Luverne girls’ and boys’ varsity cross country teams both left the Big South Conference meet as small school champions Tuesday, Oct. 18, in Cedarcreek Park near Fairmont.
This Thursday, Oct. 27, they look forward to facing all teams in the section as Luverne hosts the Section 3A meet.
“We’re striving for another goal and an opportunity to extend our season another week,” said coach Pete Janiszeski.
The state cross country tournament is Nov. 5 in Northfield.
In the Big South Championships, Jenna DeBates, Luverne, won the girls’ varsity 5k with a time of 18:56.75.
Redwood Valley runner Addie Thomes came in second at 20:01.47.
Luverne’s Ella Schmuck placed third with a time of 20:12.31.
Madalyn Munsell from Redwood Valley placed fourth in 20:28.38.
This back and forth between Redwood and Luverne runners continued throughout the race that resulted in the Luverne girls winning by just one point for an exciting tally during the meet.
Luverne boys’ varsity top placer was Owen Janiszeski, who earned second place with a time of 16:22.90. He held the lead until a hill right before the finish line, when Will Ahrens from Redwood Valley passed him to finish in 16:10.20.
Other top runners were from Pipestone, Redwood, Windom and Jackson. The meet resulted in Luverne boys winning overall points and beating Redwood Valley by just five points.
“For the boys, it was awesome for them to achieve the title,” Janiszeski said. “The girls continue to show consistency at the conference meet with another title. Across the board, the kids got out and left it all on the course and we are very proud of them for their resilience and effort.”
 
 
Other varsity girls’ 5k results:
Grace Ingebretson, 9th, 21:24.39
Khloe Visker, 10th, 21:33.88    
Grace Kempema, 26th, 23:06.06          
Kayla Bloemendaal, 20th, 23:09.60      
Makena Nelson, 22nd, 23:11.20
Maria Rops, 23rd, 23:11.80
Tiana Lais, 25th, 23:22.23                                
Other varsity boys’ 5k results
Ryan Fick, 6th, 17:08.60          
Camden Janiszeski, 9th, 17:18.50       
Sage Viessman, 14th, 17:43.10
Leif Ingebretson, 17th, 17:56.60
Carsen Tofteland, 18th, 18:03.80
Kaleb Hemme, 29th, 19:01.90
Dylan Ommen, 31st, 19:15.90
 
Junior Varsity girls’ 5k
Renae DeKam, 1st, 22:44.48
Reinha John, 2nd, 23:13.16
Olivia Lund, 3rd, 23:16.11
Mariah Knorr, 7th, 24:52.97
Andrea Luitjens, 21st, 28:24.34
 
Junior Varsity boys’ 5k
Zach Terrio, 2nd, 19:19.40
Camden Hoven, 4th, 19:39.43
Marcus Papik, 9th, 20:32.88
Eli McLendon, 10th, 21:05.13
Isaac DeBates, 11th, 21:10.07
Riley Ripka, 24th, 22:58.73

Local artist McKenzie (Wieneke) Mulder led a group of aspiring young painters through a step-by-step process of painting pumpkin art on canvas Monday night, Oct. 24.
Working in a semi-circle of tables in the lower level of Lord Grizzly Art Gallery on Luverne’s Main Street, the students participated in the Community Education Class, “Paint and Snacks.”
Taking snack breaks between steps, students followed Mulder’s directions and applied their own brush strokes toward an end result that featured stacked pumpkins against a decoratively framed blue background.

A moratorium on the sale of hemp-derived edibles remains in place for Rock County, despite a public hearing meant to lift the ban for sales to resume locally.
Commissioners conducted the hearing Tuesday morning, Oct. 18, with four people speaking during the 30-minute public comment portion of the hearing.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to table adopting the proposed ordinance as written.
“Do we need an ordinance? Or are we doing something about nothing?” asked Commissioner Gary Overgaard.
Commissioner Jody Reisch, who cast the lone ‘no’ vote, favored the proposed ordinance that would regulate the sales of food and beverages containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
A county subcommittee spent a couple of weeks developing a local ordinance modeled after existing alcohol and tobacco ordinances. The ordinance established sale times, restricted sales to anyone younger than 21, required sellers to obtain a license and undergo compliance checks.
“At the end of the day we are trying to protect not-age-appropriate items from getting into (the hands of minors),” he said.
“That’s why it was easier to mirror a little bit of the tobacco ordinance so we can have a little bit of control so someone can’t just set up a corner stand and sell products.”
The commissioner-appointed committee will reconvene to review comments from the public hearing and bring a revised ordinance back to the commissioners.
Another public hearing is necessary before the revised ordinance is adopted and the moratorium is lifted.
The ordinance follows the state-established THC levels in the edible products.
“In holding another meeting, I think you have to go with ‘at the state level is at the state level’ and you’re not going to change that at the county or state level,” said Ann Orren with Southwest Health and Human Services public health office.
“The main point is that we don’t want every town and city to have their own regulations, but try to make a countywide ordinance for those who want to regulate this so we have some reason to know who is doing what.”
 
