Luverne City Council members met in closed session Tuesday, June 22, to discuss the purchase of a residential lot on East Maple Street.
They approved $108,600 to buy the property at 315 East Maple Street from the Pam Bode estate.
The council intends to move the house and garage at a later date to 115 West Warren Street, which the city bought in 2018 for $35,000 from James Mehlhaff.
The lot was cleared and prepared to sell as future residential housing, and moving the Bode house and garage would fit the city’s intent for that parcel.
Meanwhile, the Maple Street purchase means the city owns all but one parcel in that half of the block — Clint Mulford’s property on Spring Street.
The city bought the others as follows:
•319 East Maple St. from Adam Smedsrud for $15,000 in 2019.
•321 East Maple St. from Clint Gehrke for $6,000 in 2019.
•313 East Maple St. from Chase and Ray Mangel for $50,000 in 2019.
•113 South McKenzie St. from Michael Rogers for $35,000 in 2016.
•117 South McKenzie Street (former laundry business) from Ek/On Ektanitphona for $48,000 in 2020.
The lots share the alley to the north with the History Center property on Main and Spring streets.
According to Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian, the other structures are not being discussed by the council at this time.
“All other structures were purchased for blight removal,” Baustian said.
“The Bode property was a property of opportunity that allowed the city to own almost an entire half block for future development — which will be decided at a later date, or if an opportunity becomes available for development.”
 
City buys corner lot at Main Street and Highway 75
In a separate city land acquisition, the council signed a purchase agreement for $150,000.
The lot at Highway 75 and Main Street was formerly owned by Dennis and Norma Remme for the Remedez salon and Remme Construction offices.
The city already owns the adjacent properties to the south and west of the Remedez lot.
The city purchased the lot at 309 West Main Street from Dale and Karen Bosch for $75,000 in 2015.
The property, formerly owned by Harold Van Wyhe, was demolished and the lot was prepared for future commercial use.
The lot at 108 South Kniss was owned by Jennifer Oakes, who sold it to the city in 2018 for $39,000. It previously belonged to Ken Vander Poel.
For now, the council indicated it will keep the Remedez structure to lease it out for commercial use.
“The council will likely have a long-term visioning meeting to consider the property and its best use,” said Mayor Pat Baustian.
“I think the council realized that owning the other two properties makes this a good one to also have for future development.”

With rain showers occurring most of the morning and early afternoon, the weather turned sunny Saturday afternoon in time for Jubilee Days in Hardwick. The annual celebration featured a community dinner and adult and children’s activities. The parade, however, took center stage, with community members enthusiastically attending and participating in the town celebration that had to be canceled during the pandemic.

Luverne’s Fourth of July celebration returns to The Lake this weekend with all the classic holiday attractions, including free inflatables, face painting, a bean bag tournament and fireworks.
The Davis Lake Triathlon includes team and individual competition with a Minnow Race. There’s also a 3-mile kayak, 2-mile bike and 1-mile run and a 5-mile kayak, 7-mile bike and 2-mile run.
New this year will be Hula Hoop Contest and “Zero Gravity Foam Dance Party.”
There will be Bingo under a tent, a food court and beer garden with food and beverages from local bars and restaurants.
Stories from the Grave will tour three cemeteries on golf carts (call the Chamber for reservations) leaving from Maplewood Cemetery starting at 9 a.m.
Ron and Jane Cote will perform a “Freedom Concert” on the courthouse lawn from 5 to 8 p.m.
The fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. with bleachers available at The Lake.
Details can be found on the back page of this paper and at the Chamber website, www.luvernechamber.com or by calling 507-283-4061.

Luverne School District may work with the Rock County Sheriff’s Office and the city of Luverne for a school resource officer.
Total cost for an officer, equipment and vehicle is estimated at $98,000. The district, city of Luverne and sheriff’s office would each pay a third of the costs.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge presented the costs and ideas for the program to Luverne school board members at their June 24 meeting.
Verbrugge cited city park vandalisms last December by high school students as an issue that could have been solved more quickly if a school resource officer had been available.
An officer could also work with the school on truancy cases, thefts, assaults, harassing communications and bullying.
The DARE program at the elementary could resume and ALICE program (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) could have support instruction.
Building community relations within the schools would also be a priority for the school resource officer, Verbrugge said.
“Law enforcement should be talking with these kids and educating them on what law enforcement relationships should be between the two of them and reaction with one another,” he said.
At their June 10 workshop, board members discussed how the officer would fit into an educational setting.
The board voted unanimously at their June 24 meeting to move forward with a school resource officer.
Board member Jeff Stratton, who is a Rock County deputy sheriff and attended the meeting via Zoom, abstained from the vote.
The city, county and school will work together to define the officer’s role and the hiring process that could be a current officer or potentially a new hire.
“It has to be the right person,” Verbrugge said. “If we have someone, we can’t just throw them in there, because it is not going to be the right fit.”
A multi-year contract between the entities may be considered.
The officer, who could be working as soon as January, could also work one day in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District. H-BC is considering joining the pairing and will decide later this month if they will share in the costs.
In early June, Verbrugge and Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian met with Luverne school officers.
Verbrugge said the city is negotiating a new five-year law enforcement contract and noticed the increase in phone calls about how to proceed with issues and calls requesting an officer to the school campus.
He said he sees an officer at the school as a proactive resource rather than a reactive one for the city of Luverne.

