Luverne’s Samantha Gacke swats the ball during Monday’s Southwest Conference tennis match against Worthington in Luverne. The Cardinals beat the Trojans 4-3 to even their league mark at 1-1 for the season.By John RittenhouseThe Luverne tennis team split a pair of matches early this week.The Cardinals edged Worthington by one point in a Southwest Conference match played in Luverne Monday. LHS traveled to Sherburn Tuesday and came up on the short end of a five-point decision against Martin County West.Luverne, 3-5 overall, plays in Pipestone today before hosting Marshall and Sleepy Eye Monday and Tuesday respectively.MCW 6, Luverne 1The home-standing Mavericks caught the Cardinals at the right time in Sherburn Tuesday.Luverne was coming off an emotional victory over Worthington the day prior, and the Cards didn’t seem to have anything left for MCW Tuesday."Having a match and a trip the next day after a big win over Worthington didn’t work out well for us," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "We were flat."Luverne’s lone win came from Jessica Klein and Kaitlyn Deragisch, who took a three-set decision at No. 2 doubles against Kelsey Krueger and Melanie Schweiss at No. 2 doubles. The Luverne squad lost the first set 7-6 (7-5 in the tie-breaker) before bouncing back to nail down a pair of 6-3 wins in sets two and three.MCW’s Liza Bettin and Lindsay Brandt topped Jenny Braa and Nikki Van Dyk by 6-1 and 6-3 tallies at No. 1 doubles. Jessica Dressen and Toni Pribyl notched 6-2 and 6-4 wins over Andraya Gacke and Katie Kraetsch at No. 3.The Mavericks won all four singles matches in straight sets.Megan Biehn secured 6-0 and 7-5 wins over Samantha Gacke at No. 1, Brittany Weseman topped Brittany Boeve 6-3 and 7-6 (7-1 in the tie-breaker) at No. 2, Cailey Grupe upended Alyssa Klein by 6-3 and 6-1 tallies at No. 3, and Amy Goldencrown bested Christina Lovett by 6-1 and 6-2 counts at No. 2.Luverne 4,Worthington 3The Cardinals snapped a two-match losing skid when they posted a Southwest Conference win over Worthington in Luverne Monday.Things looked bleak for the Cards when Worthington won three of the first four matches played, but LHS took the final three contests to nip the Trojans by one point."We played pretty well," said Cardinal coach Antoine. "It probably was one of our best matches of the year."Luverne went 2-2 in singles and took two of three doubles battles.After losing a 6-2 set to Worthington’s Megan Ahlquist and Shelly Morrow at No. 1 doubles, Braa and Boeve rallied to notch 6-2 and 6-3 wins to win a three-set match.Cardinals Andraya Gacke and Lindsey Severtson secured 7-5 and 6-2 wins over Kristy Jackson and Maria Ramert at No. 3 doubles.Alyssa Klein and Deragisch secured wins in straight sets at No. 3 and No. 4 singles for LHS. Klein downed Kassi Buysman 7-6 (7-5 in the tie-breaker) and 6-1 to secure the match-winning point for Luverne. Deragisch beat senior Lindsay Meier by a pair of 6-1 scores.Worthington’s Joann Loosbrock and Samantha Tate won a 6-4, 1-6, 2-6 match from Jessica Klein and Heidi Sandbulte at No. 2 doubles.Worthington’s Lisa Jackson topped Samantha Gacke by 6-3 and 7-6 (7-5 in the tie-breaker) at No. 1 singles, while Lindsey Radloff saddled Van Dyk with a pair of 6-2 setbacks at No. 2.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek volleyball team was unable to defend its 2002 championship during Saturday’s Central Lyon Tournament in Rock Rapids, Iowa.The Patriots went 3-1 and placed second in a nine-team field, but the fact that H-BC was unable to repeat as event champion didn’t sit well with the players or with H-BC coach Curt Doorneweerd."Second place is pretty good, but it kind of was a disappointment for us," Doorneweerd said. "We thought this was a tournament we could have and should have won. But, second place is second place. There were seven other teams that would have liked to finish where we did."H-BC opened the event by losing a 21-18 decision to Canton in the first game of the day before battling back to post 21-15 and 15-7 wins to take the match.Erin Boeve recorded 20 kills and 11 blocks in the opener, while Cassi Tilstra added 12 kills. Diedre Vanden Bussche was nine of nine serving with two aces.The Patriots swept George-Little Rock in two games by identical 21-10 scores in the second round to complete pool play with a 2-0 record.Serving success by Boeve (eight of nine with five aces), Brittney Rozeboom (eight of nine with two aces), Tilstra (seven of seven) and Melinda Sandstede (five of five) highlighted the win over G-LR.The Patriots ran into eventual tournament champion West Sioux in the championship round and dropped 23-21 and 21-19 games.Boeve had 11 kills and five blocks during H-BC’s lone loss of the tournament.After losing a 21-10 decision in Game 1 against West Lyon in the finale, the Patriots rallied to nail down 21-17 and 15-11 wins to wrap up second place.Boeve had 23 kills and 10 blocks against the host team, while Tilstra added four kills. Rozeboom (10 of 11 with one ace), Kelly Mulder (eight of eight with two aces) and Amber Olson (five of five with two aces) served well against the Lions.