Luverne's Shane Hoag drove car No. 28 to the Enduro Race championship at the Rock County Fairgrounds in Luverne Saturday.

By John Rittenhouse
A Luverne man captured the championship of Saturday's rescheduled version of the Rock County Fair's Enduro Race.

The event was scheduled to take place Saturday, Aug. 3, as the final grandstand attraction of the three-day fair. Just as the drivers took the track that night, a thunderstorm sent fans searching for shelter and forced the event to be postponed.

Forty-two cars and nearly 1,000 fans showed up for Saturday's make-up race, which featured free admission.

"Everything went pretty well," said Burdette Braun, one of the event's officials. "We had a good turnout. We sure appreciated everyone coming to the rescheduled race."

The rescheduled event turned into a good one for Luverne's Shane Hoag, who drove his Chevy Malibu to victory.

Driving car No. 28, Hoag completed 160 laps around the track before the raceÕs two-hour time limit expired. Houg ended up winning the race by four laps.

Terry Dieren, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, placed second in his Chevy Camaro. He completed 156 laps in car No. 41.

Luverne's Tom Walker and Travis Van Santen placed third and fourth respectively after completing 153 and 150 laps respectively. Walker drove car No. 9, a Chevy Impala. Van Santen steered car No. 2, an Olds Delta 88.

Luverne's Adam Kinsinger and Chad Oye also finished well in the pack by placing seventh and 10th respectively.

Edgerton's Gene Schoep and Owen Tinklenberg placed fifth and seventh respectively.

Adrian's Mark Bullerman, another driver from the Star Herald coverage area, placed 10th.

Randy Sasker, of Worthing, S.D., and Doon, Iowa's, Leon Sneller also placed in the Top 11 by finishing sixth and ninth respectively.

Curt Vander Stoep (left) won the low gross championship of the Seniors' Club Tournament played at the Luverne Country Club Sunday. Nick Veenhof (right) won the low net title.

By John Rittenhouse
A first-time winner emerged as the low gross champion of the annual Seniors' Club Tournament played at the Luverne Country Club Sunday.

In what turned into a two player showdown during the second round of the 18-hole event, Edgerton's Curt Vander Stoep used a late birdie to nip Luverne's Dave Iverson by one stroke for the gross crown.

It didn’t look good for Vander Stoep when he faced a two-stroke deficit with three holes left to play, but the tide turned on the par-3, 16th hole.

The eventual champion drained a birdie putt on the fateful hole while Iverson put up a double-bogey five.

The three-stroke swing put Vander Stoep in front by one stroke with two holes remaining, and he protected the slim lead by matching Iverson's efforts (a par-5 on the 17th hole and a bogey five on No. 18) to win his first Seniors' Club title.

Both Vander Stoep and Iverson were competing in the division for players in the 50-59 age group, and they found themselves challenged by players within their group as well as some golfers in the 60-69 division and the 70 and older division.

Seven players were within three strokes of the gross lead when the first nine holes of play were complete.

Vander Stoep, who recorded a bogey and a double bogey during the first four holes, finished strong by recording five straight pars to finish the round with a three-over-par 39.

Iverson, who had two birdies, three pars, three bogeys and one double bogey, matched Vander Stoep's 39-stroke effort to earn a share of the lead.

Rick Serie and Bruce Olson, two more members of the 50-59 age group, both shot five-over-par 41s and trailed the leaders by two strokes.

Sam Hansen (50-59 division), George McDonald (60-69 division) and Don Lein (70 and over division) all trailed by three strokes after recording 42s.

Serie and Olson climbed to within one stroke of the leaders after recording pars on the 10th hole, but that would be as close as they would come to catching the front runners.

Iverson moved in front by one stroke when he recorded a par on the par-3 12th hole (Vander Stoep had a bogey), and he increased his lead to two strokes with a bogey on the par-4 14th hole (Vander Stoep had a double bogey).

Both men parred the 15th hole, right before Vander Stoep turned the showdown around with his birdie on No. 16.

