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Hills Thunder register season's second victory

By John RittenhouseThe Hills Thunder evened its amateur baseball record at 2-2 with a 9-1 home win over Heron Lake Sunday.Jarud Lang pitched a two-hit complete game and Scott Harnack drove in a pair of runs to lift the hosts to victory.Lang fanned six batters and walked three during his nine-inning stint on the hill. He allowed a single run in the sixth inning.Hills sported a 7-0 lead before Heron Lake broke through against Lang.Harnack singled home a run to highlight a four-run first inning for the Thunder. Two more runs scored on errors, and another on a wild pitch.Harnack capped his two-RBI performance with a sacrifice fly in the second inning to make it a 5-0 game, and Lang singled home a counter and Wade Jellema reached base on an error and scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-0 in the third.Chad Rauk plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth to counter Heron Lake’s run in the top half of the inning.Cade Lang reached base on a fielder’s choice and scored on a passed ball in the seventh to cap the scoring.Hills hosts Pipestone and Hadley Sunday.Box score AB R H BIJ.Lang 3 1 1 1E.Harnack 1 0 0 1S.Harnack 2 1 1 2Sammons 3 1 1 0Top 3 1 1 1Funke 0 0 0 0Van Maanen 0 0 0 0Jellema 2 1 0 0C.Lang 4 2 0 0Rauk 4 0 0 1Forshey 5 0 0 0

Wysong, Cards move closer to title

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne baseball team earned a berth in the Section 3AA Tournament championship series by posting a pair of wins since Wednesday, May 28.The Cardinals edged Lac qui Parle Valley 4-3 in a winner’s bracket game played in Granite Falls May 28.Luverne and Montevideo, the double-elimination tournament’s lone undefeated teams, met for a clash that would send one of the squads into the championship series Saturday in Windom.With a 3-2 victory, Luverne closed within one win of clinching a berth in the state tournament.Hills-Beaver Creek High School sophomore Zach Wysong made some key contributions with his bat and glove during the wins against LQPV and Montevideo.The starting shortstop slapped the second of three consecutive singles during the bottom of the fourth inning against LQPV. When another Cardinal drew a bases-loaded walk later in the frame, Luverne sported a 4-1 lead.The run proved to be a big one as LQPV scored twice in the top of the fifth inning before being blanked in the sixth and seventh frames.Wysong went hitless in Saturday’s tilt against Montevideo, but he made a big impact on the game with a defensive gem.Montevideo scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning to tie the game at two, and the Thunder Hawks were poised to take a lead with the bases loaded with one out. A liner off the ball of a Montevideo player appeared to be headed to left field when Wysong made a leaping catch. A quick flip to second baseman Aaron Schmidt was in time to beat a straying Montevideo runner for an inning-ending double play.Luverne scored one run in the top of the third and held on to win 3-2.The Cardinals have won four straight one-run tournament games and have a six-game winning streak overall. Luverne will play Jackson County Central at 5 p.m. in Windom today. A win would give the Cards the section title. A loss would set up a second game in Windom later tonight.

