By Lori EhdeA Beaver Creek man was sentenced Monday in Rock County District Court to serve 58 months in prison for manufacturing methamphetamines.Marvin James Kolsrud was arrested June 19 when authorities executed a search warrant of his home — a rented acreage a couple miles south of Beaver Creek.Kolsrud, 50, told law enforcement that he had "cooked a batch" of meth the previous night and intended to "cook another batch" that evening after stealing anhydrous ammonia from the elevator in Beaver Creek.He said he usually "cooks a batch" once a week, or "whenever he needs some money." Each "batch" results in 8 to 10 grams of finished meth, worth about $800.Kolsrud at one time was a trucker, but he was unemployed at the time of the arrest.He entered a guilty plea in an Oct. 27 hearing. In Monday’s sentence hearing, Judge Timothy Connell ordered Kolsrud to serve two-thirds of his time in prison, and he is allowed on supervised release for the remaining one-third (or about 19 months).The informant that provided the tip on Kolsrud’s meth production also alerted police that Kolsrud kept a loaded sawed-off shotgun in the house.Assisting with the arrest were six Rock County deputies, one BCA agent from St. Paul, two South Dakota officers, and a deputy from Lyon County.Kolsrud was the fifth person arrested in the Beaver Creek and Valley Springs area on drug charges in the past few years. Law enforcement speculates that low-cost rental acreages and the proximity to the South Dakota border may be common denominators.

By Brenda WinterTwelve-pound Sarah Catherine doesn’t look like a participant in a nation-wide disease research project. At six weeks old, her chubby cheeks and pink jumpsuit don’t even hint at the drama that surrounded her gestation. Sarah’s mom, Hills Crescent editor Jolene Farley, contracted the West Nile virus during the second trimester of her pregnancy. She was the only pregnant woman to contract the disease in the state last year. Farley spent a few tense weeks hoping her baby would be healthy, but upon arrival Sarah Catherine was declared OK – mostly.She has a slightly cleft palate and two uvulae (that thing that hangs down in the back of the throat.) The birth defect is so minor that unless it becomes a problem later in Sarah’s life the current plan is to do nothing about it. Surgery is sometimes performed on babies with cleft palates if the problem interferes with the baby’s ability to eat, but Sarah is growing and eating well.The big question is, of course, "does West Nile cause birth defects?"Farley said the researchers following Sarah’s case believe the cleft palate was not caused by West Nile, because there is no evidence of West Nile antibodies in Sarah’s blood.They also theorize that babies exposed to West Nile later in the gestation period are better able to fend off the virus – although it seems Sarah was never exposed to the virus. Farley said, "It appears that my anti-bodies passed through the placenta but the virus didn’t."Farley said along with preliminary blood samples, doctors working with the Centers for Disease Control have asked that Sarah see a pediatric eye doctor because another baby exposed to West Nile was born with an eye disorder. They would also like a CAT scan to see if there are problems that are less obvious. And finally, genetic tests may be performed to help determine if the cleft palate is a genetically-based birth defect.Farley said Sarah will be evaluated at three, six and 12 months. "We’ll continue to be involved." Farley said. "Regardless of the relationship between West Nile and the cleft palate they want to continue to evaluate all the babies born under West Nile."Cutline:Six-week old Sarah Catherine Wieneke, pictured with her mom Jolene Farley, was born with slight birth defects that do not appear to be related to her exposure to the West Nile virus in utero. Sarah will continue to be a part of on-going research with the Centers for Disease Control.