Vander Stoep (39-41-80) and Iverson (39-42-81) set the pace in the gross competition in the 50-59 division. Serie (41-41-82) placed third in the division and overall. Olson (41-46-87), Hansen (42-45-87), Tom Serie (43-44-87) and Greg Gabrielson (43-33-87) all tied for fourth place in the 50-59 division.

The low net title for the 50-59 division went to Jerry Johnson (47-44-92), who recorded a net 65, Rick Serie was second with a net 66, and Vander Stoep third with a net 67.

Two members of the 60-69 division tied for first place in the gross competition in their division as well as earning a share of fourth place in the overall gross standings.

McDonald and Jerry Wethor led the five-player 60-69 division.

McDonald shot a 42-41-83, while Wethor checked in with a 43-40-83.

Nick Veenhof, who emerged as the tournament's low net champion, and Laurin Carroll tied for third place behind McDonald and Wethor in the gross competition in the 60-69 division.

Veenhof shot a 47-44-91, while Carroll carded a 43-48-91.

Veenhof was a run-away champion in his division and the tournament. His net 61 was 10 strokes better than Wethor's 71 and 13 shots better than Carroll’s 74 in their division.

Veenhof topped Johnson 61-65 in the overall net standings. Rick Serie, Lien and Ken Staeffler tied for third place with net 66s.

Lien coasted to an 11-stroke victory in the gross competition in the 70 and over division.

Lien shot a pair of 42s for an 84, which easily topped challengers Staeffler (48-47-95) and Jay Jackson (55-48-103), who placed second and third respectively.

Lien and Staeffler both recorded net 66s, and Lien won a chipoff to earn the low net award for his flight. Jackson placed third with a net 73.

The Kid Definitely Stays In The Picture

The Kid Stays In The Picture
Rated R * Now Playing
Kent's grade: A
Carol's grade: B+

SYNOPSIS:
Legendary movie producer Robert Evans' career is brought to the silver screen in this
adaptation of his tell-all 1994 autobiography. A series of twists and turns in his life eventually
lead from a stalled career as a B-list actor, to the exalted position of V.P. in charge of
production at Paramount Studios. There, he's given six months to revive the studio ranked
last.

During his tenure from 1966 to 1974, Evans produced great films like "The Godfather,"
"Rosemary's Baby," "Love Story," "The Odd Couple," "Harold & Maude," and
"Chinatown." In so doing, he transformed not only the studio, but the movie business, too.
But, all good things must come to an end. Evans' glorious 1970s gave way to the 1980s where
his star, his wealth and livelihood all crash. But, the kid stays in the picture.

Given a lucky spark, Evans turns his opportunities into a blaze and in 1991 turned things
around by securing the rights to "The Saint." Off and running again, Evans continues his 35+
years of producing at Paramount.

Kent's Take:
Watching "The Kid Stays In The Picture" is like watching a modern "Citizen Kane" (with
rosebuds instead of Rosebud). Although obviously ratcheted down to emphasize his
successes, we are none-the-less treated to a fascinating journey into the life of a true
Hollywood powerbroker.

Remarking on his loves, hates, successes, and failures, Evans' wonderful narration sheds
light on his candid moments and emotions. We fly along with the jet-setter as he schmoozes,
cajoles, and shoe-horns productions, making classic films for Paramount.

Kudos to film makers Brett Morgen and Nanette Burstein for this outstanding documentary.
This production somehow manages to capture the magical lure of Tinseltown while still
exposing a bit of its seedy underbelly.

Visually entertaining, this movie's success can be attributed to three elements. First, through
four decades, we see the immense changes Hollywood undergoes. Second, Evans' narration
is engaging, frank and charming. Finally, the editing is unmatched. Using new shots, old clips
and stills, cinematographer John Bailey has even brought black and whites to life with unique
computer enhancements.

"The Kid Stays In The Picture" is a must-see for anyone interested in the inner workings of
Hollywood. Yet, that is not the entertaining part. It's the insight, as seen through the eyes of
Robert Evans, that gives this riveting film its amber glow of life.

