The Luverne Cardinal boys’ tennis team hosted two teams from South Dakota this past week. 
LHS had little trouble defeating Madison on April 12 before falling to a strong Sioux Falls Lincoln team on Monday. 
The Cardinals, now 4-1 on the season, have a busy week ahead. 
Luverne is scheduled to host Blue Earth on Thursday before hosting both Yellow Medicine East (10 a.m.) and Montevideo (1 p.m.) in separate meets on Saturday. 
LHS is then scheduled to travel to Fairmont on Monday and to Worthington on Thursday, April 28. 
 
Luverne 7, Madison 0
The Luverne Cardinals enjoyed a quick, lopsided victory over the Madison, South Dakota, Bulldogs when the two teams met in Luverne on Tuesday, April 12. 
The Cardinals swept their guests 7-0, winning each of the seven scored matchups in two sets each. 
“Madison was a very young team,” said Lucas Larson, LHS head coach.
“Even though it was not the most competitive meet we will have this year, it was a good chance for players to be out on the court early in the season,” Larson said. 
At No. 1 singles, Pierce Cunningham won 6-2, 6-1. Griffen Jarchow swept his opponent 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. 
At No. 3 singles, Blake Frahm won 6-3, 6-2 and Ethan Nath came out on top 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4 singles. 
In doubles play, Logan Ommen and Chance Tunnissen swept the No. 1 match 6-0, 6-0. 
At No. 2 doubles, Kyle Ferguson and Jase Arp won 6-2, 6-0, and at No. 3 doubles Luke Bosch and Levi Thielbar came out on top 6-0, 6-1. 
 
Sioux Falls Lincoln 5, Luverne 2
Luverne suffered its first loss of the season when Sioux Falls Lincoln came to town to play in cold, windy conditions on Monday. 
The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 5-2.
“Although neither team had their strongest roster playing, it was a good match for our team,” said Larson. 
“Playing the perennial South Dakota state champions is a tremendous experience for early in the season and I thought we battled hard in less-than-ideal conditions,” Larson said. “It felt like we were playing tennis in the ice arena.”
Luverne’s Cunningham earned the lone singles win of the match for the Cardinals at No. 1 singles, defeating his oppenent 6-1, 6-2.
At No. 2 singles, Frahm lost 6-3, 6-7. Ethan Nath came up short at No. 3 singles 6-0, 6-4 and Spencer Kracht, playing at No. 4 singles, was defeated 6-1, 6-0.
The LHS doubles team of Logan Ommen and Chance Tunnissen earned their team’s win in doubles when they defeated their opponents 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 in the No. 1 slot. 
Kyle Ferguson and Jase Arp were defeated 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles and Luke Bosch and Levi Thielbar lost 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3 doubles.

Taxes garnered annually on aggregate materials and wind production in Rock County were lower in 2021, according to information presented at the April 5 County Board meeting.
Aggregate tax in 2021 was $145,174, down from the 10-year high of $189,969 in 2020.
The wind production tax was $767,870 for 2021, down from $792,326 in 2020 and considerably less than the high of $896,429 in 2015.
A portion of the aggregate tax ($58,614) is divided among the townships.
Mound Township received the highest aggregate tax amount of $20,499 followed by townships of Denver $16,767, Vienna $9,092, Battle Plain $6,348, Luverne $3,454, and Clinton $2,452.
The townships of Beaver Creek, Kanaranzi, Magnolia, Martin, Rose Dell and Springwater each receive $500.
Of the aggregate tax, Rock County received $58,614 for the road and bridge fund with $20,687 placed in a special reclamation reserve fund and $7,259 for administrative fees.
Northern Con-Agg was the highest aggregate taxpayer in Rock County at $48,067 followed by Bremik Materials Inc. at $41,529, Henning Construction $20,284, Buffalo Ridge Concrete $15,723, Reker Construction $9,513, W&N Construction $8,557, and Central Specialties $1,501.
Of the wind production tax, Rock County received $614,296, which is divided between the highway department equipment fund and the countywide broadband bond.
Townships where the wind turbines are located split $153,574.
Denver Township received $81,620 followed by Rose Dell $58,664, Springwater $11,478, Luverne $1,397, and Martin $415.
The planned Walleye Wind Farm in western Rock County is scheduled to be completed this fall.

