Question: With spring being here and the melting snow, can you talk about what a person should do when coming across water on roads?
Answer: Flooding can occur when streams and rivers flow over their banks, when dams or levees break, when there is run-off from deep snow, or any time there is heavy rainfall. Floodwaters can be found on roads, bridges and low areas. Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall.
•Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to get to your destination.
•Be cautious, especially at night, when the visibility is limited.
•Remember, 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.
•Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.
•Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, do not attempt to cross a flooded road. Water can hide dips, or worse, floodwaters can damage roadways by washing away the underlying road surface.
•If there is no other route, proceed to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
Question: I have a question about pickups with their wide tires sticking outside of the fender wells. Is that illegal? I always thought there were supposed to be fenders? I know they throw a lot of rocks around. I don’t think that’s right.
Answer: Minnesota law states that all passenger vehicles shall have fenders, or other devices, that are designed to prevent, as far as practicable, water, dirt or other material being thrown up and to the rear by the wheels of the vehicle.
For the tires sticking outside of the fenders, the vehicle would need to be equipped with fender flares. The fender flares would need to match the width of the tires sticking out.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at Statue 169.791 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

Readers take issue with 'thumbs down' editorial item
 
To the Editor:
In regard to last week’s thumbs down regarding rising fuel costs, first, we think you can get a point across without name-calling. It is not necessary or helpful. Our country is divided enough. Let’s make efforts to come together.
It’s very common for people to blame a president for many things, fuel costs included, no matter who is in office. Justified or not, that is nothing new. Bringing this subject up as you have did the very thing you accused the “small-minded” people of doing, politicizing the issue. Let's be the change we want to see in the world.
Mike and Wanda  Jarchow, Luverne
 

Bridal Shower
There will be a bridal shower for Paige Tweet, bride-to-be of Tucker Oeltjenbruns, at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2, at Take 16 Brewery in Luverne.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, April 4: Sloppy Joes on a bun, potato salad, fruit, dessert.
Tuesday, April 5: Roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, California Normandy, bread, dessert.
Wednesday, April 6: Ham with raisin sauce, au gratin potatoes, peas, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Christian Reformed Church.
Thursday, April 7: Sausage egg bake, broccoli, cinnamon apples, coffee cake.
Friday, April 8: Baked ziti, mixed vegetables, peaches, dessert.
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846 to arrange to pick up a dinner or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on July 18, 1902.
Summer Training School
For Teachers of Rock County and Vicinity—Four Weeks’ Term Begun Monday.
The Rock County Summer Training school for teachers opened Monday in the High school room with Prof. E. M. Phillips, of Albert Lea as conductor, and Estella Scofield, of Ortonville, F. E. George, of Pipestone, and Ella Probst, of Minneapolis, assistants. The work was begun in the usual manner with registration on Monday. Sixty-seven teachers were registered as follows:
Luverne—Luverne Kreps, May Brewer, Jennie D. Wright, Francis McDermott, Deila Blodgett, Margaret Williams, Clarinda B. L. Stoughton, Viola Hvid, Nellie Ramsey, Vena L. Brockway, Maud M. Brockway, Luella Stoughton, Alma Haga, Merble Herrick, Anna Armstrong, Rosalie Teetor, Alma Heinz, Mrs. Myrtle Calhoun, Hanna M. Brady, Bertha Scott, Nora V. Adams, Harriet L. Henton, Blanche E. Abbey, Beatrice Angell, R. May Walters, Tillie Dietrich, Margaret Scheehan, Nellie E. Schellhamer.
Adrian—Christine Nash, Isabel Egeland.
Hardwick—Emelia Heiden, Louise Mannigel, Emma Hauger.
Magnolia—Evelyn Bareley, Mabel L. Ehlers, Theresa Barclay, Allie B. Adams, Ida H. Miller, Ettie M. Ehlers, Essie S. Pickett.
Ransom–Bessie Sorem, Clara Guernsey.
Hills—Christine Severtson.
Sioux Falls—Edith C. Cox.
Kanaranzi—Ethel G. Rowland, Zula M. Bowen.
Jasper—Mabel La Martine.
Sherman—S. D.—Dora E. Davis.
Ellsworth—Daisy Walker, Erie Rolfe, Bertha Buechel, Fred A. Buechel.
Edgerton—Vileta B. Nichols, Anna E. Carberry, Blanche Rogers.
Worthington—Mattie Bryan, Edna Goodrich, Alma Anderson, Janet K. Billington, Juanita Harden, Maud Ayer, Ella Cloud, Ella M. Wood.
Beaver Creek—Charlotte Snow, Maud Chesley, Francis Chesley.
Rushmore—Lulu L. Putnam.
The term will occupy four weeks and the general plan of the work is outlined in the following:
Elementary Algebra.
 The amount of work covered in this subject will be determined when the class is formed.
Plane Geometry.
The needs of the class will govern the outline in this subject.
U.S. History.
Period from 1765-1800. Establishment of Independent Government.
Period from 1800-1865. Industrial Development.
Any Eighth Grade Text.
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
I. Brief review—The parts of speech and their uses.
II. Verbs, verb phrases, participles, infinitives and gerunds.
III. Analysis of different passages.
Note. III Will be carried on with each day’s work in I and II. Each member of the class will be asked to get “Exercises in Syntax” published by Hyde and Manuel.
CIVICS
The Government of Minnesota.
I. History (studied with maps).
1. As a territory.
2. As a state.
II. The State constitution.
1. History of Written Constitution.
2. The contents of the Union Constitution.
3. Laws amended or revised.
III. Departments of Government.
1. Legislative.
2. Executive.
3. Judicial.
IV. Taxation.
V. Educational System.
SPECIAL SUBJECT
The School System.
PHYSIOLOGY
A brief review using any good text, taking the work by subjects. (Designed to help teachers prepare for the August examinations),
One or two subjects taken thoroughly as Digestion and Assimilation of Foods, with some simple experiments.
This will continue in next week’s article of Bits by Betty.
         Donations to the Rock County Historical Society can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, 312 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