Carol's Take:
Robert Evans's 1994 autobiography, "The Kid Stays In The Picture," delighted movie buffs
and Hollywood insiders alike. The book painted a kinetic, colorful portrait of a born
showman.

At Paramount, employing taste, vision and hutzpah, Evans oversaw the development of some
of the best movies of the 1970s. In the process, the studio rose from last to first place among
the nine important studios of the day.

This new documentary, named for his book, chronicles the meteoric rise, and precipitous fall,
of Evans as one of the most important players in Hollywood during the '70s and '80s.

Naturally, the story includes more than one juicy bit about well-known tinsel-town personalities, too.
Film makers Nanette Burstein and Brett Morgen have created a compelling piece. Their
documentary creatively combines still and moving pictures from Evans's life and work.

For narration, they wisely chose the man's own voice, as he read his autobiography some
years ago for a books-on-tape project. While the sound quality is disappointing, the punch of
the subject speaking his own words to tell the story is its own reward.

"The Kid Stays In The Picture" is a must-see for movie buffs everywhere. Robert Evans was
destined to lead an interesting life, no matter what career he chose. It's a treat that his life was
so well-documented that we get to see it play out before us on the silver screen - far better
than any movie role he ever played.

© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com

Unleaded Attitude Toward Diesel

XXX
Rated:R
Kent's Grade: D

THE PLOT:
Xander "XXX" Cage (Vin Diesel), a fringe dwelling daredevil, has caught the attention of a
desperate National Security Agency (NSA). Having been scouted and accepted, XXX is
forced to infiltrate a radical Slovic terrorist group, Anarchy 99. Lead by ex-Russian soldier,
Yorgi (Marton Csokas), and his cagey girlfriend, Yelena (Asia Argento), XXX easily
infiltrates their ranks. But the deeper he gets into Anarchy 99 the more he realizes he is being
used by both sides as an expendable pawn. As the mission goes awry, XXX becomes the
only person that can save the world from Yorgi's weapon of mass destruction.

KENT'S TAKE:

"XXX" is touted as "A new breed of secret agent." Good description. There's just one
problem. The "breeder" crossed a British secret agent with Deputy Dawg.

Called "XXX" because of the tattoo on his neck, he eXemplifies all that is wrong with the old
secret agents. The new secret agent uses "new fangled" weapons such as guns and
eXplosives, and he drives off-road motorcycles and a Pontiac GTO, state-of-the-art vehicles
indeed! And his interests lean more toward getting some action than actually saving the
world. XXX does differ from the old secret agents in that he doesn't need to use his brains,
his testosterone-laden charm and his "Skater/BMX" attitude will carry him through. Give him
a fast car, a parachute and a cheesy quip and off he goes!

EXpunging all story elements such as characterization, plot and depth, this story is
streamlined to action sequences with fist-pumping techno-rock. Forced to use some dialogue,
it is simply used to set up more action. Even the great soundtrack isn't enough to eXtricate
Diesel from this embarrassing film.

XXX is supposed to be an anti-establishment bad-boy, but once his mission begins, his
attitude and eXuberance eXpires. I must admit Diesel was given very little to work with. It is
obvious that his "star-power" was meant to carry this film, but even an eXceptional actor can
carry a film only so far, and Diesel isn't one of those actors. I guess you can say I'm an
unleaded fan of Diesels. Add to this a villain who strikes fear into our hearts with nothing but
stringy, unwashed hair and you have a protagonist and antagonist that are sure to eXpidite
slumber.

Unfortunately, our new breed of secret agent needs a little work. This film only differs from a
Jeane-Claude Van Damme movie in two ways, Jeane Claude's feet and XXX's tattoos.

© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com

On a mission
The Policing Institute report points out that the department may lack a clear vision in leadership.

"When asked, members of the department articulated the value/duty to patrol when they are not responding to a call for service, but they could not clearly and specifically define their objectives when patrolling," the Institute said in its report.

It suggests the sheriff create a mission statement and ensure that all department members are fully aware of it.

In the organizational structure, the Policing Institute found areas of concern.

