Marquee gets another upgradeThe Palace Marquee, which recently received a $20,000 overhaul, is undergoing another upgrade.A couple of months ago, Ace Neon Signs Company, Sioux Falls, removed the entire marquee and took it to their shop in Sioux Falls.Over the course of a month or so, the sign not only got a new paint job, the neon tubing as well as the sockets for the incandescent bulbs were replaced.When the sign was installed, the BMAT board realized the side panels, which had been chasing lights, were now just flashing lights, not the way it was supposed to be.So if you drive down Main Street and notice the end caps are missing, they are back in Sioux Falls getting redone so they can chase again as they had in the past.The end caps, where the letters showing upcoming attractions are placed, should be back up by as early as the end of this week.Work begins on Highway 75 On Wednesday, May 11, the road construction project began on Highway 75 and 131st Street.The project extends from just south of Veterans Drive on Highway 75 to the intersection with 131st Street, the road that runs on the north edge of the new hospital property.A primary purpose of the Highway 75 project is to lower the height of the intersection of the two roads.The work on 131st Street includes applying blacktop as well as installing curb and gutter.The project is expected to take 8 to 10 weeks, which would put its completion in early to mid July.The official detour route includes County Highways 5, 6 and 8.College can be expensive; do you need help?Conservative estimates on college costs are from $10,000 to $30,000.If you choose to go to one of the more expensive schools in the country, you can spend from $40,000 to $100,000.Although there are a lot of scholarships for students with excellent grades, kids from low-income families, and future NBA stars, there are scholarship dollars for a variety of other students as well.According to the U.S. Commission for Scholastic Assistance, there are millions of dollars available to students from private sector scholarships, but much of the available money goes unused because parents don’t know how or where to apply for it.The commission supplies the public with over 1000 different private scholarships sources.The scholarship list include the scholarship names, addresses, application deadlines, summaries about the scholarships and the amount the scholarship will pay your child.While some scholarships pay the entire tuition, others allow money to be put toward living expenses and other fees.Most scholarships can be used at junior colleges, career and vocational schools, four year colleges, graduate schools, as well as medical and law schools.If you would like to obtain the scholarship list, send a self-addressed, stamped business-size #10 envelope to the U.S. Commission for Scholastic Assistance, P.O. Box 650067, Potomac Falls, VA 20165-0067.Historical Society sets second of tri-annual meetingsIf you would like to become involved in the Rock County Historical Society, put May 23 on your calendar.The second of their three annual meetings will feature Ida Reverts, who will speak on Rock County Century Farms.The group also reported $675 income from their latest steak fry fund-raiser at the Luverne Eagles Club.Some of the activities coming up in the next few months they would like you to know about include:
May 19: Salad Luncheon at the American Legion Hall.
June 11: A barn dance at the Century Barn of the fairgrounds.
August 18: An ice cream social on the lawn of the Hinkly House.
September 20: The annual dinner and raffle at the Blue Mound Banquet Center.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

It was disappointing to sit through Monday night’s special City Council meeting that resulted in the no-cause termination of Administrator Greg La Fond. Beyond being disappointing (because all the discussion went on behind closed doors) — it was probably illegal.Whether people agree or disagree with the end result, it is too bad for the 30 or so people in attendance and the readers of this paper that the real reasons for termination couldn’t be on the record. The "rolling quorum" of decision makers who met in small groups violates the principle, if not the letter, of Minnesota’s open meeting law.I am sure the Council was afraid of lawsuits for openly discussing personnel issues. But by meeting privately, they violated the request of La Fond, who wanted the discussion open. I won’t go on and on, shaking my finger at our tired and stressed Council members. I just hope they don’t operate in the same way in the future. And I also hope they don’t share things with their coffee shop friends while closing the meeting to the less privileged of us who still want to know public business.Speaking of furrowing my browTo me, "He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother" was a song about a piggy-back ride with a fat sibling … and I thought Credence Clearwater Revival was really giving directions to a "bathroom on the right." So Gwen Stefani’s new hit "Hollaback Girl" has proven puzzling to me. For many songs, I either hear the lyrics wrong, or my literal brain misinterprets them.Bachman Turner Overdrive’s "Takin’ Care of Business" could just as well be about bakin' carrot biscuits. ("Everyday!") And many people thought the Hendrix song "Purple Haze" had the words, "’Scuse me while I kiss this guy" instead of "’Scuse me while I kiss the SKY."At first I thought Stefani’s song was "hollow-back" girl, meaning a girl who lacked a round rear end, perhaps. After a few times, though, I can now make out the lyrics … but still don’t understand them. I think it’s about cheerleaders fighting over nasty rumors … and then they eat fruit.Until performers start enunciating properly and until writers come up with lyrics easier to interpret, I’ll have to rely on a karaoke screen to know the words and for my cooler friends to tell me the meaning.

