By Lexi MooreAlliance Communications recently upgraded the cable television system for Hills residents, providing more channels, a clearer picture and better sound.Alliance partnered with SDN Communications and other regional cable companies to purchase new satellite equipment.The signals are carried from SDN Communications in Sioux Falls to Hills through a fiber-optic network. Residents may have noticed Alliance technicians working along Highway 270 this fall. The workers were installing the new fiber optic cable.The new system adds an additional 57 channels. In the past, Alliance Cable TV customers in Hills had access to only 28 basic channels.The company used customer requests to determine which channels to add, and the most requested channel was Fox News."I think we received requests for that channel on a daily basis," General Manager Don Snyders said. "There was no doubt that we needed to add Fox News."Other top requested channels that were added were Comedy Central, Food Network, Outdoor Channel, Speed Channel, Travel Channel, Golf Channel, Cartoon Network, and Court TV."The transition from the old system to the new one went well," said Al Top, an Alliance Communications technician from Hills. "If anyone's having a problem, they need to call in and let us know."Alliance Communications technicians may need to make some final adjustments at customers' homes, if they're needed.

By Mark HaugenTwo games into the season, coach Tom Goehle is seeing a lot of good things from his H-BC girls basketball team.The Patriots opened their season at home Friday night and the offense put on a show, beating Lake Benton 71-65. Again on their home court Monday night, Hills-Beaver Creek couldn’t keep pace with Ellsworth and lost 67-55.H-BC hosted Pipestone Tuesday night and then hits the road for games at Central Lyon on Monday and at Murray County Central in Slayton on Tuesday, Nov. 30.H-BC 71, Lake Benton 65The Patriots used a 31-10 second quarter surge to break a 16-16 first-quarter tie and then held on for their first victory of the season."The second quarter was huge," Coach Tom Goehle said. "We were able to create turnovers and then score off those turnovers. We were able to take advantage of their miscues and got a lot of transition points. That set the tone."But the Lady Bobcats bounced back with their own surge in the third quarter, outscoring H-BC 22-8 and trailed only 55-48 after three quarters."That third quarter they got extremely hot," Goehle said. "They got back in the game and made it into a great ballgame."Senior Cassi Tilstra pace the Patriots with 22 points (including two 3-pointers) and 10 rebounds. Fellow senior Melinda Feucht netted 12 points, while Brittney Rozeboom and Stacy Bush scored eight each."I’m very happy with how we played. We got out and pushed the ball like we wanted to and were able to defend fullcourt," Goehle said.Box scoreRozeboom 4 0-2 8, Fransman 2 3-4 7, Bush 3 2-8 8, Amanda Tilstra 1 0-0 2, Feucht 5 2-2 12, Fink 2 0-0 4, Helgeson 1 0-0 2, Cassi Tilstra 7 2 6-7 22, Roozenboom 2 0-0 4, Mulder 1 0-0 2. Team statsField goal shooting: HBC 28-70, LB 25-68. Rebounds: HBC 48 (C. Tilstra 10, Feucht 7, Bush 7), LB 44. Steals: HBC 15 (Bush 4, Mulder 4). Assists: HBC (Bush 5). Turnovers: HBC 18, LB 21.Ellsworth 67, HBC 55The Patriots’ shots weren’t falling as well on Monday night, and they had difficulty stopping the inside play of Ellsworth’s Laurel Drenth, as H-BC fell to 1-1 on the season.H-BC led 18-14 after the first and 32-30 at halftime. "Then Drenth took over the game," Goehle said, as she had 28 points in the game (19 in the second half). "I thought she played outstanding. She was definitely the difference in the second half."Tilstra again led the Patriots with 20 points, six assists and four steals. Rozeboom scored 14, and Melinda Feucht grabbed seven rebounds."I was happy again with the effort we gave," Goehle said. "We were trying to pressure them and force turnovers. They turned the ball over 22 times, but we just didn’t convert many. On the offensive end we were a little impatient. That’s to be expected this time of year and with the style we’re pushing. It’s a fine line of knowing when to push the ball and when to slow down and run the offense."Box scoreRozeboom 3 8-10 14, Fransman 1 2-2 5, Bush 0 0-0 0, Amanda Tilstra 0 0-2 0, Feucht 2 3-4 7, Fink 2 2-2 7, Helgeson 0 0-0 0, Cassi Tilstra 8 3-7 20, Roozenboom 0 0-0 0, Mulder 1 0-0 2. Team statsField goal shooting: HBC 17-55, E 23-49.

