Hospital project on schedule, unaffected by the stormDespite some rumors of storm damage, the new hospital project was unaffected by the recent 90 mile per hour winds.According to Hospital Administrator Jerry Carl, the roof was on, and the windows and masonry were in place, keeping the project protected from some of the other devastating damages that occurred to others in town.The only effect the storm created on the construction site was some blown around insulation, which Carl said they weren’t even sure came from their project.With the building fully enclosed, Carl is confident there should be no future delays and the winter interior work should proceed as scheduled.Work moving inside will also mean that you won’t be able to drive by the project and check on roadside progress in the future.Sheet rocking has already begun in some parts of the lower level.The new building is scheduled to open June of 2005.When open, the new 93,000 square foot hospital will have cost $17.3 million.Relay for Life achieves new goalThe final numbers for the Relay for Life fund-raiser are in, and the results have everyone smiling.This year’s initial goal was $35,000. When that goal was met early, the group decided to try for $45,000.That goal was met weeks before the relay itself, and the group crossed the $50,000 mark during the relay.According to Vivian Holst, treasurer for the group, after all the post-relay funds had been collected, the total has reached $62,085.36.According to Holst, most towns the size of Luverne try to hit the $30,000 mark and are very happy if they reach $40,000.Communities twice the size of Luverne often doesn’t see more than $45,000.How did this get started?In 1964, Gordon Klatt was a pre-med student, studying at St. Thomas University.In 1985, he found himself a practicing surgeon in Tacoma Wash., dealing with the ravages of cancer.According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, in May 1985 he decided to ask for pledges from community sponsors, then ran and walked around a track for 24 hours.Klatt’s solo marathon covered 81 miles, raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society and started the annual Relay for Life event that has since gone nationwide.It is now the American Cancer Society’s largest fund-raising activity.Last year more than 3,000 community’s recruited teams to walk overnight in memory of loved ones and in celebration of survival.Luverne’s 4th annual Relay for Life was the weekend of June 18 and 19 at the Luverne City Park, with 22 teams participating.Sioux Falls Main Street hires former Luverne EDA directorSioux Falls has a new Main Street economic development director that should be familiar to many in Luverne.Dan Statema, former EDA director for Luverne is the new "Main Street Maestro" for Sioux Falls, according to the Argus Leader.Statema graduated from University of Minnesota, Mankato, before accepting a job as EDA director and city planner for the city of Janesville, population 2500.From Janesville, Statema came to Luverne where he served as the EDA director for nearly two years.His resignation was effective in July of this year.Accepting the Sioux Falls position takes Statema back home, where he graduated from Sioux Falls Washington High School in 1994.Statema is taking over the position when the downtown Sioux Falls area is on a high.Occupancy rates since 1990 have risen from 60 to 90 percent.Downtown Sioux Falls property owners recently voted to assess a special tax assessment on them through the creation of a Business Improvement District.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By Lori EhdeHow we spend time with our children and what we do with our children is how we build our future.That’s the message Dr. Hilary Stecklein will bring to Luverne next week when she presents "How to Build a Better Brain: The Competing Role of Media."She’ll share information with the community at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, in the elementary school commons.She’s passionate about her message to anyone working with children."If we don’t have caring, thoughtful, team players who are emotionally competent, then we aren’t going to have a successful democracy," she said. "This is huge … This is a charge to all of us … These are really important things for us to understand."Stecklein said there are countless child development experts pushing theories on how best to care for children, but her information comes from science.She quotes such reputable sources as the Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development, the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine."Their brains are being wired for certain patterns of learning," Stecklein said.She said too much "screen time" in front of TVs, computers and video games is affecting their chances for success now and later in life."Kids who are watching more vivid images are developing brain connections that increase aggressiveness, decrease attention span and lower tolerance," Stecklein said. "Further, they’re not developing language skills that they need to effectively solve problems."Stecklein is a pediatrician, clinical professor at the University of Minnesota and founder of the early literacy program, Reading Rx."It’s not going to be all about TV bashing," Stecklein said about her upcoming visit to Luverne."We have an obligation to understand what we’re teaching our children. I’m not saying ‘Don’t watch television.’ I’m saying keep an eye on the volume and content. … The trick is to make them competent media consumers."Stecklein said her talk Tuesday night will include practical information such as establishing a media plan in homes, and she’ll emphasize that it’s never too late to make improvements."No parent intentionally wants less than the best for their kids," she said. "But people start to lose track of what’s happening with the children. There are so many things competing with their time and attention, that, by default almost, we’ve developed patterns of spending time that aren’t healthy."Not only is too much screen time bad for children, but it prevents them from doing other healthy things like creative play, reading and physical activity."Part of it is that it’s such a mentally passive activity it deprives children of activities we have traditionally been doing — including other kinds of social interaction," she said."There’s no question we have lowered school performance and increased obesity and all sorts of behavioral issues."Stecklein comes to Luverne through the Rock County Collaborative, Early Childhood Connections (formerly Healthy Families) and the Rock County Interagency Early Intervention Committee.Questions can be directed to Nobles-Rock Public Health, 283-5066, and Luverne Community Education, 283-4724.Stecklein said she’s looking forward to working with a community that puts so much importance on child development."The people in Luverne are so far ahead of the rest of the state in trying to get people educated on these issues," she said. "They’re working to get everyone involved — social services, education, medicine and business."Stecklein will speak to Luverne Public School staff members from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday in the elementary commons, and to area professionals from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Rock County Human Services Community Room.Child care is available at ECFE for the community presentation at 7 p.m. if families call ahead at 283-4724.

By Lori EhdeA Luverne 8-year-old is recuperating at home this week after a bike-vs-car accident Tuesday night.According to the accident report, Ethan Marshall and his friend, Dalton Jacobsma, turned left on their bikes from Marshall’s driveway onto the street.At that time a 1993 Chevy Lumina was approaching on their right, heading west, and was not able to stop in time to avoid hitting Marshall.Marshall was taken to Luverne Community Hospital, and then to Sioux Falls for a more thorough x-ray of his vertebrae, but he was sent home that night."He’s doing remarkably well," said his mother, Janet Marshall. "He’s kind of scraped up, but fortunately he has no broken bones and no stitches. … We’re just so thankful he’s okay."Jacobsma suffered no injuries in the accident, but the boys had exchanged bikes, so the Jacobsma bike was mangled at the scene.His mother, Erin Jacobmsa, arrived at the intersection shortly after the ambulance did."I saw Dalton’s bike, and kind of panicked … and then I was so glad to hear he wasn’t hurt," she said. "But then, I felt so bad to hear that Ethan had been hurt."According to Sheriff Mike Winkels, the driver, Joyce Bristow, Luverne, was clearly not at fault. "This is a simple case of a bicyclist failing to yield," he said Wednesday.The accident happened at about 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of West Bishop and North Donaldson.Damage to the car’s left front bumper is estimated at $400, and damage to the Jacobsma bike is estimated at $85.Five children struck since last fallJacobsma is the fifth local child (four of them 8-year-olds) to be struck by vehicles in the past seven months.
On Oct. 8 last fall, Cole Walgrave, now 8, was struck while crossing the intersection of Main Street and Highway 75 on his inline skates.He suffered a fractured pelvis and missed nearly a week of school recovering from his injuries. He spent time in a wheelchair and then crutches before he could eventually walk without pain.Walgrave had crossed on a green light, and the driver of the car, Jesse Dean Lafrenz, was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian.
On Jan. 22, Cole Eidem, then 5 years old, was struck by a pickup on North Highway 75 where he and his mother and aunt stopped on the shoulder of the road.They had forgotten a container of toys on top of the car, and when it fell to the ground north of Luverne, they stopped to pick up the contents.Eidem was struck when he stepped into the driving lane of a passing pickup to retrieve one of the toys.
