By Sara Quam The Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday approved a request to add 79.4 acres to Pheasants Forever’s public land. Leroy Lorenzen in southeast Rose Dell Township is selling the land to Pheasants Forever, which now has more than 1,000 acres in Rock County. The land is designated for preserving and developing wildlife habitat, for public hunting, trapping or for other recreational activities like bird watching. Chuck Van Wyhe represented the local Pheasants Forever chapter at the meeting. He said, "Our goal in Pheasants Forever is to have one piece of land in every township to be preserved for future generations." Commissioner Richard Bakken voted against the land acquisition because he thinks hunters and wildlife enthusiasts can cooperate with farmers and ranchers to use private land, without taking it out of production. "I would like to see a cooperative effort. But this I’m 100 percent against. ... I think there’s a problem this is just masking," Bakken said. He said he allows hunters on his land, but knows other land owners who have had bad experiences and don’t allow hunting anymore. Van Wyhe said, "This is for public access because it’s getting harder and harder to get permission. ... One bad hunter can ruin it for a hundred good ones." Non-local hunters and people who don’t know which landowners to contact in order to get permission to hunt are frequent users of public land, Van Wyhe said. "There are times you can’t locate the landowner to get permission to hunt," he said. Taxes on the Lorenzen land for 2004 were $566. The land will be turned over to the Department of Natural Resources through Pheasants Forever. The DNR will make an estimated payment in lieu of taxes of $945. Payments in lieu of taxes are given to taxing entities, such as the school district and county, in the same proportion in which property taxes would have been. Winter driving improvements Commissioners Tuesday gave County Engineer Mark Sehr approval to solicit estimates for new equipment parts that could improve driving conditions on county roads. Sehr estimated that the equipment would cost about $12,000. The new features on the trucks will use a salty brine that is applied to snow-packed or icy roads. Because it is wet, it will stick to the surface better than loose salt and sand, which often blow away or are shifted by vehicles on the road. The state has used this system for a few years. Sehr said the new method may reduce sand use in the county.

By Sara Quam Coming out of a closed meeting, the Rock County Board of Commissioners said it won’t cash a law enforcement payment check from the city of Luverne. Commissioners said they feared if they cashed the check, it would imply agreeing with the payment amount, which is $126,000 short. The county budgeted $669,000 for a law enforcement payment from the city of Luverne to fulfill the contract through 2005. The city has disagreed with how the county is charging for dispatch and law enforcement services in one lump sum, when they used to be in separate agreements. Rock County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said, "Where do they get off saying to the county what its cost of law enforcement is?" The county will give Luverne until Feb. 15 to further explain its payment. The city said its payment, approved at last week’s council meeting, included $499,447 for law enforcement and $43,500 for a "good faith" dispatch payment. Dispatch was previously a joint powers agreement, formed long before city and county merged law enforcement departments. The city terminated that joint powers agreement, but within the existing law enforcement contract, dispatching services is outlined as a part of the county’s service for payment. The contract for law enforcement is renewed annually automatically, unless terminated, which the city has done effective Dec. 31, 2005. The city said the county was wrong in "rolling over" dispatch costs to the contract for law enforcement, but the county said the two can’t operate or be funded independently. Klosterbuer said, "I don’t know how they make a ‘good faith’ payment— under what document or what authority."Commissioner Jane Wildung said she wondered if the "good faith" payment meant an implied reinstatement of the dispatch joint powers. "There’s the whole philosophical problem from the beginning," Wildung said. The county sees the city’s check as an installment payment on the full contract amount, and that is why Board members are seeking further clarification by Feb. 15. A portion of the County Board meeting was closed to discuss possible litigation against the city of Luverne. In another law enforcement matter, commissioners tabled action adopting a special Citizens’ Law Enforcement Study Committee.