10 years ago (1995)
Luverne Municipal Airport has a new name — Quentin Aanenson Field. Aanenson is a Luverne native and graduate of Luverne High School who is well known for the public television documentary, "A Fighter Pilot’s Story," which he created to detail his experiences as a pilot in Europe during World War II.
Less than 10 percent of Rock County’s corn is planted and about 1 percent of soybeans are in. The ground is too wet and farmers are becoming nervous.
Harold Tilstra, Cary Radisewitz and Paul Doherty ran for Luverne School Board.25 years ago (1980)
In a special election, the majority of voters in the Magnolia School District voted to dissolve the school effective July of 1981. The margin was 55 percent for dissolving and 45 percent against.
Rock County met with property owners to discuss issues with expanding the landfill.
Jerilyn Britz, Luverne native and winner of the U.S. Women’s Open Golf Tournament last July, is featured in "Christian Life" magazine. She said she asks God to remove the fear from her game before she plays.50 years ago (1955)
The Hills Christian Reformed School held graduation exercises last Friday evening for five eighth-grade graduates, namely Betty Berghorst, Charles DeBoer, Anna Jean Esselink, Charles Top and Leland Van Tol.
Arthur Goembel of the Magnolia Juniors 4-H Club was the winner of the annual 4-H Talent Contest in Luverne, singing a baritone solo, "Service."75 years ago (1930)
Alfalfa acreage in Rock County increased from 4,601 acres in 1925, to 7,604 acres in 1929, or an increase of 60 percent.
New Census reports show a decrease in Luverne’s population. The population of Luverne is 2,641, compared to 1920, when there was a population of 2,782.
C.W. Soutar of the Boote Hatchery plant is constructing the most elaborate chicken house in the county that will house 1,200 laying hens.100 years ago (1905)
A civil service examination for rural free delivery service carriers was held Saturday by Postmaster M. Swedberg in the high school building, for the selection of a carrier for route No. 4, which will be started from the Luverne post office June 1.
There were six cases of tardiness recorded during the school year in Luverne, the lowest number ever.

By Lori EhdeRock County’s record number of feedlots under construction has area residents wondering how it will affect them and the environment.Doug Bos, assistant director of Rock County’s Land Management Office, said he can tell that people are concerned."We are getting calls and we are getting questions," he said.There may be as many as 25 new feedlot projects in Rock County this year. Last year, by comparison, there were four major constructions and expansions and three modifications (to manure pits and filter strips, for example).Common concerns aren’t only with the smell generated by cattle feedlots and hog confinements, but with the effect on the environment.Conditions are ripe in Rock County for conflict and animosity among neighbors when livestock facilities are built. "It can be a really touchy issue," Bos said. But he said both livestock producers and their neighbors are fortunate there’s a good plan in place to guide the process."We have good safeguards – checks and balances – in place," he said.There are four major entities dictating feedlot construction in Rock County:
Local feedlot ordinance: Rock County was the leader in the state more than 10 years ago when its planning and zoning commission adopted its own feedlot ordinance specifically for feedlots. It’s stricter than the state and federal guidelines, and it was updated and rewritten in 2000.
State feedlot law, known as Rule 7020, regulates feedlots and expansions in Minnesota.
