10 years ago (1994)"At their Tuesday evening meeting the Hills City Council voted to give $10,000 to the Baseball Association for the backstop fence and additional fencing if needed. The Council also agreed to construct a concession stand, bathrooms and storage shed at an approximate cost of $12,000."25 years ago (1979)"Friday, Feb. 16, was probably no different for you, but for Leanne Goehle it was a day she’ll never forget. Leanne’s 12th point of the night was her 1,000th point in her basketball varsity career.During the pep fest Tuesday, Feb. 21, the girls’ basketball team presented Leanne with the Adrian game ball with which she made her 1000th point." 50 years ago (1954)"This will be good news to farmers and just about everyone in the community who has machinery. Hills will again have a blacksmith and welding repair shop, after a long absence of such a business. Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Birk and two daughters (ages two years and four months) of Lennox, S.D., moved into the Monlux home where they have settled and Mr. Birk started rounding up machinery to operate his business here. As a welder and repair man, Les has more than 13 years of experience, 10 of which he served as welder for the Art B. Thomas Shows out of Lennox."75 years ago (1929)"Is there something we can do toward lighting Main Street in Hills and make it more attractive at night? Would it be possible for some organization or group of organizations to put on a benefit social or play, and in this way start a fund for better lighting? About four strings of electric light globes running across Main Street on the main business block would not cost a great deal. Other small towns have them and they look like a ‘million dollars.’ Anyway, let’s work together — all of us — for some sort of illumination for Main Street!"100 years ago (1904)"There still seems to be a scarcity of residences in Hills and the continued erection of new dwelling houses which has been going on for the past three years does not seem to help the situation any."

Gordon B. Rich, 84, Sioux Falls, S.D., died on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2004, at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls. He was the husband of the former Selma Sundem of Hills. Services were Friday, Feb. 27, at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Burial was at Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls.Gordon Rich was born to Clifford and Addie (Lowry) Rich on Oct. 2, 1919, in Newell, S.D. As a child, he moved with his family to Yankton, S.D. He graduated from Yankton High School and attended Yankton College prior to serving with the Civilian Conservation Corps at Wind Cave in the Black Hills. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he and his brothers established the Rich Brothers Co. He married Selma Sundem on July 13, 1947, in Hills. The couple lived in Sioux Falls. Following his retirement in 1982, he worked part-time at Kohls Department Store for a short time.Mr. Rich was a member of East Side Lutheran Church; was past-Grand Counselor for United Commercial Travelers; a member of the C.C.C. Alumni group; a life-member and past-chaplain of John M. Bliss VFW Post 628; and a member of Sioux Falls American Legion Post #15.Survivors include his wife, Selma Rich, Sioux Falls; six children, Sharyl Rich, Kristine (Eric) Clausen, all of Overland Park, Kan., James Rich, Jerry Rich, Kevin (Laurie) Rich, all of Sioux Falls, and Steven (Deb) Rich, Rapid City, S.D.; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Brian, three brothers and two sisters. George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.

Avis Hazelton, 102, Hills, formerly of Luverne, died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2004, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Memorial services were Tuesday, March 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The Rev. Ruby Kleymann officiated. Avis Hazelton was born to Henry and Cora (Canfield) Hazelton on Aug. 11, 1901, in Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1919. She attended Normal School. She taught at country schools in Jasper, Kanaranzi, Steen, and Luverne. She later worked in the retail business at the Golden Rule in St. Paul for several years. She returned to Luverne. She moved to Tuff Home in 2001. Ms. Hazelton was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, the Pink Ladies, Luverne Community Hospital Auxiliary, Luverne Historical Society, Moccasins and Luverne Senior Citizens. She enjoyed music, education and art. Survivors include one nephew, John (Marilyn) Virden, Mount Vernon, Wash.; and four nieces, Mary (Phil) Delzer, Portland, Ore., Audrey (Ray) Erickson, Crosby, Judy Olson, Hibbing, and Cora (Al) Martin, Ottawa, Ill. Ms. Hazelton was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Meredith Virden. Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Doris Gail Barton, 74, Luverne, died Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne. Services were Wednesday, March 3, at First Baptist Church in Luverne. The Rev. Rick Cornish officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Doris Hayman was born to August and Nita (Meyers) Hayman on June 25, 1929, in Belvidere, Ill., where she was raised and received her education. She married William Barton on March 22, 1942, in Rockton, Ill. Following their marriage, they lived in several states. In 1976, they moved to Beaver Creek and in the fall of 1976, they moved to Luverne. Mr. Barton died Jan. 21, 1977. After his death, she continued to live in Luverne where she worked as a nurse’s aide at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center. She later did volunteer work at the Senior Citizen Center. In 1998, she moved to Blue Mound Tower in Luverne. She moved to Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center on Feb. 18, 2004. Mrs. Barton was a member of First Baptist Church in Luverne where she attended Bible Study and helped in the nursery. She also helped cook and prepare the food for Meals-On-Wheels for several years. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, doing jigsaw puzzles and playing cards. Survivors include three children, Susan (Ron) Mueller, Des Moines, Iowa, Shirley (Dennis) Frazer, Rushmore, and LeRoy (Jackie) Barton, Luverne; and 14 grandchildren.Mrs. Barton was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William, an infant son, Rodger, and four brothers. A tree will be planted by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital in memory of Doris Barton. Hartquist Funeral Home-Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

