By John RittenhouseFeature victories proved to be elusive for area drivers competing at tracks in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Brandon, S.D., and Madison, S.D., over the weekend.Drivers posted a combined five heat wins at those tracks last weekend, but no feature victories were recorded.Three heat races fell the way of local talent during Friday’s races at Rapid Speedway, and two came in the hobby stock class.Steen’s Billy Cowell won the first heat race and Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch took top honors in the third heat in the hobby stock runs.Deutsch and Cowell went on to place seventh and ninth respectively in the A feature.Luverne’s Mike Buss (third in the first heat and 13th in the feature) and Magnolia’s Larry Kracht (fourth in the third heat and 12th in the feature) also competed in the hobby stock class at Rapid Speedway.Luverne’s Chad Overgaard, who placed third in the late model street stock feature at the Iowa track, won the second heat race.Ellsworth’s Scott Overgaard (second in first heat and sixth in the feature), Adrian’s Mark DeBoer (third in the first heat and fourth in the feature), former Hills resident Darrin Korthals (fourth in the first heat and second in the feature) and former Ash Creek resident David Kruger (second in second heat and 11th in the feature) also raced in the street stock class Friday.Former Luverne resident Anthony Mann placed third in the second heat and fifth in the feature in the sportsman class at Rapid Speedway. Luverne’s Brandon Buysse was sixth in the first heat and 15th in the feature in the 360 sprints.Luverne’s Jake Peters had a decent night in the 360 sprints at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, S.D., Sunday.Peters won the first heat race before finishing third in the A feature.Peters also raced in the outlaw sprints, placing seventh in the second heat and 13th in the A feature.Cowell also won the first heat race in the hobby stock division at Huset’s before placing eighth in the A feature.Deutsch placed third in the second heat and fourth in the hobby stock feature.Chad Overgaard and Kruger competed in the street stock class at Huset’s.Overgaard placed third in the second heat and ninth in the A feature. Kruger finished fifth in the first heat and eighth in the feature.Korthals was the lone area driver to compete at Lake County Speedway in Madison, S.D., Saturday.Korthals placed fourth in the first heat and fifth in the feature in the street stock class.Luverne’s Mike Steensma turned in a solid weekend racing at Minnesota tracks.Steensma won the second heat race and placed second in the modified feature at Murray County Speedway in Slayton Friday. Steensma finished second in the modified feature at Worthington Speedway Sunday.

By John RittenhouseMotor sports events will take up two of three grandstand shows during the Rock County Fair in Luverne this week.A tractor pull will lead off the grandstand attractions tonight. The annual Enduro Race will take center stage Saturday.The Great Plains Tractor Pulling Association will put on a show starting at 7 p.m. tonight. The event is sponsored by Mark Jacobson Inc. and Hohn Implement.According to Isaac DeBoer, one of the event organizers, the GPTPA is made up of competitors from northwest Iowa, southwest South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. Tonight’s pull will be a seasonal points event for the Association.DeBoer expects 25 to 30 tractors to be on hand making more than a combined 50 pulls.Pullers will compete in three classes (stock class, open farm class and open hot class). There will be six different weight division titles decided in the stock class. Eight weight division championships will be awarded in the open farm and open hot classes.DeBoer said five or six Rock County residents who are not members of the GPTPA may enter the tractor pull.The Bio Fuels Enduro is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday. The event is sponsored by the Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers and Agri-Energy LCC.Local participation has made the Enduro Race one of the top grandstand attractions of the Rock County Fair over the years, and there will be plenty of local talent on display in 2003.According to Burdette Braun, one of the event organizers, 38 of the 42 drivers who have pre-registered for the race are from the immediate area.Luverne’s Shane Hoag is the winner of last year’s event that was rained out on its scheduled night and ran one week later. He’ll be back to defend his 2002 title.The Enduro Race will have a two-hour time limit, and it could be finished in less than two hours if a driver can complete 200 laps before the limit is reached.Hoag completed 160 laps in two hours to win the event last year.