Hearing gathered testimony about 12-page ordinance
Three people addressed commissioners during the Oct. 18 public hearing, conducted during the commissioners regular monthly meeting.
Their comments brought doubt to the commissioners, as a group, who admitted their lack of knowledge about THC- and cannabis-derived products.
However, they agreed some local control is necessary since the state mandate did not provide any local guidance.
Terry Gray is a Luverne business owner. He opened the tobacco shop, Herb N’ Legend on Main Street 12 years ago. He’s sold hemp-derived products since the federal government legalized THC sales in 2018.
The commissioners passed a moratorium on THC sales under the state’s new mandate in July in order to study the issue and consider zoning, licensing and sales management controls.
Gray said the state ordinance is too restrictive.
“This needs to be reworked or done away with all together,” he said.
“Minnesota law became the strictest in the country. In passing the bill they did, it superseded the .3 percent THC or below. So, all the products we were currently selling and all the other places in town became illegal because the Minnesota law is way more restrictive than the federal government law.”
Gray suggested that those with tobacco licenses be grandfathered into the proposed ordinance.
“I don’t think we should have all this bureaucracy and having to reapply, especially when you have a business who is operating legally for a long time and has passed all compliance checks.”
Tim Jungers and Christina Perez echoed Gray’s concern that the Minnesota statute is too restrictive and that the federal law sufficiently regulates businesses and the sale of hemp-derived products to the public.
“At Terry’s place, the staff check IDs and products are behind glass and not available to children,” she said. “I feel there is a big gap in the decisions being made and what is really going on. We need to close that gap somehow.”
 
THC will have its own regulating ordinance
Commissioners agreed that the hemp-derived product ordinance needs to be a stand-alone document. The regulation of THC- and cannabis-derived products is expected to change as legislators reconvene this spring.
SWHHS handles the alcohol and tobacco compliance checks for Rock County.
“To avoid some confusion about what’s changing when, we decided to create a completely separate ordinance so if there are retailers that only sell these products and retailers that only sell tobacco products, there is no confusion about why and what is changing,” Orren said.
Commissioner Sherri Thompson said the commissioners want to adopt a fitting ordinance.
“What we don’t want is to take away someone’s business but we want to work with them to find out more about this, to understand and regulate it so we know what is happening out there with it,” she said.
“I just think that it’s a good thing for the sheriff’s department to know where this is being sold.”
The commissioners’ next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 8. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the courthouse.

Local law enforcement officials are investigating a drive-by shooting that was reported in Hills Saturday night.
According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the Bailey Susie residence at 209 Central Lane in Hills around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, for possible shots fired at the residence and possible injuries.
Upon arrival, deputies determined that Savannah Johnson, 18, of Paullina, Iowa, had been shot in the leg, and ambulance personnel tended to her non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses told law enforcement they were having a birthday party when later in the evening three male individuals arrived at the invitation of two female guests.
Susie reportedly asked the unknown males to leave and saw them get into a black or charcoal-colored Dodge Dart.
However, the vehicle didn’t leave, and about six shots were fired from inside the car toward the party where people were standing outside in the front yard.
Witnesses described two of the three males as African American and Asian, both about about 6 feet tall, both with hair in dreadlocks or braids. No description was given for the third male, and a fourth person was seen in the vehicle as well.
According to Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge, there are no suspects in custody and the case remains under investigation with assistance from the Sioux Falls Police Department.
“Law Enforcement believes this to be an isolated incident and the public is not in danger,” he said in a press release posted on Facebook.
 The Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting along with the Hills Fire Department and Rock County Ambulance.
Those with information about the shooting are encouraged to call the Rock County Sheriff's Office at 507-283-5000.

Halloween announcements
Luverne’s annual Trunk ‘n Treat event will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, in the Luverne School Parking lot. (It’s moved off Main Street this year because of the detour route from Highway 75 construction.)
Good Samaritan Society- Mary Jane Brown Home will be open for Trick or Treating from 3:30 to 5:30 Monday, Oct. 31, for Halloween.
Generations will celebrate Halloween during its 11:30 a.m. meal with sing-a-long music and dancing with Bruce Dysthe until 1 p.m. Reserve a meal several days in advance by leaving a message at 507-283-9846.
Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne will not host trick-or-treating this year, due to Covid precautions.
 