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Luverne has developed its Five-Year/Annual Agency Plan in compliance with the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. It is available for review at the Blue Mound Tower at 216 N. McKenzie in Luverne, MN. The Authority’s hours of operation are Monday though Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition, a public hearing will be held on January 12, 2005, at the Authority’s office at 12 p.m. The public may attend. (11-25)

10 years ago (1994)
Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members struggled with building issues. A study in July revealed problems with the high school and elementary buildings. The board discussed renovating or building new but not combining forces with a neighboring district.
Ellsworth Boosters started an effort to save their school in April and have raised $30,000 — the same amount as the district’s estimated shortfall for the year.
Nine-year-old Matthew Wise, Luverne, was the winner of the Rock County Community Library Cookie Contest and Pigout.25 years ago (1979)
The teachers and board of the Hills-Beaver Creek district reached a contract settlement. The groups had submitted final positions to the Minnesota Public Employees Relations Board and an arbitrator had been selected. But the arbitrator was not used. The settlement calls for a 17.6-percent increase over two years. Leon Pick, Gordon LeBoutillier, and Gearold Van Roekel were involved in negotiations.
Catholics and Lutherans broke with a 450-year-old tradition when they gathered for a joint Thanksgiving service. A number of lay people took part in the service, as well as the Rev. Norman Olsen, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, and the Rev. Thomas Ploof, priest at St. Catherine’s.50 years ago (1954)
Harm Smook has purchased complete control of the Good Service Oil Co. He acquired the half held by Mrs. Otis Godfrey.
Vic Bowman called the Star Herald to say that the first natural gas installation was completed in a Luverne home, a duplex owned by C.B. Kjenslee and Norm Oldre.
Local men met the draft quota for Rock County Nov. 16. They were Donald Soehl, Luverne; Marinus Klarenbeek, Steen; Anthony Vander Syde, Holland; and Gary Barmore, Luverne.75 years ago (1929)
V.A. Long, of the Long Service Station, planned to install a complete "super-service" station at the junction of trunk highways No. 9 and No. 6 on West Main Street.
Herman Jochims booked movies for the Palace Theatre that were billed as "strong attractions" and "leading sound pictures." 100 years ago (1904)
To date, Dr. Spalding has performed 106 operations for appendicitis since his hospital was opened. In all but one case, the operations were "completely
A savings department has been opened by the Rock County Bank to facilitate the handling of small deposits, which earned 4 percent interest.
A new cement sidewalk was planned for the south side of the Central School House block.

By Lexi MooreThis time of year people spend time contemplating what they want in their lives.
Children put together Christmas lists
Young adults contemplate what they want in their future.
Businesses look at the upcoming year to set goals. Largely they want to achieve them.
Organizations want to use this time for fund-raisers and parties.
Parents want Santa to come, just this once.I usually want all of my lists to get completed before the holiday arrives and another year begins.This year I just want time to slow down so that I can enjoy the memories I am making. So, instead of making To Do lists, I am going to make just one big list with a detailed plan for how I can slow time down over the next month.Here are some of my ideas:oI am going to enjoy every day remaining on my 2004 calendar. I will wake up excited about my day, happy about the weather and unaffected by the normal stresses of life.oI will not get stressed over the holiday menu because there is always plenty of food. oInstead of looking at the busy calendar with dread, I will embrace the flurry of activity. After all, life is better when you enjoy it rather than anxiously watch it pass.Usually my thanksgiving plans include plane travel, packing and finding a cat sitter. This year, because I’m now living near my South Dakota family, I don’t have to plan beyond finding the right channel for the Thanksgiving Day parade.Having a simple Thanksgiving, free of crowded malls, void of football schedules, unburdened by a frozen bird, but surrounded by family should help the Moore holiday season start off slower than usual.And if you have any suggestions for my plan, please stop me on the street and let me know. Try to remember the more you clutter your mind with the trivia, the faster time will fly. And it is always harder to make lasting memories when you haven’t taken the time to watch them go by.Happy Thanksgiving!

