Zoe DeBates recently began her new position as Child Guide at Luverne Elementary School.
“I’m really excited to be involved and helping the community in this new role,” DeBates said.
The 2019 Luverne High School graduate replaced Lisa Dinger, who retired Aug. 1 after being in the position for 20 years.
DeBates, daughter of Mike and Sam DeBates of Luverne, graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris, in May with a bachelor’s degree in communications, media and rhetoric after only three years on campus.
“I was able to really focus on academics and had a lot of opportunities (at UMM) that I wouldn’t have had at a larger university,” she said.  
“I gained a lot of valuable experiences at Morris that I’m already using in this position.”
As a community adviser at UMM for two years, DeBates designed programs to help students with a variety of problems.
Those experiences prepared her for her new role in Luverne.
“The primary role of the Child Guide is to meet the needs of children and their families, both in school and in the community,” said Molly Carbonneau, who serves on the six-member board that coordinates the Child Guild program.  
“Zoe has a real passion for children,” Carbonneau said. “She’s also able to look through a lens of students who may be at risk. That’s not easy to do if you haven’t been in those shoes.”
DeBates said the program, which is not funded or operated by the school district, connects students with a wide variety of people and programs in the community.
“Our goal is all about connections with caring adults and activities that help students succeed,” Carbonneau said.
DeBates said specific programs include Bookin’ Buddies, Kids in the Commons, and a homework club at school along with scholarships to programs outside of school in the community.
“We work to fill the gaps that kids and families have,” DeBates said. “It’s all about finding needs that students have and then meeting those needs.”
According to Carbonneau, a fourth-grade teacher at LES, she and other school staff often identify student needs and refer them to the Child Guide.
“We might see that a child needs socks or school supplies or maybe an alarm clock at home,” Carbonneau said. “We’ll let Zoe know and she’ll help fill that need, which helps the student succeed in the classroom.”
The Backpack Program that provides meals for students in need on weekends and during the summer is one of the primary programs that Child Guide partners with to help students and families.
“There has been a dramatic increase in utilization of the Backpack Program this summer,” DeBates said.
“And we know that school lunch will not be free this year like it was the last two years. So, it will be more important than ever that our families in need fill out the paperwork for free or reduced lunches and also for the Backpack program.”
According to DeBates, volunteers are vital to all that the Child Guide program does.
“We are really excited to be able to welcome people back into the school for programs like Bookin’ Buddies this year,” DeBates said.
“There are a lot of opportunities for volunteers. I would love to hear from anyone who would like to help or if I can be of help to them.”
DeBates can be reached via email at z.debates@isd2184.net
Dinger said she is excited about the transition and the future of the program that she led for two decades.
“I have loved working as the Child Guide and look forward to Zoe using her talents to grow the program,” Dinger said.
“The program works because our school and community are progressive and are always willing to help and support where needed.”

Rock County will end a decades-old exclusive service agreement with Southwest Mental Health Center in Luverne at the end of the year.
Commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 16 to seek additional third-party counseling services after the agency requested $500,000 more from Rock County to cover budget shortfalls.
“We can’t afford a half million dollars,” said Stan Williamson, who serves on the County Board’s mental health committee with commissioner Greg Burger.
Southwest Mental Health Center Inc. is a private, non-profit agency, (an Avera affiliate) licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It was established in 1959 by Cottonwood, Jackson, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock counties and until recently had locations in each of those counties.
Burger, Williamson and representatives from the other four county boards met this summer with SWMH director Luke Comeau who proposed the five counties contribute a collective $3 million to the agency’s 2023 budget.
Rock County’s portion of that would require an 8-percent levy increase for taxes payable in 2023, and Williamson said that is too much to ask of local taxpayers.
Together Rock and Pipestone counties already contribute just over $400,000 annually to the mental health center for services.
The money goes through Southwest Health and Human Services, whose personnel refer the counties’ eligible individuals and families for private counseling services through an agreement that’s been in place since the mental health service began in 1959.
With Rock County’s contract ending Dec. 31, commissioners and Health and Human Services will develop a network of local third-party counseling services.
These services will need to accept payment through state and federal medical assistance programs. Southwest Mental Health Services may be included in the network.
Per the agreement, Rock County should get back its initial investment in SWMH of about $30,000. However, the organization has $4 million in reserves, and it’s unclear if member counties have rights to those funds.
Commissioners urged Comeau at a July 19 information session to consider using some of the mental health agency’s reserves to bolster the 2023 budget instead of asking for more money from counties.
At the most recent mental health meeting attended by Burger and Williamson, agency officials agreed to use $600,000 from the reserves, while still asking the counties to contribute $3 million to the 2023 budget.
 
