LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLSLuverne, MinnesotaFebruary 9, 2006NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by Gary Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, at Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 until 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 9, 2006, for the following improvements: LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ATHLETIC TRACK AND FIELD RENOVATIONThe general nature of the work is as follows:Construction of the athletic track reconstruction project at Luverne Public Schools, including all materials, labor, and equipment necessary to complete the project. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to: demolition and removals, asphalt pulverizing/grading, asphalt paving, concrete work, resilient surfacing, lane lines and event markings, topsoil backfill, seeding and miscellaneous related work. Add and/or deduct bid alternates may be taken for various work elements.Sealed bids will be opened and publicly read at the Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 9, 2006, or at such later time and place as may then be fixed. The School Board of the Luverne Public Schools will meet in the District Office of the Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 on the 9th day of March 2006, at 7:30 p.m., or at such time and place as may then be fixed, for action upon bids received in accordance with law and the specifications. The work must commence on or about June 5, 2006, and must be completed by August 15, 2006. Bidding documents may be examined and/or obtained for bidding purposes during normal business hours at the District Office, Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156. Each bidder submitting a formal bid shall accompany the bid with a Bid Security, in a separate envelope, as security that the successful bidder will enter into a contract for the work bid upon and will furnish after the award of the contract corporate surety bond or bonds, acceptable to the Owner, for the faithful performance of the contract, in an amount equivalent to one hundred percent of the amount of the contract. The bidder’s security shall be 5% (five percent) of the bid amount, and shall be in the form of a cashier’s or certified check drawn on a bank in Minnesota or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States of America, or a certified bank share draft drawn on a credit union in Minnesota or chartered under the laws of the United States of America or a bid bond with corporate surety satisfactory to the Owner. It is the intent of the Owner to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications, provided the bid has been submitted in accordance with the bidding requirements. The Owner further reserves the right to reject any and all bids or any part thereof, and to waive any informalities or irregularities and enter into such contracts or contracts as shall be deemed in the best interest of Luverne Public School District. Published by order of the School Board of the Luverne Public Schools.By: Cary Radisewitz, Ed.D. School Board Clerk(2-16, 2-23)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSNobles-Rock Community Health Services is soliciting proposals for agency management services.Proposals may be obtained from the Nobles-Rock Community Health Services, 315 10th Street, P.O. Box 757, Worthington, MN 56187. Proposal due date is March 31, 2006. The Nobles-Rock Community Health Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any and all informalities therein and to accept any proposal deemed to be in the best interest of the agency. Dated: February 15, 2006Melvin J Ruppert, Nobles County, Co-Interim DirectorKyle Oldre, Rock County, Co-Interim Director(2-23, 3-2)

Public NoticeClose Proximity Property Owners and Local Officials of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionNotice is hereby given that the Rock County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 6th, 2006, at the Rock County Family Services Building located at 2 Roundwind Road in Luverne, MN at 7:45 P.M. to act on the following conditional use permit application:Conditional use: Expansion of an existing feedlot located within 1/4 mile of a neighboring residence. Property Owner: Jeff & Larry SwensonLegal Description: SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 18 in Mound Township, Rock County, Minnesota. The conditional use permit is for the expansion of an existing feedlot on the property described above. The existing feedlot has a 60’ x 210’ open lot and a 75’ x 110’ open lot, both with runoff controls to house 60 Stock Cows and 60 feeder cattle equaling 102 animal units. The proposed facility consists of a 101’ x 161’ total confinement barn to house 2000 head of swine between 55 and 300 pounds. Using 0.3 animal units per head, total animal units are 600. The building shall have a 101’ x 161’ x 8’ poured reinforced concrete pit for manure storage. The total animal unit capacity will be 702.The described property is zoned as A-2, General Agriculture. All persons interested may appear and be heard at said time and place, or submit views in writing or by representative. Dated: February 23rd, 2006By Order of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionEric Hartman, Zoning Administrator311 W. Gabrielson RoadLuverne, MN 56156507-283-8862(2-23, 3-2)

