NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGConditional Use PermitPursuant to the Rock County Zoning Ordinance, Notice is hereby given by the Rock County Planning Commission that a public hearing will be held at the Rock County Family Service Center Community Room located at 2 Roundw ind Road in Luverne, MN at 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2004. The purpose of the hearing is to rule on the applications for Conditional Use Permits for gravel extraction for the following individuals:Schuur Concrete SE 1/4 of section 14, Clinton Township, T101N, R45W, Rock County, MinnesotaRon Fick SE 1/4 of section 15, Luverne Township, T102N, R45W, Rock County, MinnesotaZoning AdministratorEric Hartman(4-1, 4-8)

Luverne, MNRequest For Statement of QualificationsCLOSING DATE 4/30/2004REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ)QUENTIN AANENSON FIELDLUVERNE MUNICIPAL AIRPORTCITY OF LUVERNEENGINEERING AND PLANNING SERVICESThe City of Luverne, Minnesota is requesting statement of qualifications from consulting airport engineering/planning firms to provide services associated with airport improvements, which may include the following:Master Plan PreparationAirport Layout Plan (ALP) UpdateRunway and Taxiway Extension ReconstructionAirport BuildingsNavigation AIDSBuilding Site PreparationEquipment ProcurementLand Acquisition and ReimbursementObstruction Identification and RemovalThe State of Qualifications should include: Principals and team members of the firm, their experience and education A brief history of the firm, number of employees, and airport experience A listing of recent airport projects with references Evidence of the firm’s Affirmative Action programA detailed proposal is not to be submitted at this time. The City of Luverne anticipates projects funded in part by MnDOT Aeronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration. All services provided must be in compliance with current MnDOT and FAA policies and standards. Based on the submitted information, a firm may be selected directly, or up to three (3) firms may be requested to attend an interview at a time yet to be established. Selection will be based on analysis of the following criteria: Professional experience of key personnel Experience with state and federal grant programs Capabilities in airport planning and engineering Ability to meet schedules and budgets Experience on comparable projects Quality of the work accomplishedThe City of Luverne intends to retain the selected firm for five (5) years or until the above list of development items is completed. Negotiations for consulting fees will be accomplished after a firm has been selected.Ten (10) copies of the Statement of Qualifications should be submitted to: Gregory La Fond City Administrator City of Luverne 203 E. Main St. Po Box 659 Luverne, MN 56156-0659The information should be submitted no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, April 30, 2004.(4-1)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGOF PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the City Planning Commission that a public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers located on second floor of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2004. The purpose of the hearing will be to consider rezoning the following: Outlot 1, Sioux Valley Additionof the City of Luverne, currently zoned R-1, Residential/Institutional District, to P – Public District. The geographic location of the proposed area to be rezoned is located approximately 800 feet east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 and 131st Street on the south side. The rezoning request is to provide proper zoning for erection of a new municipal water tower. All persons wishing to be heard in favor or in opposition to the rezoning request should be present at the hearing or present written comments prior thereto to the City Administrator. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s office, City Hall, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, MN (507) 449-2388.MARIANNE PERKINSCITY CLERK(4-1)

ORDINANCE NO. 261, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE RELATING TO REFUSE AND RECYCLING BY AMENDING SECTION 3.22, SUBD. 1. A., CREATING A NEW SECTION 3.22, SUBD. 1. E., AMENDING SECTION 3.22, SUBD. 5, AND AMENDING SECTION 3.22, SUBD. 9, AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE CHAPTER 3 AND SECTION 3.99 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONSTHE CITY OF LUVERNE DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:SECTION 1. City Code, Section 3.22, Subd. 1. A., is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows: A. The term "garbage" means and includes all drained organic material resulting from the preparation of food and spoiled or decayed food from any source, non-recyclable cans, non-recyclable bottles, non-recyclable glassware, non-recyclable paper or paper products, crockery, ashes, rags, discarded clothing, putrescible and nonputrescible solid wastes, rubbish, and other discarded waste materials and sludge in solid, semisolid, liquid, or contained gaseous form. Garbage does not include medical waste, yard waste, or demolition debris. SEC. 2. City Code, Section 3.22, Subd. 1. E., is hereby created in its entirety to read as follows: Subd. 1. E. The term "medical waste" means any waste generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the production or testing of biologicals by a medical facility, hospital, clinic, dental facility, mortuary, or other facility wherein