Frakes: 'We're in teh money, and it's all free, and more is coming
To the Editor:
Halleluia! We’re in the money! We’re in the money! And it’s all free! And more coming!
What do we get with this free money? The warm fuzzies! All of us, especially the upper crust ruling class in D.C., get the warm fuzzies from helping out our fellow Americans who are trapped in incalculable suffering and starvation.
We all know that no taxpayer, now breathing, will ever pay a penny off of the national debt so future generations are footing our warm fuzzies. It’ll probably be ten thousand billion dollars more debt in just this little panic. We will be lucky to even pay the interest.
As dedicated and honest as the upper crust ruling class is, I’m sure they went the extra mile and polled our yet to be great-grandkids to ask if they would foot the bill for our warm fuzzies. I’m sure they said yes because I’m sure they got the warm fuzzies from helping the “old folks” get the warm fuzzies.
We also know that a bunch of our yet to be great-grandkids will end up in the medical waste dumpster behind the abortion clinic. But, thanks to us, they had a chance at the warm fuzzies before they got snuffed.
Now I’m really getting an attack of the warm fuzzies. I think we should all have an extra scoop of ice cream with our dessert tonight!
Bill Frakes
Luverne
 
Nelson: 'We will keep masking up and doing what is right'
Dear citizens of Rock County,
We have been reading Todd Meinerts’ weekly letters to the editor, and we feel it should be known there are many of us who do not agree with hisopinion.
However, he is correct that we are not all in this together.
It seems as though it is those of us willing to consider the safety of others versus those who are not.
If we all worked together, we could have been done with this by now. Wear amask. Stay home if you can. However, we are more than a year in with overhalf a million deaths in the United States. There are still individuals andbusinesses who refuse to wear masks. Why? For “personal freedom”?
Amazing how the “my body my choice” argument suddenly applies to anti-maskers, but certainly not when it comes to a pregnant woman’s choices.
You can make the choice not to wear a mask, but the unsuspecting person you infect with COVID did not get to choose. You chose for them. Is that freedom?
Meinerts asked if we would know we were in a pandemic if not for the media.
Ask our medical professionals and first responders who live the horrors of COVID every day. Ask the countless people who have lost loved ones to COVID.Ask someone with a compromised immune system. Better yet, ask someone with achild with a compromised immune system.
In his letter, Meinerts suggested the “Democrats in the sea of red” justleave. But it is attitudes like this that only serve to further divide us.
We are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, friends, business owners, and neighbors. We grew up in Luverne, and we are transplants. We are people you see every day. We are raising our children to be open-minded andcompassionate. Our children know the importance of kindness, even when youdisagree with someone.
We will keep masking up and doing what is right. Despite our politicaldifferences, we still care about all human beings.
We’re not going anywhere.
Rae Nelson one the of the Democrats in the Red Sea
Meinerts: 'We are not in this together'
To the Editor:
Mr. Green, we are not in this together. It seems there are two sides; those who choose to live in fear while wearing a mask, social distancing, and being in isolation and those of us who choose to go on with life as normal.
After the initial fear perpetrated by the government, CDC, and media, we discovered it was just a virus like the flu that happens every year. It was not a dark year for all, with all of society suffering. We found places to eat and shop that aren’t mask Nazis and will continue supporting them in the future.
Thank you, businesses that were patriotic. The financial future of this country looks bleak to me if we don’t end all this craziness. We need to pump our own oil, shut the borders, quit being offended by plastic toys, syrup and the like, and fix the election process. We need to trust the science of only two genders and our climate is fine. I hope your shot that was not backed by years of clinical trials and research gives you comfort.
As far as the voice of Biden you mentioned, I’ve heard it and it’s a rambling, incoherent, unintelligible bunch of nonsense. Quite embarrassing actually. 
“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” -Selwyn Duke
God bless America!
Todd Meinerts
Luverne
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dispatch report
March 19
•Deputy out with vehicle at location on County Road 8 and 161st Street, Luverne.
•Complainant on County Road 6 and 161st Street, Luverne, reported property damage.
•Complainant on W. Bishop Street reported possible theft occurring.
•Report of train blocking roadway at location on 41st Street, Hills.
•Complainant had questions on proper license plate mounting.
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 20, Magnolia, reported a driver speeding.
•State patrol requested deputy assistance on Highway 23 and County Road 17, Beaver Creek.
•Complainant on 161st Street and 60th Avenue, Luverne, reported structure fire.
•Complainant on S. Church Avenue, Hills, reported vandalism.
March 20
•Complainant on Crawford Street requested information on transporting firearms.
•Complainant east-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 13, Luverne, reported a reckless driver at location and moving east.
•Complainant on Rapp Street and Jackson Street reported suspicious activity.
March 21
•Complainant on Highway 23, Jasper, reported driving complaints.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported an accident with property damage.
•Complainant on Evergreen Drive reported a stolen vehicle.
•Complainant on W. Warren Street and S. Donaldson Street reported a vehicle with an open door.
March 22
•Complainant on E. Fairway Drive reported issues with her medic alert pendant.
•Complainant on W. Main Street reported the back window on vehicle broken out.
•Complainant on 5th Street, Hills, reported threats from neighbor.
•Complainant on 41st Street and 50th Avenue, Hills, reported railroad crossing malfunction.
March 23
•Complainant on N. McKenzie Street reported harassment from subject.
March 24
•Complainant on S. Church Street reported a social media harassment situation.
•Complainant on N. Cedar Street reported a suspicious phone call.
•Complainant on W. Bishop Street reported a social security scam.
•Complainant on Highway 60, Iowa, reported a reckless driver.
•Complainant in Steen reported a shed broken into at location.
March 25
•A warrant was issued.
•Complainant on W. Fairview Drive reported vandalism.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported a verbal dispute.
•Complainant on S. West Park Street reported property damage.
 
