Kracht: ...you have to realize why the signs are there'
To the Editor:
This letter is in response to the thumbs down on political signs on South Freeman Street. First, I would like to thank this newspaper for bringing attention to them. There have been a lot more people driving by and looking at them. Also, I would like to thank the people for the overwhelming support for the signs since it was printed in the paper.
But you have to realize why the signs are there. They were put up after 13 of our brave service men and women were killed in Afghanistan, as a direct result of Joe Biden and his administration’s disastrous decisions on the pullout of that country. So, for those who have a problem with the signs you are saying that you supported this?
More reasons why the signs are there:  The inflation that is destroying the country. The cost of everything is on the rise and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. This is a direct result of printing money that we don’t have, and injecting it into the economy. Now this administration wants to do it again with more money we don’t have. Then they tell us that taxes are not going to go up. So, for those of you who have a problem with the signs you are saying you support this?
The Russian collusion Hoax. Now everyone knows it was nothing but a bunch of lies! Hillary Clinton, Jerry Nadler, Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Maxine Waters and most of the news media all lied to the American people and congress. Isn’t lying to congress a crime? How much of our tax dollars were wasted on this? 
So, for those of you who have a problem with the signs, shouldn’t your anger be directed to those who deliberately lied to you?
Socialism. When this administration took over,  they said that they don’t support socialism. But everything they have done tells us different. To the people who think socialism isn’t so bad. How much of my hard-earned money do you feel is your fair share? This is how I explained socialism to my kids. One of you will get $10 to clean the bathroom, but you have to give $7 to the ones that didn’t help. Does it seem right?
Since the Biden administration took over, the Taliban got a country and our military equipment. Russia got a pipeline for oil. China has a strengthened military. Illegal immigrants got a free path into the U.S. American citizens got inflation, high gas prices and increased crime. Are there really people out there who think this is going well?
Freedom is the right of other people to do things you do not approve of. So,  to this newspaper and the people who have a problem with the signs, why didn’t you just come talk to me about it? You don’t want to hear the facts?
Mert Kracht,
Luverne
 
Editor’s note: The Star Herald gave a “Thumbs Down” to the expletive, “F - - -,” spelled out on the banner, not to the political persuasion of the banner. Since the editorial, the expletives on the banner are reportedly shortened to abbreviations.

No one has ranted more about the high cost of medical care and the cost of insurance to cover it than yours truly. You can ask my wife, my coffee group and my insurance guy for verification if you wish.
The recent financial departure packages that Sanford has doled out to a few Sioux Falls doctors and executives has been in the news and the talk at the coffee shops.
It’s difficult for many of us, me included for sure, to fully comprehend the kind of dollars and all the factors that go into establishing the final payouts. All of that is above my pay grade.
My Brewster math education, however, helps me break down Max Scherzer’s salary. Never heard of him? Me either –until he signed a three-year contract to pitch for the New York Mets major league baseball team.
From what I gather, Scherzer is a very good pitcher, if not one of the best currently playing. He’s 37 years old and has played for a few other teams … and I want to remind you he is very good at his craft.
His new three-year guaranteed contract will pay him $130 million, or a little over $43 million a year.
Keep in mind he is a pitcher, and in today’s MLB world, an individual pitcher pitches in about every fifth game. There are 162 games in a major league season, so at a rate of very fifth game he will pitch in 32 games. Nowadays major league pitchers call it a day after seven innings of work.
Now take 32 games times seven innings each, and that adds up to 224 innings of pitching. An average pitcher throws about 16 pitches an inning. Now take 16 pitches times 224 innings for the year, and Scherzer may throw 3,584 pitches for the year.
Here is where my Brewster math comes in handy. Take 3,584 pitches and divide that by $43,000,000 and Scherzer will earn $12,000 every time he throws a pitch –ball or strike – it doesn’t  matter.
Now that is insane! But what is really insane is that that is the market rate.

Fourth-, seventh- and tenth-grade students at Luverne Public Schools participated in three days of character-building retreats led by the Youth Frontiers professionals. Each grade traveled to the American Reformed Church in Luverne for a day of large and small group activities. Fourth-graders learned about kindness on Dec. 7. Seventh-graders focused on courage at a Dec. 8 event, and 10th-graders learned about respect on Dec. 9.