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek volleyball team ran its record to 2-0 in Red Rock Conference play with a 3-0 victory over Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster in Round Lake Thursday.Along with winning their third straight match against the Raiders, the Patriots accomplished a goal H-BC coach Curt Doorneweerd set for the clash."We finally played three straight games at a high level of intensity," he said. "That’s something we wanted to do in this match. We usually slip up and lose our intensity somewhere. Our goal was to play three games at a high level of intensity, and we got that accomplished."H-BC played with a spirit that SV-RL-B couldn’t compete with.H-BC rolled to a 25-14 win in the opener before posting a 25-18 win in Game 2.The Patriots saved their best game for the finale as they coasted to a convincing 25-8 win.Brittney Rozeboom (26 of 27 with four aces) and Cassi Tilstra (15 of 16 with one ace) led the Patriots in serving. Tilstra also had three kills.Erin Boeve, who served four aces, recorded 16 kills and eight blocks at the net. Kelly Mulder charted two kills and one block for the winners, while Amanda Olson added three kills.Doorneweed said Melinda Sandstede turned in her best setting performance of the season during the win.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth football team opened Southwest Ridge Conference play by routing Westbrook-Walnut Grove 44-14 in Westbrook Friday.Travis Broesder and Zach Wysong scored two touchdowns each and Curt Schilling passed for two touchdowns to help the Patriots raise their season record to 3-0.It looked like the Patriots might be in for a battle when they fell behind 7-6 in the first quarter, but H-BC-E rallied to outscore the Chargers 38-7 the rest of the way to prevail by 40 points."We fell behind 7-6 early, but our guys didn’t panic," said Patriot coach Dan Ellingson. "We held our composure, came up with a big turnover, and took control of the game from there."Turnovers, especially one early in the first half, set the stage for H-BC-E’s lopsided win.The Patriots threw two interceptions in the game, but W-WG was hampered by six turnovers (three fumbles and three interceptions).H-BC-E got off to a strong start as it received the opening kick and marched 60 yards before Broesder scored on a 10-yard scamper. A run for a two-point conversion failed, leaving the visitors with a 6-0 cushion.W-WG then stunned the Patriots by using an offensive set H-BC-E had not prepared for.H-BC-E’s confusion was evident on the second play of W-WG’s opening series as quarterback Victor Bonbarcek hooked up with Jake Wahl for a 37-yard touchdown pass. A successful extra point gave the Chargers a 7-6 edge.W-WG continued to use a spread offense while mounting a scoring threat late in the first quarter, H-BC-E’s Broesder thwarted the advance by intercepting a pass in the end zone.Broesder’s play seemed to swing the momentum into H-BC-E’s favor for good as the Patriots scored 20 second-quarter points to take control of the contest."W-WG surprised us by running an offense we had never seen them use before," Ellingson said. "They caught us off-guard the first couple of times they had the ball, but Broesder’s interception seemed to be the turning point. After that, we shut them down."There was no shutting down H-BC-E’s offense in the second quarter, when the Patriots scored 20 points in a span of 7:50 to open a 26-7 lead.Wysong, who compiled 190 total yards in the game (127 rushing and 63 receiving), ignited the scoring spree by running 54 yards for a touchdown with 7:50 left in the second quarter. A failed two-point conversion attempt left the Patriots sporting a 12-7 cushion.Schilling passed for 108 yards in the contest and hit Wysong for a 13-yard touchdown pass at the 4:13 mark of the second period to end H-BC-E’s next offensive possession. Lee Jackson carried in the two-point conversion to make it 20-7.A 25-yard Schilling-to-Broesder touchdown pass on the final play of the first half made the difference 26-7 at the intermission.Any thoughts of a W-WG rally in the second half were erased during H-BC-E’s second possession of the third quarter. Tom LeBoutillier, who carried the ball eight times for 105 yards in the contest for the Patriots, capped the possession with a 47-yard touchdown run at the 4:25 mark of the stanza to make it a 32-7 game.H-BC-E’s reserves outscored the Chargers 12-7 in the fourth quarter.Patriot Jarid Hoogendoorn scored on a three-yard run to make the difference 38-7 before W-WG’s Brian Streseman blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. The Chargers added the extra point to make the difference 38-14.H-BC-E’s Kerry Fink capped the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown run as the fourth quarter progressed.The Patriots will host Edgerton for Hills-Beaver Creek High School’s homecoming game Friday.Edgerton, 2-1 overall, is coming off a 27-15 win over Southwest United in Edgerton.Team statisticsH-BC-E: 318 rushing yards, 108 passing yards, 426 total yards, 20 first downs, three penalties for 15 yards, two turnovers.W-WG: 187 rushing yards, 88 passing yards, 275 total yards, 12 first downs, eight penalties for 45 yards, six turnovers.Individual statisticsRushing: Wysong 14-127, LeBoutillier 8-105, Fink 5-44.Passing: Schilling 12-20 for 108 yards.Receiving: Wysong 6-63, Broesder 3-40, Drew Spykerboer 1-10, Chris Nuffer 1-5, LeBoutillier 1-minus 10.Defense: Schilling 12 tackles, Wysong one interception, Broesder 10 tackles and two interceptions, Mitchell Leuthold one fumble recovery, Greg Van Batavia two fumble recoveries.

