10 years ago (1996)"Country Flowers & Crafts opened doors for business the second week of December last year — in time to provide holiday floral needs. Now they are ready to help make Valentine Day extra special.Country Flowers & Crafts, owned by Dennis and Holly Mulder, is located on the Mulder farm two miles east and one-and-three quarter miles south of Hills." 25 years ago (1981)"2nd Lieut. Jerry Randall and his fiancée, Kathy Marcinkowski, came from Montana to spend the weekend in the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Paulsen. They were en route to Annapolis, Md. Jerry will be stationed at Pensacola, Fla., in the Marines and will be taking flight training." 50 years ago (1956)"Pete Delfs bought the old blacksmith shop building in Steen recently. He plans to use it for a shed for his trucks, etc, so it looks like that will be the end of a blacksmith shop for Steen." 75 years ago (1931)"Eggs are cheap but look what they will buy at the Farmers Store — eggs are selling at a price that makes one think of the ‘Olden Days,’ but prices on groceries have been lowered considerable, too, at the Farmers Store. Just look what your eggs will buy, even at the low price of 12¢ per dozen: 3 pounds of beans for 2 dozen eggs; 2 1/2 pounds powdered sugar for 2 dozen eggs; 6 boxes matches for 2 dozen eggs; 1 box crackers for 1 1/2 dozen eggs; 4 dozen clothes pins for 1 dozen eggs; 1 pair flannel work gloves for 1 dozen eggs; 1 pair of work socks for 1 dozen eggs; 10 pounds sugar for 4 1/2 dozen eggs. We’ll sell you a sack of good guaranteed flour for two good heavy hens or springs. Not Bad! Farmers Store."100 years ago (1906)"According to the Luverne papers the new hotel, the Manitou, is to have saloon and barber shop annex, on the plea that it does not pay without these additions. As the Manitou is owned by stockholders composed of Luverne businessmen the saloon will no doubt be established. If Luverne must have saloons it would be well to follow out the suggestions offered in a recent issue of the Luverne Journal that the license be increased from $1,250 to $2,500, and the number of saloons reduced from five to two. … "

Berneta Johnson of Ethel, Wash., came Sunday to spend overnight in the home of Bob and Twila Kirsch.Stacey Bommersbach and children of Holly, Mich., have spent some time in the home of her parents, Harlan and Bonnie Kolsrud, at Worthington. Saturday afternoon she and Jordan came for a visit with Alice Kolsrud.Don and Edyth Briggs and Harriet Skattum attended the Dakota District Pipes Pipes and Drums, Robert Burns supper and program at the Oaks in Sioux Falls, S.D.Wilmer and Betty Elbers returned from South Carolina after spending several weeks and over New Year’s with their daughters, Peggy Iverson and Nyla Newsome and families.Wendell and Kathryn Erickson spent several days last week in the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Kirsten and Pat Anderson, in Sioux Falls.Last Wednesday, Rheta DeBoer met Susan Hofman in Sheldon for lunch. Susan is Rheta’s daughter. N Saturday Chuck and Rheta De Boer attended funeral services for Jessie Dykstra in Worthington.Emma Baker of Rock Rapids is spending a few days this week with her grandparents, Eldon and Karen Soehl.Wilmer and Betty Elbers attended basketball games of their grandson, Mitchell Elbers, Saturday morning in Brandon.