Dispatch report
Dec. 3
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue requested deputy assistance with an intoxicated person.
•Complainant reported bad checks and lottery fraud.
•Complainant eastbound of Luverne exit on Interstate 90 reported lights on stop arm flashing.
Dec. 4
•Complainant on W. Hatting Street reported subjects trying to get into vehicles.
•Complainant on Northview Drive requested info for active case in Isanti County.
•Complainant on 140th Avenue, Luverne, reported dark smoke from burn pile at location.
•Complainant reported three individuals buying compressed air.
•Complainant on W. Interstate Drive requested a vehicle unlock for child inside.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 17, Magnolia, reported charter bus swerving erratically.
Dec. 5
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75, north of 231st Street, Jasper, reported a vehicle off roadway.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a strange check cashing attempt.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and Fairview Drive reported a five-gallon bucket blowing around on the road at location.
•Complainant reported a missing person.
•Complainant on 140th and 150th Avenue, Steen, reported hunters poaching with a spotlight.
Dec. 6
•Complainant on N. Freeman Avenue reported the city attempting tree removal and a vehicle is blocking the area.
•Complainant on County Highway 5, Magnolia, reported a scam phone call.
•Complainant on Interstate 90, mile marker 409, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported a fire in the median.
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported open door to closed business.
•Complainant on E. 1st Street, Jasper, reported disorderly disturbance at location.
Dec. 7
•Complainant reported a lost wallet.
•Complainant on Highway 75 and 191st Street, Luverne, requested roadside assist for a vehicle out of gas.
•Complainant on N. Estey Street requested a deputy to contact a family member.
Dec. 8
Complainant on 484th Avenue, Sherman, reported a deceased person.
•Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported stolen property.
•Complainant on S. Second Street, Beaver Creek, reported mail theft.
Dec. 9
•Suspicious activity was reported on S. Kniss Avenue.
•Complainant on 141st Street, Magnolia, reported a deceased subject at location.
•Complainant on 41st Street and 50th Avenue, Hills, reported a railroad crossing malfunction.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a vehicle with mismatched plates.
•Complainant on E. Maple Street and S. Oakley Street reported an RV parked and blocking driveway.
•Complainant requested to speak to deputy.
•Complainant on 124th Avenue, Luverne, reported theft at location.
•Complainant on E. Lincoln Street reported a lost iPhone.
•Complainant on 20th Avenue, Hills, reported a vehicle ran through a bus stop arm.
In addition, officers responded to 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 deer accident, 1 transport, 1 escort, 11 ambulance runs, 2 paper services, 6 animal complaints, 2 fingerprint requests, 15 burn permits, 1 vehicle impound, 3 background checks, 4 drug court tests, 5 purchase and carry permits, 25 traffic stops, 10 abandoned 911 calls, 3 tests, 1 welfare checks, 2 reports of cattle out, 1 curfew check and 1 follow-up.

MSU Mankato announces fall graduates
Two local students graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato at the end of the Fall 2021 semester. Commencement ceremonies were Saturday, Dec. 11.
Kaitlyn Roberts, Luverne, graduated magna cum laude with Bachelor of Science in Social Work degrees in alcohol and drug studies and in social work.
Matthew Schmuck, Luverne, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Dec. 20: Chicken alfredo fettuccine pasta, mixed vegetables, mandarin oranges, dessert.
Tuesday, Dec. 21: Ham, au gratin potatoes, peas, dinner roll, dessert.
Wednesday, Dec. 22: Sloppy Joe on a bun, potato salad, cinnamon applesauce, dessert.
 Thursday, Dec. 23: Roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, California Normandy blend, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored by Security Savings Bank.
Friday, Dec. 24: Closed — Merry Christmas!
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 March 10, 1905.
 
