By Sara QuamThe city of Luverne and Rock County are close to an agreement on a law enforcement contract, which they said would be finalized by Feb. 15.It appears that the city will pay $604,000 for the 2005 contract. Then, through 2010, the city of Luverne will pay 5 percent more per year.The county took prisoner medical care and room and board out of the base cost, which was a point of contention with the city of Luverne. The county first set the contract with the city at $669,000, so it has to make up the difference in other parts of its budget.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said the road and bridge fund is the likely target. It will be reduced by $107,000 to pay for the lost law enforcement revenue and to pay for the county’s half of the Pool and Fitness Center government contribution, which wasn’t budgeted this year.Details comingCounty and city representatives got together Monday night in a special liaison meeting to discuss the contract.A part of the contract includes information sharing with the city of Luverne. Sheriff Mike Winkels said, "On a quarterly basis we could break it down for you and you’d get an idea of what calls for service we’re doing."Winkels said he and dispatchers would come up with recent data to show the city what current software is capable of. The city is interested in knowing where crime occurs and at what frequency and type. Mayor Andy Steensma said, "Patterns may help us assess what changes need to be made or just help us learn more."Winkels said some things don’t show in statistics on dispatch records. For instance, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. officer presence in Luverne may deter crime. He said the department doesn’t record "initial complaint reports" for work such as officers talking to suspicious people or doing vehicle checks.

By Lori EhdeA suspect is in custody after deputies repsonded to an early-morning car theft report Wednesday in Luverne.According to information from the Rock County Sheriff's Department, James Fisher had dropped off Jon Mollberg on East Dodge Street when a man on a bicycle approached them.Sheriff Mike Winkels said 20-year-old Daniel Lee Ronan, Luverne, confronted them, and after an altercation, stole Fisher's 1996 Monte Carlo. At nearly 2 a.m. Wednesday, it was reported stolen, and deputies recovered the vehicle in the 900 block of South Highway 75.Ronan reportedly fled the vehicle on foot, but deputies chased him and arrested him a block later.Ronan is held in the Prairie Justice Center pending charges.The car was returned to Fisher with light damage.

By Lori EhdeFlu season is reaching a fever pitch as schools, nursing homes and work places are affected by illness.In the past couple of weeks, Influenza A has been making it’s rounds in Luverne Public Schools."Kids that come down with it have a bad headache, then fever and cough, and they’re achy all over," said school nurse Deb Vander Kooi."They can come to school just fine, and they get the temp and the headache … so it hits quickly."As of Monday, 45 students were out sick, campus-wide (roughly 1,200 students), but at the height of the outbreak, more than 110 were missing in a single day.She said it started in the middle school Jan. 10, and then moved to the high school, and now the elementary school students are getting sick."There were 35 kids out today, so we’re not over it yet," elementary secretary Gail Jahn said Tuesday."There are still some pretty sick kids out there. Some are getting it twice, and some are getting over it and coming down with other things."Students typically miss three days, but in some cases students missed an entire week.Vander Kooi said one teacher on Tuesday had five kids missing from the classroom. According to one parent, her child had Influenza A and B and strep throat.She said the flu outbreak in school this year could be attributed to the vaccine shortage."Some families always go in for their shots, and obviously they couldn’t do that this year," Vander Kooi said."I don’t remember having it last this long in other years. I think it’s worse this year."Vander Kooi said she recommends students stay home 24 hours after they’ve had a fever.Hills-Beaver Creek schools also reported that student numbers are now leveling off after an outbreak there as well.Rock County’s flu outbreak is indicative of what’s happening statewide, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.Reports of influenza in the state have increased markedly in recent weeks and have come from all regions of the state. But, because flu season often peaks in March or even April, department officials are still encouraging people to seek a flu shot if it’s available in their communities.People over age 50, children 6 to 23 months, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions are especially urged to get a shot if they haven’t already done so.It takes about one to two weeks for a flu shot to become fully effective.People are encouraged to talk to their doctors about getting a shot, but local public health officials have no vaccine available at this time.The Minnesota Department of Health offers the following guidelines to avoid getting influenza:oDo your best to stay healthy. Get plenty of rest, moderate exercise and eat right.oStay home from school or work if you have a respiratory infection. Avoid exposing yourself to others who are sick with flu-like illness.oCover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.oWash your hands often with soap and water, or with an alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizer.oClean surfaces you touch frequently, such as door knobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones.More information on influenza can be found at www.mdhflu.com.

