The Luverne speech students are picking up where they left off in 2021 by winning their first tournament of 2022 Saturday in Worthington.
The defending Section 3A champions competed against 14 teams and 130 students, and all 17 of Luverne’s team members received individual honors. Results by category are:
•Discussion: Burke Johnson, third; Makayla Oeschle, blue ribbon.
•Dramatic interpretation: Brianna Kinsinger, red ribbon.
•Extemporaneous Reading: Brooke Vos, red ribbon.
•Extemporaneous speaking: Parker Carbonneau, first; Chance Tunnissen, third; Zander Carbonneau, fourth.
•Great speeches: Riley Anderson, first; Nicole Arevalo, fifth.
•Humorous interpretation: Luke Thorson, first; Leigha Ehlers, red ribbon.
•Informative speaking: Jessika Tunnissen, fifth; Xavier McKenzie, red ribbon; Nardy Merida, red ribbon
•Original oratory: Ashlie Gonzalez, red ribbon.
•Poetry reading: Mia Wenzel, first; Alex Perkins, third.
Blue and red ribbons signify one and two places out of the medals respectively.
The next tournament is Saturday when Luverne serves as host.
Assistant speech coach Caroline Thorson said the teams were excited to be competing in person.
“We are also thrilled to be hosting in our newly renovated building and hold our awards ceremony in the performing arts center,” she said.
“We are proud of our updated facilities and know it will be a comfortable and inviting space in which to perform and compete.”

Luverne’s seventh annual Get Hooked Ice Fishing Derby is from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at The Lake in Luverne with over $6,000 worth of prizes on deck for winners.
According to Luverne Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere, the 2021 tournament drew 376 registered anglers on a frigid, overcast day.
“It was unbelievable,” Lanphere said following last year’s derby.
“It just blows my mind that we had that many people down there at The Lake. … I would bet we had 175 to 200 who had never fished the tournament before.”
Weather permitting, the 2022 Get Hooked Ice Fishing Derby will be as popular as ever, with permanent and temporary ice houses allowed.
Preregistered anglers can save $5 on their entry fee and be entered in a drawing for $100 cash.
Contact the Chamber at 507-283-4061 to register, or sign up through www.luvernechamber.com.
Registration on Saturday opens at 11 a.m. when concessions by Howling Dog also opens. Free rods and reels will be given to youth until supplies run out.
Fishing starts at 1 p.m.
Prizes for largest fish in both adult and child categories are $500 cash.
Announcements and prizes will be on Facebook, “Get Hooked Derby” and on FM 89.9.

Meetings
Battle Plain Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in the conference room of Edgerton Ag, 1300 Mechanic Street. 
Hospice Dinner and Auction planners will meet at noon Thursday, Feb. 10, in the Sanford Luverne Medical Center. Anyone interested in helping with the April 23 event should sign up by Feb. 7 at 507-283-1805 or helen.saum@sanfordhealth.org.
 
Free tax preparation at library
AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation for low-income 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.
 
Free bake-at-home pizzas distributed Feb. 12
The Christian Motorcyclist Association will offer free back-at-home Luverne Pizza Ranch pizzas at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Living Rock Church on East Main Street in Luverne. The drive-through-style event is CMA’s gesture to “share the love of Jesus” with the community. More than 400 pizzas are available until gone. No signup necessary. Call 605-366-9942 with questions.
 
New Life food giveaway moves to ATLAS Feb. 17
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, Feb. 17.
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.
 
Food for seniors Feb. 17
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will distribute food from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, drive-thru style in the parking lot at 319 E. Lincoln, Luverne. Call Linda Wenzel at 283-5064 to register.
 
Goehle gym open Sundays through March 27
The Hugo Goehle gymnasium in Hills is open for public recreation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays now through March 27.
 
Tack swap March 5 at Rock Ranch
A tack swap benefit is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Rock Ranch near Hills. Organizers are seeking individuals in selling horse-related items or sharing business or service information by reserving a booth. The event is a fundraiser for two area 4-H families: Mark and Lisa Ehlers of Luverne and Wyatt and the late Tanya Fey of Woodstock. Call Kris Vanderbrink at 507-350-9209 to reserve a booth.
 
Winter Carnival scheduled for March 5
Luverne Music Boosters Winter Carnival, which was scheduled for Jan. 22, is tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, March 5.
 
Online mental health classes continue
NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will offer free online mental health classes in February. The classes are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with mental illness, service providers and also for the general public. Go to namimn.org and click on “classes.”
 
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.
Children ages 2-5 with a parent will enjoy Open Gym on Feb. 11. It’s free, but advance registration is required.
Register now for the Defensive Driving Refresher class to be held on Feb. 17 at 5:30 pm. $28.  
Grade 5 through adult can learn about clay on a pottery wheel at Give Spinning a Try on Feb. 12. for $15. To take a piece home, pay instructor $10 
Register by Feb. 25 for Footloose at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre on March 26. Fee is $115/person for this chartered bus trip.
Family Game Time for kindergarten through Grade 12 is Feb. 24 at the Library. Fee is $10 per family.
Students in grades 5 – 8 that are interested in acting or working behind the scenes can sign up for Intro to Theatre on Feb. 24. $12. 
Ambulance Tour & CPR Class is Feb. 28. Hands-only CPR training will also be taught during class. Fee is $5.
 