By Sara StrongUniversity of Minnesota Extension services in Rock County are up in the air, and will be until November.That’s when the Rock County Board of Commissioners will decide what it will fund for its own office, at 100 percent cost.The new system of Extension means Luverne’s regional office is in Worthington, but educators will be in short supply.For example, the closest livestock specialist will be in Rochester.There will be a total of five employees in the Worthington regional office, with current Rock County director Holli Arp serving as director there. The Worthington regional office will oversee counties in the region. Depending on the service area (4-H, food, family relations, etc.) the regional office could work with up to six counties."It seems to me that Extension has not been fair to the counties," Commissioner Richard Bakken said Tuesday, "and it certainly hasn’t been fair to its employees." The Board of Commissioners discussed Extension at their regular meeting, but made no decision. Two educators with strong agriculture backgrounds, Jim Nesseth (Jackson) and Phil Berg (Pipestone), attended the meeting. Their positions have been cut by Extension because the new regional model won’t focus on local programming. It will remain as a free resource center, however.Nesseth and Berg asked that the county consider hiring them on a part-time basis, meaning someone local would be available specifically for Rock County about once a week. They hoped that other counties will join in the part-time agreement and the counties will be able to share educators.A part-time position would be about one-third-time, and would be called a technical advisor. The county would pay $24,000 annually for that position. For the first year, Extension said there would be a discount in the salary.Nesseth said, "We like what we do; we believe in Extension."That’s getting difficult, he said, when the state is putting long-time employees out, and hoping counties will pick up the bill.County resident Mark Willers said the services Extension officers are enhanced by having a "go-to" person locally. Commissioner Ken Hoime said the practical, common sense programming was the intent and functional part of Extension. Gary Overgaard spoke as a former member of the Extension Committee. He said, "I definitely think we don’t want to eliminate Extension in the county. … I would hate to see that."The unbiased information Extension provides can be more valuable than information which seed companies, or others with an interest in sales, can give. Overgaard said Extension is important as a reference source for agriculture, the major industry in the county.Arp said, "The funding streams have changed."Counties used to pay a portion of all Extension services, but the new system changes that.Only federal and state money goes to the regional offices now, so the goals of that office can be set at those levels. Nobles, Cottonwood and Redwood Counties have said they won’t support Extension programming beyond 4-H.Even counties that do, will have a different Extension than before. There won’t be the personal contacts, field calls or full-time presence that people have known before. Extension supporters hope the core of the service will remain, though.The county can buy what it wants and set the priorities for its local services. Locally, 4-H has been named a priority. It has 198 participants in Rock County and to keep it going, will cost about $80,000 a year for staffing.Arp said 4-H programming includes more than the registered members, so measuring its local impact may be difficult when only looking at membership numbers.Extension won’t collect 4-H membership fees in 2003-2004 program year, but has given counties the authority to do so. Extension has said the county fees couldn’t be more than $20 per youth or $40 per family.For the 2004-2005 program year, Extension will start the state and county fee system, after hearing local input.The board will decide by early November at the latest what the county can afford and what it will keep of Extension. Chairman Ron Boyenga reminded the board that it had to cut $500,000 from this year’s budget and a projected $125,000 from next year’s. Bakken said, "We don’t really know how it’ll work. Will a [technical advisor] one a week be enough? There’s a whole lot of questions and there’s no money to experiment."