‘A perfect storm’ led to budget shortfall
Comeau outlined the organization’s revenues and expenditures for the past 10 years and showed positive budget balances until 2017.
Revenues ranged from $5.3 million in 2010 to a high of $7.8 million in 2020. Expenses ranged from $4.9 million in 2010 to a high of $8 million in 2020.
“We could see a problem coming,” said Comeau, who became executive director of the Luverne center in February 2020.
“My predecessor was trying to put some ideas together to lessen expenses against the agency. So even with that we were not keeping up where the agency should be — whether that was marketing, different expenses within the agency — we tried to throttle back as much as we could.”
Expenses dropped to $7 million in 2021 when revenue also fell to $6.7 million.
Client numbers using the local mental health service also dropped.
As of June, the agency was serving 257 Rock County clients, and a total of 3,127 clients were served within the five counties.
Rock County’s clients received (when combined with Pipestone County’s 197 clients) 5,378 hours of service in 2021, down from 7,273 hours in 2020 and 8,745 hours in 2019.
Comeau said three things contributed to the agency’s revenues lagging behind expenses.
In 2017 legislators reduced reimbursement rates for medical assistance insurance, resulting in payments being less than actual billed expenses. Sixty-percent of the Luverne center’s clients are on medical assistance.
Comeau also said the agency lost 30 employees due to what he said was
“job burn-out” and to leave for other career opportunities within the Avera Behavioral Health Network, which Luverne became an affiliate in 1999.
Another reason for budget woes, Comeau said, is that attempts to receive coronavirus aid were unsuccessful due to the lack of legislative action.
Considering Comeau’s explanation for budget woes, Burger said, “In my perspective, it ended up being a perfect storm.”
 
Use of reserves encouraged
For the future, the Luverne agency is looking to change its designation status with the state while increasing starting salaries to entice potential employees to work locally.
Comeau said he applied for a federal grant to transition the agency from a Rule 29-designated organization to a certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHS).
The new distinction would allow the local agency to receive higher medical insurance reimbursement rates. The grant awards occur this fall.
Rock County commissioners, at the July 19 meeting, encouraged Comeau to look at using the agency’s reserves to move forward with the CCBHS designation and fill empty positions before asking counties for $3 million in program money for 2023.
“You have that $4 million fallback position to get to where you want to be and — when you get to a better revenue position — you may not need as much money to hold the budget together,” Commissioner Burger said.
“The reserve was put away for a ‘rainy day.’ Well, it has been raining for a couple of years here.”

