By Sara QuamJewel Stands, the 18-year-old woman accused of hijacking a bus north of Luverne, agreed in a Monday hearing to be committed for further mental evaluation.It was her first court appearance for the alleged Feb. 17 crime.Luverne attorney Ben Vander Kooi is representing Stands.Vander Kooi and Assistant Rock County Attorney Terry Vajgrt came to an agreement on the commitment evaluation.Stands was reportedly on the Jefferson Lines bus from Minneapolis to visit her grandmother in Sioux Falls. Dispatchers received a call from a passenger at about 3 p.m. saying that a passenger had a four-bladed knife and was threatening the bus driver.Several squad cars from Rock County and Minnesota State Patrol caught up with the bus just north of Luverne. The bus continued south through town at about 50 to 60 mph, with officers in front and behind.Rock County Sheriff Mike Winkels said the bus came through town just minutes before school dismissal, so he took extra precautions at intersections.Officers from nearby South Dakota communities were also involved in the stop, just west of Beaver Creek on Interstate 90.Two passengers and the driver were injured.Stands will probably be charged this week with terroristic threat and assault. There is no specific charge for "hijacking."

By Lori EhdeRock and Pipestone counties are taking the fight against meth to a new level with the collaboration of schools, law enforcement and merchants.In its third meeting of the year, members of the Southwest Meth Task Force gathered in the Human Services Building in Luverne Wednesday morning.The group is using a three-pronged approach to combating meth in the two communities: community education, youth education and merchant involvement."We’ve got a big task in front of us," said Rock County Deputy Evan Verbrugge.The task force is organized through the Rock-Pipestone Collaborative, funded through the counties and administered through Rock-Nobles Community Corrections.Verbrugge heads up the community education arm of the group. Lewis Drug pharmacist Craig Hohn leads the merchant committee and Bonnie Burkett, social worker for Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne Schools, handles the youth aspect of the Initiative.The group is chaired by Corrections Director Jon Ramlo, Worthington. But he serves as a group coordinator, guiding members Wednesday to arrive at a formal name and mission statement."This is not a law enforcement task force," Ramlo said. "It’s for the education and prevention of meth use in the area."That statement, members agreed, would serve well as the mission statement.At Wednesday’s meeting they reviewed several options for educating the public about meth. Some materials reveal ingredients used in manufacturing meth, so parents and family members can be alert to the existence of hollowed out light bulbs and ballpoint pens, for example.Others talk about physical and psychological symptoms common in meth addicts.April 5 will be the first deadline for the group’s education function. That’s the date Rock County mails out its property tax statements, and a tri-fold flyer will be inserted in that mailing.It will be produced and photocopied in the County Administrator’s Office based on a similar flyer used in Wright County.The county, schools and other agencies agree it’s important to invest time and money into meth education and prevention, because the long-term costs of addiction in terms of treatment programs, out-of-home placements and incarceration.But the intangible costs are even more damaging.Stephanie Pierce, Luverne Community Hospital, said, "There are personal costs, economic costs, socio-economic costs and psychological costs."The message, the group said, is to not start using meth. "We need to intervene at the earliest possible moment," said Rock County Commissioner Jane Wildung.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek Superintendent David Deragisch and several H-BC School Board members attended School Board Member Day at the Capitol in St. Paul on Monday.The group attended a Minnesota School Board Association meeting in the morning, spent the afternoon in the Capitol attempting to meet with District 22A Rep. Doug Magnus and attended the Alliance for Student Achievement Rally on the front steps of the Capitol.The purpose of the trip was to learn more about the governor’s proposed education bill released last month and to encourage the H-BC school district’s representatives to be a voice for education finance reform in rural areas.Thousands rally at the CapitolNearly 5,000 parents, students, teachers and school officials crowded the steps of the Capitol to let Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislators know public education funding must be made a priority during this legislative session.The crowd was unaffected by the cold weather, snowy lawn or strong winds. They chanted "Fund Our Schools," "Legislate to Educate" and "We are Watching" in between passionate speakers and school marching band performances."Our legislators made a promise to fully fund our schools, but the only thing they have delivered is inadequate funding, larger class sizes, teacher cuts and fewer student programs," said Ken Dragseth, chair of the Alliance for Student Achievement. "Our students do not come to school with ‘democrat’ or ‘republican’ stamped on their foreheads, they come as children."Dragseth is a former National Superintendent of the Year.Other speakers included PTA President Phill Enke, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Tom Keating, as well as a senior student and a grandmother.Tom Keating’s powerful voice complained about a lack of resources in his classroom."I hear the legislative body ask for accountability. If we as teachers need to be accountable, then stop taking the tools away from me that I need to make connections with students. I can’t teach unless I can make that connection."Hills-Beaver Creek School Board Member Ann Boeve said she was astounded by the turnout. She said, "I knew there would be a lot of people, but I never expected the buses to come."But they came. Buses lined the Capitol building and were parked four rows deep along other streets.The rally coincided with the release of Gov. Pawlenty’s Education Bill to the Minnesota legislative body. How the legislators handle this bill will determine how much funding public schools get for the next two years.H-BC board members briefed on legislationLloyd DeBoer, Matt Larson and Ann Boeve, all H-BC School Board members, attended the Minnesota School Board Association’s annual School Board Member Day at the Capitol. House and Senate Education Committee members addressed school leaders from all over Minnesota on K-12 legislative issues. Speakers included District 33B Rep. Barb Sykora, chair of the House K-12 Education Finance Committee, and District 44 Sen. Steve Kelly, chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee. Board members were also updated on legislative activities that could adversely affect their schools and their students.Gov. Pawlenty’s education proposal goes to committee this week. This could change some of the language in the bill depending on how representatives and senators react during the committees.Rep. Sykora and Sen. Kelly highlighted several changes that would be made if the bill, as it currently reads, were to pass:oIncreasing the general education formula 2-percent in each of the next two years.
Changing the formula for education finance by reducing pupil weighting.
Giving local school districts more levying authority.
Adding Q Comp, which would fundamentally change how we pay teachers.
Get Ready, Get Credit, which would mandate that sophomores take an additional standardized test. The test would determine which subject areas the students should concentrate on during their final years in high school.
Creating a statewide insurance group for educators.
Relying on local property taxes to pay for excess special education costs.A visit with Rep. Magnus doesn’t offer board members much hopeH-BC board members and Superintendent Deragisch met with Rep. Magnus following the close of the House of Representatives session late Monday afternoon.They asked tough questions about education funding, but Magnus replied education already accounts for "40 percent of the money in Minnesota’s budget."He said everyone wants more money, but with healthcare costs rising by 25 percent a year, it would be difficult to find more money for education.Deragisch explained that board members can only ask local taxpayers to foot so much of the education bill. But Rep. Magnus directed attention to nursing home and healthcare costs."I can’t come home without money for the nursing homes and salary increases for their workers," Rep. Magnus responded when Boeve asked if education was a priority for him this legislative session.Although he was asked to attend, Magnus did not join the board members at the rally.H-BC board member Larson said, "He just didn’t even attempt to make us feel like he cared."

