By Sara Quam
Luverne's garbage collection policies could change after council discussions at the June 12 City Council meeting.

Bill Ketterling of Ketterling Services Inc., Luverne, recently asked the council pointed questions about policies he says are stunting his business growth.

Ketterling said there are services he can provide (and used to provide) that the city has taken over.

The council will review two different ordinance options at its meeting. The differences that will be discussed are whether Ketterling should be able to take over pickup for churches, retirement homes, homes for the elderly and hospice facilities.

If the city loses those specific contracts, Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes said, "We would stand to lose over $25,000 in revenue."

Losing the revenue from refuse collection would effect the city's general fund because about $30,000 a year is put in that fund from collections. It all helps keep taxes down Huiskes said.

"I have an obligation to our citizens. After all, they own this utility. I have a responsibility to them to look at our potential revenue shortfalls and consider all options," Huiskes said. He added that the city tries to provide the best possible service at the least costly price.

Ketterling said of the ordinances on the table, "I don't think either will stand, as is. I think we need to sit down and amend them so it's fair."

Ketterling currently does commercial garbage pickup, handles recycling contracts for the county and county cities and hauls between the Rock County Transfer Station and the Lyon County Regional Landfill.

All garbage is essentially county business in the end. Rock County transports municipal solid waste (standard garbage) to the Lyon County Regional Landfill, and Rock County, in turn, receives demolition materials from there.

Each is transported by Ketterling for a base fee per trip that was increased for 2001.

Hauling between landfills accounted for $37,274 in payments from the county to Ketterling in 2000. That contract is separate from recycling or other collection contracts.

Ketterling uses the Lyon County landfill for his business's municipal solid waste disposal while the city of Luverne uses the Rock County landfill as a measure of local support.

Residential collection
Neither versions of the new garbage collection ordinance before the council would allow Ketterling to be involved in residential pickup, though he still sees it as an issue.

The city has complete control over residential buildings, including apartments, in Luverne. But because apartments are a business that happens to be a residential property, Ketterling sees a gray area where he should be able to do some pickups.

"I would like the opportunity to provide that service," Ketterling said. "I can't see why the city is concerned. I generate a lot of revenue in the city."

Councilman Keith Erickson said he's given the matter some thought. "I would like to see the city deal with things that are residential. Where people are living on a regular basis, it should stay with the city."

Erickson further reasoned that opening apartments to Ketterling would leave home rentals and duplexes up in the air, confusing routes and policy for years to come. "Do we count a six-plex? I mean, where do we draw the line?"

Rental property owner Mike Jarchow suspects his properties would save money using Ketterling, who charges on volume rather than apartment units.

Jarchow said the city charges a $12.50 monthly residential garbage fee for each apartment unit, even though the city makes only one stop per building.

Other issues
The garbage pickup issue was brought to the council by Mayor Glen Gust on behalf of Ketterling.

Last April the council finalized the current garbage collection policy.

City Administrator Matt Hylen said, "It was agreed on between Darrell Huiskes [public works director], Ketterling, and the city - private and public were satisfied. The council has decided to revisit it a year later."

The issue comes up just a year after the city spent $105,000 on a new garbage truck and $101,000 on new receptacles.

Hylen wouldn't comment on whether employees in the public works department could be eliminated if they lose collection stops on their routes.

Ketterling said he hasn't been completely satisfied with the current system, even after last year's discussions. He said he just wants to fairly compete as a businessman in his field - garbage collection. That's why he asked for a few issues to be addressed.

Ketterling wanted to know why Schoneman Park is a city contract, why other county buildings are the city's responsibility, why the city picks up church sites and why Blue Mound Liquor is a city stop.

Churches are charged the same as residential fees, as is Schonemen Park.

Ketterling's question on Blue Mound Liquor was answered by Hylen, who said it is a governmental operation that does not operate to make a profit.

"Any excess revenue generated by the liquor store is paid to the general fund to reduce the need for taxes," Hylen said.