Trenton Bass broke his neck in a 2017 high school football game, leaving him a quadriplegic, but the 2018 Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduate said he’s mentally stronger today than he was before the injury.
The 22-year-old said he focuses mental energies to inspire others to move forward with their lives as he has done.
Bass, along with friends Luke LaRock and Easton Harnack, spoke with 275 students and adults at the annual Rock the Edge prayer breakfast at Luverne High School. Forty student athletes from H-BC were among those attending the event.
Dan LaRock, Luke’s father, also of Hills, who facilitated the event, directed the three young men to share their faith journeys since Bass’ injury five years ago.
Their message — take life one day at a time and live with faith in God — has led them to happier and more productive lives, they said.
Luke LaRock said the weeks after Bass’ injury had the most impact on his faith.
“Trenton was on my mind a lot, especially when he flew out to Craig (a rehabilitation hospital in Englewood, Colorado),” said LaRock, who was a junior in 2017.
“I was just trying to imagine myself going into my senior year of high school and instead going to Colorado for three months to learn ‘to do my life.’ I just remember that I was so proud of him.”
Both LaRock and Harnack visited Bass in the hospital, even making a trip to Colorado.
Harnack’s faith grew as he watched his friend take the small steps to relearn how to eat, brush his teeth and dress himself, which progressed to Bass returning to high school in the spring of 2018 and receiving his high school diploma with his classmates.
“His mindset from Day 1 has been, day by day, to have a good day that day, because tomorrow will take care of itself,” Harnack said.
“You’re not going to have a great day every day. There are times when life is going to get tough.”
Bass said during the last five years it was easy to get frustrated at the small things he couldn’t do, like pick a pizza box up off the floor. Instead, he thinks more positively, especially for the little things.
“I was blessed to have a positive attitude through all of this and God really spoke to me — that is not the case for a lot of people,” he said. “I would encourage them to take a step with their faith and take it one day at a time, kind of like I did.”
Bass’ parents, Missy and Jeff, along with Heather and Aaron Erickson, also of Hills, began Game Plan 4 Hope shortly after Trenton’s injury. The Team E’s Fieldhouse of Hope recently opened in Hills with a 24-hour fitness center. Strength training helped Bass gain his independence.
Bass also volunteers with Game Plan 4 Hope as the organization reaches families going through life-altering events and offers support and comfort.
“I’ve helped out a handful of times by reaching out to people who have had very similar injury and are dealing with the whole ‘hospital life,’” Bass said. “The daunting task of hospital visits, rehab and what it’s like.”
Bass’ hard work has paid off in that he leads a productive life, much like he planned as a high school senior.
He recently graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings with a degree in mechanical engineering. He’s learned to drive and works for Raven Industries in Sioux Falls.
Bass lives at home with his parents in Hills due to the tight housing market, while LaRock and Harnack, who graduated from H-BC in 2019 and 2020 respectively, are still college students.
Their friendship and open discussion of faith is encouraged by Rock the Edge organizations.
Adult leader Jessica Blocker, Director of Christian Education at St. John Lutheran Church, Luverne, provided the closing words for the Thursday morning prayer breakfast and Trenton’s faith story.
“The strengthening of your faith and sharing the faith with your friends with you — doesn’t have to take a tragedy to do so.”
 
About Rock the Edge
Rock the Edge is a group of youth leaders and teenagers from Rock County that strive to bring Christian youth together for service and fellowship.
Several Rock the Edge events are scheduled this fall. Reach out to organizers at rocktheedgemn@gmail.com for more information.

The Luverne girls’ tennis team had a successful start to the 2022 season with a pair of victories at home on Saturday.
The Cardinals defeated the Morris Area Tigers 4-3 and Benson Braves 5-2.
LHS No. 1 doubles team of Sarah Stegenga and Katharine Kelm and the No. 2 doubles team of Cassi Chesley and Roselynn Hartshorn were both undefeated with 2-0 records.
Priscilla Muehr and Morgan Hadler each won 1 singles and 1 doubles match to finish the day 2-0.
“It was great to get the season started with two wins,” said Luverne head coach Jon Beers.
“We have many girls who don't have much varsity experience playing, and this was a nice way for them to start the season.”
Luverne returned to action Tuesday on the road with matches against Yellow Medicine East and MACCRAY and will play at home Thursday against Lac Qui Parle Valley and Montevideo.
 