10 years ago (2012)
•Barely a week into her retirement, Luverne’s Sandra Hensley said she already likes her new schedule.
But that doesn’t mean she won’t miss her work as court administrator for Rock and Nobles counties.
“It was always challenging,” she said Tuesday during a break from spring cleaning at her home. “It was constantly changing; you never get bored.”
When she started in the Rock County Courthouse 33 years ago, Hensley was one of three generalists in the Court Administrator’s office.
 
25 years ago (1997)
•Students from Luverne High School tackled the tough issues of parenting and early fatherhood at the “Dads Make A Difference” Conference recently held in St. Cloud. Students from all across Minnesota attended the conference training sessions that taught high school students how to teach middle school students about the tough responsibilities of parenting and the importance of making life-altering decisions.
The conference focused on the growing problem of adolescent pregnancies by training young people about parenting responsibilities. Nearly a fourth of all children born in the United States live in female-headed households, and 40 percent of these children have not seen their fathers in at least one year. The curriculum stresses not only the importance of raising children with the involvement of both parents, it teaches students the obligations of parenting at any age.
 
50 years ago (1972)
•The Sedlacek brothers may help Texas Lutheran College win another Big State Conference baseball championship.
And they may do it without cracking the line-up as an every-day starter. Tom is a utility infielder while Mike is a relief pitcher.
Coach Ray Katt, a man who spent 17 years in the big time as a player and coach, says the attitude of the Luverne duo is an asset to the team.
“Tom and Mike are the kind of players you need. They’re good players and probably will be starters next season. They are playing some now, but their attitude means a lot to us, too. They’re for the team.”
 
75 years ago (1947)
•Crews in charge of the production of the senior class play, “It’s All In Your Head,” to be presented by the class of 1947 on April 18 and 19, were announced this week.
The stage crew includes Gordon Backer, stage manager; the carpenter crew, consisting of Marlyn LeMarie, chairman, Dale Hartz, Wayne Remme, Roger Jensen, James Van Hove and James Fritz; the painting crew, Dick Petersen, chairman, Sara Ann McRobert, Claris Anderson, and special painting by Audre Schlapkohl; sound effects, Otto Jensen, chairman, Carol Thorson, Robert Soutar and Siena Dik; lighting, Arthur Tofteland and Mabe Moreaux; properties, Lowell Binford, chairman, Boyd Barrett, Shirley Busse, David Hoh, Joycelyn Heronimous, Velma Ralfs, Melvin Smook and Nellie Timmer.
Heading the business staff as advertising and business manager is Walter Tofteland. Marilyn Brooks is chairman of the advertising committee and is assisted by Gertrude Bosch and Beverly Perkins. The program committee consists of Betty Goettsch, chairman, Doris Gullickson, Arlene Gradert, Katheen Rolph, Corinne Ruddy and Marjorie Van Voorst. Ruth Gonnerman heads the ticket committee and is assisted by Joyce Reemts, Martha Wiggins and Edith Winter; Jack Butler is house manager; Lois Huisman and Betty Thomas, prompters; Ruth Winter, head usher, assisted by Ruth E. Winter, Imogene Lemke, Beatrice Bosch, and Eva Lou Lafrentz.
 
