Rock County Commissioners meet April 19 
Herreid Board Room          9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse April 19, 2022
The meeting was called to order by the Chair with all Commissioners present.  Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum and Star-Herald Reporter and Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the April 19, 2022,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the April 05, 2022,
County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to call a Public Hearing to order at 9:03 A.M. for the purpose of reviewing proposed changes to the County Commissioner districts and terms, declared carried on a voice vote.  The Administrator stated that no public comments were received or voiced.  
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to close the Public Hearing
at 9:08 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote.
Mound Township officials Keith Schmuck and Ray Hanson attended the County Board meeting seeking input from the County Board regarding options and potential enforcement of over-weight equipment utilizing a portion of 131st Street that is currently paved.  After considerable discussion, it was determined that the township officials would keep following up with the producer to determine other alternatives and routines to use.
Rock County Fair Board members Lee Sells and Al Aanenson informed the County
Board of projects schedule for the fairgrounds:  
•Installing new metal sheeting on the Commercial Building for a cost of $36,100
•Constructing a new Picnic Shelter structure to be located between Floral Hall and 
the 4-H Food Building; the project will be funded by a Frank Bloom grant
grant award of $40,000
•Purchase a portable stage to be utilized for the fair but also available for other
community events
The Fair Board requested a donation to fund the repairs to the Commercial Building of $36,100 and the Portable Stage project $71,172.71. After discussion, motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to donate one-half of the expense of the portable stage ($35,586.35) and finance the remaining balance if need be and donate $36,100.00 for the repair to the Commercial Building, declared carried on a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Overgaard abstaining. Prior to the meeting adjournment, Sells notified the Administrator that the price quote for the Portable Stage of $71,172.71 was no longer valid and that the new price quote was $91,686.36; motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to amend the previous motion to reflect the new price
quote of $91,686.36, declared carried on a 4-0 vote with Commissioner
Overgaard abstaining.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director presented (4) Conditional Use permits for Duininck, Inc.  A Public Hearing was held on April 11th at 7:00 P.M. and no opposition was identified; the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the following conditional use permits:
1. Conditional Use Permit Request – Duininck, Inc. - Luverne Township, Section 15 ; Placement & operation of a temporary hot mix asphalt plant; motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard to approve with conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
2. Conditional Use Permit Request – Duininck, Inc. - Denver Township, Sections 14 & 11; Placement & operation of a temporary asphalt plant; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve with conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
3. Conditional Use Permit Request – Duininck, Inc. - Battle Plain Township, Section 29; Placement & operation of a temporary hot mix asphalt plant; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve with conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
4. Conditional Use Permit Request – Duininck, Inc. - Battle Plain Township, Section 21; Placement & operation of a temporary hot mix asphalt plant; motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve with conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented the bid results for following
2022 Mill/overlay projects:
•SAP 067-604-033: Main Street, TH 75 to Blue Mound Avenue.
•SAP 067-618-011: Blue Mound Avenue, Main Street to Fairway Drive.
•SAP 067-634-001: Warren Street, Cedar Street to Blue Mound Avenue.
•SAP 067-636-001: Blue Mound Avenue, Warren Street to Main Street.
•CP 067-401-023: Rock County Library Parking Lot 
•CP 067-401-024: Rock County Highway Department Parking Lot  
Bids results:
•Duininck Inc. - $824,557.00
•Central Specialties Inc. - $914,681.70
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to accept the low bid from
Duininck, Inc. of $824,557.00, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented the bid results for SP 067-604-031: CSAH 4,
Rock River Bridge to Nobles County:
•Duininck Inc. - $2,353,605.45
•Knife River Corporation - $2,379,292.50
•Central Specialties Inc. - $2,418,791.16
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to accept the low bid from Duininck, Inc. for $2,353,605.45, contingent on the MnDOT Office of Civil Rights approval of the DBE Provisions in the submittal, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented bids to conduct the 2022 Pavement Paint Striping:
•Sir Lines-A-Lot - $58,525.74
•Traffic Marking Services, Inc. - $59,043.80
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Burger, to approve the bid from Sir Lines-A-Lot for $58,525.74, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve Resolution No. 16-22, a MnDOT I-90 Detour Agreement with Rock County Contract No. 1049772, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented a price quote from Ziegler (from the state bid) to replace the tractor backhoe loader located at the Transfer Station:
Caterpillar 420XE Backhoe Loader $144,440.00
Caterpillar 420EIT Backhow Loader (trade-in) ($21,275.00
Total price - $123,165.00
The Engineer stated that a price quote from John Deere was requested, but they declined as they could not provide the self-leveling bucket feature; the Engineer requested approval to move forward with the purchase from Ziegler.  Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the purchase of a Caterpillar 420XE Backhoe Loader from Ziegler for $123,165.00 with the expenditure to be paid from bond proceeds, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer requested to replace the 1996 Tack Oil Kettle as it cannot be repaired, with a Stepp Bottom Fired Kettle SBF-200 for $33,187.00; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge introduced new Deputy Dominic Castellano and conducted a Swearing In Ceremony; the County Board welcomed Deputy Castellano to Rock County.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems of $600.00; motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office. 
APRIL 19, 2022 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A.C.E. OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA $10,138.00 
CHS INC                     7,671.03 
CMRS-FP                     2,000.00 
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY         6,755.00 
ERICKSON ENGINEERING                     5,709.50 
FRONTIER PRECISION INC                     4,851.90 
