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Warm weather spurs spring planting

Robert Carlson makes a final round planting corn under a setting sun Thursday, April 29, for his father-in-law, Pete Jessen, in western Rock County. Warmer weather in the last week of April prompted a flurry of spring planting in Rock County and the region. USDA’s latest crop report says more than 40 percent of Minnesota’s intended corn acres were planted, pushing overall progress to 60 percent. That’s 10 days ahead of normal, but two days behind last year. In Rock County, where it’s been drier than other parts of the state, many producers, including Jessen, are finishing with corn and moving on to soybean planting.

'Mask-erade' takes Luverne prom-goers inside

For the first time in LHS history, a prom grand march was staged outdoors. Saturday’s grand march for the 2021 Luverne High School prom, dubbed “Mask-erade,” took place outside under the high school canopy on a beautiful warm evening. The public was invited to sit on the portable bleachers brought in especially for the event to watch safely from a distance. The 150 elegantly dressed students removed their masks as they exited the school doors and walked in front of the school. Temperatures reached into the 90s prior to the event, a rarity where rain and/or snow is more the norm. After the grand march, students gathered in the elementary school to enjoy various activity stations until 11:30 p.m. Last year the prom was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As Walleye Wind nears approval, local businesses plan for opportunities

NextEra Energy Resources is planning construction of 40 wind turbines over 49 square miles (31,000 acres) in the townships of Beaver Creek, Luverne, Martin and Springwater.
If the Walleye Wind Farm, as it’s called, clears final approval with the Public Utilities Commission, more than 200 workers will converge on western Rock County starting as early as September.
A meeting at the Luverne Chamber office last week addressed challenges and opportunities for local businesses during that construction period. For example, workers will need food and lodging, in addition to other basic services.
“We’ve seen some really unique economic business propositions in communities where we’ve built these projects,” said project developer Mike Weich at the April 28 meeting.
“It could be something as simple as 200 construction workers will probably need a place to do their laundry.”
If the project gets PUC approval, a construction meeting will be scheduled for later this summer to prepare local leaders and businesses for what to expect when wind farm construction begins.
“If you have a business or you have something locally that you know will help these construction workers as they come through, if there are things, that’s when we kick off those coordinations.”
He said he will work with Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere to connect the community with the construction managers in order to prepare for their needs.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Lanphere said her office has done as much as possible to prepare local businesses for the influx of wind turbine workers. But until that meeting is scheduled, she said it’s difficult to focus particular resources.
“It’s really hard to do that because they have to first get approval to move forward,” Lanphere said.
“My plan is to use the visitor pass and do a better job marketing that to all the businesses, and not create something new.”
As part of construction, the existing MinnWind turbines will be decommissioned and removed, with foundations removed down to 4 feet below grade.
NextEra Energy Resources, based in June Beach, Florida, is the developer of the Walleye Wind Farm project.
NextEra filed for the site permit and certificate of need in July 2020. An environmental impact hearing was conducted in December 2020 with the final report completed in March 2021.
The report is available on the PUC website, mn.gov/puc.
The deadline for submitting written comments is 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 14.
Long-term, there will be four to six full-time wind technicians hired to manage the site; also there will be support-type jobs related to roads and maintenance that will be sourced locally.

Board splits vote to end full time substitutes

In a 5 -1 vote, Luverne School Board members decided not have two full-time substitute teachers on staff for the 2021-22 school year.
Cost savings is estimated at $100,000.
Board member Jeff Stratton cast the dissenting vote to the resolution to discontinue and reduce the educational positions.
Stratton said after the meeting he wanted to keep the positions for another year due to the uncertainly of the coronavirus.
He said after the meeting that the substitutes — one in the elementary and one in the middle-high school — primarily spent each day filling in for faculty absences this year, according to discussions at the April 8 board workshop.
In previous years substitute teachers have primarily been retired educators and, due to the senior citizens being more susceptible to the coronavirus, they have chosen not to work in the schools this year as a result.
As the pandemic continues, Stratton thought the full-time substitute teachers would be just as busy in the upcoming school year.
“If it was a benefit this year … it could be a benefit next year,” he said. “The benefit outweighed the costs.”
Board member Katie Baustian was not at the April 22 meeting.
 
Social studies position moves to full time
While cutting the two full-time substitute teacher positions, board members agreed to expand the part-time social studies position at the middle-high school. The vote was 5 to 1, with Stratton casting the sole “no” vote.
Stratton had asked if the district would advertise the full-time social studies position or would the current part-time teacher move into the expanded position.
Consensus among administrators was the current teacher would receive the expanded role due to positive performance evaluations.
The expansion to full time would offer more class electives at the middle-high school level, Principal Ryan Johnson said at the April 8 board workshop.
The extra cost is estimated at about $20,000.
When a resignation occurred in the social studies department at the end of the 2019-20 school year, board members chose to advertise for a part-time replacement.
Stratton, who joined the board in January, wanted to re-advertise the social studies position now  as a full-time position to encourage someone who didn’t apply previously but needs a full-time position to consider applying now because the status has changed.
“I think it is a benefit for another full-time teacher,” Stratton said. “I just wanted a bigger pool.”
 
