City of Luverne seeks 
bids by Sept. 8 
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed bids will be received by the City Clerk of Luverne, Minnesota, at the City Offices, 305 E. Luverne St., P.O. Box 659, Luverne, MN 56156-0659, until 2:00 P.M., on 
September 8, 2021, for East Substation Addition, at which time the bids shall be 
publicly opened and read aloud.
 
The general nature of the work on which bids will be received consists of Addition to the existing East substation. The work consists of dirt and rock work, concrete foundations and concrete work, fencing, conduit and ductwork, manholes, ground grid, power and control cables, control building, and AC and DC wiring. Connecting to the Owner-furnished 
step-up padmount transformer, switchgear, and control panel.
 
The above work shall be in accordance with the specifications and proposed form of contract now on file in the office of the City of Luverne, Minnesota, by this reference made a part hereof as though fully set out and incorporated herein.
The Contractor and all subcontractors shall submit to the Owner a signed statement verifying compliance with each of the criteria described in the State of Minnesota “Responsible Contractor” law as codified in Minnesota 
Statute section 16C.285. See the Instructions to Bidders for more details.
Contractors desiring a copy of the project documents for individual use may obtain them from www.questcdn.com. You may download the digital plan documents for $20 by inputting Quest project #7981934 website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information.  An optional paper set of the proposal forms and specifications for individual use may be obtained from the office of the Engineer, DGR Engineering, 1302 South Union Street, P.O. Box 511, Rock Rapids, IA 51246, telephone 712-472-2531, Fax 712-472-2710, e-mail dgr@dgr.com, upon payment of $75.00, none of which is refundable.  
All bids shall be made on bid forms furnished by the Engineer and shall be accompanied by bid security in the form of a certified check or bid bond, made payable to the City of Luverne, in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the bid, which security becomes the property of the City in the event the successful bidder fails 
to enter into a contract and post satisfactory performance and payment bonds.
Payment to the Contractor will be made on the basis of ninety-five 
percent (95%) upon certification of work completed; five percent (5%) thirty-one (31) 
days after final completion and acceptance.
The construction shall be performed upon a Notice to Proceed issuance. Substantial completion of the project shall be no later than May 23, 2022. See the
specifications for more details on construction timing requirements.
The City reserves the right to defer acceptance of any proposal for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the date proposals are received and no proposal may be withdrawn during this period. The City also reserves the right to reject any or all bids and enter into such contract as it shall deem to be in the best interest of the City.
Dated this 11th day of August, 2021.
CITY OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTA
By /s/ Jessica Mead               
City Clerk
(08-19)

Rock County hearing on amendments to zoning 
ordinance Aug. 30
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
ON AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Rock County Planning Commission shall conduct a public hearing on Monday, August 30, 2021, at 7:10 p.m. at the Rock County Law Enforcement Center located at 1000 North Blue Mound Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota for the purpose of considering amendments and additions to the Rock County Zoning Ordinance and which amendments shall pertain to allowing self-storage facilities in the A-1 District.
All interested parties are invited to attend. Written comments should be submitted to the Rock County Zoning Administrator by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 30, 2021. All persons desiring to be heard shall be given an opportunity to present testimony.
Dated: August 19, 2021
By order of the Rock County Planning and Zoning Commission
Eric A. Hartman, Zoning Administrator
311 W. Gabrielson Road
Luverne, MN 56156
507-283-8862 (08-19, 08-26)

Rock County Planning and Zoning hearing Aug. 30
Notice of Public Hearing for Conditional Use Permit
Pursuant to the Rock County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given by the Rock County Planning and Zoning Commission that a public hearing will be held at the Rock County Law Enforcement Center located at 1000 North Blue Mound Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota at 7:00 p.m., Monday August 30, 2021. The purpose of this hearing is to hear public comments on the following application for conditional use permit:
Applicant: W & N Construction
Property Owner Kevin and Donna Oehlerts
Location: An 18.87 acre parcel in the NE corner of the NE 1/4 
of Section 23 of Beaver Creek Twp., T102N, R46W, 
Rock County, Minnesota
Conditional Use Mining, processing, and stockpiling of clay, gravel, 
and aggregate materials
By order of the Rock County Planning and Zoning Commission
Eric A. Hartman, Zoning Administrator
311 W. Gabrielson Road
Luverne, MN 56156
507-283-8862 (08-19, 08-26)

