Luverne eighth-grader Lexi Heitkamp picks up her first-place card after winning the girls' varsity race at the Adrian Invitational cross country meet Tuesday.By John RittenhouseThree cross country programs from the Star Herald coverage area opened the 2003 campaign at the Wolverine Invitational in Mountain Lake Wednesday, Aug. 27.Adrian fielded complete varsity teams for the meet. The Dragon boys placed 13th out of 14 complete teams, while the girls finished fifth out of 10 complete squads.The Luverne boys placed fourth in the varsity field. The Cardinal girls were incomplete, but a Luverne athlete did win the varsity race.H-BC-E-E, which was incomplete for the girls’ race, placed eighth in the boys’ varsity field.Leading the LHS boys to their fourth-place finish as a team was Tom Ward. Ward, a first-year member of the program, placed 19th in 17:53.Nick Otten (21st in 18:02), Ruston Aaker (23rd in 18:06), Jesson Vogt (34th in 18:25) and Travis Halfmann (54th in 19:39) made contributions to the team effort. Michael Nelson placed 72nd in 20:53 without influencing the scoring.Tyler Bush helped the Patriot boys place eighth as a team with a medal-earning effort. Bush placed fourth with a time of 16:46.Kale Wiertzema (39th in 18:42), Todd Alberty (42nd in 19:00), Derek Haak (55th in 19:46) and John Sandbulte (82nd in 21:40) also competed in the varsity race for H-BC-E-E.Brandon Bullerman led the Adrian boys in varsity competition by placing 33rd in 18:25.Lee Stover (36th in 18:28), Paul Honermann (71st in 20:46), Ethan Wieneke (73rd in 20:55) and Kelly Seeman (77th in 21:20) round out Adrian’s varsity team.Luverne eighth-grader Lexi Heitkamp provided the highlight of the meet for local entries when she won the girls’ varsity race with a time of 15:23.Heitkamp was joined by teammates Amanda Saum (19th in 17:01) and Kelsey Dooyema (38th in 17:59) in the varsity race.Morgan Lynn earned a medal and led the Adrian girls to their fifth-place finish as a team by placing ninth individually with a time of 16:05.McCall Heitkamp (27th in 17:25), Krissi Thier (44th in 18:29), Kelly Banck (48th in 18:37) and Megan Henning (49th in 18:35) padded Adrian’s team tally.H-BC-E-E’s Cassi Tilstra ran in the girls’ varsity race, finishing 23rd in 17:07.Here is a look at the varsity team standings and the junior varsity individual results from the Wolverine Invitational.Boys’ standings: Mounds View 49, United South Central 123, Southwest Christian 132, Luverne 151, Waseca 164, Fairmont 210, Blue Earth Area 212, H-BC-E-E 222, Jackson County Central 229, Windom 240, Worthington 261, Madelia-Truman 278, Adrian 289, Maple River 331.Girls’ standings: USC 55, Fairmont 61, Waseca 166, BEA 167, Adrian 177, JCC 186, Windom 213, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 222, Worthington 316, Lake Crystal-Welcome-Memorial 333.Junior varsity boysLuverne: Thomas Pinkal, eighth, 11:47; Grant Oldre, 21st, 12:48; Craig Oeding, 40th, 13:07; Eric Kraetsch, 53rd, 13:35; David Nelson, 66th, 14:09; Jerome Willers, 81st, 14:51.H-BC-E-E: Lee Jackson, 10th, 11:58; Dustin Verhey, 23rd, 12:45; Devin DeBoer, 32nd, 13:00; Adam Finke, 37th, 13:07; Kerry Fink, 56th, 13:46; Michael Bos, 63rd, 14:03; Jared Drenth, 70th, 14:16; Tom Nolte, 89th, 15:27; Luke Tiesler, 90th, 15:27; Grant Hoogendoorn, 104th, 16:21; Dustin Walters, 115th, 19:00; Derek Drenth, 117th, 19:11.Adrian: Pete Jensen, seventh, 11:54; Kyle Knips, 24th, 12:46; David Brake, 49th, 13:20; Aaron Mormann, 50th, 13:31; Jared Boltjes, 60th, 13:53; Dustin Lonneman, 65th, 14:09; Eldon Vaselaar, 71st, 14:17; Kyle Henning, 93rd, 15:36; Trent Lutmer, 100th, 16:02; Collin Lynn, 102nd, 16:06.Junior varsity girlsLuverne: Kayla Raddle, fourth, 6:05; Justine Heintzman, 19th, 6:28; Amanda Kannas, 21st, 6:31.H-BC-E-E: Amanda Tilstra, second, 5:51; Mya Mann, third, 5:59; Amanda Connors, 22nd, 6:33; Jill Weitgenant, 29th, 6:40; Rayna Sandoval, 37th, 6:49; Darian Herman, 77th, 11:30.

