Arena in Luverne Jan. 19, when the Cardinals claimed a 4-1 win over the Eagles.
Tuesday’s 4-0 win iced the Cardinals’ ticket to state.
The first period was a back-and-forth game with both teams not wanting to get caught making a mistake and giving up a goal.
The Cardinals had 10 shots on the Eagles’ goalie, but she stood strong and shut Luverne down.
New Ulm placed five shots on senior Mallory Von Tersch, but she deflected them with ease.
The first period closed in a scoreless 17 minutes of play.
In the second period Luverne stepped up its puck control and attacks on the New Ulm goalkeeper.
Finally, at 5:30 in the second period, senior Kamryn Van Batavia scored Luverne’s first goal.
She beat the Eagles goalie by drawing her out of the net and sneaking a backside stick shot past her.
Van Batavia was assisted by her little sister, seventh-grader Ella Van Batavia, and sophomore Payton Behr.
From that point, it felt like a weight was lifted and the Cardinals were free to have fun and play their game.
Payton Behr scored Luverne’s second goal at 10:14, driving directly at the Eagles goalie and beating her below the pads to the back of the net.
Behr was assisted by Kamryn Van Batavia and eighth-grader Kassidy Saarloos.
The second period ended with Luverne in command with a 2-0 lead.
Second period shots on goal favored Luverne 9-4.
In the third period the Cardinals kept up their pressure play and controlled the puck.
At 10:09 in the third period Kamryn Van Batavia had a breakaway shot bounce off the Eagles goalie.
Eighth-grader Izzy Steensma was able to follow the deflection to the side of the net and poke it in behind the goalie, scoring Luverne’s third goal.
Kamryn Van Batavia scored her second goal at 11:24 in the third period with a goalie-beating breakaway wrist shot.
She was assisted by Ella Van Batavia and fellow senior Mallory Nelson.
The game ended with Luverne winning 4-0 against New Ulm.
LHS senior goalie Mallory Von Tersch faced 15 shots in the game and deflected all of them to get her ninth shutout for the season.

Luverne is home to the third-largest nutcracker collection in the world, and it will soon be home to the world’s largest nutcracker — one that towers 73 feet tall and can be seen by interstate traffic from a mile away.
The giant nutcracker is a private endeavor funded by Just For Nuts Inc., a Luverne nonprofit that has amassed more than $200,000 in donations by local citizens and organizations. Of that, $50,000 came from the Blandin Foundation.
Structurally, the 65-foot-tall nutcracker will stand on an 8-foot-tall pedestal supported by an existing 40-foot-tall solid steel post that once carried a “Mobile” sign for a service station.
The property is now home to Those Blasted Things, opened more than 20 years ago by Vance and Becky Walgrave, who granted an easement to the nonprofit in order to build the giant nutcracker.
They and their daughter, Katie, are on the Just For Nuts board, which submitted a variance request to the city for the oversized structure last week. They said they’ll announce a contest to name the nutcracker once a variance is approved.
For motorists traveling west on I-90, the nutcracker will loom on the horizon just as they pass Luverne’s nutcracker billboard.
For local leaders watching tourism traffic, it will boost an already growing number of travelers who stop at the downtown History Center to see the nutcracker collection.
At last count, there are 5,300 original nutcrackers — no duplicates and some quite historic and valuable — in Luverne’s collection.
The History Center guest book has recorded thousands of visitors from across the United States and around the world.
According to History Center staff, there were over 5,000 visitors last year, and most remark that they came to see for themselves the nutcracker collection that’s gaining notoriety by the day.
After WCCO TV aired a Wednesday night segment on Luverne’s nutcrackers, a couple drove from Minneapolis the following Saturday in treacherous winter weather.
They took in the collection, along with Rock County’s history displays, and left with $425 worth of merchandise —nutcrackers offered for sale from a supply of nutcrackers that are duplicates and that are purchased for resale.
“People are coming and spending money here,” said Betty Mann, who donated her personal collection of nutcrackers in 2016.
“I never in my wildest dreams expected to do what we’re doing. … It’s crazy.”
 