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYJANUARY 10, 2006Linus Svoboda, President of the Hills EDA, called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. with the following Board members present: Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Jim Jellema, Pete Hoff, and Ross Metzger. Others present: Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary, and Lexi Moore, Reporter-Hills Crescent.Motion by Metzger, seconded by Elbers, to approve the minutes of December 13. Motion carried.The Board approved payment of checks #1539 and #1540. Motion carried.Motion by Hoff, seconded by Elbers, to approve the transfer of $138,000 from EDA checking to a CD. Motion carried.No further business, meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.Connie J. WiertzemaEDA Secretary 2-9

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETINGOF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILJANUARY 10, 2006Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Pete Hoff, and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer; Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk; and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests: Jeff Bass-Chief for Hills Area Fire Department; Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent.Motion by Elbers, seconded by Hoff, to approve the minutes of December 13 and 14. Motion carried.Motion by Hoff, seconded by Metzger, to approve payment of the December expenditures. Motion carried.Expenditures for December: General $5,927.01; Park $1,268.05; Fire $8,022.63; Street $5,144.62; Legion $689.35; Sewer $1,427.15; Garbage $3,050.90; Recycling $1,014.80; Water $6,244.89; Baseball $12.22; Softball $22.84. Motion carried.General Checking 73,333.94General Fund CD #18924, 3.55%, 6/9/05 (prev. #18614) 251,002.85General Fund CD #19056 (prev. #188764) 4.25%, 9/15/06 122,287.95Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD #18647 cashed in May 2005 0.00Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 436.83Hills EDA Checking –Acct. #1248 690.11Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 0.00EDA CD #18870, 3.25%, 5/7/06 76,869.87EDA CD #19164, 2%, 3/14/06 40,300.00EDA CD #19165, 4.25%, 11/15/06 138,000.00Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Metzger, to approve the transfer of $138,000 from EDA checking to an 11 month EDA CD #19165 at 4.25% interest. Motion carried.Discussed George Reining’s inquiry regarding the cleanup of debris from his house fire. Council agreed that all debris must be removed from the property, including the foundation.Jeff Bass informed the Council that the Fire Department has not received all their new gear, covered by the 2005 FEMA grant. Also, that there will be a cost overrun of approximately $2,200 for brackets to hang gear on the trucks. Bass inquired whether the Fire Department should apply for the 2006 FEMA grant, which could be used toward the cost of a different rescue van. The Council agreed to the application, but request that the City and Martin Township must be informed on costs relating to the application.The Council approved Ward’s request for a new tracing tape for locating utility lines.City maintenance requested that the owner of a stray dog be contacted. The fine for this third capture is $100.The Council was informed of the Federal Government’s cost increase for the drinking water service connection fee to $6.35 per connection.A proposed cost estimate will be obtained for updating the City’s map.The Council agreed to allow the U.S. Post Office storage space in the basement of the Hills American Legion building, for an additional rent of $30 per month.The following appointments will remain the same for 2006: Mayor Pro Tem-Linus Svoboda, Official newspaper-Hills Crescent, Civil Defense Director-Doug Chapman, Weed Inspector-Wayne Ward, Official bank–Exchange State Bank of Hills, Health officer–Dr. Diane Kennedy, City attorney–Doug Eisma, EDA President–Linus Svoboda, EDA Vice President–Ross Metzger, EDA Secretary–Connie Wiertzema, EDA Treasurer-Joanne Goehle.The Council approved to increase the following rental charges for the Hills American Legion building: Clubroom/Kitchen $50; and for the Auditorium/Clubroom/Kitchen $150, plus a $50 deposit. All other Legion rental charges will remain the same.The Council set the mileage reimbursement rate at 44.5 cents per mile; and set a temporary liquor license fee at $50. All other licenses and/or rental charges will remain the same per the 2005 Fee Schedule.The Council asked city maintenance to remove the snow from the end of South Anna Avenue, in order that Wysong’s can remove their camper trailer from the street.Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger, to approve the proposed 2006 wages as noted and presented to the Council by the wage committee members. Motion carried.The Clerk will attend the election equipment plan meeting on January 17Council discussed options for storage space for the Hills American Legion, which is currently located in an occupied rental office space.Council approved to refund a utility deposit to John and Kim Elhers.No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.Connie WiertzemaCity Clerk 2-9

By Sara QuamTerry Hoffman, who is out on bond, pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of possession of stolen property in Minnesota. Hoffman, 38, pleaded not guilty in South Dakota in February of 2005. There, the charges were seven counts of grand theft.He changed his plea in South Dakota to guilty in September 2005 to two felony grand theft. As a part of that plea, prison time was capped at 10 years and it was stated that restitution of $195,000 would be sought.Hoffman was arrested in Rock County Dec. 8, 2004, when three search warrants uncovered allegedly stolen items such as snowmobiles, a boat, a pickup, a sport utility vehicle, a camper, an all- terrain vehicle, a trailer and vehicle parts at various locations.The initial tip came Oct. 22, 2004, from Brandon, S.D., where a suspicious Chevy Tahoe of Hoffman’s was being stored at the home of his brother and sister-in-law.The alleged thefts include items from Brandon, Sioux Falls, Luverne, Marshall and Worthington.Hoffman, formerly of Luverne, is accused of stealing and reselling or reusing vehicles. He allegedly swapped titles and license plates from wrecked vehicles to cover the tracks. Also, some vehicle identification numbers were altered.The person giving the initial tip provided police with a vehicle identification number from the black 2002 Chevy Tahoe, which was researched and found to be stolen.The license plate on the Tahoe was actually from a white 1994 Chevrolet Camero registered to an insurance company in Woodbury, Minn.After that, personnel from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon (S.D.) Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol and National Insurance Crime Bureau became involved in the investigation.Hoffman, who now lives in Sioux Falls, will appear in Minnehaha County court in South Dakota next week for sentencing. Now that Hoffman has been arraigned in Rock County, the next step here is to schedule a jury trial.