100 years ago (1922)
•Almine Skovgaard, of Hills, a junior in the school of agriculture, University of Minnesota, won fifth place in the music memory contest at University Farm last week, with about 700 students competing, and was awarded a $10 prize.
The school is a part of the department of agriculture of the University of Minnesota, and has graduated more than 2,700 young men and women, 95 per cent of whom have returned to the farms to win success as farmers or farm homemakers.

Writing an outdoor column can help make our readers more informed about wildlife and resource issues.  My column today is about Earth Day, and my research for this script has resulted in my gaining a large amount of new information to share with you.
Earth Day was started in 1970 primarily as a student campus activity. The date of April 22 was chosen because it fell between spring break and college final exams. The first Earth Day included a teach-in and more than 5,000 students attended.
Overall, the first Earth Day inspired more than 20 million people – over 10 percent of the United States population at the time – to participate.
Smog and polluted air was the driver initially behind this effort. It was a rare instance where both Republicans and Democrats rallied around one common cause. It created an emerging environmental consciousness around the byproduct of human consumption, pollution. The result of this grassroots effort was the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Congress in short order passed the Clean Air Act, followed closely by the Clean Water Act.
Fast forward to 1990 and Earth Day had grown to 200 million people in 141 countries. The engagement of the masses ultimately led to the push to recycle that still exists today. Current Earth Day attracts more than 1 billion people from 193 countries to push for a planet we can all survive on.
I have been an Earth Day participant almost every day of my life for the past 50 years. My life’s motto has always been to try to leave the planet just a little better off than when I found it. This has been done during my adult life as a member and volunteer for Pheasants Forever. The efforts of this habitat organization do just as much for clean water, pollinators, pollution reduction, erosion reduction and environmental education as any other on the planet.
Across America on this Earth Day the 730 chapters of Pheasants Forever are calling all of their members to skip a regular meeting and grab their volunteers and head out to get their hands dirty. They are calling on every member of the organization to attend a project and actually do some manual labor.
My chapter is doing our Earth Day event one week earlier than the actual date of Earth Day and is scheduling to bring all interested parties out onto some of the public lands in Nobles County, Minnesota. We have people from the Minneapolis metro area coming to help. We normally do one big day of public lands improvements annually.
This includes many things, but old fence removal, eradication of invasive trees, trash pickup and sign replacements are all on this list of things to do. We have had north of 40 volunteers attend this annual activity on a regular basis. It is amazing what you will find dumped on these important public lands.
What are you going to do to help make the planet a little better for all of the creatures and humans that inhabit it? Will you be one of those participants? I challenge you to reach out to your local PF chapter or any other habitat organization and see what they have planned for that day. It is a call to action. There is no real way to describe the satisfaction you get from a day in the tall grass.
If you are limited in a physical activity way, then go to a county or regional park and do some cleanup. Visit a Wildlife Management Area in your county and just spruce up those spots by doing a little trash collection. If you have equipment, offer to donate your time and use of that equipment to our collective cause.
If you are interested in helping with our project, it is scheduled for April 16 at 9 a.m. We will gather at my house located at 1027 Lexington Ave., Worthington, Minnesota, and head out as a group. You can help for an hour or all day. Each participant is welcome, no matter what you schedule might be.  Please reach out to me at scottarall@gmail.com or by calling 507-360-6027 for more information and what you need to bring. 
This is your chance to be part of an event that benefits every person and creature on the planet. I look forward to seeing you working together for the collective good of all.
 
Scott Rall, Worthington, is a habitat conservationist, avid hunting and fishing enthusiast and is president of Nobles County Pheasants Forever. He can be reached at scottarall@gmail.com. or on Twitter @habitat champion.
 