Luverne 4, Morris Area 3
Hadler was the lone singles player to get a win against Morris Area, defeating Liz Pillard 6-3, 6-2.
At No. 1 singles, Luverne’s Rayann Remme lost 6-1, 6-2 to Claire Stark. No. 2 singles Chloe Schoeneman lost to Chloe Zimme 6-4, 6-1. 
Luverne’s Ella Lanoue lost 6-3, 6-2 to Izzy Hofffman at No. 4 singles.
Stegenga and Kelm defeated Karlie Bruns and Ashley Koehl 6-0, 6-4 at No.1 doubles.
Luverne’s Chesley and Hartshorn defeated Nora Meek and Lydia Fynbon 6-1,6-2 in No. 2 doubles. At No. 3 doubles, Tori Hemme and Priscilla Muehr from Luverne defeated Ellen Reed and Grace Hauglie 6-1, 6-1.
 
Luverne 4, Benson 3
In the Benson match, Luverne was again undefeated in doubles play.
“All of the doubles teams played great in both matches,” Beers said.
“We will be using different teams to start the season, and I was really happy with how all the doubles teams played on Saturday.”
Stegenga and Kelm won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles over Kya Oakes and Milgo Abdi, and the No. 2 team of Chesley and Hartshorn beat Megan Anders and Alana Hettver 6-2, 6-2.
The No. 3 team of Chloe Schoeneman and Hadler defeated Arianna Nagler and Ella McGinty 6-3, 6-2.
Luverne won two of the four singles matches against Benson.
At No. 3 singles, Muehr defeated Molly Jones 6-0, 6-1. Caitlin Kindt, who was playing in her first varsity match, defeated Addie Detoy 4-6, 6-1, 10-8. 
“Caitlin played a great match,” Beers said. “She lost the first set but was able to win the second set and force a third set tie-breaker, which she won 10-8 for her first varsity victory.”
At No. 1 singles, Remme lost to Elle Kletscher 6-3, 6-2, and Hemme was defeated by Elise Duncan 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles.

Tom Rops, Luverne, will officially join the South Dakota Basketball Hall of Fame during the 12th annual Induction Ceremony Saturday at the Ramkota in Sioux Falls. 
Rops will be one of 14 former South Dakota basketball players to be enshrined into the Hall, which is located at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, as members of the Class of 2022. 
“It really is an honor to be inducted,” Rops said. “Joining the list of great players that were inducted before me means a lot to me.”
Rops, who was head coach of the Luverne High School boys’ basketball team from 2001-2013, played his high school basketball at Lennox, South Dakota, and his college ball at South Dakota State University in Brookings. 
A 1992 Lennox High graduate, Rops was a three-year starter for the Orioles.
During his sophomore year, Lennox placed third in the state tournament and Rops was named All-Conference and All-State Tournament in 1990. 
Lennox won the state title during Rops’ junior season. “1991 ended up being Lennox’s year,” Rops said. 
The Orioles entered the state title game against Custer undefeated and with a 25-game winning streak. 
“Lennox came out hot and never looked back. We won by double digits,” Rops said about the 1991 state title game.
“We only had one game that year that we didn’t win by double digits. Most people believe that that 1991 Lennox team is the best team ever that came out of Lennox.”
Rops was named all-conference, all-state tournament and second team all-state that season. 
During his senior campaign, the Orioles finished second in the state and Rops earned all-state tournament, all-conference and first team all-state.
“I started getting recruited by most NCC (North Central Conference) teams after my sophomore year of high school,” Rops said, “I had full scholarship offers at the end of my junior year.”
All three South Dakota universities in the NCC (USD, SDSU and Augustana) were the front-runners. 
“I finally chose SDSU after visiting all three campuses,” Rops said.
“I knew getting a full athletic scholarship was a heck of a deal then, but after trying to help my kids pay for their college expenses, I now realize what a blessing it really was.”
As a Jackrabbit, Rops played for three different coaches in four seasons. 
“It was a challenge because each time a coach left, you had to prove yourself all over again as the competition for playing time was fierce,” Rops said. 
Rops’ first coach at SDSU was Jim Thorson. After Thorson departed, Brad Soderberg led the Jacks for two seasons before he left to become a top assistant and eventual head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. 
Scott Nagy became head coach during Rops’ senior season.
The Jackrabbits won the conference that season and came up one game short of making the Elite Eight, losing to eventual Division II national champion Fort Hays State University in a close game. 
As a Jackrabbit, Rops was named all-conference his junior and senior seasons.
He totaled 1,147 points, collected over 700 rebounds and is still the all-time leader in offensive rebounds in a single season at SDSU. 
In the summer of 1997, Rops was hired as a social studies teacher and assistant boys’ basketball coach at Luverne High School. 
After three seasons as an assistant to Gordie Hansen, Rops was named head coach and led the Cardinals for 13 seasons.
His LHS team qualified for the 2005 state tournament for the first time since 1983. Two years later, Rops’ Cardinals returned to the state tournament. 
“Those state tournament seasons were the most memorable and a lot of fun,” Rops said. 
After retiring from his head coaching duties, Rops has coached middle school basketball teams over the years and plans to continue to do so into the future. 
“I just enjoy being around basketball and helping kids learn the game,” Rops said. 
Rops is starting his 26th year teaching at LHS and has three children. Trenton, 26, lives and works in Sioux Falls, Jayson, 19, is a sophomore at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, and Maria is a sophomore at Luverne High School. 
Rops also continues to farm with his parents south of Lennox, where his love for basketball first began. 
Rops’ family and friends are hosting a celebration of his Hall of Fame induction this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the American Legion in Lennox. 
“Everyone is welcome to join us; I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. 
“Basketball has given me a lot,” Rops said. “I really am honored to be the first boys’ basketball player from Lennox to make it into the Hall of Fame.”