Luverne’s Jessica Klein prepares to return a shot during Thursday’s home tennis match against Redwood Valley. RWV spoiled Luverne’s home debut by downing the Cardinals 6-1. Klein and Lindsey Severtson lost at No. 2 doubles By John RittenhouseThe Luverne tennis team split matches at different venues during the third week of the season.The Cardinals lost their home and Southwest Conference opener to Redwood Valley by five points in Luverne Friday before posting a five-point road win against Sioux Falls Lincoln’s junior varsity team in Sioux Falls Tuesday.Luverne, 2-2 overall, plays at a triangular meet at Sioux Falls Roosevelt Friday before traveling to Marshall Monday.Luverne 7,Lincoln JV 2The Cardinals recorded their second win of the season against South Dakota competition when they took on Lincoln’s junior varsity team in Sioux Falls Tuesday.Playing a more intense style of tennis, the Cardinals won five of six singles matches and went 2-1 in doubles to prevail by five points."We played much more aggressively," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "I saw a number of girls going to the net and finishing off points, which is what we’ve been working on all year long. Everybody seemed to play well."Brittany Boeve, Jenny Braa and Nikki Van Dyk all won singles matches in straight sets. Boeve saddled Linda Yang with a pair of 6-1 setbacks at No. 2, Braa secured a 7-5, 6-1 win over Lindsay Ellison at No. 3 and Van Dyk notched 6-4 and 6-0 victories over Chelsea Koepsell at No. 4.Luverne’s Samantha Gacke topped Andrea Smith 6-1, 6-7 (5-7 in the tie-breaker), 10-6 at No. 1 singles. Kaitlyn Deragisch registered a 6-1, 4-6, 10-7 victory against Ellen Bubak in the No. 6 slot.Lincoln’s Emily Peters nipped Alyssa Klein 0-6, 7-6 (7-5 in the tie-breaker), 10-6 at No. 5 singles.Braa and Boeve secured 6-1 and 6-2 victories against Smith and Yang at No. 1 doubles, Luverne’s Andraya Gacke and Lindsey Severtson bested Peters and Bubak by 6-4 and 6-3 tallies at No. 3.Lincoln’s Ellison and Koepsell upended Heidi Sandbulte and Jessica Klein by 6-3 and 6-4 scores at No. 2 doubles.RWV 6, Luverne 1Luverne came up five points short during their home and Southwest Conference opener against Redwood Valley Friday.RWV swept the Cards in straight sets in four singles matches and went 2-1 in doubles to upend LHS."We just need to play smarter tennis," said Cardinal coach Antoine, after the match. "We made it awfully easy for them on some of the points. We didn’t play the angles very well. We hit the ball right back to them, and that’s a problem."Luverne’s win came from the No. 1 doubles team of Boeve and Andraya Gacke. They posted 6-2 and 7-5 victories over Lily Madsen and Kristina Schneider.RWV’s Caitlin McGuire and Ana Johnson saddled Jessica Klein and Severtson with 6-1 and 6-2 setbacks at No. 2 doubles. Veronica Fisher and Kim Kohlhof handed Amy Herman and Katie Kraetsch a pair of 6-1 setbacks at No. 3 doubles.Winning in straight sets in singles for RWV were Kate Maland (6-1, 6-0 over Samantha Gacke at No. 1), Alecia Prins (6-1, 6-3 over Van Dyk at No. 2), Alissa Mattison (6-4, 6-2 over Alyssa Klein at No. 3) and Samantha Boushek (6-3, 6-2 over Deragisch at No. 4).

