Question: What items should I have in my vehicle during this extreme cold weather? What is the proper procedure if I become stranded and/or go off the road?
Answer: With the recent below zero temperatures, being prepared with an emergency kit and plan can save your life.
We recommend the following items be in your vehicle, especially in the winter:
•bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat litter) or traction mats.
•snow shovel.
•flashlight with extra batteries.
•window washer solvent.
•ice scraper with brush.
•cloth or roll of paper towels.
•jumper cables.
•tow chain or rope.
•extra warm clothing (gloves, hats, scarves).
•blankets
•warning devices (flares or triangles)
•drinking water
•non-perishable snacks for both human and pet passengers.
•First-aid kit.
•basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench).
•mobile phone and car charger preprogrammed with rescue apps and important phone numbers including family and emergency services.
If stranded, stay in the vehicle and call 911.
Provide the dispatcher with the following information:
•problem you’re experiencing.
•your location (Get in the habit of looking for mile markers and cross streets/roadways).
•any injuries to yourself or passengers.
•preferred tow company, otherwise the closest approved tow company will be dispatched.
At night, keep your dome light on and activate the vehicle’s emergency flashers.
Be aware that snow can plug your vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car so make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow and keep a window slightly open while the engine is running.
Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and that you have at least a half tank of fuel.
Slow down and use winter driving skills to avoid crashing or going off the road.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)
  

It’s been a year and more than 406,000 U.S. deaths since we first heard of COVID-19.
During this pandemic, we, as physicians and providers at Sanford Luverne, have been echoing CDC guidance to wear masks, social distance, use good hand hygiene and to get tested and quarantine when needed.
We’ve always known that prevention is the best medicine, especially in the case of COVID-19. Much has been asked of the public and we’re proud of how so many of you did the right thing to help ensure the safety of our communities.
There’s just one more step we have to take in order to put this behind us – vaccination.
We hope to clear up a few points that seem to keep people from fully embracing the idea of vaccination.
•We’ve heard a lot of questions about herd immunity. It would take 70 percent of the population to be immune through either vaccination or surviving COVID-19 in order for us to say we have herd immunity. Reaching immunity by 70 percent of us contracting the virus is ugly and avoidable.
•Fetal cells are not used to manufacture or administer this vaccine. Many medicines and vaccines are tested on lab-generated cells, so that is where this myth might have started.
•The vaccine does not change your DNA. It’s not possible. The vaccine uses a protein to induce an immune system response.
•The vaccine does not cause infertility. Several myths discuss blocking receptors in the uterus or placenta. This has not occurred with COVID-19 infection or the vaccine.
The best way to persuade people to get the vaccine is to tell the truth: this vaccine is akin to a cure.
Researchers and physicians hesitate to make promises because in a world of mathematical probabilities and legalities, we can’t say much of anything has NO risks. There is rarely anything in life that we can say is either zero or 100 percent.
But we will say this: whatever you might have heard about side effects of the vaccine is insignificant compared to getting COVID-19. Almost everyone we work with daily has received the vaccine and wants you to get it, too. (Some reported 12-24 hours of mild side effects, usually after the second dose.)
After the vaccine, you’ll be safe from getting the disease and are much less likely to spread it.
We don’t want to undersell this! Get the vaccine so you can much sooner hug your grandkids and go to card club or sit at a bar or attend a sporting event mask-free.
For those who are already convinced they want the vaccine, thank you. And please be patient. We get calls daily from those who are very excited to get the vaccine.
Minnesota is rolling out its plan to vaccinate the general public, and we are not able to keep a waiting list or influence how the priority groups are set up. We’re following guidelines for when and how we can administer the shots … and we’re not finding out about distribution much sooner than you are.
If you’re a Sanford Luverne patient, you should sign up for MyChart if you haven’t done so already. Then you can receive notifications directly from us when you’re eligible for vaccination. Other health systems will use patient appointment messaging however they can.
Until we all receive our doses of the vaccine, please be aggressive in prevention, whether you have already had COVID-19 or have been vaccinated. Wear a mask. Socially distance. Practice good hand hygiene. We have seen people get it more than once and sometimes with worse symptoms.
We hope you will join us in getting a vaccine so we can reach the end of this devastating pandemic.   
 