In other personnel business, the board:
•accepted the resignation of Liza Winkler, elementary teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
•accepted the retirement of Doug Dooyema, sixth-grade science teacher, effective June 2.
•accepted the retirement of ECFE and Discovery Time teacher Debbie Mitchell, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
•approved Ellen Wenninger as volunteer softball coach.

Luverne district budget shows deficit, especially in food service

With two months left in the fiscal year, Luverne school board members are prepared to overspend the 2020-21 budget.
With all revenues now included in the report, Luverne is on track to spend $20.2 million or $2.4 million over the $17.8 million in this year’s revenues, according to the revised budget adopted at the board’s April 22 meeting.
Business manager Marlene Mann outlined each of the district’s five budget funds.
The anticipated budget overage is based on spending 100 percent of all five allocations.
Current spending percentages ranges from food service (the lowest at 31 percent spent) to the general fund (the highest at 63 percent spent).
The food service fund shows the largest disparity in expenditures versus revenue, $822,000 and $286,000, or a negative budget of more than $536,000.
“With this much of a difference, it will be something you will want to be mindful of as we go forward, because, yes, we have a fund balance, and yes, we planned on some funds overspent,” Mann said.
“But the rest of the budget is something that needs to be watched.”
Board members questioned where savings could be found, focusing on food service.
Reva Sehr asked if any purchases can be put off until next year.
“If we can be as frugal as possible, I think that would be advantageous to our financial situation,” Sehr said. “I have a hard time seeing such a difference without fully understanding (meal planning).”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, school breakfasts and lunches are free of charge.
Food service prepares for 1,200 students each day, but reimbursement is based on the actual number of students who go through the food service lines.
The number served varies greatly each day, Mann said — primarily due to the USDA nutritional guidelines and incorporation of commodities the district receives,  some meals to be more popular than others.
“If people don’t come down, we still have the overhead costs to pay,” Mann said.
For the next two months, the district will continue to receive free USDA commodities and, with increased student usage, this year’s food service fund overage will be lower, Mann said.
In previous years, the food service fund primarily broke even or ended the fiscal year slightly over.
“If we can get those numbers closer together, we’ll certainly work at it,” Mann said.
District funds and their projected revenues, expenditures (differences) and percentage paid are:
•General, $13.889 million, $15.8 million (-$1.923 million), 63 percent;
•Food service, $286,000, $822,000 (-$536,000), 31 percent;
•Transportation, $793,000, $801,000 (-$8,000), 76 percent;
•Community Services, $435,000, $545,000 (-$110,000), 51 percent;
•Capital expenditures, $315,000, $216,000 (-99,000), 45 percent;
•Debt payment, $2.12 million, $2.06 million (+$60,000), 100 percent.

Community calendar May 5, 2021

Meetings
Kenneth Cemetery Association will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Kenneth Community Center.
Beaver Creek Township Board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 10, in the township hall in Beaver Creek.
 
National Day of Prayer May 6
Several area churches will host the 70th annual National Day of Prayer on May 6 by virtual viewing online at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.  The national theme is, “Lord, pour out your love, life and liberty,” and theme verse is 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
 
‘Take a Mom’ fishing is May 8-9
Take a Mom Fishing Weekend — when Minnesota-resident moms can fish without purchasing a license — is Saturday, May 8, to Sunday, May 9.
This special weekend is defined in Minnesota statutes as the weekend that coincides with Mother’s Day.
Most years, under Minnesota law, the fishing opener and Take a Mom Fishing weekend fall on the same weekend, but not this year. The 2021 fishing opener is Saturday, May 15.
 
Bike Rodeo May 15
The Luverne Optimist Club will host the 2021 Bike Rodeo at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15, at ice arena in Luverne. There will be many valuable prizes, including new bikes, and an obstacle course for bicycling. Ken Peterson of Ken’s Bike Shop will be on hand to inspect and fix bikes for those who attend. This is a combined event for both the Luverne and H-BC communities.
 
Free food offered May 20
New Life Celebration Church will offer free food at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at the Generations Building on East Lincoln Street in Luverne. Vehicles should enter the west parking lot from Lincoln Street and drive to the double glass doors on the west side of the building where volunteers will load groceries into cars. Walkers should receive their pre-packaged groceries on the east side of the building. Call 507-283-4366.
 