KETTERLING SERVICES INC               13,471.94 
LUVERNE/CITY OF             28,130.17 
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL             16,967.10 
MORRIS ELECTRONICS               33,195.71 
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC               10,687.50 
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 19,237.25 
RETROFIT COMPANIES, INC             3,145.00 
ROCK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY           81,686.00 
SEACHANGE               5,024.74 
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC               2,059.69 
STREICHER'S               2,384.83 
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING               7,505.50 
TRUENORTH STEEL           16,410.20 
68 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000           27,800.17 
TOTAL                 $304,831.23 
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Thompson, seconded by Burger, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer requested approval of the following tax abatement requests:
1. M. Fick/Parcel #06-032-000 - Abatement $1,968.00
2. M. Fick/Parcel #06-0196-100 - Abatement $32.00
  3. L. VanWyhe/Parcel#08-0151-100 - Abatement $292.00
4. L. VanWyhe/Parcel #08-0185-000 - Abatement $998.00
5. D. Lorenzen/Parcel #10-0082-100 - Abatement $112.00
6. A. Staeffler/Parcel #01-0080-000 - Abatement $74.00
7. A. Staeffler/Parcel #01-0081-000 - Abatement $966.00
8. SWMHP/Parcel #20-1155-000 - Abatement $(11,656.00)
9. Kyto Properties LLC/Parcel #20-1853-100 - Abatement $5,556.00
The Auditor/Treasurer stated that all (9) abatement requests were to correct property evaluations and recommend approval so a new tax statement can be prepared. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the (9) tax abatements requests identified above, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve re-issuance of a lost warrant #101209, payable to Stan Williamson for the amount of $604.80, declared carried on a 4-0 vote with Commissioner Williamson abstaining.
Sheriff Verbrugge requested to replace audio and camera equipment in the interview rooms and booking room in the Law Enforcement building and presented a price quote from Convergint Technologies for $42,165.20 for an Interview Room Management system to be installed in the interview rooms and the booking room at the Law Enforcement Center; price includes 3-yr software maintenance and support and warranty on equipment. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve the equipment purchase and to pay from the Reserves, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Sheriff also requested approval of a 3-year software support agreement for the amount of $1,894.68/year from Convergint for the Interview Room Management sysetem; motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve with the expenditure to be paid from Reserves, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to accept a bid proposal from Convergint for $13,751.04 to install (4) exterior security cameras at the Rock County Courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote. The expenditure is to
be paid from Building and will be reimbursed from an election grant.
The Sheriff presented 5-yr maintenance and support contract with Convergint totaling $36,444.23 for all security cameras, alarms and other devices located in the Law Enforcement Building and grounds and the Courthouse Building and grounds; the expenditure is to be split between Sheriff, Building, and Elections and all cameras will be monitored by the Sheriff’s Office. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the security service contract with Convergint for $36,444.23, declared carried on a voice.
The Sheriff informed the County Board that Rock County is a member of a
multi-county (5th District Sheriff’s Association) for the purpose of E911 systems compliance.  The currently E911 system is scheduled for system upgrades and the Sheriff presented a price quote from Vesta Solutions for $90,717.00 for Rock County’s portion of the system upgrade. Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to accept the price quote from Vesta Solutions for $90,717.00, declared carried on a voice vote. The Sheriff stated that the expenditure is not eligible for E911 funding as it is it eligible for other E911 Grant funding and Rock County will be reimbursed from the  a regional
radio grant. 
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to accept a price quote of
$27,472.17 from TriTech Software Systems/Central Square Technologies for annual
E911 software renewal, declared carried on a voice vote. The expenditure
is an E911 eligible expense.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to purchase (2) CAD licenses for the Rock County Sheriff’s Office for $3,597.73, declared carried on a voice vote. The expenditure will be paid from Sheriff’s operating budget.
The Administrator presented Resolution No. 18-22, adopting new Commissioner Districts; boundary changes include moving Kanaranzi Township from Commissioner District 3 to Commissioner District 1. Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve Resolution No. 18-22, declared carried on a voice vote. 
The Administrator informed the County Board that the Rock County All Hazard Mitigation Plan is ready for adoption and recommended approval of Resolution No. 17-22; motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. Adopting an All Hazard Mitigation Plan makes the county eligible for FEMA funding for mitigation projects.
The Administrator informed the County Board of a proposal for the Rock County Economic Development Authority (EDA) to conduct a Housing Study.  If they EDA approves going forward with the study, they will need funding.  It was determined to await the decision of the EDA and their funding request.
The County Board was informed that Rock County received a Notice
of Compliance from Pay Equity; no action was taken.
The Administrator presented the following updates: potential projects are moving forward with MnPremium Pork, BRRRA/Elis Eastern Railroad and utilizing CRSIS grant funds, Luverne Guard Armory has broken ground. Also stated that the current bonding bill does not include Rural Water’s request for water tower project and the funding request for the City of Luverne Daycare facility.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings: (2) Rural Water meetings, Southwestern Mental Health and Library building tour that followed the County Board meeting on April 5th.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: Library building tour that followed the County Board meeting on April 5th 
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings:  Planning & Zoning, Mound Township, Vienna Township, City/County Liaison, Fair Board, Land Use and Library building tour that followed the County Board meeting on April 5th
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: Southwestern Mental Health and Library building tour that followed the County Board meeting on
April 5th 
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings:
City/County Liaison. 
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was
declared adjourned by order of the chair.
(05-26)