Gospel Jubilee Oct. 30
The American Reformed Church in Luverne will host a Gospel Jubilee with the Klassens from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, with refreshments to follow the concert.
 
One Warm Coat distribution starts Oct. 27
Atlas Ministries accepts donations for Rock County One Warm Coat from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 to 7 Thursdays, and from 10 to 4 Saturdays at Redeemed Remnants.
Donations can also be left in the Luverne Elementary School commons during normal school hours.
Distributions dates are from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10, and from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 12.
Accepted are new or gently used, clean winter wear, including coats, hats, gloves, boots, scarves and snowpants. Call Destiny Ripka at 507-220-0030.
 
Nutrition assistance for seniors Nov. 3
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, Nov. 3. The drive-through distribution will be in the parking lot off Maple St., at the new office location on the east side of Generations Event Center. Pre-registration required. Call Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
Shoebox collection
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox collection week is Nov. 14-21. Boxes can be ordered online at samaritanpurse.org. Boxes may also be picked up at the American Reformed Church in Luverne (south door) and dropped back to the church.
Call Edna Buys, 507-227-7169 or Charla Sandbulte, 507-227-1722, for more information.
 
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.
 
SHARE releases distribution date
Those wishing to receive groceries, clothing and toys from the Rock County SHARE program must apply by Wednesday, Nov. 23.
SHARE will distribute the gifts to Rock County residents in need from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Luverne National Guard Armory on South Freeman Avenue. 
Note: SHARE is NOT accepting donations of used items at this time. To support the program, mail financial gifts to SHARE, PO Box 792, Luverne, MN 56156.
For information, contact Amy at 507-227-6944 or Monica at 507-820-1100.
 
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Men’s Basketball meets on Wednesday nights November through February starting Nov. 2. Register by Oct. 26. Fee is $35 for the four months.
Learn how to rescue and repair your wardrobe at the Basics of Mending on Oct. 29 at The Sewing Basket. Fee is $15 plus cost of supplies purchased at the store.
Grades K-2 Basketball will meet twice each month November through February on Saturday mornings beginning Nov. 5 to learn basic skills.  Fee is $25.
Students (grades 1-3) will follow along with the instructor step by step to create a painting at Paint & Snack class on Nov. 7.  Fee is $33.
 Looking for a way to save time at meal time?  Join us for the Freeze Now, Eat Later! workshop on Nov. 12. Register by Oct. 28. Fee is $35 plus the cost of groceries to bring to class.
 Students (grades K – 3) can learn about Birds of the World from a Blue Mound State Park Naturalist on Nov. 14 from 3:30-4:30pm. Fee is $5.
 Students (grades 4-6) will follow along with the instructor step by step to create a painting at Paint & Snack class on Nov. 14.  Fee is $33.
 Intro to Cricut on Nov. 14 is for those wanting to know more about cutting paper, vinyl and cardstock for your DIY projects. Fee is $16.
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Story Time with Bronwyn is Fridays from now through. Dec. 2. The event starts at 10 a.m.
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.
 
CoffeeBreak Bible Study meets Tuesdays
CoffeeBreak Bible Study meets each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. There will be StoryHour Bible stories and playtime for ages 3 to kindergarten, and a nursery is available. It’s free for all faiths and no prior Bible knowledge is necessary. Call Kristi Stroeh at 507-227-5102 or email atkristi.stroeh@hotmail.com
 
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.

The resource officer at Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek public schools will return to patrol duties next month.
A shortage of deputies is prompting Sheriff Evan Verbrugge to shift school resource officer Jeff Stratton back to the day-shift patrol.
“I was trying to do everything to keep Officer Stratton in the schools, but we are struggling — like most law enforcement agencies and other occupations — with hiring,” Verbrugge said. “Stratton will work the dayshift and will be able to stop in the schools while working, but his main focus will be patrol and not the SRO at this point in time.”
Prior to starting as SRO in Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek schools in August, Stratton was on the patrol force.
Verbrugge is working to fill three deputy positions.
On Monday, long-term deputy Michael Westerbur, retires after serving more than 16 years with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Jonathon Stearns left Rock County in July for a position with the Minnesota State Patrol. Stearns recently graduated from the MSP academy.
Deputy Craig Martinson informed Verbrugge in July of plans to retire this year.
“Deputy Martinson was scheduled to retire Dec. 31st of this year, but has graciously stated that he will stay on until we are able to hire, train and put new deputies out on patrol,” he said. “It is unknown when this will happen.”
The county is advertising the open positions and conducted several interviews. But after background checks, none of the candidates were accepted.
“Our office is not going to take someone just to fill a need,” Verbrugge said. “We still want and need to accept individuals with character and empathy for the citizens that we work for.”
Verbrugge said there are 109 job openings for law enforcement officers in the state.
“I read that Minneapolis used to get close to 250 applications for openings and now they are only getting approximately 50,” he said. “It is tough everywhere, not just Rock County, with hiring, but I could not keep burdening the deputies with working more hours than they already have. It was wearing everyone out.”

