By Sara QuamThe city of Luverne has settled a civil lawsuit with Phillip Kramer, the victim of an electrical accident in December 2001.The settlement means that the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust is paying Kramer $270,000. The remaining settlement issues concern the claim by the workers compensation insurance company for excess coverage. That claim has been mitigated with an agreement to pay $250,000.The money doesn’t come directly from the city of Luverne because it pays to be a member of the trust.At the time of the accident, Kramer and two co-workers for Fulda Electric were working on the city of Luverne’s electrical upgrading project.He lost the lower part of his left arm, which is his dominant arm.In March 2004, the city settled with the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Division on citations.OSHA first cited Luverne for "willful" violations in the accident.The fines to the city were originally $56,000, but the city contested those fines, which were reduced to $16,000. The citation was also changed to "serious."One citation was for failing to properly de-energize, or turn off power. In this case the electrical equipment operated at 14,000 volts.The second citation said the city did not adequately test or otherwise determine the power source was turned off, even if it was believed to be off.

By Lori EhdeRose and Wes Henriksen have spent the first two weeks of the new year recovering from a fire that destroyed both their livelihood and priceless family heirlooms.The Adrian Hardware store is now nothing but a charred hole in the ground after the historic dowtown building crumbled in a dramatic blaze on Dec. 26.The Henriksens owned that business for 13 years and are now piecing together options for what to do next."Some days are good, and some days are not so good," Rose said Tuesday when asked how they’re holding up. "We’ve always lived one day at a time, and that’s what we’re doing now."She said Monday was a particularly difficult day because the last of the rubble was cleaned up and hauled away."It’s mostly ashes, but every once in a while you’d see something you recognized," Rose said. "That was tough."Even more difficult is knowing their personal belongings are gone."When we moved into a smaller home, we stored things up there," she said, "… my mother’s silverware, my wedding dress, our children’s pictures … so it’s not just the business. It’s been real trying for me."She said she’s grateful no one was hurt the day the building burned."We had lots of chemicals and flammable items in there," she said. "The firemen talked about paint cans shooting out like torpedoes."She also said a set of stairs on the exterior building wall fell moments before firemen contemplated using them."We’re so lucky no one got hurt," she said, "not just the firemen, but the people standing nearby when the walls crumbled."Rose said she’s appreciated community support. "People have been so helpful in doing what they can," she said. "It just makes our days so much better to get through."For example, local Adrian Elevator owners have offered temporary office space for the Henriksens while they contemplate whether or not to rebuild."They’ve been so kind to let us use this space," Rose said.A bank in Heron Lake called to say it had shelving units available, and Wes drove to get them Tuesday. Merchandise will be for sale at the elevator.Customers have also been helping the Henriksens piece together a destroyed computer database."We had it backed up and put into a fire-proof file cabinet, but it melted," Rose said. She said it was fortunate that only a few months of business were lost, because she’d recently purchased a new computer, and all the information was still retrievable from the old one that she had at her house."If customers have receipts or invoices for September, October and November to share with us, that would be very helpful in helping me rebuild my database," Rose said.Wes has continued working with the electrical and plumbing contracting part of the business, but Rose said she and employees Jeri Kruger and Norma Carlsberg have felt displaced."We’ve lost a very, very big part of our lives," Rose said Tuesday. "It’s like we’re homeless, because we spent more time there than we did at home."Two of Adrian Hardware’s phone lines ring in at the elevator. Customers with questions can call 483-2152 or 483-2664 for service.

By Sara QuamThe Canadian company, eSecure Peripherals, won’t be expanding in Luverne after all.The city of Luverne wasn’t backing a request from owner Allan Brown to use tax breaks from Job Opportunity Building Zones to get the company here.The Luverne Economic Development Authority discussed it Tuesday as part of its meeting but had gone over the request in depth earlier.The city didn’t want to go through the cost of applying for JOBZ benefits through the state, which would also require school and county approval, because Brown committed to only a six-month lease.Brown said in a letter to the city that he didn’t want to invest in real estate in order to save money per month by renting inexpensively.He said the money "would be better spent on salaries than on debt payment."In the end, the city said it would apply for JOBZ benefits only after Brown committed long-term to Luverne."Our caution was by no means a lack of commitment to Luverne," Brown wrote.The company designs and manufactures vending machine "cards" and their accompanying software.The most common use for eSecure is vending machines and food services. People who work for a large factory or hospital with a cafeteria, for example, can use the cards to deduct meal charges from their paychecks.The card and systems can also track what people buy in order to keep adequate supply inventories. Some businesses use eSecure to prevent employee theft when using supplies. Other uses include controlling access to items, protecting items, dispensing items in convenient locations, and generating reports and audits.Goodbye from Mayor GustLuverne Mayor Glen Gust led his final Economic Development Authority meeting Tuesday morning.He said the past four years have brought good things to the city: Continental Western deciding to stay in town; Border City Legislation Passing: Job Opportunity Building Zones passing; the hospital expanding; Total Card Inc. coming to town; the residential building boom, and the fact that there are no empty buildings on Main Street.Gust said, "We’ve had a great board here, so good luck and keep moving forward."In other business, Tuesday, the LEDA:
Learned that Corey Stratton of the former Cor-Tech Manufacturing would be closing on a contract for deed with the city, settling all debt on a loan from the city for the building.
Decided to continue working with Midwest Fire to expand to the 612 West Hatting building formerly occupied by Exsito. The city still owes $135,000 on a loan for the building. Midwest Fire has said it plans to hire five additional employees in 2005.
Received confirmation that the custom motorcycle parts company, Twisted Chopper, intends to relocate to Luverne.
Accepted an offer to buy 4,000 glass jars left by the former Exsito business for $576.