Rock County Commissioners meet April 5
Herreid Board Room          9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse April 5, 2022
The meeting was called to order by the Chair with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, and Star-Herald Reporter and Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the April
05, 2022 County Board Agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve the March 22,
2022 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the
consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Resolution No. 13-22 County Government Appreciation Day – April 26th
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, reviewed the 2021 Feedlot Report and financials and requested approval; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the 2021 Feedlot Report, declared carried on a voice vote.
Hartman informed the County Board that the Planning & Zoning Commission held a Public Hearing on March 28, 2022 for the purpose to rule on (4) Conditional Use Permit applications; no public comments were presented and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended the approval of the following conditional use permits:
1. Wm. Scepaniak, Inc; Gravel mining, stockpiling and processing, located in the W 
1/2 of the SW 1/4 of 28-104-44 in Battle Plain.  Motion by Overgaard, seconded by 
Reisch, to approve with conditions identified on the permit, declared
carried on a voice vote.
2. Hard Rock Aggregate, Inc; Extraction, processing and stockpiling 
quarried aggregates, located in the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of 23-104-45 of Denver
Township. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve 
with conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
3. Central Specialties; placement and operation of a temporary hot mix
asphalt plant, located in the NW 1/4 of 13-103-44 of Vienna Township.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve with conditions identified
on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
4. Central Specialties; placement and operation of a temporary hot mix
asphalt plant located in the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of 23-104-45 of Denver Township.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve with conditions
identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with additions; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office. 
APRIL 5, 2022 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $3,317.76 
BLINDS AND DESIGNS               2,750.00 
DUKE AERIAL INC               3,682.90 
ENERSPECT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS               3,237.43 
LUVERNE LAWN CARE LLC           10,891.79 
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER   4,660.00 
ORKIN LLC         109,394.00 
RETROFIT COMPANIES, INC                 7,330.35 
ROCK COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER     2,751.80 
ZIEGLER INC                 2,264.80 
60 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000             18,819.41 
TOTAL                 $169,100.24 
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Overgaard,
seconded by Burger, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer presented a year-to-date Gravel Tax Collection and Distribution; the 2021 collection reflects a decrease of twenty-three percent from 2020.  
The County Board was in receipt of a year-to-date Wind Production Tax
distribution; Rock County is scheduled to receive $614,296.54 for 2022,
the report reflects a decrease of three percent from 2021.
The County Board was in receipt of the county’s tax capacity rates for
each taxing district for tax payable in 2022; no action required.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to approve a Liquor License for the
Luverne Country Club, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve Resolution
No. 15-22, a DNR and Rock County Snowmaster’s 2022-23 Grant Agreement,
declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded Burger, to approve Resolution No. 14-22, authorizing the County the standard allowance available under the revenue loss provision of the American Rescue Plan to be used to cover payroll expenditures, declared carried on a voice vote.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge introduced a new employee, Deputy Connor
Braaksma and conducted a Swearing In Ceremony. The County Board
welcomed Mr. Braaksma to Rock County.
The Administrator led a discussion regarding the repairs to the Kahler Terrance of the Rock County Veterans Memorial Building and the Tunnel/Annex between the Veterans Memorial Building and Courthouse. Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, authorizing a contract with Walker Consultants to conduct an assessment and design for the repairs, declared carried on a voice vote.  
Expenditures are to be paid from a donation from the K. A. H. R. Foundation.
The County Board was in receipt of the local Board of Equalization schedule
to include the Rock County Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting scheduled
for June 28, 2022 at 7:00 P.M.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard to move the June 21, 2022 County Board meeting to June 28, 2022 and begin the meeting at 5:00 P.M to align with the County Board of Appeal & Equalization meeting, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented a request on behalf of Megan Nelson, for Phased Retirement with an effective date of July 5, 2022; motion by Williamson,
seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, authorizing to fill the vacant full-time position in the License Center, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented a draft of the proposed new Commissioner District boundaries as a result of the 2020 census; the proposed changes require the County Board to schedule a Public Hearing. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to schedule a Public Hearing for the purpose to discuss County Commissioner re-districting for April 19, 2022 at 9:00 A.M. in the Herreid Board 
meeting room, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator provided a brief legislative update that could potentially
impact the county; presented as informal.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings:
Walleye Wind, Prairie Rose Foundation Distribution meeting.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following
meetings: Southern Prairie Community Care.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings:  RCHD Bridge & Bridge Public Hearing, Walleye Wind, Solid Waste and Rural Energy Board.  
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings:  no meetings  
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings:  no meetings.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the
meeting was declared adjourned by order of the chair. 
(05-26)

