Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus and H-BC Superintendent Dave Deragisch are pictured at the front entrance of the school in Beaver Creek Monday.By Jolene FarleyDoors remain locked and extra safety precautions in place at the Beaver Creek elementary school as law enforcement in Minnesota and South Dakota continue to search for jail escapee Jason Lee Heasley.Classes weren’t scheduled Thursday or Friday due to the annual Minnesota Education Association convention, so all involved hoped Heasley would be found over the long weekend.But, since he remains at large, classes resumed Monday under the same lockdown status.School officials received a call around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, from Rock County Law Enforcement that 29-year-old Heasley was potentially headed to the Beaver Creek school. "They (law enforcement) said an individual that had escaped from a Beadle County jail had notified another party that he was heading for Beaver Creek and he had a gun," said Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus. Heasley reportedly has a child attending the Beaver Creek school and either an ex-girlfriend or ex-wife living in Beaver Creek.Heasley, considered armed and dangerous and missing from the jail in Huron, S.D., is facing drug and burglary charges. After the phone call from law enforcement, school officials implemented the district’s emergency plan. Elementary staff was alerted by the use of a code word over the intercom system, that the school was in lockdown status."We have a great policy in place," Holthaus said. "We had spoken about this (the plan) with the staff and we were prepared."Ironically, the emergency plan, first implemented in 1999 and revised in 2001, was scheduled for another review last Wednesday. "We were just planning on reviewing that policy that afternoon," said Superintendent Dave Deragisch.The policy apparently doesn’t need tweaking. "It worked wonderfully," said Holthaus. "Everybody knew what to do."During lockdown status, all entrances to the school are locked, and students aren’t allowed to leave their classrooms for recess.At lunchtime and when large numbers of students are moving around, staff members watch all exits and entrances to the building. Throughout the day, staff members patrol the halls. Students who live in town aren’t permitted to walk home after school alone, but are driven in staff members’ vehicles. Last Wednesday, deputies patrolled the area and Rock County Sheriff Mike Winkels visited with school officials for two hours in the afternoon "to give an update on what they knew." No sightings of Jason Lee Heasley have been reported as of press time, according to Winkels. Winkels said remaining in lockdown status is the decision of the Hills-Beaver Creek school administration.Winkels thinks the decision is wise. "I would recommend it," he said. "It is better to err on the caution side."The students seem to be taking the situation in stride, he said, reporting that they were calm and did what they were supposed to do last week. Holthaus said parents have been supportive. "We’ve tried to keep them as informed as possible," he said.A note was sent home Wednesday to all parents with the information available to the school at the time. The school has received no calls from concerned parents."I think as parents, they are getting used to the doors locked; they are becoming appreciative of keeping their kids safe," Deragisch said."We have to be prepared, we have to do what we have to do to make sure our kids are safe."

10 years ago (1993)"Apartment buildings and houses should be sprouting in Evergreen Addition before spring.The Luverne Economic Development Authority Monday approved the prices for 55 lots in the area being developed east of the Veterans Addition. … Prices on the lots will vary according to their size, view, traffic patterns and landscape potential. The average price for the lots will be slightly more than $16,000. Real estate commissions will be added to the price of the lots."25 years ago (1978)"Three boxes of steaks were stolen from a Harker’s Wholesale meat truck in Luverne sometime Friday evening.… Two boxes of six ounce sirloin steaks, valued at $37.90 per box, and one box of eight ounce rib eye steaks, valued at $39.20, were reported missing."50 years ago (1953)"Electric power from the Missouri River project at Fort Randall will not solve Luverne’s problem of an ever-increasing electrical load. The way it now looks to the city council, it will take an expenditure of at least $575,000 in the next two years to keep ‘ahead of the game.’"75 years ago (1928)"A large percentage of the male population of Rock County has, since Monday morning, been enjoying the privilege of hunting pheasants. In proof of this it is only necessary to state that up to the fore part of this week County Auditor Ray Koehn had issued seven hundred licenses. Fully half of these were secured during the week preceding the opening of the pheasant season."100 years ago (1903)"John Connell, the popular druggist, is making an offer that is just like finding money, for he is selling a regular 50¢ bottle of Dr. Howard’s celebrated specific for the cure of constipation dyspepsia at half price. In addition to this large discount he agrees to return the entire purchase price to any customer whom the specific does not cure."