By Lori EhdeSince the walls went up at the new Sioux Valley hospital and clinic campus last fall, passing motorists haven’t seen much construction activity on the site.But inside the walls, the building has been humming with construction activity.Steve Nothdurft is superintendent for general contractor Henry Carlson Company, Sioux Falls.He’s been leading tours for groups of hospital employees in the past week as the interior rooms are taking shape.For example:oAdministrative offices are all carpeted and the clinic carpeting is nearly complete.oKitchen equipment is installed.oCeiling grid is installed in the south half of the hospital and ceiling tiles are going in.oSheetrock is up in most of the building.oCabinets are installed in about 60 percent of the building — in business offices, clinic, surgery, rehab and administration.oPainting will start soon, starting in the OB and nursery areas of the hospital.oPermanent heat and air handling system will be activated in half the building next week."We’re cruising right along," Nothdurft said.He said he’ll be ready to turn over the building to Sioux Valley on June 8, but that won’t officially happen until July 8, because of water and street access issues.He said the new water tower is scheduled to be painted and filled by June 1, and that will allow the building’s sprinkler system to be operable.Another issue that may affect the move-in date is road work on the intersection of Highway 75 and 131st Street on the north side of the hospital.Nothdurft said the hospital needs to have two entrances accessible in order to be open. That roadwork is scheduled for completion by July 15.Meanwhile, hospital physicians and staff are eager to move in.Lois Hamilton, director of nursing, said touring the facility makes it hard to wait for move-in day."We are so cramped where we are now," she said last week. "It’ll be so nice for the patients and employees to be in the new facility."Registered Nurse Mary O’Toole Hemme is director of surgery for the hospital, and she especially enjoyed touring what will be the new operating rooms."I was impressed," she said. "There will be so much more room, more space. We’re so cramped where we are now."She said patients have received good care in the current facility, but technology has played a role in the need for more space."We have new equipment now, too, and that takes up space," she said. "It will be a lot more efficient flow for patients and staff."At groundbreaking, the hospital work was estimated to last until late 2005, but with a mild winter and very few glitches, that date was moved to summer 2005. The $17.8 million complex going up north of the Veterans Addition will have more than 93,000 square feet of space, more than doubling the space of the current landlocked hospital and clinic.

10 years ago (1995)
To comply with gender equity in sports offerings, the Luverne High School announced plans to add fast-pitch softball as an option.
Robert De Yong, Luverne, discovered a bit of history when he remodeled his house at 304 South Donaldson. There was an 1885 issue of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that had an article about Frank James, the "notorious bandit." The newspaper had been placed inside the home’s walls as insulation. 25 years ago (1980)
Stan Soutar was the new chairman of the County Board of Commissioners.
Seven girls competed for the County Pork Queen title: Darcy Burmeister, Janelle Severtson, Terri Birkeland, Nila Hanson, LaDonna Cleveringa, Barbara Willers and Shelly Seeman.50 years ago (1955)
149 Rock County individuals and business firms would pay more than $200 each in personal property taxes
Magnolia and Beaver Creek planned March of Dimes benefits to raise money for polio research.
Robin Hood flour was $3.98 for 50 pounds; country sausage was 39¢ per pound, and dog food was $2.69 for 25 pounds at Kenny’s Super Value.75 years ago (1930)
Luverne Telephone Exchange was one of a few under investigation for excessive earnings, and was ordered to show cause why rates couldn’t be reduced.
"H.O. Bakken, of Beaver Creek township, owns a cow that should be entitled to the record for prolificacy, for she has given birth to six calves within two years, and all but one are living."100 years ago (1905)
"Farmers near the Mounds report that on several occasions a pack of wolves has been seen running about the fields. As many as seven have been counted in one drove, which is the largest that has been seen in this section for many years."
The Luverne Automobile company plans to have 10 machines completed by April 1.

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 OFBeatrice B. Boyenga, a/k/a Beatrice BoyengaIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on February 7, 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 May 8, 2002, 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 Paul M. Boyenga whose address is: 1924 41st Street, Ellsworth, Minnesota 56129 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 1/14/05Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 1/14/05Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507 283-911156674(1-20, 1-27)