By Lori EhdeGene Bendix will be remembered in Luverne for his love of teaching, and his students will never forget the enthusiasm he brought to classroom."His students would always come back and say he was a good teacher," his wife, Arlene Bendix, said Tuesday."He loved what he did, he loved the kids, and he was always interjecting that into the classroom."These qualities didn’t go unnoticed by his fellow teachers, who named him Luverne’s first-ever Teacher of the Year in 1966.According to the Echo, the high school newspaper, the teacher named must be "exceptionally skillful and dedicated."That year was the 16th year of teaching in Luverne for Bendix, who taught chemistry and science. He went on to receive state recognition that year for "excellence in teaching." The write-up in the Echo found its way back to Ortonville, where Bendix grew up and graduated from high school.A front-page story in the Ortonville Independent offered a biography of sorts on Bendix.He received his bachelor’s degree from Hamline University, St. Paul, and his master’s degree in science from the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.He taught his first year in Huntley and 10 years in Renville before coming to Luverne in 1962.In 1959 and 1960, Bendix was a traveling science teacher for the National Science Foundation through Michigan State University.He was one of 20 teachers named nationally and covered a seven-state area that included 20 schools in southwest Minnesota and Iowa.Another Echo student writer offered insight on Bendix’s classroom rapport."Mr. Bendix’s nickname is ‘Geno’ to his golfing buddies," the article stated (Bendix also coached the LHS golf team). "He enjoys golfing, photography and hunting. Sunday is his favorite day. His pet peeves are students who don’t ask questions."The writer also shared a classroom experience."One science experiment he will never forget is when he was demonstrating a fire extinguisher he had made. It blew up in his face."Bendix died Monday after a 10-year decline in health following complications with knee surgery. Persistent non-malignant tumors prompted amputation – first at the knee several years ago, and then at the hip last year when tumors became cancerous.He was 80 years old.See page 8A for his complete obituary.

By Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members approved salaries for "supervisory exempt employees" at their Thursday, Jan. 26, meeting.Food Service Director Gretchen Davis’s salary will increase from the current $28,205 to $29,333 in 2006-07.Technology Coordinator Wade Hiller’s salary will increase from $47,424 to $49,321.Business Manager Marlene Mann’s salary will increase from $51,592 to $53,656.Transportation Supervisor Lon Remme’s salary will increase from $45,940 to $47,778.Building and Grounds Director Larry Roos’s salary will increase from $49,213 to $51,181.Payroll and Administrative Secretary Brenda Teal’s salary increased from $33,205 to $34,533.In other business Thursday the board:
Hired Bill Thompson as summer recreation director for $7,000 for summer of 2006.
Hired Janelle McKenzie as long-term substitute for Amanda Fields for eight weeks maternity leave, beginning approximately Feb. 5.
Hired Eric Price, long-term substitute for Spanish teacher Lori Gladis for maternity leave effective now through Feb. 15.
Approved seniority lists for paraprofessionals, ECFE, School Readiness and Discovery Time staff and alternative school staff.
Accepted a bid on a new Blue Bird Bus from North Central Bus, St. Cloud, which submitted the only bid. With a trade-in, the new bus cost $68,542.54.
Closed the meeting for a student discipline matter. The board took no action except to advise following the school handbook for addressing the matter.

