This evening I sat down to read the Star Herald and found a photo of my daughter, Carrie Nelson, and the headline "Time heals, but murder victim isn’t forgotten." I had not been notified that an article about Carrie would appear in this week’s paper. Surprises like this are very upsetting, especially during the month of the anniversary of Carrie’s tragic and terrifying death. Reading the headline saying that "time heals" and to find within the article that "For Carrie’s friends and family members, time is beginning to heal their pain … " was enough to prompt me to write this letter. Yes, time has passed, but time is not "healing" my pain — I am learning to live with the horror and the loss every minute of every day for the rest of my life. As Carrie’s Mom I know that I will never "get over" this; I will never reach "closure" and possibly I will never again find peace. I watch Carrie’s only sibling struggling to build a life without Carrie and without the peace and safety we learn to expect. I see some of Carrie’s closest friends, relatives and co-workers at the park also struggling to put their lives back together and I know that none of us will ever really "get over" this. We are doing the best we can to live with the changes in ourselves and the adjustment to an unfamiliar and unwelcome way of life. I would appreciate it in the future if the editorial staff would inform both of Carrie’s parents before another article runs in the paper. I appreciate the attention the Star Herald has given to Carrie’s story and hope that the articles result in a tip or information that will lead to the apprehension of the person or persons responsible for Carrie’s death. Nan Karr KaufenbergWentworth, S.D.

Seat Belt LawThank you God, for the seat belt law.Now maybe, God, our law makers can spend as much time on preventing abortion and save our babies and the future of our country. Marlin MarkusAdrian

By Jolene FarleyNurse Patricia (Gibson) Van Wyhe was killed in a car accident by Presho, S.D., in February of last year.To honor her memory, her family has established the "Patricia K. Van Wyhe Nurse of the Year Award" through the Sioux Valley Foundation, Sioux Falls. Patricia, Director of Surgery and Anesthesia at the hospital at the time of her death, was a 28-year employee. "We wanted to do something from the very beginning to recognize Pat’s nursing and leadership characteristics," Tom Van Wyhe said. "Everybody liked Pat," he said. "She had a lot of qualities, values. There was a lot of genuineness there."Tom said Patricia was very clear with the people she worked with that no matter who they were, they were important. "That’s how she led her area of work," he said. Some of those qualities are what the committee is looking for in recipients of the "Nurse of the Year Award."Pat was born at Sioux Valley and was a graduate of the Sioux Valley School of Nursing. She began her career as an operating room nurse at the hospital in 1973 and was retiring as Director of Surgical Services when a car accident took her life. Candidates are nominated according to criteria representing Pat’s personal and professional qualities by their peers. A committee established by the Sioux Valley Foundation selects the winner.The Van Wyhe family is not involved in the selection process but presents the award at the hospital’s award luncheon. Recipients of the award must be full-time or part-time, non-management nurses who practiced at Sioux Valley Hospital for at least one year. They must have a passion for people and the work of nursing, encourage and mentor others in the field, maintain high integrity and a positive attitude, be able to bring out the best in others, inspire team work for greater results and become a catalyst in the field of nursing. Ann Jost, a surgery staff nurse at the hospital, was the first recipient of the award. Van Wyhe and her husband, Tom, were returning to their home in Sioux Falls, S.D. from a basketball game in Pierre, S.D., when they swerved to miss a stalled semi. Patricia was killed instantly. Tom Van Wyhe is the son of Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe, Hills. Patricia’s father, Marshall Gibson, is a former Beaver Creek postmaster. Tom and Patricia are both 1968 Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduates.