By John RittenhouseTwo Rock County drivers locked up track championships after racing in a pair of events at Huset’s Speedway over the weekend.Luverne’s Chad Overgaard emerged as late model street stock points champion at the track in Brandon, S.D. Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch clinched the points title in the hobby stock class.Two events were staged at the track on Sunday and Monday in honor of Labor Day weekend.Overgaard placed fourth in the second heat and fourth in the feature during Sunday’s races. He placed second in the heat race and ninth in the feature Monday.Deutsch won the first heat and won his seventh A feature event at the track Sunday. He won the first heat race and placed sixth in the feature Monday.Former Rock County resident David Kruger competed against Overgaard both nights. Kruger placed fourth in the first heat and ninth in the feature Sunday. He finished fourth in the second heat and 11th in the feature Monday.Deutsch competed against Steen’s Billy Cowell and Ellsworth’s Chris Tiesler at Huset’s. Cowell placed seventh in the second heat and third in the B feature Sunday. Tiesler won the third heat and placed second to Deutsch in the A feature Sunday. He finished third in the second heat and fourth in the feature Monday.Luverne’s Brad Buysse raced in the 360 sprint class at Huset’s over the weekend. Buysse placed seventh in the first heat, second in the B feature and 18th in the A feature Sunday. He finished sixth in the second heat and 18th in the feature Monday.Ellsworth’s Greg Roemen and former Luverne resident Anthony Mann raced in the sportsmen class at Huset’s Sunday.Mann placed second in the first heat and second in the feature. Roemen placed seventh in the first heat and 13th in the feature.Roemen, Deutsch and Overgaard won feature events at Rapid Speedway, Rock Rapids, Iowa, Friday.After placing fourth in the first heat, Roemen won the feature in the sportsmen class.Mann also raced in the sportsmen class, finishing fifth in the second heat and 11th in the feature.Deutsch placed second in the first heat and won the A feature in the hobby stock class. Deutsch is currently in second place in the points standings with one race to go at Rapid Speedway.Tiesler (second in the third heat and second in the feature), Cowell (fourth in the third heat and ninth in the feature), Luverne’s Mike Buss (fifth in the second heat and 14th in the feature) and Ash Creek’s Bobbi Kracht (fourth in the second heat and 11th in the feature) mixed it up with Deutsch in the hobby stock class at Rapid Speedway.Chad Overgaard had a successful night in the street stock class at Rapid Speedway, winning the second heat race and A feature to give him a shot at winning a points title Friday.Ellsworth’s Scott Overgaard (second in the first heat and 11th in the feature), former Hills resident Darrin Korthals (second in the second heat and third in the feature), Kruger (third in the second heat and fourth in the feature) and Adrian’s Mark DeBoer (sixth in the second heat and 12th in the feature) also raced in the street stock class at Rapid Speedway.Buysse competed in the 360 sprints at the track in Iowa, placing seventh in the second heat and 13th in the feature.Luverne’s Jesse Akkerman had a great night at I-90 Speedway in Hartford, S.D., Saturday. Akkerman won his heat race and the A feature event in the late model street stock class.Luverne’s Mike Steensma posted a pair of wins during Friday’s races at Murray County Speedway in Slayton. Steensma won the first heat race and feature event in the modified class.Luverne’s Alex Wiese wrapped up a solid season of drag racing at Thunder Valley Dragway in Marion, S.D., Saturday. The 12-year-old Wiese placed second in the final points standings in the junior dragster class. Wiese placed in seven of the nine events he raced in at the venue.Congratulations goes out to the Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek drag racing team, which won the five-event high school team championship at Thunder Valley Dragway this summer.Lindsay Hup, Kyle Woodley, Ryan Wynia, Joe Stearns, Steven Berghorst, Austin Hoiland, Eric Lammert, Brett Vander Vliet, Matt Anderson, Cody Scholten, Ruston Aaker, Justin Mann, Mike Sandbulte, Dustin Donth, Breanne Hup and Chris Vergas are the team members.