Sanford Luverne Providers:
Judy Chesley, MD
Stephan Chesley, MD
Diane Kennedy, MD
Zach Nolz, MD
Austin Spronk, MD
Jennifer Thone MD
Nicole Woodley, MD
Myles Tieszen, MD
Jonathan Pap, CNP
Katy Zogg, FNP-C

In my early days at the paper, my friend and fellow writer, Carole Olson, wrote a Star Herald column about the NIMBY phenomenon — Not In My Back Yard.
I don’t remember what the issue was — perhaps the airport runway expansion, and the nimbys had been articulate.
They supported the project in general, as long as it didn’t affect them directly.
The words in Carole’s column gently reminded us that a good idea for the community is a good idea for all in the community.
Even if it’s in our own back yards.
Over the years I’ve written dozens of Star Herald stories that include urgent, heartfelt nimby quotes.
“I realize Luverne needs more housing, but I don’t want to give up my green view across the street.”
And, “Why can’t they build somewhere else?” (Like someone else’s back yard.)
More recently the Star Herald has followed the development of a proposed wind farm in western Rock County.
“I support green energy, but I don’t a turbine in my back yard,” … said Lori Sorenson under her breath.
Yes, now I’m the nimby. I live next to the planned Walleye Wind Farm.
I’ve always sympathized with other nimbys but believed if it were me, I’d support the broader good.
Now I’m trying really hard to be a good sport.
But I’m not going to lie.
A 300-foot-tall tower with 175-foot-long rotating blades will forever change the horizon I’ve come to know and love.
My favorite part of the local landscape is its wide open, unobstructed view.
My Facebook feed often features photographs of golden cornfields against the backdrop of spectacular sunsets. Or storm clouds building over fields of deep green soybean rows.
On a clear day, we can stand on our porch and find the distinctive bell towers of the Sioux Falls Cathedral 25 miles away.
If a turbine doesn’t soon stand in the way.
See how I’m struggling?
A turbine isn’t planned for our land (meaning we won’t get a lucrative land lease), but we’ll get to look at it.
I’ve considered the drawbacks — like noise. But we live on a noisy highway that will likely drown out any whooshing wind turbine noises.
And I’ve heard the unsourced stories about wind farm owners with ill will and that wind turbines cause cancer.
However, there are so many more pros than cons to wind energy.
The world needs renewable clean energy, because fossil fuels  pollute and harm the environment and they come from sources that will eventually run out.
Of all renewable energies — solar, hydro, geothermal  — wind has the potential to produce the most reliable long-term power.
And wind turbine technology is improving every day. We’re getting twice the energy from half the equipment and it’s costing much less to produce.
So, I’m focusing on the positives …
… and looking forward to my back yard promoting green energy for the greater good.

Democracy has prevailed
 
To the Editor:
At his inauguration last Wednesday, President Biden spoke thesewords: “Democracy has prevailed.” Only two weeks after the assaultupon the Capitol.
The only previous assault on Washington, D.C., was in 1812 when theBritish attacked and burned the White House. Also in 1812 Francis Scott Key penned the words to “TheStar Spangled Banner,” our national anthem, as he watched theshelling of Fort McHenry which protected Baltimore.
The words read, in part, “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombsbursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was stillthere. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land ofthe free and the home of the brave?”
At the time of the American Civil War, there was a real concern thatour country would be torn apart. President Abraham Lincoln said, “Ahouse divided against itself cannot stand.”
Today we are facing challenges to democracy, concerns of disunity,of disharmony, of distrust of government.
President Biden has called for unity among Americans, of comingtogether to defeat a common enemy that has killed 400,000 of ourfellow Americans. That is more Americans than died in World War II.
Right now we need good government, a government that tells the truth, tells it consistently, and follows through with actions. For this ishow trust in our government is built, and empowers us to join together - no matter our politics - to fight the common enemy.
In unity there is strength. God bless America.
Larry GreenLuverne
 