The council's discussion June 12 will likely result in a decision on which version of the ordinance the city will adopt.

By Lori Ehde
Local law enforcement and state investigators continue to field hundreds of calls from the public regarding the murder of Luverne's Carrie Nelson.

As of press time Wednesday, however, there were still no suspects named in the case.

In fact, the only new information released at a press conference Tuesday was that a $10,000 reward is offered for information that may lead to an arrest and subsequent conviction.

Nelson, 20, was found beaten to death at the Blue Mounds State Park entrance building in the afternoon of Sunday, May 20.

The 1999 Luverne High School graduate was a park employee and had been working the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift at the park when she was killed.

Rock County Prosecuting Attorney Terry Vajgrt addressed area media on the steps of the Rock County Law Enforcement Center during Tuesday's press conference.

He declined to answer questions about whether investigators are narrowing in suspects or if Nelson may have known her assailant.

"A lot of times, the dissemination of information can hamper an investigation," he told the media.

Appearing before the media with Vajgrt were Carrie's father, Stan Nelson, Hills, her mother Nan (Karr) Kaufenberg, her stepfather Mike Kaufenberg, Madison, S.D., and her fiancŽ Mike Kellen, Sioux Falls.

"We loved Carrie very much and we miss her," Nan Kaufenberg said, clutching Carrie's photograph to her chest.

"If anyone knows anything about her murder, please come forward. We want to see the person who caused this brought to justice."

Stan Nelson said bringing Carrie's murderer to justice won't bring her back, but he said the guilty person needs to be stopped.

"My beautiful little girl will never again run into my arms saying 'I love you, Daddy,'" Nelson said. "Whoever did this must be caught so they can never do it again."

The Rock County Sheriff's Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Patrol are working on the case.

Investigators are still seeking information on two gray Minnwest Bank money bags that were taken from the park office the day Nelson was murdered.

They're also seeking information on a full-size, large white car that was seen speeding away from the park between 2:15 and 2:30 p.m. that day.

A tip line of 283-1301 has been established to field calls from the public.

In addition, investigators particularly urge anyone who was at the park that weekend to call the tip line if they have not yet spoken with an investigator.

The Blue Mounds State Park "Park Partners" booster club is in the process of establishing a Carrie Nelson Memorial Fund. Contact the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, 283-4061, for information on how to give.

Park is now open
Blue Mounds State Park manager Rick White said the murder has been difficult for him and his staff.

"We've gotten a lot of support from across the division (DNR parks). We've gotten lots of cards and e-mails," White said Wednesday.

The park was officially closed through the holiday weekend, but gates were open to local visitors and those who happened to stop in.

"We were open on a real limited basis because we were still looking for information," White said. "But people were self-registering, and the climbers have been real supportive. The hikers have been out, and a few crappies have been caught in the lower lake."

The "closed" signs have been removed from I-90 and Highway 75. Blue Mounds will be open and fully staffed for Buffalo Days this weekend and Sunday's annual buffalo burger feed and State Parks open house.

White added the wildflowers are in bloom, and 19 baby bison have recently joined the herd.

Arrested park employee
In an arrest authorities say is not related to Nelson's murder, Blue Mounds State Park employee Marcus Lamarre Wilson faces felony charges of fifth-degree controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Wilson's wife, Theresa Wilson, Brandon, said she has videotape of Marcus at their daughter's birthday party Sunday afternoon.

Authorities searched Wilson's rented residence on 612 West Warren Street Wednesday night, May 23.

They reportedly found a plastic bag containing 2.2 grams of cocaine and a .25 caliber handgun, which Wilson is not allowed to own due to a prior felony conviction of check forgery in 1999.

Also found in Wilson's home were various drug paraphernalia and $900 in cash.

Wilson, 25, will appear in Rock County Court Monday, June 4. The maximum penalty for the charges is six years in prison and a $13,000 fine, if found guilty.

