The Rock County Historical Society annual meeting is at noon Monday, Oct. 3, at the Big Top Events Center with an “Era of Eateries” drive-in themed meal and trivia contest.
According to History Center director Wendel Buys, planners decided to focus on Rock County’s restaurant history for its annual meeting after their social posts about former local restaurants generated so much interest.
“We shared pictures of them as they were in their heyday,” he said. “And those Facebook posts were very popular.”
Monday noon’s meeting will feature 2o restaurants in its program through a trivia game that will include black-white images of the former businesses.
The drive-in-themed meal will be burgers and chips along with mini glass bottles of Coca Cola that were donated by Chesterman Bottling Company.
A short business meeting to elect board members will follow the trivia game and lunch.
“Bring your appetite and your knowledge of Rock County restaurant trivia for a fun gathering over the noon hour,” Buys said.
The cost of the meal is $25, and proceeds will benefit the ongoing work of the Rock County Historical Society.
The History Center phone number is 507-283-2122.

Rock County Commissioners meet Aug. 2 
Herreid Board Room          9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse Aug. 2, 2022
The meeting was called to order by the Vice Chair Thompson with Commissioners Overgaard and Williamson present and Commissioners Burger and Reisch absent. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, County 
Attorney Jeff Haubrich and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the August
02, 2022, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the July 19, 2022,
County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director presented a conditional use permit for an expansion of an existing feedlot located in the NW 1/4 of Section 33 of Mound Township for Derek, Brad, Austin and Jacob Van Santen; on a recommendation for the Planning & Zoning Board, motion Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the conditional use permit with
conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
Hartman presented a Preliminary Plat of a proposed subdivision identified as Prairie Ridge Estates located in Section 12 of Luverne Township,
on property owned by Dean and Jennifer Tofteland. Motion by Williamson,
seconded by Thompson, to approve the Preliminary Plat, declared carried
on a 2-0 vote with Commissioner Overgaard abstaining.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.
AUGUST 2, 2022 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,795.74 
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC                 5,877.16 
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC           21,483.91 
ENVIRONMENTAL DUST CONTROL OF MIDWEST                   4,276.20 
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR               7,091.68 
JARDINE LOGAN & O'BRIEN P.L.L.P.               2,162.80 
JOHNSON CONTROLS           24,725.00 
LUVERNE BODY SHOP INC                 5,679.60 
LUVERNE/CITY OF                 9,375.00 
VIKING ELECTRIC LLC                 3,212.62 
WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING & ASSOC, INC                 3,376.00 
48 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000           17,947.50 
     TOTAL               $108,003.21 
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented an update regarding the Preliminary Damage Assessment report from damages that occurred from the July 5, 2022, excessive rain event. The assessment reports identifies (3) applicants with damages totaling $84,350.00. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to accept state assistance for the July 5, 2022, disaster declaration, declared carried on a voice vote.
Board was updated on Congressionally Directed Spending that two projects regionally have been selected to move forward. 1.) Luverne Daycare for $2.6 million and 2.) Lewis and Clark water system expansion for $12 million. No action was taken.
Board was reminded of the upcoming road and bridge tour for the 16th of August and to let the administrator know if they had sites they would like toured.
The County Board was informed of the resignation of Aaron Blank, Team Lead/Dispatcher at the Rock County Sheriff’s office; the County Board accepted the resignation with regret and authorized filling the vacant position.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings: thanked the Fair Board, 4-H and Extension Office for a successful fair
and also thanked the community and businesses for supporting the fair.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: Library, Southwest Health & Human Services and the County Fair. 
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings: Rural Energy Board, (2) Planning & Zoning, Farm Family of the Year Recognition, County Economic Development Authority and also congratulated the fair board for a successful fair.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: n/a
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings: n/a
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting
was declared adjourned by order of the vice chair.
(09-29)