By Sara StrongRock County could lose its Extension Office and staff after the state reworks the program … yet again.It appears it will be up to the county to pay for educators and staff if the state doesn’t set up one of about 20 regional offices in Rock County.If a regional office isn’t located here, and, if the county doesn’t decide to absorb the extra costs of staffing one itself, county residents will still have access to Extension services.County officials won’t know until mid-July where the regional Extension offices will be located, but they will be completely state and federally funded.Pipestone and Rock County Extension Director Holli Arp said, "I do think there’s some real value in the plan."This latest change was announced last week. The University of Minnesota Extension Office is discontinuing employment of county educators. Instead, regional offices will house all the educators where programs and services will be headquartered.Local programs and services can be contracted through Extension. Counties, agencies and non-profits can choose to contract for the programs they most want and can afford.Arp said counties have told Extension they would like to customize what their county offices offer in programs, and that’s what this new system is supposed to do. The county currently pays $110,544 in salaries, benefits and rent to keep Extension in the county.The county pays 60 percent of the 4-H Coordinator’s salary, compared with 40 percent of educators’ salaries. In the future, Rock County will more clearly know exactly what the educators are bringing to the county and the county will pay accordingly. Some services will probably still be free, however.The days of seeking advice from an Extension Office farming expert or home economist are almost a thing of the past, even before the latest cuts. Fewer people use Extension in the way they used to, with more experts available from places such as seed companies, for example.Dr. Charles Casey, Extension dean and director said, "Our county partners have told us that if they are going to meet their budget constraints and be able to provide some Extension programs for their counties, they need the flexibility to choose which Extension programs, services and positions they pay for."The new Extension model will allow counties to focus its efforts on local priorities.In Rock County, the 4-H program has been a particular area of concern. Arp said that 4-H will have a program in the county through Extension, even with this new model. Counties will likely have to invest in 4-H, at least to the extent it does now in order to keep the program strong.In Rock County, 190 participate in the various 4-H clubs. Statewide, Extension says that 800,000 Minnesotans benefit from Extension, including 4-H, agriculture production education, Master Gardeners, nutrition education programs and leadership development training.Casey said, "These changes are certainly not the most timely. But as many state leaders have said over the past months, none of us can afford to keep doing business as usual."

Ever wonder why Noah didn’t just swatthose two mosquitoes?If there was ever a time to enjoy the outdoors, Memorial Day Weekend was it. Sunday and Monday were splendid sunny transitions from the coolness of spring to the warmth of summer. Along with all that, of course, is the annual renewing of our battle against the bugs. One bold mosquito managed to leave a welt on my forearm Monday night, and I was reminded of this little e-mail gem I’ve been meaning to share.Ever wonder …...why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes?...why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?...why you don't ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?...why "abbreviated" is such a long word?...why doctors call what they do "practice"?...why lemon juice is made with artificial flavor, while dishwashing liquid is made with real lemons?...why they are called apartments when they are all stuck together?...if con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?...why there isn't mouse-flavored cat food?...who tastes dog food when it has a "new & improved" flavor?...why they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?...why sheep don't shrink when it rains?...why they don't make the whole plane out of the material used for the indestructible black box?(And finally, these classics):...why the man who invests all your money is called a broker?...why they call the airport "the terminal" if flying is so safe?Buffalo DaysEver wonder why the people who miss out on the most spectacular regional events are the ones who live only two blocks away from the action?It’s hard to believe, but there are people right in Luverne who have never participated in a Buffalo Days celebration.What a shame, I say.Even if you’re not one for crowds and excitement, it’s still worth your while to take a stroll down to the City Park, which for that Saturday, becomes the famed "Arts in the Park."I’m always impressed by a number of things about the event, but mostly, I love the way it all looks. Luverne has one of the prettiest city parks in the region (Thank you, Darrell Huiskes and the Public Works Department). With that lush green, shaded park as a backdrop for colorful booths, food vendors and entertainment stages, Arts in the Park becomes the quintessential picture of a community celebration.… That is, if you ignore the pile of you-know-what for the Buffalo Chip Throwing Contest.See you in Luverne this weekend. Read the front page story for Buffalo Days details.

