Luverne grad member of third-place U.S. cyber games team
Logan Stratton, a 2017 graduate of Luverne High School, is one of 20 U.S. competitors who were invited to compete in the International Cybersecurity Challenge in Athens, Greece.
Stratton’s team placed third in the inaugural ICC event.
The
Stratton joined three other graduates from Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota, selected for the team, the largest representation from any one school on the U.S. team.
Joshua Klosterman, Austen King, Eric Leslie and Stratton have been members of the DSU cyber competition teams.
“Seeing where we stack up against top talent from around the world has been eye-opening,” Stratton said.
The challenges, especially the ‘Capture the Flag’ competition, were pretty grueling. You show up, you work your tail off, (and) you do the best you can. It’s an elite level of competition.”
Stratton works at the DSU applied research lab as a research engineer.
He has a bachelor’s degree in cyber security and a master’s degree in computer science from DSU.
Hardwick native earns 3M corporate award
Hardwick native Christopher Bryan won a 2021 corporate-level Circle of Technical Excellence and Innovation award at 3M where he works in the company’s Environment, Health and Safety Division.
Bryan was recognized with the CTE&I award for leading the development and installation of several new technologies at 3M’s Cottage Grove, Cordova and Decatur facilities. His work is critical in helping the company meet sustainability goals.
The CTE&I award honors exceptional individuals and teams for their outstanding contributions to 3M and for setting the standard for 3M technical excellence and innovation worldwide.
Bryan is the son of Don and Lorna Bryan, Hardwick, and is a 1992 graduate of Luverne High School.

Anglers with fishing questions can find answers on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fishing page (mndnr.gov/Fishing).
The page answers questions like:
•For which species can I fish?
•What kind of bait is legal?
•What kind of fish can I keep?
It also is a mobile-friendly destination for information on when, where and how to fish.
Users will find links to LakeFinder, which provides maps and detailed information on lakes throughout the state, and the new StreamFinder tool that provides a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota.
The DNR fishing page also includes an online version of Minnesota fishing regulations plus an online version of the 2022 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet, which is available in print anywhere DNR licenses are sold.

Agricultural producers in Minnesota who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center before the applicable deadline.
“Many USDA programs require producers to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Whitney Place, state executive director in Minnesota.
“Once planting is complete, call your local FSA office to make an appointment to report your acreage. Our FSA staff can assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.”
An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits.
 
How to file a report
The following acreage reporting dates are applicable in Minnesota: 
July 15 – Spring-seeded crops including hemp and wild rice
July 15 – Conservation Reserve Program acres
Aug. 15 – Beans other than dry edibles
Sept. 30 – Turfgrass Sod and Floriculture (1-NAP)
•Nov. 15 – Apiculture and fall-seeded small grains
To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:
•crop and crop type or variety.
•intended use of the crop.
•number of acres of the crop.
•map with approximate boundaries for the crop.
•planting date(s).
•planting pattern, when applicable.
•producer shares.
•irrigation practice(s).
•acreage prevented from planting, when applicable.
•other information as required.
 
Acreage reporting details
The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:
•If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
•If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.
•If crops are covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, acreage reports should be submitted by the applicable state, county, or crop-specific reporting deadline or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins. 
Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant, but due to natural disaster, were unable to because of a natural disaster. 
Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency. 
FSA offers continuous certification for perennial forage. This means after perennial forage is reported once and the producer elects continuous certification, the certification remains in effect until a change is made. Check with FSA at the local USDA Service Center for more information on continuous certification. 
 
More information
Producers can make an appointment to report acres by contacting their local USDA Service Center. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

n this Fourth of July, we celebrate the birth of our country — the great American experiment in democracy that began in 1776, when our founding fathers adopted the principles penned in the Declaration of Independence.
Those principles became the bedrock of our nation, a roadmap of America’s purpose, and the foundation for a new way of governing rooted in the importance of working together.
Throughout our history, brave Americans have fought and given what Lincoln called “the last full measure of devotion” for our unalienable rights. These rights — and our constant drive to do better — are what define our democracy.
Today we see the struggle for democracy in Ukraine as Vladimir Putin continues his unprovoked invasion.
Our country has stood with the people of Ukraine because we know what’s at stake. We know how precious democracy is. And we know there is nothing more sacred.
This Fourth of July, let us take the time to cherish our democracy and commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
For centuries, our ongoing desire to create a more perfect union has made us stronger, helping us move forward as one nation despite our differences.
Today and every day we will continue to channel that spirit of unity and purpose as we reflect on the past and work toward a bright future for the next generation of Americans.
Happy Independence Day.