Seven Patriots advance to state

By John RittenhouseSeven members of the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton track program extended their seasons during the Section 3A Track and Field Championships in Montevideo Thursday.Five Patriot boys and two girls earned the right to compete in this weekend’s Minnesota State Class A Track and Field Championships at the National Sports Center in Blaine.Athletes qualify for the state meet by placing first in relay races, first or second in individual events, or meeting the state-qualifying standards that are in place for the section meet. H-BC-E-E athletes qualified for state competition all three ways Thursday.Senior Chris Reid, juniors Erin Boeve, Lee Jackson and Todd Alberty, and sophomores Cassi Tilstra, Tyler Bush and Kale Wiertzema are the Patriots who will compete at the state classic. They won a combined four section titles, placed second in two events and met one qualifying standard in Montevideo.Reid will be competing in the state meet in three individual events.The H-BC-E-E standout won the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.85, placed a close second in the 100-meter dash with an 11.73 time and met the state-qualifying standard while placing third in the long jump.Reid covered 21-2 1/4 with his first jump in the preliminaries, bettering the standard of 21-2 by one-quarter of one inch. Reid bruised his heal during his first jump, and jumped one more time before shutting it down the rest of the day. He would have had one more opportunity to jump in the preliminaries and three more in the finals, but he didn’t want to risk further injury to his foot.Bush will compete in an individual event and as a member of the 3,200-meter relay team at the state meet.Bush won the 800-meter run with a time of 1:59.64, but it was his stunning performance late in the 3,200-meter relay that helped three more Patriots advance to state meet.Alberty, Wiertzema and Jackson all ran well during their legs of the relay, but H-BC-E-E still trailed a strong Southwest Christian team by a sizeable margin entering the final leg. Bush, however, pressured SWC’s final runner for 800 meters and edged the Eagle at the finishing-line while completing H-BC-E-E’s winning 8:23.66 performance.Tilstra secured a section championship for the Patriot girls.In what Patriot coach Tom Goehle said was her strongest race of the season, Tilstra took the lead early in the 800-meter run and never let it go while winning the event with a time of 2:24.38. Tilstra’s time bettered her school record in the event.Boeve qualified for the state meet by placing second on the long jump.Boeve, who has been bothered by lower back pain in the later stages of the season, unleashed a 17-foot jump early in the competition. Her effort eclipsed the qualifying standard of 16-11, but she qualified for state anyway by placing second.Boeve and Reid will compete in the Class A long jump finals Friday. Both events are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.Tilstra and Bush will run in the 800 preliminaries, which will be the 15th and 16th events when the running events begin at 3 p.m. Friday. The girls’ 800-meter finals are set for 2:20 p.m. Saturday, with the boys’ event to follow at 2:27.Reid will run in the 100- (sixth event of the day) and 200-meter dash (18th event of the day) during Friday’s preliminaries. The 100-meter finals are set for 11:25 a.m. Saturday. The 200 finals will take place at 2:50 p.m.There are no preliminary races for the boys’ 3,200-meter relay team. The finals will be staged at 10:15 a.m. Saturday.The Patriot boys nearly qualified for state in the 1,600-meter relay before placing second Thursday. Alberty, Wiertzema, Reid and Bush ran a 3:31.9, but they were nipped in the end by a strong Montevideo team.H-BC-E-E’s Curt Schilling extended the cooperative program record in the shot put while placing fifth with a toss of 47-0 1/2. Cody Scholten cleared 5-11 to place sixth in the high jump.Boeve, Mya Mann and Amber Poppen all earned individual places without advancing to state at the section meet.Boeve was fifth in the 100-meter dash (13.75), Mann sixth in the 800 (2:30.98) and Poppen eighth in the long jump (15-5 1/2).The girls’ 800-meter relay team set a cooperative record and placed fourth with a time of 1:51.39. Tilstra, Mann, Poppen and Boeve formed the team.The 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays placed eighth with respective 4:22.23 and 10:48.79 times.Cassi and Amanda Tilstra, Ashley Bucher and Mann ran the 1,600. Ashley and Jocelyn Bucher, Amanda Tilstra and Rachel Kvaale competed in the 3,200.In team competition, the H-BC-E-E boys placed fourth with 59 points and the girls finished ninth with 33 points.

Dear Editor:

Teen pregnancy is a critical issue across the state of Minnesota as well as locally. The teen birth rate in Nobles and Rock County (1999-2001) is higher than the state teen birth rate.Four in 10 girls will get pregnant at least once before the age of 20. More than 70 percent of all teens who become parents drop out of high school. As a community, we can support Teen Pregnancy Prevention efforts by working together. Research shows that teens avoid pregnancy when families and communities assure that:* Teens feel connected to and cared about by their parents.* Teens have safe and fun places for socializing and recreation.* Teens are provided with sexuality education that includes abstinence education and information about protection.If more children were born to parents who are ready and able to care for them, we would see a significant reduction in a host of social problems affecting children in the U.S. — from school failure and crime to child abuse and neglect. Not only does teen childbearing have social consequences for teen parents, their children, and society; it also has important economic consequences. Strides have been made in national teen pregnancy rates, but locally we must continue to invest in teen pregnancy prevention early and often.As parents and caring adults, we can support our youth to make decisions that will ultimately allow them to avoid early pregnancy, finish high school, and enjoy happy, fulfilling lives. Talk to your kids. Let them know exactly where you stand on early onset of sexual activity. Let them know that you care about what’s going on in their lives. Teens are actually less likely to have sex if we talk about it more!Paula Anderson, MS Teen Pregnancy Prevention Team Nobles-Rock Public Health

To the Editor:

This evening I sat down to read the Star Herald and found a photo of my daughter, Carrie Nelson, and the headline "Time heals, but murder victim isn’t forgotten." I had not been notified that an article about Carrie would appear in this week’s paper. Surprises like this are very upsetting, especially during the month of the anniversary of Carrie’s tragic and terrifying death. Reading the headline saying that "time heals" and to find within the article that "For Carrie’s friends and family members, time is beginning to heal their pain … " was enough to prompt me to write this letter. Yes, time has passed, but time is not "healing" my pain — I am learning to live with the horror and the loss every minute of every day for the rest of my life. As Carrie’s Mom I know that I will never "get over" this; I will never reach "closure" and possibly I will never again find peace. I watch Carrie’s only sibling struggling to build a life without Carrie and without the peace and safety we learn to expect. I see some of Carrie’s closest friends, relatives and co-workers at the park also struggling to put their lives back together and I know that none of us will ever really "get over" this. We are doing the best we can to live with the changes in ourselves and the adjustment to an unfamiliar and unwelcome way of life. I would appreciate it in the future if the editorial staff would inform both of Carrie’s parents before another article runs in the paper. I appreciate the attention the Star Herald has given to Carrie’s story and hope that the articles result in a tip or information that will lead to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for Carrie’s death. Nan Karr KaufenbergWentworth, S.D.

