10 years ago (1993)"Cargill Grain Division of Hills has taken another step to promote agriculture locally. The rural Hills business contracted with Southern Minnesota Construction Co. Inc. of Mankato to have five-tenths of the road sprayed with a newly developed product, soybean oil ‘soapstock.’ ‘It’s a new type of dust suppressant that uses products from agriculture. We were interested in giving it a try,’ said Cargill manager Jim Reiff."25 years ago (1978)"Winds gusting to 95 miles per hour, hail, heavy rain and even a possible tornado left extensive damage and a tremendous clean-up project behind them as they swept through the entire area Thursday night. The area immediately surrounding Hills was fortunate with little damage to buildings, however, several trees in Hills were downed or destroyed by the winds. In Steen, also hit hard by the storm, one tree, which almost fell on buildings owned by Ernie Hall, managed to remain standing until Friday when it was removed by Bravo Construction Co."50 years ago (1953)"Early Saturday morning around 3 a.m. one of the worst wind storms to hit the area in some 15 years struck, leaving considerable damage to buildings and trees here. A hailstorm accompanied it, doing almost total damage to some crops here. About three and one-half inches of rain fell in Hills during the short stay of the storm, which hit spasmodically. The hail hit north, west and east of town apparently, doing damage in spots only, while just across a road there was no damage from it. North of town, the Nels Kolsrud farm was pretty badly hit, while west of Hills, Norris Rye and Bennie Thompson had beautiful fields of corn badly damaged."75 years ago (1928)"The Hills kitten ball team motored to Rock Rapids last Thursday where they crossed bats with the team at that place. The game ended in a tie, and now they have to do it all over again." 100 years ago (1903)"Johann, the Austrian, is progressing finely in this country. He is now a valuable member of Boone’s cement gang and can understand anything from cuss words to the six o’clock whistle. It doesn’t seem to worry him much whether he ever discovers his relatives or not."

By Sara StrongIt’s not that Dr. Mark Bierma has had great experiences at the dentist office. But when it came time to choose a profession, working with his hands, business ownership and healthcare made a nice combination for Luverne’s newest dentist."I really enjoy working in fine detail and daily interactions with people," Bierma said. "I considered becoming a medical doctor, and doing surgery, but I had a neighbor who was a dentist. He was good at explaining the field to me and urging me to go toward it too."How Bierma came to Luverne — in a time when dentists are in demand across the country in cities of all sizes — was a lifestyle choice."It was the community that swayed my choice," Bierma said.For a couple years, the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce has been advertising at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and attending job fairs there. Chamber Director Dave Smith said he’s happy that Luverne was able to attract Bierma.Mark’s wife, Aleta, is a pediatric nurse, and they have an infant daughter, Katelyn. Aleta grew up in a smaller town and Mark has grown to enjoy country living more than the Metro area he’s been in for the past eight years."It came down to quality of life issues for my wife and me. My hobbies are hunting and fishing and camping and I didn’t want to have to drive to get to those kind of places," Bierma said.It’s costing Bierma $270,000 to take over the retiring Dr. Bill Bollinger’s practice in Luverne, not counting personal student loans. The Luverne Economic Development Authority is guaranteeing $20,000 in loan money as a measure of support from the city.Dr. David Born is a professor at the U of M School of Dentistry and said Bierma is a minority among recent grads, choosing to locate in a smaller city."It’s a bigger risk to locate in a rural area, because if things don’t work out, you have to pay to move your family and business again," Born said.Born talked about the shortage of dentists overall and said that some estimates say as much as 40 percent of vacancies in the central United States will go unfilled after retirements.There are a good number of dentists graduating from schools, but that doesn’t cover the estimated amount of retirements that will come in the next 10 years."One good thing," Born said, "is that there will be multiple opportunities for dentists after they graduate."