McGuire applies for 
livestock feedlot permit
Notification Requirements
MINNESOTA RULE 7020.2000, SUBP. 4
notice of application foR 
livestock feedlot permit
Notice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 116, and Rock County’s feedlot ordinance, that Zach McGuire has made an application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency / County of Rock for a permit to expand a feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more.
The existing feedlot is located in the SE 1/4 of Section 1 Mound Township, Rock County, Minnesota. There is an existing total confinement barn with an 8’ below barn concrete manure storage area with 12 months of storage. The existing barn holds a total of 2,000 head of finishing swine weighing between 55-300 pounds for a total of 600 animal units. 
The proposed new barn will be a total confinement facility with an 8’ deep below barn concrete manure storage area with 12 months of storage. The proposed barn will hold a total of 1,200 head of finishing swine weighing between 55-300 pounds for a total of 360 animal units. The total number of animal units after construction will be 960 animal units.
This publication shall constitute as notice to each resident and each owner of real property within 5,000 feet of the perimeter of the proposed feedlot, as required by Minnesota State Law.
(09-29)

Everything’s coming up Thumbs Up this week in the Star Herald’s Thumbs-Up, Thumbs-Down editorial.
Thumbs up — to Fairway Meat Market and their grand opening. This business is clearly a class act, from its bow-tie-sporting manager to its attractive meat cases fully stocked with mouth-watering meats and groceries.
Thumbs up — to PrairiE Loft apartments for their steady construction progress and now a finished parking lot (with some help from the City of Luverne). These buildings represent the latest in energy-efficient construction resident amenities. Tenants will be moving in next month.
Thumbs up — to Rock County and its contractor for the newly paved Main Street (County Road 4) just in time for the Tri-State Band Festival. The Saturday morning parade competition is always a sight (and sound) to behold, but the clean, black asphalt really set off the brightly-colored uniforms and flag corps.
Thumbs up — to final stages of the Luverne Loop trail being completed. The Loop has made our “thumbs up” in the past, but it can’t be overstated the valuable amenity this trail is to our residents and visitors.
Thumbs up — to Michelle DeKam and the 16 coaches and eight referees who volunteered their time and energy to make a soccer season happen for 210 kids in kindergarten through seventh grade.
It has been a sight to behold over the past seven weeks on the west edge of Luverne to watch the kids in jerseys running around chasing soccer balls while parents, grandparents and other fans watch from their chairs and blankets on the grass nearby.
Send your suggestions for the Star Herald’s Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down to editor@star-herald.com, or call 507-283-2333

Luverne City Council sets 
assessment hearing Oct. 11 
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council will meet at 5:00 p.m. on October 11, 2022, in the Council Chambers of the City Offices Building, 305 E. Luverne Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to consider, and possibly adopt, the proposed assessment for unpaid utility and miscellaneous charges. Adoption by the City Council of the proposed assessment may occur at this meeting.
Such assessment is proposed to be payable in one (1) installment payable on or before the first Monday in January, 2024, and will bear interest at the rate of four (4) percent per annum from the date of the adoption of the assessment resolution. To the installment shall be added interest on the entire assessment from the date of the assessment resolution until December 31, 2023.
You may at any time prior to certification of the assessment to the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer, pay the entire assessment on such property, with interest accrued to the date of payment, to the City of Luverne. No interest shall be charged if the entire assessment is paid within 30 days from the adoption of this assessment. You may at any time thereafter pay to the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer the entire amount of the assessment remaining unpaid, with interest accrued to December 31 of the year in which such payment is made. Such payment must be made before November 15 or interest will be charged through December 31 of the succeeding year. If you decide not to prepay the assessment before the date given above, the rate of interest that will apply is four (4) percent per year.
The proposed assessment roll is on file for public inspection at the City Clerk’s office. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $6,320.36. Written or oral objections will be considered at the meeting. No appeal may be taken as to the amount of an assessment unless a written objection signed by the affected property owner is filed with the City Clerk prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. The City Council may upon such notice consider any objection to the amount of a proposed individual assessment at an adjourned meeting upon such further notice to the affected property owners as it deems advisable.
If an assessment is contested or there is an adjourned hearing, the following procedure will be followed.
1. The City will present its case first by calling witnesses who may testify by 
narrative or by examination, and by the introduction of exhibits. After each witness 
has testified, the contesting party will be allowed to ask questions. This procedure 
will be repeated with each witness until neither side has further questions. 
2. After the City has presented all its evidence, the objector may call witnesses 
or present such testimony as the objector desires. The same procedure for 
questioning of the City’s witnesses will be followed with the objector’s witnesses.
3. The objector may be represented by counsel.
4. Minnesota rules of evidence will not be strictly applied; however, they may 
be considered and argued to the City Council as to the weight of items of evidence 
or testimony presented to the City Council.
5. The entire proceedings will be tape-recorded.
6. At the close of presentation of evidence, the objector may make a final presenta-
tion to the City Council based on the evidence and the law. No new evidence may 
be presented at this point.
7. The City Council may adopt the proposed assessment at this meeting.
An owner may appeal an assessment to District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or City Clerk of the City of Luverne within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or City Clerk.
Jessica Mead
City Clerk           
(09-29)