By John RittenhouseA sure sign that summer is almost over will be visible on the streets of Luverne Monday.The 22nd annual Minnesota Border to Border Triathlon will officially start in Luverne Tuesday.As part of the customary send-off, the annual parade will take place on Luverne’s Main Street at 4:30 p.m. Monday.The parade will be made up of participating teams, local law enforcement, fire and ambulance personnel.Area children are encouraged to participate in the parade, too.Kids are invited to decorate their bikes, tricycles or wagons and meet in the Sears parking lot at 4:15 p.m. They will lead the parade from Sears to the corner of Main and Freeman Streets. All children participating in the parade will receive a coupon for a Dairy Queen treat.The parade route will start at the Sears lot and head west down Main Street to the corner of Main and Freeman, where the race participants will be introduced to the crowd. The athletes and their vehicles will then proceed south on Freeman Street to Sharkee’s, where they will have a pre-race banquet.The actual race begins at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug 6, on the corner of Main and Cedar streets.That’s where the athletes officially begin a 200-mile bike trek to St. Cloud that makes up the first day of the event.Day 2 of the event consists of a 200-mile bike race from St. Cloud to Eveleth. Day 3 consists of a 50-mile run from Eveleth to Cook, and Day 4 consists of a 50-mile canoe race on the Vermillion River to Crane Lake.A total of 26 teams have registered for the 2003 version of the event.There will be nine two-person teams, nine three-person teams and eight four-person teams.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne Redbirds locked up second place in the Gopher League Playoffs after splitting games over the weekend.Luverne pulled out a two-run win over Wilmont in an elimination game played in Wilmont Friday. The Redbirds lost a one-run decision in Hadley Sunday to give the Buttermakers the playoff title and Luverne the second seed for the Region playoffs.The 16-10 Redbirds, Granite Falls and Fairmont will form a three-team regional pool that will be playing for a berth in the state tournament. Luverne hosts Fairmont 7:30 p.m. Friday before playing a 3 p.m. game in Granite Falls Sunday.Luverne 5, Wilmont 3The Redbirds locked up at least a second-place finish in the Gopher League Playoffs with a two-run victory in Wilmont Friday.Luverne scored five runs in the final four innings and withstood a late challenge by Wilmont to prevail by two runs.The teams played to a scoreless draw through five innings before the Redbirds opened a 4-0 cushion by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth and seventh innings.Jeff Sehr reached base on an error and scored the first run in the sixth on Brian Weber’s fielder’s choice. Mike Wenninger reached base on a fielder’s choice and scored the second run on a wild pitch.Ben Winkels and Wenninger slapped RBI singles to make it a 4-0 game in the seventh.Wilmont scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth to trim the difference to one run at 4-3, but Derek Ohme walked and scored on a fielder’s choice by Wenninger in the ninth to give the Redbirds one insurance run.Jon Jarchow pitched seven and two-thirds innings of three-run ball to pick up the win. Wenninger worked one and one-third innings of scoreless relief to record a save.Box score AB R H BIOhme 4 1 0 0Winkels 5 1 1 1J.Sehr 5 1 0 0Wenninger 4 1 1 2Weber 5 0 1 1Edstrom 4 0 1 0Jarchow 2 0 1 0Fisher 3 0 1 0Iveland 4 1 0 0Hadley 6, Luverne 5The Buttermakers clinched the No. 1 seed for the region tournament by nipping the Redbirds by one run in Hadley Sunday.Luverne sported 1-0 and 5-4 advantages during the game, but Hadley tied the game at five in the bottom of the sixth before plating the game-winning run in the ninth inning.Eric Edstrom walked and scored on an error to give the Redbirds a 1-0 cushion in the top of the first.Hadley, however, tied the game in the second inning before scoring twice in the third to take a 3-1 lead.The teams exchanged runs in the fifth inning to make the score 4-2. Ohme delivered an RBI single to account for Luverne’s run.The Redbirds used a three-run double by James Fisher to take a 5-4 edge in the top of the sixth, but Wilmont scored the final two runs of the game to take the championship.Terry Eernisse pitched seven and two-thirds innings of five-run (two were earned runs) ball without gaining a decision for Luverne. Ohme took the loss while pitching in relief.Box score AB R H BIOhme 5 0 1 1Edstrom 4 1 0 0J.Sehr 5 0 2 0Weber 5 1 1 0Winkels 4 1 1 0Sandbulte 3 0 0 0Fisher 4 1 2 3Iveland 1 0 0 0Schneider 2 0 0 0