such wastes are produced, used, or stored. SEC 3. City Code, Section 3.22, Subd. 5, is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows: Subd. 5. Collection and Disposal of Garbage. All garbage accumulated in residential properties, City-owned facilities, Rock County-owned/operated facilities, and City/Rock County-owned facilities within the City of Luverne shall only be collected by the City of Luverne in a sanitary manner to insure the health, safety, and general welfare of its residents, under such terms and conditions as the City may, from time to time, deem appropriate. Containers shall be placed at the designated collection point on days specified by the City. For purposes of this Section, residential properties shall include, but are not limited to, all single family dwellings, multi-family dwellings including single family residences, duplexes, tri-plexes, four-plexes, and apartment complexes, churches, day-care facilities, retirement homes, homes for the elderly, home care or assisted living facilities, and hospice facilities. Residential properties shall not include nursing homes licensed by the State of Minnesota or commercial, industrial, or institutional properties not specifically included in the meaning or definition of residential properties.A. In the event a large volume of garbage is generated at a residential property, as a result of extraordinary circumstances or events, a special or additional pickup(s) may be requested. The person requesting the special or additional pickup(s) shall be responsible for the costs of such special or additional pickup(s).SEC. 4. City Code, Section 3.22, Subd. 9, is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follow: Subd. 9. Additional Collections. The City Council, may from time to time establish guidelines to make provisions for special collections, including, but not necessarily limited to, a spring clean up for the purposes of receiving materials not included in the periodic garbage collection service, a leaf pick up, and a branch or other debris pick up. Such special collections shall apply only to residential properties served by the City of Luverne under Section 3.22, Subd. 5.SEC. 5. This ordinance shall take full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication. (4-1)

MARCH 12, 2004MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Friday, March 12, 2004, at 5:00 p.m.The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Steve Tofteland. Becky Walgrave was absent. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Melody Tenhoff, Stacy Gillette, Dan Amborn, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Bill Stegemann. Mr. Schaefer gave announcements. Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the school board minutes of February 23, 2004. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Kopp, second by Bryan, to approve the Cooperative Activities Agreement with Hills-Beaver Creek School District for Girls’ Softball beginning this Spring. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to set April 14, 2004, at 1:00 p.m. to receive bids for the Middle School/High School remodeling project. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative contracts for the 2004-2005 year as noted below: ECSU Membership $ 1,770.95 Regional Mgt. Info. Serv 19,539.25 Special Education Services 76,433.85 Cooperative Purchasing 150.00 Regional Special Needs Proj. 5,663.01 (Low Incidence) Environmental/Occupational 5,643.00 Health & Safety Program Health & Safety Man. Assist. 1,825.73 Drug and Alcohol Mgt. Fee based on program level Grand Total $111,025.79 Motion unanimously carried.Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the bids received for two school buses as follows: HOGLUND BUS CO. GRANDE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL IC – FE BLUE BIRD 71 pass 72 pass.GROSS COST –2 BUSES $121,760.00 $120,418.00TRADE ALLOWANCE – 2 (6,500.00) (10,500.00)PLUS SALES TAX $ 7,491.90 $ 7,190.17PLUS LICENSE 195.50 200.00TOTAL $122,947.40 $117,308.17PLUS OPTIONALTINT GLASS $ 690.00 $ 700.00GRAND TOTAL $123,637.40 $118,008.17 Plus $350.00 each unit for convection heat.Motion by Radisewitz, second by Tofteland, to accept the bid of Grande American for one bus at a total cost of $117,308.17 and for one bus at a cost of $117,308.17 plus $350.00 for convection heat. Motion unanimously carried.Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the bids received for one suburban-type vehicle: TOWING GRANDBIDDER: TYPE OF VEHICLE BASE BID PACKAGE TOTALPapik 2004 ChevroletMotors Suburban $27,530.00 $330.00 $27,860.00HermanMotor 2004 Ford Expedition $27,300.00 $350.00 $27,650.00Nelson 2004 GMC YukonDodge-GMC XL 1500 $24,973.00 $275.00 $25,248.00 2004 GMC Yukon XL 2500 $26,443.00 $200.00 $26,643.00Discussion was held. Motion by Bryan, second by Deutsch, to accept the bid from Nelson Dodge-GMC in the amount of $24,973.00 for the 2004 GMC Yukon XL 1500 without the towing package. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Schaefer introduced two policies for their first reading: Policy 514 – Bullying Prohibition Policy and Policy 532 – Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams to Remove Students with IEPs from School Grounds. No action was taken on these policies. The second reading will be held at the March 25 school board meeting. Motion by Deutsch, second by Radisewitz, to accept the resignation of Tessa Lyle, Early Childhood: Special Needs teacher, effective at the end of the school year. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Radisewitz, to approve a maternity leave for Sarah Schoeneman, paraprofessional, beginning approximately April 8, 2004, for the remainder of the school year. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Bryan, to approve the Final Seniority and Probationary List for Certified Staff. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Schaefer informed the School Board he had received the Notices of Desire to Negotiate from the Custodial and the Paraprofessional/Secretaries/Cooks union.Committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.Dated: March 12, 2004Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(4-1)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Luverne Economic Development Authority will hold a public hearing at 12:00 P.M., Daylight-Saving Time, on Tuesday, April 13, 2004, in the City Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall, 203 E. Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota to consider the following: 1. To amend and/or establish a business subsidy policy for traditional business subsidy and Jobz Business Subsidy Development.2. To consider the sale of the Tri-State Building described as Lot One (1), Block One (1), Tri-State Addition to the City of Luverne.Documentation on business subsidy policy as well as the terms and conditions of the proposed sale are available for public review at the Economic Development Director’s Office on the first floor, 203 E. Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota.The LEDA Board will meet to consider/adopt a business subsidy policy and to decide if the sale of the Tri-State building is advisable. All citizens are encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and/or give comments. Any citizen may also submit written questions or comments prior to the hearing by addressing them to the Economic Development Director, PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659.Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659 (507) 449-2388.Glen W. GustPresident(4-1)

Cow Story No. 2 Last year, in Cow Story #1, a cow escaped over the barbed-wire fence and wandered into my backyard to get a drink from the heated birdbath. It was a high point in my life. I really wanted that cow for my very own, but considered that cattle rustling might still be illegal. I called the owners (my backyard neighbors) and told them about the fugitive beast. Casey arrived on the scene and positioned himself in the field with a white bucket of corn. His cows herded in for the tasty treat, as did my cow. On to Cow Story No. 2. I wanted to pet the cows this year, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I got my own white bucket and three bags of elevator corn to lure the critters to the fence. The first time out, cow No. 25 was rambling around in the vicinity. I hefted my bucket of corn out the back door, to the fence and offered her a handful. She was afraid of me, but the corn won her over. Cows must lack depth perception, because No. 25 slobbered all around my hand and couldn’t find the corn. Finally I dumped some on the ground to avoid drowning in cow saliva. That’s when I got to pet her. I was a happy girl. The next day I went out and No. 25 came to the fence. She recognized me because we have something in common; naturally curly hair. Then, suddenly and without warning, the entire herd came thundering across the field. Keep in mind that all the cows are pregnant. Their bellies were swaying to and fro. They were running into each other. It was rather disconcerting. I didn’t get to pet anyone that day, because I was so busy trying to feed them and prevent cow-fighting. That afternoon the loving husband and I had to haul landscaping rock. As soon as we stepped out the back door, the cows thundered over to the fence, obviously expecting a mouth-watering morsel. The loving husband was disturbed. "Glenda, you’re causing cow-consternation," he warned. Frankly, I don’t think the cows even know they’re pregnant. How could they understand the meaning of consternation? As we plodded away with the landscaping project, I could feel the gaze of the herd following us with each load of rock. As we labored back and forth from the garage to the shed, the beasts stared, yearning for another savory snack. It was just pitiful. The following Saturday, I noticed that only seven cows were meandering around the field. That seemed manageable. Again I hefted a bucket of corn out to the fence. No. 25 and the other mothers-to-be trotted in for a snack. It went smoothly, no jockeying for position, no head-butting, just a nice leisurely lunch. And, I got to pet all seven of them. Recently, Rose (farm woman and cow owner) informed me that one of MY cows had twins. I was so proud. It is obvious to me that no novel could be as entertaining as my cow story, but Iris Johansen has a new title, "Firestorm," that looks good. For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away. The flames of that long-ago night still burn in her nightmares: the heat, the choking smoke, and the helplessness. She can never run fast enough ...Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam. Together they're a great team, but her life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match. The deadly flames of her past are back, and from out of the ashes a stranger appears. Who is Silver? And why has he chosen her in the desperate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth? To save themselves and the innocent lives at stake, Kerry will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to do: fight fire with fire.