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse January 4, 2005County Administrator Oldre called the County Board meeting to order with the following individuals present: Commissioner Wildung, Commissioner Hoime, Commissioner Bakken, Commissioner Boyenga and Commissioner Jarchow. First item of business was the selection of a County Board chair; Commissioner Hoime was nominated by Commissioner Wildung. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Hoime; motion was declared carried on a voice vote. The meeting was turned over to Chair Hoime. The Chair requested nominations for Vice Chair and Commissioner Jarchow nominated Commissioner Wildung. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Wildung; motion was declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded Jarchow, to approve the January 3, 2005, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the December 21, 2004, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve items on the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. Resolution No. 01-05, Housekeeping Resolution2. Audit Engagement Letter – Larson & Allen3. Chamber dues - $500.00Land Management Assistant Director Doug Bos, Engineer Mark Sehr, and Bill Ketterling, of Ketterling Sanitation, Inc. discussed the MSW contract with Lyon County Regional Landfill. Lyon County is requesting a commitment of MSW tonnage from the member counties; no action was taken at this time. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems of $1,400.00; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to pay the claims & per diems, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 61,594.62Ditch .00LEC .00Road & Bridge 569,562.37Welfare 124,133.23Landfill 7,728.78Rural Water 8,344.50TOTAL $771,363.50Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded Boyenga, to approve a solid waste abatement on parcel #08-0262-000 located in the SE 1/4 of 25-101-47 for $42.00, declared carried on a voice vote.The Auditor/Treasurer informed the County Board of a transfer of $600,000 from a money market fund to a 12-month certificate of deposit; funds had been in the money market account for an extended period of time and determined it should be moved to a designated reserve account. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to authorize a 50% payment to the Library Fund on or before January 15th, declared carried on a voice vote.Randy Ehlers, Family Services Director, and Diane Holmberg, Fiscal Supervisor II requested to fill a financial worker position by March 1, 2005; after discussion, motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to authorize the additional Financial Worker position, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the Deputy Union contract effective January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2007, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed of a Jasper Ambulance Open House on January 14th at 12:00 noon and that all Commissioners were invited to attend. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to authorize a $7,400.00 furniture purchase in the Administrator’s office, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board reviewed a Transient Merchant ordinance; motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the Transient Merchant ordinance, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of a request from the special Law Enforcement Study Committee recently formed by the City of Luverne, requesting to identify 2005 objectives prior to January 11, 2005. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Wildung, directing the County Attorney to send a letter to the council and staff reiterating that the 2005 Law Enforcement contract is still in place and that is the county’s position for law enforcement, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to table the action requesting the county to participate in the Special Law Enforcement Study Committee until the next meeting, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wildung voting nay. The County Board discussed the status of the Pool & Fitness Center; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to authorize a payment to the City of Luverne for 1/4 of the amount budgeted $14,210.00 with a letter stating the acceptance of the check binds the city to the last offer from the county, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Boyenga voting nay. The County Board was informed Rural Development Commissioner Orientation seminar on Saturday, January 15, 2005.The County Board reviewed the listing of Boards & Committees for 2005 and specifically discussed the City of Luverne/Rock County Liaison Committee and wanted to determine the intent before the appointment was made; motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to authorize all other board & committee appointments, declared carried on a voice vote. BOARDS & COMMITTEES 2005Extension Committee: Ken Hoime, Richard Bakken, Janice Schei, Pam Sells, Mark Dahl, Lisa Heronimus, Greg Uithoven, Leonard Leenderts.E911 Committee: Ron Boyenga, Mike Winkels, Terri Ebert, Don Deutsch, Kyle Oldre, Gary Holmgren, Doug Chapman, Luverne City Council Rep.GIS Committee: Eric Hartman, Arlyn Gehrke, Tom Houselog, Ed Kraayenhof, Mike Winkels, Kyle Oldre, Greg LaFond, Lon Remme, Connie Wiertzema, Dave Deragisch.Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee: Mike Winkels, Dan Nath, Mark Sehr, Eric Hartman, Arlyn Gehrke, Ken Hoime, Bonnie Frederickson, Louis Loger, Sharil Kirschman-Rollag, Kyle Oldre.Judicial Ditch Advisory Board: Ken Hoime, Richard Bakken, Eugene Peterson, Arnold Wenzel, Roger Brockberg, Stan Williamson.Law Library Committee: Richard Bakken, Tim Connell, Damon Eisma.Nobles/Rock Public Health Board: Bob Jarchow, Richard Bakken, Dorothy Dorn.Nobles/Rock Public Health Advisory Committee: Jane Wildung, Emily Crabtree, Deb Vander Kooi.Planning & Zoning Committee: Ken Hoime, Paul Doherty, Allen Boeve, Stan Wlliamson, Marvin Fick, Virgil Schoolmeester, Gawaine Diekevers, Spencer Sells, Tim Anderson, Denise Severtson (non-voting member), Eric Hartman (non-voting member), Terry Vajgrt (non-voting member.Private Industry Council/Workforce Center: Bob Jarchow, vacant.Regional EMS Board: Gary Holmgren.Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Executive Board: Ken Hoime, Jane Wildung.Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Advisory: Ken Hoime, Jane Wildung, Don Klosterbuer, Randy Ehlers, Mike Winkels. Rock County Community Library: Richard Bakken, Dolly Remme, Marilyn Nelson.Rock County Community Pool & Fitness Center: Ken Hoime, Lois Nelson, Linda Bakken, Kraig Rust. Rock County Rural Water: Ron Boyenga, Dave Wynia, Gerald Winter, Dianna Schwartz, Brad Skattum, Dave Esselink, Cliff Schilling. Senior Citizen Advisory: Jane Wildung, Karen Hoime, Alyce McClure, Bonnie Hengeveld, Jennelle Loger, George Bonnema, Sam Polzin, Rhona Snyders, Carol Wulf (staff), SWCD/Rock County Liaison, Richard Bakken, Jane Wildung, Don Reker, Alan Leuthold. Southwestern Mental Health Local Advisory Committee: Mildred Paulsen, Marya Manfred, Scott Johnson.Southwestern Mental Health Center: Ron Boyenga, Jane Wildung, Damon Eisma.SWMN Tourism: Dave Smith.The County Board discussed the 2005 County Board Retreat and determined that it will be scheduled at the next meeting. With no further business to come before the County Board, meeting was declared adjourned.Ken Hoime, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(1-20)

CITY OF KENNETH SUMMARY OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING USE AND RATE REGULATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIESNOTE: This is only a summary and the full text of the ordinance is posted and available in the Kenneth Community Center or from the City Clerk. You may also have the full ordinance mailed to you upon request to the City Clerk. ARTICLE I: DefinitionsProvides definitions for various words used in the ordinance.ARTICLE II: Control by the City Provides that the City controls and oversees the public sewer system. ARTICLE III: Use of Public Sewers RequiredMandates that all properties within 300 feet of a sewer connect to the system within 60 days.ARTICLE IV: Private Wastewater DisposalProvides rules for sewer system for locations not served by the current system and provides requirements for service when/if the system is extended to the area.ARTICLE V: Building Sewers and Connections DesignProvides permit requirements and rules for hooking up to the system. ARTICLE VI: Use of Public Wastewater Treatment FacilitiesProvides requirements for use of the system and discharges into it.ARTICLE VII: Provides that no one is to damage public facilities and indicates penalties therefore. ARTICLE VIII: Powers and Authority of InspectorsGives inspectors the right to enter premises and inspect connections and the system itself. ARTICLE IX: The Sewer Service Charge SystemDeclares that charges will be assessed for use of the system and establishes accounts for the funds. ARTICLE X: Violations, Penalties and RemediesDeclares the Penalties for violating the Ordinance. ARTICLE XI: ValidityEstablishes an effective date and declares prior inconsistent ordinances void. APPENDIX A: Determination of Sewer Service Charges (Metered)Provides a system for establishing and calculating metered sewer rates. The ordinance was adopted by the City Council of Kenneth the 13th day of January, 2005./s/ Del GangestadMayor Attest:/s/ Del SchelhaasCity Clerk(1-20)

Split Rock Substation to Nobles County Substation to Lakefield Junction Substation 345 kV Transmission Line and the Nobles County Substation to Chanarambie Substation 115 kV Transmission Line and the Nobles County SubstationDocket No.: 03-73-TR-XCELPLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) will hold Public Hearings on an application by Xcel Energy for a route permit for two new high-voltage transmission lines in Southwest Minnesota. The hearings will take place at the following four locations: Lakefield Senior Citizen Center, 112 South Main Street, March 1, 2005 Wilmont Community Center, 316 4th Avenue, March 2, 2005 Luverne Rock County Library, 201 West Main Street, March 3, 2005 Chandler City Center, 241 4th Street, March 4, 2005There will be an afternoon session and an evening session at each location. The afternoon session will convene at 2:00 p.m. and an evening session will convene at 7:00 p.m.Administrative Law Judge Allan Klein (ALJ) will preside at the hearing. Judge Klein’s address is Office of Administrative Hearings, 100 Washington Square, Suite 1700, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-2138, phone (612) 341-7609.Continuation of Hearing The Administrative Law Judge may elect to recess the hearing or set additional days for the hearing if necessary.Statutory Authority Before a high-voltage transmission line can be constructed in Minnesota, a route permit is required from the EQB under the Power Plant Siting Act. Minn. Stat. §§ 116C.51 – 116C.69. For this route permit, a formal contested case hearing is required under Minn. Stat. § 116C.57, subd. 2d. The EQB has adopted rules for the administration of route permits. Minn. Rules chapter 4400. The statutes and rules may be found using the Internet at www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/ and at www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/.Project Description Xcel Energy has proposed to construct two new high-voltage transmission lines crossing through four counties in Southwest Minnesota. The primary purpose of the new transmission lines is to increase the outlet capacity for wind energy off Buffalo Ridge. The larger of the two lines is an approximately 86-mile 345-kV line running east-west from the Split Rock Substation near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, through Rock County and Nobles County, and ending at the Lakefield Junction Substation in