By John RittenhouseThe Luverne American Legion baseball team split games against area foes June 25 and Tuesday.The Cardinals posted a 12-run win in Adrian June 25 before losing a two-run home decision against Pipestone Tuesday.Luverne had a scheduled game against Slayton rained out Friday.The 3-3 Cardinals play at the Brookings, S.D., tournament Friday through Sunday before hosting Edgerton Tuesday.Pipestone 6, Luverne 4Pipestone scored a pair of late runs to nip the Cardinals during Tuesday’s game in Luverne.Luverne tied the game at four by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the visitors plated single runs in the sixth and seventh frames to prevail by two.The Cardinals led 2-0 when Adam Reisch was hit by a pitch and Jesse Kuhlman reached base on an error before both runners scored on an error in the bottom of the second.Pipestone battled back to take a 4-2 lead by scoring single runs in the third and fourth innings before adding two in the fifth, but the Cards rallied to knot the score at four in the bottom of the fifth.Joey Pick and Reisch drew bases-loaded walks to account for Luverne’s fifth-inning runs.Devan Goembel tossed the first five innings and took the loss after surrendering five runs and four hits. Rob Fodness allowed one run in two innings of relief.Box score AB R H BISchmidt 4 1 0 0Studer 3 0 1 0Kurtz 4 0 0 0Pick 3 0 1 1Reisch 2 1 0 1Kuhlman 3 1 0 0Fodness 3 0 0 0Wysong 2 0 0 0Goembel 2 1 1 0Kopp 1 0 0 0Luverne 12, Adrian 0The Cardinals opened the 2003 summer season by posting a five-inning, 12-run victory in Adrian Wednesday, June 25.Jesse Kuhlman tossed a one-hit shutout and four Luverne batters drove in two or more runs to highlight the win.Luverne assumed control of the game by scoring 12 runs in the first four innings.The Cardinals opened a 5-0 lead in the top of the first.Aaron Schmidt singled, Jake Studer walked and Adam Kurtz was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Mark Remme forced home the first run when he was hit by a pitch. Joey Pick slapped an RBI single before Kuhlman chased home two more runs with a single. Adam Reisch received an RBI for a ground out to cap the rally.The Cards score four more runs in the second to make it 9-0.Studer and Kurtz walked before scoring on an outfield error by Adrian. Pick and Reisch slapped RBI singles as the inning progressed.Luverne made it 11-0 when Kurtz doubled home a run and Pick capped a three-RBI game with a run-scoring single in the third.A two-out single by Rob Fodness was followed by an RBI single from Remme when Luverne scored its final run in the top of the fourth.Kuhlman walked five batters and fanned three during his five-inning stint on the hill. A one-out single in the fourth inning kept Kuhlman from pitching a no-hitter.Box score AB R H BISchmidt 3 2 2 0Kopp 2 0 0 0Studer 1 3 1 0Fodness 1 1 1 0Kurtz 1 2 1 1Remme 3 2 2 2Pick 4 2 3 3Kuhlman 4 0 3 2Reisch 4 0 3 2Boen 3 0 1 0Wysong