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board oversees environmental impact of feedlots and expansions, and
Federal EPA rules. Has its own set of rules that governs feedlots.Permitted facilities are reviewed annually, and all registered feedlots are reviewed every four years."If people knew how many hoops producers had to jump through, they’d be more than surprised," Bos said. "It would help to ease concerns."Worth the paperworkLuverne’s Dean Tofteland is involved with two new site constructions and an expansion at his own farm."It’s a bigger process than I ever envisioned," he said. "But I feel confident in our Rock County officials and lawmakers. … The plan in place is really a good one."One of his new barns is owned by Titan, a group of Pipestone veterinarians who are purchasing land southwest of Hardwick from Tofteland. The location will house 2,400 hogs, which Titan will custom feed.He said the permitting process has helped everyone learn more about his intentions and about the local feedlot industry."There are large integraters putting up barns in Rock County, but Titan is just a group of young vets who are willing to invest in local agriculture," Tofteland said.He and the Titan vets are part of a larger group of 35 local investors in North Star Family Farms, which will own the hogs in the new barn. "It’s one way we can compete — by working together."Tofteland said the feedlot permitting process has allowed neighbors to be involved in the placement of the Titan barn, and plans have relocated the facility twice to a location suitable to most involved. "We’re trying to be good neighbors," he said."We didn’t have to move it, but when you put a barn up, it’s a big deal and it can impact people for a long time in the future."Feedlot Friendly vs. Good NeighborsBos said he gets the most calls from people concerned about proximity of facilities to residences.But he said Rock County’s feedlot ordinance is among the strictest in the state with regard to setback limits of facilities from residences.Last year, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty was promoting Minnesota as "feedlot friendly," Rock County didn’t make the list because its feedlot ordinance was too strict."We required too much distance between feedlots and residents to qualify," Bos said.Rock County requires a half-mile setback between a new feedlot and a residence. The state recommends a quarter mile.The local zoning ordinance requires a conditional use permit and hearing for new construction or expansions involving more than 1,000 animal units.At this hearing, the public can voice opinions to affect the Planning and Zoning Commission and County Board’s decision.A conditional use permit is also required for an expansion of more than 250 animal units if there’s a neighbor within a quarter mile.The state requires that any feedlot with more than 500 animal units comply by the "Good Neighbor Statute," which requires public notification in the local paper and certified mailing to landowners within 5,000 feet of the proposed construction.In this case, the neighbors can’t voice opinions to affect outcomes, but Bos said it’s the "good neighbor" thing to do, just to let people know what’s going on."It lets people know the producer is going through the correct procedures to properly permit the facility."Environmental protectionOne reason for Rock County’s strict feedlot ordinance is that shallow, vulnerable aquifers supply local drinking water.Through Global Information Systems data, the Land Management Office has mapped Rock County’s Drinking Water Supply Management Areas. "That’s where we get all of our drinking water from," Bos said.County officials are particularly sensitive to feedlot construction in these areas, and the local ordinance prohibits construction or expansion within 300 feet (about a football field) of the drinking water supply areas.Also protecting the environment are manure application plans required by all livestock producers going through the permitting process.Manure application plans require agreements with area crop produders to allow application of manure ontheir ground.These plans spell out where and how much manure will be applied, based on the soil’s nutrient management plan.These are also reviewed every four years.Since manure is used instead of commercial fertilizers, the process is both economical and environmentally responsible.Tofteland, who also farms crop land in several areas of the county, said he’s glad to sign the manure management agreements."I’ll take the manure," he said. "I’ve got two choices. I can purchase commercial, synthetic fertilizer, or I can utilize an environmentally friendly, organic, renewable fertilizer made from manure. When properly managed, it’s very good for the crops and safe for the environment."

By Sara QuamThe city of Luverne is offering a neighboring lot to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for its planned expansion.The city bought the lot for $30,000 and offered to sell it for that much.According to City Administrator Greg La Fond, the Fire Hall still has room for expansion there if needed.Holy Trinity would own the lot south of the church to the alleyway.Sioux Valley hookupsSioux Valley Hospitals and Health System questioned a water and sewer hookup fee of $12,179.39 for the new hospital and clinic.The fee is typical for new construction, but Sioux Valley is questioning whether it is owed, since it had a special development agreement with the city.La Fond said the development agreement extended water and sewer to the boundaries of the property at no extra cost, but the hookups to services still should have the assessments.Because of the different interpretations, La Fond brought it to the Council to discuss.Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said he understood how there could be confusion.Council member Esther Frakes said the Council should get a legal opinion before acting on the matter.The Council will bring it back to the table at a future meeting.In other business Tuesday, the Council:
Approved a loan to the Luverne Hockey Association for a new air compressor costing $165,000. The city will be repaid at 4 percent interest in semi-annual payments of $7,000.
Accepted the Fire Department resignation of Tom Nelson, who has served for 20 years.
Accepted low bids for two pickups from Papik Motors, one for the Public Works Department at $16,608 and one for the Electric Utility at $20,080. Both factor in trade-ins and sales tax.