To the Editor:

Seat Belt LawThank you God, for the seat belt law.Now maybe, God, our law makers can spend as much time on preventing abortion and save our babies and the future of our country. Marlin MarkusAdrian

Nursing award extablished in Van Wyhe's honor

By Jolene FarleyNurse Patricia (Gibson) Van Wyhe was killed in a car accident by Presho, S.D., in February of last year.To honor her memory, her family has established the "Patricia K. Van Wyhe Nurse of the Year Award" through the Sioux Valley Foundation, Sioux Falls. Patricia, Director of Surgery and Anesthesia at the hospital at the time of her death, was a 28-year employee. "We wanted to do something from the very beginning to recognize Pat’s nursing and leadership characteristics," Tom Van Wyhe said. "Everybody liked Pat," he said. "She had a lot of qualities, values. There was a lot of genuineness there."Tom said Patricia was very clear with the people she worked with that no matter who they were, they were important. "That’s how she led her area of work," he said. Some of those qualities are what the committee is looking for in recipients of the "Nurse of the Year Award."Pat was born at Sioux Valley and was a graduate of the Sioux Valley School of Nursing. She began her career as an operating room nurse at the hospital in 1973 and was retiring as Director of Surgical Services when a car accident took her life. Candidates are nominated according to criteria representing Pat’s personal and professional qualities by their peers. A committee established by the Sioux Valley Foundation selects the winner.The Van Wyhe family is not involved in the selection process but presents the award at the hospital’s award luncheon. Recipients of the award must be full-time or part-time, non-management nurses who practiced at Sioux Valley Hospital for at least one year. They must have a passion for people and the work of nursing, encourage and mentor others in the field, maintain high integrity and a positive attitude, be able to bring out the best in others, inspire team work for greater results and become a catalyst in the field of nursing. Ann Jost, a surgery staff nurse at the hospital, was the first recipient of the award. Van Wyhe and her husband, Tom, were returning to their home in Sioux Falls, S.D. from a basketball game in Pierre, S.D., when they swerved to miss a stalled semi. Patricia was killed instantly. Tom Van Wyhe is the son of Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe, Hills. Patricia’s father, Marshall Gibson, is a former Beaver Creek postmaster. Tom and Patricia are both 1968 Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduates.

Extension cuts affect services

By Sara StrongRock County could lose its Extension Office and staff after the state reworks the program … yet again.It appears it will be up to the county to pay for educators and staff if the state doesn’t set up one of about 20 regional offices in Rock County.If a regional office isn’t located here, and, if the county doesn’t decide to absorb the extra costs of staffing one itself, county residents will still have access to Extension services.County officials won’t know until mid-July where the regional Extension offices will be located, but they will be completely state and federally funded.Pipestone and Rock County Extension Director Holli Arp said, "I do think there’s some real value in the plan."This latest change was announced last week. The University of Minnesota Extension Office is discontinuing employment of county educators. Instead, regional offices will house all the educators where programs and services will be headquartered.Local programs and services can be contracted through Extension. Counties, agencies and non-profits can choose to contract for the programs they most want and can afford.Arp said counties have told Extension they would like to customize what their county offices offer in programs, and that’s what this new system is supposed to do. The county currently pays $110,544 in salaries, benefits and rent to keep Extension in the county.The county pays 60 percent of the 4-H Coordinator’s salary, compared with 40 percent of educators’ salaries. In the future, Rock County will more clearly know exactly what the educators are bringing to the county and the county will pay accordingly. Some services will probably still be free, however.The days of seeking advice from an Extension Office farming expert or home economist are almost a thing of the past, even before the latest cuts. Fewer people use Extension in the way they used to, with more experts available from places such as seed companies, for example.Dr. Charles Casey, Extension dean and director said, "Our county partners have told us that if they are going to meet their budget constraints and be able to provide some Extension programs for their counties, they need the flexibility to choose which Extension programs, services and positions they pay for."The new Extension model will allow counties to focus its efforts on local priorities.In Rock County, the 4-H program has been a particular area of concern. Arp said that 4-H will have a program in the county through Extension, even with this new model. Counties will likely have to invest in 4-H, at least to the extent it does now in order to keep the program strong.In Rock County, 190 participate in the various 4-H clubs. Statewide, Extension says that 800,000 Minnesotans benefit from Extension, including 4-H, agriculture production education, Master Gardeners, nutrition education programs and leadership development training.Casey said, "These changes are certainly not the most timely. But as many state leaders have said over the past months, none of us can afford to keep doing business as usual."

