The Rock County Sheriff’s Office demonstrated extraordinary commitment and achievement in reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries in 2004, which warranted a federal grant of $1,000 from the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. The Safe & Sober Challenge program grant was presented to Sheriff Michael Winkels and Deputies Ken Baker, Evan Verbrugge and Nick Schafer by OTS on Dec. 28. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office plans to use the grant to purchase traffic safety equipment to be utilized in further traffic safety efforts"We are honored to have the opportunity to continue to make the roads safer in Rock County," Deputy Baker said. "This grant enables us to conduct critical traffic safety projects and activities."The awards are based on the merits of traffic safety activities that law enforcement agencies conducted in 2004, including community focused programs, enforcement, officer training, public and media relations and presentations. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office continued a long-standing tradition of dedicated service and further reduced traffic- related tragedies over the past year. "We plan to continue our efforts in 2005, and with the generous grant provided by the Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety we will be better suited for the challenge," Baker said. "The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is a successful model for all Minnesota law enforcement agencies," said Kathy Swanson, Director of OTS. "Their proactive traffic safety initiatives have saved lives."The Safe & Sober Challenge program is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by OTS. Safe & Sober is designed to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

By Lori EhdeThe year 2004 will be remembered in Rock County for stormy weather, stormy politics, construction projects and several accidents and crime stories.These highlights round out the Star Herald’s Top 10 news stories of 2004.Stormy weatherSpring of 2004 started out with a bang — or rather a loud crack of thunder.
The May 13 edition of the Star Herald featured spectacular photos submitted by area residents of twisters that touched down northeast of Luverne.Some farms, like Brad Scott’s, had structural damage, but no one was injured.
The June 3 Star Herald reported on a storm that produced 90-mph winds that flattened building and downed power lines.Pea-sized hail fell briefly in Luverne, but there were no reports of damage to crops. That came in the next storm …
The July 15 Star Herald reported on a thunderstorm that delivered heavy rain, hail and 60-mph winds that stripped and flattened local cornfields.Some crops bounced back, but farmers later cursed that July storm during their 2004 harvest. They had to slowly drive equipment across the rows to properly feed the "goose- necked" corn stalks into the combine heads.
Mother nature delivered her heaviest blow on Aug. 3 with a violent thunderstorm that left a permanent mark on the city of Luverne.The national weather service reported 90-mph winds, but when the dust settled, it looked like a tornado had struck, and the trees were the hardest hit.Previously shady neighborhoods were left blinking in bright sunlight as damaged old trees were cleared out and hauled away.Stormy politics
Just when the weather quieted down, local politics started heating up, and in November, City of Luverne voters rejected incumbents at the polls. Write-in candidate Esther Frakes started a late campaign, but she got enough votes to overcome Tom Martius. The end tally was 782 to 545 for the North Ward seat. Maynard Lafrenz challenged David Hauge for the South Ward alderman spot and won. There the votes were 568 and 447. Luverne will also have a new mayor, with current Mayor Glen Gust not filing for office again. Both Andy Steensma and Alex Frick were new to run for the office. Steensma earned 1,832 votes, compared to Frick’s 621.
At the core of the political discussion in Luverne this year was the ongoing debate over joint law enforcement in Luverne and Rock County.City officials have questioned the fairness of the current contract to city taxpayers, and alternative payment scenarios have been exchanged between city and county. But not renewing the contract would mean a return to a separate city police department and sheriff department, and the shared dispatch services would be uncertain.Big tent celebrationFortunately, there were plenty of bright spots to counter the dark political undertones in Rock County.
In April, a festive party under a big circus tent on Main Street celebrated Luverne’s good fortune in being Minnesota’s first JOB Zone to attract an out-of-state business. Gov. Tim Pawlenty was on hand to welcome Total Card Inc.’s South Dakota business expansion to Minnesota. In addition to the tax benefits of Minnesota’s new JOBZ legislation, Luverne’s large, finished former Tri-State Insurance building, along with solid telecommunications infrastructure, sealed the deal with Total Card. The credit card company now employs 58 people in Luverne, and it’s still growing.Hospital, water tower change north horizon
A story that was big news when it started in 2003 is even bigger news in 2004 as it materializes.Footings were poured last fall for Sioux Valley’s new hospital and clinic campus in Luverne, but today the walls are up, windows are in and the impressive structure has forever changed the northern landscape of the city.Doors are scheduled to open in summer of 2005.