It reported job descriptions arenÕt clear enough, although sergeants are generally in charge of operations. "The lack of coherent structure was evident in both departmental and community comments," which follow:

"Everyone gets along very well, but there doesnÕt seem to be any true leadership."
"The sergeant is always passing calls off on other deputies."
"The chain of command is clear, but everyone knows how to get around it."

The report lists recommendations on role definitions. "When deputies see their repertoire of options limited to ... driving around/patrol and deter crime through the use of arrests, they are less inclined to problem solve with the community, build partnerships with law abiding citizens or address important quality of life issues. The sheriff needs to redefine the options available to deputies who are 'on patrol.' "

While deputies are patrolling and responding to calls, the report points out that Sheriff McClure often spends time on the road transporting prisoners to and from Prairie Justice Center, the Nobles County jail where Rock County prisoners are housed.

"We recommend that the sheriff redefine his role in the department to focus more heavily on strategic leadership issues rather than on line functions such as prisoner transport. This change is critical to the success of the transition to a community policing format," the Institute reported.

Follow the leader
Everyone interviewed for the report identified the two sergeants as those who control police operations. Concerns about their managerial abilities were raised by interview subjects:

"They really don't lead - they just do a job."
"I wish they would listen more."

The report says supervisory style and work-product appear to lack consistency and that setting goals and objectives would help.

The Policing Institute said the sheriff should examine roles and responsibilities of each supervisor. The report quotes one interviewee as saying:

"One sergeant responds to calls only when forced to."

If deputies see supervisors not held to a high standard, they can feel disgruntled:

"Why should I have to work when he doesnÕt?" one deputy said.

For community policing to be effective, the report suggests that sergeants be held accountable for their performance and be positive role models to other department members.

Communications
Typically, deputies patrol until they receive a "call for service." The assessment report found that the Rock County dispatch workers are well respected and essential to the department and public safety.

The Policing Institute said some dispatching changes would enhance community policing through the communication process.

Deputies rely upon and trust dispatchers, according to the report, but the Institute also recommends that a "clear chain of command for decision making must be agreed to, and implemented."

The chain of command will ensure that employees feel the overall call-for-service system is fair.

The Policing Institute also recommends not releasing the full dispatch report to the Rock County Star Herald. Cleaning up jargon within the report will improve the publicÕs perception of what the department handles.

The report also urges the department to adopt a form of crime analysis to identify and address activities in specific areas. A person in the department could be designated to handle crime analysis, which would be shared with county and city elected people and the public.

The public should be aware of the importance of receiving timely and valuable information.
The Policing Institute also suggested the possibility of establishing a Crime Stoppers in order to increase community involvement. It would also keep the public informed that crimes are under investigation, to dispel the myth that "nothing happens" following a report to the department.

Credit where it's due
Because the Rock County Sheriff's Department is small, promotions are infrequent.

The Policing Institute suggests building and sustaining momentum with short-term goals that, when achieved, are celebrated.

When asked, "How are you rewarded?" department members answered:

"Don't know."
"We are not rewarded for good work."
"We should be rewarding our deputies, but we haven't in the past."

The report said no one could recall examples of sergeants reviewing reports, giving advice or directly assisting officers.

The Policing Institute recommends that the department implement policies that reward "those who act in a professional manner and support problem solving activities."

Instead of only counting the number of incidents handled, community policing advocates crediting absence of crime and recognizing neighborhood involvement.

The Policing Institute said that the sheriff's obligation, as the highest-ranking officer, is to lead the department through community policing.

"Within the department, employees need the permission and organizational structure to begin problem solving with the community. Getting out of the car, talking with residents, and engaging with community members in a non-enforcement manner will be key to gathering trust and support from the community. Geographically based problem solving assignments, with accountability factors, will increase the likelihood of success. For effectiveness, supervisors will also need to be held accountable for the responsibility they are given. It is their job to act as coaches, information resources and visionaries."

By Sara Strong
The Rock County Sheriff's Department just got through an in-depth agency-wide assessment - and is transitioning into a new style of law enforcement called community policing.

The Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute completed the report, which hasn't yet been addressed at regular Luverne City Council or Rock County Board meetings.