Rock County Courthouse 9:00AMLaw Library December 29, 2003Special MeetingChair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present.Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, led a discussion regarding the acknowledgement of receipt of notice from the City of Luverne of the termination of the Dispatch Agreement; the County Board took no action. The County Attorney presented and led discussion on Resolution No. 48-03; motion Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to adopt Resolution No. 48-03, declared carried on a unanimous vote. RESOLUTION TO TERMINATE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR ROCK COUNTY SWIMMING POOLWHEREAS, Since September 2, 1975 the City of Luverne and the County of Rock have jointly operated a swimming pool and fitness facility known as the "Rock County Community Pool and Fitness Center" (hereinafter "Pool"), and, WHEREAS, The most recent joint powers agreement dated November 20, 1990, sets forth their respective obligations regarding the operation and funding of the Pool, and,WHEREAS, The City of Luverne has requested a review of this joint powers agreement and other joint powers agreements or contracts between the City of Luverne and the County of Rock, including a Joint Powers Agreement for Dispatching Services and Rental Agreement dated November 16, 1993, and, WHEREAS, At a joint meeting of the City and County held on December 1, 2003 the County agreed to review all joint powers agreements or contracts with the City, and, WHEREAS, The County believes that the various agreements and contracts between the City and County are best examined as a collective package so as to better understand and appreciate the net effect on the budgets of the City and the County and that approaching the negotiations on a piecemeal basis increases the likelihood of producing less desirable results and threatens the delivery of services, and, WHEREAS, The County is prepared to commence good faith discussions and negotiations regarding said agreements or contracts, and, WHEREAS, Prior to commencing any negotiations, the City of Luverne has notified the County that it has terminated the Joint Powers Agreement for Dispatching Services and Rental Agreement effective December 31, 2004, and, WHEREAS, The County believes that dispatch/record keeping services are a vital and essential service and must be continued to be provided even without funding contribution from the City of Luverne, and, WHEREAS, The unilateral decision by the City to terminate the Joint Powers Agreement for Dispatching Services and Rental Agreement originally enacted on May 5, 1969, will potentially result in lost revenue to the County of at least $150,000 for fiscal year 2005, and, WHEREAS, The County does not have other revenue sources to replace such lost revenue other than to increase the tax levy, if permitted by the State, and,WHEREAS, The County does not know if the State of Minnesota will impose levy limits or if the amount of assistance to local governments will be reduced for 2005, and, WHEREAS, The County must take reasonable and prudent steps to preserve its options to reduce spending for 2005 in the event the City makes an insufficient payment toward the cost of dispatch/record keeping services, and, WHEREAS, The County can reduce its expenditures and preserve funds to apply to the cost of providing dispatch/record keeping services by terminating its funding of the Pool, and, WHEREAS, Paragraph 11 of the November 20, 1993 Agreement provides for a one year notice to terminate the Agreement.NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY OF ROCK, as follows:1. The County believes that the services provided to its citizens by the Rock County Community Swimming Pool and Fitness Center are valuable and significantly contribute to the health and well being of its citizens and improve the over all quality of life within Rock County, including the City of Luverne. 2. The County is required to provide certain 911 services and believes that county dispatch/record keeping services are essential as they directly relate to providing assistance in emergency situations affecting life and property and that said services must be maintained and provided, even if it means reducing or eliminating other valuable services, including the Pool. 3. The County has no choice but to take precautionary and protective action to try and preserve sufficient funds from its finite revenues for 2005 to provide all essential services. The unilateral decision by the City to terminate the Joint Powers Agreement for Dispatch Services and Rental Agreement prior to even commencing negotiations with the County to reconsider said Agreement effectively eliminates a revenue source for the County.4. That in order to preserve sufficient options for the County to provide the maximum number of essential and desired services in 2005 and to meet the required notice period, it is necessary to give notice, and the County does hereby give such Notice to the City of Luverne to terminate the Joint Powers Agreement for Rock County Swimming Pool dated November 20, 1993, effective as of December 31, 2004. 5. The County Administrator is directed to cause a certified copy of this resolution to be served on the City by delivering a copy to the Mayor and the City Administrator. ADOPTED BY THE ROCK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THIS 29TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2003 AT A SPECIAL MEETING DULY CALLED AND HELD AT LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.The County Board also directed the Administrator to forward a copy of Resolution No. 48-03 to all members of the City Council and City Attorney. The County Board discussed the Assessing Agreement with the City of Luverne and acknowledged their counter proposal. On a motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, the County Board directed that a request be made to the Luverne City Council to form a committee consisting of the City Administrator, County Administrator, (2) County Commissioners, (2) City Council members to negotiate the assessing agreement, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board Chair directed that commissioners from the Budget Committee, Boyenga and Jarchow, be designated to serve on that negotiating committee. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented GASB 34 (Governmental Accounting Standards Board #34) policies to be adopted. Contents include Capital Asset Policy and Depreciation Schedule. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to approve the policies as presented with an effective of 01/01/04, declared carried on a voice vote. With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned. Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(1-8)