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate of Pauline Genevieve Petersen, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 10th day of November, 2003, at 9:00 O’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated September 16, 2003, and for the appointment of Marvin L. Petersen, whose address is 1305 N. Payne, New Ulm, Minnesota 56073, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.Dated: October 20, 2003 /s/Timothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge /s/ Paul A. Vis /s/Paul A. Vis Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828I.D. #297550(10-23, 10-30)

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse October 8, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to approve the October 8, 2003 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Jarchow, seconded Wildung, to approve the September 16, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the following consent agenda items, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Advertise and accept bids for the transportation of MSW Demolition materials to and from the Rock County Transfer Station to the Lyon County Regional Landfill; bid letting date is Oct. 17th @ 1:00PMRaevette Loonan, Director of the Southwest Minnesota Crisis Center, presented a program overview and also informed the County Board that October was Domestic Violence month. Ms. Loonan thanked the board for allowing the recognition of the Domestic Victim Display on the Courthouse lawn. Land Management Office Director Eric Hartman and Assistant Director Doug Bos presented a feedlot quarterly report and program update; no action was taken.They also presented a Solid Waste Management Plan review and requested approval of Resolution No. 38-03, the adoption of the updated plan; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve Resolution No. 38-03, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board had considerable discussion regarding the proposed Southwest Minnesota Waste to Energy Facility located in Lamberton, Minnesota as part of a Redwood County project. After discussion, the County Board determined that they are reluctant in participating in this project and to express this direction at the upcoming District VIII AMC meeting. The County Board discussed the Water Plan and conducted a review of its budget and administrative fees; motion Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the Water Plan and submit it to the state for their review and approval, declared carried on a voice vote. Randy Ehlers, Family Services Agency Director, presented an update of their departmental budget and a current listing of out-of-home placements. Mr. Ehlers also presented a final draft of the Community Social Services Act Plan entitled the 2004-2005 Biennial Service Agreement. He stated that public comment had been received from a few individuals specifically dealing with adults with disabilities and that some of the language was added modifying the plan. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the final draft 2004-2005 Biennial Service Agreement, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the fund balance report with no action taken.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the claims, declared carried on a voice vote with the removal of a FSA claim for $135.95. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 68,008.34LEC 1,250.28Road & Bridge 36,763.81Welfare 92,024.29Landfill 1,724.87TOTAL $199,771.59The Auditor/Treasurer presented a grant request for the snowmobile trail on behalf of the Buffalo Ridge SnoMasters for $8,715.00 from the Department of Natural Resources; motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to approve the grant request, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the per diem listing totaling $1,400.00, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer presented a GASB34 update and reviewed a timeline implementation; no action was taken. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to submit RFPs for the county’s audit for one year with an additional two year optional to be made available through the RFP, declared carried on a voice vote. Mike Winkels, Sheriff, presented issues with the E911 system in receiving wireless phone calls entitled 20-digit dialing. Following discussion, the County Board directed the E911 Committee to meet and discuss specific issues involving response times relating to 911 cell phone calls, the number of cell phone calls, the dollars associated with the upgrades to accept cell phone calls and the concept of a regional dispatch center. Dan Cook, Rock County Rural Water Manager, presented a request or expenditures of Lewis & Clark monies, specifically $33,000 of rural water dues be paid directly to Lewis & Clark from Rock County repair and replacement dollars; motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, for the County Board to expend direct payment to Lewis & Clark for the purposes of the Lewis & Clark dues, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was reminded of the following upcoming activities: oA dedication ceremony for the Bill Brakke bench would be held on Monday morning at 10:00AMoThere was an AMC District VIII meeting scheduled for Thursday morning in Redwood FallsMotion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to adopt a Solicitation Policy, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to accept a resignation submitted by the County Recorder Jere Ohme, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to adopt Resolution No. 39-03, appointing a Department Head to serve as County Recorder, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to enter into an employment agreement with Jere Ohme, to serve as County Recorder, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to serve as sponsor to the grant application being submitted by the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority for railroad upgrades on the east line, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed of a resignation submitted by the Rock County Community Pool & Fitness Center Manager Carol Wessels effective October 20, 2003. Commissioner Bakken discussed with the County Board community access for books in the City of Hills due to the loss of the bookmobile and that he is continuing to work on solutions regarding that issue. With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was declared adjourned. Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(10-23)