Hills-Beaver Creek athletes Karic Wiertzema (left) and Dustin Verhey (right) won titles at the Hershey’s Minnesota State Track and Field meet in Apple Valley Saturday. Wiertzema won the softball throw in the boys’ 11-12 division. Verhey won the 800-meter run in the boys’ 11-12 division.By John RittenhouseTwo Hills-Beaver Creek athletes won championships at the Hershey’s Minnesota State Track and Field meet in Apple Valley Saturday.Karic Wiertzema and Dustin Verhey are the young Patriots who came up with big performances during the state meet.Wiertzema took top honors in the 11- and 12-year old division of the softball throw with a toss of 159-11.Verhey won the 11-12 800-meter run with a time of 2:45.79.By winning state titles, Wiertzema and Verhey will wait and see if they are selected to compete at the Hershey’s National Track and Field Meet in Hershey, Penn., in August.Five champions from every state are selected to compete at the national level each summer. The state representatives are selected at random.Chelsi Fink and Mya Mann made bids to win state titles before placing second Saturday.Fink was second in the girls’ 13-14 softball throw with a distance 121 feet. Mann finished second in the girls’ 13-14 800-meter run in 2:35.71.H-BC athletes placed fourth in three events at state.Dalton Bass was fourth in the boys’ 9-10 100-meter dash with a time of 15.82. Amanda Tilstra finished fourth in the girls’ 13-14 1,600-meter run with a time of 6:02.89.Wiertzema, Caleb Ellingson, Andrew Scholten and Colton Bass placed fourth in the boys’ 11-12 400-meter relay with a time of 1:02.15.Wiertzema finished fifth in the boys’ 11-12 400-meter dash in 1:12, and Colton Bass was fifth in the boys’ 11-12 100-meter dash in 14.92.Tilstra was fifth in the girls’ 13-14 standing long jump with a distance of 6-10.Terence Reid placed eighth in the boys’ 11-12 softball throw with a toss of 137-9.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills Thunder dropped a pair of amateur baseball games at two different sites Sunday.Hills lost a six-run decision in Butterfield to start the day before falling by four runs in Jackson in the evening.The Thunder has lost 10 straight games since going 2-2 to start the season. Hills, 2-12 overall, plays a 2 p.m. game in Hadley Sunday.Butterfield 8, Hills 2Hills opened its two-game road swing by taking a six-run setback in Butterfield Sunday.The Thunder scored the game’s first run when Cade Lang walked and trotted home on a sacrifice fly by Scott Harnack in the top of the first, but the hosts outscored Hills 8-1 the rest of the way to win the game.Butterfield scored the game’s next eight runs by producing three counters in the second, one in the third and two runs in the fourth and sixth frames.Hills capped the scoring in the top of the seventh when Lang walked and scored on a wild pitch.George Krenz pitched all six innings and took the loss for Hills. He allowed 12 hits, eight runs and four walks while recording two strikeouts.Box score AB R H BIJ.Lang 4 0 0 0E.Harnack 1 0 1 0S.Harnack 1 0 0 1Sammons 3 0 0 0Top 0 0 0 0Funke 2 0 0 0Van Maanan 1 0 0 0Jellema 0 0 0 0C.Lang 2 2 1 0Forshey 0 0 0 0C.Harnack 1 0 0 0Krenz 2 0 0 0Jackson 7, Hills 3The Thunder let a two-run lead slip away during Sunday’s finale in Jackson.Hills plated a pair of runs in the top of the first inning before Jackson countered with seven runs in the bottom of the frame to take control of the contest.Lang and Harnack singled to get things rolling for the Thunder in the first. Derek Sammons and Matt Funke slapped RBI singles to give Hills an early advantage.Hills did score another run in the top of the third after Jackson’s seven-run first inning, but the visitors were blanked the rest of the way.Lang singled, stole second and third before scoring the third-inning run on a fielder’s choice by Harnack.Jarud Lang went the distance on the mound for Hills. He was charged with seven runs, eight hits, one walk and registered four strikeouts.Box score AB R H BIJ.Lang 4 0 2 0E.Harnack 3 0 0 0S.Harnack 4 1 1 1Sammons 3 0 1 1Top 0 0 0 0Funke 3 0 1 1Van Maanen 2 0 0 0Jellema 0 0 0 0C.Lang 4 2 2 0Rauk 0 0 0 0Forshey 0 0 0 0C.Harnack 3 0 0 0Krenz 2 0 1 0

By John RittenhouseThe conclusion of the high school baseball campaign marked the beginning of the summer season for Zach Wysong.Wysong, a Hills-Beaver Creek High School student, will play baseball for Luverne’s VFW and American Legion teams this summer.The junior-to-be at H-BC was put to the test of playing four Legion games and two VFW games in a seven-day span that ended with a Legion tilt against Pipestone in Luverne Tuesday.Wysong was hitless in two trips to the plate during a 6-4 loss to Pipestone.Wysong played two games Sunday with Luverne’s Legion team that placed 2-2 and finished second at the Jackson Tournament.During a 5-2 win over Adrian Sunday afternoon, Wysong helped the Cards ice the game in a three-run sixth inning with a two-run double.The game was tied at two heading into the top of the sixth. Wysong’s double broke the deadlock.Wysong also played in the tournament’s championship game late Sunday afternoon.Luverne lost a 3-2 decision to Minnesota Lake in the title tilt.Wysong, who was hit by a pitch and scored a run that gave Luverne a 2-1 edge in the bottom of the fourth, had one hit in the contest.Prior to playing Legion ball in Jackson, Wysong played three games with Luverne’s VFW team at the New Ulm Tournament Friday and Saturday.Luverne opened the tournament by losing a 7-0 decision to Rochester Friday morning.Wysong was the only Luverne player to register a hit in the game. He singled in the top of the fourth inning.Wysong drove in three runs with a pair of hits during a 13-11 loss Saturday afternoon to New Ulm’s Junior Legion team.He slapped a run-scoring single in the fifth and added a two-run rally in the sixth to help Luverne erase a 10-2 deficit and tie the game at 11. The Cards ended up losing the game in eight innings.Wysong was the winning pitcher in the tournament finale against St. Cloud.He worked all seven innings of a 7-6 victory.Wysong helped his cause by slapping two hits and driving in two runs. He had a two-run double in a three-run third inning that gave the Cards a 4-1 lead.Before playing in New Ulm, Wysong and the Luverne Legion team opened the 2003 season by beating Adrian 12-0 in Adrian Wednesday, June 25.Wysong was hitless in three trips to the plate in Adrian.The Legion plays five games at the Brookings, S.D., tournament Friday through Sunday. The Legion hosts Edgerton at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