Rock County Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
The 2022 Winter Reading Program, “Catch a Keeper at your Library,” is currently under way and goes through March 31. Read or listen to 12 books checked out from the Rock County Library and win a fabulous prize. Winter Reading Bingo will also be played. Bingo sheets are available now at the library.
Who says kids get to have all the fun? An Adult Show and Tell will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at Take 16. Bring an item (or items) to tell us about or perhaps a story or two. It will be a fun and relaxing evening of sharing tales of local brews.
Bring your creative selves to Bad Art Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Take 16, and compete to see who can make the worst piece of art with provided supplies. The less artistic ability you have, the better. Prizes will be awarded.
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.
 
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.
 
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents.
Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota.
Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.

Chad Ver Steeg with Ver Steeg Excavation of Luverne spent several days over the past two weeks removing six former railway pillars in the Rock River south of the Luverne City Park. The project was a collaborative effort between the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the city of Luverne and two private landowners to restore the river back to its natural course. Cost of the project was $25,000.
 
The pillars were constructed in the early 1900s as a railroad bridge over the Rock River. The railroad ceased to exist in the 1940s and the bridge deck, rails and railroad ties were removed. The pillars, made from blocks of sandstone, remained, causing water currents to erode a “scour hole” in the east bank of the river.
 
Ver Steeg said the pillars were more solid than he thought, withstanding decades in the elements and flowing water fairly well. Due to the current low river water levels, Ver Steeg was able to drive the excavator onto the sandbar that developed in front of the pillars. He used the sandstone block to create a rip-rap along the scour hole area to lessen the developing bank erosion. Ver Steeg’s bid to complete the work was the lowest of three submissions.

This week, Feb. 7-11, is National School Counselors Week, a time to consider the unique contribution of school counselors in U.S. school systems.
National School Counseling Week, sponsored by American School Counselors Association, highlights the significant impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
The 2022 theme is “School Counseling: Better Together,” and our local school counselors are working toward better outcomes for the local student body.
Numerous research studies have quantified the impact of school counselors on student development and success, as well as on school climate and K–12 education in general.
For example, research shows school counselors play an important role in improved ACT and SAT scores, more informed college decision-making, fewer disciplinary actions, improved attendance and more. 
School counselors can play a critical role in ensuring that students get opportunities to have safe, enriching experiences in and out of school, and in helping prepare students for postsecondary success — all in ways that meet their individual needs.
A growing body of research indicates comprehensive, data-driven school counseling programs improve a range of student learning and behavioral outcomes.
Following are a few takeaways from those studies:
•Students who have greater access to school counselors and comprehensive school counseling programs are more likely to succeed academically and behaviorally in school; this is particularly true for students in high-poverty schools.
•School counselors can help elementary-aged students increase their knowledge of occupations, raise their desire to pursue postsecondary education and learn more about themselves, their education and the world of work.
•High school students who have more access to school counselors and related college and career counseling services are more likely to graduate and less likely to have behavioral problems.
•School counselors can help with early identification and prevention of high school students with depression and suicidal thoughts.
•Expanding school counseling services in elementary schools is associated with improvements in student learning, behavior and mental health.
This week, take time to thank a school counselor for impacting your life or your child’s.
We all are better off when our students are in a better place for learning and succeeding.

Trips to the grocery store were frequent during my days as a mother of four growing children. Now, as an empty nester, weeks go by before I need to refill the cupboards and freezer.
I’ve noticed, however, the previous several-times-a-week stops at the grocery store are now replaced with several-times-a-week stops to the farm supply store.
It turns out my other “kids,” the ones of the four-legged variety, are now receiving extra “motherly” attention.
Previously I gave little thought to the daily care of the cats, dogs, rabbits, calves, sheep, pigs, ducks and chickens on the farm. The kids took care of them. (I rarely had to clean the animals’ pens then – maybe twice a year at most.)
And my husband would take care of the horses and cattle, regularly tractoring large round hay bales into their feeders.
For years my chores meant taking care of the little humans with meals, laundry, errands and transportation to activities.
Now all of those previous daily activities are down to me occasionally fixing a meal, weekly instead of daily laundry duties, a few errands, and once-in-a-while transport of the hubby somewhere.
Life without kids at home has certainly become … well … boring.
My attention has gradually turned to the remaining horses, cats and the farm dog left at home.
I now remember to buy treats for the dog and to give one to her almost daily. The cats are fed at least once a day, and the horses receive twice-a-day personal care.
Instead of picking up clothes off the kids’ bedroom floors, I now clean the horse barn daily.
Instead of buying new school clothes, I now search for bargains of new horse blankets and masks to keep the flying insects at bay.
And now Bomgaars has become a weekly stop for cat, dog or horse food.
The weekly feed bill is now larger than those years-ago trips to the grocery story.
While no mother ever admits to her kids that she may have a favorite, around the farm I definitely have my favorites.
The horses and the dog receive the more expensive, name-brand food, but the cats receive meals of the large 50-pound generic bag variety.
Despite my attempts to coax the cats to self-sufficiency and venture away from the farm, they seem content to stay at home and live with their “parents.”
I find myself grabbing a scoop of cat food, and as they flood the barn, I mutter, “Good morning, kids,” with the underlying thought of “When are you ever going to leave home.”

