By Sara StrongClaudia Fletcher knows a thing or two about adoption. With her 10th child on the way, and one entering college, she’s done it all — or most of it — including domestic, international, infant and older-child adoptions.Now, the Luverne resident is available to help local families adopt, or to at least help them understand what the process would entail."I’ve helped some local families adopt, but there seems to be a need in this part of the state," Fletcher said.Fletcher will be a part of an adoption open house and informational meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, in the United Methodist Church, Luverne.Her husband is the pastor at United Methodist, the Rev. Bart Fletcher. The church will serve as an office for the new adoption agency and has a separate phone number 449-4357, where she will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. most days. Claudia may be reached by e-mail at claudiapfrc@iw.net.Permanent families"Anybody interested in any type of adoption can come here and I’ll help them, and if they want, I can refer them somewhere else, too," Fletcher said.The new office is a branch of the Permanent Family Resource Center, Fergus Falls.PFRC is a four-year-old, private, non-profit adoption agency with three other branch offices.Director Mary Jane Westra said, "We’re really excited about having Claudia there. She’s a great advocate, yet she’s the first to tell you it’s not easy."Adopting isn’t always easy because waiting older children have been taken away from parents who couldn’t care for them, and were often bounced through the foster care system."I’m not shy about saying that our primary goal is for children already waiting in the system," she said, although other types of adoption are covered by the agency.People don’t have to be rich, married homeowners in order to be considered adequate adoptive parents, as some might think.Workers for the agency contact county social service workers to find children who are in foster care and need a permanent family. They then match those children to families they have approved through home studies and extensive interviews."We feel that foster care is a necessary system," Westra said. "But we feel it’s not a place to raise families."Westra herself has nine children, five adopted.She said, "If you’re willing to go through the challenges, there are lots of joys. The rewards aren’t always immediate, but you take them where you can get them, because they’re there."Placing waiting children is a challenge in itself because it requires adoptive parents to go through it for the good of the children — not to fill a void or because they just want to be parents, as is often the case with newborn adoptions. They often get imperfect children with scars — and the new family portrait may reveal major differences.Westra stays motivated because there are still 140,000 children left to be placed before they lose their chance for a family when they’re 18."If you don’t have parents when you’re 18, where do you go for Christmas? Who do your own children call grandma or grandpa? Eighteen-year-olds still need their families." To date Permanent Family Resource Center has made 55 child placements with nine placements pending. Of these 55 children placed:
26 children were between the ages of 0 and 5 at the time of placement
18 children were between the ages of 6 and 10 at the time of placement
11 children were between the ages of 11 an 18 at the time of placement
22 children are of African American heritage
2 children are of Asian heritage
9 children are of Biracial heritage
14 children are of Caucasian heritage
4 children are of Hispanic heritage
4 children are of Native American heritage
40 children were placed as part of a sibling group

By Sara StrongRock County finalized how it will handle wind turbine permits Tuesday. The process of dealing with the new industry took months.County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said, "I think it was productive and everyone had really good input."The process cost for wind turbine owners will be based on a fee of $750 per megawatt, which will mean a one-time up-front fee of $1,230.On top of that, there will be a hearing fee of $500. These are changes from previous land use permits and yearly $100 inspection fees.Wind turbine owners will have to certify annually whether there were changes to the tower that would require county inspection.Klosterbuer said, "The final result is a better plan."Highway equipmentThe Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted to internally finance two major purchases for the Highway Department.The Board also had considered the option of bonding.The all-wheel drive plow chassis bid, minus a trade-in, came in at $254,211.The 4x4 heavy duty truck with snow blower came in at $291,725, including a trade -in.Additional accessories such as hoist, back-up alarm and air-bag system added up to an additional $19,000.The Highway Department already had $173,000 set aside for a new snow blower unit and will postpone other major purchases for five years.

By Jolene FarleyOfficials and citizens toured the Rock County Law Enforcement building Tuesday during a joint meeting between township and county boards.Rock County and local township officials meet once a year to discuss county issues.Before boarding a bus from the library to the law enforcement center, Sheriff Mike Winkels updated township and county representatives about recent drug busts. Once at the law enforcement center, Sheriff Winkels told the group that while planning the most recent drug bust 19 people had to meet to discuss the specifics of the case and finding space for a group that size was an issue. During Tuesday’s tour the group of about 40 people was split and the smaller groups toured a different area of the building because it was difficult to fit many people in the cramped quarters.Winkels stressed the lack of a secure area to hold prisoners and the lack of space in general during the tour. The jail cells, which can no longer hold prisoners because of state regulations, are used for storage. The 911 system, partially housed in the basement, will likely need to be replaced in the next few years, according to County Commissioner Jane Wildung.Wildung told the group that some electronic and computer equipment is currently housed in the damp basement. In the winter the walls are covered with frost, and that isn’t good for the equipment. The wiring in the building was called "an electrician’s nightmare" by members of the group because of the mass of wires running across a small area of the basement.County officials and law enforcement seemed to agree that at some point in the near future the current facility will need to be remodeled or the law enforcement center moved to a different location, possibly an addition on the Rock County Human Services Building.In other business at the joint meeting:Doug Bos of the Rock County Land Management Office reviewed the noxious weed program and the enforcement of noxious weed policies.