In addition, officers responded to 2 vehicles in ditch, 1 transport, 8 escorts, 21 ambulance runs, 1 parking violation, 2 paper service, 3 animal complaints, 3 fingerprint requests, 12 burn permits, 1 vehicle impound, 1 background check, 5 drug court tests, 5 purchase and carry permits, 3 stalled vehicles, 26 traffic stops, 8 abandoned 911 calls, 1 test, 2 welfare checks, 2 reports of cattle out, 1 OFP and 1 follow-up.

Motorists are advised that Highway 91 at the north edge of Adrian will be closed to replace the bridge over Interstate 90 beginning Monday, April 12, and traffic will be detoured.
While I-90 will always remain open to through traffic, at times I-90 traffic may be diverted to the ramps at Highway 91 during certain stages of construction.  
Highway 91 through traffic will be detoured to Nobles County Roads 35, 15 and 4 for the duration of the project.
The bridge project also includes guardrail replacement and drainage upgrades and should be complete by September.
For a detailed detour map and more information on the project visit www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/hwy91bridge/.
Redstone Construction of Mora was awarded the project with a bid of $1,957,454.

Many farmers and applicators will soon be applying anhydrous ammonia (NH3) ahead of the planting season. Even with a rush against time and the weather, safety should never be compromised.
Recent accidents involving anhydrous ammonia have proven how dangerous and deadly the chemical can be when not handled properly.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is providing the following tips to farmers and applicators so they can safely apply anhydrous ammonia.
•Always wear appropriate goggles and gloves. Never wear contact lenses.
•Be sure to have a clean, adequate emergency water supply of at least 5 gallons.
•Exercise caution when making connections and disconnections as if lines contain anhydrous ammonia.
•Stand upwind when connecting, disconnecting, bleeding lines, or transferring NH3. Also, close, bleed, disconnect and secure valves and transfer lines when taking breaks or disconnecting lines, and be sure to handle hose end valves by the valve body.
•Position equipment away and downwind from homes, people, and
livestock.
Safety is also key to those maintaining anhydrous ammonia equipment.
Never assume NH3 lines are empty; always wear proper protective equipment and have access to safety water.
When towing a nurse tank down the road, drive sensibly. Do not go any faster than 30 miles per hour, display a slow-moving vehicle (SVM) emblem visible from the rear, and be sure the tank is secured to the tractor or truck with two separate, independent chains that supplement the hitch pin/clip.
If an accident or spill occurs, immediately call 911 and then the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798 or 651-649-5451.
You can find more safety, storage and transportation information on the MDA’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/nh3 .

Sioux Valley Energy recently donated $5,000 toward the $135,000 fundraising goal to remodel the former grain elevator office in Hills into the “Team E Fieldhouse.”
The funds from Sioxu Valley Energy will support work on the multi-use facility that will house equipment, a public weight-lifting space and meeting room/offices for Game Plan 4 Hope.
The field house is named in memory of former Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School student Ethan Erickson.
The average donation from Operation Round Up is $1,000, but the organization increased the amount for the Fieldhouse remodeling project.
“We just thought this was a very, very, very worthwhile cause,” said Operation Round Up committee member Greg Benda. “Rather than carry the money over, we gave them more.”
The Sioux Valley donation, which uses money from customers’ “rounding up” their electric bills to the next highest dollar, brings fundraising efforts for Team E Fieldhouse to the 85-percent mark, according to Missy Bass.
“We are almost there,” she said.
Bass applied to Operation Round Up for additional money to purchase materials for the remodel project. As materials arrive, Jeff Bass said construction will get back on track after a plumbing issue delayed the project.
The group anticipates a May 1 opening.
The Bass and Erickson families began Game Plan 4 Hope in 2019 after experiencing life-altering experiences of their own. They want to help others going through similar situations.
Both families live in Hills.
Heather and Aaron Erickson’s son, Ethan, died from Burkitt Lymphoma/Leukemia in 2019 at age 12.
Missy and Jeff Bass’ son, Trenton, was paralyzed in a football accident in 2017.
Trenton helps with Game Plan 4 Hope by talking to others about the recovery process and coping with life in a wheelchair. He is a student at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