‘Crazy nutcracker lady’
It’s so crazy, in fact, that when Luverne leaders first started talking about promoting the community based on the nutcracker collection, Mann became known as “the crazy nutcracker lady.”
Before donating her collection to the History Center, she had entertained busloads of travelers who had heard about her nutcrackers and wanted to see them.
Recognizing an opportunity for the History Center, Mann donated the nutcrackers when the local museum moved from the Masonic Temple on North Freeman into the historic Ford Motor building on East Main Street.
The “new” History Center was built with space for the nutcrackers to be prominently displayed near the entrance, and it didn’t take long for the guest book to prove Mann’s hunch.
The nutcrackers might be the reason visitors stopped, but while they were there, they stayed to tour the museum and learn about Rock County’s history and its people. “People are amazed at our museum,” she said. “Especially our sod shanty, covered wagon and buffalo.”
Around that same time, Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow (LIFT) hired community consultant Roger Brooks to help improve the town’s image with better branding and self-promotion.
Among other things, he urged the town to use Mann’s nutcrackers as its unique “hook” to attract visitors. “This is flat out amazing,” he said about them. “This is worth getting off the interstate for.”
He pointed to Bemidji’s Paul Bunyon and LeSueur’s Jolly Green Giant as examples of other oddities that attract traffic.
The Jolly Green Giant three years ago was attracting 20,000 visitors per year. Since the community started promoting it, visits rose to 46,000 last year.
Brooks showed an artist’s rendering of an I-90 billboard, “Luverne: Home of the largest nutcracker collection in the Midwest,” and encouraged putting nutcrackers on every corner.
Some locals pushed back on the notion and on social media complained about the “crazy nutcracker lady.”
Mann, meanwhile, quietly continued her work at the History Center where the nutcracker numbers grew along with the guest list of travelers visiting the collection.
“They know about us on the East Coast and on the West Coast, and they come from Australia, Africa, some places in South America, Japan,” Mann said. “And they come specifically to see the nutcrackers.”
To continue the momentum, the Rock County Fine Arts and Chamber dedicated several 7-foot-tall nutcrackers that were creatively painted by local artists.
Tourism brochures and advertisements about Luverne in state and national publications encourage visitors to see the nutcracker collection.
And by this fall, as tourism continues to flow from I-90 to downtown Luverne, a 73-foot-tall nutcracker on South Highway 75 will welcome them to the “Nutcracker Capital of the World.”

Luverne restaurant owner Codie Deutsch is selling her 75 Diner on South Highway 75, but she said she’s committed to remaining open until a suitable buyer can take it over.
She said the business is profitable; she’s just hoping to make more time for her family.
“The hard part of selling is it’s busy all the time and it’s making money every day,” Deutsch said.
“But I want to be with my family more. It’s gotten to the point where if I want to take some time off, I have to close the Diner.” 
75 Diner has 18 employees, plus Deutsch working more than full time.
“I’d be fine working those long hours as an owner,” she said. “But family commitments (husband and three stepchildren) weigh on my mind when I’m working.”
She said the restaurant in Luverne has thrived, despite the pandemic shutdown.
“It was a difficult period for the business, but they made it through fine,” Deutsch said. 
“It’s been hard to add more employees, and supply chain challenges continue, but the business is still profitable.”
Deutsch has worked in restaurants since she was 15.
On Feb. 14, 2018, she parted ways with the family restaurant chain, Marlin’s, in Sioux Falls where she worked for 13 years, the past eight years as manager.
Prior to buying the Luverne restaurant with her husband, Colter Deutsch, in 2018, it was Papa’s Place and Chit-Chat’s and the longtime Country Kitchen. 
They named their new business 75 Diner in honor of “the heartbeat” of Luverne.
And true to the building’s Country Kitchen history, the menu features all-day breakfast entrees, daily “quick” lunch specials and quiet evening meals.
The business is listed through Land & Home Realty, and Deutsch said all pie orders and gift certificates will be honored.
She said the building is in good shape after recent improvements, including new kitchen equipment, shingles, parking lot and a new air conditioning and heating system. 
She can be reached for more information at 75diner@gmail.com.

Dental clinic in Luverne Feb. 23
The mobile dental clinic will be in Luverne Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Rock County Health and Human Services community room. This clinic provides dental care for adults and children ages 0 to over 100. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance are accepted. Organized by #Luv1LuvAll's Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Virtual author tour in February
The libraries of the Plum Creek Library System will offer “Wrapped in Reading Author Tour,” which include Feb. 21 paranormal researcher and author Chad Lewis, and Feb. 28 mystery thriller writer Brian Freeman. Preregister at https://tinyurl.com/Plum­creekvirtualauthortour
For more information contact the Rock County Library at 507-449-5040 or rocklibrarystaff@gmail.com.
 
World Day of Prayer March 3
Luverne’s First Presbyterian Church will host a World Day of Prayer at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, under the theme, “I have heard about your faith,” based on Ephesians 1:15-19.
A time of fellowship will follow the service.
World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical movement of Christian women who gather the first Friday in March for informed prayer and prayerful action. See wdp-usa.org.
 
Nutrition for seniors March 2
 Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 2, as a drive-through distribution in the parking lot off Maple Street at new ACE office on the east side of Generations Event Center.
  Pre-registration is required for those not already registered. Call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
 Learn how to detect and treat Emerald Ash Borer and other common insects and diseases at Insects and Diseases in Trees: What Should I Plant? On Feb. 27. Fee is $10. 
Students grades 3-8 can learn painting techniques in Pour Painting to create beautiful art pieces on Feb. 28. Fee is $10.
Join Master Gardeners on March 2 at Planning Your Garden to learn tips on how to plan your garden for your space. Fee is $5.
Students in grades K-2 with an adult are invited to Child-Adult Yoga for strengthening child-caregiver bonds starting on March 4 for four weeks. Fee is $40.
 