Tom Rops, Luverne, will officially join the South Dakota Basketball Hall of Fame during the 12th annual Induction Ceremony Saturday at the Ramkota in Sioux Falls. 
Rops will be one of 14 former South Dakota basketball players to be enshrined into the Hall, which is located at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, as members of the Class of 2022. 
“It really is an honor to be inducted,” Rops said. “Joining the list of great players that were inducted before me means a lot to me.”
Rops, who was head coach of the Luverne High School boys’ basketball team from 2001-2013, played his high school basketball at Lennox, South Dakota, and his college ball at South Dakota State University in Brookings. 
A 1992 Lennox High graduate, Rops was a three-year starter for the Orioles.
During his sophomore year, Lennox placed third in the state tournament and Rops was named All-Conference and All-State Tournament in 1990. 
Lennox won the state title during Rops’ junior season. “1991 ended up being Lennox’s year,” Rops said. 
The Orioles entered the state title game against Custer undefeated and with a 25-game winning streak. 
“Lennox came out hot and never looked back. We won by double digits,” Rops said about the 1991 state title game.
“We only had one game that year that we didn’t win by double digits. Most people believe that that 1991 Lennox team is the best team ever that came out of Lennox.”
Rops was named all-conference, all-state tournament and second team all-state that season. 
During his senior campaign, the Orioles finished second in the state and Rops earned all-state tournament, all-conference and first team all-state.
“I started getting recruited by most NCC (North Central Conference) teams after my sophomore year of high school,” Rops said, “I had full scholarship offers at the end of my junior year.”
All three South Dakota universities in the NCC (USD, SDSU and Augustana) were the front-runners. 
“I finally chose SDSU after visiting all three campuses,” Rops said.
“I knew getting a full athletic scholarship was a heck of a deal then, but after trying to help my kids pay for their college expenses, I now realize what a blessing it really was.”
As a Jackrabbit, Rops played for three different coaches in four seasons. 
“It was a challenge because each time a coach left, you had to prove yourself all over again as the competition for playing time was fierce,” Rops said. 
Rops’ first coach at SDSU was Jim Thorson. After Thorson departed, Brad Soderberg led the Jacks for two seasons before he left to become a top assistant and eventual head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. 
Scott Nagy became head coach during Rops’ senior season.
The Jackrabbits won the conference that season and came up one game short of making the Elite Eight, losing to eventual Division II national champion Fort Hays State University in a close game. 
As a Jackrabbit, Rops was named all-conference his junior and senior seasons.
He totaled 1,147 points, collected over 700 rebounds and is still the all-time leader in offensive rebounds in a single season at SDSU. 
In the summer of 1997, Rops was hired as a social studies teacher and assistant boys’ basketball coach at Luverne High School. 
After three seasons as an assistant to Gordie Hansen, Rops was named head coach and led the Cardinals for 13 seasons.
His LHS team qualified for the 2005 state tournament for the first time since 1983. Two years later, Rops’ Cardinals returned to the state tournament. 
“Those state tournament seasons were the most memorable and a lot of fun,” Rops said. 
After retiring from his head coaching duties, Rops has coached middle school basketball teams over the years and plans to continue to do so into the future. 
“I just enjoy being around basketball and helping kids learn the game,” Rops said. 
Rops is starting his 26th year teaching at LHS and has three children. Trenton, 26, lives and works in Sioux Falls, Jayson, 19, is a sophomore at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, and Maria is a sophomore at Luverne High School. 
Rops also continues to farm with his parents south of Lennox, where his love for basketball first began. 
Rops’ family and friends are hosting a celebration of his Hall of Fame induction this Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the American Legion in Lennox. 
“Everyone is welcome to join us; I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. 
“Basketball has given me a lot,” Rops said. “I really am honored to be the first boys’ basketball player from Lennox to make it into the Hall of Fame.”