On Second Thought

Ever wonder why Noah didn’t just swatthose two mosquitoes?If there was ever a time to enjoy the outdoors, Memorial Day Weekend was it. Sunday and Monday were splendid sunny transitions from the coolness of spring to the warmth of summer. Along with all that, of course, is the annual renewing of our battle against the bugs. One bold mosquito managed to leave a welt on my forearm Monday night, and I was reminded of this little e-mail gem I’ve been meaning to share.Ever wonder …...why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes?...why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?...why you don't ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?...why "abbreviated" is such a long word?...why doctors call what they do "practice"?...why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor, while dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons?...why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?...if con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?...why there isn't mouse-flavored cat food?...who tastes dog food when it has a "new & improved" flavor?...why they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?...why sheep don't shrink when it rains?...why they don't make the whole plane out of the material used for the indestructible black box?(And finally, these classics):...why the man who invests all your money is called a broker?...why they call the airport "the terminal" if flying is so safe?Buffalo DaysEver wonder why the people who miss out on the most spectacular regional events are the ones who live only two blocks away from the action?It’s hard to believe, but there are people right in Luverne who have never participated in a Buffalo Days celebration.What a shame, I say.Even if you’re not one for crowds and excitement, it’s still worth your while to take a stroll down to the City Park, which for that Saturday, becomes the famed "Arts in the Park."I’m always impressed by a number of things about the event, but mostly, I love the way it all looks. Luverne has one of the prettiest city parks in the region (Thank you, Darrell Huiskes and the Public Works Department). With that lush green, shaded park as a backdrop for colorful booths, food vendors and entertainment stages, Arts in the Park becomes the quintessential picture of a community celebration.… That is, if you ignore the pile of you-know-what for the Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest.See you in Luverne this weekend. Read the front page story for Buffalo Days details.

Did You Hear?

Southwest State falls in line, changes nameThe Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees approved a name change for Southwest State University at its May 21 meeting.The new name of the Minnesota school will be Southwest Minnesota State University.Minnesota will be going back into the name, after it was removed in 1975, when it changed from Southwest Minnesota State College to Southwest State University.According to Southwest State president, David Danahar, the change will take effect July 1, 2003, with a one year phase-in.The phase-in will allow the name change to be made as economically as possible.In the past six years, enrollment at Southwest State has increased 56 percent to its current all time high of 5,414.The name change follows a movement among other state universities.In recent years, universities at Mankato and Moorhead have also adopted similar name changes.Construction begins on County Road 4The detour signs have been put in place for another round of road construction on County Road 4.This year County Road 4 (Luverne’s Main Street) will be redone from the Luverne city limits west to County Highway 11.County Highway 11, is commonly known as the "Steen Road."The length of the project is 3 miles and will cost $1.3 million.Access to Gold’n Plump will be maintained throughout the duration of the construction project.Construction activities will include the removal of the existing pavement, grading, placement of new drainage structures, placement of aggregate base, placement of bituminous pavement and seeding.The project is scheduled to be completed by August of 2003.The last time this section of County Road 4 was rehabilitated was in 1984.Connell breaks the 30 barrierIs it a record? No one knows for sure, but no one can remember anyone ever scoring 29, as Luverne Club Champion, Tim Connell did last Saturday.Playing in a five-some, Connell scored par on the par three #3 and again on the par 4 #5, with birdies on the remaining 7 holes.According to one of the witnesses, Dave Gangestad, two of the birdies were "long bombs," but the two pars that he had were short tap-ins.According to Connell, his lowest nine-hole score prior to Saturday’s performance was 32.Other witnesses in the group included Mark Sehr, Gary Kurtz and Tom Serie.Trying to control SPAMSPAM is getting out of control and Sen. Mark Dayton thinks something should be done about it.According to Dayton, 31 billion e-mail messages are transmitted through cyberspace each day.A friend of mine who owns a newspaper in Winona has hired a new employee to come in every morning to delete the SPAM from the in-box. It takes about an hour.Dayton’s solution is to create a national registry where people can opt to not receive SPAM and would make every e-mail’s source identifiable.Dayton’s bill would instruct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish a registry, similar to the national "Do Not Call" registry for telemarketing, in which a consumer could acknowledge that they do not want to receive SPAM.Entities that generate SPAM would be required to purchase the database from the Commission and would be prohibited from e-mailing registered customers.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

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