Southwest State falls in line, changes nameThe Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees approved a name change for Southwest State University at its May 21 meeting.The new name of the Minnesota school will be Southwest Minnesota State University.Minnesota will be going back into the name, after it was removed in 1975, when it changed from Southwest Minnesota State College to Southwest State University.According to Southwest State president, David Danahar, the change will take effect July 1, 2003, with a one year phase-in.The phase-in will allow the name change to be made as economically as possible.In the past six years, enrollment at Southwest State has increased 56 percent to its current all time high of 5,414.The name change follows a movement among other state universities.In recent years, universities at Mankato and Moorhead have also adopted similar name changes.Construction begins on County Road 4The detour signs have been put in place for another round of road construction on County Road 4.This year County Road 4 (Luverne’s Main Street) will be redone from the Luverne city limits west to County Highway 11.County Highway 11, is commonly known as the "Steen Road."The length of the project is 3 miles and will cost $1.3 million.Access to Gold’n Plump will be maintained throughout the duration of the construction project.Construction activities will include the removal of the existing pavement, grading, placement of new drainage structures, placement of aggregate base, placement of bituminous pavement and seeding.The project is scheduled to be completed by August of 2003.The last time this section of County Road 4 was rehabilitated was in 1984.Connell breaks the 30 barrierIs it a record? No one knows for sure, but no one can remember anyone ever scoring 29, as Luverne Club Champion, Tim Connell did last Saturday.Playing in a five-some, Connell scored par on the par three #3 and again on the par 4 #5, with birdies on the remaining 7 holes.According to one of the witnesses, Dave Gangestad, two of the birdies were "long bombs," but the two pars that he had were short tap-ins.According to Connell, his lowest nine-hole score prior to Saturday’s performance was 32.Other witnesses in the group included Mark Sehr, Gary Kurtz and Tom Serie.Trying to control SPAMSPAM is getting out of control and Sen. Mark Dayton thinks something should be done about it.According to Dayton, 31 billion e-mail messages are transmitted through cyberspace each day.A friend of mine who owns a newspaper in Winona has hired a new employee to come in every morning to delete the SPAM from the in-box. It takes about an hour.Dayton’s solution is to create a national registry where people can opt to not receive SPAM and would make every e-mail’s source identifiable.Dayton’s bill would instruct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish a registry, similar to the national "Do Not Call" registry for telemarketing, in which a consumer could acknowledge that they do not want to receive SPAM.Entities that generate SPAM would be required to purchase the database from the Commission and would be prohibited from e-mailing registered customers.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Sara StrongThe Rock County Pool and Fitness Center is holding steady with its membership, but with tight county and city budgets, the Pool Commission is keeping its mind open for ways to increase revenues.August marks the end of a 10-year agreement with Luverne Community Hospital to use the facility for its physical therapy, or rehabilitation department.At the time of the contract, the hospital paid $20,000 to use the pool and fitness areas for its patients. It pays the fees for lifeguards on duty in the pool during pool therapy too. In any given month, an average of about 55 therapy patients use the facility.Commission member Damon Eisma and manager Carol Wessels will talk to the hospital and help start negotiations for a new contract. Commissioner Ken Hoime said he thought the Pool Commission should look at a rate schedule for members. The membership is increasing, but hasn’t quite caught up from the loss of members during the last rate increase of 20 percent.Until the county and city of Luverne get better budget numbers from the state, it’s difficult for the Pool Commission to know what its budget looks like.Hoime said, "I’m a strong proponent of the place and I’d like it to stay affordable, to be family friendly."

By Sara StrongThe Luverne City Council agreed with the Planning Commission that the city needs a new Comprehensive Plan.The Council set a spending cap at just less than $50,000 and directed Interim City Administrator Jeff Haubrich to negotiate the contract for writing the Comprehensive Plan.The city will be working with the Minneapolis-based Hoisington Koegler Group to create a new plan.Mayor Glen Gust said, "Ten years ago, it was half this price."He hoped the firm would negotiate a decreased price from its first estimate. The city is paying for the plan this year because in the next couple years, state aid to cities is expected to decline even more, and there might not be room in the budgets.The Comprehensive Plan could deal with everything from a lack of space for new business growth to city sprawl around the new hospital and clinic.Cities with good planning generally have consistent appearances, with a natural flow among business, industrial and residential areas. The city of Luverne has granted variances and changed zones and given conditional use permits that don’t fit in with the plan that was written 10 years ago. The Planning Commission has previously said that it’s important for the city to better follow through with intentions this time around.Councilman David Hauge said, "Hopefully, if we spend this money, people will read this, not give so many variances just to be nice."Councilman Pat Baustian is also on the Planning Commission. He said, "It’s a community document and the citizens have input for the direction this will take. The Comprehensive Plan better be the first thing we look at when anything comes up — from elected official to elected official."Part of creating the plan involves public input so the community’s wishes will be included.