On April 16, 8-year-old Andrea Woods, Luverne, was struck by a pickup while riding her bike at the intersection of Donaldson and Main streets.Sheriff Mike Winkels witnessed the accident, and said Woods was thrown 60 feet through the air by the impact. She was airlifted to Sioux Valley Hospital, but her injuries were determined to be non-life threatening, and she was back in school a few
On May 12, Chris DeGroot was struck by a 1994 Chevy Lumina driven by Thomas Schwarz, Bigelow. The accident happened in Magnolia shortly after Chris got off the bus and darted into the street to avoid a dog that was chasing him.Both bones in the lower part of his leg were broken, and he had multiple fractures in his foot. He spent several weeks in a wheelchair and in a cast.All the children have reportedly made full recoveries.

By Lori EhdeIn an effort to balance decreasing revenues against increasing costs, Luverne School District is laying the groundwork to ask voters for an operating levy this fall.Board members will set the amount needed at their meeting Thursday, Aug. 26.District Finance Officer Marlene Mann urged board members at their Aug. 10 meeting to consider a $455 per-pupil referendum, with the idea that a portion would be earmarked for technology."We have a constant struggle to maintain district-wide technology, including computers, and this would be one way to fund that," Mann said.She said despite cutting more than $340,000 from the budget this year alone, the district will need to seek additional operating funds simply to pay the bills."For the third year in a row there’s been no increase in per pupil funding from the state," Mann said. "But costs continue to rise each year if you offer the same services."Steadily declining enrollment and steadily increasing expenses — particularly fuel and health insurance — are big factors influencing the district budget.A $455 per-pupil referendum would generate an additional $603,995 in operating funds for the district each year for up to 10 years.The state would match 48 percent of that amount, and 52 percent would be paid by residents in the district.Board members will take official action on the referendum and the amount to ask for at their meeting next week.At their last meeting they approved a contract with Ehlers and Associates to handle the referendum process.The financial group from Roseville is the same one that handled the December 1996 bond vote for the new elementary school in Luverne.On Aug. 10, the board approved $3,000 for Ehlers to provide services for the referendum. Those services include:oGathering data for figuring tax impact. oFiguring the amount of revenue that would result from six different referendum amounts.oProviding tables and graphics on property tax trends, including examples of how actual properties in the district would be affected by the different referendum amounts.oPosting a Web site for residents to get detailed information. For example, residents will be able to enter their personal property data and the site will show them how the referendum will affect their property taxes.oOffering toll-free phone numbers and e-mail addresses residents can use to ask questions.The Luverne School District is already operating on a 10-year $400-per-pupil operating levy that was approved in 2001. That one is generating roughly $543,000 for the district. The local effort is 45 percent of that, or $243,000, and the balance comes from state aid.If the board approves putting the new referendum to a vote, district residents will decide during the election Nov. 2. Fifty percent of the voters, plus one, is needed for the referendum to pass.

By Sara StrongThe Luverne City Council Tuesday rejected another law enforcement contract proposal from Rock County — and was about to terminate the existing contract, when council members decided to give the county until Monday to accept a new city proposal.Rock County Commissioners don’t have a scheduled meeting with a quorum until Tuesday, however.Councilman Pat Baustian said, "I think we are more than fair in this latest proposal. It’s the closest we’ve been so far. … I think this is the last straw."He added that city taxpayers will be better off with this option than with the last the county proposed.The city’s new proposal would give $510,950 in direct payments to the county. City Administrator Greg LaFond said it’s important to note that city taxpayers will also contribute $155,656 to law enforcement through their county taxes.The latest county proposal would have the city paying $673,599, and keep services at the same level. With city taxpayers’ contributions to the county, that would be about $801,000.The county said that without a direct payment of at least $669,000, it can’t guarantee services will be kept above minimum standards.Sept. 1 is deadline for canceling the contract, which doesn’t expire until the end of 2005.City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said Tuesday that he recommended the city terminate the law enforcement contract. "I question whether it’s good public policy to have the city write a check and the county control the money from there," Vander Kooi said.LaFond said, "We would