For the second consecutive year, all Minnesota FFA Convention events will be conducted virtually due to the coronavirus.
The April 18-20 event will feature several local FFA’ers competing in the career exploratory activities as well as three students from Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School receiving individual honors.
Hills-Beaver Creek
Participating in the state virtual judging contests will be team members in soils, best-informed greenhand, wildlife and livestock evaluation.
Teams earned berths to the state convention by placing at the recent Region 6 contests.
Soils team members include Donavon Leenderts, Max Scholten, Zander Wysong, Carter Hartz and Casey Kueter.
Best-informed greenhands include Riley Tatge, Carter Vande Voort, Alexis Gardner-Swenson, Lanae Elbers, Layla Deelstra, Cooper Gehrke, Brynn Rauk, Sylvia Fick, Taryn Birger and Megan Vis.
Wildlife team members include Austin Allen (ninth-place overall individual), Oliver Deelstra, Cole Baker, Tyson Bork and Calvin Erickson.
The livestock evaluation team was led by Lanae Elbers (third-overall individual), Samantha Moser, Sean Elbers, Chase Bosch and Tory Knobloch.
The H-BC FFA food science and technology team of Olivia Bork, Taylor Huisman, Amalia Ternus and Sophia Van Surksum completed at the regional event but did not qualify for the state convention.
Samantha Moser, Carter Hartz and Hannah Fick will be recognized for their proficiency applications and Fick will also receive the state FFA degree.
 
Luverne-Adrian
Two Luverne-Adrian FFA Chapter judging teams placed first at the Region 6 state-qualifying events and will compete in the state contests.
The horse judging team of Destiny Matthiesen, Cassie Flanagan, Julia Hoogland and Morgan Bonnet placed first overall. Individually Hoogland placed third and Flanagan fifth at the virtual event.
Members of the ag mechanics team will also compete at the state event.
Placing second overall in the team competition at the Region 6 virtual qualifying event were Justin Dohlmann, Hunter Sandbulte, Peter Baustian, Camron Kopp, Jacob Hansen, Nick Hansen, A.J. Ossefoort and J.T. Remme.
Remme had the high score for the team. The top five scores move on to the state contest.
At the Region 6 virtual fish and wildlife, Destiny Matthiesen competed as an individual, placing in the top half of the competition.
Matthiesen also competed individually in the wildlife management virtual contest and also finished in the top half of the competition.
 
Luverne FFA places first at ag bowl
Members of the ag mechanics team also competed at the virtual Southwest Minnesota State University ag bowl conducted recently.
They placed first overall in the team competition
Competing were J.T. Remme, Peter Baustian, Lucas Hansen, Nick Hansen, Camron Kopp and A.J. Ossefoort. Remme achieved the high score for the team.

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on June 24, 1892.
 
The Old Settlers
 
The Annual Meeting Held at the Court House Last Saturday
 
Pursuant to the call published in these columns, the annual meeting of the Old Settlers’ association of Rock county was held at the court room last Saturday afternoon. E. L. Grout, president of the association, called the meeting to order, and the usual routine business was dispatched. The following names were proposed for membership, and on motion each was selected by acclamation: T. O. Tollefson, Aaron Baer, James Preston, Rev. Herman Ohs, W. M. Green, and B. I Crossman.
The association then proceeded to the election of officers, and on motion the secretary was instructed to cast the vote of the association for the following:
E. L. Grout, president; Philo Hawes, recording secretary; Rev. E. Bronson, corresponding secretary; A. Jaycox, treasurer; vice-presidents, C. C. Drew, Luverne; M. C. Smith, Clinton; Sydney Johnson, Kanaranzi; Sylvester Norton, Magnolia; Th. O. Opsata, Vienna; Frank Mitchell, Battle Plain; Lars A. Karterud, Denver; T. O. Tollefson, Mound; K. K. Steen, Rose Dell; W. P. Noble, Springwater; B. I Crossman, Beaver Creek; G. Anderson, Martin; executive committee, T. P. Grout, James Preston, Rasmus Halvorson.
On motion the secretary was instructed to have the notice and date of the annual meeting published in the county papers.
The president was authorized to appoint a committee of three to draft resolutions of condolence and sympathy to the families of all deceased members of the association, said resolutions to be forwarded to members of the families and also to be spread on the records of the association, and Rev. H. Ohs, Rev. E. H. Bronson and Deacon Drew were appointed as such committee.
It was decided, on motion, that at every annual meeting of the association hereafter, a reunion of the members of the association be held under the supervision of the executive committee.
Since the association was organized in January, 1886, six new members have been admitted, seven have died, and twenty-two have moved away.
 