Land Management Office Director Eric Hartman reported on the progress of feedlot inspections in Rock County. About three-fourths of the feedlots in the county have been inspected, according to Hartman.Hartman also talked about the state and county permitting process required for wind turbines.

By Lori EhdeA "bullying prohibition policy" is now effect in Luverne Public Schools, which sounds serious, but here it’s just a formality to implement what’s already in place.The Luverne School Board is responding to legislation that requires all Minnesota school districts to implement an anti-bullying policy.The theory is that the Columbine, Colo., and Ricori school killings may not have happened had those districts recognized early on that the shooters themselves had been marginalized by bullying."It’s very relevant and important," Superintendent Vince Schaefer told board members at their March 25 meeting. "It sends the message that bullying or related behavior won’t be tolerated."The policy is available for public viewing at the district office, but the purpose is essentially to help school staff ensure a safe learning environment for students."Bullying, like other violent behavior, is conduct that interferes with students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to educate students …" the policy reads.The policy defines bullying as "any written or verbal expression, physical act or gesture or pattern thereof by a student that is intended to cause or is perceived as causing distress to one or more students and which substantially interferes with another student’s or students’ educational benefits, opportunities or performance."According to the policy, bullying includes, oharming a student, odamaging a student’s property, oplacing a student in fear of harm to his or her person or property, or ocreating a hostile educational environment for a student.The policy also outlines consequences and proper reporting procedures for bullying.According to High School Principal Gary Fisher, having the policy in place won’t prevent bullying. Rather, it will be a tool by which teachers and staff can measure potential bullying behavior and get involved early."It gives us a process to deal with the students and come up with discipline and consequences," Fisher said. "What I look at is if you’re doing things to make kids feel bad, then you’re a bully."He said he further defines bullying as behavior that tends to single out one or two students."When I talk to the kids about bullying, I refer to the chickens in the hen house," he said. "One will come along and a pull a feather out of a chicken, then some more will come along and do the same thing, and pretty soon all the chickens are pulling feathers out of one bird."He said students in Luverne, through special assemblies such as CLIMB Theatre, are taught to intervene when bullying starts, to prevent it from getting worse.Fisher said Luverne has been working on preventing bullying, but it’s still an issue worth addressing."Do we have a lot of bullying? We do have some things going on, but is it widespread? Not really," Fisher said."Policies are only as good as they’re enforced."Fisher said he’s been encouraged to see parents of high school and middle school students getting more involved in curbing bullying.For example, if students mention problems of possible bullying to their parents, it’s helpful if school staff can be alerted."If you don’t know about a problem, it’s hard for us to deal with a problem," Fisher said.

By Sara StrongThe Luverne Economic Development Authority has a few more business ventures in the works.It voted Tuesday to guarantee the first $25,000 of the refinancing of Minnesota Special Liquids, which produces the animal feed, Alcomp.It also is considering helping Plaza 75 owner Rich Dreckman get the new office project underway on South Highway 75.Also, the former Exsito plant has a more permanent tenant.Alcomp, Minnesota Special LiquidsMSL is on solid financial ground, but wants to refinance to provide operating money for expansion and additional working capital."We’re growing fast, and it’s hard to tell what we’ll need," owner Ben Steensma told the LEDA Tuesday.The company employs 14 people including local people, truckers and remote salespeople.Luverne Economic Development Director Dan Statema said, "It’s important to remember that MSL is key to maintaining the viability of the rail."Alcomp is an alcohol-based liquid animal feed supplement.The company has no outstanding bank loans and is cash flow positive, with good accounts payable.Statema said in a memo to the LEDA, "Return on this small LEDA investment could be extraordinary."The product has been patented for various animals: chickens, turkeys, beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, sheep and goats. Alcomp has gained popularity because it contains no animal byproducts. It is a high energy and high protein product that rivals the quality of animal fat in the results it gets.Plaza 75Dreckman is owner of Align-Tech & Tire and is entering the development business.He purchased the former True Value property and is converting it into an 8,000-square-foot office complex that he says will hold about six tenants, depending on size need.Dreckman came to the LEDA Tuesday asking for a tax abatement and reduced utility rate. The LEDA couldn’t act on those requests because only the City Council has that authority. And, a total property tax abatement would involve school and county approval as well as the city’s.Dreckman has a commitment from three tenants, with more showing interest. But banks are asking for more tenants or lower operating costs before they’ll sign off on a loan."It’s difficult to find renters with a building that’s not there yet," Dreckman said.He said he’s putting $320,000 into the project.The LEDA may consider becoming a tenant to help Dreckman secure financing. Plaza 75 will probably be on a later agenda, with a different proposal. Former Exsito buildingThe 612 West Hatting property, the former home of the tomato processing plant, Exsito, will have a new tenant for at least a year.Falcon Pallets will lease the facility for $1,000 a month for a year, maybe more. It proposed the price to the LEDA with an option to buy the building and three acres for $150,000.The LEDA said the land and building is worth more than that, but will take the offer for leasing it for now."It’s not maximizing the use of the facility, but from a cash-flow perspective [it will work]," Statema said.The city put $300,000 into the building to make it a food-grade building for the processing business. The latest estimated value of the site is $200,000, not including the surrounding acreage.