Speaking of permanent changes, the 175-foot water tower on the Sioux Valley campus went up in December, putting an exclamation point on Luverne’s steadily changing northern horizon. It will hold 300,000 gallons of water when it’s filled next summer and improve water pressure throughout northern neighborhoods.Wind towers change prairie landscapes
Other structures changing Rock County horizons are the wind turbines near Hills and Beaver Creek.Seven new wind turbines began turning in November near Beaver Creek, bringing the total number of wind turbines in Rock County to 11.The Beaver Creek wind towers are a sister operation to the four turbines northeast of Hills, which began producing energy in October 2002.Even more than the physical impact the looming structures make on the landscape is the local economic impact of producing renewable energy in Rock County.Both campuses are owned/managed by Minwind Energy, a limited liability corporation made up of 250 member investors — mostly farmers — in southwest Minnesota.With all 21 blades turning (three blades per each of the seven new towers), the turbines in the new project alone will produce enough electricity to meet 90 percent of the city of Luverne’s needs.Overhauling OakleyOn a much smaller scale, but a much greater direct human impact, the Oakley Street reconstruction project dragged on for a good portion of 2004.The $1.6 million project wrapped up in September, much to the joy of residents who for months put up with the inconvenience of having their driveways and sidewalks torn up.Luverne man arrested for grand theftThe top crime story in Rock County for 2004 is unquestionably the arrest of Luverne’s Terry Hoffman for his involvement in roughly $250,000 worth of stolen property in three states.Hoffman was arrested Dec. 8 for possession of stolen property, and now he’s in the Minnehaha Jail in Sioux Falls where he faces charges of grand theft.So far there have been no other arrests, and investigators are still gathering evidence.Ongoing battle against methamphetaminesAn ongoing crime story, but always a major news item is the rural battle between local law enforcement and the abuse and sale of meth.In 2004, the Star Herald reported on several meth busts and related crimes, but a story on May 6 outlined the long-term human costs of the drug.The bad news is that the drug is more widely used and abused than ever, but the good news is that the public is more educated and people are helping law enforcement arrest users and sellers.AccidentsStories about motor vehicle accidents appear regularly in all local newspapers, but in the Star Herald, two stand out as particularly notable.In September, a motorist crashed a car into the Edward Jones building on the corner of Main Street and Freeman Avenue. No one was seriously injured, but it created quite a scene and caused severe damage to the office.In what may well be the saddest motor vehicle accident of 2004, a little girl was killed in a tractor-train collision near Hills in November. Seven-year-old Josie Dilly was killed instantly when the tractor she was riding in was struck by a train. Her uncle, Jonathan Pap, survived with minor injuries.

By Lori EhdeThe 110-year-old building that housed the Adrian Hardware Store burned to the ground Sunday.The blaze not only left the small community without the services of the business, but it drastically changed the look of its downtown district.Karen Lyons lives in the block behind what used to be a stately, brick-front two-story structure. "It’s weird," she said. "You look out the front door now and you can see the stores all the way across the street."Before the turn of the century, the building was the largest establishment in Nobles County, according to local historians.Lyons empathized with East Coast residents who lost the Twin Towers in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks."The look of the whole neighborhood has changed," Lyons said.Appearances aside, the long-term effect of the fire is that the town is now without its hardware store."I can’t go across the street to get incidentals anymore," Lyons said, adding that she also relied on the business for household maintenance like furnace and sewer work."Those guys were a great help," she said. "Now where am I going to go when I need something done?"She said the site was still smoking as of Tuesday afternoon, and the neighborhood was still relying on generators for electricity.Except for one room in her house, she said smoke wasn’t damaging. "We were pretty lucky," she said. "It could have been a lot worse. We just did some air fresheners."The Adrian Fire Department responded to the call around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, and soon after that mutual aid was requested from departments in Luverne, Ellsworth, Rushmore and Worthington.Crews worked through the night to fight the blaze and were still on the scene Monday afternoon.Two city blocks were closed to traffic, as the building spilled onto the street taking power lines with it.Adrian Hardware Store was operated by Wes and Rose Henricksen, and the historic building was owned by Virgil and Mary Schutz.State Fire Marshal Steve Kellen is investigating the fire, but a cause has not yet been determined.