City officials recently annexed 8.42 acres of Mound Township land into the city of Luverne for housing development, and plans are in place to connect those four lots to city utilities.
Landowners Alan Schmuck and Patrick Widboom had requested the annexation of their ground for residential development and will be responsible for a large share of the cost of the improvements.
At their Tuesday, April 12, meeting, the council conducted a public hearing on assessments for water and sewer improvements for the new private housing development.
No one attended the hearing or offered written testimony, and the council took action to approve the preliminary plat for what is known as the Schmuck Addition.
Henning Construction, Adrian, submitted the low bid of $247,000 to connect the four-lot subdivision with city water and sewer along the north side of the lots.
This will open up 400 acres to the north for more land for gravity flow of sewer to the north of Luverne and creates a residential growth area for the city.
The city is also seeking a utility easement to allow for utilities for a potential future 13-lot development to the north.
The existing site along the north side of 131st Street is farmland consisting of row crops. Currently there is no water or sanitary sewer service to the property.
A feasibility report shows that the city of Luverne is continuing to grow, and as new businesses choose the community, housing needs also increase. The new development is advised to keep up with demand.
At their Tuesday, March 8, meeting, council members set a $200,000 assessment for landowners in the development to help cover the cost of bringing utilities to the four-lot subdivision.
The assessment will be paid by property owners over a 10-year period at an interest rate of 4 percent.
The city will be responsible for all costs over $200,000 because it’s sized for expansion in the future, and it’s advantageous for the city’s tax base.
The infrastructure work will be completed during the 2022 construction season.

Second-graders at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary will have a new seating arrangement next year, thanks to nearly $24,000 in donations.
H-BC School Board members formally accepted the funds at their April 11 meeting.
Teacher Renee Edmundson will pilot a flexible seating project that utilizes standing desks, wobble chairs, portable lap desks, floor rockers and table seating with white board tops.
“This wouldn’t be possible without all of these generous people,” she said. “I’ve dreamed about a classroom like this.”
Edmundson applied to the Frank Boon trust, receiving $17,195. Midwest Railcar and Repair added $5,000, with Kevin and Robin Baum giving $250 toward the pilot. The district itself approved $1,500.
Since the pilot program’s approval, Edmundson has been busy ordering the new classroom furniture, the majority of which will arrive this fall.
“Flexible seating creates inclusion for all students,” Edmundson said. “No matter what student walks in, they will find a place to fit in.”
Studies on flexible seating indicate students feel empowered by having a seating choice, which leads to more engagement in their education.
“Sometimes, when kids are wiggling, it is when they’re paying their best attention,” Edmundson said.
Flexible seating also enhances physical movement by allowing the increase of oxygen flow to the brain, blood flow throughout the body and the improvement of core strength.
Due to easy mobility, flexible seating can be moved into collaborative seating for pairs or small group projects.
The portable lap desks can be carried by students outside on nice days for outdoor lessons.
As a pilot, Edmundson’s choice of seating may not be for all teachers.
She said the flexible classroom can create more “chaos” as students move around the room finding their seats and getting to work.
Edmundson, who is in her seventh year of teaching at H-BC, knows she’ll need to develop more expectations for her students as they get used to new seating arrangements.
Measuring the pilot’s success may rely on student feedback as well as possible learning growth captured by standardized tests.