By Lori EhdeOut of 16 businesses in Rock County, only two failed a New Year’s Eve liquor sting that tested for selling to minors.Two convenience stores on South Highway 75 in Luverne, Casey’s and Shell South, failed the test, and charges are pending against those two employees.According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, criminal justice majors volunteering from colleges in Worthington and Sioux Falls entered the Rock County businesses and attempted to buy alcohol.The clerks at Casey’s and Shell either didn’t ask for I.D. or sold to the minors knowing they were underage.Either way, investigator Jeff Wieneke said the point is that all buyers need to be checked for legal ages."That’s the message we’re telling them, if they don’t have an I.D., you don’t have to sell to them," he said."They know it’s going to happen, that we’re out there doing compliance checks. You want to tell your employees to check I.D.s. For any compliance check, our buyers will show I.D.s, and they don’t have to sell to them."Non-compliant businesses may also face civil penalties as a result of the sting. Under Luverne City Code, the stores are subject to licensing penalties that can include imposition of civil fines and suspension or revocation of liquor licenses.A year ago at this time, 21 Rock County businesses were tested and seven failed.

By Sara QuamJust after the new Luverne City Council members and Mayor were sworn in, the council approved a motion made by Esther Frakes to pay Rock County the entire amount for contract law enforcement for 2005 — $499,447.Frakes pointed out that the previous council approved the law enforcement contract and the council should abide by it.Councilman Maynard LaFrenz said, "A contract’s a contract and it should be honored."The contract calls for payment by Jan. 15.The council also approved payment of one quarter of the dispatch costs, or $43,500. The council said it hopes to negotiate both contracts.The city is still under contract for law enforcement from Rock County but has terminated the contract effective Dec. 31, 2005.The city is no longer in a joint powers agreement for dispatching and record keeping services through the county, but the dispatch payment is a good-faith attempt to open the door to reaching a new agreement.Frakes said, "We are in a position where we want to extend to the county a message that we want to negotiate."The city will amend the budget to reflect these changes.Goodbye to some council and mayorOutgoing mayor and council members received a plaque from the city, acknowledging their four years of service.City Administrator Greg LaFond said, "The city has been fortunate to have had three individuals as committed to the betterment and best interest of the city as these three."LaFond said about Councilman David Hauge, "He is a well-read individual, who always knew the materials — the voluminous amount of materials that he received from the city." LaFond said city staff appreciated the amount of time he spent in City Hall and with people getting to know the issues.LaFond said Councilman Tom Martius was well-respected as a champion of the average person. People came to Martius with concerns and he always brought them to city staff or to the council.To outgoing Mayor Glen Gust, LaFond said, "I never cease to be amazed at your willingness to pick up the phone and call whoever needs to be called. You always believed in this city and what it was doing."LaFond said it was worth noting that even though his time of service was ending, just Tuesday morning Gust was checking in with LaFond on working with a business expansion.He said the mayor’s key phrase, "Keep Luverne moving forward" will be remembered.Gust said he came to the council totally "green" to politics. He said, "I think the biggest thing I learned was to keep my mouth shut."Gust said he enjoyed his time with the city and that his "challenge to the new council is to keep moving Luverne forward."Gust said, "Good luck and serve your city with pride."Hauge said, "It has been an honor to serve Luverne and it was an honor to serve with these people. … I learned that how you perceive things on the outside is different from what you see on the inside."

10 years ago (1995)
Motel owners objected to a proposed 3-percent tourism tax on motel rooms in Luverne. Frank and Sandra Dowie, R.G. Hensley, Linda Eide and Dean Gulbranson were local hotel owners who voiced their opinions.
Tanner Wayne Anderson was the first baby of the year in Rock County. He was born Jan. 6 to Ryan and Amanda Anderson, Luverne.
Rauk’s Store in Beaver Creek moved to Interstate 90.25 years ago (1980)
The Beaver Creek State Bank was robbed at 10 a.m. by masked men who didn’t display weapons. Bank president Myron Kruse said, "No talking, no comment."
Local elevator managers agree that the Russian grain embargo would hurt area farmers. Vance Ebert said he would have to shut down Luverne’s intake of corn.
The first baby of the year was Kerri Ripley, daughter of Randy and Judy Ripley, Luverne.50 years ago (1955)
"A superhighway, with a 300-foot right of way, patterned after the German ‘autobahn’ system of highways, will pass through Rock County, under a proposed 50 billion dollar federal roads program."
Luverne women planned a Mother’s March on Polio for a fund-raiser.
The total number of phones in use under the Luverne Telephone Exchange was 2,410.75 years ago (1930)
Vital statistics show that there were 77 births and 33 deaths in 1929. The county attorney handled 113 criminal cases in 1929.
Henry Rolfs was elected chairman of the Rock County Commissioners. Carl Schmuck chose not to run for county treasurer.100 years ago (1905)
Dr. A.E. Spalding announced that Luverne would have a fine, modern hospital. It would be a two-story structure located at the corner of McKenzie and Vary streets.
The Manchester Biscuit Company had such demand that it increased its oven capacity by double.