Luverne High School junior Kaleb Hein captured the overall championship of the Cardinal Pride competition staged Monday.
The annual event, which takes place on the first morning of football practice, encourages the players to be in the best possible physical shape heading into the season.
Events include bench press, cleans, squats, power press, 400-meter dash, shuttle run, jump rope and vertical jump.
Hein led the field by compiling 1,476 points to best second-place senior Ashton Sandbulte (1,440 points), third-place senior Nathaniel Cole-Kraty and the rest of the squad.
Hein won three of the eight individual event titles that make up the competition as well as placing in the top five of two other events.
He took top honors in the cleans (145 points), power press (302.5 points) and the vertical jump (160 points).
Other athletes claiming event titles include Zach Kruse (240 points in the bench press), Cole-Kraty (537.75 points in the squats), Jordan Friedrichsen (193 points in the 400), Sandbulte (206 points in the shuttle) and Ross Bergman (133 points in jump rope).
Here is a look at the Top 10 overall finishers and Top 5 individual finishers in each event, with results in terms of points:
 
Overall: Hein, 1476; Sandbulte, 1440.13; Cole-Kraty 1337.25; Riley Sneller, 1322.95; Kruse 1314.5; Henry Hartquist, 1242.25; Eli Radtke, 1234.05; Connor Overgaard, 1129.75; Will Serie, 1115.68; Anyuon Atem, 1110.
 
Bench: Kruse, 240; Sandbulte, 208.13; Sneller, 207; Serie, 196.5; Hein, 182.
 
Cleans: Hein, 145; Overgaard, 132.65; Gavin Baum, 130; Sneller, 119.3; Radtke, 108.75.
 
Squats: Cole-Kraty, 537.75; Sandbulte, 355.5; Casey Sehr, 353.75; Hartquist, 348.75; Serie, 335.25.
 
Power Press: Hein, 302.5; Overgaard, 218.85; Sneller, 216.7; Friedrichsen, 197.8; Kruse, 190.
 
400: Friedrichsen, 193; Sandbulte, 190; Overgaard, 186; Sehr, 155; Hartquist, 153.
 
Shuttle: Sandbulte, 206; Hartquist, 193.5; Radtke, 192; Kruse, 186.5; Hein, 184.
 
Jump Rope: Bergman, 133; Sneller, 122; Sehr, 116; Kruse, 110; Radtke, 102.5.
 
Vertical: Hein, 160; Sandbulte, 146; Friedrichsen, 130; Gannon Ahrendt, 129.2; Owen Sudenga, 199.6.

With a sweep of the Milroy Irish in the region championship series, the Luverne Redbirds left little doubt who the best team in 2021 in Region 13C is.
The local amateur baseball team, now 25-5 on the season, entered the region tournament as the No. 1 seed.
The Redbirds proceeded to sweep the Adrian A’s and Hadley Buttermakers in the first two rounds of the tournament without giving up a single run in those four games.
In the championship series played last week, Luverne defeated the Irish 3-2 in 10 innings Wednesday, Aug. 11, and 9-6 Friday to secure the Birds’ first region championship since 2015.
As region champions, Luverne receives a first-round bye in the 48-team 2021 Class C Minnesota State Amateur baseball tournament.
The Milroy Irish and Windom Pirates, who finished second and third respectively, will also represent Region 13C in the state tournament, which is hosted by Waconia, Chaska and Hamburg this year.
The Redbirds’ first game at the single-elimination state tournament will be Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. in Chaska vs. the winner of an Aug. 22 game between the Eagle Lake Expos and Cannon Falls Bears.
Luverne would need to win four consecutive games to reach the Class C championship game to be played at noon on Labor Day in Waconia.
The Redbirds have drafted two additional pitchers for the state tournament.
Gavin Jacobson and Ben Scheevel both play for the Jackson Bulls during the regular season.
 