Law Library 9:00 AMRock County Courthouse December 16, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Jason Kloss, Nobles/Rock Public Health Sanitarian, hosted an ITV session with the Rock County and Nobles County Boards and requested the adoption of an ordinance for the cleanup of Clandestine Drug Lab Sites. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the ordinance, declared carried on a voice vote. Also discussed with Nobles County was a Community Corrections permanent fund transfer; motion by Hoime, seconded by Wildung, for Rock County to transfer $8,333.00 from the General Fund to Community Corrections as a permanent transfer, declared carried on a voice vote. (Item was removed from the consent agenda)Commissioners requested that the Auditor/Treasurer and Assessor review land clean up tax breaks on property that is dilapidated throughout the county, and report to the board at a future date.The agenda was approved on a motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded Wildung, to approve the December 2, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. The consent agenda was discussed; the item regarding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (Resolution No. 46-03) was removed and tabled until the January 6, 2004 County Board meeting and requested that Kurt Halfmann from the NRCS attend that meeting. The remaining consent agenda items were approved on a motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow and declared carried on a voice vote. 1. 2004 Pay Plan Adoption2. FSA Contract 108-2110-04 with Southwestern Mental Health Center to provide community support services, adult day treatment, crisis line and crisis bed service to person with mental illnesses; effective 01/01/04 – 12/31/04. 3. FSA Contract 66-130-04 with Heartland Express to provide transportation service; effective 01/01/04 – 12/31/044. FSA Contract 3-2110-04 with Southwestern Mental Health Center to provide various community mental health services. FSA pay an annual block grant of $96,775 for this service and reflects a 10% decrease from last years contract; effective 01/01/04 – 12/31/04Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director and Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, were present and discussed the proposed Rock County Fees Schedule. Also present were residents Tom Arends and Mark Willers to discuss issues regarding wind turbines. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to adopt the Rock County Fee Schedule minus the permitting fees for wind turbines and telecommunications towers, declared carried on a voice vote.A Feedlot Inventory update was tabled until the January 6, 2004 County Board meeting. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Wildung, seconded Bakken to approve the claims, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 26,254.22LEC 557.84Road & Bridge 14,468.11Welfare 45,851.89Landfill 14,210.03TOTAL $101,342.09Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve Resolution No. 47-03, a rural water split for Bonnema/Van Veldhuizen on parcel #03-0154-000 located in the SE 1/4 of 27-101-45, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer presented a number fix asset items from the Sheriff’s Office to be declared as surplus; motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, declared carried on a voice vote. o #1778 wood desk o #2136 paper shredderThe County Board was informed that the Tax Court settlement had been reached with Gold-n-Plump for the amount of $4,272.21. The County Board will be issuing a refund for that amount to Gold-n-Plump.Mileage and Commissioner Per Diems of $700.00 were approved on a motion by Bakken, seconded Wildung, and declared carried on a voice vote. Dan Cook, Rock County Rural Water Manager, presented an update on Lewis & Clark explaining that the interconnects between Minnesota entities may be happening faster than previously anticipated. This will allow the sale of water between Minnesota entities involved in Lewis & Clark. Mr. Cook discussed the $4,945.00 payment due to Lewis & Clark as per the agreement; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to pay the payment from rural water monies that are being held by the county, declared carried on a voice vote. Mr. Cook also discussed a payoff of $651,000 to the rural Development Authority pertaining to a 4.75% loan for forty years. As per a recommendation from the Rock County Rural Water Board, motion by Hoime, seconded Jarchow, to pay off that loan, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of a Fleet Car Usage Report; no action was taken. The 2004 Levy was discussed; motion by Wildung, seconded Jarchow, to approve the 2004 Levy amount of $3,485,876.00, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Boyenga voting nay. General Fund $1,903,070.00Library $96,362.00Road & Bridge $596,600.00Welfare $867,104.00Landfill $22,740.00Debt Service $65,099.00Total $3,550,975.00Employment contracts for Administrator Kyle Oldre, Engineer Mark Sehr, Family Services Agency Director Randy Ehlers and Recorder Jere Ohme and the following salaries for 2004 were approved on a motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, and declared carried on a voice vote. oAuditor/Treasurer - $44,000oSheriff - $60,500oAttorney - $65,000oCommissioner - $12,500Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to place (3) months of initial payment for VEBA in the employees accounts effective January 1, 2004, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of an Employee Grant Summary for 2003; presented as information only. Motion by Jarchow, seconded Hoime, to approve the 2004 County Board meeting schedule, declared