By Lori EhdeIf he enjoys retiring from law enforcement half as much as he enjoys his retirement from the fire department, Sergeant Kurt Kester said he’s going to be "the most laid-back guy in the world."After nearly 30 years of fighting crime and protecting public safety in Rock County, Kester said he’s ready to turn in the badge."I’m really looking forward to this summer," Kester said. "This will be the first time in 30 years we won’t have to plan a month in advance for a weekend vacation."He said his work has taught him a great deal about law enforcement and about life in general. "What they train you to do in law enforcement school compared with what you end up doing is unbelievable," he said. "There are things you do, there’s just no training for."He said he’s learned to trust his instincts in crisis situations. "I’ve learned I can do more than I realize," he said. "When I have to, I get it done." One example was the gas leak at Gold’n Plump five years ago when employees were falling ill for an unknown reason."You find yourself into things up to your neck, and you don’t think about it until after it’s over. Then I say, ‘Gee, I did that?’"Kester said this confidence is especially important in domestic violence calls. "They can be dangerous, because tempers flare and the flash point has already been hit," he said. "You can talk yourself through it all the way there, and when you’re there, it just unfolds and you get it done."If there’s advice he can offer to the newer deputies in the department it’s this: "Look out for No. 1," he said. "I keep myself safe, so I can go home at the end of the day. Beyond that, I help out if I can."He said new deputies, including himself when he started, often think they’re invincible. "You need to keep on your toes and don’t let down your guard," he said. "That badge isn’t a shield."Despite his experience in dangerous situations, Kester has a reputation for being helpful with the victims he encounters."He would sit and talk to them and calm them down," said former Sheriff Ron McClure. "He wouldn’t rush them off. He dealt with women and children well."Part of that, Kester said, comes from having a family of his own. "I raised two children, and I know when they’re hurting," he said. "It’s common sense to me that you’ve gotta take care of them."He said one of the most difficult family cases he’s handled involved a 10-year-old girl who was sexually abused. "That one had me bunched up for quite awhile," he said.He also mentioned the December 2001 True Value arson, which he dealt with as a fireman and a law enforcement officer, and of course, the 2001 Carrie Nelson murder."That’s still a festering sore," Kester said about the unsolved case.A troubling trend he’s noticed is that officers are getting called to handle petty problems more frequently."It’s getting to the point where you end up with a babysitter’s license more than a peace officer’s license," he said. "It’s time for this old stuck in his ways sergeant to go. … My patience is shot."Nobody takes responsibility anymore for themselves or for their kids. Personal responsibility has become so poor. Everything is everybody else’s fault and someone is always to blame."He said this is true not only in Rock County, but in state and national government as well."We’ve got too many parents trying to be friends with their kids. They’re not getting values across … We’ve lost that someplace."That said, Kester said he looks back on his 30-year career with no regrets."This is a wonderful community — quiet and conservative," he said. "It’s got to be one of the best-run departments in the world. It’s given me the opportunity to do things I might not have otherwise had a chance to do."His retirement officially starts May 30, and he said he’s most looking forward to having time to enjoy some things he hasn’t had enough time for. For example, he’ll spend more time on a favorite hobby, rail car riding. He and his wife, Sue, will spend time in Duluth next month on a rail car outing.They also plan to see more of their children. Casey is a state trooper and he and his wife, Paula (Kuik), live in Truman. Kara and her husband, Chris Scherbring, live and work in Winona.The icing on his retirement cake will come this fall when Kara is expecting a baby — making Kester a first-time grandpa.The public is invited to a retirement party for Kester on Friday, June 13, in the Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center.Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30, and the program starts at 7:30.Call Dispatch Supervisor Terri Ebert at 283-5000 by Monday, June 9, for reservations.