Luverne High School ninth- and 10th-graders will spend noon breaks on campus this fall, as the new school commons allows for greater seating capacity.
Luverne School Board members at their June 24 meeting voted unanimously to close the noon lunch period for freshman and sophomore students beginning the 2021-22 school year.
Juniors and seniors will still be allowed to leave the school campus during their lunch periods.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge supported a closed noon hour for all students to curb excessive vehicle speeds in the school parking lot and on Highway 75.
“It is not as bad now as when we had the four lanes (on Hwy. 75). Before, it was a race track to … where they were going,” he said.
Board members supported revoking a junior or senior student’s open lunch period privileges if abused.
In his report to the board, incoming senior class president Griffen Jarchow shared results from students who recently completed a school lunch survey.
He said students are encouraged that more food choices are a possibility in the new kitchen.
“They will be willing to stay if the food is higher in both quality and quantity,” he said.

Luverne School Board members applauded retiring business manager Marlene Mann at their June 24 meeting for her dedication to the district.
“She has done a remarkable job for the Luverne School District for 55 years,” said Superintendent Craig Oftedahl.
“She has been an integral force in creating a stable financial picture for this district. It has been an honor to work with such a loyal and committed person.”
The board approved Mann’s retirement, and her last day will be July 31.
A full-time district business manager is being sought. Start date will be August.
In other personnel matters, the board:
•accepted the resignations of Mike Wenninger as varsity baseball coach effective June 13; Kerri Baker as high school math teacher, effective June 15; Lucas Larson as junior high girls tennis coach, effective June 15; Jessica Knorr, as paraprofessional, effective June 15; and Julie Fettes as English teacher, effective June 23.
•raised the two-hour food service worker hourly rate for the 2021-22 school year to $14.93, up from $13.75.
•set the substitute teacher daily rate at $130 per hour, an increase from $126.
•increased the regular and special education
bus driver compensation by $2 to $97 per day and the preschool bus driver compensation by $1 to $48. Activities drivers remained at $15 per hour and overnight bus drivers stayed at $130 per day.
•hired Madeline Jenkins as speech/language teacher for a salary of $44,385.
•approved a maternity leave request from Meghan Elgersma, special education administrative assistant, for 12 weeks beginning Aug. 31.

Meetings
Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at Poplar Creek on Oak Drive. Masks are required in the building.
Springwater Township Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, in the township hall.
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 12, in the township hall. 
Blue Mound Cemetery Association will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, for a potluck supper at the Blue Mound Church.
 
Fast pitch tournament this weekend
The Hills Town and Beaver Creek Fastpitch are sponsoring a five-team softball tournament Friday and Saturday in Hills.
Teams playing include a combined Hills-Beaver Creek, Steen Hills Indees, Lester and Ellsworth.
Friday’s game begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday games begin at 9 a.m. Concessions are available on grounds. There is no charge to spectators.
 
Running events coming in July
Registration is open for the following events :
•July 4, Davis Lake Triathlon, compete as an individual or a team. 8 :30 a.m. Minnow Race : .3-mile kayak, 2-mile bike and 1-mile run. 9 :15 a.m. : 5-mile kayak, 7-mile bike and 2-mile run.
•July 10, Tour de Donut Minnesota: 7 a.m. 55-mile start, 7 :30 a.m. 35-mile start, and 8 a.m. 10- and 19-mile starts.
•July 15, Wienerman World Championships, compete as an individual or a four-person, relay team during Luverne’s Hot Dog Night, 7 p.m. start.
To register go to www.allsportscentral.com and www. wienermanevents.com.
For more information contact Dave Duffy at dduffy@rconnect.com or call 507-920-3345.
 
Bloodmobile in Jasper July 1
The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Jasper on July 1 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 101 Spicer St. In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
Schedule an appointment and complete pre-screening questions using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767
 