Luverne 3, Milroy 2
For the first time since July 14, an opposing team scored a run on the Luverne Redbirds when the Milroy Irish tied the game 2-2 in the seventh inning of the first game of the region championship game Aug. 11.
A walk-off hit to center field by Luverne’s Skyler Wenninger in the bottom of the tenth inning won the game 3-2 for the top-seeded host Redbirds.
Luverne scored first in the bottom of the second inning.
After a walk to Codie Zeutenhorst, a double by Tyler Reisdorfer and a single by Declan Beers loaded the bases, Phil Paquette earned an RBI walk that scored Zeutenhorst.
A lead-off homerun by Beers scored a second run for Luverne in the third inning.
Redbirds pitcher Jake Haugen, who has had an outstanding 2021 season on the mound, retired the Irish side with only three batters per inning in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
A double by an Irish batter in the seventh inning got a runner on base, but Milroy was unable to score the run.
The Redbirds were also unable to score runs in the middle innings.
Luverne left the bases loaded in the fourth inning and two runners on base during both the sixth and seventh frames. 
In the top of the eighth inning with two out, Milroy batters earned a walk and hit a single to place runners on first and third bases.
A double hit to left field scored two runs to tie the game.
Brandon Alfson, the Redbirds’ draftee from the Pipestone A’s, then replaced Haugen on the mound. A walk followed by a strikeout ended the inning.
After a scoreless ninth inning, the game moved to extra innings.
Milroy left one runner on base in the top of the tenth frame.
Paquette reached base as the third Redbird batter in the extra inning when he was hit by a pitch.
A single by Newt Johnson put Luverne runners on first and second base with two out when Wenninger came to bat.
When Wenninger hit the ball between the shortstop and second baseman, Paquette scored and Luverne won Game 1 of the series 3-2.
Haugen pitched 7 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters, issued one walk and gave up four hits and two runs.
Alfson, the winning pitcher, threw 2 1/3 innings, striking out four and giving up one hit, no runs and no walks.
“Jake threw really well for us but started losing control of his slider a little bit,” said Luverne player-manager Brooks Maurer.
“They are a good hitting team and they had been through the order a few times so they were figuring him out,” Maurer said. “It definitely helps to have a guy like Alfson available to come in.”
At the plate, Lundgren led Luverne with three hits. Paquette had two hits and scored one run and added one RBI.
 
Box Score
Milroy             0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0        2
Luverne          0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1        3
 
                                  AB  R  H  BI
Lundgren                  6     0   3   0
Paquette                   3     1   2   1
Johnson                    5     0   1   0
S. Wenninger            3     0   1   1
Beers                        5     1   1   1
Serie                          5     0   1   0
Haugen                     5     0   0   0
Zeutenhorst              4     1   0   0
Reisdorfer                 4     1   0   0  
 
Luverne 9, Milroy 6
The Redbirds traveled to Irish Yard, the iconic country ballpark between Milroy and Vesta, Friday night to face the Irish for the fourth time this season.
Milroy won the first two regular season contests between the two teams while Luverne won Game 1 of the best-of-three playoff series.
A Redbird win would clinch a Region 13C championship while a loss would force a Game 3 Sunday in Luverne.
Soon after the sun fully set behind the third base line, Luverne came away with a 9-6 victory and the Region 13C championship.
The Irish started strong on offense in the first inning when the top three batters in the lineup all reached base with singles.
One base runner was out at second base, but a walk to the fourth Milroy batter loaded the bases.
Luverne pitcher Ben Serie struck out the next batter to earn the second out, but the bases remained loaded.
When Serie hit the next batter with the pitch, a run scored.
After a scoreless second inning, Luverne took a brief lead in the top of the third stanza.
Redbirds Kendall Meyer and Paquette both reached base before Skyler Wenninger was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs.
A hard-hit single by Beers then scored Meyer and Paquette, giving Luverne a 2-1 advantage.
Milroy answer by scoring a run in the bottom of the third to again tie the game.
Luverne answered again with two scores in the top of the fourth inning.
Cade Wenninger led off by reaching second base. He scored when Meyer, batting next, also reached second base on a fielding error.
Milroy then intentionally walked Paquette before a sacrifice fly to center field by Johnson scored Meyer.
The 4-2 Luverne lead would not last long as the Irish scored three in the bottom of the fourth to go up 5-4.
The Redbirds again answered in the next inning when Serie belted a solo homerun to tie the game at five.
“I was really happy how we were able to answer each time they scored,” Maurer said.
The score remained tied until the top of the seventh inning when Luverne opened a lead that would hold.
 Cade Wenninger scored his second run of the game with an RBI single by Paquette.
With runners on first and second bases, Johnson then received the first of three consecutive walks to Luverne runners that scored two additional Redbird runs.
Milroy scored one additional run in the eighth frame and Paquette scored off a sacrifice hit by Beers in the ninth to cap the score at 9-6.
Lundgren, who came in to relieve Serie after four innings, was the winning pitcher.
Lundgren struck out four, issued five walks and gave up two hits and one run.
“He (Lundgren) was very sharp in relief, giving up only one run in five innings,” Maurer said.
Serie, pitching for the first time in over a month, struck out two, walked two, and gave up six hits and five runs, three of which were earned.
“Ben pitched good for us, too, but we had some errors and didn’t give him as much defensive help as we should have,” Maurer said.
 