As you know, when I write these columns, I usually take a humorous look at an everyday situation. I start with the premise, “The column must be about something funny.”
Sometimes, what’s funny is that I wait until the very last minute to write my column and turn it in to the dear editor at Tollefson Publishing. She has an obsessive focus on something she calls “deadlines.”
After waiting too long to write my column about something funny, it’s hard to be funny. One can’t just generate “funny” out of thin air.
So here I am, two hours from the deadline trying to think of something funny to write about.
(OK, actually, it’s 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. Columns are due Friday at 5 p.m., but whatever.)
My granddaughters are funny. At ages seven and four, just being around them is funny.
They built a tree fort at the base of an evergreen in our backyard. One of their concerns was that the tree was in the way of their fort and they wanted to cut it down.
That’s funny.
Chickens are funny. The way chickens walk is even funnier. One of my chickens has a limp. I don’t know how she hurt her leg (which is NOT funny), but a limping chicken is a funny thing to observe.
I’m wondering if there has ever been a rock band called The Limping Chickens. If not, there should be.
The fact that our house has been half painted for over a month is funny. (Well, maybe not to the neighbors.)
In mid May I decided our house was the wrong color and marched down to Ace for the annual paint sale.
Twice, I bought two gallons of what turned out to be the wrong color.
I’m not that great at math but that’s like buying three or five gallons of paint I didn’t need just to save a little money.
After painting so much of the wrong color, I ran out of steam when it came to finishing the right color. The week of 100-degree heat and the fact that I was tired of painting didn’t help either, but I’m not one to make excuses.
Speaking of excuses, I wonder if the editor will believe my column is late because I’ve been painting my house, building tree forts and caring for a limping chicken?
Wouldn’t it be funny if she did?

July 4th, the Fourth of July, or Independence Day – however you refer to the day, it’s generally a day that brings back memories of past July 4 celebrations.
As a kid growing up in Heron Lake, my memories of the Fourth of July centered around spending the day celebrating our nation’s independence in Okabena.
The memories of those bygone years are pretty much the same year after year after year.
The main action was in the city park with food stands and cans of pop in a stock tank full of ice and water.
There were games for the kids. The one that comes to mind is the fish tank game.
It wasn’t really a tank; it was more like a 6-foot-square by 6-foot-high enclosure covered with a canvas tarp.
The fishing pole was the bamboo variety with an attached string and a clothespins tied on the end. You cast the line over the top of the canvas, and sure enough, it wasn’t long and you had a nibble. You yanked the line back out and checked out your catch of the day.
There was always a big crowd around the dunk tank. You got three throws for 50 cents, and if you missed all three times, you ran up and hit the target with your hand, sending the poor guy on the seat into the cold water.
The parade started at 1 o’clock. It was like most small-town parades – a couple of local school bands, clowns, homemade floats, and lots and lots of candy thrown from the floats along the way.
There was always this old car with 2-by-10 board probably 20 feet long running through the car sticking out the back windows with three guys sitting on the board on each side of the car playing musical instruments.
Why I remember that I am not sure. Of course all the local towns were represented by their hometown American Legion post proudly marching the colors through the parade.
I am not really sure if the colors were always at the beginning of the parade out of respect for the flag and the veterans (my dad being one of them) carrying the flags, or if it was so those veterans could be the first to quench their thirst at the local watering hole after the parade. Either way, they have earned our respect.
Throughout the day there were Mites and Midgets baseball tournaments going on next to the city park. The real draw to town was the fireworks. Back in the day, Okabena – the  town, not the lake in Worthington – was the place to watch fireworks.
I hope you have good memories of past Fourth of July holidays and certainly hope this year provides you with lasting new memories as well.
Happy Fourth of July!