By Lori EhdeLuverne residents and the surrounding area now have access to up-to-the minute, accurate weather data specific to the area.KELO-TV selected Luverne Middle School to be a Weather Net site, which means the TV station will have better geographical coverage for its weather information, and Luverne finally has weather data all its own.Luverne eighth-grade Earth Sciences teacher Tom Lanoue teaches a two-week weather session that requires his students to measure and record weather data."We had an old jalopy of a system that we used to compare with measurements from around the area," Lanoue said."This way they have current data from right here in Luverne. Otherwise they’d have to call Sioux Falls, Pipestone or Worthington. The closest data we could find was a half-hour away."Lanoue said the only requirements for Luverne to participate as a Weather Net site is that it dedicates a low-functioning computer and power supply. Luverne Middle School plays only a minimal role in getting the information to KELO."It downloads itself and e-mails itself to KELO," Lanoue said. "We only need to make sure the equipment is operating."He said KELO has $800 worth of weather instruments on the middle school roof. That includes a thermometer, barometer and an electronic rain gauge."You can go the KELO Web site and click on ‘Luverne’ to see what the current conditions are here any time of day," Lanoue said.The site is located at www.keloland.com.He said the equipment also measures helpful information, such as wind speeds, wind chill, heat index and more."It really benefits the whole community."Luverne was one of 25 new communities to become KELOLAND Weather Net sites. They were selected based on dedication to the project and KELO’s need for weather sensors at certain geographical areas.Middle School Principal Stacy Gillette filled out the application for Luverne. She described the program as a great opportunity for students. "It will give them more information and it will be more official."In addition to immediate on-line information, Luverne’s weather will scroll across the bottom of the KELO television screen, and Luverne’s conditions will be announced during the early-morning weather segment.While Lanoue worked with the KELO technicians to get the process going, he said District Technology Coordinator Wade Hiller has put a good share of time into getting it up and running. In addition, he said the custodians worked to get the equipment installed on the roof.The program will be ready for students when they start school this fall.

By Lori EhdeLuverne’s Shari Kracht enjoys backyard barbecues and private space for her children to play, both indoors and out. But most of all, she enjoys the freedom of owning her own home.As the first Habitat for Humanity homeowner in the Southwest Minnesota Chapter, Kracht is reminded every day how much better life is after moving out of her low income apartment last year."How can I not be happy?" she said Tuesday.Her four-bedroom home, completed last summer, is located on the corner of Warren and Southwest Park street.Being a Habitat for Humanities family is a non-conventional route to homeownership, but Kracht said it’s a path she’d be happy to take again.In fact, she’s been instrumental in helping other families who are considering making the same move."I tell them it’s scary at first, because it’s such a big change," she said. "It’s overwhelming — all these people coming at you at once. People come from everywhere and you don’t know who they are."She said she encourages them to go through with it, because it’s worth it in the end. "Once you get into it, and you reach the midway point, you start to see the end," she said. "And when you get to the end, it’s the most wonderful thing you can imagine."Along with the wonderful aspects of homeownership, Kracht said the most important message she gets across is that a Habitat home is earned."It’s something you pay for, and once you’re in it, you’re in it for life," she said.Including taxes and insurances, Kracht is making payments of more than $300 per month, and she said she hopes to clear up the misconception that she’s getting something for nothing.She said it also bothers her to hear rumors that she’s not caring for the property. "Contrary to popular belief, it’s not wrecked or destroyed," Kracht said.According to Marie Ekdom, assistant administrator of the Southwest Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, success of the chapter and its programs hinges on public support.She said the Luverne project is a success and that Kracht has contributed to that. "Shari has done everything we want her to do as a Habitat homeowner," Ekdom said.In testimonials she offers on the process, Kracht describes a deep sense of pride in having been a part of the building process."The 500 hours of sweat equity I did willingly and with pride, knowing that I was helping build my own home," she says in her speeches."It gives you this great sense of pride. You help build it, you want to keep it nice forever, because you know how much work goes into building it."She also talks about how the process has changed her life. "I am so much happier. The children are so much happier. I feel alive again," she says. "The youngest four no longer have to be ashamed of where they live and are very happy."She also shares with others how she’s learned about generosity in others."My many thanks to the Southwestern Minnesota Habitat For Humanity and all the people who volunteer their time," she said. "This has opened my eyes to see that there are people out there who do care — people who freely volunteer their time to help others."Now she said she looks forward to volunteering her time with the Pipestone Habitat home."I’ll do anything they need help with," she said. "If I could have helped more with the Worthington home I would have."The average Habitat for Humanity home is built for about $35,000 to $40,000 with donated funds, equipment and labor.For every local home built, the national organization gives 10 percent of the total value to projects in other needy parts of the world.Pam Dobson is the Luverne contact for Habitat for Humanities.