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse February 7, 2006Chair Wildung called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the February 7, 2006, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve the January 24, 2005, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve items on the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. Extension Committee appointments — Carla Nieuwboer and Nick Sjaarda2. Resolution No. 02-06, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program.Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a feedlot conditional use permit increasing the animal unit from 360 to 945 animal units located in section two of Beaver Creek Township. On a recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Commission, motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the animal increase conditional use permit with seven conditions, declared carried on a voice vote. Specific conditions are stated on the conditional use permit available at the Rock County Land Records Office. Mr. Hartman informed the County Board that he had conducted a poll of the surrounding eighteen counties requesting information as to whether or not a County Commissioner(s) is appointed to their Planning & Zoning Board. Results of that poll indicated that fourteen counties do have commissioner representation on the Planning & Zoning Board. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to authorize up to $3,000.00 to Paulsen Architects for services regarding the Heartland Express building project, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to appoint Marlin Mann to the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority, declared carried on a voice vote. Randy Ehlers, FSA Director, Diane Holmberg, FSA Financial Supervisor II, and Southwest Private Industry Council Representatives Juanita Lauritsen, Mary Mulder and Brian Sietsema presented an agency annual report; no action was taken. Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented information regarding Judicial Ditch No. 2 and 3 along with a 2006 County State Aid Highway apportionment information that reflected a slight increase for Rock County. Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, discussed the results of the recent sales tax audit. After discussion, it was determined that the county would write a letter discussing its displeasure with the state’s approach to the sales tax audit; however, the county will not be appealing.Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented program information entitled "Help America to Vote Act" (HAVA) and the local equipment plan. Following discussion, motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, requesting the County Attorney and Auditor/Treasurer to write a letter to the townships explaining the maintenance and programming of the voting machine equipment, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to pay the claims and per diems of $160.00, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.General Revenue $ 44,229.56Family Services $ 27,030.28Road & Bridge $ 36,401.65Land Management $ 445.38TOTAL $108,106.87Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the fund balances, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed that the State Auditor would be conducting the county’s audit in 2006 — 2008.The County Board was in receipt of a funding request from Southwest Minnesota Arts & Humanities of $1,000.00; by order of the County Board Chair, it was directed to the allocations listing in July. The County Board briefly discussed meetings that had been held with school districts 2184 and 671 regarding snow removal routes on county roads. They also informed the board that they would have a City of Luverne/Rock County Liaison meeting and that various projects will be discussed at that meeting as well. Commissioner Hoime requested that the Master Gardeners attend a future board meeting and give a presentation. Commissioner Bakken requested that the Big Buddies and After School programs of both school districts also attend a future board meeting to present program updates.With no further business to come before the board, meeting was declared adjourned. Jane Wildung, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(2-23)

NOTICETO THE POLICYHOLDERS OF BEAVER CREEK MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANYAny policyholder wishing to be a candidate for the Office of Director must file such notice in writing with the Secretary, at the Home Office of the Company in Luverne, Minnesota, at least Thirty days prior to the April 4, 2006, Annual meeting of the Company, as provided by the Article of Incorporation. Last day for filing will be March 4, 2006.BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORSMaurice Fitzer, PresidentKenneth Husen, Secretary/s/ Kenneth HusenKenneth HusenSecretary-Manager(2/23)

New search for hospital administrator It looked as though the search for the new administrator for the Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital was about to end, but for personal reasons the candidate who had been selected declined the offer. According to hospital officials, the search process will now start from the beginning.The process is expected to take approximately two months to find an appropriate candidate and another four to six weeks for the that person to give notice to his current employers.The new administrator will replace Jerry Carl, who announced his anticipated retirement several months ago.‘End of the Spear’ to show at the PalaceThe Palace Theatre is scheduled to show "The End of the Spear" this weekend, Feb. 24-26.The movie is a true story of an Ecuadorian tribesman, Mincayani, who left his homeland to become a Christian missionary after his tribe murdered a group of American missionaries.The Christian-based movie is expected to draw large crowds for the Palace and may be held over if the demand warrants it.Next on the Palace’s agenda will be the Green Earth Players’ production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."The production crew will move into the Palace on March 11, with opening night scheduled for Friday, March 17.The play is scheduled to run two weekends.Elderhostel at Lake ShetekShetek Lutheran Ministries, in conjunction with Augustana College, will again host an Elderhostel on the shores of Lake Shetek May 7-12.Participants will hear stories about the Buffalo Ridge as well as the prairie and lake country.Field trips to the sacred red quarries at Pipestone National Monument, the End-O-Line Railroad Park and visits to the sites associated with the 1862 Dakota Conflict at Lake Shetek will be among the activities.The group will also investigate the Buffalo Ridge wind generators, local agriculture in the 21st century, regional entomology and birds of southwest Minnesota, as well as recounting the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder.Participants may either stay on the property or commute to the programs daily.For more information contact Jon Hoyme at 507-763-3567 or visit the Web site: www.elderhostel.org.Some problems for Vets Home system, but Luverne gets high marksA recent consultant’s report to the Governor of Minnesota has given the five veterans homes in the state high marks for care and service.The report went on to say that most facilities exceed expectations.The report had some concerns about leadership roles and regulatory problems, particularly at the Minneapolis Vets Home, the largest of the five veterans homes in the system with 341 beds.The report referred to the Fergus Falls nursing home as being one of the best nursing homes reviewed in Minnesota, and it also singled out Luverne as being "a very strong performer."A total of 1380 veterans are cared for in the system’s nursing homes and assisted care facilities in Minnesota.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Ashcreek Elevator SoldThe following appeared in the Rock County Herald on October 6, 1939:Carstens Bros. Buy Ashcreek Elevator BuildingTo Use Material for Feed Storage House at RanchCarstens Bros., of this city, last week purchased the Ashcreek Farmers’ elevator building and equipment, and a crew is now busy razing the building preparatory to transporting it from Ashcreek to the Carstens’ turkey ranch on section 3, Mound township.Marvin Gray and Geo. Westerbur have the contract for dismantling the structure.Material from the elevator structure will be used to erect a feed storage building at the turkey ranch. It will be equipped with a dump pit and an elevator for distributing the feeds to several bins. The 10-ton scale from the elevator equipment will also be used in the new structure. Concrete work for a foundation for the feed storage plant is already under way at the ranch. Power for operating the plant will be drawn from the Luverne-Hardwick highline running past the farm.Carstens Bros. plan on moving their turkey ranch from its present site just northwest of the city to their newly acquired site on the former Stelling farm, seven miles north of Luverne, on Nov. 1st.The coal sheds forming a part of the old Ashcreek Farmers’ elevator property have been sold to Rudolph Boelman. It is understood negotiations are now under way for the disposal by the company of its residence property at Ashcreek.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