By Lori Ehde
The highlight of Luverne's Buffalo Day's celebration this year will be photographer Jim Brandenburg's "Chased by the Light" exhibit at the Carnegie Cultural Center.

The artist said Tuesday he's looking forward to coming home for the event.

"It's hometown. It's like family," he said of the upcoming weekend.

He said the exhibit and book signing all tie in with the greater goals set out when the Brandenburg Gallery was established.

"The long-range plan was that I would contribute whatever I had to offer to raise awareness of the prairie and the landscape around the Mounds."

He said he wants to give back to his community for what it's done for him.

"The support the community has given me is extremely humbling and makes me feel very proud of Luverne," he said.

Brandenburg grew up in Luverne and began his career as a natural history photographer and film maker while majoring in studio art at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

In 1978, he became a contract photographer for National Geographic and has since worked on numerous projects, which have earned him national and international recognition.

In a recent undertaking, he set out to photograph the natural world near his home in Ely. He challenged himself to take only photograph per day for 90 days between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.

"ÉThere would be no second exposure, no second chance. My work would be stripped to the bones, bringing together whatever photographic and woods skills I have," Brandenburg wrote of the experience.

"I was anxious to begin ... conscious that no matter how earthbound the substance was, its essence was fleeting ... elusive to capture ... there would be but a single chance to capture it... My shutter opened then closed... My journey began."

The resulting feature article, "The Northwoods Journal," in National Geographic's November 1997 issue was, according to editor William Allen, "the most photographs the magazine has ever published in one feature in it's entire history."

Brandenburg's 1998 book, "Chased by the Light," elaborates on his experiences during those 90 days.

Photographs from the book will be featured at the Carnegie Cultural Center on North Freeman Avenue in Luverne through June and July.

Brandenburg will be in town for Buffalo Days for a book signing and visit at the Brandenburg Gallery on Main Street from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 2.

He will also be at the Carnegie Cultural Center that day from 3 to 5 p.m. for a book signing and opening reception.

Spotting a squirrel is another sign that the season has changed, even though it may not feel like it with temperatures dipping into the 30s some nights this week. This young squirrel didn't care how cold it was as he frolicked around in the trees Tuesday afternoon in Hills.

By Jolene Farley

By Lori Ehde
Funeral services for murder victim Carrie Nelson will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Grace Lutheran Church.
Most all who knew her say she'll be remembered for her pleasant disposition.

"She was just a good friend. She was a cheerful girl - always happy," said Luverne's Carolyn Norton.

"We're going to miss her a lot."

Norton was Nelson's classmate and friend at Luverne High School. The two girls were dorm roommates during their first year at Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.

"Everyone has memories of her, I think," Norton said. "She was just there for all of us when we needed her."

Nelson, daughter of Nan (Karr) Kaufenberg, Luverne, and Stan Nelson, Hills, grew up in the Hills-Beaver Creek area and graduated in 1999 from Luverne High School.

She was involved in band, choir and peer helping and had planned to pursue a career in elementary education.

Nelson took a year off from classes at DSU and had been living in Sioux Falls and was commuting to her seasonal job at the Blue Mounds State Park.

By Lori Ehde
Blue Mounds State Park is closed this week, preceding what would normally be one of the busiest holiday camping weekends of the year.

The main park office has been a crime lab since Monday as law enforcement investigates the murder of 20-year-old park attendant Carrie Nelson.

Her body was found at 2:45 p.m. Sunday by park management. An autopsy Monday revealed she had died earlier that afternoon from "multi-traumatic injuries to the head due to assault."

Authorities say there was no evidence of sexual assault, but robbery is cited as a possible motive.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Sheriff Ron McClure said investigators are seeking information on two bank money bags believed to have been taken from the park office at the time of the murder.

The gray bags carry the logo of Minnwest Bank. A tip line, 283-1301, has been established for the public to offer information on the missing bags.

McClure said he couldn't comment on the amount of money stolen or whether any items of value were taken from the office.
The Rock County Sheriff's Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Patrol are all working on the case.