Free tax preparation at library
AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation for low-income individuals and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays starting Feb. 13 through April 15.
Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return and a form of identification to document social security number. Tax returns for 2021 will be prepared if requested.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Fridays now through April 28. Stories and make-and-take crafts are the same at either event.
Winter Book Club meets at different local restaurants during February and March.
The 50 State Challenge for adults and older teens is currently underway where patrons are encouraged to read a book set in one of each of the 50 states through Jan. 1, 2024.
The annual Plum Cleek Library System winter reading program, “Get Wrapped in Reading,” goes now until March 31.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Community Ed announcements
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
ECFE Classes for children ages 0-5 years and parents offers information and support to parents and provides activities for parents and children to explore together through classes that meet once a week throughout the school year. 
New Residents: Census Information Needed for Preschool Children. Call 507-283-4724 with information for children ages 0 to kindergarten. The school district uses the information for planning purposes, mailing out information on school events, including the state-mandated Preschool Screening for all 3-year-old children.
 
Food Shelf evening hours
The Rock County Food Shelf is now open for an additional evening shift from 5 to 6 p.m. the first and third Thursdays of the month. Call Mary at 507-227-5548 or Katie at 507-227-3531.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

This winter’s heavy snow cover is a snowmobiler’s delight, but some residents are seeing snowmobiles on private property.
During his Feb. 14, quarterly report to the Luverne City Council, Sheriff Evan Verbrugge addressed complaints about snowmobiles.
Council member Dan Nath said he’d taken phone calls from community members who asked about where snowmobiles are allowed to ride in town.
“They had concerns because people were riding across their lawns to get to areas they considered to be thoroughfare for snowmobiles,” Nath said.
Verbrugge acknowledged that the heavy snow cover is prompting increased snowmobile traffic this year.
“Obviously we haven’t had this much snow in the past, so it hasn’t been a problem,” he said. “But according to city ordinance, snowmobiles can be driven on Cedar, Edgehill, Donaldson and Warren streets.”
He said technically, people are supposed to trailer their snowmobiles to those locations and ride from there.
“Obviously some are not,” Verbrugge said. “I know we looked at 131st Street (on the north side of the hospital). It wouldn’t be allowed on the south side of that street, but on the north side it would, because that would be county.”
He said the Sno-Masters snowmobile club has a designated trail and he’ll contact the trail master to encourage compliance.
Mayor Pat Baustian said he’s also fielded complaints.
“I was walking our dog near the Uithoven Addition, and I could hear them,” he said. “Those raspy snowmobiles nowadays are loud. They’re not like days of old with the little Rups or Skidoos that putt along. They’re little race cars.”
He said he flagged down a snowmobiler to inform him that riding in that area wasn’t allowed. “And he didn’t know it,” Baustian said.
“He trailered his snowmobile to town and parked at his grandpa and grandma’s and rode out behind the school and Uithoven Addition and none of those areas are allowed for snowmobiles.”
Council member Caroline Thorson suggested getting trail maps to snowmobile safety instructors so that new riders are aware of approved routes through cities.
City Clerk Jessica Mead said she had been in touch with new leadership at Sno-Masters who are eager to educate their members about respecting private property and about staying on designated trails.
Baustian also acknowledged that many snowmobilers aren’t club members, and he reiterated that heavy snow cover is prompting the unique concerns.
“We have this kind of snow every two out of 10 years. It’s kind of hard to get excited about enforcement when you don’t see snowmobiles,” he said. “This year they’re out there, and good for them for enjoying it.”
 
Sheriff’s Office staffing
Verbrugge also reported staffing issues in the Sheriff’s Office.
He said two dispatchers quit last fall, and the remaining three have been filling the vacancy.
“We are literally running three dispatchers 24-7, seven days a week,” Verbrugge said.
“These three have gone above and beyond, and I tell you what, we couldn’t do it without them. They are the first line of defense, and they have stepped up tremendously.
Two new dispatchers, Tom Thone and Jason Kelly, will soon start.
“We’re hoping to get them certified through the state next month,” Verbrugge said. “Once that happens and we get them on their own, hopefully we can get back to a routine and back to normal.”
For deputy staffing, he said a new deputy starts Friday, Deputy Craig Martinson retires Feb. 26, and another new deputy starts Feb. 27.
“As of Feb. 27, we’ll technically be fully staffed, but it’s going to take us three months before we get them on their own,” Verbrugge said.
At that point, by late April, Deputy Stratton can return to his school resource officer work in the Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne school districts.
“We’re hoping right before prom, and we’ll get him at least acclimated again,” Verbrugge said.
Stratton is also certified as the new D.A.R.E. officer and will start that program in both school districts. (See the related story on page 1A.)