Meetings
Kenneth Cemetery annual meeting will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23, in the Kenneth Community Center.
Town and Country Garden Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at Harmony Gardens with Noreen Hawes giving a lesson on growing and using herbs.  Call 507-597-6378 for more information.
Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. Monday, May 2, at Poplar Creek Care Center. Masks are required.
Friendship Club (formerly TOPS) meets Mondays at 9 a.m. at the Luverne Pizza Ranch. New members welcome. Contact Karen at 507-935-2004 for more information.
 
Free food for seniors at new A.C.E. location
A.C.E. of SW MN will offer free food through its Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) 60 and older from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the new location in the former Grand Prairie Events, now the Generations building.
Enter the east lot from Maple Street and look for the pallet of NAPS boxes by the new ACE of SWMN office door on the northeast corner of the building. Call 507-283-5064 with questions.
 
Food giveaway at ATLAS April 21
New Life Celebration Church’s third Thursday monthly food giveaway is now at the ATLAS building at 101 W. Maple Street in Luverne. The next distribution is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21.
Enter from Maple Street and stay along the WEST side of the building. (Do not block the Redeemed Remnants parking lot.) Food will be loaded into vehicles which will then exit via the alley going WEST toward Estey Street. Call 507-283-4366 with questions.
 
Free state parks April 23
The Blue Mounds State Park, along with all Minnesota state parks, will offer free admission Saturday, April 23, to encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
 
LWML Spring Rally April 23 in Luverne
Pipestone Zone LWML Spring Rally is at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Servant event, “Jesus’ Love ... Our Hands” will be preparing hygiene kits for Orphan Grain Train. Bring a dark-colored bath towel and washcloth; other items will be provided. All are welcome. RSVP for noon lunch count at stjohn@iw.net.
 
Community meal is April 27
The Free Community Meal is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at the Luverne United Methodist Church, 109 N. Freeman Ave. A pick-up option is available. For more information contact the church office at 507-283-4529.
 
Crisis Center open house is April 28
The Southwest Crisis Center will host an open house at its Luverne location, 114 W. Main St., from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28.
April is sexual assault awareness month. Southwest Crisis Center is committed to sexual violence prevention.
 
Free tax prep at library
AARP volunteers offer free tax preparation for low-income individuals and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays through April 15. Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return, and a form of identification to document social security number. Masks are required.
 
Community Ed
Call Cindy at Luverne Community Education, 507-283-4724, to register for classes. Community Ed’s website is www.isd2184.net, select Luverne Community Education under schools.
 
Rock County Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
Story Time with Bronwyn is at 10:30 a.m. Fridays through April 29.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Sanford Health accepting scholarships
Students in select Sanford Health Network locations are invited to apply for a health network scholarship. The $2,000 scholarships are for students pursuing a post-secondary degree in a health care-related field. Each participating Sanford network facility will sponsor one student with a scholarship. Email educationalassistance@sanfordhealth.org for info.
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council board awarded a total of $39,515 in grant funds to five organizations and six artists in the southwest Minnesota region for a total of eleven grants awarded.
The Green Earth Players community theater group was among several to receive an equipment and facilities improvement grant.
These grants provide up to $10,000 to arts organizations for the purchase of equipment items and facilities improvements that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve the arts needs of the SMAC region.
In Rock County, the Green Earth Players of Luverne was awarded $6,508 to make updates to their rehearsal space.
Funds will be spent on replacing the stage floor with a more permanent material, buying materials to build a stronger and safer stage floor.
Funds will also go toward the purchase of speakers and a small-scale sound mixing board, a new electric piano/keyboard and basic shop tools.
The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) is a non-profit organization supporting the arts in the 18 counties of southwestern Minnesota with funds and technical services to enable local organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to sponsor and/or create and promote the arts in their communities.
SMAC receives funding from individuals, businesses, organizations, schools, cities, counties, private foundations including the McKnight Foundation, an allocation from the state of Minnesota, and a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, made possible by the voters of Minnesota.