Pure Seed Train
Special Scheduled to Run on Omaha Road
Will be at Luverne Mar. 16
Prof. Bull of State Agricultural School Will Deliver Lecture on “Seed Selection and Improved Methods” in Luverne on Thursday, March 16—Every farmer in Rock County Should Make a Special Effort to be Present
Mayor E. A. Brown received notice this week from the Tri-State Grain Dealers” association that a “pure seed special train,” which will run over the Omaha line, will stop at this place on Thursday, March 16, for the purpose of giving Prof. C. P. Bull of the State Agricultural college an opportunity to give a lecture to the farmers of Rock county on the subject of “Seed Selection and Improved Methods.” The train will arrive at 10:50 a.m. and Prof. Bull will lecture for forty-five minutes.
The “pure seed specials” are run gratuitously throughout all sections of this state and North and South Dakota by the various railroad companies doing business in the different sections for the purpose of giving the farmers reliable information as to the choice of seeds. This work receives the endorsement of the facility of the State Agricultural school and the railroads are assisted by the State to the extent that competent lectures from the State schools are sent out to discuss the matter of proper seed.
The fact that the question of whether or not the farmers plant seeds calculated to produce the best possible yields is of sufficient importance to the railroads to warrant their going to the big expense of sending special trains throughout the country to convey speakers to lecture on the see question, is sufficient evidence of the great importance the matter must be to the farmers. If the matter of additional freight tonnage warrants the railroads in going to this expense, the importance to the farmers should certainly be great enough to induce them to attend the lectures.
The farmers of Rock county should bear this in mind and make every effort to be in Luverne at the time above stated and hear Prof. Bull’s lecture. The place of holding the lecture has not yet been determined, but it will probably be either in the Opera house or in the court room. The lecture will be practical in every respect, and is given for the sole purpose of aiding the farmers in the selection of seeds and to give information in regard to improved methods recommended by the Agricultural schools.
Let every farmer in Rock county turn out and hear the lecture. There will be no charge for admission, nor will there be seeds of any description offered for sale.
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 (2011)
•City union workers agreed to a “soft pay freeze” for next year, according to the terms of a contract recently negotiated between the local AFSCME Union and city leaders.
At their meeting Tuesday night, Luverne City Council members approved the labor agreement, which calls for a 0-percent increase in 2012 and a 1-percent increase in 2013.
The first year of the plan is referred to as a “soft pay freeze,” because it still allows raises for employees who are eligible for step increases or “lane changes” in their pay plan.
The freeze does not allow for a cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase, which has typically been 3 to 5 percent each year in previous contracts.
 
25 years ago (1996)
•In what appeared to be a giant slumber party Saturday night, more than 150 stranded motorists camped out in the gymnasiums and hallways of Luverne High School.
A foot of snow fell in the course of only a few hours Saturday afternoon taking travelers by surprise.
When they stopped in Luverne (or were towed or rescued from the ditch) they discovered no vacancies in Luverne’s motels.
People were calling the sheriff’s office to find out where they could stay for the night,” said Rock County Emergency Management Director Kyle Oldre. …
Oldre then called George Maurer, superintendent of Luverne Public Schools, to see if storm refugees could stay at the high school. “Dr. Maurer was gracious enough to open the doors to them,” Oldre said.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•A grant from the Bush Foundation in St. Paul, and federal funds will enable the Division of State Parks and recreation to buy the home on the Blue Mounds owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Manfred. Mr. Manfred will have tenancy rights to the home during his lifetime. The building will be used as a visitor and interpretive center for Blue Mounds State Park, after the state is given possession of the property.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•The Luverne board of education Tuesday night voted a $200 annual pay increase for all instructors in the Luverne public schools.
Their action was taken, after a request had been made by the Luverne Teachers’ association that the board consider a salary increase for all teachers to help offset increased costs of living.
Under the new schedule, the minimum salary of grade teachers is now $1,850 per year. The minimum paid to women high school teachers now is $2,125, while the minimum paid to men is $2,500.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•Tomorrow afternoon is the time, and Luverne is the place, when and where the kids of Rock county will be entertained and in carrying out this laudable undertaking the committee in charge of the arrangements are to be assisted by both Santa Claus and Uncle Sam. …
To this end three thousand bags of candy will be given away, and all children under thirteen years will be admitted to the theatres free of charge during the afternoon. Special features designed to appeal especially to the kid mind, are to be shown, and if necessary, two shows will be given at each play house.
Christmas trees have been erected on Main street and these will be suitably decorated and illuminated for the occasion, and will be left mounted until after Christmas.
The main interest of everyone, will, of course, be focused on the arrival of the two distinguished gentlemen of the day—Santa Claus and Uncle Sam.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 88 recently presented 98-year-old World War ll veteran Bill Holling with a Quilt of Valor Saturday, Dec. 11, at Poplar Creek Estates where he lives.