Notice regarding
Baumgard estate 
STATE OF MINNESOTA fifth judicial district
                                                                         DISTRICT COURT
COUNTY OF ROCK                                                                    PROBATE DIVISION 
 
Estate of                                                                         Court File No. 67-PR-22-222
Steven Kyle Baumgard,
Deceased   NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF
                    PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND
NOTICE TO CREDITORS (INTESTATE)
 
Notice is given that an application for informal appointment of personal
representative has been filed with the Registrar. No will has been presented for
probate. The application has been granted.
Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed David Baumgard, whose address is 338 Jesse James Lane, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, 55115, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date
of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.
Any objections to the appointment of the Personal Representative must be
filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate
petition and proper notice of hearing.
Notice is also given that (subject to Minnesota Statutes section 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. 
 
Dated: Sept. 13, 2022
/s/ Terry S. Vajgrt
District Court Judge
 
Attorney for Personal Representative /s/ Natalie Reisch Jeffrey L. Haubrich Court Administrator
Klosterbuer & Haubrich, LLP
120 N. McKenzie
Luverne, MN 56156
Attorney License No: 0300020
Telephone: 507-283-9111
FAX: 507-283-9113
Email: jhaubrich@klawmn.com
(09-29, 10-06)

Rock County voters have a difficult decision to make on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.
Two really nice guys are running to represent Minnesota District 21A.
The Republican incumbent Joe Schomacker and the Democratic-Farmer Labor challenger Pat Baustian are both really nice guys.
Both live in Luverne. Both are graduates of Luverne High School.
Joe has held the office of state representative since 2012 – so he’s got plenty of experience.
Pat served eight years on Luverne’s city council before his election as mayor in November 2010 – so he’s got plenty of experience.
Pat’s been working hard for years to keep businesses on Main Street.
Joe’s family owns three Main Street businesses: The Sewing Basket, Schomacker Cleaning, and Schomacker Flooring and Appliance.
Pat proudly served as a member of the South Dakota Air National Guard for many years.
Joe proudly supports the military and law enforcement. So does Pat.
I’ve crossed Joe’s path a time or two at various public meetings, and I’ve found him to be an incredibly witty person – something that receives high rank in my book.
But I’ve also enjoyed generous hospitality at Pat’s house. Including the gathering that followed last summer’s Class of 1981 40th class reunion. (’81 forever!)
In high school, Pat was the quiet guy in the room. He minded his own business and hung out with the ag guys. He went directly into military service after high school.
Joe was on the debate team before going to college to study public administration, speech communication and political science.
Joe is a single guy who supports his family in their businesses.
Pat has a beautiful wife, four kids and a dog.
So what’s a voter to do? I suggest evaluating your core values and researching each candidate’s position on issues that matter to you.
Then vote for the candidate whose core values align with yours.
That should make voting for one of two really nice guys a little less difficult. 