suggest, that because we are at the 11th hour here, that the council reject the Aug. 12 proposal, submit the city’s proposal, and as for a response by Monday. If the county doesn’t accept it, then terminate the law enforcement agreement."He said that costs for contract law with Rock County are escalating and will cost Luverne taxpayers $1 million by 2008.Vander Kooi said he had wanted to work out an agreement to contract with the county, but lost hope after the county’s last proposal. He said it would end up costing Luverne more than previous proposals, and didn’t address Luverne’s issues with how the department was financed.He reminded the council that law enforcement is a county obligation under state law, not an obligation of the city.The county’s proposal for 2006 through 2010 was:oThe city of Luverne would pay the same per capita sum as charged to other contract municipalities, which would be $34.50 per capita starting in 2006.oAdditional patrol services would be purchased at a rate of $50 per hour.oThe city would split the cost of the crossing guards with the school district, amounting to $13,000 to $15,000 for the city. oThe city would pay the cost of the DARE program. It was a city program before joint law, and county leaders believe it should return to the city.Luverne currently receives 30 hours of dedicated patrol hours under the existing contract. The new proposal from the county would provide one hour of patrol per day along with ordinance enforcement and other additional duties now provided by the department.To maintain the current level of service, remaining 29 hours of patrol would be purchased at the $50 per hour rate. This would be an extra charge because it is beyond the base level service that all county residents receive.The county says that that without the contract for more hours, the Sheriff’s Department might not be able to afford the investigator position, K-9 unit, forced entry team, hazardous material training, drug task force participation, or other specialized services.City’s proposal, effective through 2006 was:oThe county should reduce capital expenses by $40,000, spending $50,000.oThe city would assume crossing guard expenses with the school as a partner, or about $13,000.oInmate per diem, medical expenses and bailiff expenses would be separated from the rest of the budget, and the city would pay $20,000 toward this.oThe city would contract for 184 hours of patrol time per week. The city would make a direct payment of $36 per hour for patrol services, or a total of $344,450. oThe city would make a direct payment of $120,500 for law enforcement center expenses. Direct payments and city taxes collected by the county would mean a combined payment of 47 percent of the budget.City Administrator LaFond said he hopes negotiations continue, even if the city cancels the current contract.

By Sara StrongThe Randy Scott Memorial Ride Saturday attracted bikers and friends of Scott and his surviving family. It also raised money for local charities. Randy Scott, Hardwick, was 55 and new to biking when he died last August 16. He had purchased his 1997 Harley Davidson Road King just months before dying while out on a ride.The accident happened on a Saturday when then South Dakota Congressman and former governor Bill Janklow drove through a rural Moody County, S.D., intersection, at 71 miles per hour, striking Scott.Scott was driving behind his friend, Terry Johnson, when Janklow ran the stop sign. The accident aftermath, — with Janklow sentenced to 100 days in jail and the courts agreeing to wipe the felony from his record in three years — has angered and frustrated many.While some at the ride were outspoken about ideas of injustice or lack of care for motorcycles on the road, the overall theme was focused on Scott.Marcella said, "It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. It was so nice out."The turnout was less than hoped for Saturday, but the mood was cheerful and participants said they enjoyed themselves."Today is worse than most," Marcella said Monday, the first anniversary of Scott’s death.But Saturday, her spirits were higher when she was surrounded by people greeting her, hugging her, and offering words of kindness."It means a lot to have so many people come to support Randy," Marcella said. She goes to her son’s grave once a week. And she goes as often as she can to the scene of the accident."I just think of him there and remember his life," she said.Scott graduated from Luverne High School in 1967. He graduated from Pipestone Vocational School in 1968. He joined the U.S. Army on Jan. 21, 1969, and was honorably discharged on Oct. 20, 1970. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Scott was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. He was an active member of the Hardwick Fire Department from 1983 to 2003, serving as fire chief and for the past eight years, as assistant fire chief. He was also a past commander of the Arthur Moeller Legion Post #478 in Hardwick. It’s unknown whether there will be another ride in Scott’s name next year. Proceeds that will go to local charities haven’t been tallied yet.A civil suit against Janklow is still pending.