Items from 1908The following were items in the local column in the Rock County Herald on July 17, 1908:Beginning last Sunday evening and continuing until the first of September the Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian congregations will hold union services every Sunday evening, the services to be held in the different churches in rotation. Sunday evening the service was held in the Baptist church with sermon by De. Cowgill, presiding elder of the Methodist church. Governor John A. Johnson passed through Luverne twice last Saturday, while en route to and from Sioux Falls, where that afternoon he delivered the opening address at the Sioux Falls Chautauqua. Going to Sioux Falls he passed through Luverne on the early morning train, and returned therefrom on the train known as the midnight passenger. As the hours were rather unconventional and it was not generally known that he would pass through Luverne on his way to and from Sioux Falls, there was no one at the station to greet him and he did not leave the car. Had it been more generally known that he would pass through the city on the night train, there no doubt would have been a big crowd of his Luverne friends at the station. Lovers of the great national game should not fail to attend the game at Athletic park in this city next Wednesday afternoon, the 22nd, between the famous St. Paul Colored Gophers and the Luverne Regulars. The Gophers have the reputation of being the fastest baseball aggregation outside of the big leagues, and those who witnessed them play here last year are not likely to dispute this claim. The Regulars will strengthen their team by securing three or four of the strongest players in this section, so that a good, fast game may be looked for. The game will be called at 3 o’clock, but the gates will be open at 2 o’clock so as to give those who wish opportunity to watch the teams "work out."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.

The bare landscape is revealing prairie secrets to me. As I travel between Ellsworth and Luverne, I’m discovering farmsteads, home sites and habitat that I did not know existed. Topography and surface formations are showing off that could not be seen when the landscape was leafy and green in summer. I can see a lot more detail in the terrain. The 20-mile journey is a route of discovery. Nature’s hidden little treasures are uncovered. Oh, the joy of the prairie in winter!The new sightings in winter remind me that we’re in a good time of year to do some examining of our lives. I might simplify my life a bit, like nature simplifies now, in order to see some things about myself that are hidden at other times. I might discover something that would make for a good New Year’s resolution. For example, in the stark simplicity of winter, as I look inward, I might find willfulness, petulance, hardness, cynicism, contemptuousness that needs to be emptied. As I look at the outlines of my life, I might discover some hidden selfishness, self-absorption, self-indulgence, self-righteousness, self-assertion, and self-exaltation. I might observe some attachments to allurements and charms that are not healthy. On the other hand, with my winter vision, I might discover some goodness in my life that I haven’t recognized before now. What a gift to look at my outer world and my inner world through the eyes of winter.