Luverne American Legion second baseman Aaron Schmidt fires a throw to first base to record an out during Friday’s Second District Tournament game against Wabasso in Truman. Wabasso handed the Cardinals their first of two losses over the weekend, ending Luverne’s season.By John RittenhouseThe Luverne American Legion baseball team was unable to advance to the second weekend of play in the Second District Tournament for the second consecutive year.That fact became a reality over the weekend in Truman, where Luverne went 1-2 while bowing out of the double-elimination event.The Cardinals lost a nine-run decision to Wabasso during Friday’s opening round before avoiding elimination Saturday with a two-run win over Minnesota Lake in the loser’s bracket.Luverne needed another win Sunday against Pipestone to return to Truman this weekend, but the Arrows ousted the Cards with 4-0 setback.Luverne ends the season with an 8-11 record.Pipestone 4, Luverne 0Luverne was blanked for the second round of the tournament when it squared off against Pipestone during an elimination game played in Truman Sunday.Pipestone’s Matt Oye blanked the Cards for six innings before giving way to a relief pitcher who completed the shutout in the seventh inning.The winners scored two runs in the top of the first inning before adding single counters in the fourth and seventh frames against Luverne pitcher Zach Wysong, who went the distance on the hill.Wysong allowed nine hits and five earned runs while recording five strikeouts.Luverne, which was limited to four hits in the game, stranded two runners on base in the first and second innings.Mark Remme slapped singles in the second and fifth innings for Luverne. Aaron Schmidt singled in the first inning, and Tim Boen singled in the second.Box score AB R H BISchmidt 4 0 1 0Kuhlman 3 0 0 0Wysong 3 0 0 0Kurtz 3 0 0 0Jo.Pick 3 0 0 0Boen 3 0 1 0Studer 2 0 0 0Reisch 1 0 0 0Tofteland 2 0 0 0Remme 3 0 2 0Luverne 7, ML 5The Cardinals avoided an early exit from the tournament by nipping Minnesota Lake by two runs in eight innings Saturday.Luverne trailed 5-3 after ML scored two runs in the fourth inning and three in the bottom of the fifth to erase a 3-0 deficit, but the Cards tied the game with two runs in the top of the sixth before winning the elimination game with two runs in the eighth inning.Joey Pick provided some spark for the Cardinals in the sixth inning when he singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, stole third base and scored on a throwing error to make it a 5-4 game.Jesse Kuhlman drew a walk and knotted the score at five when Jake Studer produced a ground out that resulted in an RBI as the sixth inning progressed.Kuhlman and Studer played key roles during Luverne’s two-run rally in the eighth inning that decided the game.Kuhlman singled and scored the go-ahead run on a double by Studer. Boen gave Luverne an insurance run when he singled home Studer.Luverne opened the scoring with a three-run second inning.Boen singled and Rob Fodness reached base on an error to set the table for John Tofteland, who belted a three-run homer over the fence in left field.Kuhlman pitched the first four and two-thirds innings and didn’t gain a decision. Three of the five runs he was charged with were earned.Jared Pick tossed three and one-third innings of scoreless ball to notch the win.Box score AB R H BIJo.Pick 4 1 1 0Kuhlman 3 2 2 0Wysong 5 0 1 0Kurtz 5 0 0 0Studer 4 1 1 2Boen 4 1 3 1Ja.Pick 4 0 0 0Fodness 3 1 0 0Tofteland 4 1 2 3Wabasso 9, Luverne 0The Cardinals opened the tournament by taking a nine-run beating from Wabasso Friday.Wabasso limited Luverne to three hits in the game and scored runs in five of six innings to win handily.Wabasso chased Luverne starting pitcher Devan Goembel mound with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. The winners plated five runs (four were earned) against Goembel, who was saddled with the loss.Reliever Adam Kurtz didn’t fare much better against Wabasso. He surrendered four earned runs in three and one-third innings of relief.Boen singled in the second inning, Kuhlman singled in the third and Adam Reisch singled in the sixth to account for Luverne’s hits in the game.Box score AB R H BISchmidt 3 0 0 0Kuhlman 2 0 1 0Reisch 3 0 1 0Kurtz 3 0 0 0Jo.Pick 3 0 0 0Wysong 3 0 0 0Remme 1 0 0 0Fodness 1 0 0 0Boen 2 0 1 0Ja.Pick 0 0 0 0Studer 2 0 0 0