Minnesota-Wisconsin Playground of Golden Valley is installing new playground equipment on both the north and south sides of Luverne Elementary School. Students will have new basketball hoops (with help from the Luverne Basketball Association). A new cement pad was poured for the basketball area, removing the former play area from school’s parking lot. New equipment also includes various climbing areas and places of interest, such as a sign language board, showing the alphabet using hand gestures. The same company will also install several pieces of playground equipment at the city pocket park behind the Luverne Post Office and another system near the beach shelter house at The Lake.

Fifteen candidates have filed for four open seats on the Luverne School Board, and three more filed for one unexpired term.
Several of those threw their hats in the ring just before the 5 p.m. filing deadline Tuesday after the Star Herald went to press.
The four-year terms of
Katie Baustian, Reva Sehr, Jodi Bosch and Eric Hartman for up for election, and only Hartman filed.
In addition, Michael DeBates, Heather Johnson, Jason Schear, Amber Lais, Matt Goembel, Amber Nath, Jacob Hartz, Austin Kurtz, Brett Hood, Zach Nolz, Randy Sasker, Maggie Siebenahler, Josh Gangestad and Scott Wessels have filed for the three 4-year positions.
Three others filed for the two-year term vacated by Jeff Stratton when he resigned from the school board to become the school resource officer. Seeking election to that seat are Ryan DeBates, Maggie Vanderburg and Matthew Van Grootheest.
Baustian, who was first elected to the School Board in 2010, said she’s not aware of a single major issue driving so many candidates to seek election.
“I don’t know why any of these people are running but we truly are a very fortunate district,” she said.
“Our teaching staff is in place for the coming year, we have a new building and new technology.”
She said she ran for office in 2010 out of concern for the music program after middle school music educator Mary Goheen retired and wasn’t replaced.
“We saw that as a cut and thought the sky was falling,” Baustian recalled.
“But when Seana (Graber) was moved to 6-12 choir, it turned out to actually be a good thing, because she could start training students earlier.”
Baustian said she quickly learned what board members actually do.
“We’re policy makers, not micromanagers,” she said. “We’re the administration’s boss, and we have to trust their judgment.”
She added that she’s been grateful for Superintendent Craig Oftedahl’s leadership.
“We have an amazing superintendent who thrives on getting things done,” Baustian said. “The way things are right now, there are no big issues for the board.”
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board has four candidates seeking election to four open seats currently held by Harley Fransman, Renee Knobloch, Ethan Rozeboom and Arlyn Gehrke.
Gehrke and Rozeboom filed for re-election, and they’ll be joined on the ballot by Travis Helgeson and Eric Uitenbogaard.
 