The Worthington Trojan Relays took place Tuesday afternoon at Worthington High School. Sixteen teams attended the meet, and they were split into two classes based on school size.
The Patriot girls finished fourth in Class A (smaller schools) with 202.5 points while the boys were able to come away in third place with 204 points. 
The story of the day came from seventh-grader Brynn Bakken, who broke both the H-BC school record and the Worthington Trojan Relay record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.47 seconds.
The H-BC school record was set back in 1977 by Leanne Goehle with a time of 26.9. That mark was later tied in 1991 by Amy Behr. 
 
Girls’ results:
The girls’ 4-by-100 and 4-by-200 meter relays run by Abbie Harris, Brynn Rauk, Layla Deelstra and Bakken each took home a first-place finish. The 4-by-100 meter team ran in 52.15, their best time this season. They also ran a season-best 1:50.77 in the 4-by-200-meter relay.
Senior Kenadie Fick placed second in the 800-meter with her season-best time of 2:36.36.
Layla Deelstra finished third in the 100-meter dash with a season-best 13.56.
The girls’ 4-by-800 team of Fick, Taylor Durst, Bailey Spykerboer and Ella Sammons also came in third with a time of 11:16.44.
Eighth-grader Ally Birger was the other Patriot with a top-three finish with a 29-9 in shot put.
The Patriots had a long list of fourth-place finishes on Tuesday including Olivia Deelstra in triple jump at 29-3 1/4, Brynn Rauk in long jump with a 13-8 1/2, the 4-by-400 meter relay team of Fick, Harris, O. Deelstra and Durst with a time of 4:32.99, and Bailey Spykerboer in the 400-meter dash with a 1:08.85.
The fifth-place finishes for the Patriots included Larissa Steinhoff in the 100-meter hurdles (19.92), Brynn Bakken in the high jump at 4-4, Brynn Bakken in the long jump at 13-5 3/4 and Bailey Spykerboer in the triple jump with a jump of 27-5 3/4.
Brynn Rauk finished sixth for the Patriots in the 200-meter dash with a personal best 29.15. Larissa Steinhoff also placed sixth in the 300-meter hurdles with a 59.85. Ally Birger rounded out the sixth-place finishes in discus with a throw of 76-3 1/2. 
 
