Five members of the Luverne High School girls’ hockey team made the 2003-04 All-Southwest Conference Team and two more drew honorable mention. Natalie Domagala (above), Taylor Nelson (sitting, left), Sadie Dietrich (sitting, second left), Jenny Braa (sitting, second right) and Natalie Morgan (sitting, right) made the all-league team. Sarah Schneekloth (standing, left) and Chessa Ossefoort (standing, right) drew honorable mention.By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls’ hockey team reaped the rewards for winning the Southwest Conference championship this week.Seven LHS players drew honors when the 2003-04 all-SWC Team was announced.Luverne, which coasted through a 6-0 league season, secured five All-SWC selections and two honorable mention positions on the honorary list.Making the 12-player All-SWC Team are seniors Jenny Braa and Taylor Nelson, juniors Natalie Domagala and Sadie Dietrich and eighth-grader Natalie Morgan.Sophomore Chessa Ossefoort and seventh-grader Sarah Schneekloth locked up two of the six honorable mention selections awarded by the league’s coaches.Marshall matched LHS with five all-league selections. Juniors Danielle Andres, Ashley Verdick and Chelsea Hoselton, and eighth-graders Alyssa Isaackson and Jill Jacobs made the team for the Tigers.Windom junior Katie MacRae and Worthington senior Danielle Koopman round out the all-conference selections.Others drawing honorable mention selections include Marshall sophomore Chelsea Crowell and eighth-grader Sara DeSaer, Windom senior Kari Schwecke and Worthington senior Samantha Pospisil.

Luverne’s Andre Landtwing (left) made the 2003-04 All-Southwest Conference Boys’ Hockey Team. Cody Dietrich (right) drew honorable mention.By John RittenhouseThe Luverne boys were not overlooked when the 2003-04 All-Southwest Conference Hockey Team was released this week.One Luverne player made the All-SWC squad and another Cardinal drew honorable mention.Senior exchange student Andre Landtwing made the all-conference team. Senior Cody Dietrich drew honorable mention.Landtwing is one of 12 players listed on the all-league roster.Conference champion Marshall landed four selections in senior Craig Ahmann, juniors Mitch Maki and Jesse Smallfield and sophomore Cory Krogen.Windom and Worthington drew three selections each.Windom seniors Nick Wells and Craig Peterson and sophomore Cody Fast made the team.Representing Worthington are seniors Mike Wildeman and Jeremy Berger and junior Ben Clark.Sleepy Eye senior Lonnie Beltz rounds out the roster.Other players drawing honorable mention selections include Marshall senior Nick Haukom and junior Ryan Serreyn, Worthington junior Josh Miller, Windom senior Anthony Nemitz and Sleepy Eye senior Justin Sellner.

Luverne’s Callen Bosshart (middle) made the 2003-04 All-Southwest Conference Team as a vaulter. Amanda Dooyema (left) and Brittany Mulder (second, left) drew honorable mention from the league’s coaches. Dooyema, Mulder, Bosshart, Brittany Boeve (second, right) and Morgan Bosshart (right) were named All-State honorable mention vaulters.By John RittenhouseFive members of the Luverne High School gymnastics team picked up postseason honors for their performances during the 2003-04 campaign.One athlete made the 2003-04 All-Southwest Conference Team, and two girls drew honorable mention from the league’s coaches.Four Cardinals were named All-State honorable mention vaulters as well.Senior Callen Bosshart made the All-SWC Team as a vaulter. She also drew all-state honorable mention for the same event.Freshman Brittany Mulder, another all-state honorable mention selection as a vaulter, and senior Amanda Dooyema are SWC honorable mention selections.Luverne’s Callen Bosshart and Brittany Boeve are All-State honorable mention selections as vaulters.Worthington seniors Nicole Frodermann and Kendra Grudniewski made the All-SWC Team as floor and bar competitors respectively. Windom sophomore Bridgette Muller made the squad as a beam competitor.Jackson County Central sophomores Danielle Honnette and Kylla Bargfrede, Windom senior Mary Hartberg, Marshall junior Jessica Dolan and Worthington sophomore Christina Sorensen and freshman Kayla Block are All-SWC all-around selections.Others drawing honorable mention from the league’s coaches are JCC freshman Brenna Munoz, Worthington senior Jessi Hoffman and Redwood Valley freshman Brittany Hagert.