By Lori EhdeTwo new deputies, Glen Reisdorfer and John McCarty, joined the Rock County Sheriff’s Department this summer.Reisdorfer grew up in Adrian and graduated from Adrian High School.He graduated from Ridgewater Community College in 1998 and completed the law enforcement skills training that summer at Alexandria Technical College.Reisdorfer previously worked as a loss prevention manager for Lewis in Sioux Falls and as a part-time police officer in Garretson, S.D.He and his wife, Jamie (Schneekloth) live in Luverne. They have two daughters, Madison, 3, and Sadie, 3 months.McCarty grew up in Kiester (a small town in Eastern Minnesota) and graduated from United South Central, Wells.He received his law enforcement degree in 2001 from Alexandria Technical College and has been working with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, Ivanhoe, for the past six months.McCarty and his wife, Kristina, are in the process of moving to Luverne.Both deputies are working as general patrol officers in Rock County.

10 years ago (1993)"The Luverne Economic Development Authority made an offer it hopes Berkley Information Services won’t refuse. It offered to help the business expand by constructing a building for BIS to lease. … The new LEDA proposal includes purchasing a 6-acre parcel as a business park on the east side of Blue Mound Road and building a 22,900-square-foot building there for BIS. The purchase of the land is being negotiated with owner Dean Tofteland."25 years ago (1978)"The next water bill for residents of the City of Luverne could include a 10-percent increase. An additional 15-percent increase could be added sometime during 1979.By unanimous vote, the City Council has introduced an ordinance to increase the cost of water by 10 percent effective immediately. At the regular meeting Tuesday, the council also discussed the potential need for an additional 15-percent increase sometime during 1979."50 years ago (1953)"Last passenger train over the Omaha railroad went through Luverne yesterday at 5:10 p.m. Beginning today, Luverne and other towns in the county on the Omaha will have no passenger train service whatsoever, as the result of a railroad and warehouse commission ruling that the passenger service could be abandoned because of alleged lack of revenue."75 years ago (1928)"Harold Crawford, of the Beaver Creek schools, won tenth honors in oral spelling at the state spelling contest held Friday in connection with the Minnesota State Fair. Reba Gately, of district No. 56, Battle Plain township, also took part in the contest, and while she did not receive a placing, she made a very credible showing."100 years ago (1903)"In consequence of the demoralization of railroad schedules, the result of floods in several sections, passenger traffic has been light and the number of persons arriving in Luverne or leaving here has been small."

Law Library 9:00 AMRock County Courthouse September 2, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the August 19, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the September 2, 2003 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.The Rock County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with Nobles County Board of Commissioners via ITV to discuss the adoption of the 2004 budget for Rock/Nobles Community Corrections and Nobles/Rock Public Health. Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Director John Ramlo presented the 2004 budget and requested $22,710.00 as Rock County’s share; no action was taken at this time. Nobles/Rock Public Health Director Bonnie Frederickson presented the 2004 budget and requested $54,455.00 as Rock County’s share; no action was taken at this time. The County Board heard a brief presentation regarding JOBZ (Job Opportunity Building Zone). The County Board directed the Administrator to present a more in depth presentation be made at the September 16th County Board meeting. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented a rural water split; motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to approve Resolution No. 33-03, a rural water split on parcel 02-0199-100 located in 01-102-47, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded Hoime, to approve the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the claims as presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 8,706.74LEC 391.70Road & Bridge 12,792.10Welfare 27,464.82Landfill 989.96TOTAL $50,345.32Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to set the following as the preliminary levy, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Boyenga voting nay. Revenue $1,903,070.00Library 96,362.00Road & Bridge 596,600.00Family Services Agency 867,104.00Land Management 22,740.00TOTAL $3,485,876.00Randy Ehlers, Family Services Agency Director, reviewed the consent agenda with the County Board as it included a large number of FSA contracts. After review, motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Resolution No. 32-03, supporting a grant application for the Southwest Regional Development Commission for a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Plan for Region 82. Lease agreement with DD & JJ Partnership for LMO3. Small cities law enforcement contracts 2004-2006 (pulled – separate action item)4. FSA Contract 15-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to four individuals receiving Supported Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.5. FSA Contract 24-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Service paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.6. FSA Contract 27-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 7. FSA Contract 36-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC wavered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.8. FSA