Gerald “Jerry” P. Bruggeman, 86, of Valley Springs, South Dakota, died Thursday, March 24, 2022, at his home.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home, Brandon, South Dakota. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Risen Savior Catholic Church, Brandon, South Dakota.
Gerald “Jerry” Paul Bruggeman, son of August and Catherine (Snyder) Bruggeman, was born on April 29, 1935, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up on his family’s farm near Larchwood, Iowa. In 1953, Gerald graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Larchwood.
Jerry entered the United States Army on February 14, 1956. He was stationed in Alaska, where he served as a meteorologist. After his honorable discharge on January 24, 1958, he started his career at the Sioux Falls Stockyards, where he worked for several years selling cattle. Jerry eventually became a cattle buyer for several different firms for many years until his retirement.
Jerry was united in marriage to Sharon McCarty on October 21, 1961 in Alvord, Iowa. They settled on an acreage east of Valley Springs, South Dakota, where they raised their four children. Jerry always had a nice herd of Black Angus cows and calves on the acreage.
Jerry enjoyed hunting with his sons, trips to the lake over the Fourth of July week with his family and neighbor friends. He loved his trips to Mexico with Sharon and his daughter’s family. Jerry loved the outdoors and working with his cows on the farm. He enjoyed his stockyard group gatherings and his “Bruggeman Breakfast” time with his siblings and family. Any time he had with his grandchildren was cherished.
Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Sharon; four children, Jim (Cheryl) Bruggeman of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Dave (Daletta) Bruggeman of LeMars, Iowa, Mary (Brian) Maiers of Shakopee, Minnesota, Amy (Bo) Keller of Minneapolis, Minnesota; blessed with nine grandchildren, Andy (Tiana) Thompson, Beth Bruggeman, Kendra Jorgensen, Kody (Hailey) Bruggeman, Jake (Alyssa) and Emma Maiers, Isabelle, Bo and Ben Keller; two great-grandchildren, DeJay Thompson and Henry Bruggeman; sisters Pat Wright and Cleone Kellar; brother Don (Rosemary) Bruggeman; sister-in-law, Orph Bruggeman; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special friends and neighbors.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Norbert and Len, sister Maureen McCarthy, sister-in-law Theresa Bruggeman, brothers-in-law Russel Wright and Jim Kellar.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Avera Foundation, Avera Hospice, Prince of Peace and The Banquet.
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James A. Vink, age 83, of Luverne, Minnesota, died on Monday, March 21, 2022, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 27, 2022, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. A funeral service will be Monday, March 28, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow at the Memory Gardens in Luverne. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hartquist Funeral Home – Luverne Chapel. To read Jim’s life history and sign an online registry please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.
James Albert Vink was born November 12, 1938, to Delmar and Lucretia (DeBoer) Vink in Castlewood, South Dakota. He attended grade school at Rock County District 1 and graduated from Luverne High School in 1957.
In January of 1958, Jim enlisted in the United States Army and served our country until his honorable discharge in January of 1960. He began driving truck for Luverne Creamery, then later hauled wholesale groceries for M. and J.R. Hakes, which was later named Schrivner, Inc.
On Sept. 8, 1961, Jim was united in marriage to Janice Miersma at Valley Springs Reformed Church. The couple settled in Luverne and raised their four children, Joel, Timothy, Audra and Paul. Jim hauled for Schrivner for 38 years until the company’s closing. He then drove the Rock County Heartland Bus for two years.
After his retirement, Jim volunteered with the Foster Grandparent Program at the Luverne Elementary School for ten years and was recognized as the 2008 Friend of Education. He also volunteered with the Big Buddies of Rock County and was named 2005 Big Buddy of the Year.
On Monday, March 21, 2022, Jim died peacefully at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 83 years, four months, and nine days.
Jim made public profession of his Christian faith in 1960 and was a charter member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne, where he served as deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, and Men’s Bible Study leader. In April of 1996 he began a weekly Bible Study group at Southwestern Youth Services in Magnolia, Minnesota, and participated with the group over the next 17 years. Jim enjoyed fishing, reading, and listening to classic country music.
He will be remembered by his wife of 60 years, Janice; his four children, Joel and his wife, Teresa Vink of Poway, California, Timothy and his wife, Dana Vink of Zeeland, Michigan, Audra and her husband, Joel Diederichs of Muscatine, Iowa, and Paul and his wife, Laura Vink of Indianapolis, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Nicole Vink, Chad Vink, Karis (Jon) De Jong, Alaina (Dave) Ekdom, Caley Vink, Devon Diederichs, Trevor Diederichs, Madison Vink, and Dalton Vink; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Joanne (Jack) Campbell of Moline, Michigan; one brother, Arnold (Gloria) Vink of Luverne, Minnesota; and a sister-in-law, Dianne Vink of Iola, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Delmar and Lucretia, and two brothers, Gary Vink in 2006 and Dale in 2016.
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