10 years ago (1995)
Blue Mounds State Park has a noxious weed problem that area residents want corrected. Specifically, Canadian thistle flourished as park officials were concerned about chemical use and restoring native prairie.
Adrian and Luverne hospitals signed a joint management contract, with Jerry Carl serving as administrator for both.
Charlie Braa adjusted to retirement after working as the County Auditor for 24 years. He said, "I gave it my best shot… It was the most exciting and fulfilling job I’ve ever had in my life. I loved my job."25 years ago (1980)
Work on the Human Services Building is on schedule. The new county building on North Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne will provide offices for the Southwestern Mental Health Center, Family Services, Community Health Services and Veterans Services.
Rock and Nobles counties are working on an agreement whereby Nobles County will house prisoners from Rock County on a first priority basis.
Steve Smedsrud and James Keiper earned the Arrow of Light Award, the highest honor given Cub Scouts. 50 years ago (1955)
Records show that 225 babies were born in Rock County last year and 62 deaths.
Hunters from all over Rock County were invited to take part in the big rabbit hunt for the benefit of the March of Dimes. The objective is to bag as many jackrabbits as possible. Rabbits are worth 40 cents each.
Harley Jensen applied to the city of Luverne for a permit to open a roller skating rink.75 years ago (1930)
Complete control of the Home Automotive company was acquired Monday evening when Otto Bjerkamp and Esmonde L. Connell purchased the interests of seven other stockholders, all of whom are heirs of the late Henry and Sophia Bjerkamp.
All county teachers were required to attend four days of a teachers institute. There will be special presentations on arithmetic and citizenship. Supt. Garrett will report the results of the test surveys made last fall on achievement and mental examinations.
Luverne Mercantile Co. advertised grocery prices for the week: Swift’s white soap, 10 bars for 35¢; two pound cartons of lard for 29¢; three pounds of canned salmon for 87¢, and three pounds of bananas for 25¢.100 years ago (1905)
The Sioux Falls Produce company has started a cream station at Steen, under the supervision of A.C. Tangemann.
Dr. F.W. Winter finished closing up his business affairs in this city Wednesday afternoon and will open a practice in Rock Rapids.

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFHazel C. Hoiland, a/k/a Hazel Hoiland DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on February 28, 2005, at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at the Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated November 17, 2004, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will’), and for the appointment of Deanna Dawson whose address is: 1309 N. Olde Wagon Road, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Timothy K. Connell 1/27/04Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 1/27/04Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzie Box 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507-283-911156674(2-3, 2-10)

JANUARY 5, 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 Wednesday, January 5, 2005, at 12:00 p.m. The following members were present: Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer and Marlene Mann. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the school board minutes of December 16, 2004. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to cast a unanimous ballot for the following officers: Chairperson – Becky Walgrave, Vice-Chairperson – Bill Stegemann, Clerk – Colleen Deutsch, and Treasurer – Cary Radisewitz. Motion unanimously carried. Chairperson Walgrave read the Oath of Office for newly elected members Baartman and Herman. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to establish committee assignments as presented with one change of Herman on the Technology/Internet Committee rather than Radisewitz. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Herman, to appoint Superintendent Schaefer to serve on the Luverne Community Economic Development committee. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve a maternity leave for Jill Wagner from approximately May 12 through the remainder of the 2004-05 school year. Motion unanimously carried. No committee reports were given.The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Chairperson Walgrave reviewed the role of school board members.Motion by Stegemann, second by Kopp, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.Dated: January 5, 2005Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(2-3)