By John RittenhouseTwo Hills-Beaver Creek athletes won championships at the Hershey’s Minnesota State Track and Field meet in Apple Valley Saturday.Karic Wiertzema and Dustin Verhey are the young Patriots who came up with big performances during the state meet.Wiertzema took top honors in the 11- and 12-year old division of the softball throw with a toss of 159-11.Verhey won the 11-12 800-meter run with a time of 2:45.79.By winning state titles, Wiertzema and Verhey will wait and see if they are selected to compete at the Hershey’s National Track and Field Meet in Hershey, Penn., in August.Five champions from every state are selected to compete at the national level each summer. The state representatives are selected at random.Chelsi Fink and Mya Mann made bids to win state titles before placing second Saturday.Fink was second in the girls’ 13-14 softball throw with a distance 121 feet. Mann finished second in the girls’ 13-14 800-meter run in 2:35.71.H-BC athletes placed fourth in three events at state.Dalton Bass was fourth in the boys’ 9-10 100-meter dash with a time of 15.82. Amanda Tilstra finished fourth in the girls’ 13-14 1,600-meter run with a time of 6:02.89.Wiertzema, Caleb Ellingson, Andrew Scholten and Colton Bass placed fourth in the boys’ 11-12 400-meter relay with a time of 1:02.15.Wiertzema finished fifth in the boys’ 11-12 400-meter dash in 1:12, and Colton Bass was fifth in the boys’ 11-12 100-meter dash in 14.92.Tilstra was fifth in the girls’ 13-14 standing long jump with a distance of 6-10.Terence Reid placed eighth in the boys’ 11-12 softball throw with a toss of 137-9.

By Jolene FarleyThe cost of interstate long distance phone calls increased slightly across the nation on Tuesday, July 1. The Federal Communications Commission increased the Federal Universal Service Charge on consumers’ telephone bills from 9.1 percent to 9.5 percent on interstate communications, according to an Alliance Telecommunications press release. All telephone companies providing interstate service are mandated by Congress to contribute to the fund, and the cost of their contribution is passed on to consumers. The increase will affect consumers differently, depending on how many long-distance phone calls made. "It will depend on how much interstate communication someone does," Alliance Telecommunications Marketing Director Amy Ahlers said.For instance, if a customer has a long distance bill of $20 he or she would pay $1.90 above the $20 charge versus $1.82 before the rate change took effect.Locally, Hills Telephone Company’s July billing will reflect the increase. The Universal Service Fund was founded in the 1930’s to promote telephone services to all households because telephones provide a vital link to emergency services, government services and surrounding communities. The fund helps make phone service affordable and available to all Americans, including low income consumers, those living in areas where the cost to provide service is high and schools, libraries and rural health care providers. Without the Universal Service Fund, customers in high-cost areas would pay more for telephone service, according to Alliance Telecommunications. Typically small, rural companies have higher operating and equipment costs than urban companies and rural companies have fewer customers, smaller calling areas and limited economies. The FCC distributes money from the Universal Fund to local companies based on specific costs. In the past, only long distance companies paid fees to support the fund but in 1996, Congress passed a law expanding the types of companies contributing to the fund. Currently, all telecommunication companies providing service including long distance companies, local telephone companies, wireless telephone companies, paging companies, and pay phone providers are required to contribute to the Federal Universal Service Fund. Contribution requirements change quarterly, depending on the needs of the fund and the consumers it is designed to help. The amount each company is required to contribute will change accordingly. Hills Telephone Company, Inc. is owned by Alliance Telecommunications, Dell Rapids, Golden West, Rapid City, S.D., and Hector Communications.