Many rats killed in gas demonstrationThe following was an article in the Rock County Herald printed July 18, 1930:More than 1,200 exterminated in six demonstrations of poison gas method conducted last week Approximately 1,200 rats were killed in the series of six rat extermination demonstrations conducted in Rock County the latter part of last week, in the judgment of County Agent C.G. Gaylord. More than 400 people witnessed the demonstrations in the role of spectators. Calcium cyanide gas was used, under the direction of H.L. Parten, of University Farm, who was assisted by Mr. Gaylord. These anti-rat crusades were staged on the T.T. Rogness farm in Battle Plain, E.A. Brown Company elevator at Jasper, Jas. Crawford farm west of Beaver Creek, Carl Westlie’s in Martin Township, Wm. Groth’s in Clinton Township, the Luverne public dump grounds, and at the Lee English dairy farm. All of the drives were considered very effective, with the exception of that at the dump grounds, where the huge piles of rubbish were so open and honey-combed that the runways could not be effectively penetrated with the gas. A crowd of fully 200 people were present to witness this crusade and when the gas failed to produce results the delegation repaired to the English dairy farm. There a total of 34 rats were forced out of their runways where the gas method seemed very effective. In fact, it is estimated that where the gas is used fully 80 percent of the rodents die in the runways and only 20 percent seek the open air. In one of the barn feeding alleys at this place five rats were found under one board where they had taken refuge in order to escape the gas fumes, this being characteristic of the rodents where gas is used. In the opinion of those in charge of the demonstrations, the most effective work was done at the Brown elevator at Jasper, the Crawford farm in Beaver Creek, and the Groth farm in Clinton. At the last named place 34 rats were killed under a small woodpile with gas. After the unsuccessful attempt to effectively use gas at the dump, Mr. Parten recommended that the rodents be disposed of by using barium carbonate as a poison under a feeding station system. The poison is inexpensive, and being tasteless and odorless, is very effective with proper bait. The feeding station requirements are deemed necessary in order to protect dogs, cats and bird life. It consists in the main of using boxes so that only the rats can get at the poisoned food. After rats eat this form of poison they seek water and usually die in the open. For this reason this method is recommended for use on farms where the bait can be placed under buildings or in places where it is too open to effectively use gas. County agent Gaylord is now working out detailed plans for the construction of a rat booth for Rock County at the Minnesota State Fair. He states that 20 percent of the farmers of Rock County have adopted the new methods of killing rats within the past 18 months, which in itself makes the selection of Rock as the county to furnish such a booth at the Minnesota State Fair, a very logical one. This booth will show that each rat eats approximately $2 worth of feed each year; destroys more than he eats, and that the total destruction from rats is annually more than $200,000,000 in the United States.In this connection it is recalled that a number of years ago Chief of Police P.J. Connell staged a very successful rat drive at the city dump grounds by spreading a large quantity of poisoned pieces of bread in likely places. For more than a year afterwards there was a pronounced decrease in the number of rats seen there. Strangely enough, during the demonstration last Saturday at the dump grounds, hardly a rat was seen, but anyone who does not think that the dump grounds are fairly "lousy" with the pests, should pay a visit there just at sundown any evening. It is said they come out in droves at that period and literally fight for every bit of rubbish of an eatable nature that has been deposited there during the day. 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.