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek girls basketball team bounced back from a tough home loss last Thursday to post a pair of impressive home wins early this week.Murray County Central nipped the Patriots by two points in Hills Thursday. H-BC then handed Russell-Tyler-Ruthton and Southwest Christian 11- and 18-point setbacks on Monday and Tuesday respectively.H-BC, 13-8 overall, hosts Edgerton Public Friday.H-BC 41, SWC 23Outstanding play on defense enabled the Patriots to hand Southwest Christian its second loss of the season Tuesday in Hills.H-BC limited the E-Gals to two points in the first quarter and six points in the second period while opening a 24-8 lead.The difference remained at 16 points (34-18) before H-BC used a 7-5 scoring edge in the fourth quarter to win by 18."Our girls did a fantastic job of playing team defense," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle. "We played extremely smart on defense. Our spacing was good and our awareness was excellent."Cassi Tilsta led H-BC with 16 points and nine rebounds. Kelly Mulder collected six rebounds and blocked five shots. Melinda Feucht charted four steals.Box scoreRozeboom 2 0 3-4 7, Fransman 0 1 0-0 3, Bush 0 1 0-0 3, Feucht 4 0 0-1 8, Tilstra 6 1 1-1 16, Mulder 2 0 0-0 4.Team statisticsH-BC: 17 of 40 field goals (43 percent), four of six free throws (67 percent), 28 rebounds, 16 turnovers.SWC: 10 of 46 field goals (22 percent), two of five free throws (40 percent), 22 rebounds, 17 turnovers.H-BC 54, R-T-R 43A strong second half helped the Patriots turn a close game into an 11-point victory when they squared off against the Knights in Hills Monday.H-BC sported five- and three-point cushions at the end of the first and second quarters respectively. The Patriots, however, outscored R-T-R 34-26 in the second half to win handily.The Knights scored the first two points of the second half to trim what was a 20-17 lead for the Patriots to one point (20-19). H-BC answered the challenge by mounting a 20-6 run capped by Chelsi Fink’s three-point shot with 1:06 left in the third quarter to open a 15-point (40-25) advantage.The Patriots increased their lead to 18 points (48-40) when Stacy Bush drained a three-point shot at the 6:09 mark of the third quarter, but the Knights battled back with a 10-0 run to trail 48-40 with 2:58 left to play.H-BC thwarted the late challenge by R-T-R by outscoring the visitors 6-3 the rest of the way to ice its 12th win of the season.Tilstra scored 15 points and recorded eight assists to lead the Patriots in both categories. Kerri Fransman, who charted three steals, and Mulder ripped down eight rebounds each.Box scoreRozeboom 2 1 0-0 7, Fransman 0 3 0-0 9, Bush 2 1 2-4 9, Feucht 2 0 3-4 7, Fink 1 1 0-0 5, Tilstra 5 1 2-2 15, Koozenboom 0 0 0-0 0, Mulder 1 0 0-0 2.Team statisticsH-BC: 20 of 55 field goals (36 percent), seven of 10 free throws (70 percent), 30 rebounds, 13 turnovers.R-T-R: 16 of 48 field goals (33 percent), five of 18 free throws (28 percent), 29 rebounds, 20 turnovers.MCC 39, H-BC 37A cold night of shooting for the Patriots led to a two-point setback when they squared off against the Rebels in Hills Thursday.Being limited to 28 percent shooting from the floor and converting less than 50 percent of its free throws sealed H-BC’s fate."We outplayed them in every facet most of the game. We just didn’t shoot the ball very well," said Patriot coach Goehle.H-BC did trim a 29-22 deficit entering the fourth quarter to two points (39-37) when Fink converted a free throw with 30 seconds remaining in the game. The Patriots, however, missed out on a bid to tie the game when two field-goal attempts in the final 10 seconds missed the mark.Tilstra scored 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists for H-BC. Mulder added seven rebounds and blocked three shots.Box scoreRozeboom 1 01-4 3, Fransman 0 1 0-0 3, Bush 1 1 0-0 5, Feucht 0 0 2-2 2, Fink 0 0 1-2 1, Tilstra 7 0 2-5 16, Mulder 3 0 1-2 7.Team statisticsH-BC: 14 of 50 field goals (28 percent), seven of 15 free throws (47 percent), 28 rebounds, 10 turnovers.MCC: 18 of 39 field goals (46 percent), three of six free throws (50 percent), 26 rebounds, 14 turnovers.