The Luverne Area Chamber and Luverne Public Schools are working together to host the community’s annual Trunk ‘n Treat.
The popular Halloween event typically packs the downtown blocks of Main Street with hundreds of costumed trick-or-treaters who collect candy from dozens of cleverly decorated vehicles on each side of the street.
This year, however, with construction blocking several blocks of Highway 75 just north of Main Street, the heavy traffic detoured through downtown prompted organizers to move the activity to the school campus.
The Trunk ‘n Treat event will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, in the Luverne Elementary School bus parking lot just south of the main entrance.
Parents and attendees can park in the red and white lots south of the school. 
In the event of bad weather, the event will move indoors to the elementary school commons.
The activity is sponsored by Luverne area businesses and hosted by the Luverne Area Chamber. Call 507-283-4061 with questions.

Politics have a way of bringing out the worst in people, and that’s never been truer than in the wake of the 2020 election.
Online conspiracy theories and unfounded allegations of voter fraud are still widely believed by many who feel their candidates had their elections “stolen” from them.
We’ve grown accustomed to reading these sentiments on social media and even in a few random letters to the Star Herald editor, but we’re disheartened to learn some people are taking a more direct approach.
In our Oct. 13 edition, we reported that Rock County Commissioners had to assert their authority in addressing election integrity. The action arose after local election staff had encountered regular questions about voter registration and election procedures.
In today’s paper, we report that elections staff at the Rock County Courthouse continue to be harassed by voters questioning their processes and suggesting ballot mishandling.
It sounds as if these questions are being answered, sometimes repeatedly, but the harassment is “taking a toll,” according to those who are under fire.
What has become of us? This isn’t who we are.
We probably shouldn’t be surprised, considering the new character lows we’ve grown accustomed to.
It’s the teacher’s fault when a student’s grade isn’t what we hoped for. It’s the ref’s fault when the score doesn’t end in our favor. It’s the officer’s fault if we fall on the wrong side of the law. It must be the election worker’s fault when our candidate doesn’t garner enough votes.
Critical thinking is one thing but being critical merely to be critical isn’t good for anyone, and it will ultimately bring everyone down.
We saw what happened in closely contested races in Arizona and Florida precincts two years ago. But that doesn’t happen here.
Because we’re better than that. Common sense and human decency prevail in Rock County. At least it usually does.
Let our election workers do the work they’re trained to do under the same tightly regulated system that has protected our election integrity for decades.
It should go without saying, but above all else, let’s be kind.
 

The general election takes place in 12 days. On the ballot are candidates for federal, state and local offices.
Sunday night I sat down with my mail-in ballot and read through the list of names.
Many I recognize due to my job as a reporter. I attend a lot of meetings and meet quite a few people.
The voting task brought up memories of a college class I took decades ago. We discussed presidential elections and characteristics voters most highly coveted in a candidate.
Character is highest on the list and, more importantly, several personality traits that indicate how this person will do in a public job.
Is the person ambitious? Do they really want the job leading our state, our school boards or our cities?
Are they confident?
Possess the drive and energy for public office?
What is their goal?
Can they be a good team player while being flexible and, more importantly, can they serve in the capacity and still be a kind person?
Kindness seems to be a trait that’s missing in today’s elections.
Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
To me that means kindness is on display with everyone, not just with friends or family or when out in the public.
It’s about being considerate to someone who thinks you’re wrong, being that diplomat when there is a conflict, the one who seeks a solution, rather than being the one who always asks the questions or wants to create turmoil.
A good candidate should be prepared, know what the job entails, be able to bring focus to a variety of possible solutions and be rule-abiding.
All of our elected offices have procedures to follow. Blatant disregard for these rules leads to stagnation in the job which they were elected to fill.
It doesn’t matter which position a candidate is seeking for election. They need to educate themselves on the job.
Even candidates at the local level need to have a personality in which they are imaginative and curious about new and inventive ways to solve issues.
Some of those decisions won’t be popular. Can the candidates for office graciously explain why they may have voted a way that one may think was wrong?
I encourage you, candidates, to exercise a little kindness if the general election results don’t go your way.
Thanks for putting your name out there for consideration. We need more people who are willing to serve – with kindness – for all the right reasons.