More newspapersThe following was printed in the 1911 Rose History:Rock County’s second newspaper was the Luverne Gazette, whose career was short. W.A. Hutton, formerly of Webster City, Iowa, brought a newspaper outfit to Luverne and on Aug. 20, 1884, put out the first number of the paper, an eight-column folio, with two ‘patent’ pages. W.A. Hutton & Co. were the publishers. Two months after the founding C.H. Craig leased the plant, got out one or two numbers, and then gave up the lease. Publication was discontinued until the first day of the year 1885, when the Gazette was revived by E. Savage and W.A. Hammond, who leased from W.A. Hutton & Co. Mr. Savage became the manager and conducted the paper until May. He, too, gave up the effort of publishing a second paper in Luverne and departed. The proprietors of the plant made one or two unsuccessful attempts to find someone who would revive the Gazette, and early in 1886 sold the plant to H.M. Bruner, who removed the plant to Iowa. The Times was the name of the next Luverne paper to be launched. It was democratic and appeared for the first time Feb. 18, 1886. Buchanan Brothers, sons of R.J. Buchanan, a well-known Iowa journalist, were the founders, W.T. Buchanan having the active management. The Times was not a financial success. The last number was printed April 28, 1887.The Luverne Democrat, a six-column quarto, was founded June 14, 1888, by Irving Bath and D.W. Bath, the latter having the management. Its life was short, the last number being issued on Oct. 5 of the same year. The plant was not moved, however, and immediately following its suspension appeared the Rock County News, printed from the Democrat office.Next week we will continue with the history of the Rock County News.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

The latest weight loss idea is definitely a cut above the rest. While one person might call it weight loss, most certifiably sane people might prefer to call it "do-it-to-yourself amputation." According to The Week magazine in its popular column called, "It must be true — I read it in the tabloids", "Hipsters tired of tattoos and body piercing are starting a new fashion trend — amputation. Teens are having the tips of fingers, entire fingers and even limbs cut off to impress their friends." "Tattoos and piercing are considered ‘so 1999,' " noted youth fashion expert Laura Smith. Believe it or not, we are on our way to being known as the Amputation Nation. Now that eyebrows, navels, ears, tongues, lips and the rest of Lever soap’s "2000 body parts" have been pierced, the thrill is apparently gone for many young people. The following tell-tale signs might indicate if your child is concealing any voluntary amputations from your scrutiny. It’s highly unlikely he or she will walk up to you and say, "Hey, look what I had removed! Cool, huh?" One obvious sign would be when your daughter seems to go through considerably less fingernail polish and polish remover. You have to buy new shoes for your son because his feet inexplicably seem to be shrinking rather than growing. Your teen seems much shorter and, wait a minute, where are those feet? They were there last time you looked. Your all-A student in computer keyboarding class suddenly becomes a D-student. The "pitter-patter" sound of children’s feet around your house now sounds like "pitter-thump, pitter-thump." On your way to the mall, your piano-playing adolescent asks you to look for sheet music for an upcoming recital — "Concerto for One Hand." Your teenager asks Grandma to knit some special gloves for next Christmas, specifically a left glove with three fingers and a right glove with four. Several of your sharp steak knives are missing from the kitchen. You only see one thumb at work when your child punches in numbers on the telephone. Your son can’t flash the peace sign because his index finger appears to be missing. In general, shiny surfaces in the house seem to have less fingerprint marks on cleaning days. You overhear your son joking to a friend, "Well, as my Dad says, it’s ear today, gone tomorrow." You suspect that the goofy-looking wool cap with ear flaps constantly worn by your teen may be covering up a childish attempt to resemble the artist Van Gogh. Last but not least, one of your friends said of her son, "At one time he had his father’s nose, but it’s not there anymore."