The finished report calls attention to areas of improvement needed in the leadership of the department, (sheriff and sergeants) and reveals a sense of frustration within deputy ranks.

The report is based on interviews June 10 through 12 with deputies, supervisors, non-sworn staff, county and city employees, elected officials and community members. The report is also based on document reviews and observation of the department.

The assessment is the first step in a $52,900 program to overhaul the department. Training to implement community policing started Aug. 7 and continues through May 2003.

Rock County and the city of Luverne, as partners in joint law, adopted community policing when elected officials and citizens complained about the department earlier this year.

A couple major unsolved crimes, strings of break-ins, follow-up with crime victims and a perceived drug problem were on the list of issues raised with the Rock County Sheriff's Department.

Community policing is a proactive, communicative approach to law enforcement. Different from the old-fashioned reactive methods, community policing calls for increased cooperation and preventative measures to protect the public.

Community policing also encourages officers to be geographic specific, following up on crimes within an area. The idea is to increase accountability and ownership in law enforcement.

The good news
The department is led by Sheriff Ron McClure. There are two sergeants, Mike Winkels and Kurt Kester.
The report highlights positive notes about the department in general.

It says the sheriff values service to the community and that most deputies have great feelings toward the public.

During the interview process for the report, assessors found that community people know and like Sheriff McClure. The interview subjects said:

"The sheriff is someone I would want around if I had a crisis."
"He truly cares about the community."
"He can communicate with individuals very well."

Some deputies responded favorably to working more closely with the public through a new community policing style:

"I want to be proactive and work with the community. We can solve crimes with the community's help."
"The community is our customers - we need to work together to get things done."

The dispatch center was well-reviewed by the Policing Institute as well. "Communications/ dispatch are respected for their ability to manage calls for service, their regard for the public and overall service ethic."

Another good sign is that no concerns or complaints about unnecessary use of force were brought against the department. The report says this is unusual and should be commended.

Deputy support
Some members of the department see the assessment as a punishment or would rather see money spent elsewhere.

They said during the assessment process:

"I like to distance myself from the community and don't care what they (community members) think. I will support community policing if it doesn't add any more to my work load."

"The county doesn't value us - they would rather put money into an old building rather than give us better equipment."

"I don't like associating with the community."

Other deputies support the idea of getting more feedback from citizens and improving community relations.

"I want to work in a proactive department - if I don't do my job the best way possible then I am not doing my job."

"Receiving input from the community is important - it also helps for 'informant development.' "

By Lori Ehde
The Adrian and Rushmore communities are mourning the loss of two young girls who died in a one-vehicle rollover Wednesday, July 31, near Lismore.

According to information from the Nobles County Sheriff's Department, emergency crews responded to a 911 call at 3:42 p.m. on 190th Street about three-quarters of a mile west of Durfee Avenue.

There were five juvenile girls in the van, which had rolled and then burned.

Killed in the accident were Christine Anne Talyer, 15, daughter of Tim and Deb Taylor, rural Adrian, and Bethany Anne Feit, 12, daughter of David and Chris Feit, rural Rushmore.

Also in the vehicle were Christine's sisters, Katherine Taylor, 11, and Alexandra Taylor, 16, who was driving. The other passenger was Melissa Jo Weidert, 12, of Lismore.

The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and the other three were taken to Luverne Community Hospital.

Weidert was airlifted to Sioux Falls, and has since been released.

The accident remains under investigation, but Alexandra spoke about the accident at her sister's funeral.

She said after the van rolled, she was able to run for help. She said Bethany had been unresponsive, but that her sister was trapped in the vehicle and they were unable to free her before the van burned.

According to the girls' obituaries, they were both students in the Adrian School District.

Feit would have been a seventh-grader and was involved in band and cheerleading.

Taylor would have been in the ninth grade in Adrian High School and "loved her special needs classmates and teachers."

By Sara Strong
The Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute defines community policing as a different structure of organization, emphasizing problem solving and partnerships - partnerships with the community.

Some interpret this as mere public relations work, but itÕs more authentic than that.