Luverne setter Brittney Williams digs up a ball during the Cardinal volleyball team's first home match of teh seaton against Adrian Tuesday.By John RittenhouseThe Luverne volleyball team ran its record to 2-0 with a 3-0 home win over Adrian Tuesday.The Cardinals rallied from late-game deficits to pull out two-point victories in the first two contests. LHS dominated Game 3.Both teams had their moments in Game 1.Adrian, which sported three three-point leads early in the game, found itself trailing 21-19 before rallying to knot the score at 21.The game featured ties at 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 before the Dragons took a 28-27 edge when the Cardinals returned a ball into the net. Luverne, however, received one kill and one ace block from Stephanie Morgan before Tera Boomgaarden served an ace to give the Cards a 30-28 win.Game 2 was equally competitive.Adrian scored the game’s first four points and led by five (18-13) as the game progressed.Luverne moved in front 19-18 with a six-point run featuring three service points and one ace serve by Boomgaarden.Adrian countered with a 4-0 surge to take a 22-19 advantage, but the Cards used two kills by Callen Bosshart, one service point and one ace serve by Traci Evans to gain a 23-22 edge.The game was tied at 24 when an Adrian spike ended up in the net before Bosshart served an ace to ice a 26-24 win.Game 3 looked like it would be a battle when Adrian countered a 3-0 run by Luverne with a two-point surge. Luverne, however, outscored AHS 22-5 the rest of the way and coasted to a 25-8 victory.Morgan and Bosshart led the Cards with nine kills each. Morgan also recorded nine blocks. Cassi Pap added six kills to the attack, while Brittney Williams charted 18 set assists. Boomgaarden served 16 points and seven aces for LHS. Sarah Ailts served nine points and two aces.The 0-2 Dragons received a 13-block, seven-kill effort from Kylie Heronimus. Andrea Lonneman led AHS with nine service points, while Katie Bertrand charted four set assists. Jill Hoesing contributed six blocks to the cause.Luverne hosts Redwood Valley tonight and the annual Cardinal Tournament Saturday. Adrian plays in Comfrey tonight and at the Westbrook-Walnut Grove Tournament Saturday before hosting Jackson County Central Tuesday.

Luverne's Dusty Antoine strides in front of Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton's Kale Wiertzema (left) and a Southwest Christian runner during the boys' varsity race at the Adrian Invitational Tuesday.By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls’ cross country squad recorded its first meet win of the season at the Adrian Invitational Tuesday.The Cardinals tallied 41 points to best Murray County Central (70 points) in the team standings. Four other teams were incomplete.Luverne’s Lexi Heitkamp won her second consecutive individual title of the season by winning the varsity race in 16:60.Amanda Saum (sixth in 17:59), Kelsey Dooyema (eighth in 16:32), Kristy Heikes (11th in 19:11) and Victoria Arends (15th in 20:26) padded Luverne’s team performance. Justine Heintzman ran a time of 21:59 to finish 18th without influencing the team scoring.Adrian was one runner short of fielding a complete varsity team.Morgan Lynn finished a strong third with a time of 17:01 to pace the Dragons. Kelly Banck (ninth in 18:43), Sarah Kruger (17th in 21:29) and Megan Henning (19th in 21:38) also ran for AHS.Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton was represented by Cassi and Amanda Tilstra in the varsity field, placing fourth and 10th with respective 17:42 and 18:47 times.Luverne, Adrian and H-BC-E-E fielded complete boys’ varsity teams Tuesday.Southwest Christian (31 points), Luverne (53), H-BC-E-E (84), Adrian (101), Pipestone (140) and Southwest United (190) formed the field.Tom Ward led the Cardinals to their second-place finish by placing fourth in 18:52.Ruston Aaker (seventh in 19:17), Nick Otten (12th in 19:38), Jesson Vogt (13th in 19:40) and Thomas Pinkel (22nd in 20:56) made contributions to the team effort.Travis Halfmann (23rd in 21:30), Trevor Maine (28th in 22:01), Grant Oldre (34th in 21:19), Brent DeGroot (36th in 21:29), Craig Oeding (40th in 22:52), Michael Nelson (44th in 24:13), Eric Kraetsch (46th in 24:32), David Nelson (48th in 25:22) and Jerome Willers (49th in 25:50) ran the varsity race without impacting the team effort.Tyler Bush ran an outstanding race to win the varsity race for the H-BC-E-E boys with a time of 17:54.Todd Alberty (11th in 19:33), Kale Wiertzema (15th in 20:00), Derek Haak (24th in 21:24) and Adam Finke (33rd in 22:14).John Sandbulte (38th in 22:47), Devin DeBoer (42nd in 23:35), Jared Drenth (43rd in 23:41) and Michael Bos (45th in 24:18) ran without influencing the scoring for the Patriots.Brandon Bullerman led the host team by placing 14th in 20:00.Lee Stover (16th in 20:02), Paul Honerman (19th in 20:20), Pete Jensen (25th in 21:26) and Ethan Wieneke (27th in 21:55) chipped in to Adrian’s team performance.David Brake (29th in 22:04), Aaron Mormann (30th in 22:11), Kelly Seeman (39th in 22:48), Kyle Knips (41st in 43:07), Dustin Lonneman (47th in 25:03), Michal Barrie (51st in 26:58), Eldon Vaselaar (52nd in 27:02) and Trent Lutmer (57th in 31:57) ran the varsity race without scoring for AHS.Here is a look at the junior high individual results from the meet.Junior high girlsAdrian: Hailee Heitkamp, eighth, 6:45.H-BC-E-E: Rayna Sandoval, third, 6:56; Amanda Connors, fourth, 6:56; Jill Weitgenant, sixth, 6:59; Darian Herman, eighth, 11:54.Luverne: Kayla Raddle, first, 6:07; Amanda Kannas, second, 6:19.Junior high boysH-BC-E-E: Dustin Verhey, first, 6:17; Cody Penning, 11th, 6:59; Steven Harsma, 12th, 7:01; Grant Hoogendoorn, 16th, 7:23; Luke Tiesler, 18th, 7:26; Derek Drenth, 20th, 7:45; B.J. Kruse, 21st, 7:50; Dustin Walters, 26th, 9:01.Adrian: Ross Wieneke, third, 6:23; Brock Bullerman, fourth, 6:23; Collin Lynn, seventh, 6:51; Jarod Boltjes, eighth, 6:52; Kyle Henning, ninth, 6:52; Jordan Pater, 15th, 7:24; Huston Heitkamp, 17th, 7:28; Jared Altman, 24th, 18:20.