A transformation has taken place this winter, and I’m embarrassed to say that it came to my attention only in recent days.The reality of this transformation didn’t enter my mind on Saturday afternoon when I left the Luverne-St. James girls’ basketball game feeling a little disappointed.In what could be a preview of the South Section 3AA semifinal game between the third-seeded Cardinals and the second-seeded Saints, I thought Saturday would be a perfect opportunity for the local girls to make a statement.A win over a potential tournament opponent would have, in my opinion, sent the Cardinals into post-season play with a head of steam. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. The LHS girls didn’t turn in their best performance on Saturday, and the end result was a nine-point loss.About two days later, the reality of the new situation the LHS girls’ basketball team is in hit me in the head like a hammer: The Cardinals are not a basketball push-over anymore. They may be the most improved team in Southwest Minnesota this winter, and I now realize that my expectations have changed every time I take in one of their games.That’s a good thing, and it’s time to give LHS coach Jason Phelps and his Cardinals credit for what they have accomplished this year. After doing some research on Monday afternoon, I found out they really have accomplished a lot.During the first four years of Phelps’ tenure, the Cards compiled a 15-79 record that included two three-win seasons, one four-win year and one five-win campaign.Heading into Tuesday’s game against JCC, a team LHS beat in December, the Cardinals sported a 12-10 mark. With a win over the Huskies and victory over Redwood Valley (in the tournament opener 7 p.m. Saturday in Luverne), the Cards would get the chance to match their win output in the prior four seasons in one year on Tuesday night.Prior to this season, Luverne had won one conference game under Phelps’ guidance. A win over JCC Tuesday would complete a 6-6 SWC campaign for LHS. At the same time, it would lock up Luverne’s first winning season since the 1997-98 team went 17-7 under former LHS coach Jody Buck.The highlights of the year to this point have been a pair of five-game winning streaks. The Cards posted trophy wins over Pipestone, the No. 1 seed for the South Section 3AA Tournament, and Murray County Central, the co-Red Rock Conference champion and No. 1 seed for the South Section 3A Tournament.Four of Luverne’s 10 losses came against traditional basketball powers Worthington (both games were decided by less than nine points) and Marshall.As the season has progressed, the Cardinals managed to reach all of their pre-season goals except one."Looking at the schedule, I was thinking we would win around 10 games," Phelps said."Our goals were to win a few more conference games, finish the year with a .500 record and be seeded as one of the teams in the top-half of our section so we could play a tournament game at home. Our other goal is to win a couple of games in the tournament."Luverne’s success on the court is the result of being a balanced team with a blend of experience and youthful talent.The Cards stick mainly to a seven-player rotation that is led by five-year senior starter Maggie Kuhlman, and two-plus-season junior starters Mindy Nieuwboer and Samantha Gacke.Senior defensive specialist Tori Snyder, a two-year fixture in the lineup, and junior first-year-starter Erin Hoiland round out the starting five. Juniors Alyssa Klein and Brittany Vogt have come off the bench to make important contributions to the team’s success."We are a well-balanced team offensively with an inside and an outside game, and we’re very versatile defensively," Phelps said.Phelps insists his coaching tactics have not changed this year, but he says on-court success has made some of the mundane chores like breaking down game film and scouting opponents more enjoyable.The best part of this new experience is seeing hard work of a 25-game summer schedule and after-school practice sessions paying off for his veteran players."It’s been nice for me to see Mindy, Maggie and Sam having a little more success after going through a couple of rough seasons," he said.As for myself, I’ve enjoyed watching the Cardinals improve as a team.I shouldn’t have left the gym Saturday disappointed with the outcome of one game. Instead, I should have been celebrating the positive strides LHS has taken as a basketball program this year.