Cities and townships
The Hills City Council election has five candidates vying for two open seats. Incumbents Vickie Busswitz and Alan Leenderts filed for re-election, and they’ll face challengers Brian Kraayenhof, Cory Metzger and Dusty Seachris in the November election.
The Hills council changed its mayor term to four years, so Mayor Keith Elbers is not up for election this year.
Beaver Creek Mayor Josh Teune filed for re-election unopposed, but four people are seeking election to two open seats on the council. Council members Jeff Dysthe and Pat Bender  did not file for re-election, and Heidi Freese, Joe Conger, Jacob Conger and Madison Conger filed for their open seats.
Hardwick Mayor Willy Baker did not file for re-election, and council member Tom Haas (who has been acting mayor) is seeking election to the formal title.
Two candidates, Gordon (Sam) Hansen and Don Bryan filed for two open council seats on the Hardwick City Council.
Kenneth Mayor Keith Hoven and council members Sheri Vyskocil and Laurie Gangestad are seeking re-election unopposed.
Magnolia Mayor Dennis Madison and council members Melanie Madison and Jeff DeGroot are up for election, but the Secretary of State Website shows that no one has filed.
Steen Mayor Lynette Woelber and council members Jazmine Dagel and Brad Bosch are up for election, but only Woelber and Dagel have filed, according to the state website.
Battle Plain Township Supervisors Eric Sas and Aaron Sandbulte are seeking re-election unopposed.
Denver TownshipTreasurer Lloyd Hemme and supervisors Tony Roosand Donald Arends are seeking re-election unopposed.
Martin TownshipSupervisor Nathan Fick filed for re-election.
Rose Dell Township Treasurer Jerry Purdin and supervisors Larry Fjellangerand Joe Buysse are seeking re-election unopposed.
Vienna Township Treasurer Albert Rust and supervisors David Severtson and Brad Skattum filed for relection, and Kraig Rust is challenging Skattum for the Supervisor C seat on the board.
 
Rock County, Luverne and other elections …
The filing period was in May for federal, state, county, city of Luverne and judicial offices.
There is a race for the Luverne council seat held by incumbent Kevin Aaker, who filed for re-election along with challenger Mert Kracht. Incumbent Caroline Thorson will run unopposed for re-election to her seat on the council.
Because of redistricting, all county commission seats are up for election, and all five incumbents will be on the ballot this fall unopposed. They are Gary Overgaard, Stan Williamson, Greg Burger, Sherri Thompson and Jody Reisch.
Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge and Rock County Attorney Jeff Haubrich are also seeking re-election unopposed.
 
Baustian challenges Schomacker for House
Minnesota District 21A State House seat is up for election this fall, and incumbent Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) will face current Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian as the DFL candidate on the ballot for that two-year term.
Baustian would need to relinquish his mayoral duties if he accepts the House seat.
The Minnesota District 21 State Senate seat is open for election, and incumbent Bill Weber, R-Luverne, will face Republican challenger Brad Hutchinson this fall.
Rock County voters will also choose between DFL-er Jeff Ettinger and GOP candidate Brad Finstad to fill the unexpired term of Dist. 1 Congressman Jim Hagedorn who died of cancer in February.
The offices for Minnesota governor and lieutenant governor are up for election this fall, as are the secretary of state, state auditor, attorney general and judicial offices.
The Minnesota Secretary of State website, sos.state.mn.us, has all the details.