Answers are hard to find
To the Editor:
When I was in my 20s, I asked few questions, as I knew everything. In my 40s I started to ask questions, as I realized I didn’t know everything. In my 70s I know very little, so I ask many questions. Here are some of the questions.
Thomas Jefferson helped form and write the Constitution, but since he owned slaves his statues were removed.
George Floyd was murdered by a terrible act so he is memorialized. He was a convict. What is the norm?
Eleven million plus illegal immigrants may be given amnesty. Over 60 million fetuses were denied life through abortion. What is the norm?
A riot on our nation’s Capitol resulted in the presence of 25,000 troops. Riots in our cities resulted in defunding the police. What is the norm?
American people have to spend and borrow based on their income and credit rating. Politicians spend and borrow according to the laws they enacted. What is the norm?
Finally, it is easy to ask questions; it is much harder to find the answers.
Bill PreussLuverne
 
 

I seem to have a knack for finding myself in awkward situations from time to time, and it happened last week while watching our grandson play basketball with the Redwood team in Pipestone.
Shortly before tip-off, I made a pit stop in the men’s room, and an older gentleman entered the bathroom shortly after I did.
We’re staring at the wall ahead of us doing our business and — here’s the odd part — the guy starts to sing.
Without moving my head, my eyes shifted to the left to see who was singing to the urinal. The tune he was singing didn’t ring a bell and I wasn’t about to ask him what it was.
After washing my hands and activating the hand air drier, the bathroom soloist took the opportunity of the noisy hand drier to turn up his vocal volume.
Back at the gym, I filled Mary in on the bathroom singer and how weird that was.
It was game time and before the announcing of the players, it was time for the national anthem.
The announcer introduced the older gentleman that was going to sing the anthem and that is when I realized it was the bathroom singer.
I nudged Mary and said, “That’s the guy from the bathroom.” I didn’t catch his name but when the bathroom singer started singing the national anthem, he did so beautifully.
His rendition of the anthem was so respectful to the song, it was one of the best versions I have ever heard.
It just goes to show you, you shouldn’t judge a person by how he sings in the men’s room but by how he sings the national anthem.

Jan. 15
•Complainant on 11th Street, Steen, reported a fire.
•Complainant on N. Donaldson Street reported a water leak.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested an unlock.
•Complainant on Highway 75 reported a transient.
•Report of a storage unit in roadway on N. Spring Street.
•Assistance from another department was provided eastbound on Interstate 90 and Highway 75.
•Assistance from another department was provided eastbound on Interstate 90 and Highway 75.
Jan. 16
•Complainant on Blue Mound Avenue and Britz Drive reported a lightpole down.
•Suspicious activity was reported at Redbird Field.
•Complainant reported computer connectivity issues.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a disorderly patient.
Jan. 17
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a disorderly patient.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported a disorderly patient.
•Complainant requested deputy assistance.
Jan. 18
•Complainant on E. Main Street reported a parked vehicle blocking the door.
Jan. 19
•Complainant in Jasper reported a stolen vehicle pursuit.
•Complainant reported vandalism.
•Complainant on County Road 8 and 150th Avenue reported icy road conditions.
•Complainant on Maple Street, Luverne, reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on State Highway 23, Jasper, reported that his vehicle was stolen.
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, Luverne, reported party left without paying.
•Complainant on S. Estey Street reported suspicious activity.
•Complainant on S. Fairview Drive reported threats.
•Deputy assisted MSP westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 12, Luverne.
Jan. 20
•Complainant on 31st Street, Hills, reported a bus stop arm violation.
•Assistance from another department was conducted in Lyon County.
•Transient was reported on W. Main Street.
•Suspicious activity was reported at location on E. First Avenue, Beaver Creek.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported too many people at location.
•Complainant on S. Fairview Drive reported harassing communications.
•Deputy checked for warrant on subject on W. North 2nd Street, Hills.
•Complainant on S. Walnut Street reported vandalism.
Jan. 21
•Complainant reported an outage.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported property was lost at location.
•Complainant on Highway 75, Hardwick, requested information.
•Complainant on E. Lincoln Street reported theft.
•Dead air calls on disconnected land line was reported.
•Complainant requested an explosives permit.
•Complainant on N. Donaldson reported a repossessed vehicle.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue requested a vehicle unlock.
Jan. 22
•Complainant on N. East Park Street and W. Dodge Street reported threats.
•Complainant on W. Interstate Drive reported theft by check.
•Complainant on W. 4th Street, Sioux Falls, reported subject with Rock County warrant.
•Complainant reported fraud.
 