Cypriot housewives came within a soup can from resembling their American counterparts last month. Just in case you’re wondering, that can would have been filled with cream of mushroom soup. Huge swarms of desert locusts reached Cyprus and other eastern Mediterranean countries in early November after the worst infestation recorded in Africa in recent history. The locusts became such a serious problem that the United Nations set up a special Web site with locust-based recipes from around the world. Essentially, the attitude of the site, which pleaded, "Send us your recipes!" was, "If you can’t beat them, eat them." As it turns out, locusts are commonly stir-fried, boiled or roasted. One Cambodian recipe suggested, "Take several dozen locust adults, preferably females, slit the abdomen lengthwise and stuff a peanut inside. Then lightly cook the locusts in a wok, adding a little oil and salt to taste." The obvious question here is not how much oil or salt is enough, but rather how to determine which locusts are female. Without identifying skirts or makeup, aren’t all locusts pretty much the same? Quite surprisingly, none of the recipes mentioned cream of mushroom soup as a perfect taste cover-up. This might be an ideal time for Cypriot homemakers to be introduced to the marvelous soup which, like glue, has been holding American hot dishes together for several generations. Whether the cream of mushroom soups are labeled as salt-free, low-fat, or chunky variety, they all look the same. When you open a can, there’s a sudden musky smell in the air and the grayish-tan condensed soup with a few unidentifiable chunks floating on the top is ready to perform a miracle or two. It’s true. Cream of mushroom soup is a miracle maker. Smothered with cream of mushroom soup and simmered long enough, any undesirable species of animal can work itself at least two links up the food chain. Lawn snails can taste like frogs, snakes can taste like chicken and venison can taste like beef. It’s why most homemakers don’t complain when their family members tramp through forests, swamps and prairies during hunting season in quest of food for the family fires. Regardless of what game they bring back — a deer, a rabbit, a pheasant or even a raccoon that looked like a deer from a distance –— we trust in the true taste-masking magic of cream of mushroom soup. Of course, as with any wonderful idea, cream of mushroom soup is not without its critics. They will be quick to tell us that the soup is tasteless, boring, unimaginative or even unhealthy. If you’re in doubt, consider these two facts about those bad-mouthing critics. For one thing, any person who would speak derogatorily about something as pure and sweet as cream of mushroom soup will speak the same way about other taste sensations, such as hydrogenated fats or deep-fried doughnuts dripping with buttery frosting. Secondly, you can be sure those critics have never been handed an abundance of game meats during hunting season. They have never been asked, "Honey, can you make this taste like chicken?"

Luverne native to be contestant on next NBC reality seriesShantel VanSanten, daughter of Denise and Al Padilla, Spring, Texas, and Steve and Carla VanSanten, Luverne, will be one of twelve models vying to become one of the country’s next supermodels on NBC’s new reality show, "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search."According to her mother, Denise, Shantel started modeling at age 15 for department stores in the Houston area.She was also photographed for several teen magazines over the past years and has been in one national commercial for a Canadian pharmaceutical company.Denise said the interviews were "grueling" and she had to fly to Los Angeles twice.Then one evening in September she received a call telling her she had been selected as one of the twelve finalists. She had to be on a plane for Los Angeles at 2 p.m. the next afternoon.To participate in the contest, Shantel had to suspend her college career at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth but plans to re-enroll for the spring quarter.For their most recent reality show, NBC partnered with Sports Illustrated to launch the nationwide search.The six-episode series will focus on what it takes to become a successful swimsuit model.According to NBC’s Web site, the twelve selected finalists will live in Los Angeles where they will compete for the chance to appear in the best-selling issue of any magazine in the world and win a million-dollar modeling contract from NEXT Model Management.The series and competition culminate with the final two contestants who will be flown to an exotic location to shoot a photo spread for Sports Illustrated.The winner will not be known until viewers vote on their choice as part of the series finale in February.The series premieres on NBC at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5.If you would like to check out the show’s Web site, go to www.nbc.com and click on the link for "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search."Your next driver’s license will look a little differentIf you recently applied for a new, duplicate or renewal driver’s license, you will get one with a new look and a lot of security features.The new card is similar in size to the old one (credit card size) but is more flexible and has a somewhat different texture.New features include:
On the front of the card, a virtual image of a loon appears to float above or sink below the surface of the card as the viewing angle changes.
A digital image of the cardholder is fused with heat into the card plastic. The image is always on the left.
A holographic state seal that appears on the front of the card is visible only under ultraviolet light.
A red border around the image indicates "Under 21."