Jackson County, MN. The other is a new 115-kV transmission line that will run approximately 40-miles north-south from a new substation near Reading, Minnesota in Nobles County to the existing Chanarambie Substation in Murray County. The proposed route permit also includes designation of a site for the Nobles County Substation, which will interconnect the two new transmission lines. Purpose of Hearing The purpose of the public hearing is to compile the record for the EQB Board to consider in making a final decision on the permit request. The ALJ will write a report and make a recommendation to the EQB on which routes to authorize and on any appropriate permit conditions. The EQB will make a final decision on the routes and conditions at a subsequent EQB meeting. Conduct of Hearing At the start of each hearing session, the ALJ will explain the procedural rules for the hearing, including the following: a) all persons may present evidence and argument with respect to issues and may question witnesses; b) all persons may be represented by legal counsel, but such representation is not required; and c) the rules of evidence. Questioning of witnesses is allowed, and will be conducted in a sequence determined by the ALJ. Generally, parties presenting prefiled written direct testimony and witnesses are subject to cross-examination by other parties. The EQB staff will be present at the hearing and make a brief presentation about the project and introduce into the record a number of documents relating to the project, including the application, the EIS, and certain procedural documents. Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions of EQB staff and Xcel representatives, to make statements, and to offer written comments and material into the record at both the afternoon and evening sessions. Members of the public are not required to file any papers in advance of the hearing in order to participate. Members of the public may be represented by legal counsel but such representation is not required.Public Participation and Intervention There are two ways in which persons may participate in the hearings: as an interested person, or as a party.Interested person: A person will be allowed to participate without the necessity of intervening as a party. Participation includes: a) offering direct testimony with or without benefit of oath or affirmation and without the necessity of prefiling testimony; b) offering direct testimony or other material in written form at or following the hearing; and c) questioning witnesses. Any person who wishes to question a witness but does not want to ask the questions may submit questions in writing to the ALJ, who will then ask the questions of the witness. Questions may be submitted during the hearing or may be mailed to the ALJ in advance of the hearing.Right to Intervene: Any person may seek to intervene as a full party to this proceeding. If a person desires to intervene, the person should file a document called a Petition for Intervention with the ALJ by February 4, 2005. Minnesota Rules Part 1405.0900. Intervention ensures that the person will have all the rights of a party, including the right to make motions, to attend any prehearing conferences, to be served with documents, and to present witnesses, and also the obligations of a party such as responding to discovery requests and serving other parties. In addition, participation as a party will guarantee the person the right to present final argument to the MEQB after receiving the report of the ALJ. The MEQB may elect to hear argument from non-parties, but it is not required by law to do so.The Petition for Intervention must show how the petitioner's legal rights, duties or privileges may be determined or affected by the proceedings, how the petitioner's rights, duties and privileges are not otherwise represented, and shall set forth the grounds and purposes for which intervention is sought and shall indicate the petitioner's statutory or legal right to intervene, if one should exist. The ALJ, with the consent of all parties, may waive the requirement that the petition be in writing. If intervention is allowed by the ALJ, the intervening party is subject to all responsibilities of a party, including making witnesses available for questioning.NOTE: This is not a complete list of all the rights and obligations of a party. It is meant only to provide a general understanding of the major differences between a party and a non-party. For more information about participation as a member of the public, contact the Board’s public advisor (see below). For more information about participation as a party, including information regarding the pre-hearing conference, contact the ALJ.OAH Rules The Office of Administrative Hearings has adopted rules that apply to EQB public hearings like this one. Minn. Rules chapter 1405. The applicable statutes and rules can be found on the web page of the Office of Administrative Hearings. www.oah.state.mn.us The rules and statutes are also available on the Revisor’s webpage shown above. Rules and statutes may also be purchased at the State Bookstore, 660 Olive St., St. Paul, Minn. 55155, phone (651) 297-3000.EQB Public Advisor Questions about this project or about how to participate in the hearing process can be directed to the EQB public advisor George Johnson (651-296-2888). The public advisor is available to answer questions about the hearing procedure and how to effectively participate, but he does not provide legal advice. John Wachtler (651-296-2096) is the project manager. The address for the EQB is Room 300 Centennial Office Building, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, Minn. 