Community Education announcements
Luverne Community Education will offer the following activities and classes in coming weeks. Call 507-283-4724 to sign up. See comed.isd2184.net to view the brochure and list of offerings.
Create three wooden games at Beginning Wood Working on July 6 and 8 and then enjoy playing the games at class.  Open to anyone grade 2 (completed) through adult. Fee is $25.
Friday morning Adventure Day Camps will be at the Rock County Fairgrounds this summer. Events included July 9, Go for the Gold, and Aug. 13, End of Summer Fun. Fee is $15 per day. Limited to 15 students in grades 1-4 as attended during the 2020-21 school year.
Reclaimed Wood Art class on July 13 will give you an opportunity to make an unique “string art deco” piece to enjoy a home or give as a gift. Open to any grad 2 through adult. Fee is $18/person.
Have fun cooking at Kids in the Kitchen this summer for grades K-8. New added classes include Snack Attack, July 15, and Bakery Fun, Aug. 19. Fee is $16/child.
Crazy About Science on July 19, 20 and 21 will be filled with exciting experiments. Open to students who attended grades 1-4 during the past school year. New classes added. Fee is $30.
Kids in grades 1-3 (completed) can sign up for Paint and Snack Classes on July 22. Fee is $33.
Students ages 8-13 may attend Boot Camp the week of Aug. 2-6. Learn how to muster, march and drill, about military history and the American flag, complete service projects, hear guest speakers who were in the military and more. Cost is $60.
Art Camp is three days of creativity for students who added grades K-5 during the past school year. Dates are Aug. 10, 11 and 12. Cost is $100.
Grades K through adult will Learn to Play Chess on Aug. 10, 17, 24 and 26. Use grade attended through the 2020-21 school year. Last class is a tournament. Great adult/child activity. Fee is $15.
Taking Defensive Driving Classes allow adults aged 55 or older to save on insurance premiums. After the beginning eight-hour class, a four-hour fresher class must be taken every three years to receive the reduced premium benefit. Beginning class is Nov. 11 and 18. Four-hour refresher is Sept. 16
 
Library Happenings
The Rock County Library is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. For additional questions, contact library personnel at 507-449-5040 or rocklibrarystaff@gmail.com.
Summer Reading Program, “Reading Colors Your World,” registration is now along with the adult summer reading program. Pick up a reading log at the library.
Monthly trivia nights with locally written questions are the first Thursdays of the month at Take 16 on East Main Street in Luverne for teams of one or more individuals. No pre-registration is necessary. Library personnel conduct the event.
Story Time at the Park will feature songs and stories with children’s library Bronwyn Wenzel each Tuesday through June and July at a different park in Luverne. The events begin at 10:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. The schedule will be:
•June 29, Hawkinson Park, East Adams Avenue.
•July 6, Evergreen Park, North Blue Mound Avenue.
•July 13, Kolbert Park, 801 W. Warren St.
•July 20, Veterans Park, 1211 N. Elm St.
•July 27, Hawkinson Park, East Adams Avenue.
Zoom Man @ the Park takes place at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 22, at Hawkinson Park.
Toby Kid presents “Color Your World” with interactive comedy, magic, puppetry and silliness at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at library.
 
Southwest Crisis Center offers trauma-informed yoga
The Southwest Crisis Center yoga support group is expanding this summer to weekly sessions from noon to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays through July 13 at the Luverne City Park. Bring a yoga mat as limited qualities will be available. Sessions are directed by Rock County advocate Jennifer Lindsey and is free and open to the public. Contact Lindsey at 507-283-9917 or Jennifer@mnswcc.org with questions.
 
Explore Prairie Ally
Free guided tours at Prairie Ally Outdoor Center (308 N. Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne) are Thursdays at 6, 6:30, and 7 p.m. June through August or by appointment. Volunteers are needed Tuesdays from 10a.m. to noon and Thursdays at 5:30 June through September. Workshops are planned for June 5 (companion planting), June 10 (tree care) and Aug. 19 (edible perennials). Contact: prairieallymn@gmail.com, 605-951-0227. Also, visit projectfoodforest.org/events.
 
Take and Make bird treat kits
Stop by the Luverne Area Chamber at 213 East Luverne Street to pick up one or more Take and Make bird treat kits. Kits are free, but a $5 to $10 donation is welcome to benefit Project Food Forest in Rock County. (Or donate online at https://donorbox.org/support-pff)

Security Savings Bank recently hired Knute Oldre, Luverne, as loan officer and credit analyst at its Luverne branch on South Highway 75.
Oldre, son of Kyle and Sara Oldre, Luverne, graduated in 2017 from Luverne High School.
A 2021 graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Oldre earned a degree in quantitative economics with emphases on finance and environmental studies.
Oldre’s primary role at the bank will be reviewing new and existing credit files, assisting with credit underwriting, loan processing and originating all types of new loans.
“When Knute graduated college I really wanted him to continue and grow his career with us and he is a valuable asset to the bank,” said Luverne Market President Ryan DeBates,.
“I am very happy we were able to keep such a great local talent here in the Luverne area. I have full confidence in Knute’s skills and abilities for many years to come.”

Gil Haugen Construction workers maneuver the final 55-foot precast wall panels into place Tuesday morning, June 22, fully enclosing the Luverne Middle-High School performing arts center. Once in position, the 53,000-pound panel was welded into place and the seams caulked. Finishing work now begins on the construction project, including the performing arts center floor, and auditorium seating is expected to be finished at the end of this month.