         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)
•A decade-long coaching run officially came to an end during a meeting of the District 2184 School Board Thursday.
The board accepted the resignation of Jason Phelps as Luverne High School’s head girls’ basketball coach. Phelps has been head coach since the 2001-02 season.
“It’s time to step aside and give someone else a chance to move the program forward.” Phelps said.
Phelps compiled a 76-166 record during his 10-year run as a head coach.
Four of Luverne’s six girls to score more than 1,000 career points played their basketball during Phelps’ tenure.
Although LHS never produced a title-earning season under Phelps, he did play a key role in turning a program that won four games in two seasons prior to his arrival into a program that played competitive basketball.
The most memorable years during the Phelps era came during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons, when the Cardinals reached the semifinal round of the South Section 3AA Tournament.
His 2006-07 squad compiled a 17-8 record, the best mark produced by one of his teams.
 
25 years ago (1996)
•Some Luverne IBP employees may see a bonus in one of their upcoming paychecks.
IBP has been ordered by the U. S. Department of Labor to pay back wages in one of the largest cases against an employer for not paying employees for work performed.
The court order against IBP could amount to more than $7 million for 23,5000 employees at 11 plants in six states. All the plants involved at the time the suit was filed were non-union.
For two years, workers were not paid for jobs they performed before and after their regular shifts, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Department of Labor. …
The court order includes a permanent injunction against IBP to prevent the company from committing future violations of the overtime and record-keeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. IBP was also ordered to pay interest on the wages owed to its workers.
 
50 years ago (1971)
•Rock County can buy the Donahue Clinic building on West Main Street in Luverne for $25,000, the county board announced Tuesday. Purchase of the building has been recommended by the county welfare board. It would be used as offices for county family services.
The board said that 35 percent of the purchase price would be reimbursed by the federal and state governments. The remainder would come from the county’s court house building fund which has been accumulating over the years and now has reached a total of $472,000.
If the building were purchased, it would be bought by the county as a whole, and then leased to the family services department. Estimated rental to be paid would be $400 per month, part of which would come from federal and state funds, and the rest from county funds.
 
75 years ago (1946)
•Mr. and Mrs. Phil DeBuck, of Hardwick, have purchased Walt’s Café from Mr. and Mrs. Heinie Bell. Mr. and Mrs. DeBuck took possession of the business Monday noon. The café, in the future, will be known as Phil’s Café.
Mr. and Mrs. DeBuck were formerly in the restaurant business at Hardwick but disposed of that business and also their filling station. They still own the pool hall there.
 
100 years ago (1921)
•The settlement of taxes collected from November 1st, 1920, to March 1st, 1921, was completed last week by County Treasurer John P. Houg, and warrants for the payment of the sums due the different funds to which the collections have been apportioned, are being drawn by County Auditor Skyberg.
The total amount of the funds apportioned was $115,243.23, the total receipts from the general taxes being divided as follows: State revenue, $12,088.54; state schools, $3,508.01; teachers’ insurance and retirement fund, $142.59, making the total amount of state taxes, $15,739.14; county revenue, $5,746.73; plus one half penalties and fines $153.37. The total of these two county items being $5900.10; county poor, $515.49; roads and bridges, $23,402.46; county sanatorium fund, $1,810.65; towns and villages, $25,698.36; school districts, $34,504.84; state school loans, $1,436.56; general town and village state loans, $1,918.15; judicial ditch No. 2, state loan $373.47; judicial ditch No. 3, $1.92; current school funds derived from one half the penalties and fines $153.36; bonds and interest, $3,788.71.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, April 5: Pork loin, sweet potatoes, broccoli, bread, bar.
Tuesday, April 6: Ham, scalloped potato, peas, bread, dessert.
Half-Price Day sponsored in memory of Ruth Van Westen.
Wednesday, April 7: Taco salad with salsa and sour cream, corn chips, fresh fruit, dessert.
Thursday, April 8: Spaghetti, lettuce salad with dressing, fruit, dessert.
Friday, April 9: Baked fish, brown rice, oriental blend, peaches.
 
LSS Dining offers well-balanced and affordable meals in a community atmosphere.
Call Lynette Hoiland at 283-9846 to make dining reservations or for home-delivered meals.
Gift certificates are available at the meal site or online at www.lssmn.org/nutrition.