After a two-year delay, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office recently graduated its first class of citizens law enforcement academy.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge organized the unique law enforcement class originally set to begin in March 2020, but because of the pandemic it was postponed until last month.
The citizens academy is a nationwide program that’s organized through local law enforcement to familiarize the public with what officers do.
“This is an opportunity for the public to meet with those that do protect and serve,” said Verbrugge.
“And get to know the deputies/sheriff on a one-on-one training to see who we really are — while getting a firsthand look on how the sheriff’s office works.”
Seven Rock County residents graduated March 29 from the first citizens academy. They are JoEllen Benson, Mavis Fodness, Mike Rofshus, Cody Lanoue, Mark Willers, Rick Peterson and Scott Deeb.
“I would highly recommend others to take this opportunity to get a real behind-the-scenes understanding of what it takes to be a law enforcement officer,” Rofshus said.
“This class gives us the opportunity to get to know our officers on a more personal level, which in my opinion is a very good thing.”
The graduates spent up to three hours on three consecutive Tuesdays at the law enforcement center in Luverne.
Participants toured the building and patrol cars and learned about equipment carried by deputies. Classroom time included information sessions conducted by several sheriff’s office deputies.
Sergeant Jeff Wieneke, investigator for the past 19 years, shared how he does his job and how technology has made distributing information easier.
Deputies Jeff Stratton, Chad Kempema and Lee Christians discussed the state’s Toward Zero Deaths program, use of force continuum, active shooter response and the civil process.
Two new deputies, Conner Braaksma and Dominic Castellano, were introduced.
Each nightly session ended with questions from the participants.
“I learned that being in law enforcement has many challenges and today’s environment is quite different from when many of our officers started in their careers,” Rofshus said.
“Knowing that every day they put on that uniform that they could possibly have to make a decision in seconds that has lifelong outcomes is not taken lightly.”
Verbrugge said he hopes the citizens academy strengthens communication between the sheriff’s office and the public.
“Once the public is comfortable with law enforcement, then they start to see things going on and hopefully will call into our office with concerns,” Verbrugge said.
“Also, we are striving for the community to trust the sheriff’s office and support us that, when things are being said, such as ‘all we do is just drive around,’ the citizens academy graduates can use their experiences to explain what the day-to-day duties of the deputies are.”
The next citizens academy is planned for February 2023.

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that ranchers who have approved applications through the 2021 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for forage losses due to severe drought or wildfire in 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments for increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021 through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP).
“Producers of grazing livestock experienced catastrophic losses of available forage as well as higher costs for supplemental feed in 2021. Unfortunately, the conditions driving these losses have not improved for many and have even worsened for some, as drought spreads across the U.S.,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. 
“In order to deliver much-needed assistance as efficiently as possible, phase one of the ELRP will use certain data from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), allowing USDA to distribute payments within days to livestock producers.” 
Congress recognized requests for assistance beyond the existing program and provided specific funding for disaster-impacted livestock producers in 2021.
 
ELRP eligibility: Phase One
To be eligible for an ELRP payment under Phase One of program delivery, livestock producers must have suffered grazing losses in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or a D3 (extreme drought) or higher level of drought intensity during the 2021 calendar year, and have applied and been approved for 2021 LFP. Additionally, producers whose permitted grazing on federally managed lands was disallowed due to wildfire are also eligible for ELRP payments, if they applied and were approved for 2021 LFP.
As part of FSA’s efforts to streamline and simplify the delivery of ELRP Phase One benefits, producers are not required to submit an application for payment; however, they must have the proper forms on file with FSA
 
ELRP payment calculation: Phase One
To further expedite payments to eligible livestock producers, determine eligibility, and calculate an ELRP Phase One payment, FSA will utilize livestock inventories and drought-affected forage acreage or restricted animal units and grazing days due to wildfire already reported by the producer when they submitted a 2021 CCC-853, Livestock Forage Disaster Program Application form.  
Phase One ELRP payments will be equal to the eligible livestock producer’s gross 2021 LFP calculated payment multiplied by a payment percentage, to reach a reasonable approximation of increased supplemental feed costs for eligible livestock producers in 2021.  
The ELRP payment percentage will be 90 percent for historically underserved producers, including beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers, and 75% for all other producers.  These payments will be subject to a payment limitation.
To qualify for the higher payment percentage, eligible producers must have a CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, form on file with FSA for the 2021 program year. 
Payments to eligible producers through Phase One of ELRP are estimated to total more than $577 million.
 