Luverne High School teacher and coach Tom Rops goes up for a dunk during the second half of the game.By John RittenhouseA benefit basketball team featuring the Keloland Almost Stars and the Luverne Hasbeens drew a large crowd to the Luverne Elementary School gym Monday.The first annual Luverne Community Education Summer Recreation Family Fun Night drew an estimated 1,200 spectators into the Cardinal Gym that night.The basketball fans got to see the Hasbeens, a team made up of Luverne Public School faculty members, rally in the second half to beat KELO TV personalities and crew members by the score of 58-48.The evening served as the first night to register for Community Education’s many summer programs, and featured pre-game and halftime performances by the Spotlight Dancers.The event raised $2,900 for summer recreation.

Ellsworth senior Curt Schilling (11) turned in a 23-point, five-rebound performance during Thursday’s Section 3A Boys’ Basketball Tournament championship game against Russell-Tyler-Ruthton at Southwest State University in Marshall Thursday. By John RittenhouseHoops lore states that it’s tough to beat a good team three times in the same season. Unfortunately for the Ellsworth Panthers, that proved to be true in the championship tilt of the Section 3A Boys’ Basketball Tournament Thursday at Southwest State University in Marshall.A young and talented Russell-Tyler-Ruthton team avoided the prospect of losing its third game of the season to Ellsworth by pulling out a 56-53 win over the defending section champions.The win gives the Knights their fourth berth in the state tournament in the history of their school, and first since 1990. R-T-R will open the Class A event with a 3 p.m. game today at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.The loss snapped what was a 12-game winning streak for the Panthers, who end the season with a 23-7 record."It hurts a little bit right now, and it probably will be just as tough as the week goes on," said a disappointed Panther coach Ken Kvaale, moments after Thursday’s loss. "But when the dust settles, we’ll get over it and begin to realize that we had a good season."This was Ellsworth’s third straight good basketball season, and it nearly was extended with an exciting comeback against the Knights.R-T-R, which never trailed in the game, was on the verge of letting what was a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter slip away when EHS closed the difference to one point twice in the final three minutes of the game.The Knights, however, withstood the challenge without giving up their lead. R-T-R’s Brett Newton sank two clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds to give the Knights a three-point lead that would stand up after EHS missed two potential game-tying shots in the last 25 seconds of play.All things considered, it was R-T-R’s play in the first quarter that proved to be the difference in the game.The Knights scored eight unanswered points in the first 2:46 of the game and led by 12 (16-4) with 2:56 remaining in the first period.Ellsworth finally put things together at that point, closing the quarter with an 8-2 spurt capped by Tom Janssen’s put-back with 37 seconds remaining to make it an 18-12 difference.R-T-R scored the first point of the second quarter to lead 19-12 before Ellsworth countered with an 8-2 surge that ended with Todd Alberty converting a field goal at the 5:01 mark of the stanza to bring the Panthers within one point (21-20) of the Knights.R-T-R, however, put together a 13-3 run in the final five minutes of the half to open an 11-point (34-23) cushion at the intermission."Nerves might have had something to do with it, but I think it was our defensive lapses in the first half that did us in," Kvaale said. "It was very disappointing because we ran their offense in practice all week in preparation for this game. Give some credit to the kids from R-T-R because they did a great job."The Knights gained their biggest lead of the game (36-23) by scoring the first two points of the second half before the Panthers started to assert their will.Ellsworth put together an 8-1 run that ended with Adam Sieff draining a pair of free throws to make it a 37-31 game with 3:11 remaining in the third quarter, and the difference was seven (43-26) when Curt Schilling delivered a field goal with 18 seconds left. The