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFHildegarde Goehle DECEDENTNotice is given that an application for informal probate of the Decedent’s will dated February 17, 1992, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), has been filed with the Registrar. The application has been granted. Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed Charles F. Goehle and Linda Goehle whose addresses are: 514 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne, Minnesota 56156 and 409 N. Cedar, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, respectively, as personal representatives of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representatives or may object to the appointment of the personal representatives. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representatives have full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.Any objections to the probate of the will or appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred./s/ Timothy K. Connell 2/23/05Timothy K. Connell Registrar Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 2/23/05Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney for Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507 283-911156674(3-3, 3-10)

OPEN MARKET BID OPENINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that bids will be opened Friday, March 11, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. for the following: 1 set AB Chance Phasing Sticks (2 sticks)The phasing sticks were used as high voltage testers on a 2.4 kV electrical system and are rated to 16 kV.Submit your bid in a sealed envelope clearly marked "Phasing Sticks Bid" and deliver or mail to: City of Luverne 203 E. Main Street P O Box 659 Luverne, MN 56156Payment shall be due upon acceptance of bid.(3-3, 3-10)

NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTMinnesota Rule 7020.2000, subp. 4NOTICE OF PUPLICATIONFORLIVESTOCK FEEDLOT PERMITNotice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 215, that Arends Farms, has made application to the County of Rock, for a permit to construct a feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more. The proposed feedlot will be located in the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 26 in Vienna Township, Rock County, Minnesota.The proposed facility consists of an 101’x192’ total confinement barn to house 2400 head of swine between 55 and 300 pounds. Using 0.3 animal units per head, total animal units are 720. The building shall have an 101’x192’x8’ poured reinforced concrete pit for manure storage. The total animal unit capacity will be 720.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. (3-3, 3-10)