Question: Is it legal for farmers to load hay on a state highway? Our neighbor bales several miles of state highway ditches. To load the round bales, he drives down the highway with a pickup and bale wagon. His son is in the ditch with a tractor and loader. The son gets a bale on the loader and driving perpendicular to the road drives up the ditch and puts the bale on the bale wagon. The son with the loader stops with his front wheels on the shoulder of the road and puts the bale on the trailer. The bale wagon is stopped on the state highway in the lane of traffic so the bale can be loaded. Is this legal?
Answer: This would not be safe or legal. The loading would need to take place off the highway.
With harvest season upon us, this is a great time for everyone to remember when sharing the road:
 
What drivers should know about farm vehicles on the road:
•Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it hard for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop.
•The equipment makes wide turns and sometimes crosses over the center line.
•Farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles.
 
Safety guidance for motorists:
•Pay attention at all times when driving.
•Watch for debris dropped by trucks. It is safer to brake or slowly drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road.
•When approaching farm equipment, slow down and use caution. Put additional space between your vehicle and the farm equipment ahead. Don’t assume the equipment operator can see you.
•Be patient and wait for a safe place to pass.
•Wear seatbelts.
•Drive with headlights on.
 
Safety guidance for farm equipment operators:
•Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible.
•Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph.
•Drive slow-moving vehicles in the right-hand lane as close to the edge of the roadway as possible.
•Consider using an escort vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night and if the equipment is large enough that it may extend across the center line.
•Avoid encouraging or signaling motorists to pass. Pull over when safe, and let traffic pass.
•Pick up any debris left on the highway by the equipment or contact MnDOT to remove it.
•Plan your routes so wide equipment will not hit or damage signs, guardrails, light poles and other roadway structures.
Question: I have noticed cars that have a high-mounted center brake light that flashes about four times before becoming steadily lit (like other brake lights). I’m seeing car dealers are installing them on some cars. Are these flashing lights legal?
Answer: These types of devices and alterations to the brake lights are not legal according to state and federal law. An auto dealer would also be in violation if they installed that type of light on a motor vehicle.
Not only are flashing red lights illegal but so are modifications to the rear taillights and brake lights. I’ve come across several taillights and brake lights that have been covered or tinted. Altering or obscuring any portion of the lamp affects the intensity of light emitted. This could be an issue in a motor vehicle crash both criminally and civilly.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

Dispatch report
 
Sept. 16
•Public assist was conducted in Adrian.
•Complainant on W. Edgehill Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on N. Cedar Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant at the skate park reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on 101st Street, Beaver Creek, reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street and S. McKenzie Street reported a noise complaint.
Sept. 17
•Complainant on 100th Avenue, Luverne, reported property damage at location.
•Complainant on N. Donaldson Street requested a welfare check on a juvenile.
•Complainant on Highway 75, near I-90 overpass, reported debris on the road.
•Assistance from another department was called to assist at location on N. Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant on W. Warren Street reported a noise complaint.
•Complainant at National Guard construction site reported trespassing.
Sept. 18
•Assistance from another department was received eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Valley Springs, South Dakota.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported harassing communications.
•Assistance from another department was received at location on N. Kniss Avenue.
•A solicitor license was issued.
•Complainant on W. Warren Street reported a noise complaint.
•Complainant on E. 4th Street, Hardwick, reported vandalism.
Sept. 19
•Complainant reported suspicious activity.
•Assistance from another department was received on N. Cedar Street.
Sept. 20
•A warrant was issued in Douglas County, Colorado.
•Sept. 21
•Complainant reported identity theft.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
Sept. 22
•Complainant reported harassing communications.
•Complainant southbound on Highway 75 from Highway 270, Steen, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 31st Street, Ellsworth, reported a fire at location.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 410, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported debris.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 5, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
Sept. 23
•Assistance from another department was received.
•Complainant reported identity theft.
•Complainant on S. Church Avenue, Hills, reported a civil issue.
In addition, officers responded to 2 motor vehicle accidents, 1 deer accident, 1 transport, 1 funeral escort, 14 ambulance runs, 3 paper services, 4 animal complaints, 6 fingerprint requests, 6 burn permits, 1 driver’s license check, 1 gas drive-off, 1 alarm, 6 drug court tests, 4 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 22 traffic stops, 7 abandoned 911 calls, 5 welfare checks and 1 report of cattle out.