Boys’ results:
         Luke Fuerstenberg and Cooper Gehrke were the first-place finishers for the H-BC boys. Fuerstenberg took home a first-place medal in the 100-meter dash (12.16), while Gehrke took first in the 200-meter dash (24.25).
         Junior Brock Harnack placed second in the 300-meter hurdles with a 46.85.
The 4-by-200-meter relay team of Liam Raymon, Fuerstenberg, Eli Taubert and Gehrke also came in second at 1:37.94. Raymon rounded out the second-place finishers for the boys with a jump of 38-10 in the triple jump.
         Harnack placed third in the 110-meter hurdles with a personal best of 18.80. The 4-by-100 meter relay team, also run by Raymon, Fuerstenberg, Taubert and Gehrke, finished third in 47.02.
The 4-by-400-meter relay team of Raymon, Beau Bakken, Micah Bush, and Taubert ran a 3:52.76 in their third-place finish. 
         H-BC fourth-place finishers included Harnack in triple jump with a 35-3, Max Scholten in shot put with a 38-9 3/4, James Vanden Bosch in the 300-meter hurdles with a 49.25, and Beau Bakken in the 100-meter dash at 12.48 seconds.
The Patriot boys did not have any fifth-place finishers but did have a nice list of sixth-place finishers including Blake Leenderts in the 400 with a time of 1:01.50, Brayden Metzger in shot put with a 38-2 1/4, and Cooper Gehrke in long jump with a best jump of 16-9 1/4
 
Girls’ results:
100 12. Olivia Deelstra 14.72
400 9. Hailey Moser 1:16.08
Shot Put 12. Isabel Wysong 25-3 1/2 
Discus 8.. Isabel Wysong 71-4 1/2 
 
Boys’ results:
200 8. Riley Tatge 27.03
400 8. Sawyer Bosch 1:02.15
800 14. Micah Bush 2:23.34
110mH 7. James VandenBosch 22.71
Discus 9. Max Scholten 104-0 12. Brayden Metger 93-8
High Jump 7. Eli Taubert 5-2  8. Jackson Gacke 5-0
Long Jump 7. Brock Harnack 16-6 1/2

The H-BC track and field teams traveled to Mountain Lake Thursday to compete in the Red Rock Conference track meet.
The girls placed third in the conference while the boys placed fourth.
“We had a lot of individual success today,” said coach Rex Metzger.
“As a team, our goal was to finish in the Top 3. The girls were able to finish in third while the boys missed third place by less than one point.”
The girls scored 129 points and the boys scored 108.33.
The Patriot track team will compete in Luverne Thursday, May 26, for the Section 3A Subsection Southwest track meet.
 
Girls’ results
Brynn Bakken took first place in the 100- and 200-meter dash. Her time in the 100 meter was 13.59 and her 200-meter time was 27.80. She also placed second in triple jump with a jump of 32-11. 
The girls’ 4-by-200-meter relay team of Abbie Harris, Brynn Rauk, Olivia Deelstra and Layla Deelstra placed first in the conference with a time of 1:53.02.
Senior Kenadie Fick placed second in two individual events. She ran a 2:36.52 in the 800-meter and a 5:57.40 in the 1600-meter run. The girls’ 4-by-100 team  of Hailey Moser, O. Deelstra, Rauk and L. Deelstra narrowly missed first place with a 54.61, just .02 away from first. 
Larissa Steinhoff threw her personal best, 85-11, in shot put to finish in second place while running a 19.30 in the 100-meter hurdles to finish third.
Abbie Harris turned in a third-place effort in the 200-meter dash (29.68) and a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter dash (1:04.98).
The 4-by-800-meter relay team of Durst, Spykerboer, E. Deelstra and Katelyn Chesley also finished in third place with a time of 11:57.72  .
Bailey Spykerboer finished fifth in triple jump at 29-10 while Ally Birger also placed fifth in shot put with a throw of 28-9.
Sophomore Layla Deelstra rounded out the top finishers for the Patriots with a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter dash at 14.45.
 