By Sara StrongWith the governor planning a trip to Luverne, and the county and school district signing off on the project, the city’s first JOBZ business expansion is all but a done deal.And it isn’t just important for the city of Luverne.Total Card Inc. is the first out-of-state business to expand in Minnesota because of Job Opportunity Building Zone tax breaks.The Sioux Falls credit card business will finalize the former Tri-State Insurance building sale next week. The proper paperwork is filed with the state, and there’s no reason to think Gov. Pawlenty’s scheduled April 23 visit won’t come through.As a part of JOB Zone, TCI will be forgiven property tax, income tax for major investors and sales tax for business improvements — all for 12 years.The clock started ticking on those 12 years Jan. 1 of this year.The Luverne School District is the exception to the tax breaks. It will still receive local property taxes from the business estimated at $81,000 over 12 years.Take what it can getWhile some might criticize giving a private business such a good deal, those involved say it’s the only way Luverne can draw a large industry that offers complete benefit packages and good wages.TCI’s starting wage is $9 an hour and some positions go up to $22 an hour.Considering that the Tri-State building didn’t get as much as a second glance from a private, tax-paying business, the city considers this an economic victory.Luverne Economic Development Director Dan Statema said, "The JOB Zone, in my opinion, put us on a level playing field."TCI was looking at other cities to expand in when Luverne came into picture, promoting the former Tri-State building as a future JOBZ site.Ideally, Statema said, a private business would have wanted to locate 200 white-collar jobs in Luverne, but that just wasn’t happening.Tuesday, the Rock County Board of Commissioners and Luverne School Board unanimously passed resolutions to allow nine acres of previously designated JOB Zone property to the Tri-State building and property. The city will swap the nine acres from wetlands near Gold N’ Plump.This was a necessary step because the building wasn’t a part of the tax-break designation yet.Both the county and school passed along resolutions of congratulations to the city.Commissioner Jane Wildung said the city, and Statema in particular, should be commended for all the work put into the deal.The major part of the deal is the city financing the property’s mortgage of $500,000 for 20 years at 4.5 percent interest. Other incentives like Pool and Fitness membership discounts, new roof, a $24,000 training grant, reduced lot prices for employees and establishing a nearby childcare center are all part of the agreement.City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said that even if the company doesn’t last more than a few years here, the building will be ready and improved for another business to buy at an increased value.But that’s the worst case scenario. The best-case scenario is what City Administrator Greg LaFond said is already happening, even though the city is giving the company a good deal.He said the property is no longer generating any taxes because it is city-owned. Statema said, "The purpose of this isn’t to lose any existing property tax base."When the building was occupied, it most recently paid about $33,000 in property taxes.LaFond said, "At the end of 12 years, the city will be ahead $913,000." That’s accounting for electric and utility income and financing charges, and factoring in expenses on the part of the city.All things consideredThe city hopes to draw more people to Luverne, meaning more homes built and a higher property tax base. That could potentially mean lower taxes for existing homeowners.Also, the payroll of almost $3 million would circulate through Luverne’s businesses and as the dollars turn over, would mean a $10 million per year community impact.Local retailers, realtors and service industries all look forward to the added payroll circulating and the additional people working in town.But the school, which lost 25 students and $100,000 in pupil aid since December, is also looking forward to the business to help its budget shortfall.Superintendent Vince Schaeffer said, "It’s wonderful for the community and the school is a part of the community."He said he understood that some local people will get the new jobs, but hoped it would also attract more people to town."I hope it keeps people in town as well as brings in more, with families," he said.While they are pleased with the TCI deal, Statema and LaFond said they look forward to filling the remaining JOB Zones while the city’s on a roll, and while most of the 12-year breaks are available.LaFond said, "We have to move beyond this initial success and concentrate on additional opportunities. … We have the ability to get firms like this, so it behooves us to attract more." Governor Pawlenty in Luverne Friday, April 23