In addition, officers responded to 1 deer accident, 1 motor vehicle accident, 4 vehicles in ditch, 7 escorts, 26 ambulance runs, 4 paper services, 3 animal complaints, 3 fingerprint requests, 14 burn permits, 2 alarms, 19 purchase and carry permits, 4 stalled vehicles, 4 traffic stops, 12 abandoned 911 calls, 5 tests, 2 welfare checks, 1 OFP and 1 follow-up.

Students at Luverne High School performed their one act play Monday night in front of the camera, and the digital recording will be submitted for subsection competition.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools didn’t travel to Pipestone as in past years to present their plays. Instead they made one-take recordings for judging.
The top two play productions advance to the section competition and ultimately to the Feb. 11-13 virtual state contest. The advancing schools are encouraged to record new videos using the judges’ feedback.
Director Joe Stearns selected “Hammered: A Thor and Loki Play,” by Christian Borie, as this year’s one-act play production.
The season began earlier this month.
“It’s been a really short season,” he said.
Due to the uncertainty of a possible season, Stearns said he waited until the Minnesota State High School League released guidelines. In-person rehearsals, in which masks must be worn, started Jan. 4.
The one-act play depicts the Marvel Comic characters as teenagers and focuses on relationships between brothers.
Thor, the God of Thunder, and Loki, the God of Mischief, often competed for the parents’ affections.
The play takes place at the Asgard high school during the passing of exams. Loki tricks Thor into failing.
It is only in reflections back to their days as students that the adults Thor and Loki put aside their petty differences and acknowledge each other’s strengths. In doing so, the two avoid danger and possibly death.
Twelve students make up this year’s one act play cast:
•Xavier Carbonneau as Thor.
•Zoe Perkins, Loki.
•Luke Thorson, adult Thor Odinson and Thor’s father, Odin.
•Josie Golla, Thor’s mother, Freyja.
•Griffen Jarchow, Master Cul and ghost Alti.
•Chance Tunnissen, Master Heimdall and ghost Ellsiv.
•Parker Carbonneau, Ghost Frigg and student Volstagg.
•Pierce Cunningham, Master Forseti and student Fandrai.
•Mia Wenzel, student Sif.
•Grace Ingebretsen, student Hogun.
•Myles Trimble, Master Hoenir.
•Destiny Matthiesen, the Herald.

Card showers
      
       Floyd Kraetsch will celebrate his 90th birthday on Saturday, Jan. 30. Greetings may be sent to him at 216 Cashin Drive, Luverne, MN 56156.
 
       Eunice Ripley will celebrate her 94th birthday on Saturday, Jan. 30. Greetings may be sent to 120 N. Spring Street, Apt. 313; Luverne, MN 56156.

LSS meals at Generations
Monday, Feb. 1: Chicken-fried steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread, fruit.
Tuesday, Feb. 2: Baked chicken, au gratin potatoes, peas, dinner roll, cookie.
Half-Price Day sponsored by American Reformed Church.
Wednesday, Feb. 3: Beef roast with gravy, mashed potatoes with gravy, California Normandy, bread, bar.
Thursday, Feb. 4: Sloppy Joe on a bun, cheesy hashbrowns, baked beans, cookie.
Friday, Feb. 5: Chicken tetrazzini, mixed vegetables, mandarin oranges, Rice Krispie bar.
 
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.