These are the only details investigators have released so far.

McClure said all possible witnesses are being interviewed, and he would not comment on whether investigators have narrowed their scope of suspects.

The biggest question still unanswered is whether the murder should be considered a random act of violence or if there was a connection between Nelson and her assailant.

When asked if residents should be concerned about their safety, McClure declined to say if the community was at risk but instead said it's always wise to lock doors and protect property.

Meanwhile, the murder has sent a ripple effect through the Minnesota State Parks system with regard to security.

Bill Morrissey, director of the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation, confirmed that in the 110-year state park history, Nelson is the first employee to be murdered on the job.

"I think it's absolutely fair to say [security] will be reviewed. We're at heightened security right now," Morrissey said Tuesday.

"In light of a changing world, you hope that whether you're a park visitor or a park employee, safety is a concern."

He said no surveillance cameras are used in any of Minnesota's state parks.

Morrissey said the Blue Mounds will be closed until Sunday when it will reopen for day use and camping Sunday night and Memorial Day.

"The contact station is not operable, and a lot of the equipment has been removed (for the investigation)," Morrissey said.

"We aren't going to put that burden on the park staff yet. They need some time to deal with this."

He said staff from other state parks will assist at the Blue Mounds this weekend, but campers may have to self-register.

Normally the Blue Mounds' 73 campsites are all reserved for Memorial Day weekend. "It's our opening weekend and one of the real big weekends for us," he said, adding that he hopes the murder investigation doesn't scare away park visitors.

"We want the public to understand we don't see any reason not to come out and enjoy our parks," he said.

"Thankfully the people of Minnesota take care of their parks and kind of look out for each other. We don't want this to deter people from enjoying their great outdoors."

By Lori Ehde
Funeral services for murder victim Carrie Nelson will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Grace Lutheran Church.

Most all who knew her say she'll be remembered for her pleasant disposition.

"She was just a good friend. She was a cheerful girl - always happy," said Luverne's Carolyn Norton.

"We're going to miss her a lot."

Norton was Nelson's classmate and friend at Luverne High School. The two girls were dorm roommates during their first year at Dakota State University, Madison, S.D.

"Everyone has memories of her, I think," Norton said. "She was just there for all of us when we needed her."

Nelson, daughter of Nan (Karr) Kaufenberg, Luverne, and Stan Nelson, Hills, grew up in the Hills-Beaver Creek area and graduated in 1999 from Luverne High School.

She was involved in band, choir and peer helping and had planned to pursue a career in elementary education.

Nelson took a year off from classes at DSU and had been living in Sioux Falls and was commuting to her seasonal job at the Blue Mounds State Park.

By Sara Quam
The Pool Commission Tuesday rescinded the 50-percent rate increase it intended to implement July 1. It had a special meeting to clarify its role in the decision-making process for the Rock County Community Pool and Fitness Center.

The Pool Commission reported its decision in a joint meeting with the Rock County Board and Luverne City Council.

Most of the commission members agreed that their previous decision was hasty. However, they disagreed on how the decision was approached and reached.

Glen Gust, who made the motion to increase rates by 50 percent, maintains the hike was recommended by Pool and Fitness Center Director Darrell Huiskes.

He said Huiskes said it would take a 104-percent increase to make up for a deficit. The commission then decided to raise rates to the halfway point.

Huiskes said he was simply informing the commission of the figuring he had done and didn't want a steep increase. He said, "Glen said at the beginning of that meeting that the city and county were no longer going to fund the facility."

Gust said, "I only said that the deficit can't continue to grow, but I think recreation should be funded."

Carol Wessels, Pool and Fitness Center manager, said she is concerned that Gust is passing blame to management when he fields phone calls from unhappy members. She also said that Gust indicated that government funding would cease.

Laurie Ketterling, new commission member, said Gust's words must have been misinterpreted.

The commission's role
Aside from rehashing the past meeting, the commission took another look at its place as an advisory board to the joint powers who run the Pool and Fitness Center - the Rock County Board and the Luverne City Council.