9 a.m. governor’s live radio address from Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center
10:30 a.m. program welcoming TCI to Luverne
11:15 a.m. community luncheon

DFL candidates announce for November raceDFL party members have announced their candidacy for the Minnesota House of Representatives as well as the U.S. House of Representative.For Minnesota House District 22A, Kathryn Ness announced she will be seeking the DFL endorsement.Ness, 24, is a native of Pipestone. This is her first run for public office.Ness will be taking on Doug Magnus, a first-term representative from Slayton.In Washington, Joe Mayer, Rochester, is hoping for the chance to take on 1st District congressman Gil Gutknecht.Mayer, who has been a resident of the 1st District for the past 47 years, is a retired teacher, coach and administrator.The DFL convention for the 1st Congressional District of Minnesota will be Saturday, April 17, 2004, at the middle school in Albert Lea, 1601 West Front St.Gutknecht, also from Rochester, is finishing his 10th year in congress.Are you getting ready for Spring Clean-Up?Spring is here and that means it’s time to get rid of all that junk that’s been in your way all winter.This year the pickup dates are April 19 for branch and tree pickup and April 26, 27and 28 for junk.Several things are not allowed. Those items include:
Tires
Toxic or hazardous chemicals
Clothes
Toys
Magazines
BooksTree trimmings are allowed in the pickup, but they have to be in small bundles, and plastic bags are not allowed.When you put your junk out on the curb, you have to separate it according to content: wood, metal and plastic.Because the cost to the city at the transfer station is based on weight, residents are asked to not put anything out on the curb until April 24, so it will not absorb any moisture, causing the city additional tipping fees.The best part Spring Clean-up for some people is the "junking."One person’s contribution to the wood pile may be your new end table for the basement.Are the Asian ladybugs taking over your house?The rising temperatures are nice, but the downside is emerging Asian Lady Beetles.One piece of good news is that the chemical companies are trying to provide you with products to keep them at bay.This year’s bug products include a new generation of products which are odorless, non-staining and water based formulas.The new products not only kill the bugs on contact, but the residue can be effective for up to one year.The insects do not need to consume the pesticide, because, because it’s absorbed through their feet.Passion continues drawing good crowdsMel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, has done very well at the Palace Theatre, with more than 700 people watching the movie through Tuesday night, with Wednesday expected to be a one of the bigger night.For parents of young children, the American Reformed Church is offering a volunteer babysitting service for anyone attending the movie at the Palace on Friday and Saturday night, April 9 and 10.If you would like to take advantage of the free service, bring your children to the main floor fellowship hall between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. The church is located on North Highway 75 in Luverne, across from the Veterans Home.If you have any questions about the service contact Cheryl Thacker at 283-3674.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