By Jolene FarleyRepresentatives of Hills area softball leagues attended the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board meeting Monday to request the district pay for two loads of agri-lime for the softball field. After some discussion, the board voted to pay for half of two loads. The majority of the $900 to $950 cost for the item is freight out of Mankato, according to the softball league."What’s happening is when it rains you get mud mixed with sand," the players said. Ballgames can be played much sooner after a rain in Beaver Creek than in Hills because the field in Beaver Creek is coated with agri-lime, according to the group. Board member and Beaver Creek city employee Lloyd DeBoer advised that four loads of agri-lime mixed with sand were applied to the field in Beaver Creek. Board member Gary Esselink said he thought the School Board paid for half of the upgrade to the Beaver Creek field and the board should be consistent to avoid appearing to favor one community over the other. "One thing is I think we have a little bit of responsibility because we do use the field," Esselink said.The board asked if the group had approached the Hills City Council to ask for funding. "I think as far as the City Council, they have to realize how much (traffic) your games and the Little League games bring to town," said Board Chairman Alan Harnack.Supt. Dave Deragisch volunteered to call Mayor Jim Jellema to discuss the issue. He also said that Rock County had helped fund some projects in the past but he was uncertain if any money would be available with state funding cuts. "Their budget has been tightened up also," he said. In other board business:oThe Fellowship of Christian Athletes Silent Auction and Comedian raised $5,200 for the group’s mission trip to Guatemala and El Salvador, Central America. oThe board approved hiring Industrial Appraisal Company, based in Pittsburgh, Penn., for $2,465 to inventory and value the school’s assets. The company has a satellite office in the Twin Cities.The Gasby 34 law requires all districts to change their accounting practices and set up a depreciation schedule for all assets. In the past, assets remained on the district’s balance sheet at original value. Some larger schools completed the process last year and many smaller districts are complying this year, according to Deragisch.After the inventory valuation, insurance costs may fall because assets will be listed at their current values, according to Deragisch.

10 years ago (1993)"So far county flood damage in terms of dollar amounts has centered on public losses.Estimated losses to private property — particularly to farmers has been difficult due to the numerous unknown factors involved. Tuesday afternoon, the Rock County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution requesting a three-fold disaster declaration."25 years ago (1978)"After 42 years in education, 28 years as Superintendent of the Luverne School District, Harvey G. Eitreim is stepping down.Eitreim submitted his letter of resignation to the school board at the regular meeting Monday night."50 years ago (1953)"Cost of blacktopping 55 blocks of streets here will be about 90 cents per lineal foot, considerably less than the $1.17 figure which was estimated by city officials.After the City Council had received bids for the blacktopping at the special session held Tuesday night, the Judd Brown Company of Mankato was found to be the low bidder with a total of $48,173.50.75 years ago (1928)"Definite steps toward the organization of a co-operative creamery association to establish and operate a creamery in this city were taken at a meeting of dairymen held Saturday afternoon at the Luverne Commercial Club rooms. There were about seventy-six farmers who are actively interested in dairying, present at the meeting."100 years ago (1903)"It was the unanimous decision of the members of the library board who were present at the regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening that native stone be used in the construction of the Carnegie free public library building."

DISTRICT COURTFIFTH Judicial DistrictProbate Court DivisionNOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofMarian E. Hanson DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:Notice is hereby given, that an application for informal probate of the above named decedent’s last will, dated February 7, 1994, has been filed with the Registrar herein, and the application has been granted informally probating such will. Any objections may be filed in the above named Court, and the same will be heard by the Court upon notice of hearing fixed for such purpose. Notice is hereby further given that informal appointment of Martin E. Hanson whose address is 1206 Evergreen Avenue, Marshall, MN 56258, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent, has been made. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative and the personal representative is empowered to fully administer the estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of his letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate, unless objections thereto are filed with the Court (pursuant to Section 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.Dated: June 30, 2003TIMOTHY K. CONNELLRegistrar/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt AdministratorAttorney Walter A. Tofteland109 North CedarLuverne, MN 56156507-283-2112MN Atty. Lic. No. 110279(7-3, 7-10)