By John RittenhouseExpect a full field of cars for Saturday’s Bio Fuels Enduro Race, which will serve as the grandstand show for the Rock County Fair that evening.According to Burdette Braun, event chairman for the Rock County Fair Board, 57 drivers have made commitments to compete in the race as of Wednesday.Since the field will be limited to 60 cars, and with five more days remaining to register, Braun said it won’t be a problem to attract three more cars to round out the field."I think we’ll have a good time Saturday night," he said. "I hate to do it, but we might have to turn away a driver or two who try to enter their cars on the night of the race. Hopefully, the rain will stay away and we’ll get in a full race."Driving rains limited the 2004 version of the race to one hour. Since the event reached the half-way mark, race officials declared Luverne’s Greg Vande Velde the winner for completing 71 laps ahead of any other driver.Vande Velde will be on hand to defend his 2004 title Saturday night.Valley Springs (S.D.) driver Jeremy Scadden, who won the July 7 Enduro Race sponsored by the Fair Board, will try to win his second straight race at the Luverne oval.Braun said a majority of the field will consist of Rock County drivers.Two female drivers have committed to the race, and an entry from White Bear Lake has been received.The two-hour, 200-lap race (whichever comes first) is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Gates for the drivers and their crews open at 4:30 p.m. The grandstand gate opens at 6 p.m.

10 years ago (1995)
Luverne now has a support group available to people with the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Six Luverne High School girls were diagnosed with the disorders and more are probably undiagnosed.
The school is considering hiring a technology coordinator who would set up and maintain new computer networking systems and lead staff development and training in technology.25 years ago (1980)
Taxes could increase in some townships if the county board adopts a plan to turn back more than 20 miles of county roads to townships.
Beaver Creek is getting ready to construct a $180,000 water tower.
Eva Cragoe and Fred Greve were named Rock County’s Outstanding Senior Citizens at the fair. 50 years ago (1955)
Rock County 4-H club members showed their abilities and Twila Kraetsch was crowned style queen with Marianna Jul and Corrine Groth named first and second attendants.
Luverne businesses will close at noon Wednesday for the Rock County Fair.
Kenny’s SuperValu advertised free cotton candy all day Saturday for the fair.75 years ago (1930)
A strong storm blew down a barn near Kenneth belonging to Henry Vande Velde.
Unknown marauders broke into the Luverne High School building and public library and pilfered a small sum of money from both places. A fingerprint expert has been called.100 years ago (1905)
The work of decorating the interior of The Manitou, which has been in progress for the past month, is progressing rapidly, the work on the first floor now being completed.
The first threshing reported in Rock County this year was done Friday in a field of eight acres of barley owned by H. Bierkamp.
One-hundred-forty tickets were sold at this place Sunday for the Rock Island excursion to Watertown, S.D.