Box Score
Luverne               0 0 2 2 1 0 3 0 1      9
Milroy                 1 0 1 3 0 0 0 1 0      6
 
                                  AB  R  H  BI
Lundgren                  5     0   0   0
Paquette                   4     3   2   1
Johnson                    3     0   3   1
S. Wenninger            3     0   0   1
Beers                        4     0   1   4
Serie                          6     1   2   1
Haugen                     4     0   0   0
C. Wenninger            3     2   0   0
Meyer                        4     3   2   0

Linda Iverson of Luverne says she wasn’t looking to buying a Mini Geep three years ago — the Geep found her.
Her husband, David, entered a moped raffle sponsored by the Masonic Lodge. He had the winning ticket.
When the Iversons stopped at Manley Motorsports, they asked owner Jim Vandenberg what other recreation vehicles were available. Linda, who was undergoing cancer treatments at the time, didn’t feel strong enough to balance a moped.
Vanderberg showed them a powder blue Mini Geep he recently picked up. The vehicle is designed for children.
“They were very popular three or four years ago,” Vandenberg said.
Due to the coronavirus, production of the utility terrain vehicle was stopped and just recently began gearing back up.
The four-wheeled, four-stroke engine vehicle was perfect for Linda.
“I always wanted a convertible and I always wanted a Geep,” she said. “Dave gave me both.”
Linda instantly took to the manual transmission, having learned to operate a stick years ago.
“It’s kind of fun driving the little thing,” she said.
Linda uses the two-person UTV to run errands and to take joy rides around town. The vehicle is licensed and has a horn, seatbelts, blinkers and is equipped with a slow-moving vehicle sign.
While the speedometer indicates an 80-mph capability, Linda keeps to in-town driving speeds only.
“I haven’t been picked up yet,” she joked.
However, Linda tends to turn heads when she’s driving the Mini Geep in Luverne.
“They take a second look,” she said. “And they are looking at the Geep and not whose driving it.”

Construction is progressing on the city’s $5 million pool and fitness center expansion and remodeling project, which is about 35 percent complete.
Luverne City Council members toured the project after their meeting on Tuesday evening, Aug. 10.
The walls and roof are now on the new building addition, which includes the fitness center weight room, cardio room and flat space room on the south side of the complex.
Also under the roof are the new locker rooms, four family changing rooms, coffee lounge, utility room and pump room for the outdoor splash pad.
At the Aug. 10 meeting the council approved a payment of $578,151.49 to general contractor Hoogendoorn Construction, Canton, South Dakota.
Work during this payment period includes the following: masonry work, metal wall panels and trim, splash pad equipment (stored on site), plumbing and electrical work, and earth work.
According to the proposed project timeline, work will be completed by May of 2022.
Meanwhile a temporary fitness center has been set up in the city’s trailhead building on Main Street and Blue Mound Avenue (formerly Casey’s).