Knights, however, scored the final two points in the third quarter and led 48-38 after making a three-point shot in the first minute of the fourth quarter.Ellsworth climbed back into the game over the next 4:30 and trailed 52-51 when Alberty converted a wrap-around layup with 2:34 left to play.EHS senior Lee Farrell drilled a pair of free throws with 1:07 remaining to bring the Panthers within one point (54-53) again, but those charity shots would be the last points Ellsworth would score in the game.R-T-R’s Newton, who was eight of eight at the free-throw line in the game, delivered a pair of tosses with 28.6 seconds left to give the Knights a 56-53 lead.Sieff put up an unsuccessful three-point attempt seconds later, and R-T-R collected the rebound. The Panthers sent R-T-R to the line with a chance to ice the game with 9.8 seconds remaining, but a missed one-and-one gave EHS the ball once more. Ellsworth advanced the ball into scoring position, but Cody Schilling’s desperation shot at the buzzer was off the mark."Our kids battled back," Kvaale offered. "I was hoping we could get this game because it was the fifth 12-game winning streak we’ve had in the last three years. It just wasn’t meant to be."Seniors Curt Schilling, Alberty, Sieff, Janssen and Farrell all made plays during the final game in EHS colors.Schilling, the school’s all-time leading scorer, netted a team-high 23 points and pulled down five rebounds.Alberty and Farrell shared the team lead with eight rebounds, and Alberty chipped in 12 points.Janssen and Sieff contributed four and three assists respectively to the cause.Box scoreCr. Schilling 9 0 5-8 23, Janssen 1 0 0-0 2, Co.Schilling 0 0 2-2 2, Sieff 2 0 4-4 8,Alberty 6 0 0-2 12, Herman 0 0 0-0 0, Klaassen 0 0 0-0 0, Farrell 2 0 2-2 6.Team statisticsEllsworth: 20 of 51 field goals (39 percent), 13 of 18 free throws (72 percent), 31 rebounds, four turnovers.R-T-R: 21 of 44 field goals (48 percent), 12 of 19 free throws (63 percent), 24 rebounds, 10 turnovers.

10 years ago (1994)"County employees will see a larger dollar amount on their next paycheck. For some, the increase will be significant — and long overdue. The Rock County Board of Commissioners approved a new pay plan Tuesday that would bring county employees into compliance with state-mandated comparable worth guidelines.The Board needs to come up with $67,000 to fund the upgraded payroll. Considering earlier estimates were a quarter of a million dollars, everyone seemed content with the final proposal."25 years ago (1979)"It now appears that the Magnolia and Ellsworth School Districts will not pair after all. In a special meeting Thursday evening the Ellsworth board voted four to two to reverse the decision made Monday night to pair with Magnolia.Superintendent Jay Heath said the reasons for the change included equity purchases, operating costs and philosophical opposition to joining the Blue Mound Cooperative Center, problems with transporting students and a general sense of unease regarding the level of support for the plan."50 years ago (1954)"Fire which destroyed a Main Street business structure housing five Luverne business establishments early Friday morning originated in a fuse box in the basement of the Rainbow Café. This was the decision of Ben F. Cords, Mankato, deputy state fire marshal, who conducted the investigation here Saturday together with Fire Chief Bill Busse and other members of the Luverne fire department.… Housed in it were three eating places, the Club Café, owned by C.D. White, the Rainbow Café, owned by H.J. Kadinger, and the Grill Café, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peters and Maxine Peters. All were total losses."75 years ago (1929)"Voters of Luverne will have an opportunity of electing a woman mayor in the annual election to be held a week from next Tuesday, April 2nd. Mrs. Laura Connell, wife of State Representative John Connell, filed as a candidate for mayor and will therefore oppose E.W. Brown, who seeks re-election."100 years ago (1904)"During the heavy rain about midnight Sunday, Garfield Plomason captured a wild goose on Main Street in front of T.J. McDermott’s barber shop. On that night large numbers of geese passed over the city and one of them became confused by the electric lights and flew against the telephone wires near that place, injuring itself so badly that it was easily captured."

LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLSLuverne, MinnesotaMarch 23, 2004REQUEST FOR BIDS: 1. General Construction Work 2. Electrical Construction WorkSealed bids will be received by the Luverne Board of Independent School District No. 2184, Luverne, Minnesota, for Middle School/High School remodeling project.Said bids will be received up to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at the District Office, Luverne, Minnesota. Bids will be opened, read aloud and acted upon within the limits of Minnesota law. Bidders may receive detailed specifications and information at the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 (507 283-8088).Each bid must be accompanied in a separate envelope by a deposit of money, a Certified Check, Cashier’s Check or Credit Union Certified Share Draft or a Bid Bond to be executed by a corporation authorized to contract as a surety in the State of Minnesota, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the Bid, made payable to Board of Education, Independent School District #2184, Luverne, Minnesota, as guarantee that the Bidder will enter into a contract and file bonds satisfactory to the Board of Education assuring the faithful fulfillment of the Contract, the provisions of this Notice, and the Contract Documents as required by law, within ten (10) days after acceptance of the bid. The School Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any technicalities.Colleen DeutschClerk (3-25, 4-1)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGAn open meeting will be held to discuss the road and bridge replacement program for the transportation system of Rock County. The meeting will be at the Rock County Community Library at 201 West Main Street, in Luverne, MN Tuesday, April 6th, 2004 beginning at 2:30 p.m.This public informational meeting will be held at the Rock County Community Library. Any individual, group or agency wishing information is urged to attend and participate in this meeting. The meeting is to provide information on the planning, programming and schedule of work on the County Highway system. Mark R. SehrRock County Highway Engineer(3-25, 4-1)

Law Library 9:00 AMRock County Courthouse March 2, 2004Chair Jarchow called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the March 2, 2004 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to approve the February 17, 2004 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.Mark Sehr, Engineer, informed the County Board that the Weed/Road & Bridge annual meeting would be held on April 6th at 1:00PM in the basement of the Rock County Community Library. The Engineer presented Resolution No. 10-04, a Minnesota State Wide Transit plan; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to approve Resolution No. 10-04, declared carried on a voice vote. The Engineer requested approval for final payment on the Lincoln Street project, SAP 67-63-01 for the amount of $12,170.40. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to authorize that final payment, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer requested to purchase an Aficio Rico 1232C photocopier; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken to authorize that purchase for the amount of $8,675.00, declared carried on a voice vote. The Engineer requested to purchase a new grass mower, broom, and snow blower with attachments for the Courthouse Maintenance Department and presented the following bids: Case International, Grasshopper 72202 w/trade in (2) M & W mowers - $14,575.00 Dave’s Repair Farm Equipment, Wood F23 w/no trade in - $15,475.00Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to approve the low bid of $14,575.00 from Case International, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer requested to purchase a new snow blower unit and a benching wing truck unit to replace the existing Unimog truck and 1964 Oshkosh benching wing truck. Following discussion, motion by Boyenga, seconded Hoime, to go to bid on both trucks, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with additions/corrections; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the claims as presented, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 20,687.60LEC 337.80Road & Bridge 35,831.82Welfare 61,273.58Landfill 636.49TOTAL $118,767.29Fund balance report was approved on a motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, and declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve a liquor license for the Luverne Country Club with an effective date of April 15, 2004 – April 14, 2005, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the following solid waste abatements, declared carried on a voice vote. Parcel #05-0147-100, Lot 11, Blk 4 Kanaranzi - $21.00 Parcel #09-0037-000, a tract in the SW 1/4 of 08-103-45 - $42.00 Parcel #08-0044-000, a tract in the SW 1/4 of 04-101-46 - $42.00 Parcel 10-0222-000, a tract in the NE 1/4 of 26-104-47 - $42.00Randy Ehlers, Family Services Director, stated that Rock and Pipestone County representatives are currently drafting an interagency agreement to develop a joint collaborative. A final draft will be presented at a later date. The FSA Director informed the County Board that South Dakota had passed legislation on mental health holds. Motion by Hoime, seconded Bakken, directing the FSA Director to send thank you letters to Mr. Lindquist of Avera McKennan as well as to the authors in the South Dakota Senate and House of Representatives, declared carried on a voice vote. Mr. Ehlers presented an update regarding out of home placements as well as an income maintenance report. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, approve consent agenda item #2 - #8, declared carried on a voice vote.1. FSA Contract 45-2111-04 with Rock County Developmental Achievement Center to provide structured day programming to one person with Traumatic Brain Injury. Rate for January 1, 2004 through March 5, 2004 is $112.22/day. Rate for March 8, 2004 through 12-31-04 is $80/day. Services are paid through Medical Assistance waiver programs. (approved as a separate action item)2. FSA Contract 76-533-04 with PRAXIS Shelter Care to provide Rule 8 Emergency shelter care and respite care for children. Contract includes provision for a $2900 one time block grant and $140 per diem. Contract effective April 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. 3. FSA Contract 59-1126-04 with Habilitative Services Inc., to provide Home and Community Based services to three individuals receiving Supported Living Services. Services funded through Medical Assistance Waivered programs. Contract effective 1-1-04 to 12-31-04.4. FSA Contract 79-1689-04 with Habilitative Services Inc., to provide Home and Community Based services to one individual. Services funded through Medical Assistance Waivered programs. Contract effective 1-1-04 through 12-31-04.5. FSA Contract 110-1689-04 with Habilitative Services Inc., to provide Home and Community Based services to one individual. Services funded through Medical Assistance Waivered programs. Contract effective 1-1-04 to 12-31-04.6. Foster Care Licensing (new) – Dan and Colleen Nath7. Resolution No. 11-04, King of Trails8. MOU with the University of Minnesota for the provision of nutrition education to eligible client. There was a discussion regarding Consent Agenda item #1, FSA Contract 45-2111-04 with Rock County Developmental Achievement Center. Following discussion, there was a motion by Wildung, seconded Hoime, to submit the contract to the DAC at an $80 per day rate and that the issue would not come back to the County Board for any further discussion. Motion was declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Boyenga voting nay.Sheriff Mike Winkels and Dispatch Supervisor Terri Ebert requested authorization to submit a grant to Homeland Security Emergency Management for upgrades and enhancements in the radio system to include the purchase of a console and (2) towers as well as upgrades to the E911 system to allow the receiving of cellular phone calls. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to approve authorization to submit the grant application to Home Security Emergency Management. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to move the March 16th County Board date to March 23rd, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed that they would be hosting the District VIII AMC meeting on May 27th; the Administrator was directed to contact the Blue Mound Banquet Center for reservations. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to appoint Spencer Sells to the Planning & Zoning Board, declared carried on a voice vote. There was a motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to authorize signature on a Home Security Emergency Management grant award allocating $16,000 to Rock County, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to replace the county fleet vehicles currently maintained at the courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to not pay the jail educator costs of $8,000 from Community Corrections, declared carried on a voice vote.Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director and Doug Bos, Assistant Land Management Office Director, requested authorization on a conditional use permit for a cell phone tower located on CR #20, twelve feet north of the existing tower. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the conditional use permit, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to schedule at the March 23rd County Board additional discussion regarding the Wind Towers, to more specifically include information on the cost and frequency of annual inspections, declared carried on a voice vote. There was a discussion regarding Research Plot for Field Testing; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to direct LMO to participate in the school project if requested, declared carried on a voice vote.Commissioner Boyenga informed the County Board that the Rock County Rural Water Annual Water meeting is scheduled for March 18th and that the deadline for the Lewis & Clark new agreement is May 27th and that additional information will be presented at a future date. Commissioner Wildung requested to discuss facility needs for the Law Enforcement Center; by mutual consent, the County Board authorized that meeting. Commissioner Bakken stated that he had attended the Children’s Justice Initiative meeting and that he had found the meeting to be very informational. Commissioner Hoime provided an update from the Extension Committee meeting. Currently, Extension is in the process of selecting the Farm Family of the Year and that any suggestions could be forwarded to the Extension Committee. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned. Bob Jarchow, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board.(3-25)