Dispatch report
June 17
•Complainant reported runaway is in Luverne.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 1, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported a reckless driver.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 2-3, Beaver Creek, reported construction barrel in roadway.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a two-year-old wandering around alone.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported transient in a tent under railroad bridge.
•Complainant on County Road 4, Beaver Creek, reported a drunk driver.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 8, Beaver Creek, reported a possible drunk driver.
June 18
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75, Luverne, reported a vehicle parked at location after hours.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported they locked themselves out.
•Complainant on County Road 4, east of 70th Avenue, Beaver Creek, reported there is a person kneeling in the roadway.
June 19
•Complainant reported disorderly subject at location on S. Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant requested to speak to deputy.
•Complainant on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne, assisted a motorist.
•Complainant on 40th Avenue, Hills, reported a stolen vehicle.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 14, Luverne, reported a driving complaint.
June 20
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a disgruntled ex-employee caused damage to property.
•Complainant reported a camera outage.
•A hit response is requested for a warrant in Bemidji.
•A thunderstorm warning was issued for Rock County.
•A thunderstorm warning was issued for Rock County.
•Complainant west of Jasper reported a downed tree in driveway.
•Complainant north of Hardwick reported a tornado at location.
•Complainant on County Road 12 and Highway 75, Hardwick, reported a power line snapped at location.
June 21
•Subject at NCSO, Worthington, turned himself in on warrant.
•Complainant reported a scam/harassment.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant reported camera outage.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported fraud situation.
June 22
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 7, Luverne, reported erratic driving.
•Complainant on E. 3rd Street, Hills, reported theft of a catalytic converter.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported repossession of a motor vehicle.
•Deputies on N. Estey Street executed a search warrant.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant on 241st Street, Jasper, reported a male subject wandering around the property.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported a vehicle in the park after hours.
June 23
•Complainant on W. Warren Street reported suspicious activity in her home.
•Complainant on S. Josephine Avenue, Hills, reported a deceased subject.
•Complainant on 11th Street, Hills, reported someone knocking on her window.
•Complainant requested a copy of her driver’s license.
•Deputy reported equipment malfunction.
June 24
•Complainant on 161st Street reported a vehicle in grove does not belong to him.
•Complainant on S. Cornelia Street, Sioux City, Iowa, reported a subject with a warrant.
In addition, officers responded to 3 motor vehicle accidents, 2 deer accidents, 1 vehicle in ditch, 2 escorts, 18 ambulance runs, 1 paper service, 8 animal complaints, 3 fingerprint requests, 5 burn permits, 1 background check, 4 gas drive-offs, 3 alarms, 6 drug court tests, 1 background check, 6 purchase and carry permits, 3 stalled vehicles, 13 traffic stops, 8 abandoned 911 calls, 2 tests, 3 welfare checks, 2 reports of cattle out and 2 follow-ups.

Card showers
Carol Van Maanen will celebrate her 80th birthday on Thursday, June 30. Greetings may be sent to her at PO Box 135, Hills, MN 56138.
 
Open House
An open house bridal shower for Mindy Nieuwboer, bride-to-be of Edward Gryener, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at the Kenneth Community Center in Kenneth.
 
An open house baby shower for Stephanie and Derek Van Wettering’s baby girl will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 9, at The Lake in Luverne.

LSS meals at Generations
 
New Location: 105 S. Estey, Luverne
Monday, July 4: Happy 4th of July! Closed.
Tuesday, July 5: Ham and turkey chef salad, bread stick, fresh orange, dessert.
Activities: 12:30 p.m. Pinochle/Favorite games.
Wednesday, July 6: Goulash, corn, tropical fruit, bread.
Thursday, July 7: Brat, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Sanford Luverne.
Friday, July 8: Sloppy Joe on a bun, potato salad, baked beans, pudding.
 
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846, extension 11 to reserve one day prior, to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.