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse July 14, 2005Acting Chair Bakken called the meeting to order with Commissioners Boyenga and Jarchow present; Commissioners Wildung and Hoime were absent.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the July 19, 2005, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the July 7, 2005, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Boyenga, seconded Jarchow, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Family Foster Care Relicensing – Charles & Georgia Sorenson2. Resolution No. 23-05, an agreement with the state to provide public transportation and providing a local share of 15% for operating costs and 20% of the total capital costs.Randy Ehlers, Family Services Agency Director, presented a review of state operated community based inpatient psychiatric hospitals and briefly discussed the new contract formula; no action was taken.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to approve a land use for Rural Energy Marketing and forward it to the City of Luverne, declared carried on a voice vote. Also renewed the commitment letter for the alternative ethanol project at $60,000.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to authorize a payment of $1,000 to the Southwestern Meth Task Force, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board was informed of an Open House event scheduled for July 29th sponsored by the Soil & Water Conservation District recognizing their 60th anniversary. The County Board was in receipt of a thank you from the Green Earth Players for the county’s contribution of $1,000.00.The County Board received a legislative wrap up from the Association of Minnesota Counties; no action was taken. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims for payment; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to pay the claims, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General Revenue $ 36,898.18 Family Services $ 49,122.72 Road & Bridge $ 62,469.85 Land Management $ 5,828.64 Rural Water $ 0.00 TOTAL $154,319.39Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to authorize the issuance of warrant #47030 payable to the Family Support & Recovery Council for $50.00, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the fund balances, declared carried on a voice vote. Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented an introduction of Justin Decker as the new Technician in the Land Management Office. Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested approval of Resolution No. 24-05, an agreement to State Transportation Fund (Bridge Bonds) Grant Terms and Conditions; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to approve Resolution No. 24-05, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer presented a brief discussion on the County State Aid Highway Maintenance agreement with the City of Luverne. The County Board directed that the agreement be presented at a future county board meeting for further discussion. The Engineer also discussed the current contract and rates with the City of Luverne. Mr. Sehr also presented a construction update informing the County Board that all construction projects are continuing to proceed forward.Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, presented a contract between Rock County and Paulsen Architects for the construction of a new LEC building. The contract was put on hold due to a discussion with the City of Luverne; they are exploring the opportunity of constructing an Emergency Services building that would house law enforcement and fire protection services. The County Board briefly discussed Community Corrections and Public Health Joint Powers Agreements; the county is currently waiting on information from Nobles County regarding their concerns of the joint powers agreement. With no further business to come before the County Board, meeting was declared adjourned. Richard Bakken, Acting Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(8-4)

JUNE 23, 2005MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Thursday, June 23, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Gary Fisher, Stacy Gillette, Marlene Mann, and Patsy Amborn. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Baartman, to approve the agenda with addendum. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the school board minutes of June 3 and June 10, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to approve payment of the district bills in the amount of $933,771.69. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Kopp, to receive the student activity report showing the balances as of May 31, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Stegemann, to set a bid date of July 21, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. to receive bids for bread, milk, building fuel, and vehicle fuels. Motion unanimously carriedMotion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to give approval to the auditor to make those final transfers and adjustments, when they audit the books, that are necessary and according to general accounting principles, resolutions, and standards. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Stegemann, to approve the preliminary budget for the 2005-2006 school year with total revenues of $11,352,220.00 and total expenditures of $11,849,582.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to accept the resignation of Linda Bakken as School Readiness Home Visitor effective June 10, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Baartman, second by Herman, to approve the hiring of Jim Levno as English teacher and Spring Play Adviser for a total salary of $36,930.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Stegemann, to accept the resignation of Sheleen Bauer, English teacher, effective June 15, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Stegemann, to accept the resignation of Kristi Groth, ECFE Parent Educator, effective June 13,2005. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Herman, second by Baartman, to approve the hiring of Melany Geske, as English teacher for a salary of $39,184.00. Motion unanimously carried. No committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Stegemann, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.Dated: June 23, 2005Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(8-4)

July 14, 2005MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A special meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Thursday, July 14, 2005, at 12:00 p.m. The following members were present: Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, Bill Stegemann, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Cary Radisewitz. Also present: Gary Fisher, Stacy Gillette, Marlene Mann and Patsy Amborn. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Superintendent Fisher and Marlene Mann reviewed the ongoing negotiations with the Luverne Education Association. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Herman, to approve the Attachment 99 report and the AWAIR program as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Both of these items must be approved by the School Board in order to receive health and safety funding from the State of Minnesota. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to accept the resignation of Crystal Ellefson, Paraprofessional, effective July 7, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Herman, to approve the hiring of Corey Nelson as part-time Elementary Physical Education teacher, Assistant Boys Basketball coach, 9th grade Assistant Football coach, and Middle School Baseball coach for a total salary of $20,688.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the hiring of Donna Judson as Middle/High School principal for a pro-rated salary of $83,798.00 (based on $87,500.00) with a start date of July 18, 2005. Motion unanimously carriedMotion by Stegemann, second by Herman, to approve the hiring of Craig Schneider as Social Studies teacher, Head Wrestling coach, and Assistant 9th Grade Football coach for a total salary of $35,159.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Baartman, second by Deutsch, to approve the hiring of Laura Louwagie as elementary teacher for a salary of $34,744.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Herman, second by Baartman, to approve the hiring of Heidi Schacht as part-time elementary teacher for a salary of $19,592.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Stegemann, to approve the hiring of Debra Nicolaus as elementary teacher and 9th grade volleyball coach for a total salary of $31,418.00. Motion unanimously carried. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Motion by Baartman, second by Herman, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carriedDated: July 14, 2005Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(8-4)

NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTSMinnesota Rule 7020.2000,subp. 4NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR LIVESTOCK FEEDLOT PERMITNotice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 215, that Barry Bork, has made application to the County of Rock, for a permit to construct an expansion of an existing feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more. The proposed feedlot will be in the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 29 in Rose Dell Township, Rock County, Minnesota.The proposed facility consists of an 101’ x 192’ total confinement barn to house 2400 head of swine between 55 and 300 pounds. Using 0.3 animal units per head, animal units are 720. The building shall have an 101’ x 192’ x 8’ poured reinforced concrete pit for manure storage. Existing permitted animals on the site consist of 100 cow calf pairs housed in a 100’ x 150’ open lot without runoff controls. Using 1.2 animal units per pair, animal units are 120. The total animal unit capacity will be 840. This publication shall constitute as notice to each resident and each owner of real property within 5,000 feet of the perimeter of the proposed feedlot as required by Minnesota State Law. (8-4)

Auditions set for "Don’t Hug Me"Green Earth Players have set the dates for their next auditions.The play "Don’t Hug Me" is being billed by the group as a cross between "Fargo" and "The Music Man."The group is looking for a relatively small cast that includes three men and two women. Some singing is required.Auditions for the play will be held at the Green Earth Players building, one block east of Ace Hardware.Times for the auditions will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug 21, and again at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 22. If you would like to try for your moment on stage, give Shawn a call at 507-227-8215.The play will be performed at the Palace Theatre on October 21-23 and again on October 28-30.Sioux Valley wins Minnesota governor’s awardThe Minnesota Safety Council has awarded a Governor’s Safety Award to Sioux Valley Energy for excellence in workplace safety and health.Carol Bufton, president of the Minnesota Safety Council, said, " Employers like Sioux Valley Energy understand that a commitment of safety benefits both their employees and their bottom line."Don Marker, general manager of Sioux Valley Energy, credited giving Sioux Valley employees the training and equipment necessary to do the job safely, effectively and efficiently for their safety success.Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards have spotlighted Minnesota employers with above-average safety records. Participants submit injury information for comparison with State and national data, as well as the entrant’s past performance.‘New sheriff in town’ looking for volunteer convictsNo, I’m not talking about Sheriff Winkels.The Muscular Dystrophy Association is looking to arrest some local "Luverne Convicts" on Thursday August 18.The volunteer convicts will be locked up and serve time in a mock jail at the Magnolia Steakhouse in an effort to raise money for the local Muscular Dystrophy Association.The MDA lock-up will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will be sentenced to "raise "bail" by calling friends and encouraging them to make contributions to advance MDA’s programs.This year MDA hopes to have more than 25 Luverne business leaders serving their sentence behind bars for the MDA cause.The money raised will go toward providing serves to over 500 families in the tri-state area.MDA also provides physical and occupational therapy, assistance in the purchase and repair of orthopedic equipment and MDA summer camp.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Each year during the Bremer family vacation, my niece Savanna and I embark on a fantasy adventure in the kayaks. Last year we were Lewis and Clark and we paddled around on Lake Geneva until we discovered the source of the Mississippi River and the state of South Dakota. The 2005 adventure was a little more daring. We were Glenda and Savanna Armstrong, little-known twin sisters of Neil Armstrong (space explorer) and cousins to Lance Armstrong (bicycle racer). It so happens that the Armstrong sisters were out exploring space when, suddenly and without warning, their spaceship crashed into a giant ocean on the moon. Fortunately, the kayaks were not destroyed in the crash. Unfortunately, they were doomed to live in the kayaks forever because underneath the surface of ocean were fierce space aliens (the weeds) that ate human beings. The Armstrong girls paddled by several large