By Lori EhdeThe trip is still four months away, but 11 Luverne High School students in grades 10 through 12 are wrapping up plans now.German teacher Angie Swenson presented information on the summer German trip to School Board members during the Monday, Feb. 23, meeting.Students and chaperones will depart June 13 and return June 27.They’ll travel to München, Oberammergau and Alpine region, Leipzig, Rothenburg, Rüdensheim and Rhein region and Frankfurt.The point of the trip, Swenson said, is for students to use and improve their German communication skills.A major part of the trip is a six-day stay with a German family in Leipzig where they’ll have opportunity to experience German culture.Luverne students will be part of a group of 37 students and five teachers from schools in Montrose, Colo., Stillwell, Kan., and St. Paul and Gryla, Minn.Students are responsible for paying their own way, about $2,200 per student. But costs are offset by fund-raising. In Luverne, that amounts to about $4,500."We’re pretty much done with fund-raising, except for candy sales in the next couple of weeks," Swenson said.Luverne German students take the trip once every three years."I’m really excited about the students going this year," Swenson said. "I think we have a great group and a really cooperative group going."In other business, Monday, the board:
Heard from Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff that Tuesday is Read Across America Day, which coincides with Dr. Seuss’ birthday. "It will be a full day of reading activities, with Dr. Seuss as the theme," Tenhoff said. "We’ll have green eggs and ham for lunch, Cat in the Hat cupcakes and a visit from the Cat in the Hat."
Agreed to pursue the process for collecting $55,000 in special education bills owed by Hills-Beaver Creek for services provided by the Luverne district.A third party from the Pipestone Special Education Cooperative — of which Luverne and H-BC are members — may review the bills submitted during 1999, 2000 and 2001.The bills, some of which H-BC is questioning, amount to $55,000. H-BC offered to pay $30,000, but Luverne refused that offer and asked for the amount in full.
Increased the driver’s education fee to $230.
Heard a legislative update from Superintendent Vince Schaefer who reported that the state may issue a new Report Card drawing a correlation between building expenditures and student performance.
Hired Greg Hurst as a custodian, effective Feb. 23.
Hired Dave Svingen as long-term substitute for high school learning disabilities teacher Jennifer Radtke, who is planning maternity in April.
Hired Paula Lammert as long-term substitute for math teacher Becky Rahm, who is planning maternity leave in May.
Hired Crystal Swenson as seventh-grade softball coach.

By Sara StrongProperty owners who don’t comply with nuisance ordinances often slip through the cracks and leave the city little enforcement power. That will soon change with administrative citations on the horizon. The city of Luverne is considering the citations at this point, and hasn’t set the fine amounts yet.In the past, the city tried to get compliance through certified letters, letters delivered by the sheriff, and through the court system.It was mostly unproductive time on the part of Zoning Administrator Dan Delgehausen.Just to get through the letter-writing process usually took six weeks, since property owners often refuse to accept certified letters.Nuisance problems are usually things like unregistered vehicles in yards and other miscellaneous junk on lawns.Delgehausen said neighbors of nuisance violators feel like their property values are compromised and feel that the city doesn’t respond to their concerns.For example, the city has worked for two years with Luverne resident Richard Ward, at 411 N. Cedar. He didn’t show up to a public hearing on the nuisances and has gone through cycles of meeting compliance, and then not complied.Delgehausen said, "Usually, people tend to respond to fines, so this might be our best bet."Occupancy violationsThree times last month, people have lived in properties that didn’t have certificates of occupancy. For safety and insurance coverage reasons, property owners should know that occupying an uncertified structure is not allowed.Fines for occupancy violations vary by type of building: changing use of an existing building will be $150; failure to obtain certificate of occupancy remodeled and/or altered structure will be $250; failure to obtain certificate of occupancy of a new structure will be $500.The Luverne City Council hasn’t finalized this citation yet, either.