After the controversy from the announced rate increase, City and County Attorney Don Klosterbuer interpreted the joint powers agreement. He said the commission doesn't have the right to raise rates without the approval of county and city government.

"I don't understand. If we don't have the authority, what's our purpose? It seems like a time waster," Gust said.

Later at the City Council meeting, Klosterbuer explained that numerous committees advise elected people to make final decisions, and that their research and time allow elected officers to make informed votes.

In the past, the Pool Commission set rate increases but usually worked it into budget talks so the city and county governments approved them. Even though it was inappropriately raising rates, it wasn't noticed until this situation caused the attorney to look at it because of the controversy.

Commission member Damon Eisma said, "I still think it has to be raised, but now we can look at it again and do it right."

As one of three new members, Eisma voted in favor of the raise at his second commission meeting and would have liked to have spent more time researching and being informed before he was "inundated with calls and letters."

In just two weeks, the Pool and Fitness Center filed 32 cancelled memberships.

Ketterling said, "The main complaint I've heard is that we can raise the price mid-contract and they can't get out of it mid-contract." She said the commission should look into a one-time escape clause that would make those members feel better about a rate increase.

Eisma agreed. "If we're going to raise it upwards of 30, 40 percent, we're going to have to take extraordinary steps," he said.

By Sara Quam
Rock County's payments to keep extension educators on staff could increase if the University of Minnesota Extension Service has its way.

Right now, the county pays 25.78 percent of the average statewide educator's salary. In the year 2000 that amounted to $28,886.

It should be paying 30 percent, which is what the county signed on to pay in 1992. But now the University of Minnesota wants Rock County, along with all Minnesota counties, to pay 40 percent.

The Rock County Board of Commissioners took no action in its meeting Tuesday but discussed the issue with extension office employees.

County Administrator Kyle Oldre said, "I think that it was a negotiated agreement in '92 and we should go by that number."

Under the U of M's new proposal, all Minnesota counties would pay 40 percent of the average extension educator's salary. The current payment schedule isn't uniform, instead based on a county's size and budget.

If the new proposal meets approval, Rock County would see a $16,000 increase over six years. A few counties in the metropolitan area will actually pay less than they are under the current system.

The increased contribution from counties wouldn't mean a pay raise for educators, but would shift some of the burden from the state.

Commissioner Bob Jarchow questioned the validity of the University's proposal. He said the state is considering setting levy limits, and Rock County would have a difficult time meeting this payment without levy increases.

In related extension news, Extension Educator Barb Radke recently turned in her resignation.
Before that position is filled, the Extension Committee and County Board wanted to get a feeling for what direction to take in the extension office with this possible budget increase.

That's why Dave Werner, University of Minnesota Extension Southwest District Director, was present for discussion at the meeting.

He said that 79 of Minnesota's 87 counties are not paying their designated percentage now. That means the program is running at a deficit of $345,000 that will increase to $450,000 if not addressed.

Werner said that now is a good time to assess the county's needs. "One of the options - one that I'm not too excited about - is eliminating positions. There's a hundred other options, and I'm willing to work on any of those. I will do whatever I can to work with you."

Extension Committee Chairman Gary Overgaard said to the board, "You're going to have to tell us whether we're going to have to make the cuts."

Commissioner Jane Wildung. "It makes sense, to me, to analyze what our needs are for the county in the long run before we look at money."

Wildung said extension services have been valuable to the Rock County Collaborative. "Extension does a lot of Collaborative work. It takes a long time to get prevention programs up and running before there's a benefit on the cure side. We know that prevention in healthcare works, and we're trying to do the same thing on other issues, because you canÕt throw enough money at some of the problems."

Wildung said the skills that extension educators have is hard to find. "The talent needed for some of the educational elements isn't necessarily found in-house in county departments."

Extension Educator Fraser Norton said, "If there's anything you see we need to be doing that we currently aren't, we can try to come up with something."