By John RittenhouseThe Ellsworth boys basketball team broke even in games against Camden Conference foes.The Panthers lost a 13-point decision in Canby Friday before beating Dawson-Boyd by five points in Ellsworth Tuesday.Ellsworth, 10-9 overall, plays road games against Lake Benton and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Friday and Tuesday. The Panthers host Lincoln HI Saturday.Ellsworth 69, D-B 64A rally in the second half led the Panthers to a five-point home win Tuesday.Playing a D-B team that is challenging for the CC title, Ellsworth erased a 41-36 halftime deficit by outscoring the Blackjacks 33-27 in the third and fourth quarters of what EHS coach Ken Kvaale said was his team’s biggest win of the season."It was the big win we wanted to get against a quality team."Darrin Weikamp recorded a double-double by scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.Bryan Kramer, who made all six of his shots from the field in the first half, pitched in a season-high 17 points. Cody Schilling added 13 points and nine assists to the winning cause. Aaron Van Der Stoep scored 11 points and Ben Herman registered seven assists.Box scoreKramer 8 0 1-2 17, DeBerg 2 0 0-0 4, Schilling 5 0 2-3 13, Weikamp 5 1 8-10 21, Klaassen 0 0 0-0 0, Van Der Stoep 2 2 1-1 11, Herman 2 0 0-0 4.Team statisticsEllsworth: 46 percent field goals (totals were unavailable), 12 of 18 free throws (67 percent), 31 rebounds, 14 turnovers.Canby 71, Ellsworth 58The Lancers rallied from a halftime deficit to best the Panthers by 13 points in Canby Friday.Ellsworth played its way into a 32-27 lead by the end of the second quarter, but Canby outscored the Panthers 44-26 in the second half to win handily."Cold shooting and the fact that we didn’t continue to make some of the defensive adjustments that helped us be successful in the first half did us in," said Panther coach Kvaale.Weikamp, who led the Panthers with eight rebounds, scored 10 of his 12 points to help the Panthers open a five-point halftime lead.Schilling netted 12 points and collected six rebounds. Van Der Stoep scored 12 points and passed for six assists. Kramer added 10 points to Ellsworth’s cause.Box scoreDeutsch 0 0 1-2 1, Kramer 5 0 0-0 10, DeBerg 1 0 0-0 2, Schilling 3 1 3-4 12, Weikamp 3 1 3-5 12, Van Der Stoep 2 2 2-2 12, Herman 2 1 2-2 9.Team statisticsEllsworth: 41 percent field goals (no totals available), 11 of 15 free throws (73 percent), 24 rebounds, 18 turnovers.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne boys basketball team broke even when playing a pair of road games late last week.The Cardinals notched a 12-point win against Lincoln HI in Ivanhoe Thursday before falling by one point in Redwood Falls Friday.Luverne, 12-6 overall, plays in Windom Friday before hosting West Central Saturday.RWV 42, Luverne 41A surge in the final minute by host Redwood Valley led to a one-point loss for the Luverne Cardinals Friday in Redwood Falls.Luverne led 41-38 and possessed the ball with 38 seconds left to play when a pair of crucial turnovers burned the Cardinals. RWV turned both turnovers into baskets, including what proved to be the game-winning field goal with seven seconds remaining, to steal a victory."It was a close game that came down to the final three or four possessions," said LHS coach Tom Rops. "Unfortunately, we didn’t make the plays when we needed to. We did everything right to be in a position to win the game. We just had some bad luck in the final minute."Luverne, which sported leads at the first three quarter breaks, received a 14-point effort from John Tofteland. Brandon Deragisch scored 10 points, nabbed five rebounds and charted four steals for the Cards. Jake Hendricks passed for three assists.Box scorePick 1 0 3-4 5, Herman 2 0 0-0 4, Deragisch 1 2 2-3 10, Antoine 1 0 0-0 2, Tofteland 3 2 2-3 14, Hendricks 0 1 2-2 5, Heronimus 0 0 1-4 1.Team statisticsLuverne: 14 of 31 field goals (45 percent), 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent), 17 rebounds, 18 turnovers.RWV: 19 of 35 field goals (54 percent), 24 rebounds, 13 turnovers.Luverne 72, LH 60A strong defensive effort and a decisive advantage at the free-throw line gave the Cardinals a 12-point win over Lincoln HI in Ivanhoe Thursday.Luverne forced the Rebels to turn the ball over 20 times in the game and outscored LH 23-8 at the charity stripe as the Cards picked up their 12th win."We were in control of the game for the most part, but LH never gave up," said LHS coach Rops. "Getting to the free-throw line and causing the turnovers we did were the keys."With Deragisch scoring 20 of his team-high 22 points and Tofteland adding 10 of his 17 points in the first half, Luverne opened a 42-26 halftime cushion. LH trimmed the difference to 11 points (56-45) by the end of the third quarter before falling by 12 points at game’s end.Deragisch led the Cards with seven rebounds and five steals.Box scorePick 4 0 1-4 9, Herman 4 0 0-2 8, Deragisch 4 1 11-14 22, Antoine 1 0 4-8 6, Tofteland 4 2 3-5 17, Haakenson 0 1 0-0 3, Hendricks 0 1 3-4 6, Heronimus 0 0 1-2 1.Team statisticsLuverne: 21 of 42 field goals (50 percent), 23 of 38 free throws (61 percent), 29 rebounds, seven turnovers.LH: 22 of 35 field goals (63 percent), eight of 17 free throws (47 percent), 22 rebounds, 20 turnovers.