Watch for Girl Scouts in the neighborhoodIt’s that time of year again when area Girl Scouts troops are out raising money for their projects by selling their famous cookies.This year there are no changes in the selection you will have to choose from:
Caramel Delights
Peanut butter patties
Thin Mints (No. 1)
Shortbread
Lemon Cream
Animal Treasures
Iced Berry PinatasThe cookies still cost $3.50 per box. If you don’t get called on, you can place your order at the Pizza Ranch and Lila will make sure a local Girl Scout places the order for you.The sale runs from Jan. 14 to Jan. 30, and the cookies will be delivered on March 4.Not too late to participate in the library’s annual winter reading programThe Rock County Library has started a winter reading program to help you chase away the winter doldrums. Those who sign up for the program have from now through March 31 to complete 12 books.If you turn in your reading log by the end of the program, you receive a free prize.The library offers lots of new books to keep you interested, so stop in and sign up.In other library news, the library recently added four new computers with flat screens for their patrons to use.Liquor StoreMunicipal liquor stores around the state posted record sales in 2003 for the eighth consecutive year.Gross sales totaled $249.2 million in 2003, an increase of $8.3 million over 2002.Transfers to other departments also increased as cities shifted their assets to help fund other city services.Cities transferred $15.4 million in 2003, compared to $14.1 million in 2002.Although overall municipal liquor store income was up, according to state auditor Pat Anderson, the number of municipal liquor stores losing money increased from 27 cities to 38 cities.Anderson also said that if "non-operating revenue" is factored out, (such things as a sale of an asset or interest earnings) a total of 54 cities lost operational income.That means 23.5 percent of the municipal liquor stores in the state lost money.In southwest Minnesota, Marshall was the shining star with gross sales of $3,011,203, and a net income of $515,000.Five southwest Minnesota cities, including Okabena, Belview, Cottonwood, Jasper and Round Lake, found themselves on the losing end of the balance sheet.Luverne’s municipal liquor store showed gross sales of $704,798 and $32,286 in net profit.The Legislature is back in sessionThe new Legislature went back to work last week to start the 2004-2005 biennium.Since this is the first year of the biennium, their time is traditionally reserved for consideration of the state budget.In the second year legislators usually work on bonding issues for state projects.However, since the Legislature couldn’t come to an agreement on the bonding issues they should have dealt with during the last legislative session, bonding bills may be considered during this session.Regardless of which issues they choose to deal with, legislators are required by the Minnesota constitution to complete their work by the first Monday after the third Saturday, or May 23.With the Republicans only holding a 2-vote majority, the two parties are going to have to be a little more conciliatory than they have been in the past if they want to get anything done.Steve Sviggum was reelected for the fourth time as Speaker, winning the seat by a 67-to-64 vote, with two Democrats and one Republican abstaining.The Senate was not up for reelection this year, so the DFL will maintain their 35-31 majority.Along with their primary obligation of adopting a two-year budget and trying to erase a $700 million deficit, the Senate will also be taking up the confirmation hearings for Gov. Pawlenty’s slate of candidates to lead various state agencies.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP, APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFMARDELLA IVONNA HANSEN A/K/A MARDELLA I. HANSEN A/K/A MARDELLA HANSENDECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on Monday, February 7, 2005, at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at Rock County Courthouse Luverne, Minnesota, for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship of the Decedent, and for the appointment of Diane Lynn Vanden Hoek whose address is 510 S. Donaldson, Luverne, MN 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in 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. CONNELLTIMOTHY K. CONNELLJudge Date/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKSANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeBENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.127 E. MainP.O. Box 746Luverne, MN 56156-0746507-283-9546Attorney I.D. No. 112124(1-13, 1-20)

NOTICE TO SUPPLIERSPetroleum ProductsSealed proposals will be received until 11:00 A.M. on February 1, 2005, by Mark Sehr, Rock County Highway Engineer. The proposals are for the purchase of petroleum products beginning February 2005 through February 2006.The items included will be for unleaded premium gasoline, unleaded ethanol gasoline, soy bio-diesel and diesel fuel #1 and #2 as required by the County of Rock for gasoline and diesel vehicles. Fuel will be dispensed into individual vehicles at the successful bidder’s station. Proposals shall be submitted on forms furnished, upon request, by the Rock County Highway Department in sealed envelopes marked "Bids for Fuel." Proposals will be opened and read publicly at the Rock County Highway Building in Luverne, Minnesota immediately following the hour set for receiving bids. The Rock County Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any defects or technicalities. The County Board of Commissioners will award or reject bids at the February 8th board meeting. Mark R. SehrRock County Highway Engineer(1-13, 1-20)