10 years ago (1993)"A new school year seems to be off to a good start in Luverne this fall. Luverne School enrollments have increased by 48 students over the numbers recorded in June, according to Luverne Superintendent Norman Miller.… Actual numbers of Luverne students in kindergarten through fourth grade increased by just two students. Twelve of the 14-student increases in those grades over last spring’s numbers are from Adrian, Ellsworth, Hills, Jasper and Magnolia."25 years ago (1978)"A fire at the Blue Mound Inn at 6:45 p.m. Monday caused extensive damage to the west wing of the large dining structure. Bob and Barb Loosbrock, owners of the business, said they first noticed smoke coming from the south windows of the building.‘I went outside to see if someone was burning trees nearby and I saw flames coming out of the attic vent at the west end of the building,’ Bob Loosbrock said."50 years ago (1953)"Grand opening of Luverne’s newest Main Street business, the Johnny-Linn Variety Store, will be held here Friday and Saturday. Owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Stanford Remme, Luverne, the store will feature a semi-self service system for its customers. A full line of variety store items, plus a special line of gift items will be featured."75 years ago (1928)"Rock County’s only abandoned farm, the bugaboo often discussed, but seldom seen, has been turned under the past week, and therefore is no more.Strange as it may seem, this farm is located within the city limits of Luverne, being in the extreme southeast corner of the corporate limits, and worse still, along Rock County’s most important and heaviest traveled trunk highway. It is known as the former Pinkerton place."100 years ago (1903)"E.B. Burleigh received an order over the telephone Saturday from Pipestone for 400 bushels of apples, and filled the order promptly from the products of Rock County orchards, a few days before he shipped 30 bushels of Rock County apples to the same purchaser."

Community Room 9:00AMRock County Family Services Agency August 19, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the August 19, 2003 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Mark Sehr, Engineer presented possible improvements to Judicial Ditch No. 3. Following a brief discussion, motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to not proceed with Judicial Ditch No. 3 improvements, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer presented the bids results for (5) box culvert projects: Midwest Contracting $389,441.00 R & G Construction $411,391.00Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to accept the Engineers recommendation in awarding the bid to Midwest Contracting for $389,441.00, declared carried on a voice vote. Mr. Sehr stated that the CSAH 4 project is progressing and that graveling begins at the end of the week. He anticipates asphalt to be laid after the Labor Day weekend. The Engineer presented a Y2004 budget review and budget history for the Highway Department; the request for 2004 is $596,600.00. No action was taken at this time. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the August 5, 2003 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve the following consent agenda items, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Day Care Licensing – Rebecca Gonnerman2. Day Care Relicensing – Wendy Buss; Jessy Hoven; Tyann Kramer; Elizabeth Nath; Johanna Vander Steen; Kayla Vis; Theresa Wessels.3. Voluntary Day Care Closing – Hope Schelhass.4. FSA Contract 7-211-03 with the Rock County Developmental Achievement Center to provide Day Habilitation and Training, Transportation, and follow-up to supportive community employment. Rate reflects 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance and County funds. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 5. FSA Contract 23-530-03 with Hiawatha Manor, Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to four individuals receiving Supervised Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% decrease. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 6. FSA Contract 28-557-03 with Becklund Home Health Care, Inc. to provide RN, LPN and PCA Home Care Services. Rates are determined by the State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 7. FSA Contract 31-55-03 with Client Community Services Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to three individuals receiving Supervised Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% decrease. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.8. FSA Contract 32-55-03 with Client Community Services Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to three individuals receiving Supervised Living Services. Rates reflect a 1% decrease. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.9. FSA Contract 33-788-03 with Sioux Valley Regional Health Services, doing business as Luverne Community Hospital to provide various Home Care services. Rates determined by the State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contact effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 10. FSA Contract 37-1689-03 with Habilitative Services Inc., to provide Personal Care Attendant Services. Rates determined by the State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 11. FSA Contract 39-532-03 with West Cap-Luverne Site to provide Home Delivered meals. Rates reflect a 1% reduction as mandated by State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 12. FSA Contract 40-582-03 with Clara Huls, doing business as Magnolia Café to provide Home Delivered meals. Rates reflect a 1% reduction as mandated by State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 13. FSA Contract 42-1684-03 with Tuff Memorial Home to provide Home Delivered meals. Rates reflect a 1% reduction as mandated by State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04.14. FSA Contract 46-850-03 with Carrie VanDyke, doing business as Green Lantern Café to provide Home Delivered meals. Rates reflect a 1% reduction as mandated by State. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 15. FSA Contract 75-1684 with Tuff Village Inc., to provide Assisted Living Plus Services. Rates reflect a 1% mandated rate reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 6-30-04. 16. FSA Contract 81-530-03 with Hiawatha Manor Inc., to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 17. FSA Contract 82-530-03 with Hiawatha Manor Inc., to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.18. FSA Contract 83-530-03 with Hiawatha Manor Inc., to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.19. FSA Contract 84-55-03 with Client Community Services, Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 20. FSA Contract 86-186-03 with New Dawn Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 21. FSA Contract 87-186-03 with New Dawn Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 22. FSA Contract 98-186-03 with New Dawn Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03. 23. FSA Contract 101-186-03 with New Dawn Inc. to provide MR/RC Home and Community Based Services to one client. Rates reflect a 1% State mandated reduction. Services paid by MN Medical Assistance. Contract effective 7-1-03 to 12-31-03.Randy Ehlers, Family Services Director presented an overview of the Family Services Agency 2004 budget requesting $867,104; no action was taken. The County Board directed the Administrator to present information regarding jail fees at the next meeting as the Family Services Agency is interested in assisting in collecting those fees. The County Board acknowledged receipt of information from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program that was mailed to Commissioners. The information reflected a number of sites that RSVP had been working on. The County Board directed a sub-committee assigned to working on the law enforcement contracts for cities other than the City of Luverne located in Rock County report back at the next County Board meeting. A joint City of Luverne and Rock County meeting is scheduled for August 26th at 6:30 PM for the purpose of discussing the following budgets: Library, Pool, Sheriff & Dispatch. Members of the County Board provided an update of the Minnesota Pollution Control Administration Commissioner had attended the local feedlot meeting and that they addressed specific issues as well as issues relating to the relationship between producers and the MPCA.Dan Cook, Rock County Rural Water Manager, informed the County Board that the western construction and improvements had been completed and requested final payment of $5,901.38 to Carstensen Construction; motion by Wildung, seconded Bakken, to approve final payment of $5,901.38 to Carstensen Construction, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented a fund balance report; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to accept the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims with additions; motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to pay the claims as presented, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General $ 93,119.82LEC 332,621.94Road & Bridge 26,400.48Welfare 55,305.63Landfill .00TOTAL $507,447.87Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to accept the recommendation from the Building Committee approving a (5) year lease with an out clause for the Land Management Office to be located at 311 W. Gabrielson Road, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to use office space at the Rock County Human Services Building for Heartland Express, declared carried on a voice vote. The Building Committee also directed the Administrator to develop a lease agreement with the Luverne Senior Citizen’s building to rent office space for Extension, with a possible out clause. The Auditor/Treasurer requested approval of a tax abatement of $96.00 on parcel 20-0741-000 located in the CO Hawes’ Addition, Lots 1, 2 & 5; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the abatement, declared carried on a voice vote. The County was notified that State Auditor Pat