Boys’ results
The boys’ 4-by-100-meter relay team of Ty Bundesen, Luke Fuerstenberg, Beau Bakken and Cooper Gehrke was the top finisher for the Patriot boys as they turned in a first-place effort with a time of 46.76.
The 4-by-200-meter relay team that placed third (1:41.72) was made up of Bundesen, Fuerstenberg, Eli Taubert and Liam Raymon.
Senior Ty Bundesen placed second in the shot put in his first time ever competing in this event with a throw of 44-9 1/4  while Max Scholten placed fourth with a throw of 41-0. 
Cooper Gehrke (12.46) and Ty Bundesen (12.49) placed third and fourth in the 100-meter dash. Gehrke also placed third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.39.
Raymon placed second in the 400-meter dash (54.56) and third in triple jump (42-0 1/4).
Brock Harnack took third in the 300-meter hurdles (47.01) and fourth in the 110-meter hurdles (19.90). 
The boys’ 4-by-400-meter relay team of Raymon, Bush, Bakken and Bode Kruger placed third with a time of 3:48.65.
James Vanden Bosch finished  fifth  in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 48.58 while Eli Taubert also finished fifth in the 400-meter dash at 55.68.
Micah Bush finished sixth  in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:21.40.
 
Girls’ results:
100 15. Aspen Shimp 15.07
200 8. Bailey Spykerboer 30.57
400 8. Bailey Spykerboer 1:08.04 15. Aspen Shimp 1:26.80
800 7. Kenadie Fick 2:42.12 20. Bailey Spykerboer 3:00.05
100mH 8. Ava Steinhoff 20.89
300mH 6. Larissa Steinhoff 57.90 7. Ava Steinhoff 59.69
4x400 7. Fick, Durst, Rauk, Spykerboer 4:41.26
4x800 8. Durst, E Deelstra, Spykerboer, Sammons
Shot Put 6. Isabel Wysong 28-0 1/2   14. Tyrae Goodface 24-2
Discus 7. Ally Birger 76-5 13. Isabel Wysong 66-3
High Jump 8. Larissa Steinhoff 4-6  9. Ava Steinhoff 4-4
Long Jump 7. Brynn Bakken 14-4 1/4 8. Brynn Rauk 14-3 9. Abbie Harris 13-3
Triple Jump 7. Olivia Deelstra 29-1
 
Boys’results:
100 6. Luke Fuerstenberg 12.85
200 7. Eli Taubert 25.03 13. Sawyer Bosch 26.91
400 11. Blake Leenderts 1:02.93
800 14. Micah Bush 2:27.08 17. Bode Kruger 2:38.19
1600 13. Micah Bush 5:33.60 19. Bode Kruger 6:42.72
110mH 9. James VandenBosch 22.09
4x800 6. Tatge, Leenderts, Gacke, Kruger 10:38.81
Shot Put 7. Brayden Metzger 37-10 1/2
Discus 6. Max Scholten 102-9 11. Brayden Metger 84-3 12. Alex Harris 84-1
High Jump 6. Eli Taubert 5-2 7. James VandenBosch 5-2 8. Jackson Gacke 5-0
Long Jump 7. Brock Harnack 17-3 1/2   12. Cooper Gehrke 16-1  13. Sawyer Bosch 15-8 3/4
Triple Jump 9. Brock Harnack 36-3 10. Sawyer Bosch 35-10 3/4