If a card holder is under 18, the date of birth appears in red.The new cards went into production on Dec. 15. Anyone who submitted an application on or after Dec. 13 will receive the new card.Minnesota gets high economic marksFor the ninth year in a row, Minnesota has been named one of seven states to make the Corporation for Enterprise Development’s honor roll.The seven states on the list earn the honor by scoring all A’s and B’s on a broad-based index of the economies of the 50 states.The other states on the list include Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon and Virginia.According to Matt Kramer, Commissioner of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the report shows that "Minnesota outperforms nearly all other states on most key metrics. And it identifies our strongest attributes as a high quality of life, excellent investment in education and infrastructure, and an exciting and innovative culture."Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Wiener dog races tops 2004 list of editor’s favoritesI find it therapeutic, as editor, to compile our annual year-in-review story.From week to week the deadlines blur together, but it’s satisfying to page through the finished issues and remember the interviews and stories behind the stories.Fires, accident and crime are big news for a small-town weekly, but my personal favorites rarely qualify as "breaking news."Here are a few that make my list in 2004:oThe wiener dog races during Luverne’s Hot Dog night in July. What a hoot! For a first-time event, planners had no idea the event would attract hundreds of spectators and more than 30 vertically-challenged racers. o"How to Build a Better Brain." I know a story about a speaker sounds dull, but I loved every minute of speaker and author Hilary Stecklein’s presentation in August, because it made so much sense. For those who missed her speech and my story: Turn off the TV and read to children.oThe classroom meets the prairie. In October I photographed third-graders and high school science students studying life on the Touch the Sky Prairie.I was short on time on that press day as I left the office with my camera, but it turned out to be well worth the effort. It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day, and it was a delight to see students having fun and learning so much at the same time.oIn February I wrote about local people who can’t tolerate gluten — a common ingredient in nearly every store-bought food item. This story makes my list of personal favorites because I learned so much about food and the benefit of taking control of our own health. It made me appreciate the luxury of being able to cook with canned goods.oDuring the firemen’s open house this year, they demonstrated new "jaws of life" equipment on a car, showing how quickly they pry apart a car to free a victim. Predictably, kids have a way of hearing their own messages. A few weeks later my 3-year-old donned his red plastic firemen’s helmet and hollered, "I’m a fireman and I’m going to wreck your car!"oFinally, looking back through 2004, I’m reminded again how the news business offers special perks to reporters, even if they’ll never earn six figures.For example, I’m still raving about my mid-afternoon plane ride in Dave Paquette’s restored L-plane, and every time I view Luverne’s northern horizon, I fondly recall the day I climbed to the top to photograph welders inside the tank.Thanks, readers and sources, for a memorable news year, and stay with us for more adventures in 2005.

They say the best way to make God laugh is to announce your plans.Yes, our best-made plans often go awry and send us in a different direction than we had intended when we made them. So it is with me.This is my last week in Rock County, as I’m moving closer to some more famous rocks named George, Thomas, Abe and Teddy — Mount Rushmore.About a week and a half ago I was asked to join Sen.-elect John Thune’s staff in Rapid City, S.D. You’re probably wondering what a U.S. Senator would want with some poor sportswriter shlub like me? And I’ll ask him that question myself next time I see him.The thing is, on this side of the state line I’m just a skinny sports dude and that’s pretty much all you know about me. On the other side of the border, though, I’m better known for the political writing I’ve done and activities of that sort. There I run in a small circle of friends, but with the exception of myself it is a rather "connected" crowd. I’m pretty much just their comic relief – the Prince-loving, Libertarian-leaning smart aleck in the high-top Cons.But somewhere along the line, actually starting about 10 years ago, I met John Thune. We’ve never been best buds or hung out or anything, but we’ve met for breakfast, done several interviews over the years and we’ve gotten to be friends – good enough that he knows my daughters by name and sent flowers to my dad’s funeral, but our families don’t go vacationing together or anything like that.When he defeated Sen. Tom Daschle on Nov. 2, dragging into Nov. 3, I think I was on about 72 hours of sleeplessness because of various election-oriented stuff I was doing. It was worth every second.That victorious event in itself would’ve made me happy as a clam for the next decade. But then to be asked to join his staff, in a region my family has always loved, it just made my century.Unfortunately, it came just as I was starting to really enjoy this place. It was the shortest commute I’ve ever had, working with great coaches and athletes and was just what I was looking for in a job at this time in my life.But, when a friend asks a favor, you usually do what he asks. When that guy is a U.S. Senator whom you admire and respect immensely, you don’t even think twice. If nothing else, I’m good at not thinking too much. So I’m history, a little blip on the Luverne historical radar. I don’t even know if it’s a blip, but whatever it was, thank you for making me feel at home. I’d appreciate you treating the next guy/gal the same.