The sunburn on this redneck might not fadeI’m not the type to pretend I’m something I’m not, so I admit that I’m a lady who has a few hints of redneck showing on her fair skin. I say redneck by national standards, not local, because in Rock County, Minnesota, everyone is either a redneck or just one degree removed from it. There are a few classy elements to me, but that’s not what I’m highlighting today. I have to face up to the redneck traits because I just got a high score on a redneck quiz. Not that that’s a bad thing.Somehow, being redneck has become a sort of national trend, which Midwesterners have been trying to buck for years.We needlessly spent time defending ourselves while the rest of the country was embracing what came natural to us.The "redneck trend" is all over: cowboy shirts with pearly snap buttons are in chic shops; popular songs pay tribute to redneck ways; SPAM cook-offs are featured in trendy magazines; "git ‘er done" is now said by people we used to think of as elegant, and Comedy Central even had a whole weekend of redneck programming. While I may have gotten a high redneck score, I can say for myself that I’ve never had a mullet or been in love with someone who did. I’ve never owned an El Camino or bought a Jeff Foxworthy CD. I believe in the merits of higher education and don’t think it’s all right to marry cousins — not even second cousins.I have, however, eaten squirrel, processed deer sausage on my kitchen table and washed clothes in a wringer washer on my grandma’s front lawn.I drink out of garden hoses and think double-wide trailers are way under-appreciated. I enjoy my Mom’s homemade Cheez Whiz and … have even frequented Huset’s Speedway.I might as well cook up some grits and start dancing to my Bellamy Brothers Greatest Hits CD.But don’t even think about judging me, because I know most of my readers are rednecks, and no amount of sunscreen will help.

By Jolene FarleyThe Beaver Creek Sportsmen’s Club and the Hills City Council continue to work on upgrading the Rez park.Representatives from the Beaver Creek Sportsmen’s Club and the council discussed installing an aerator and dock at the Aug. 10 council meeting.The aerator, used to improve the water quality, was ruled out because of liability issues, according to Sportsmen’s Club member Roger Jackson. The club had located a used aerator to purchase.An aerator would create spots of open water on an otherwise frozen pond, creating a drowning hazard in the winter.Sportsmen’s Club members also informed the council that they wanted to add a handicap-accessible dock to the water. The group has located a dock to purchase for $8,600 and the city has agreed to contribute about half of the cost, according to Jackson. The dock would be placed at the end of the peninsula and a handicap accessible parking area and pad would have to be added so people in wheelchairs could reach the dock. Jackson met with a blacktopping crew later in the week to come up with a plan for the parking area.Members of the Sportsmen’s Club will inspect the dock to be sure it’s what the group wants at the Rez."It’s looking good on paper, but we’d still like to look at one to see how well it’s built," Jackson said. "We want to make sure it looks nice; we don’t want some junk out there."The council agreed to let the choice of dock be up to the club’s discretion."They’re leaving it up to us to check it out and make sure it’s acceptable," Jackson said. Rez inspectionThe Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent a letter to the city about a recent inspection at the Rez.Periodic inspections are required of all sites previously funded under the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. Grants, $10,538 in 1978 and $1,280 in 1979, were obtained for constructing the beach at the Rez and to add a hiking trail. The letter stated, in part:"The beach playground should be checked to ensure it meets current safety standards and the newer playground equipment is not accessible to persons with disabilities, the letter read.The portable restroom is not accessible to persons with disabilities. If restrooms are provided, an accessible restroom must be provided. An accessible parking space and walkway to the picnic shelter should be provided. Also, I did not locate the required funding acknowledgement sign."The points of the letter are very typical, according to DNR Grants Manager Audrey Mularie."These comments are comments I make on 90 percent of the inspections that I do," she said.The funding acknowledgement sign costs less than $20 to purchase, according to Mularie.The council isn’t obligated to correct the other issues immediately, but in a worst-case scenario, someone could file a complaint with the state, according to Mularie.

By Jolene FarleyThe Hills Community Club invites residents to Old Fashioned Saturday Night, Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Hills Park. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a meal of brats or burgers, potato salad, chips and bars with a beverage will be served for a small fee. Straight from the Heart from Beaver Creek Lutheran Church will perform during the event. Members of the band are Jim Olson, Matt Onnen, Yvonne Manning and Claudia Abraham.In case of rain or cold weather, the event will be moved to the Hills American Legion Club.The Hills Community Club encourages its members to pay their dues to help continue to sponsor Friendship Days and Old Fashioned Saturday Night.