55155. For questions regarding legal issues, the EQB is represented by Assistant Attorney General Dwight Wagenius, NCL Tower, 445 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55155: 651-296-7345Identified Parties The only party to this proceeding identified on the date of this notice is the applicant, Xcel Energy. Contact Pamela J. Rasmussen, Permitting Analyst, 1414 West Hamilton Ave., P.O. Box 8, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 54702, 715-839-4661.Prehearing Conference. A prehearing conference telephone call will occur on Friday, February 4, 2005, commencing at 10:00 a.m. Each party and each person who has filed a Petition to Intervene is entitled to participate in the call. Other members of the public may monitor the call to the extent that lines are available. Parties, petitioners and other interested persons should contact Michael Lewis, a Staff Attorney at the Office of Administrative Hearings, at 612-341-7610 by the close of business on Thursday, February 3, to learn the procedures for participating in the call. The prehearing conference call is an informal planning meeting where the parties can raise and resolve a number of issues such as the scheduling of witnesses, the numbering and status of exhibits and a variety of other logistical issues in preparation for the hearing. Prefiled Testimony Xcel Energy will prepare its direct testimony in support of the project in a written question and answer format. This testimony will be filed with the Administrative Law Judge by no later than February 14, 2005, and will be available for review at the EQB and the following libraries: Rock County Library (Luverne), Adrian Library, Nobles County, Library (Worthington), Jackson County Library (Lakefield), Fulda Memorial Library, Slayton Public Library; and Chandler City Hall. Environmental Impact Statement The EQB has prepared a draft EIS on the proposed project. The draft EIS describes the Xcel Energy proposal compares potential routes for the new transmission lines. Copies of the draft EIS, the permit application, and other material are available for public review at the libraries listed above. The draft EIS is also available up request from the EQB at 651-296-2571 or on the EQB webpage at http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/Docket.html?Id=6466

Great Planes Travel moving to new locationGreat Planes Travel will be relocating to Main Street on Jan 31.According to owner Sue Hoffman, the travel agency will move from its current location on S. Highway 75 to its future home at 119 E. Main next to Grapevines.Great Planes was founded by Hoffman in 1999, following her nine years of work for Roundwind Travel.Roundwind Travel recently relocated to Sioux Falls.Phone numbers and e-mail address for Great Planes Travel will remain the same.Historical Society to hold tri-annual meeting on SaturdayIf you would like to get involved with the Rock County Historical Society, you should think about attending their tri-annual meeting this Saturday, Jan. 22.The meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Hinkly House. Three members of the board will be up for reelection, and nominees will be accepted from the floor.Sister Mariella Hinkly will talk about her personal family history as well as the history of the Hinkly House.Plans for the 2005 annual banquet scheduled for September will also be discussed.Some fund-raising events scheduled include a steak fry at the Eagles, a barn dance in June and an ice cream social on the Hinkly House lawn in August.Have your beef cook-off recipe ready?If you have a really good family beef recipe, it could be worth $500.For 26 years the Minnesota Beef Council has been holding it’s annual beef cook-off If you’re wondering if your favorite recipe would qualify, here are some of the requirements:
Preparation time of 45 minutes or less, including marinating time.
Use of no more than eight ingredients, excluding salt, pepper and water.
Be an original, unpublished recipe.
Fall into one of three categories: Beef and Dairy, Appetizers, and Quick & Easy Beef.Entries must be postmarked or e-mailed no later than January 25.For more information, log on to www.beefcookoff.orgDo you have some unclaimed money?It’s easy to check.Even though Jesse Ventura was instrumental in making Minnesota residents aware of the unclaimed cash and property the state might have, this year even his name came up on the list.According to an article in the Minneapolis Tribune, the state collects and tries to find the owners of millions of dollars in unclaimed property collected from various banks and businesses.The Department of Commerce collects assets from accounts when they have become inactive and the bank or other institution is unable to track down the owner.Much of the money or property is in the name of someone who has died, in which case the money can be claimed by relatives.The state collected a record $50 million in 2003, which was owed to about 40,000 residents.In total, the state has $225 million in unclaimed funds, and there are more than one million people in the data base of unclaimed property owners.This year’s total includes the contents from 559 safety deposit boxes and 15,000 stock holdings.In 2003, $14 million was claimed.$143 million has been claimed since 1969.I went to the Department of Commerce Web site to see if I had any unclaimed cash sitting around in the government account, but I did not. There were 17 other Tollefsons listed, but none were from Luverne.I did notice several David Tofteland listings from Luverne.If you would like to see if your name is listed, go to www.commerce.state.mn.us.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com