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYNOVEMBER 9, 2004Dana Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 7:55 P.M. Board present: Dan Dahlquist, Keith Elbers, Jim Jellema, Ross Metzger and Linus Svoboda. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer, and Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Guest: Lexi Moore, Reporter-Hills Crescent. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Svoboda to approve the minutes of October 12th, Motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the October expenditures. Motion carried.No further business, meeting adjourned at 7:57 P.M./s/ Connie J. WiertzemaConnie J. WiertzemaSecretary(11-25)

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILNOVEMBER 9, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:07 P.M. with the following Council present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, Dana Dahlquist, and Ross Metzger. Employees present: Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer, Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests: Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent, Dan Cook-Rock County Rural Water, and Wilmer Elbers. Motion by Keith Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve the minutes of October 12th. None opposed, motion carried.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Keith Elbers to approve payment of the October expenditures, excluding check #11330 to Skewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt pending information regarding dishonored checks. General $6,700.57; Park $1,820.69; Fire $14,579.97; Street $3,519.12; Legion $1,472.05; Sewer $1,275.28; Garbage $4,003.44; Recycling $502.95; Water $4,411.02; Baseball $39.17; Softball $20.84; Civil Defense $131.00. None opposed, motion carried. General Checking 58,071.68General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 240,288.97General Fund CD#17792 (prev. #15742) 2.5%, 5/29/03 – cashed in 6/3/03General Fund CD#17760 (prev. #17573) 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,994.17Sewer Fund CD#17877 (prev. #17433) 2.5% 10/18/03 – cashed in 10/03 – ($21,000 to general)Sewer Fund CD#18255, (prev. #18171) 1.5%, 7/19/04 – inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $70,771.64Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,401.93Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,414.23Hills EDA checking – Acct. #1248 10,544.67Southern Hills Apt. Acct. #1255 10,269.90Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 17.44Southern Hills CD#17759 (prev. #17572) 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,248.54EDA CD#17850 (prev. #17384) 2.5%, 5/7/05 28,313.93EDA CD#18275 (prev. #17268) 1.25%, 07/04 – inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $10,661.76EDA CD#18160, 1.5%, 10/17/04 20,301.95ED CD#18505, .75%, 8/24/04 10,686.39TOTAL $430,553.80Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to renew general fund CD#18197 for six months. None opposed, motion carried. Motion by Keith Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve the Treasurer’s report. None opposed, motion carried.Ward was instructed to continue to contact Centennial Homes regarding street damage along Josephine Avenue. Vantek Communications will be invited to the December meeting to discuss the recent mounting of radio antennas on the water tower, wherein three holes were drilled in the roof of the tower; also to discuss a two-way radio system for the City’s use. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Svoboda to hire Liquid Engineering to inspect and clean the water storage tank for $2,415.00. None opposed, motion carried. The Clerk was instructed to contact Sheriff Winkels regarding information on the hiring of school crossing guards along State Highway 270 and Main Avenue. City maintenance was instructed to arrange to have the crosswalk repainted. The Council set a rate of $80 per hour for machine and man-hours, for sweeping streets in the City of Steen. Dan Cook was invited to the meeting to discuss the continuous problem of discolored water. Cook explained that this problem is not isolated to the City of Hills, but is within the entire Rock County Rural Water System, due to the Minnesota State Health Department’s mandate to add phosphate to the system. The added phosphate is a micro and metal cleaner intended to clean and coat metal pipes and fixtures without notability. Cook assured the Council, through information from the MN Dept. of Health, that the discolored water is safe for drinking, but that due to continuous discolored water complaints, RCRW has abstained from using the chemical as of October 19th. RCRW will continue to flush mains, and encourages the City to do the same, until the phosphate is completely flushed out and discolored water is cleared. Cook encouraged the City Council to have a continuous flushing plan in place year-round, with the exception of the winter months unless absolutely necessary. Cook offered RCRW’s services to get the City’s maintenance department initiated in a flushing plan. It is uncertain at this time, whether RCRW will use a different chemical known as C9, which will coat pipes without the cleaning effect, eliminating the problem of discolored water. RCRW will make that determination over the winter months. The Council instructed city maintenance to continue to flush all hydrants at least once per week until the water system is cleared of phosphate and/or discolored water problems. Thereafter, city maintenance should begin a routine water flushing plan, as recommended by RCRW, and keep written records of location, date, time, length of flushing time, and condition of the hydrants. Hydrants that do not work properly should be noted, repaired or replaced, with the same information reported to the fire department. Wilmer Elbers attended the meeting to inquire whether the Council had made a decision to purchase lots in Park View Third Addition. No further discussion or action was taken. Discussed poor maintenance of a certain residential property. Keith Elbers volunteered to contact the owner of this property. Per information from the Rock County Administrator, the Council is not interested in using supervised jail crews for city work at this time.Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Keith Elbers to accept an audit proposal, not to exceed $3,650.00 from Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co. to audit the City’s 2004 records. This proposal includes a $500 increase, due to additional reporting standards of GASB 34, recently required by the State Auditor’s Office. None opposed, motion carried. Motion by Keith Elbers, seconded by Metzger to renew On-Sale and Off-Sale liquor licenses to Kelly’s Roadhouse Bar for 2005, pending certification from the State is approved. None opposed, motion carried. As of January 1st, magazines and catalogs will be accepted in curbside recycling. These items must be separated from other recycling materials. Advertisements and brochures will be forthcoming to explain the recycling changes. A canvassing board made up of Keith Elbers, Linus Svoboda and Joanne Goehle moved to accept the November 2nd election results as follows: Jim Jellema as mayor; Dana Dahlquist and Ross Metzger as council members. Elected terms begin January 2, 2005. Oath of Offices were taken and signed by Jellema, Dahlquist and Metzger. The Hills-Beaver Creek School District has agreed to take possession of the City’s garage located at 116 South Central Avenue. The property in which the garage is located will remain the City’s. Maintenance and insurance on the garage will be the responsibility of the School District, a certificate of insurance will be provided to the City.Discussed the purchase of truck fuel for the Fire Department. No further discussion, meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M./s/ Connie J. WiertzemaConnie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(11-25)