Just in time for summer biking season, Second Mile Bicycles is officially open for business in the ATLAS Ministries and Redeemed Remnants building on Maple Street in Luverne.
Based on Jesus’ motion in Matthew 5:41 to “go the extra mile” with people in need, Second Mile Bicycles is a repair center helping to make bicycles available to people who need them.
According to the website, “This ministry aims to put bicycles in the hands of people with no access to a vehicle, repair bicycles for the public, and refurbish bicycles at a reasonable cost for resale at Redeemed Remnants.”
While the objective is to help people in need, it’s filling a general need in the community for skilled bicycle repair services, especially after Ken Petersen of Ken’s Bike Shop retired and moved from town last year.
“We’ve been fixing quite a few, so far 35 this summer,” said Michael Blank, ATLAS ministries director and staff mentor.
“I get a lot of people who call and ask, ‘What is this going to cost?’ and very simply, it’s whatever the cost of the parts are and we mark them up 30 percent. That’s what you pay. You don’t pay for any labor. This is a ministry.”
For example, to replace a tube would cost someone the price of the tube (plus tax) and an additional $1.80 for ATLAS. The labor is donated.
“So really I think that’s pretty reasonable,” Blank said.  
Five people with ATLAS trained with Center of Hope in Sioux Fall to become qualified for bike repair and tune-up work.
In addition to Blank, trained bike repairmen include Todd Mann, Eugene Marshall, John Hilfer, Tom Rolfs, Ted Berghorst, Mark Clifford and Greg Hoogeveen.
Volunteers are at the bike shop Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays and Saturdays.
When the bikes are dropped off, they get a write-up sheet specifying service needs, typically tires, tubes, breaks and chains.
When the volunteers come in, they check the sheet and complete the repairs. Many people donate bikes to be repaired and sold for ATLAS. Those that aren’t reparable are scrapped for metal or parts.
“But we do repurpose quite a few bikes,” Blank said.
“One thing I didn’t expect is that when bikes go over to Redeemed Remants, they’re not there very long.”
Hoogeveen, who manages Redeemed Remnants, said the bikes are priced to be affordable for families.
“For most bikes, they’re $45 to $100. For kids’ bikes, it’s $15 to $20,” he said. “It’s pretty reasonable.”
The southwest corner of the building is walled off to allow for secure storage of bikes awaiting repairs.
Call 507-449-5777 or visit atlasofrockcounty.org.

Luverne High School junior Kamryn Van Batavia merged her love of arts and crafts into a business.
On May 18, Van Batavia publicly debuted her business, k.lee company, at the CEO Trade Show at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone along with 16 other students from six area schools selected for the program.
Katie Baustian is the facilitator of the local program.
“The true purpose of the program is to show what’s in southwest Minnesota and bring them (the young people) back to the area,” she said.
Baustian organizes visits for the students with area business owners and guest speakers, who share tips and business insights.
Each CEO participant is also paired with an adult mentor.
Van Batavia’s mentor is Emily Crabtree, a first-year mentor and director of the Luverne Area Community Foundation.
Crabtree said she guided Van Batavia through the business-starting process rather than force her own ideas.
“She’d bounced a lot of stuff off of me,” Crabtree said. “I would then instead put questions back to her.”
The two worked through Van Batavia’s business plan, looking at Van Batavia’s interests, what her time is worth, cost of the product and what price to set for her products.
Van Batavia said she learned an important lesson from the 60 business visits the CEO class completed this year.
“A lot of business owners say, ‘Don’t downplay your worth,’” she said.
Van Batavia designed and assembled customized wrist lanyards. She uses colorful silicone and wooden beans for the lanyards in two size choices. She priced her products at $12 and $15.
Before Wednesday’s trade show, she already sold 100 lanyards and had 150 more prepared for sale.
“My favorite part (of the CEO program) is seeing where I was then (the program began last fall) to where I am now,” Van Batavia said.
Time management, personal confidence and how to talk with potential customers are skills she gained from the program.
Mentor Crabtree first experienced the CEO program through her son, Colby, a CEO Class of 2020 alumnus.
He continues his business, “Blue Mound Buckets,” a line of baseball caps with decorative leather decals, as he studies ag system technologies at SDSU.
Crabtree said he learned an important lesson from his time in the CEO program.
Crabtree recently started a line of caps featuring waterfowl decals.
“Don’t be afraid to reinvent your business to continue to be successful,” he said.
CEO or Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a program through Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship. The local southwest Minnesota program began in 2019.
The program guides selected junior and senior students to become responsible, enterprising individuals who think like entrepreneurs and become leaders either of their own businesses or for other companies.
Students, their schools, and businesses in the 2021-22 CEO program include:
•Owen Vogel, senior, Southwest MN Christian in Edgerton, Lake Shore Candle Co.
•Noah Mehlhaff, senior, Luverne, Ma Deuce Military Apparel Co.
•Samantha Moser, senior, Hills-Beaver Creek, Farm to Fork Education.
•Mackenzie Voss, senior, Hills-Beaver Creek, Maluhia Swimwear.
•Julianne Eisma, senior, Southwest MN Christian, Extend His Glory.
•Hermella Suda, senior, Pipestone High School, Spotless Cleaning Services.
•Kamryn Van Batavia, junior, Luverne, k. lee company.
•Mallory Nelson, junior, Luverne, Breezy’s Bark Shop.
•Jocelynn Mann, junior, Luverne, JEM’s Quality Towels.
•Hunter Ahrendt, senior, Luverne, Big Shooter Boards.
•Braydon Ripka, senior, Luverne, Ripka’s Detailing.
•Melody Remund, junior, Pipestone, Simply Mel.
•Hiltyn Heitkamp, senior, Adrian, Rural Rootz.
•Mary Opitz, senior, Luverne, aurora + grace.
•Mallory Von Tersch, junior, Luverne, The Cravery.
•Rogan Smidt, junior, Pipestone, Smidt Livestock Products.
•Elly Klosterbuer, junior, Hills-Beaver Creek, Saving Grace Photography.