By Lori EhdeWorkers at Luverne’s Gold’n Plump chicken processing plant are finding themselves part of a class action lawsuit against the company.In January, the Minneapolis legal firm, Zimmerman Reed, published an advertisement in the Star Herald and other area papers. It said the firm was investigating claims of Gold’n Plump employees regarding the company’s pay practices.The ad, published Jan. 15, made the statement that fair pay is required by law and requested information be phoned or e-mailed to the firm — confidentially.At that time, Luverne’s Gold’n Plump staff reportedly knew nothing about the lawsuit or of alleged illegal pay practices.According to the complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, the suit stems from the commonly disputed "donning and doffing," issue over whether employees should be paid for time spent preparing for the job and preparing to leave the work site."… Gold’n Plump refuses to fully compensate its line employees for the time spent at the beginning of shifts changing into and sanitizing required gear and equipment, including boots, hair nets, smocks, aprons, and rain gear, and the end of shifts for removing and cleaning these same items," the complaint outlines."Similarly, Gold’n Plump does not compensate its line workers for time spent donning and doffing before and after their unpaid lunch breaks and paid work breaks."Gordon Rudd, the Zimmerman Reed attorney for the plaintiffs, said this is illegal and unfair."The impact of these wage violations is substantial and results in less money for the hard working people who earned it," Rudd said.Gold’n Plump employs 1,600 people in plants in Arcadia, Wis., Cold Spring and Luverne, but so far only six employees are signed on to the suit as plaintiffs, and they’re primarily from the Cold Spring plant.Rudd said Luverne employees, even if they don’t actively sign on to the class action suit, could be affected if the case proceeded successfully for the plaintiffs.Meanwhile, the case is apparently not an issue in Luverne, according to Luverne Plant Manager Greg Aubert."We have no direct knowledge of a complaint against us stemming from company pay practices," Gold’n Plump officials said in a statement released Tuesday."It is Gold’n Plump’s fundamental policy to follow all applicable wage laws and we believe we are in compliance with all such laws as currently interpreted by the courts."

By Lori EhdeThe Luverne Community Health Care Foundation officially became the Luverne Area Community Foundation last week.In a Feb. 18 meeting of the foundation board, the bylaws were changed to reflect a new direction for the organization."We’ve had a number of individuals who have wanted to leave money to the Luverne area in their wills, but not necessarily to health care," said Mike Reker, foundation president."This is one vehicle where they can donate money to a number of charitable organizations in the community."The Health Care Foundation has existed in Luverne since 1984 and has a balance of $1.2 million that’s supported various health-related causes.For example, it supports the Hospice Cottage and serves as the sponsoring organization for the annual Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction. Other Health Care Foundation projects include pool equipment at the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center and hospital patient equipment, such as the Lifeline program.As the new Luverne Area Community Foundation, the $1.2 million balance will be dedicated to health care and hospice causes.The Health Care Foundation’s last big project was the $1 million fund-raiser for the new Sioux Valley Hospital and Clinic campus under construction north of the Veteran’s Addition.Reker said the new Community Foundation will be able to accept donations for broader purposes."We wanted to attempt to help other non-profits and attempt to help other people with their donating decisions," he said."I think there have been some big donations that have left town because there wasn’t a central, general non-profit option for giving."He said funds can be donated for specific causes, such as the Rock County Fine Arts Association or the Rock County Historical Society. "Attorneys for estates have told us that families often don’t want to write individual checks for each organization," Reker said. "They want to write one check for all the causes they want to designate." Or, funds can be donated for the general betterment of the community, with Foundation Board members deciding where the money will go."We’ll be contacting a lot of the smaller non-profits that have a hard time maintaining balances," Reker said. "Maybe they’ll want to throw in with us for a better return."Current board members include Reker, Greg Burger, Marilyn Bloemendaal, Don Klosterbuer, Darrel Siebert, Barb Golla, Sue Skattum, Larry Nelson and Donna Scholten.Reker said the board is looking for additional members. "We keep striving to get a good cross-section of the community," he said.Administrative assistant Michelle Van Dyke can answer questions about the foundation at 220-2424.

By Lori EhdeA farming accident claimed the life of a young dairy farmer near Hardwick Friday.Scott Allen Hubbling, 29, died Friday morning on his father’s farm three miles north of Hardwick where he kept his herd of dairy cows.According to information from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Hubbling had been crushed by the bucket of a skid loader.His 12-year-old brother, Shane, reportedly found him after returning home from school and called for help around 4 p.m.The Rock County Sheriff’s Office, Rock County Ambulance, Hardwick First Responders and Luverne Rescue Team responded to the scene.Emergency officials estimate the accident happened sometime mid-morning, and that Hubbling likely died instantly.Hubbling was the son of Richard Hubbling and the late Minnie Hubbling. He leaves behind a daughter, Justine Hubbling-Hanson, and girlfriend, Laura Clark.In addition to farming and milking his cows, Hubbling enjoyed welding, snowmobiling, enduro racing, dirt biking and working on his pickup.More than 400 people attended his funeral Tuesday in Luverne Christian Reformed Church.