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Board of Commissioners met in a special budget session Tuesday, and will continue to do so until it comes up with at least $500,000 of cuts for 2004.Board Chair Ron Boyenga went out on a limb and listed areas he thought could be cut: o$150,000 from the Highway Departmento$150,000 from Family Serviceso$80,000 from Extensiono$40,000 from the Library and Pool and Fitness Centero$40,000 in health insurance savingso$40,000 from various other savingsThe Board has to cut the $500,000 from the portion of the budget that isn’t required spending — about $3 million.Administrator Kyle Oldre summed up the budget situation for 2004 and 2005: The county will have less money, the same mandated spending, the same expectations from citizens and more costs from the state.Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "This isn’t just talk, it’s action."The Board is meeting in closed committee sessions to talk more specifically about cuts, which could involve personnel. Oldre said he favors buy-outs, or early retirements, instead of laying off employees. Commissioner Bob Jarchow said the initial cost of the early retirements will still save the county money in a year. Jarchow said that the whole budget problem could be looked at in a positive way, because county government will be streamlined from now on.Oldre said that looking at big line items to cut isn’t adding up to $500,000 quickly, so every small expense has to be considered for a cut in coming meetings.

By Lori EhdeKathy and Roger Fick of K&R Auto, Luverne, were the highest bidders on Luverne’s Bargain Center Friday when the building and its contents were sold in an auction.Roger Fick said there are no immediate definite plans for the 10,000-square-foot building, and he declined further comment.Roger and Carol Sorenson have owned and operated in the former Kenny’s Super Foods building since 2000.It had been vacant since 1997 when Larry Goebel quit the grocery business there.Prior to the Kenny’s building, the Bargain Center operated out of the blue building in the block currently occupied by the new Glen’s Food Center.The blue building was demolished to make way for the new grocery store, which was first Jubilee Foods until last year.Friday’s auction drew large crowds in the Bargain Center Parking lot, as inventory and equipment were liquidated in the going-out-of-business auction.Carpenter Auction Service, Lake Benton, handled the sale.

By Sara StrongA public hearing on the Rock County Recorder position will gauge support or opposition on changing the position from elected to appointed.The hearing is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at the Commissioner’s regular meeting Tuesday, July 22, in the Rock County Human Services Community Room. The hearing was set Tuesday after the Rock County Board of Commissioners voted to accept the ordinance that changes the position.The current recorder, Jere Ohme, said he supports the change because the nature of the job has changed to be fine-detailed data work that requires computer knowledge more than ever.He said previously that being elected serves no real purpose to the voting public: "This office is governed by state statute. We make no political decisions whatsoever."Bike pathThe path from Blue Mound Avenue to the state park will see paving by the start of next week.The total cost of the project was $500,000 in federal, state and local funds.The project was completed from 2001 to this year in increments.From the start of the path by Casey’s on the corner of Blue Mound Avenue and Main Street to the end of the path by the state park reservoir is about 6 miles.The path has already seen some foot and bike traffic and the board anticipates it being a popular part of local recreation.Commissioner Ken Hoime said, "It’s beautiful. It’ll get used a lot."Rural addressesThe Board of Commissioners reminds rural residents to not use any new addresses until they receive formal notification from the county. The county still has to complete final mapping and get Post Office approval.Social worker hireThe county granted permission for Rock County Human Services to hire a vacated child protection worker position. Nancy Lange, supervisor, said, "If we don’t fill this, I really believe we won’t be able to do the work, and we’ll probably have more out-of-home placements."Out-of-home placements have been expensive for the county in the past, including all costs of children taken out of their homes for their protection or the family’s well being.Out-of-home placements can come in the form of shelter care, family foster care, residential foster care or correctional care and can be very short or long-term placements.Lange said a social worker can help reduce the costs by counseling and educating in the home before things reach a breaking point.The cost of an additional social worker is about $29,268 plus benefits. There are some state and federal reimbursements that come from position.