Meetings
Springwater Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at the township hall.
 
Harvest alert: Pears ready at Prairie Ally
Harvest alert! Pears are ready for picking at the Prairie Ally food forest on N. Blue Mound Avenue. The flavor on this variety is best when there is a bit of red coloring and they are crunchy. All produce in the public food forest is free for the public to harvest from and enjoy. Bring a bag. Donations welcome at projectfoodforest.org
 
UMC community free meal Aug. 24
The United Methodist Church will host its Wednesday night free community meal at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. A pick-up option is available by calling 507-283-4529.
 
Airport fly-in and drive-in pancake breakfast Aug. 27
The Luverne Municipal Airport will host fly-in or drive-in pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 27. The event will feature inflatables for kids, Skydive Adventures and aircraft and air ambulance on display. Pilots and classic car drivers and owners get free breakfast.
 
Back-to-school meal Aug. 31
A barbecue sandwich meal will be served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (or until gone) Wednesday, Aug. 31, at a food truck in the south elementary school parking lot during Luverne’s back-to-school open house. The meal, open to the community, includes a barbecue sandwich, chips, cookie and water for $5. Ben Franklin Lodge #114 is hosting the event to benefit Luverne Community Education and Summer Rec programs.
 
Musical lunch break at Plaza on Main Sept. 1
Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow Plaza Committee will host another Musical Lunch Break Concert at the new Plaza on Main Thursday, Sept. 1.
Wildflowers mobile coffee boutique will serve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Ron and Jane Cote will provide music from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the plaza lot east of the History Center on East Main Street.
 
SAIL class starts Sept. 2
Another Stay Active & Independent for Life (SAIL) will begin Friday, Sept. 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. The strength, balance and fitness program is offered at no cost through A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota.
The 24 classes will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 to 11 a.m. through Oct. 28. Sheila Stegenga is the volunteer class leader. For more information or to register, contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064.
 
‘Out of the Darkness’ walk Sept. 10
Luverne will host the second annual “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk on Saturday, Sep. 10, at the Luverne City Park. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will be from 9 to 11 a.m.
This event raises money for research to end and prevent suicide and to show community support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide or have struggled personally with suicide. To pre-register for the walk and to learn more, visit afsp.org/luverne
 
Optimist Club Fishing Derby Sept. 11
The Luverne Optimist Club Kids Fishing Derby will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Veterans Pond in Luverne for ages 15 and younger accompanied by an adult. There will be food and prizes. Contact Travis Pierce, 507-220-5191, or Stan Steensma, 507-227-0681.
 
Book sale slated for September
The Friends of the Rock County Library annual book sale is Thursday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 17. Times are from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15; from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; and from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p. m. Saturday, Sept. 17 (bag sale).
Book donations must be dropped off at the library before Sept. 14. A members-only night will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. For more information, contact the library at 507-449-5040.
 
Register students new to Luverne district
Families with children who are new to the Luverne School District can set up an appointment to register for the 2022-23 school year.
Call the Luverne Middle School/High School, 507-283-4497, or the elementary school, 507-283-4497. Both offices are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
Register for Luverne
Community Ed
Community Education will offer the following classes in the next few weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to register.
Taking Defensive Driving Classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance premiums. The eight-hour beginner Defensive Driving class will be offered on Nov. 7 and 10.
Register now for Discovery Time preschool starting in September for your child ages 3-5 years of age. There are openings in all sections. Early Learning Scholarships may be available to those who qualify.
 
 
Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Prairie Ally seeks workers
Volunteer workers are needed from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Prairie Ally public food forest for a variety of maintenance tasks. No RSVP necessary. Other work opportunities are available by appointment by contacting info@projectfoodforest.org. Donations are also welcome for Prairie Ally, which is located along Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.