A recent edition of the online Morning Brew cited a government report last week that 31,720 people had been killed in motor vehicle crashes in the first nine months of 2021.
That is the highest nine-month total in 15 years. It’s also 12 percent higher than the same time frame in 2020, making it the biggest percentage increase over a nine-month period since records began in 1975.
One might think the spike over 2020 might be due to lower numbers of traffic deaths in 2020 when Covid kept us home and off the road.
Well, think again. U.S. traffic fatalities that year jumped to their highest levels since 2007 even though vehicle miles driven in 2020 dropped by 13 percent.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests more reckless driving since the pandemic began, including drivers not wearing seatbelts and blowing through speed limits.
I’ll add a couple of my own: cell phones, drunk drivers, young drivers, old drivers, foreign drivers, congested dash boards, road rage and just poor driving habits.
However, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg calls the rise in traffic deaths a “national crisis” and thinks blaming the human drivers won’t solve anything.
All I can say is, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
According to our Secretary of Transportation, the way to bring down traffic deaths is to redesign roads to be safer, boosting safety standards for vehicles, and incorporating technology like automated braking into vehicles.
What good are safety standards if you mandate seatbelts and humans don’t wear them, you require blinkers and humans don’t use them, you mandate cruise control and humans don’t use it and blow past the speed limit.
You have laws against drinking and driving and humans still do it, you have hands-free cell phone laws and humans still drive with one hand on the wheel and one holding the phone to their ear.
Before we start redesigning roads, how about we fix the one we have?

Fick: 'We can disagree and still be friends'
To the Editor:
My opinion, as I see it.
Is lack of knowledge and misinformation costing our country thousands of lives?
How many lives have died from the Covid vaccine? Never heard.
A vaccine is not 100 percent effective, but lessens the seriousness of a disease.
Where has our respect for our authorities gone? What are we teaching our youth by example?
Has lying, even under oath, become a very powerful tool? Even in our government, destroying our democracy.
Difference of opinion and compromise are good for society, normally resulting in intelligent results. Since when are death threats needed as a source of persuasion?
We gave our previous administration four plus years to get us where we are. Is it fair to expect the current administration to have everything back in order in one year.
It seems to me our representatives in Washington should live by our rules, be intelligently productive or you get your two-week notice.
We should expect our medical problems be taken care of by trained scientists, doctors and nurses. We should expect our trained and experienced mechanics to take care of our mechanical problems. We should expect our trained electricians to take care of our electrical problems. We should expect our news media to present facts, not rumors.
What would I say if I learned an electrician would be my heart doctor?
We can disagree and still be friends.
Robert Fick,Luverne

Dispatch report
Jan. 28
•Subject was arrested on warrant on S. Kniss Avenue and requested assistance.
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported being locked out of house.
•Complainant on N. Summit Avenue, Hills, reported threats.
Jan. 29
•An abandoned vehicle was reported at location on 180th Avenue, Hardwick.
•Complainant on S. Donaldson Street reported catalytic converter stolen.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a vehicle in handicapped spot with no placard.
•Complainant on W. Maple Street reported a vehicle parked at location.
•Complainant reported a security camera outage.
•Complainant at mile marker 1 on Highway 75 reported an erratic driver.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, on ramp at mile marker 4, Beaver Creek, reported a wrong way driver in lane of traffic.
Jan. 30
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 13, Luverne, reported a deer in lane of travel.
•Complainant on 171st Street, Luverne, reported an active break-in.
•Dispatcher reported 911 outage issue.
•Complainant requested to speak with a deputy about a drone issue.
Jan. 31
•Complainant on N. Spring Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported a scam.
Feb. 1
•Complainant on N. Elmhurst reported a scam call.
•Complainant in Worthington requested RCSO assistance in locating suspect.
•Complainant on S. Estey Street reported suspicious activity involving garbage containers.
•Complainant requested to meet with the sheriff.
Feb. 2
•Complainant on 1st Street E., Jasper, reported daughter being bullied at school.
•Deputies searched residence on N. Estey.
•Complainant on Rapp Street and Blue Mound Avenue reported a stop arm violation.
•Complainant on S. Donaldson Street reported theft of a cell phone.
•Minnehaha County sheriff’s office requested assistance in locating a suspect on W. Mead Court.
•SFPD requested RCSO assistance with identifying suspects.
In addition, officers responded to 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 vehicle in ditch, 1 escort, 7 ambulance runs, 2 paper services, 2 animal complaints,  1 fingerprint request, 12 burn permits, 2 background checks, 2 alarms, 2 drug court tests, 9 purchase and carry permits, 4 stalled vehicles, 17 traffic stops, 1 abandoned 911 call, 4 tests, 1 welfare check and 1 report of cattle out.