By Lori EhdeA Luverne High School student was diagnosed last week with whooping cough, and parents and local medical professionals are on alert for additional cases."It is very important that you be aware of the signs and symptoms of pertussis," school nurse Deb Vander Kooi wrote in a letter that went home with all students in the district Monday.Because it’s highly contagious for everyone and potentially lethal for infants, Vander Kooi said the Minnesota Health Department is urging precautions.Early symptoms are similar to a common cold — a runny nose, possible low-grade fever and a mild cough. After a week or two, a persistent cough develops."The cough occurs in a burst and may end with a high-pitched whooping sound and sometimes vomiting," the letter states.Vander Kooi said the disease is new to her office."I don’t know if I have ever in my life seen someone with whooping cough," Vander Kooi said.She said the Luverne High School student had symptoms that appeared to be a run-of-the-mill cold.But the student’s mother learned Friday afternoon that the child had tested positive for whooping cough."So I called the Department of Health to find out what their protocol is for something like this," Vander Kooi said.Health officials sent Vander Kooi a form letter to customize with local information and disperse to all students Monday.She also contacted local public health officials and Luverne Medical Center.Dr. Judy Chesley at the clinic said she knew neighboring states and even the Twin Cities metro areas had seen whooping cough outbreaks, so she wasn’t necessarily surprised by the fact that there was a local case."It’s nice to be made aware so you can be a bit more diligent in diagnosing," Chesley said."It’s one of those things the Department of Health takes very seriously. It’s a miserable disease."The pertussis vaccine is administered to children in a series of shots from infancy to preschool. It’s been available at least as far back as the 1950s.Despite Rock County’s high rate of infant vaccinations, the pertussis immunity decreases over time.Chesley said a change in the pertussis vaccine (to lessen children’s reaction to the shot) 10 to 15 years ago may have something to do with the recent recurrence of whooping cough in middle school and high school-age children."I still support vaccination, but I think there will be a decision about booster shots," she said. Even if the local diagnosis doesn’t signify an outbreak, Vander Kooi said that the public needs to be aware whooping cough is in the community."So it’s in the back of your mind if you have the symptoms. ‘Could this be whooping cough?’" Vander Kooi said.Older children and adults can be treated with antibiotics, but the earlier the diagnosis, the more successful the treatment."It’s the infants that get very sick," Vander Kooi said. "They can quickly get bacterial pneumonia."Monday’s letter sent home with students goes on to further describe whooping cough."Between bursts of coughing, the person appears well. Coughing attacks may continue for four to six weeks and are more common at night. Pertussis can lead to pneumonia, particularly in infants.A child with a cough illness of at least seven days, or a child with severe coughing spells, especially vomiting after coughing, should be evaluated by a health care provider."Like flu viruses, pertussis is highly contagious and tends to pass quickly from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Young children are vaccinated against whooping cough with the pertussis vaccine. However, the vaccine is only approved for children younger than 7 years old. Immunity wanes in about 10 years, leaving older individuals more susceptible to the disease. Adults get infected, often to a lesser degree, but they are still able to spread the disease to unimmunized children. People with questions or concerns can call Nobles Rock Public Health, 283-5066, or Luverne Medical Center, 283-4476.Chesley said information can also be found at www.health.state.mn.us/immunize.

By Sara QuamLuverne Mayor Andy Steensma broke a tie vote resulting in the termination of City Administrator Greg La Fond Monday.Esther Frakes made the motion to terminate La Fond without cause effective May 27. Maynard Lafrenz seconded the motion. Councilmen Bob Kaczrowski and Pat Baustian voted against the motion to terminate.La Fond, who has a salary of $83,345, will receive six months severance pay and benefits. He will also collect unemployment until he gets another job. (He was recently a finalist for city administrator in Zimmerman.)The 4:30 p.m. meeting was posted closed for an executive session to "evaluate the performance" of La Fond.La Fond requested the meeting be open, but the Council wanted to privately discuss the issues, so it went into recess.During the recess, City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said council members could legally meet, provided it wasn’t in a quorum. So Vander Kooi and groups of one and two went into a room behind Council Chambers to talk. First, Vander Kooi, Kaczrowski, Steensma and La Fond met for about 25 minutes, when La Fond returned to chambers.It was 5:10 p.m. when all had finished meeting privately. Mayor Steensma said, "We’ve had some discussion and talked about some of our options."The vote to terminate was taken at that time.There was no performance evaluation in the usual sense to come out of the special meeting.Frakes said after the vote, "I just wanted to acknowledge the city employees because I know Greg worked extremely well with staff, but the city needs to go in a new direction."David Hauge, a Luverne resident and former council member, requested that the council allow him to make a statement after the vote, but his request was denied.The good, the badSteensma said the private discussions outside of Chambers included an effort to keep La Fond, but to modify his job description in ways La Fond wouldn’t sign off on.Many city employees and department heads have said they appreciated La Fond’s presence — from his more than 30 years of government knowledge to his leadership style to the homemade meals and treats he shared at City Hall.Steensma said, "I