Future archeologists will recognize us by our coffins. Tediously sifting through silt and debris, mostly junk food wrappers, left by many generations, one of them might exclaim, "Lk! Ts cskt!" (Translation: "Look! It’s a casket!") Countless decades of abbreviated text messaging on cell phones and other communication devices will have taken their toll on vowels and less essential words in our language. The archeologists will quickly determine that the casket dates back to the early 2000's, also known as The Food Gorge Age, during the reign of President George the Third. It was long before synthetic food capsules replaced actual food and the receding waters of the Atlantic revealed another continent. Upon hearing about the casket discovery, historians of the future will recall a time when appetites outweighed common sense and eating twice as much food for a few more coins seemed like a wise choice. Archeologists will know the precise age of the casket because it will measure 44 inches wide, reflecting a time when both food portions and caskets were super-sized to accommodate super-sized people. That might not be fiction, written in time for the upcoming Halloween. According to The New York Times, triple-wide coffin sales for Goliath Casket of Lynn, Ind., are off the charts. The demand for their 44-inch-wide coffins (much roomier than the standard 24-inch width) has increased 20 percent a year since they opened in the 1980s. "People are getting wider," noted the company’s owner. As a result of this new trend, we must no longer assume that the new "triple-wide" recently purchased by a friend is a mobile home in Florida. He might be referring to a much more permanent underground housing. It might be advisable to hold off buying a housewarming gift until you know for sure. If the oversized caskets are purchased now for future needs, it would seem a shame to store so much lovely, polished wood out of sight. By incorporating the attractive piece of craftsmanship into a living room setting, for example, several purposes might be served. The casket could be used as a handsome coffee table, wide enough to hold several jumbo-sized pizza boxes while you and your family eat and watch TV. As an added bonus, the container could serve as a handy storage space for ample supplies of potato chips, deep-fried pork rinds and your other favorite snacks. It would no longer be necessary to walk all the way to the kitchen, burning off who-knows-how-many calories. The combination casket and coffee table might be a perfect companion piece of furniture for a "smart sofa," now being developed at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. A couch potato’s dream, the sofa can tell who’s sitting on it (based on weight), tune the TV to favorite programs, and order that person’s favorite take-out foods. The sofa’s tiny microprocessors would also network with household appliances. When the end would come, an eventual certainty, for a person owning both a smart sofa and a casket-turned-coffee table, his ample girth could be simply rolled from one piece of furniture into the other in very little time and with minimal effort. The entire transfer might last no longer than a TV commercial. Now, that’s thoughtful.

My husband and I have been attending marching band competitions for the past nine years. Every year at the end of the season, I’m amazed at what this group of people has accomplished! Dale Nelson, Mary Goheen and a handful of volunteers are in charge of more than 100 kids for the entire day, five Saturdays in a row. They deal with forgotten horns, hats, shoes; rain, wind, heat and cold; illness; fixing whatever is broken — amazing!Attitude reflects leadership, and better leaders than Dale and Mary cannot be found. It shows in the kids’ respect for them and the band members’ strong work ethic. Days can begin as early as 4:30 a.m. and end as late as 11 p.m. One of the great things about marching band is that you participate 100 percent of the time. It doesn’t matter whether you’re first chair or last chair in your section; if you are absent, you are missed. Everyone is important and everyone is treated that way. Marching band builds confidence, teaches responsibility, and promotes teamwork. Since 1997 the Luverne Marching Band has received 41 first place awards and 30 specialty awards. As a community we can be very proud of these students who represent Luverne so well and the tremendously successful music program they’re privileged to be involved in. Congratulations to these musicians and their leaders on another great season!Gayle StegemannLuverne

Does anyone else find it ironic that when George W. Bush was encouraging American citizens to see the future of Iraq through the suffering of American soldiers, he also saw fit to allow a $1.8 billion reduction for the Veterans Administration?The purpose of the VA is to care for our veterans of war. Surprisingly, it costs money in the form of tax dollars.Somehow, this all gets lost in the name-calling, sound bite era in which we live. Health care, roads, schools, and wars all cost money. This money must come from somewhere.If the Bush Administration wants to keep cutting taxes and keep America strong, doesn't his administration at least owe an explanation to those who have fought for America in much more relevant wars why they are not receiving the benefits to which they are entitled for their sacrifices?It seems sort of unpatriotic to me to take money away from our veterans now, while this administration is hoping that a new generation of American men and women will be willing to die for its lack of foreign diplomacy and honesty during the prelude to war, and its subsequent lack of humility, candor, and contrition for its dishonesty in our post-war situation.But what do I know about patriotism? I can't stand the Gov. Bush administration.Matthew HoilandBloomington

The 2003 Luverne Marching Band’s season of competition is over. What a great year the kids had. Too bad the Star Herald missed the boat again. Aside from the Tri-State Band Festival there was little or no coverage. Why not? The Luverne High School band, flag corps and instructors work very, very hard. They had an exceptional season and should have a little recognition for their efforts. Would have been nice for the kids to see or read about their success in the local paper. Always plenty of room in the paper for sports from Rock and Nobles counties. Where’s the music? Doug EnnengaWalter StearnsLuverne