ELRP: Phase Two
Today’s announcement is only Phase One of relief for livestock producers.  FSA continues to evaluate and identify impacts of 2021 drought and wildfire on livestock producers to ensure equitable and inclusive distribution of much-needed emergency relief program benefits.
 
Emergency Relief Program (ERP) assistance for crop producers
FSA is developing a two-phased process to provide assistance to diversified, row crop and specialty crop operations that were impacted by an eligible natural disaster event in calendar years 2020 or 2021.
This program will provide assistance to crop producers and will follow a two-phased process similar to that of the livestock assistance with implementation of the first phase in the coming weeks. Phase One of the crop assistance program delivery will leverage existing Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program data as the basis for calculating initial payments. 
Making the initial payments using existing safety net and risk management data will both speed implementation and further encourage participation in these permanent programs, including the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program, as Congress intended. 
The second phase of the crop program will be intended to fill additional assistance gaps and cover eligible producers who did not participate in existing risk management programs.   
Through proactive communication and outreach, USDA will keep producers and stakeholders informed as ERP implementation details are made available.

I wash and reuse solo cups and zippy bags, but it seems like a tiny way to save the planet amid criminal Amazon deforestation and unfettered factory emissions in urban China.
Friday, April 22, is Earth Day — a time for global reflection on the millions of small ways we can collectively make a big difference.
In honor of Earth Day Friday, April 22, an organization called Green Citizen suggests a few ways we can all do our part to save Planet Earth.
•Avoid single-use disposable plastic. It’s probably the most impactful sustainable living choice a single individual can make. Refill and reuse permanent water bottles and coffee mugs. Use canvas bags for groceries and request paper “to go” boxes instead of Styrofoam.
•Avoid all single-use disposable items where possible. For example, instead of paper towels and wet wipes, use reusable kitchen towels or make cleaning rags from old T-shirts or socks
•Eat local, or better yet, prepare a meal to eat at home. Processed food in the U.S. travels over 1,300 miles while fresh produce takes about 1,500 miles to get to your table. That’s a lot of carbon emissions from transport, storage and refrigerating. Fewer “food miles” means fewer carbon emissions. 
•Take shorter showers and stop leaks. The average person wastes up to 30 gallons of water every day without even realizing it. Make it a goal to scrub and rinse in under five minutes (turn off the water while shampooing or shaving).
Drop by drop, an average American home can leak more than 10,000 gallons of water through inefficient plumbing. 
•Choose online billing and statements. About 1 billion trees worth of paper are thrown away every year in the U.S. Much of it is utility bills, brochures and catalogs that no one ever reads.
•Use LED bulbs. They use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 percent longer.
•Reduce home emissions (and save money) by making it more energy efficient. Use a programmable thermostat to save energy at bedtime and when no one’s home. Ceiling fans also help circulate air for more efficient heating and cooling.
•Plant a garden. Large-scale food production depends on pesticides and industrial fertilizers, while excessive tillage leads to soil erosion and loss of nutrients. Home gardening goes hand in hand with composting, which solves another environmental problem — food waste.
•Plant trees. At the current deforestation rate, the world’s rainforests could completely disappear by 2100. Forests trap carbon dioxide and prevent soil erosion and are also home to diverse ecosystems. Also, leafy trees on the south and west sides of a home provide shade and save on air conditioning.
•Finally, go outside on Earth Day. We often have little time to appreciate the world around us. Step outside, breathe deeply and feel thankful. Reflect on the beautiful world and think about ways to keep it that way.