Awada had been in Rock County on Friday, August 15th and had met with members of the County Board, the Auditor/Treasurer and Administrator to discuss a variety of things relating to her office and the county. The County Board acknowledged receipt of the Blue Cross Blue Shield claims report; no action was taken.The County Board received a letter from the Commissioner of Veteran’s Affairs Jeff Olson stating that Ron Hansen had completed the Veteran’s Service Officer’s test and continued to receive his certification. The County Board requested the Engineer to develop an estimate on Judicial Ditch No. 3 repairs to maintain the ditch to a workable standard and present those estimates at a future meeting. Commissioner Boyenga informed the County Board of a Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority meeting and that the current operator continues to attempt in trying to develop business along the line. Mr. Boyenga also stated that AMC will be sending a survey to various Department Heads and directed those that received the survey to complete and return as soon as possible. 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(9-4)

The Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale is just a couple of weeks away. Right now, however, we are accepting donated books from the community. It’s a good way for you to clear off some of those shelves and share those books with others. It’s also a good way to help support your library. Income generated from the book sale goes toward the library, sometimes for equipment, sometimes for books, and sometimes for special programs. Any donations will be greatly appreciated. Your support through the Annual Book Sale is especially important this year because of the substantial cuts in revenue for the library operation. The Friends prefer that you don’t bring encyclopedias, school texts, or Reader’s Digest condensed books, they just don’t sell. Book donations will be accepted now through Sept. 13. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Book Sale on Sept. 18 to 20. While you’re dropping off your used books, you can check out our new books. We have the new title by Oliver North, "The Jericho Sanction." Set in Israel and Iraq, Lt. Col. Peter Newman (USMC) and his family are threatened when his cover is blown. While preparing for a clandestine U.S. mission to find Iraqi nuclear weapons, Newman’s wife, Rachel, is kidnapped in Jerusalem, along with her friend, the wife of an Israeli Sayeret counter-terrorism operative responsible for Israeli terrorist assassinations. Newman has to choose whether to go ahead with the mission or abandon it to find and rescue his wife. But Israel has discovered that Iraq has nukes and plans a preemptive attack on Baghdad with Jericho missiles. If that happens, and Islamic terrorists like Saddam and bin Laden respond in kind, it might trigger a Middle East war that could go global. It seems as if nothing can prevent an Armageddon. Also new on the shelf is "Love Me," by Garrison Keillor. When Larry Wyler heads east from Minnesota to New York in pursuit of the celebrated life of a writer, he leaves behind Iris, the college sweetheart he married. When he abandons the rural flats of St. Paul to seek out author, William Shawn and his famous magazine, Wyler stumbles into meteoric success as a writer and a womanizer. However, he's soon brought low by an even quicker series of failures on both fronts. Iris catches Wyler in a flagrant affair and living the New York high life. When The New Yorker gives him the boot, the jig is up. A chastened man, Wyler returns to Minnesota, where the only writing job he can get is as an advice columnist for the lovelorn. Writing under the pen name "Mr. Blue," Wyler doles out wry, knowing, and practical advice about seduction and mating to the heartbroken and the lonely. And only slowly, painfully, does Wyler figure out for himself how, after losing love, you can eventually get it back.

The following short articles appeared in the Rock County Herald on June 15, 1877:"Alex McKay, formerly of the mercantile firm of McKay & Wold, proprietors of the ‘Pioneer Store,’ the first establishment of its kind erected in Luverne, is building a store at Madison, Lake Co., Dakota. (This building stood at the east end of Main Street and Oakley.)P.J. Kniss has let the contract for breaking up strips along all the streets on Warren & Kniss’ Addition preparatory to planting the same with shade and ornamental trees next spring. The spirit of enterprise displayed by these gentlemen will soon make that by far the most desirable part of town for all purposes, unless the owners of the old town plat wake up and bestir themselves. (Warren & Kniss Addition is east of Highway 75 to Cedar, and the North Street is Lincoln south to Fletcher.)The following were markets listed for the week:Wheat 1.50Oats .60Barley .55Corn .75Butter .15Potatoes 1.25Eggs (fresh) .10Coffee .28Tea .65Kerosene,head light .40 per gallonThe Baptist Church edifice now towers aloft near the west end of Main Street. The frame was raised the latter part of last week, and since then the sound of the hammer and saw has been heard whenever the weather would permit. The building is now fairly enclosed, although the siding is yet to be put on. The work will be pushed on to completion as fast as circumstances will permit."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.