carried on a voice vote.January 06 July 06 January 20 July 20 February 03 August 03 February 17 August 17 March 02 September 07 March 16 September 21 April 06 October 05 April 20 October 19 May 04 November 02 May 18 November 16 June 08 December 14 June 22 December 28Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve an E-911-system software upgrade to PC Enforce for the amount of $7,482.18, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Jarchow stated that he had attended the Prairie Expo closing and that the only entity left to sign the agreement is the State of Minnesota. Commissioner Bakken reported on the SWCD meeting and that SWCD had received an additional $144,000 in Equip monies. Commissioner Bakken requested that the Engineer attend the January 6, 2004 County Board meeting to discuss a state program entitled Living Snow Fences; the SWCD had reviewed a presentation from the State of Minnesota and they had stated that for every dollar invested in the program, they had a $17.00 return. Commissioner Hoime stated that he had attended the Extension meeting and that they had discussed the MOA between the County and the State of Minnesota. He also stated that he would be attending a Pool Committee meeting at 3:30PM of the afternoon. Commissioner Wildung stated that she had attended the recent Dispatch and Law Enforcement meetings and discussed activities involving the discussions the county has had with the City of Luverne. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned. Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board (1-8)

10 years ago (1994)"In an age where recycling is the ultimate good, people still place more importance on the appearance of their Christmas tree than on its recyclable value.The city of Luverne has tried to recycle its Christmas trees for mulching material, but concealed wires used to perfect the shape of the trees has hindered these attempts, according to Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes."25 years ago (1979)"A new softball diamond in the area of the old swimming pool should be ready for use this summer.By a three to one vote at the regular meeting Tuesday night, the city council approved plans for the softball diamond, adjacent parking area and restroom facility.Councilman Gordon Gits, who emphasized that the area should be developed as an extension of the city park, voted against the plans."50 years ago (1954)"The local national guard unit will stage the first public function for the benefit of the March of Dimes drive when they hold their polio benefit dance next Wednesday night, January 13. The ever-popular ‘Six Fat Dutchmen’ band will furnish the music at the dance, to be held at the National Guard armory." 75 years ago (1929)"A total of 76 births and 36 deaths occurred in Luverne during 1928, according to the records of vital statistics kept by Dr. J.W. Hawkinson, chairman of the Luverne board of health. From this it will be seen that the natural increase in population was in excess of fifty percent."100 years ago (1904)"The proprietors of twelve stores in this village signed an agreement Tuesday to close their places of business at 6 o’clock every day, Saturday evenings excepted. The agreement will go into effect next Monday. Under the arrangement made some time ago 8 o’clock has been the usual closing hour. The Improvement League took up the matter of earlier closing and a committee was appointed to wait upon the merchants."

Toddlers and city leaders are equally 'amzanig'Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?? The same theory must hold true for parents deciphering toddler speak.Our 2-year-old Carson has a limited vocabulary, but lately he?s finding his voice through music.Over the holidays, we were frequently treated to holiday road songs from his corner of the back seat."Oh mitmah tee, oh mitmah tee" was a personal favorite. And when he?d really explore his vocal range, we?d hear, "Oh mitmaAAahhh teeEEEeee."The singing was usually inspired by "mitmah yites" on homes he?d notice on our drive out of town.Another holiday favorite was, "Deendo beow, deendo beow, deendo awe da way."With the holidays over, he?s been wowing his adoring fans with what he calls, "Twinto Twinto."It goes something like, "Twinto twinto, yeeto taw, how I wondo what you awe ?"His heartfelt serenades are quite endearing to the big people around him, but his mommy simply hopes the developing verses are signs of improved communication, which will no-doubt alleviate the frustrating terrible twos.City leaders are even more amzanig and cnofsunig ?As difficult as it is to understand a 2-year-old, Carson makes a lot more sense these days than our city leaders do.Our gung ho city administrator has somehow convinced our rookie council that we need to terminate contracts in order to discuss them. (I?m referring to the council?s recent termination of the 34-year contract with the county for dispatch services).I wonder if this also means that in order for the council to perform its regular review of the city administrator?s job performance, then that contract, too, will need to be terminated.City residents, if they?re as confused as I am, should call their elected councilmen:
David Hauge, 283-8367
Pat Baustian, 283-4180,
Bob Kaczrowski, 283-9261
Tom Martius, 283-4679
Mayor Glen Gust, 283-8761.
City Administrator Greg Lafond, at Luverne City Hall, 449-2388Be sure to ask them why an agreement that?s been seemingly beneficial for everyone involved for so many years is suddenly such a bad idea. If they?re looking to save money, ask them how well that worked with the last contract they terminated.In seeking proposals for a new city attorney, they terminated a $95-per-hour contract with Skewes, Klosterbuer and Vajgrt, the firm that?s been doing city legal work for 20 years.After the dust settled and the new bids came in, council members accepted proposals notably more expensive than contract they terminated.Skewes, Klosterbuer and Vajgrt will continue city criminal prosecutions at the new rate of $105 per hour, and Ben Vander Kooi will perform all other general legal work at $120 per hour.Again, my toddler makes more sense than our city leaders do ? and his terrible 2-year-old behavior is less frustrating.

Rock County in accredited areaThe following was printed in the Rock County Herald on Dec. 21, 1934. Report of bovine tuberculosis tests made last month disclosed only 29/100 percent of infected cattleNumber of infected herds not reportedFarmers with herds found tuberculosis free can now sell their cattle without formality of testingRock County is now an accredited tuberculosis free county, according to word received this week by County Auditor Ray Koehn covering the report of the bovine tuberculosis test made last month. The report shows that the tests disclosed only 29/100 percent of infected cattle in the county whereas a county is allowed one-half of one percent of infection. The number of herds in which infected cattle were found in the last test has not yet been reported, but the small percentage of infection indicates the number is very small.With the county now on the accredited list, Rock County farmers whose herds were found free of tuberculosis can now sell their cattle at public auctions and otherwise without going through the formality of having them tested. Farmers who had infected animals must continue, of course, to have tests made a heretofore. While the county is now accredited, this rating does not apply to feeder cattle that are under quarantine. Although definite information has not yet been received it is understood that as a result of the TB tests made during the past summer and fall every county in the state is now in the accredited call, thereby placing the state also in that class. 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.

Drug war-torn Colombia may become a very different place when its main export becomes lingerie, specifically push-up bras and thongs. According to Reuters news services, "Some 900 peasant women in Colombia are set to make racy lingerie and sell it to French supermarket Carrefour under a U.N.-backed program aimed at encouraging impoverished farmers and their families to stop growing drug crops." The innovative anti-drug action may be the most exciting thing to happen in agriculture since Johnny Appleseed crossed our country, planting all of those apple trees. It’s not a surprise that a French supermarket chain is involved in the deal. After all, $2.5 billion was spent on lingerie in France in 2002 and a recent survey showed that more than 80 percent of French people consider lingerie to be one of life’s necessities, not unlike water or food. Until the rest of the world shows its support and/or its need of support, the push-up bras and thongs will only be sold at Carrefour’s 12 stores in Colombia. The new lingerie factories will hopefully decrease crime normally associated with illegal drug trafficking, so fewer people should be busted. In spite of the decrease, there will definitely be more hold-ups among its customers, especially if underwired cups are involved. This could be the very first U.N.-backed lingerie program of its kind. Given the speed that it raced through the U.N., the lingerie-for-drugs program didn’t have to go through the scrutiny of the U.N. Security Council, where it’s almost impossible to get a go-ahead to muddle in other countries’ affairs. The money earned making undergarments in former coffee factories might not completely deter farmers from growing more lucrative drug crops, but it’s a start. However, once the Colombian peasant women take a few "factory seconds" home or take advantage of workers’ discounts in the factory outlet lingerie stores, making more money might become less of a priority for their husbands. As increasing numbers of lacy undergarments are sold in Colombian stores, residents other than the factory workers will also lose interest in the marketing of drugs. They might become more like the French and consider lingerie to be one of life’s necessities. There is always the remote possibility that some of the coffee farmers-turned-drug growers might miss the thrill and adventure of illegal drug trades. They might miss sleeping with one eye open and guns under their pillows. Perhaps they could be led to believe that lingerie is banned throughout the world and that they run the risk of being punished or even executed if they are associated in any way with the undergarment industry. What could be more undercover than undergarments? They might actually fall for the idea of forbidden Fruit of the Looms. On the downside, finding a worldwide market for the Colombian lingerie industry might turn out to be a big bust. Literally.

Nine DWI’s issued during holiday Safe and Sober crackdown Educational messages and stepped-up enforcement by the Rock County Sheriff's Office resulted in nine DWI arrests during the holiday crackdown on drunk driving. A similar effort during the 2002 Holiday season resulted in zero DWI arrests. The statewide Safe and Sober campaign that ran from Dec. 19, 2003, through Jan 5, 2004, was the largest impaired driving effort ever conducted in the state. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety coordinated the program. More than 400 city and county law enforcement agencies and the State Patrol participated. The Rock County Sheriff's Office message is that there are consequences to driving impaired and that there are also safe options and alternatives. Historically, the holiday season is one of the deadliest periods on Minnesota roads. Death does not stop for the holidays. Last year in Minnesota, alcohol-related traffic crashes accounted for 239 fatalities, or nearly 37 percent of all traffic deaths. There will be more on-going enforcement efforts targeting impaired drivers in 2004. The Rock County Sheriff's Office hopes that motorists continue to drive safe and sober. It makes our roads much safer for you and your families. The Safe and Sober campaign is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The program is designed to reduce traffic related fatalities and injuries.