Contract 38-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waived Services to three individuals receiving Supported Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.9. FSA Contract 54-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.10 FSA Contract 59-1126-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to four individuals receiving Supported Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 11 FSA Contract 65-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to four individuals receiving Supported Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.12 FSA Contract 70-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.13 FSA Contract 71-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.14 FSA Contract 78-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.15 FSA Contract 79-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.16 FSA Contract 80-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 31-03. 17 FSA Contract 89-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.18 FSA Contract 100-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.19 FSA Contract 101-1689-03 with Habilitative Services, Inc. to provide Home and Community Based MR/RC waivered Services to one individual. Rates reflect a 1% Sate mandated rate reduction. Services paid through MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.Mr. Ehlers presented a draft of the FSA Biennial Service Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services covering (2) programs – the Minnesota Family Investment Program and Children and Community Services Act with effective 01/01/04 – 12/31/05. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to make the draft agreement available for 30-day public comment, declared carried on a voice vote.Mike Winkels, Sheriff, reviewed the cities (Hardwick, Kenneth, Steen, Magnolia, Hills, Beaver Creek) contracts for law enforcement services; motion by Hoime seconded by Jarchow, to approve the cities contract for law enforcement services, declared carried on a voice vote. Sheriff Winkels also introduced (2) new deputies, Glen Reisdorfer and Jon McCarty. The County Board welcomed both deputies. Mark Sehr, Engineer requested final payment of $37,613.55 to Duininck Brothers Inc. For S.P. 67-599-63 and S. P. 67-604-16 and for S. P. 67-604-17 for the amount of $81,474.50 payable to Duininck Brothers Inc.; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the final payments totaling $119,088.05, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer presented Resolution No. 31-03, designating Mound Township Road 58, from US Highway 75 to CSAH 18, as a County State Aide Highway; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to approve Resolution No. 31-03, declared carried on a voice vote. The Engineer presented the following construction updates:oCSAH 4, from Luverne to CSAH 11: The aggregate base is being placed and paving operations could begin after Labor DayoCSAH 8, from CSAH 9 – CSAH 3: The bituminous overlay is complete and shouldering has not been completed oCSAH 3, from Iowa to CSAH 15: The bituminous overlay is complete and shouldering has not been completedoCSAH 17, from Iowa to I-90; The bituminous overlay is currently being placedThe County Board was informed that on September 17th there would be an Open House at the Lyon County Regional Landfill Center. The County Board was in receipt of an update of the Overgaard lawsuit filed against Rock County; recently there has been a settlement agreement where the Overgaard’s will not pursue appeal or litigation in the State Court System. The County Board requested that Water Plan monies to be used for well sealing and septic systems be on the next board meeting agenda and directed the Land Management Director Eric Hartman and Assistant Land Management Office Director Doug Bos to present that information. The County Board was in receipt of a Prairie Expo report informing them that Prairie Holdings would be purchasing the Prairie Expo building; listed as the payment breakdown payable to the Department of Finance: Prairie Holdings - $400,000 City of Worthington - $600,000 Nobles County - $600,000 Regional Development Commission - $300,000Commissioner Bakken presented an update of a recent Extension meeting. Following the update and discussion, the County Board directed that a letter be sent to Director Dean Casey requesting information on what services a the county will receive from Extension Regional Offices and that a response be received by the end of September.Commissioner Hoime informed the County Board that Paul Alink has resigned from the Pool Commission; the County Board directed that a letter be sent to Mr. Alink thanking him for his many years of service. Commissioner Boyenga stated that the RC&D submitted a grant request to clean up railroad ties along the Nobles/Rock Railroad. As to date, the grant has made the first initial cut of approved county projects. The County Board requested that the LMO Director and Assistant Director also present the Feedlot Inventory fee structure that has been adopted by Nobles County at the next board 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 Board(9-25)

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofMerlyn LeRoy Johnson DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 13th day of October, 2003, at 9:00 O’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated October 4, 1995, and for the appointment of Marilyn Madison whose address is 21318 Bulick Ave., Adrian, Minnesota 56110, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.Dated: September 11, 2003 /s/Timothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge/s/ Douglas E. Eisma /s/Douglas E. Eisma Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507) 283-4828I.D. #158343(9-18, 9-25)