10 years ago (1994)"Five H-BC Patriots were named to the 1994 Buffalo Ridge All-Conference team. Those selected were Matt Metzger, Collin Leuthold, Aric Leenderts, Tony Olson and Jay Bakken."25 years ago (1979)"Maureen Bush, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bud Bush, arrived home Friday. Maureen, a graduate of Moorhead State College has a degree in physical education and a coaching certificate. She recently finished practice teaching and is temporarily at home."50 years ago (1954)"Dick Bosch and Kenny Sandstede were up to the Leech Lake vicinity fishing last week. They said the walleyes weren’t biting. They came home the day before the season opened as the cabins were taken for by hunters." 75 years ago (1929)"Kermit Kvien, who has been employed in the Stendal’s Shoe Co. store in Minneapolis, was laid off together with several others in that department. Kermit says the recent crash in the stock market is keenly felt in Minneapolis. The Foshay Co. laid off 600 employees, and the Heat Regulating Co. cut out 1,500 employees, likewise dozens of other big concerns. The going wage is around $15 per week, and hundreds are clamoring for jobs at this low salary. Kermit will visit his mother and brother here for a while." 100 years ago (1904)"In accordance with proclamations of the president of the United States and the governor of the commonwealth of Minnesota, today is Thanksgiving Day, and all who have anything to be thankful for are supposed to give thanks, which The Crescent hopes includes every individual in Hills and Rock County, and especially the people of Martin Township, who have been privileged to garner a good harvest, in fact, far superior to that harvested in other parts of the northwest. The people of Hills also have ample reason to give thanks. Our town has prospered as no town in this part of the state has prospered. Every working man who so desired has had steady employment; and if there are any who failed to keep busy it was not for the lack of opportunity to work. However, we cannot help but admit that Thanksgiving Day has been transferred from a day of thanksgiving and prayer to a gala day, in which the gridiron enthusiasts make a final bid for some sort of a championship. But everyone must scramble to keep up with the spirit of the time, and this afternoon will no doubt find The Crescent force down in Ole’s cow pasture with the Hills Giants."

Vernon Kvale spent the weekend in Blaine attending a Paulson family reunion. He visited with his sister, Gladys Paulson. Cletus and Patty Nuffer and Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the lutefisk supper at Nordic Hall in Sioux Falls Friday night. Don and Edyth Briggs attended the El Riad Big Band supper and party Friday evening at Skellys’ Pub in Sioux Falls. Don played in the ceremonial band on Saturday.Friday evening Betty Elbers and Melba Boeve of Steen attended the Green Earth Players production of "Nunsense" at Luverne Palace Theatre. Floyd and Mary Kraetsch, Luverne, spent Thursday evening with Bob and Twila Kirsch after enjoying supper out at Larchwood, Iowa.Wendell and Kathryn Erickson attended the open house Sunday afternoon at Nobles County Art Center. Ida Langstraat, Hawarden, Iowa, visited Fran Sandager Sunday and also other friends in the community. Margaret Bakker, along with Arie and Marianne Drooger, Edgerton, attended funeral services for their sister-in-law, Gertrude Vande Woulde. She had been a resident at the rest home in Edgerton. Funeral services were in Chandler. Riley Lentz, Lakefield, spent the weekend with grandparents Bob and Twila Kirsch. Dr. Ernest and Ina Thorsgard, Thief River Falls, spent overnight Thursday in the home of his sister, Kathryn and Wendell Erickson. Patrick and Kirsten Anderson, Sioux Falls, joined them here for supper and to visit. Mary Carter and her daughter, Marilyn Metzger, Hawarden, Iowa, attended the funeral of a long-time friend, Hilda Vollmer, 86, Wednesday at East Side Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.