Dennis Cusick, interim director of the Policing Institute, said, "It's a true partnership. The stakeholders have a share in identifying problems, finding solutions and implementing change to fix those problems."

The Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI wrote a report on community policing that said in part, "police organizations that have been engaged in community policing and problem solving for at least three years are receiving an 85 percent increase in information and a 50 percent increase of intelligence information compared to traditional police practices."

Implementing community policing means open communication with the public, frequent exchange among units within the agency and ongoing communication and networking with other public and non-profit agencies.

Patrol time is another point community policing hits. Studies have shown that a significant amount of a patrol officer's time is spent in uncommitted patrol activities and that it doesn't reduce communities' fear of crime, nor does it deter crime in any real sense.

Rock County citizens have voiced complaints about the department's perceived lack of visibility, but Cusick maintains that patrolling doesn't encourage citizen cooperation or make deputies approachable.

Kansas City, Mo., did an experiment on random and routine patrol that showed there was no measurable impact upon crime, arrest rates and citizen fear.

Cusick said that completely random patrol is less useful than directed patrol. Tactics of community policing help officers understand how to maximize their impact by focusing on solving problems rather than merely being visible.

Patrolling is still a part of the job description, but patrol officers in community policing know their neighborhoods and the people living in them. Conversely, people know their officers and they are more likely to communicate.

Role definition is another important part of community-oriented policing. Resentment, confusion and lack of consistency within the department usually result from unclear organizational roles.

Once roles are assigned, duties can still be flexible. Department members can be accountable for actions when allowed to make their own decisions, rather than feeling trapped between or within job duties.

Community policing allows officers to make decisions, take risks and then stand behind the decisions they make.

If a role is defined to make an officer responsible for an activity, he or she must be given the authority to take action and account for the outcome.

Cusick said he looks forward to continuing work with the Rock County Sheriff's Department, which he said has been accommodating and willing to learn.

Cusick is retired from 33 years in law enforcement, 18 of which he served as director of public safety and chief of police.

Sheriff's Department Personnel
Names and year employment started
Sheriff Ronnal McClure, 1977
Investigator Clyde Menning, 1968
Sgt. Kurt Kester, 1977
Sgt. Mike Winkels, 1990
Deputy Evan Verbrugge, 1991
Deputy Jeff Wieneke, 1991
Deputy Greg Lingen, 1998
Deputy Ken Baker, 1998
Deputy Gerald Vorderbruggen, 1977
Deputy Craig Martinson, 1998
Deputy Jason Aanenson, 1995
Part-time Deputy Lon Remme, 1981
Part-time Deputy Jim Sandstede, 1981
Part-time Deputy Keith Aanenson, 1967

By Sara Strong
The Luverne City Council Tuesday officially signed off on the deal to keep a major employer in town.
The council transferred $750,000 to the Luverne Economic Development Authority to fund expansion of the Berkley Technology Services building.

Berkley Corp. is the parent company of Continental Western Group (formerly Tri-State) and Berkley Technology Services (formerly Berkley Information Services).

The LEDA will add 8,500 square feet to the existing 20,000-square-foot BTS structure. CWG employees will move into the BTS building. The expanded building will house about 130 employees.

Berkley Corp. will then donate the vacated Tri-State building to the city of Luverne.

The city agreed to this deal to ensure the company and its payroll would stay in Luverne.

Street assessments
The council declared the final cost of this summer's street project on portions of Freeman, Estey, Bishop, Crawford and Brown streets as well as five alleys. Of the total, the city will pay $327,481.42 and affected property owners will be assessed $464,349.24.

Assessments will be payable in equal annual installments through a 10-year period with a 6-percent interest rate.

Property owners will be notified by mail about their specific assessments. The city called a public hearing at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, for affected property owners to be heard.

McLeod to PrairieWave
The council approved of a transfer of control of phone and cable service from McLeod USA to PrairieWave Telecommunications Inc.

Employees, services and office hours will remain the same, so customers shouldn't notice a change except for the name on their phone or cable service if they use McLeod now.