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is considering application for financial assistance sponsored by Minwind III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, and IX. The specific elements of this proposed action are on Sections 8 and 17 of Beaver Creek Township, 2 miles northwest of Beaver Creek, MNIf implemented, the proposed action would directly or indirectly convert five acres of important farmland: convert or impact no acres of floodplain/wetland; impact a cultural resource; and and/or be incompatible with the State, unit of local government, or private programs and policies to protect farmland. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of this possible result and to request comments concerning (1) the impacts of the proposed location on crops and farm land, (2) alternative sites or actions that would void these impacts, and (3) methods that could be used to reduce these impacts. The proposed action is available at the following USDA Rural Development Office:USDA Rural Development1567 North Mc MillanWorthington, MN 56187507-372-7751Any person interested in commenting on the proposed action may do so by sending such comments within 30 days following the days of this publication to:USDA Rural Development1567 North Mc MillanWorthington, MN 56187 507-372-7751A general location map of the proposed action is shown below:(7-31, 8-7)

Sioux Valley Health Network subsidy hearing set for Aug. 12NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Luverne City Council will hold a public hearing commencing at 5:00 P.M., Central Daylight Savings Time, on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, in the City Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to consider a business subsidy to Sioux Valley Health Network. A copy of the Development Agreement which includes a summary of the terms of the subsidy is available at the City Clerk’s Office. All citizens are encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and/or give comments. Any citizen may also submit written questions or comments prior to the hearing by addressing them to the Interim City Administrator, PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, MN (507) 449-2388.Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(7-31)

The Southwest Minnesota Workforce Council is soliciting proposals to provide staffing services to the Workforce Council. Parties wishing to submit a proposal should request further information from the Southwest Minnesota Workforce Council, Lyon County Courthouse, Third Floor, 607 West Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258, 507-537-6987. Proposals must be received no later than 12:00 Noon, Friday, August 29, 2003. (7-31)

JUNE 26, 2003MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Media Center on Thursday, June 26, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Cary Radisewitz. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Gary Fisher, Melody Tenhoff, Mark Lundgren, Matt Crosby, K101/KQAD Radio, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Kopp. Motion by Bryan, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Mark Lundgren and Joel from Minncor Industries presented information to the School Board regarding the renumbering of classrooms and new signage in the Middle/High School building. Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to approve the consent agenda which included the School Board minutes of June 11, 2003, and the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of May 31, 2003. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Bryan, second by Tofteland, to approve payment of the district bills as presented in the amount of $1,352,089.99. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to set the bid date for bread, milk, building fuel, and vehicle fuels for the 2003-2004 school year as August 1, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to give the auditor the approval to make final transfers and adjustments, when they audit the 2002-2003 fiscal year, that are necessary and according to general accounting principles, resolutions and standards. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Stegemann, to set the GASB-34 accounting threshold at $5,000. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to set the School Board meeting schedule as presented. Meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to continue membership in the Minnesota Rural Education Association for the 2003-04 school year. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Stegemann, to accept the Resolution for membership in the Minnesota State High School League for the 2003-04 school year. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Deutsch, to continue membership in the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation for the 2003-04 school year. It was noted that the membership cost is $175. Motion unanimously carried. Business Manager Marlene Mann reviewed the preliminary budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve the 2003-04 Preliminary Budget with revenues in the amount of $11,579,040.00 and expenditures in the amount of $11,644,814.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to approve the 2003-2004 Schedule of Additional Payments as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to accept the resignation of Carol Ceynowa as Spring Play Director. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Stegemann, to approve Todd Oye as part-time Activities Director. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given. Superintendent Schaefer addressed the School Board regarding the renumbering of the MS/HS classrooms and the signage. He has three letters from the architect and engineers recommending that the room numbers are not changed. Discussion was held. Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: June 26, 2003William Stegemann, Clerk(7-31)