Community Education announcements
The summer Community Education brochure will be published May 1 and delivered to local homes with the Luverne Announcer.  Many of the classes have an early registration deadline of May 14.  Take advantage of the lower fees and register by May 14 for volleyball, tennis, golf, morning rec, arts & crafts, basketball, track and gymnastics.
 Kids currently in grades 1-3 can sign up for Paint and Snack Classes on May 20, June 24 and July 22.  Sign up for one class or for all 3. Fee is $33 per class.
Defensive Driving Classes allows adults 55 years of age and older to save on insurance premiums. The Beginning Class – June 10 and 17 (4 hours each evening). Refresher 4-Hour Classes are May 27, Aug. 19.
Sign up for Get Fit, Stay Fit on May 26 with tips and advice from Physical Therapist, Michelle Schuman. Fee is $5.
 
Sanford Health Luverne sponsors virtual 5K
Sanford Health Luverne will host a virtual 5K run June 1-8 in conjunction with Buffalo Days in Luverne. Registration deadline is May 17 to receive a T-shirt. Participants may register online at https://www. Allsportcentral.com/EventInfo.cfm?EventID=78003. Call 507-449-1243 after completing the 5K in order to eligible for prizes.
 
State’s Memorial Day program virtual again this year
Virtual Memorial Day program will take place again this year through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. As variants of the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to increases in positive cases throughout the state, the MDVA is taking a cautious approach by providing a virtual event to recognize Memorial Day as was done in 2020.
The 30-minute Memorial Day program, “Reflections: Memorial Day 2021,” will be aired 8 p.m. Monday, May 31, on TPT’s Minnesota Channel.
The cemeteries remain open and visitors are welcome to visit on Memorial Day when American flags will be displayed along the entrance street and on all graves in cemeteries.
 
Tax assistance available for Rock County residents
United Community Action Partnership will be providing free online virtual tax assistance for residents living in Rock County and surrounding communities. See website for details at https://www.unitedcapmn.org/services/community-family-services/tax-clin…
The number to make an appointment and to get intake forms sent via mail is 507-537-1416 ext. #2163. Or email Courtney Newgard at Newgardcourtney.newgard@unitedcapmn.org.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the tax filing deadline is extended to May 17.
 
Parade entries sought for Hills event
Entries are being sought for the Hills Friendship Days parade 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12. Pre-registration deadline is Monday, May 31, to kaelbers@alliancecom.net or by calling Keith at 507-962-3433 or Annette at 507-962-3432. Questions can be directed to same email address and phone numbers.
 
Rock the Edge seeks local service projects
Rock the Edge Youth’s Service Over Self will be June 21-25, and the group is seeking a variety of community projects, such as painting, cleaning, organizing, yard work or other projects. Call 507-227-1978, 605-261-4000 or email rocktheedgemn@gmail.com.
 
Grief support group meets Mondays
Sanford Luverne Hospice Grief Support Group will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through May 10 at Sanford Luverne. This group is for anyone grieving the death of a loved one, whether they were involved with hospice or not. Meetings are free and facilitated by Jill Roemen, licensed social worker. Call to register at 507-283-1805.
 
Crisis Center needs board members
The Southwest Crisis Center is seeking passionate community members to serve on its Board of Directors. The group encourages applications from people of diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and professional skills to oversee the organization's general operations. For more information, visit mnswcc.org or email sara@mnswcc.org.
 
Hospice auction planned for August 28
The Annual Hospice Dinner and Auction typically held in April is being planned for Aug. 28 to allow for expanded Minnesota COVID-19 guidelines.  More details will be announced this summer, or call the Hospice office at 283-1805.
 
Shredding event coming May 22
St. Catherine Church Luverne will bring Dakota Shred It to Luverne from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 22, at Luverne Laundry on the corner of Main Street and Highway 75. Save the date.
 
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)

Minnesota Housing launches online 'RentHelpMN' application to provide COVID rental assistance

Minnesota Housing launched the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance online applications through RentHelpMN.org.   for Minnesotans who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have struggled to pay their rent and utility bills.
“We know renters with low incomes in particular have struggled to pay their rent and utility payments throughout the pandemic,” said Angela Larson, Family Services director at United Community Action Partnership (UCAP). “This program alone will not solve our housing crisis here in Minnesota, but it is a critical step in the right direction.”
About 30 local community-based organizations are working with Minnesota Housing to assist people with their applications, including United Community Action Partnership (UCAP).
UCAP’s role in this program is to spread the word in their communities and to provide application assistance to those who may have trouble applying on their own.
“We have hired several bilingual staff to make this program more accessible,” said Larson, “but we also know that even those without language barriers may need extra help with the online application system.”
This program is open to all Minnesota households at 80 percent of area median income or below (more information about income limits available at https://www.renthelpmn.org/learn-more).
Some eligibility details include:
•This rental and utility assistance program is currently open to renters who are past due, going back as far as March 13, 2020.
•Past-due utilities that are eligible include electric, natural gas, delivered fuels, trash/ recycling, water and sewage.
•Past-due rent includes rent for house, apartment, manufactured home/lot rent, etc.
Homeowners are not eligible for mortgage or utility assistance through this rental assistance program.
To apply for the program, call 211 or visit www.renthelpmn.org
If you have questions or need help applying, please call United Community Action Partnership at 507-537-1416.
United Community Action Partnership is a non-profit organization that strives to help low and moderate income families improve their lives and move out of poverty.