By Sara QuamThe vitality of a modest little minnow may not seem like much of a concern, but its overall effect on the food chain could be enormous if it becomes extinct.That concern is behind the protection of the Topeka shiner, a small fish that breeds in a few Missouri River outlets, including the Rock River.The Topeka shiner has been listed as an endangered species since 1998.Its well-being is guarded, which means anything done to or around the river or having to do with the water supply is also guarded.For that reason, a few local groups got together this week to look into whether they should work with the federal government to make a specific plan for the Topeka shiner.Rock County Rural Water Director Dan Cook said, "We’re going to take it one step at a time."He said the issue was brought to the forefront of water providers in the region when Lincoln- Pipestone Rural Water said it was short and wanted to buy water from others.Luverne, Adrian and Rock County Rural Water are all possible providers that could sell extra water to the struggling Lincoln-Pipestone system.In order to expand its production for Lincoln-Pipestone, Rock County had to get a permit to expand its operation.That permit was put on hold by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.Part of the problem is that it’s difficult to know exactly where Topeka shiners are and how they will be impacted by any withdrawls from the watershed.One of the Fish and Wildlife Department representatives said at the meeting: it’s not like denying someone a request to cut down a tree that is home to a bald eagle. The meeting explored whether all of southwest Minnesota should develop a Habitat Conservation Plan, which could cost more than $250,000 in research and programming to protect the shiner.That process could also take up to six years, which puts water providers in a bind, especially Lincoln-Pipestone.Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water director Dennis Healy said, "This is going to be a multi-year project and I’d rather put the money to use helping the habitat than to do all this hydrological studying that might not come up with good answers. And we need water within the next 12 months."He said he’d rather assume the shiner is facing worst-case scenarios and work around that, rather than studying to find conditions, when in the end the data may be too vague to form a conclusion.The study will begin this spring, if water levels are low enough in the river for testing, otherwise it will have to wait for late summer.Cook is optimistic the DNR and Fish and Wildlife Service will find a way to let the area use more water without harming the endangered species, Topeka shiner.

By Sara QuamThe Luverne Planning Commission is recommending the city allow Dingmann Funeral Home on Fledgling Field.That recommendation was passed Monday night after a public hearing that aired opinions on both sides of the issue. Commission member Mike Reker voted against the permit recommendation, saying it goes against the city’s new Comprehensive Plan. Other members of the Planning Commission are Jerry McGuire, Mike Jarchow, Dan Serie and Chairman Pat Baustian. The Luverne City Council has the final vote on the permit, and the Planning Commission will approve specific conditions for the construction at another meeting. The Council could vote on the funeral home construction as early as Feb. 14. Fledgling Field is the common name for the green space between Luverne and Brown Streets on Highway 75 (Kniss Avenue). Resident Warren Herreid spoke in favor of allowing the construction. He said he believed he represented a quiet majority of the town that believes the funeral home should be allowed there. As a member of the "famous Glen’s afternoon coffee group," he said, "I’m in favor of it, recognizing that I don’t live right next to it." Jim Harner, however, does. He said, "It is a residential neighborhood and has been as long as Luverne has been in existence and it’s not the proper place for commercial development of any kind."He read excerpts from the Comprehensive Plan, passed in 2004, which he felt backed up his opinion.The plan says the city should seek "to sustain and enhance the residential quality of the Kniss Avenue corridor north of Main Street." The plan says that redevelopment should focus on residential uses.Harner said, "I just think these items were included in the Comprehensive Plan. It focuses on the continuity of the neighborhood without the influence of commercial uses."Harner said, "If we’re going to pay $50,000 for a new Comprehensive Plan, we’d better follow it. It is a road map for the future."A place for everythingIn 2005 the city of Luverne passed zoning changes that reflected what was in the Comprehensive Plan.As a part of that rezoning, Fledgling Field became a Downtown Zone, which could allow a funeral home as a conditional use. Funeral homes, like many specific businesses, aren’t expressly mentioned in any particular zone.Owner Dan Dingmann was able to apply for this permit because of the zoning change. He previously was denied permission to build there because the zone of Fledgling Field was strictly residential.Dingmann, since 2003, has been working with the city to move his funeral home business to the vacated clinic, but those negotiations have stalled recently.Before that, he tried to locate to Fledgling Field in 2000.Resident Jeff Wollman said he didn’t understand why Fledgling Field is seen as a potential funeral home site."I can’t really put my finger on why it has to be in this location, why it’s so important," he saidWollman said people go to funeral homes whether they are in high traffic, high visibility areas or not, so South Highway 75 or further north of town would be just as appropriate.Wollman said he went to some of the first Comprehensive Plan meetings