never ran into an employee of the city who had a bad thing to say about Greg. … He deserves credit for some things he did, but there were other things that the Council didn’t agree with."Some projects that La Fond took charge of were seen as poor uses of time that caused conflict between the city and other government units or individuals.For instance, $1.93 billing discrepancy was a recent controversy between La Fond and Rock County. Rock County overcharged the city $1.93 for data requests. La Fond wrote letters informing the State Department of Administration and the county of the overcharge.The county issued a check to the city to make up for the $1.93, but the city wouldn’t cash it until the state issued an opinion on the matter. This particular problem originated with a data request by the city administrator to the county for per diem claims for county commissioners. The county viewed the request as an audit by the city administrator and just one more small pot to stir. The County Attorney’s Office had to respond to the matter and said in a letter, "We have tried to provide a response while at the same time recognizing that in a small county with limited resources, we cannot spend hours upon hours of public time and money responding to a $1.93 issue."Moving onIn order to avoid the severance pay, the City Council would have had to prove that there was a willful neglect of duty, gross inefficiency, inability to perform the job, or wrongful or illegal acts on the job.Councilman Kaczrowski said he would have liked to continue working with La Fond. He said, "I still believe he’s got a lot of talents for Luverne. His style or personality was different, but he has a lot of skills that we’ll miss."Kaczrowski said he wished there could have been more compromise between some members of the council and La Fond.The council doesn’t have immediate plans of action for how or when to start the hiring process for another administrator.Steensma said, "Greg said he’d help get things together between now and May 27 and help everything go smoothly, so that was good."La Fond had kind words for his employees and council members. "I want to take this opportunity to thank the current and former Council members for their concern and dedication for the citizens of the city," La Fond said. "Most of all, I want to thank city department heads and employees for their wonderful support and cooperation during my tenure as city administrator. Together, and I stress that word together, we worked to resolve the issues facing the city and move forward."Matt Hylen was the most recent city administrator, who left in March of 2003. Between Hylen and La Fond, local attorney Jeff Haubrich served as interim administrator.

By Lexi MooreThis Saturday the Hills Fire House will be overflowing with activity. The Hills Firemen’s Auxiliary will host a bake sale while the firemen open the garage doors and invite residents in for an open house.The Hills Firemen’s Auxiliary was started last fall by Stephanie Bundesen and Lisa Durst. The women said they felt the community needed an organization that was prepared to support both the firemen and families of the community during tragic events.In November 2004, individuals met for their first meeting and election. Lisa Durst was elected president, and Staci Bundensun is vice president. At the first meeting the group outlined their goals and functions within the Hills community.Their mission statement reads, "Our group will provide community aid when appropriate and necessary."Aid they plan to offer includes meals and coffee to tired firemen, shelter to displaced families, clothing drives and emotional support to victims of tragic events.Group members say they’re thankful they have not had to put their services to use, but they’re prepared when such an instance arises.Saturday the Auxiliary will have their first fund-raiser at the Hills Fire House. Between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. members will be selling various homemade baked goods to raise money.They encourage residents to stop in to learn more about the auxiliary and its new role in the community.Department Open HouseThe Hills Fire Department is hosting an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Fire House in Hills.Hills volunteer firemen will serve burgers and brats for $6. The money made during the open house will go toward the purchase of a new water tank truck.The department has been working with members of the Hills City Council and Martin Township on purchasing a new or used water tank sometime in the next year.The department will replace the old water truck with a new tanker that could hold more water. The truck would give the department the ability to spend more time putting out fires and less time driving back and forth from their water sources.A new truck will cost the department, city and township between $85,000 and $95,000. The department will be responsible for covering costs that exceed $90,000.Firemen will give demonstrations of their equipment, including a Jaws of Life they purchased this spring.

By Lexi MooreHills residential property values saw a 6 percent increase between Oct. 1, 2003, and Oct. 30, 2004.Tom Houselog and Mark Hovland from the Rock County Auditor’s Office joined Tuesday’s Hills City Council meeting for their annual Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting.According to Houselog, the increase is largely due to the sale of residential new construction land sales within Hills city limits. Land for new construction totaled $217,117 last year.Houselog was excited to report that the housing market in Hills continues to grow in 2005."It is good the market is climbing. There have been a number of sales for 2005," said Houselog. "You have a very strong market, almost like Luverne."Sales in 2005 have already surpassed totals from 2004, which could mean changes to residents’ estimated market values."The sales will necessitate an increase in values in the future," said Houselog.Commercial property values in Hills were down 3.3 percent in 2004. Farm property value increased by 12 percent, which coincides with farmland throughout Rock County.