City and district approve bids for joint street project on school campus

The city of Luverne and Luverne School District have been working on a “joint project” to address streets around the school that have been torn up because of the school construction project.
Both entities will pay separate contracts for their own work, on their own properties, but they were able to get a better price for the work by bidding the project jointly.
The district will pay:
•$51,900 to patch and overlay portions of the street located south of the middle-high school building to Dodge Street.
•$14,000 for an improved sidewalk from Dodge Street to the school.
•$113,000 to develop a slated parking lot for additional public parking in front of the middle-high school facing Kniss Avenue.
Superintendent Craig Oftedahl said the Luverne Education Legacy Foundation is planning to develop a garden adjacent to the school building’s front canopy.
The parking would enhance public access. “I have a strong feeling someone would step in and take care of it (the $113,000 cost),” he said.
The city's portion will cost $366,174, and Luverne City Council members approved the bid at their April 13 meeting.
City work consists of a mill off and overlay of West Adams, and Northeast Park Street will be a completely rebuilt asphalt road because of the age and draining issues of the road.
The city also approved an alternate bid of $58,727 to pour a trail connector from the bus barn area to the Luverne Loop to the west.
Road construction will start in June and be complete in August.

City considers vacating street for Hills business

A public hearing Tuesday will determine if the city of Hills vacates a portion of East 5th Street for a proposed storage shed.
The hearing begins at 6 p.m. during the Hills City Council’s monthly meeting at the city hall.
Earlier this year, owners of Hills Storage Center requested a building permit to construct a 40-by-187-foot storage facility.
That permit was rescinded at the council’s April 13 meeting at the request of storage owners Ross Metzger and Kelly Leuthold. Metzger, a city council member, did not vote.
Leuthold said at the April 13 meeting that when finalizing the storage building’s placement, the leveled elevation placed the 14-foot-tall building too close to an existing power line.
The highline pole, located south of the storage building’s location, could not be moved or raised.
Shifting the building to the north, while meeting setback requirements from the power line, meant it would be located on what city founders intended to be a portion East 5th Street, according to plat documents.
“Nobody knew there was a street there,” said Hills Mayor Keith Elbers.
When rescinding the original building permit, council members decided against selling the property to Metzger and Leuthold.
After considering options, the council decided that vacating a street that was never built was the best option.
Metzger and Leuthold agreed to pay for any fees associated with vacating and re-platting the area.
Elbers estimated that the area to be vacated stretched about a half block in length.

Thank an educator today and every day

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2-8, 2021, and if there were ever a time to thank a teacher, the time is now.
Teaching can be difficult, demanding and emotionally and physically exhausting work in a non-pandemic environment.
But teachers will also tell you the rewards are often worth the challenges in ways they’re not able to share, due to student privacy protection.
These past two years have placed unprecedented strain on educators in ways they couldn’t have imagined or prepared for.
It’s been inspiring to see classroom teachers reach outside the classroom and into students’ homes to bring their passion for teaching into distance learning models.
And while everyone longs for a return to normal, our teachers and parents have learned valuable lessons that will no doubt benefit in-person learning long-term.
Have there been breakdowns? Sure. Have students fallen behind? Unfortunately many have, and some may have difficulty catching up. Have our teachers had bad days? For sure. Just ask them.
But day after day, they rise to meet new challenges, and through the pandemic chaos, have discovered cracks in learning models that they can now address.
We are immeasurably blessed in Rock County to have a strong school system that values quality teachers and communities that invest in education.
Likewise, our teachers no doubt appreciate this environment.
But work often seems thankless, and they often hear only from disappointed parents whose students are struggling.
They need to know they’re appreciated.
So, this week, during National Teacher Appreciation Week, let’s tell them “thank you.”
The National Education Association has launched  hashtag promotions and text message campaigns to help the public thank teachers.
But in Rock County, we’d encourage our readers to bring that message to a local level.
It costs nothing to send a message to a teacher expressing gratitude. Or, for the price of a postage stamp, we can send something personal and tangible.
Just say “thank you” … to a friend who’s a teacher or to a teacher of our children or to a teacher from our past who has made an impact in our lives.

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