and remembers consultants specifically saying a funeral home wouldn’t be a good fit on Fledgling Field.City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said to the Commission, "The Comprehensive Plan was designed to allow flexibility in the Downtown Area and that’s what we have today."Most ‘aye’ one ‘nay’ Commission member Mike Reker explained his vote against the recommendation.He said he didn’t want to go against what the Comprehensive Plan showed as a guide for Luverne’s planning and zoning.Reker said, "When we first talked about the Comprehensive Plan, I asked if it was going to be an expensive way to get a funeral home on Fledgling Field and I was told ‘no.’"He said placing conditions on businesses isn’t always effective in the long term because those conditions are difficult to enforce. Reker said many zoning problems and nuisance issues in the city in the past few years have yet to be solved, so he has little faith in the effectiveness of conditional use permits."I’m of the opinion that once you let a business build, you step back and let them do their thing."Reker said other areas of town have room for business growth."To me," Reker said, "it’s not about how nice it’s going to look — it’s about whether we want businesses in residential areas."Chairman Pat Baustian said at first he leaned toward voting against the permit recommendation.But, he said, "The residential quality, I don’t think, will be brought down by a funeral home."Commission member Mike Jarchow lives next to a church, with a large parking lot, bright lighting and high traffic with Sunday services, weeknight meetings and funeral services. He said he and his family don’t have a problem with those issues.Jarchow said that with being on Highway 75 and near traffic already, residents in the area of Fledgling Field shouldn’t be negatively impacted by a relatively quiet business.Commission member Dan Serie said he’s thought about the Fledgling Field and funeral home issue for about five years."Driving up and down the neighborhood," Serie said, "it’s hard not to notice the beautiful homes, but it’s also hard not to notice the gas station, the churches and the water tower."This isn’t the first time the funeral home issue has been in the public eye.
Cornerstone Construction purchased Fledgling Field in March 2000 for $41,000 from the Luverne School District in an auction. Cornerstone was going to build the funeral home and sell it to Dingmann.
Fledgling Field was zoned R-1, or low-density residential, which is held in the highest esteem in the city codes, and is the most difficult to develop, outside of single-family dwellings. A funeral home wasn’t allowed as a conditional use within R-1 zones. During the process some neighbors were adamant that the area not become anything other than the grassy park it had been for years.
After many meetings and debates about the legitimacy of a funeral home in the residential area, Cornerstone Construction planted alfalfa on the plot of land in 2001.
The next attempt at developing Fledgling Field was at the end of 2001, when the Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning the area R-2, which allows more flexibility to properties because it is a higher density residential zone.Cornerstone withdrew the request to rezone it R-2 when it became clear that the Luverne City Council wouldn’t follow the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
In 2002 talk turned to zoning Fledgling Field R-I, or residential institutional, where funeral homes are allowed as a conditional use.That application was put on hold, so the city’s new Comprehensive Plan could be drafted without too much emphasis put on the future of Fledgling Field.
Sioux Valley’s 2003 plans to move the hospital and clinic to the north edge of Luverne changed all the previous plans for Fledgling Field and Dingmann. The city and Dingmann had a tentative agreement for him to purchase the clinic portion in order to remodel it into a funeral home.
In February 2005, the Luverne City Council rezoned portions of the city, including Fledgling Field.Negotiations over specific prices and work on the former clinic to be done by Dingmann or the city stalled in late 2005 … so the Fledgling Field construction issue was re-opened in January 2006.Fledgling Field has a long, rich history in local politics. In September 1894 the Luverne School Board got voter approval to purchase a site at the southeast corner of Kniss and Brown streets for $1,750. In November 1895, the new high school building was ready for occupancy.The new structure was made of quartzite mined from local quarries. The building was enlarged and remodeled a few times through the years. Eventually it became too small to meet the expanding needs of the Luverne school system.In 1956 the present high school was built. The old building was soon razed, but the quartzite rock from which it was built was recycled and used in a house that the late writer Frederick Manfred built north of Luverne. That house is the interpretive center for Blue Mounds State Park today. Since then, the lots have been open, green space.Luverne’s Dingmann Funeral Home has about 60 visitations a year, lasting about four hours each, falling somewhere between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. The plans call for the funeral home on Fledgling Field to be 7,130 square feet, surrounded by 45 percent green space. There will be 41 parking spaces, two of which will be marked for handicapped. Dingmann will be required to provide buffers of trees or shrubbery to protect neighbors from direct shine of car lights at night. They will likely ask him to have deflective parking lot lights positioned not to shine on residents’ homes either.He will have more specific conditions that will be passed at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting.