By John RittenhouseA combination of athleticism and a desire to succeed turned Hills-Beaver Creek senior Erin Boeve into one of Minnesota’s best high school volleyball players in recent years.Those same qualities have opened a door for Boeve’s future.On Nov. 12, in the office of H-BC Activities Director Steve Wiertzema, Boeve signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Iowa State University in Ames on an athletic scholarship.Boeve had made the decision to become an ISU Cyclone member months before, but she made it official with her signature last week.“I actually verbally committed to ISU last May,” Boeve admitted. “It just seems like it’s a good fit for me. Probably the biggest reason I chose Iowa State was the coaching staff. I also got along really well with the players when I visited there.”In Boeve, the Cyclones landed a player who dominated a lot of matches during her high school days.Boeve began playing varsity ball on a limited basis as an eighth-grader. She earned a starting position in the H-BC program as a freshman and kept it for four consecutive seasons.A key member of H-BC’s 2003 team that won the school’s first South Section 3A championship, Boeve compiled 1,547 kills, 663 blocks and served 165 aces during a high school career that ended with a five-game loss to Minneota in the Section 3A championship match.Although Boeve was disappointed that H-BC lost the final two games of the Minneota match, she doesn’t dwell on the possible state berth that slipped away when she remembers her high school days.“I thought we had that match,” Boeve said. “That’s why volleyball is such a dumb game. It’s a game of momentum. Still, this season was a lot of fun. It was a good way to end my high school career.”When H-BC coach Curt Doornweeerd remembers Boeve, he recalls an all-around good athlete who always played hard and possessed an ability to intimidate the opposing players on the other side of the net.“It was unbelievable what she was able to do to some teams,” he said. “She would get into the heads of their players right away, and they didn’t stand a chance the rest of the match. Her size (6-2) and athleticism is a plus, but she also has an outstanding mental ability that includes her wanting to go out on the court and play well every night.”Boeve’s next challenge will be to prove she can play volleyball at a Division 1 level.She never considered herself to be a Division 1 prospect until she joined the Southwest Minnesota Juniors, an elite volleyball team formed by select area players based out of Southwest State University in Marshall.Members of the SMJ team displayed their talents in front of college coaches during play in the spring and summer months, and Boeve drew more than her fair share of attention.“Playing with that junior volleyball team gave me a lot of options,” she said. “I ended up being recruited by more than 100 colleges. It was a little overwhelming.”Being pursued by schools from coast to coast can be an eye-opening experience for a teenager, but Boeve handled the situation well.The allure of attending big-name colleges on the East and West Coasts can be attractive to some, but Boeve made a more mature, practical choice by selecting ISU.“I wanted to stay closer to home,” she said. “Ames is a four-hour drive from here, and now my parents can come to my matches.”Erin said following in the footsteps of her older sister, Tara, never was a part of the college-selection equation.Tara Boeve, and standout player at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, always told Erin that the institution in South Dakota wasn’t big enough for her sister.“I never really considered Augustana,” Erin said. “It wasn’t like my heart was set on going to a Division 1 school. I wasn’t being heavily recruited by Division 2 schools. The Division 1 thing just worked out that way.”Boeve will move to Ames in late July next year in order to get settled in by the start of practice Aug. 6.She is unsure what type of impact she’ll make on the ISU program as a freshman.Her high school coach, however, thinks Boeve’s approach to the game will lead to a successful first season and career at ISU.“Personally, I have never seen anyone who plays like Erin does before,” Doorneweerd said. “I’ve seen girls that can block, girls that can spike, girls that can serve and girls that can play the back row. What I haven’t seen is a girl who can do all of those things at a high level like Erin can. With her work ethic, she’ll do whatever it takes to get on the floor at Iowa State. Once she does get on the floor, she’ll work just as hard to stay on the floor.”

10 years ago (1993)“Earlier this year, when floodwaters took out roads in nearly every section of the county, motorists and residents wondered if things would ever be the same.Since then, things fortunately have returned to nearly normal, but not without a great deal of emergency funding from state and federal sources. … As of Oct. 6, Rock County has been awarded more than $1 million for damages to roads, bridges and rural water.”25 years ago (1978)“Death, taxes and Minnesota snow storms. There is no way to avoid them. But city and county snow removal units are already preparing to face the inevitable. Preparations have been advanced just a little to avoid any surprises. … The police, sheriff and county highway departments, the highway patrol and even the Sno-Masters Snowmobile Club all have a hand in protecting motorists and providing emergency service during all degrees.”50 years ago (1953)“Warren Herreid has purchased Jackson’s Jewelry store in Sauk Center. Mr. and Mrs. Herreid moved Sunday to Sauk Center where they will make their home. Their children will remain in Luverne until after the Christmas vacation. Mr. Herreid has been employed by his brother, Ralph, in Herreid’s Jewelry since 1937 with the exception of his service in the army.”75 years ago (1928)“The curtain was run down on Luverne High School’s football schedule this season when the Luverne team was defeated by the Pipestone gridders 13 to 7 Saturday afternoon on the Pipestone field.Pipestone received the kick-off and started on a march down the field, but before they could score they were halted by the stubborn resistance presented by the Luverneites.” 100 years ago (1903)“Damage to the extent of $800 was inflicted on the stock of goods at the Vienna Café and on the personal effects of Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Nutting as a result of a fire Monday evening. Through the same cause the building owned by L.D. Manchester and in which the restaurant and bakery is located, was damaged to the extent of $300. “The fire originated in a room in the northeast corner of the building, occupied by Andrew Gigler, the head baker, and Gus Nowka, an assistant baker, and was caused by a defective flue.”

Notice of ApplicationNotice is hereby given that Minnwest Bank Luverne, 116 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, has made application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for consent to purchase certain assets and assume certain liabilities of the First National Bank of Luverne, and to establish branches at the addresses of the main office and branches of First National Bank of Luverne located at: 800 South Kniss, Luverne, Minnesota; 205 East Warren, Luverne, Minnesota; and Main Street, Beaver Creek, Minnesota. Any person wishing to comment on this application may file his or her comments in writing with the Regional Director (DOS) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at its regional office located at 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 1200, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, not later than December 22, 2003. The nonconfidential portions of the application are on file in the regional office and are available for public inspection during regular business hours. Photocopies of the nonconfidential portion of the application file will be made available upon request. This Notice is published pursuant to Section 303.7 of the Rules and Regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (11-20, 12-4, 12-18)

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFDale E. Earl, a/k/a Dale Earl DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on December 8, 2003 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at the Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated October 15, 2003 and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 (“Will”), and for the appointment of Steven D. Earl whose address is: 1251 121st Street, Luverne, Minnesota 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred./s/ Timothy K. Connell 11/12/03Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 11/12/03Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538Telephone 507 283-9111Attorney License #56674(11-20, 11-26)

Law Library 9:00 AMRock County Courthouse November 4, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the County Board minutes of October 21, 2003, declared carried on a voice vote. Holli Arp, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, presented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for extension services provided by the University of Minnesota for 2004. After discussion, motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to adopt the MOU as presented; after additional discussion, the question was called by Hoime and the motion failed on a 2-3 vote with Commissioners Hoime and Bakken voting aye and Commissioners Wildung, Jarchow and Boyenga voting nay. The item was referred back to the Extension Committee for further discussion. County Engineer Mark Sehr and County Attorney Don Klosterbuer presented a discussion referencing municipal solid waste hauling. Following discussion, motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to reject all bids for the MSW hauling contract, declared carried on a voice vote. The Engineer presented Resolution No. 40-03, a Minnesota Rural Road Safety Program encouraging the State of Minnesota to create a safety program to provide fifty million dollars in bonding funds in 2004 and 2005 to improve the safety of Minnesota’s rural roads. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve Resolution No. 40-03, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Jarchow presented an update of the Memorandum of Understanding for the sale of Prairie Holdings, formerly known as the Prairie Expo building; presented as information only. Randy Ehlers, Family Services Agency Director, Ona Reker and Wendy DelaRosa-Gacke of the Family Services Agency presented a collections year to date review. The County Board appreciated their presentation and requested a Regional Fraud report be presented at a future meeting. The Family Services Director also presented the 2004-2005 proposed fees schedule; motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the FSA Fees schedule, declared carried on a voice vote. Mr. Ehlers also requested to remove the daycare licensing fees from the 2004 budget; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims for payment with additions; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to pay 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 $ 25,221.61 LEC 437.73Road & Bridge 20,242.96Welfare 39,424.63Landfill 991.77TOTAL $ 86,318.70The County Board was informed of the Truth and Taxation Hearing to be held on December 4, 2003 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room at the Human Services Building. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to waive the fees to individuals wishing to change their driver’s license due to the address changes; this will not apply to those individuals whose Driver’s Licenses were due for renewal in 2004. Motion was declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the receipt of the fund balances, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board reviewed the Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) information, but took no action. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to send letters to our federal representatives requesting funding for RC & D, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to send a letter to Sioux Valley Hospital thanking them for their efforts in resolving the access issues for the new hospital, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board briefly discussed the county’s involvement with the Rock County Pool & Fitness Center in regard to any changes in management services regarding the Pool & Fitness Center; the board took no action. The County Board was also in receipt of the Annual Ag Society report and took no action. The County Board was informed that the City/County Liaison meeting that was scheduled for earlier in the day had been re-scheduled for Thursday. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to support the Collaborative duties being assigned to the Office Manager position at the Extension Office pending further review of the Extension Committee, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board received an E911 Committee update and then requested the committee to send a letter to the County Board and City Council informing them of their recommendation which is to move forward with bid of E911 upgrades to include the funding stream and identifying the fund stream in the correspondence addressed to the Commissioners and Councilmen. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the letter and to go to bids for the E911 equipment upgrade, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed that the December County Board meetings are scheduled for the second and sixteenth. The County Board was informed that Redwood County would be hosting meetings in Rock County regarding the Waste to Energy Facility on November 20th.Commissioner Hoime stated that he has attended the Regional Energy Task Force meeting. 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(11-20)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALETHE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: July 26, 2001ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $24,500.00MORTGAGOR(S): Shirley Pratt and Daniel Pratt, wife and husbandMORTGAGEE: Maribella Mortgage, LLCDATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: recorded August 2, 2001, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 150665ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Bankers Trust Company as Trustee n/k/a Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee Dated: July 26, 2001, recorded: February 7, 2002, Document No. 152174LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:Lot 14, Block 4, Randall and Holbert’s Addition to the city of LuverneCOUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $26,815.32THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 8, 2004, 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept., Front Step, Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within SIX months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) their personal representatives or assigns. “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: November 7, 2003DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY, AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEEAssignee of MortgageeSHAPIRO & NORDMEYER, L.L.P.BY /s/ Nancy A. NordmeyerNancy A. NordmeyerLawrence P. ZielkeCraig M. BarbeeAttorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 390Edina, MN 55439-2306(952) 831-4060THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. (11-20, 11-27, 12-4, 12-11, 12-18, 12-25)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALETHE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: July 26, 2001ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $24,500.00MORTGAGOR(S): Shirley Pratt and Daniel Pratt, wife and husbandMORTGAGEE: Maribella Mortgage, LLCDATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: recorded August 2, 2001, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 150665ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Bankers Trust Company as Trustee n/k/a Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee Dated: July 26, 2001, recorded: February 7, 2002, Document No. 152174LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:Lot 14, Block 4, Randall and Holbert’s Addition to the city of LuverneCOUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $26,815.32THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 8, 2004, 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office, West Side Sheriff Dept., Front Step, Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within SIX months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) their personal representatives or assigns. “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: November 7, 2003DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY, AMERICAS, AS TRUSTEEAssignee of MortgageeSHAPIRO & NORDMEYER, L.L.P.BY /s/ Nancy A. NordmeyerNancy A. NordmeyerLawrence P. ZielkeCraig M. BarbeeAttorneys for Assignee of Mortgagee7300 Metro Blvd., Suite 390Edina, MN 55439-2306(952) 831-4060THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. (11-20, 11-27, 12-4, 12-11, 12-18, 12-25)

Maybe it is time to review the merits of joint law It was great to hear a presentation on our Sheriff’s Department canine unit Tuesday.Not only was it nice because of the impressive effect the dog, Tarzan, seems to have had on local crime — but it was fun because we don’t hear a lot of statistical information or reports from the department, and I wish we would.Law enforcement is always a line of work that attracts the public eye, and, for some city of Luverne leadership, that focus has turned to whether the department should be a joint power between Rock County and the city.They say the department hasn’t quite exemplified the elements of “community policing,” which was supposed to be implemented after special training last year. Those perceived missing elements of community-style policing are part of why some city people are questioning the joint law enforcement arrangement with Rock County.They feel that the city got better service when the departments were separate — with the sheriff serving the county, and the police chief serving the city.If the departments were separated again, the city could control or implement programs, like the canine unit, which has gotten good public reaction. The city could control the department because a chief of police isn’t an elected position — the chief answers to the city council as an employee.The council could require the chief to walk Main Street during business hours, and force his officers to take separate coffee breaks — both things would be favorable from a visibility standpoint.The same people who are interested in reverting back to a separate city and county law enforcement style think Luverne would save money.In 2003, the city of Luverne paid $394,720, and is expected to pay $446,852 next year for its law enforcement contract with Rock County.I’m not quite ready to believe that the city of Luverne could save money by having its own department, however. Those who think joint law should remain in place hold up Deputy Ken Baker and Tarzan as an example. Neither the city nor the county could afford the program that together they could.Also, the city and county alone probably couldn’t afford the manpower dedicated solely to investigating crimes, as we have in place now with Jeff Wieneke.With all these issues floating around about law enforcement, I hope our leaders can come to the correct conclusion. We don’t want a team like Deputy Baker and Tarzan to be a distant memory because of a lack of funding. But we also want to ensure that they aren’t the only part of the department that is visible to the public.

Last weekend I jetted off to visit the loving husband who was working in Denver. I’m not a good traveler, but everything went smoothly this time. Once I make it to my destination airport safely, I take one of the commuter vans from the airport to my destination hotel ... usually “Super Shuttle” because I’ve found them to be quite reliable. I always give the Super Shuttle driver a decent tip because I’m deeply grateful when I reach the hotel alive. On this trip I had an unusual “it’s a small world” experience when I left my hotel. The Super Shuttle stops at the Hyatt every 20 minutes en route to the airport. At approximately 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, I hopped into my Super Shuttle for the arduous journey to the Denver Airport. Being the only passenger, I felt compelled to make small talk with the van driver. We visited and he asked me where I was from. I replied, “Minnesota.” The conversation continued as follows: Him: Where in Minnesota? Me: Way in the southwest corner. If you know where Sioux Falls, S.D., is, I’m about 30 miles east of there. Him: In Luverne? Me: Yes! How do you know about Luverne? (incredulously) Him: I worked in Sioux Falls at Hutchinson’s for eight years before I moved here. Do you know Dave Hauge? He was my trainer and good friend. Me: Yes, he’s on the Library Board and the City Council. Him: Oh, he finally got elected to something! We continued visiting until we arrived at the airport. He gave me his name and I promised to call Dave and say “hello.” So what are the odds? Out of all the commuter vans and all of the hotels in Denver, I would get a driver who knew one of my Library Board members. Fact is stranger than fiction. Speaking of fiction, I’ve got some new books for you. “Big Bad Wolf,” by James Patterson. Alex Cross' family is in terrible danger — at the same time that his new job with the FBI brings him the scariest case of his career. A team of kidnappers has been snatching successful, upstanding men and women right before their families' eyes — possibly to sell them into slavery. Alex's knowledge of the D.C. streets, together with his unique insights into criminal psychology, make this mind-bending case one that only he can solve — if he can just get his colleagues to set aside their staid and outdated methods. With unexpected twists and whiplash surprises, this is another brilliantly irresistible novel from America's best-selling suspense writer. “Last Lessons of Summer,” by Margaret Maron. Heir to her family's successful children's book and merchandising business, Amy Stedman arrives in North Carolina with the task of clearing out the house of her deceased grandmother — whose murder remains unsolved. While sorting through her grandmother's things, Amy begins to reflect on her own marriage to a man who seems more in love with her legacy than with her. Similarly, Amy's mother's marriage to her father, a brash young businessman and opportunist — was filled with doubt and deceit. Furthermore, soon after Amy was born, her mother, Maxine, killed herself. Or did she? Now, in her grandmother's house, the memories of the deaths of these two women play menacingly with Amy's mind. Was her mother's death really a suicide? And if not, can Amy escape her family's killer? Bird Alert: In honor of Children’s Book Week my pet bird, Barkley, will be visiting the Library on Thursday and Friday. Stop by and say “hi.” Spike will be there, too.