Dispatch report
Aug. 6
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported someone taking pictures of their property.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court reported disorderly conduct.
•Complainant reported an unauthorized vehicle for sale.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported finding drug paraphernalia.
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75 and 41st Street, Steen, reported a pedestrian on the roadway near location.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker, 5, Beaver Creek, reported erratic driving.
Aug. 7
•Complainant on N. Estey Street reported trespassing at location.
•Complainant in Ramsey County, St. Paul, reported a subject with Rock County warrant.
•Report that complainant has not heard from subject since yesterday.
•Complainant on County Highway 4 and County Road 11, Luverne, reported she is driving to emergency room.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 16, Luverne, reported a speeding vehicle.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street, Magnolia, reported a disorderly subject.
•Complainant requested a deputy to get vehicle back.
•Complainant on W. Fairview Drive reported a pounding noise in the area.
Aug. 8
•Complainant on 181st Street and 60th Avenue, Jasper, reported garbage being dumped.
•Complainant on Interstate 90 and S. Kniss Avenue reported a transient at location.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street, Magnolia, reported a disorderly juvenile.
•Complainant at Love’s truck stop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, reported drug activity.
•Complainant on S. Estey Street reported theft.
•Complainant reported a missing person was found.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 18, Magnolia, reported a vehicle swerving, almost hitting a guardrail and brake checking other vehicles.
•Complainant eastbound on County Road 4, near the city park, reported a driving complaint.
Aug. 9
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported property damage.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue requested a deputy for a possible unruly patient.
•Complainant on 141st Street, Magnolia, reported identity theft.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported fire department training.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 6, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
Aug. 10
•Complainant on State Highway 23 and Interstate 90, Beaver Creek, reported erratic driving.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street reported a party with loud horns.
•Complainant at the Luverne High School reported activity by the soccer field.
•Complainant on Luverne Street reported erratic driving and ran over a cone.
•Complainant on W. Luverne Street reported a child locked in car.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne, reported a vehicle has lights on bright.
Aug. 11
•Complainant on E. 3rd Street, Hills, reported someone knocked on her door and jiggled the knob.
•Complainant in Hills reported man walking around without a shirt on.
•Complainant on N. Spring Street reported a property dispute.
•Complainant on 20th Avenue and County Highway 4, Manley, reported a crossarm malfunction.
•Complainant requested to speak to a deputy.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported shoplifting.
•Complainant in Hardwick reported reckless driving.
•Complainant on E. Warren Street reported a three-wheeler on road with no lights.
•Deputy out with vehicle at location on Highway 75.
Aug. 12
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 8, Luverne, reported individuals standing in lane of traffic.
•Complainant on W. Mead Court requested deputy to come to location.
•Complainant requested hotel voucher.
•Complainant on 10th Avenue, Valley Springs, South Dakota, reported illegal signage.
•Complainant in Brandon reported a possible suspect in crime.
•Complainant on Carsrud Circle reported drug paraphernalia.
•Complainant on E. Dodge Street reported possible drug activity.
•Complainant requested a ride.
•Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 19, Magnolia, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on 141st Street, Luverne, reported suspicious activity.
In addition, officers responded to 1 vehicle in ditch, 1 transport, 6 escorts, 10 ambulance runs, 7 paper services, 7 animal complaints, 2 fingerprint requests, 2 burn permits, 1 vehicle impound, 1 background check, 1 gas drive-off, 5 alarms, 3 purchase and carry permits, 1 stalled vehicle, 18 traffic stops, 7 abandoned 911 calls, 2 tests, 5 welfare checks and 2 follow-ups.

The “The Game’s Afoot” cast is feeling a little deja vu.
The original March 2020 public performances were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For 18 months, director Carol Ceynowa said the eight veteran actors and actresses kept practicing the murder mystery/comedy by Ken Ludwig using Zoom, limiting contact with each other to prevent the virus spread.
After rescheduling the public performances twice, the third time appears to be a go, even though COVID-19 cases are rising in Rock County.
“We could be in the same spot (to postponing again),” she said.
With their extra time, the cast has finetuned the timing with sound effects and with the dialogue for the plot that has many twists and turns.
“We have been able to add things because we have the luxury of time,” said Ceynowa, who is directing her ninth GEP production.
The group perfected a turntable bar, which spins to show a decorated Christmas tree on one side and a bar that can hide a human body on the other.
The cohesiveness of the actors and actresses was evident last week as the group practiced in person at the GEP building on Main Street Luverne.
“They are really a dedicated group,” Ceynowa said.
All but one of the original eight cast members return after the 18-month postponement.
Time commitments prevent Jim Harsma from portraying Inspector Henry Goring. Tim Ceynowa, who is the assistant director, now steps into the part.
“The Game’s Afoot” takes place in December 1936.
Admired actor William Gillette (portrayed by Casey McKenzie) is recovering at home after being shot in the arm during a cast call. The actor is known for his role in the play, “Sherlock Holmes.”
For Christmas, Gillette invites his fellow actors and actresses over to his Connecticut castle for a seven-day celebration. Invitees include Aggie Wheeler (played by Nicole Henrichs), Simon Bright (David Vis), Madge Geisel (Anissa Vis), and Felix Geisel (Shawn Kinsinger).
DJ Luethje is Gillette’s mother and Katie Walgrave is the gossip and play critic Daria Chase, who’s written several scathing reviews about everyone in the cast.
As the murder investigation gets underway, Gillette assumes his Sherlock Holmes persona to track down the killer before the next victim appears.
Through witty lines and lots of movement from cast members, the plot goes through various twists and turns, an element Ceynowa said drew her to direct the play.
The GEP production is on stage Friday through Sunday (Aug. 20-22) and again Thursday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 29.
Sunday shows begin at 2 p.m. The other performances begin at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for students.
The Palace Box Office is open on Main Street Luverne from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays. Call 507-283-4339 for tickets.
Tickets are also available online at www.palacetheatre.us.