By John RittenhouseSixteen teams gathered at the Luverne Country Club Monday to play golf for area charities.The 13th annual Peg Hoiland-Anderson Memorial Golf Tournament was played under windless, sunny conditions at the LCC.The event raised more than $1,800, and the proceeds will be shared by the Luverne Dollars for Scholars Chapter and Sioux Valley Hospice.Sioux Falls players enjoyed the most success during the 18-hole scrambler, but Luverne talent did make an impact on the event.Winning the overall and women’s title during the day was a team consisting of Sioux Falls players Jeri Krsnak, Patty Coddington, Mary Albers and Joli Gallagher.The winners shot a combined 12-under-par 60.Placing second was a men’s team featuring Luverne High School players Colby Anderson and Jesson Vogt.Anderson and Vogt teamed up with Sioux Falls player Brian Anderson to shoot a 10-under-par 62 and win the men’s championship.Winning the mixed couples title was a team made up of Sioux Falls players Jackie (Ohme) Payne, Glen Poppinga, Dick Bohy and Ryan Bohy. Payne is an LHS graduate, and her team shot a seven-under-par 65.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne VFW baseball team slipped to 3-4 in league play after dropping two of three games against District competition.Marshall Orange beat the Cardinals by 10 runs in Luverne Thursday before turning around and nipping Luverne by one run in Marshall Tuesday.Luverne posted a nine-run victory in Slayton Monday.The 8-12 Cards host Edgerton tonight before playing two games in Pipestone Monday.MO 5, Luverne 4A late rally by Luverne came up one run short during Tuesday’s game in Marshall.Luverne, which trailed 5-3 after MO scored four runs in the bottom of the first and one in the second, put together a threat that produced one run in the top of the seventh. The Cards, however, couldn’t push the tying run across the plate.Taylor Graphenteen singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch to get things rolling in the seventh. After Derek Johnson drew a walk, Jared Pick lifted a sacrifice fly that scored Graphenteen and moved Johnson to second base. Johnson was stranded at second base when the final two Luverne batters struck out.Luverne scored the game’s first three runs in the top of the first. Pick doubled home a pair of counters and Wyatt Cote added an RBI single.Kelsey Petersen pitched all six innings and took the loss. He yielded five hits and three walks.Box score AB R H BIGraphenteen 3 2 3 0Johnson 3 1 1 0Pick 3 1 1 3Cote 4 0 1 1Nath 4 0 0 0Petersen 4 0 0 0Oeding 2 0 0 0Ward 3 0 0 0Lundgren 2 0 0 0Luverne 9, Slayton 0A solid pitching performance by Graphenteen led the Cardinals to a nine-run league win in Slayton Monday.Graphenteen, who led Luverne with two RBIs, was more impressive as a pitcher. Graphenteen tossed a seven-inning shutout, limiting Slayton to two hits and one walk while recording five strikeouts.Luverne supported its pitcher by scoring runs in four of the game’s seven innings.The Cards took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first with RBI singles from John Tofteland and Cote and a run-scoring single by Pick.Johnson singled and scored on a ground out by Graphenteen to make it 4-0 in the fourth.The Cards put together a four-run fifth inning highlighted by an RBI single from Graphenteen. Tom Ward received an RBI for a safety squeeze. One run scored on a throwing error and another with a balk by the Slayton pitcher.Luverne capped the scoring in the seventh when Dustin Richters singled and trotted home on a throwing error later in the frame.Box score AB R H BIGraphenteen 3 1 1 2Tofteland 5 1 1 1Pick 4 2 2 1Cote 4 1 2 1Nath 1 0 0 0Ward 0 0 0 1Johnson 3 2 1 0Petersen 3 0 1 0Oeding 1 0 0 0Lundgren 2 1 1 0Richters 3 1 2 0M0 14, Luverne 4The Cardinals dropped their second consecutive league game when Marshall Orange drubbed them by 10 runs in Luverne Thursday.Marshall scored at least one run in all five innings of a game that ended due to the 10-run rule.Orange led 14-0 after scoring one run in the first and fourth innings, seven in the second, two in the third and three in the fifth.Luverne made a bid to extend the game during the bottom of the fifth by scoring four times, but the rally fell one counter short.Ben Nath singled and Tofteland walked to ignite Luverne’s uprising in the fifth.Pick, Petersen, Brett Lundgren and Richters singled home one-run each.Johnson started the game on the mound and took the loss. Lundgren and Nath pitched in relief.Box score AB R H BINath 3 1 2 0Tofteland 1 0 0 0Pick 3 1 1 1Cote 2 1 0 0Petersen 2 1 2 1Bolen 1 0 1 0Deutsch 2 0 0 0Lundgren 3 0 1 1Johnson 1 0 0 0Richters 1 0 1 1Ward 1 0 0 0Oeding 2 0 0 0