landmasses, but they were inaccessible because of the giant elder space aliens (the trees) along the shoreline. On occasion the Armstrong space explorers observed what appeared to be human beings walking upon the landmass. As it turns out, they were indeed human beings at one time, but the giant elder space aliens had sucked their brains out. Now they were the "living dead" doomed to wander aimlessly on the landmass forever. As Glenda and Savanna Armstrong paddled about on the ocean of the moon, they came upon a collection of unusually attractive space aliens (the lily pads). The girls were happy to learn that this was an alien population striving to better themselves ... so they didn’t have to be afraid. Continuing on their journey of survival, the Armstrongs paddled up to their crashed spacecraft (the water trampoline) that was floating in the ocean. They boarded the wreckage in search of components that could be used to build a rocket that could fly them safely home to earth. In a near-fatal accident, Glenda Armstrong sprained her thumb trying to board the unstable craft. Savanna Armstrong, however, was more agile than her uncoordinated twin sister and escaped unscathed from the mission. Suddenly a "living dead" appeared on the shore of the landmass and announced that it was suppertime. Reluctantly, the Armstrong girls returned to the Bremer girls and they beached the kayaks on shore. The water trampoline returned, the trees didn’t suck anyone’s brains out, and the lily pads weren’t striving to be anything but lily pads. But, as they ate supper that night with the other Bremers and played on the beach with fellow vacationers, they had serious concerns about the continued threat of the "living dead." Safely out of the clutches of the living dead, the Bremer girls are back in town; and I’m back at work cataloging fabulous new fiction. On the shelf this week is "Long Time Gone," by J.A. Jance. After more than 20 years of distinguished service with the Seattle Police Department, Jonas Beaumont is now working for the Washington Special Homicide Investigation Team. An eyewitness to a 50-year-old murder has just come forward, and Beau has been handpicked to lead the investigation. While undergoing hypnotherapy, a middle-aged nun unexpectedly recalls the grisly details of a cold-blooded killing she witnessed when she was five years old. Though fear has kept these memories repressed for half a century, they've now risen to the surface to cast a harsh light on a deadly plot that spans two generations. And Beau's caught in the glare, facing a ruthless band of co-conspirators willing to go to any lengths to keep their secrets hidden. Also new on the shelf is "Cinderella Hour," by Katherine Stone. Sixteen years ago, Snow Ashley Gable fled Chicago, running away from the kind of loss that comes with love, from a friendship that turned into betrayal. Now 31, Snow is bringing her successful late-night radio talk show, The Cinderella Hour, home to Chicago. For Snow, there are risks in returning — risks and fears: The father she never knew: The mother who acted out one dangerous fantasy after another: The high-school heiress who uncovered Snow's greatest secrets. And Luke Kilcannon, the troubled boy she loved

Luverne-Ashcreek RailroadThe following appeared in the Rock County Herald on November 9, 1934:Luverne-Ashcreek Rail Removal Is CompletedAll of Segment Torn Up Except Portion Between the Omaha Yards and Gravel Pit South of CityFoley Bros., of St. Paul, finished Friday evening the removal of most of the rails and ties on the Doon branch of the Omaha railroad between Luverne and Ashcreek. The portion of the track running from the Omaha yards to the gravel pit just south of the city was left intact, as was a 100-foot spur extending south from the pit, serving the purpose of a switching track. Through an arrangement made in connection with the recent Interstate Commerce commission order permitting abandonment of the Luverne-Ashcreek segment, the tracks were left in place between the city and the gravel pit to permit hauling gravel by rail from that place. Recent soundings indicate that the pit still has a vast potential supply of usable gravel. The job was under way for nearly a week, and gave employment during that period to forty men, about half of whom were local laborers, and the others being from the cities. Practically all removed rails were so worn as to be classified as scrap iron, and were shipped to the Omaha yards at St. James. The large supply of ties will be issued to families on relief lists in Rock county, through the county relief organization. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.