A farm loan brought Hardwick’s Don Bryan into the banking business in 1975, and after 47 years in banking, he is retiring from the industry.
On Tuesday, May 31, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., Security Savings Bank in Luverne will host a retirement party in Bryan’s honor.
“It has truly been an honor and privilege to work with Don. He provided exceptional customer service and was well versed in all items related to banking,” said Ryan DeBates of Security Savings Bank in Luverne.
“He was a cornerstone of our bank and community, and his highest standard will be continued by Security Savings Bank.”
Bryan’s foray into a banking career came unexpectedly in the spring of 1975.
He was working at the grain elevator in Hardwick when a local farmer offered to rent him 80 acres for the 1975 crop season.
Bryan needed a loan to take advantage of the offer, and he stopped by Hardwick State Bank to ask for a farm loan from owner Les Rolfs. In addition to a loan, Rolfs had another question.
“He said, ‘How would you like to work for us?’,” Bryan recalled. “It was completely out of the blue and I didn’t know what to say — and we talked for a while.”
The two agreed that Bryan would give the bank job a try, starting after his 80 acres were planted. “I didn’t start until July,” Bryan said.
Once in the door, Bryan learned all aspects of the banking industry from teller to insurance sales to ag and personal loaning.
He’s seen a lot of changes through the years as technology made counting money and implementing loan agreements faster.
Community service moved to the forefront during Bryan’s almost 50 years in banking.
He made a point to attend local events and support area youth — something Knute Oldre has noticed and will try to continue as he works to fill Bryan’s shoes.
“He’s the only guy with an 80-percent recognition in Rock County — the guy with the white mustache,” Oldre said.
Bryan spent 40 years as a volunteer with the Hardwick Fire Department and more than 50 years with the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post. He’s a Zion Lutheran Church elder, delivered the Announcer on Saturdays, served on the Luverne School Board and was formerly mayor of Hardwick.
He’s also kept in touch with the ag roots he developed while growing up on a farm between Hardwick and Jasper. He regularly lends a hand in the field whenever asked by friends and family.
In retirement, Bryan doesn’t plan to sit at home with his wife, Lorna, not that she would let him, he joked.
His first plans are to help friend Bill Aanenson, who owns Rock Motorsports in Luverne, and be the “go-fer” while being more active in activities that interest him.
“I have two motorcycles and an ATV, three lawn mowers and all that stuff. I’ve always enjoyed messing with them,” he said.
Bryan also plans to spend more time with grown sons Chris and Craig and his six grandchildren.
“I don’t want to get up in the morning and not know what I’m going to do for the day,” he said.

Each Hills-Beaver Creek kindergartner through eighth-grader received $20 last week to buy a book to read this summer.
The H-BC School District applied for a state grant and allocated $4,500 to promote summer reading.
“Our expectations were exceeded by the responses we received from students,” said H-BC Superintendent Todd Holthaus.
“They were excited; they networked with one another. I believe we’ve assisted in creating some reading for this summer by our students.”
The $20 to each student coincided with the spring book fair that brings displays of new books into the schools’ libraries for sale.
K-12 media paraprofessional Lexi Moore organizes the twice-a-year book fairs in the elementary and middle school libraries.
“Very few students get to go to libraries over the summer,” she said. “Our goal is to get them started with books to read over the summer.”
The $20 given to each student meant every student purchased at least one book.
Moore organized a bargain table with books offered for $5 or less so students could purchase several books for $20.
Her promotion worked, as the bargain table quickly emptied.
Shelly Fischer is the district’s reading integration specialist.
“We are hoping these new books will encourage children to read over the summer,” she said. “And spark a new-found interest in different authors, subjects and genres.”