OPEN MARKET BID OPENINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that bids will be opened Friday, March 11, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. for the following: Approximately 24,000 lbs. of overhead aluminum conductor wire Submit your bid in a sealed envelope clearly marked "Aluminum Conductor Wire Bid" and deliver or mail to: City of Luverne 203 E. Main Street P O Box 659Luverne, MN 56156Successful bidder is responsible for loading and hauling wire. Payment shall be due upon acceptance of bid.(3-3, 3-10)

Summary of Ordinance No. 272, Third Series; relating to land use regulations "Chapter 11" of City CodeThe purpose of the code is to safeguard the health, property and public welfare by controlling the design, location, use or occupancy of all buildings and structures through the regulated and orderly development of land and land uses within the City. The scope this code shall apply to the construction, addition, alteration, moving, repair and use of any building, structure, parcel of land or sign within the City.Permits it is unlawful for any person to hereafter erect, alter, wreck, or move any building or structure, or portions thereof, without first securing a building and/or zoning permit.Fees a fee for service shall be charged as set by the City Council. Certificate of Occupancy shall be obtained before occupying or using any building or portion thereof if such building hereafter erected or structurally altered, or the occupancy/use of any building or portion thereof is altered or changed. Sale of Rental Property A certificate of occupancy shall be obtained when a residential rental property is sold and prior to the transaction closing. Owner Contractor occupancy deposit shall be assessed on all new residential construction not issued to a State licensed contractor (owner contractor). Zoning Districts have remained without significant changes to the requirements for sizes and setbacks, other than some renaming of the commercial districts. Downtown District is the most significant change with it encompassing the "old" B-2, B-1 and R-I districts. This zone reflects the unique mixture of uses in and around the Downtown. A variety of uses fit including, community-scale retail, professional services, public/civic uses, parks, offices, dining and entertainment, banking, lodging, and housing. All new buildings or substantially remodeled buildings shall require a conditional use. It must be shown that this use is compatible with the character and scale of the Downtown district. Dimensional, lot area and setback requirements shall be judged on an individual basis as part of the conditional use application. Flood Plain District, and Planned Unit Development, regulations remain the same.Off-Street Parking requirements remain substantially unchanged. Some modifications were made to adjust for larger vehicles and larger garage spaces. Signs the purpose of this chapter is to protect the safety and orderly development of the community through regulation of signs and sign structures. This chapter has been changed in its entirety to make sizing and shape requirements easier to understand, to include signage that was not addressed in the previous code and to clarify permitting requirements as it applies to signage. Zoning Map has been redrawn in its entirety and is available for review in City Hall. The map is drawn to be consistent with the present City Comprehensive Plan and to the planning for future development. Other sections of this code were not significantly changed as to content in the new edition other than for clarification purposes. (3-3)

BID OPENINGSealed Proposals will be received by the County Engineer of Rock County, Minnesota, at the Rock County Highway Building, 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota until 1:00 P.M. on the 29th day of March, 2005, for Curb and Gutter, Grading, Surfacing and Storm Sewer Improvements, T.H. 75 and C.S.A.H. 37 (131st Street), Luverne, Minnesota, at which time the bids shall be publicly opened and read aloud.The approximate quantities of work on which proposals will be received is as follows: 18,230 Sq. Yds Remove Pavement 31,600 Cu. Yds. Common Excavation 10,200 Ton Class 5 Aggregate Base 17,410 Ton Class 3 Aggregate Base 6,040 Ton Type SP 12.5 Wearing Course Mixture 6,710 Ton Type SP 12.5 Non Wearing Course Mixture 8,348 Lin. Ft. Concrete Curb and Gutter 19,265 Sq. Ft. 4" Concrete Walk 2,888 Lin. Ft. Storm Sewer 27 Each Drainage StructuresAnd other miscellaneous items and related work.All bids shall be made on proposal forms furnished by the Engineer and shall be accompanied by bid security in the form of a certified check or bid bond, made payable to Rock County, Luverne, Minnesota, in the amount of five percent (5%) of the bid, which security becomes the property of the County in the event the successful bidder fails to enter into a contract and post satisfactory bond.The proposed contract is subject to minimum wage rates set forth by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and incorporated into the Specifications.The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities and irregularities.Project manual and drawings may be examined at the office of the County Engineer. Copies of said project manual may be secured from the Rock County Engineer’s Office, 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, telephone 507-283-5010, FAX 507-283-5012, upon payment of thirty-five dollars ($35.00), none of which is refundable.ROCK COUNTY, MINNESOTABy Mark R. Sehr, P.E.County Engineer3-3,3-10,3-17