By John RittenhouseThe Adrian track squads opened the 2004 season at the Murray County Central Early Bird Invitational in Slayton Tuesday.The Adrian boys shared third place in a six-team field with MCC. Both squads scored 72 points. The Dragon girls placed fourth out of six teams with 68 points.Adrian’s 3,200-meter relay team posted a meet championship in boys’ competition with a time of 9:33. Lee Stover, Justin Reisdorfer, David Brake and Pete Jensen formed the team.The boys’ 800-meter relay team made a bid to claim a meet title before placing second in the event with a time of 1:42.26. Billy Anderson, Brake, Jensen and Kyle Knips formed the team.Kyle and Casey Knips placed second in individual events for the Dragons.Kyle Knips, who covered 33-6 to place fourth in the triple jump, ran 400 meters in 54.64 to place second. Casey Knips, who placed fifth in the shot put with a toss of 42-2, placed second with a distance of 128-0 in the discus.Sarah Kruger and Morgan Lynn produced meet championships for the Dragon girls.Kruger, who placed fifth with a distance of 29-1 in the triple jump, won the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:03.3. Lynn won the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:32.5.Adrian’s Sarah Jensen finished second in the 300-meter hurdles with an effort of 54.25.The girls’ 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays all placed second with respective 1:55.83, 4:29.74 and 10:27.3 times. Jolene Reisdorfer, Amanda Lynn, Jensen and Kruger ran the 800. Kruger, Morgan and Amanda Lynn and Reisdorfer teamed up in the 1,600, and Morgan Lynn, McCall Heitkamp, Leslie Stover and Erica Thier formed the 3,200-meter team.Here is a look at the team standings and the rest of Adrian’s place-earners from the Early Bird Invitational.Boys’ standings: Jackson County Central 98, Fulda 82, Adrian 72, MCC 72, Canby-Minneota 59, Lakeview 45.Girls’ standings: JCC 119, MCC 106, Fulda 73.5, Adrian 68, C-M 41, Lakeview 15.5.Adrian boysThird place: Brake, triple jump, 36-10; Stover, 800, 2:15.8; Jesse Brake, 1,600, 5:15; 1,600 relay (K.Knips, Jr.Brake, Jensen and Stover), 3:52.4.Fourth place: Anderson, 200, 24.7; Jon Konz, 300 hurdles, 48.5; Ethan Wieneke, 3,200, 12:34.Fifth place: Dustin Lonneman, 800, 2:25.4; Aaron Mormann, 3,200, 12:42; 400 relay (Konz, Jr.Brake, Trent Lutmer, Anderson), 50.7.Sixth place: Konz, 110 hurdles, 28.6; Anderson, long jump, 16-11 1/2.Adrian girlsThird place: Reisdorfer, 200, 28.8; Stover, 800, 2:44.4; Heitkamp, 1,600, 6:13.Fourth place: Emila Mulder, discus, 84-2; Thier, 400, 1:06.8.Fifth place: 400 relay (A.Lynn, Kaitlin Wiertzema, Katy Slater and Samantha Lynn), 59.4

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton track teams opened the outdoor portion of their schedules at the Cardinal Quadrangular in Luverne Tuesday.H-BC-E-E athletes turned in a solid performance by winning a combined eight meet titles and placing second in two events at the meet.The Patriot boys won five championships, and three came from individual efforts.Curt Schilling won the shot put with a distance of 42-5, Cody Scholten cleared 5-10 to take top honors in the high jump and Tom LeBoutillier skipped over the 110-meter hurdles in 16.43 to place first.LeBoutiller finished second in the long jump with a distance of 19-0.The Patriot boys also fielded the winning 1,600- and 3,200-meter relay teams, which turned in respective 3:38.23 and 8:44.77 efforts. Kale Wiertzema, Lee Jackson, Todd Alberty and Tyler Bush formed both teams.Ashley Bucher won an individual title for the Patriot girls when she crossed the finish line in 1:06.76 during the 400-meter run.H-BC-E-E also won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays with respective 4:19.78 and 10:21.58 times.Mya Mann, Amanda Tilstra, Bucher and Cassi Tilstra ran the 3,200. Jocelyn Bucher, Mann, Amanda and Cassi Tilstra teamed up in the 1,600.The girls’ 400-meter relay team of Amanda Connors, Mann, Cassi Tilstra and Kelly Mulder placed second in 54.7.Here is a look at the rest of H-BC-E-E’s individual finishers during the Cardinal Quadrangular.H-BC-E-E boysThird place: Bush, high jump, 5-8; Greg Van Batavia, 1,600, 5:34.29.Fourth place: LeBoutillier, discus, 112-8; 400 relay (Paul DeLeon, Bush, Scholten and LeBoutillier.)Fifth place: John Sandbulte, triple jump, 35-1 1/2; 3,200 relay (Van Batavia, DeAngelo Smith, Derek Haak and Sandbulte), 9:35.49; Roger DeBoer, 110 hurdles, 20.2; 800 relay (Javier Cisneros, Wiertzema, Sandbulte and Scholten), 1:41.9; 400 relay (Cisneros, Van Batavia, Jackson and Smith), 51.9; Cody Rozeboom, 400, 58.8; Sandbulte, 300 hurdles, 48.98; Haak, 3,200, 11:38.Sixth place: Scholten, discus, 105-4; DeLeon, 100, 12.3; Soren Trebesch, 400, 59.6; DeLeon, 300 hurdles, 51.98; Dustin Verhey, 3,200, 11:44.H-BC-E-E girlsThird place: Rosie Lewis, shot, 30-10; J.Bucher, 300 hurdles, 53.6; Rayan Sandoval, 3,200, 13:29.Fourth place: Connors, long jump, 14-0; 800 relay (Shelly Sas, Connors, Lewis and Mulder), 2:01.8.Fifth place: Lewis, discus, 82.4; A.Bucher, triple jump, 28-6.Sixth place: C.Tilstra, high jump, 4-8; J.Bucher, triple jump, 28-4; Brittany Helgeson, 400, 1:07.9.