Adrian junior Ashley Cox (33) challenges the shot of a Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster player during Thursday’s Red Rock Conference girls’ basketball game in Adrian. Cox led the Dragons with 12 points and five steals during a 65-30 victory.

By John Rittenhouse
The Adrian girls’ basketball team remained unbeaten in Red Rock Conference play after nailing down a pair of league wins since last Thursday.

The Dragons routed Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster by 35 points in Adrian Thursday before recording a 15-point victory in Comfrey Tuesday.

Adrian, 8-2 overall and 6-0 in the league, will play two key conference games at home as the Dragons host Red Rock Central Friday and Fulda Monday.

Adrian 45, Comfrey 30
The Dragons came up big in the second half during Tuesday’s 15-point road win in Comfrey.

The home-standing Rockets remained within striking distance of the Dragons in the first half, but AHS put the game away by outscoring Comfrey 27-19 in the second half.

Adrian doubled Comfrey’s scoring output (10-5) in the first quarter before sporting an 18-11 advantage at the intermission.

Maria Gengler and Ashley Cox helped the Dragons ice the contest in the third quarter by contributing eight points each to an 18-7 scoring surge that ended with AHS taking a 36-18 cushion into the fourth quarter.

Comfrey had a 12-9 scoring edge in the fourth quarter, but the outcome had been decided at that point.

Gengler, who blocked five shots for the winners, recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Andrea Lonneman, Jenna Honermann and Kylie Heronimus all snared 10 rebounds. Honermann and Heronimus charted six and five assists respectively.

Box score
S.Henning 0 0 0-1 0, Heronimus 3 0 0-0 6, Honermann 2 0 0-0 4, A.Henning 4 0 0-0 8, Cox 4 0 0-1 8, Lonneman 2 0 0-0 4, Gengler 6 0 3-4 15, Strand 0 0 0-1 0.

Team statistics
Adrian: 21 of 51 field goals (41 percent), three of seven free throws (43 percent), 51 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
Comfrey: 10 of 60 field goals (15 percent), seven of 14 free throws (50 percent), 21 rebounds, 12 turnovers.

Adrian 65, SV-RL-B 30
Offensive balance proved to be the key when Adrian snapped a two-game losing skid with Thursday’s 35-point home win over the Raiders.

Four players reached double figures in scoring for an Adrian team that drained 48 percent of its field goals in a lopsided contest.

Andrea Lonneman recorded a double-double for the winners by registering 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ashley Cox led the Dragons with 12 points and five steals. Honermann and Ashley Henning chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively.

The game was tied at two early in the first quarter when AHS went on a 9-0 run capped by a field goal from Cox with 4:40 remaining in the period that gave Adrian an 11-2 advantage. The Dragons extended their lead to 13 points twice before settling for a 19-8 advantage at period’s end.

The Dragons put together a 10-2 run to start the second quarter to make it a 29-10 game before extending the difference to 20 points (32-12) by the intermission.

SV-RL-B scored the first four points of the third quarter before Adrian went on a 7-0 run capped by a field goal from Lonneman at the 4:10 mark of the third period to open 23-point cushion (39-16). The quarter ended with Adrian sporting a 43-22 lead.

The Dragons scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter and went on to outscore SV-RL-B 22-8 in the period to prevail by 35 points.

Gengler pulled down nine rebounds and blocked seven shots for Adrian. Heronimus charted 10 assists.

Box score
S.Henning 1 0 0-0 2, Heronimus 3 0 0-0 6, T.Honermann 0 0 0-0 0, J.Honermann 5 0 1-1 11, As.Henning 5 0 0-0 10, Cox 6 0 0-0 12, Lonneman 3 0 4-6 10, Gengler 3 0 3-6 9, Strand 0 0 0-0 0, Wolf 1 0 1-2 3, Ad.Henning 0 0 0-0 0, Mulder 1 0 0-1 2.

Team statistics
Adrian: 27 of 56 field goals (48 percent), nine of 16 free throws (56 percent), 31 rebounds, 13 turnovers.
SV-RL-B: 12 of 47 field goals (24 percent), six of 13 free throws (46 percent), 22 rebounds, 23 turnovers.

Luverne junior post Josh Lange drives to the basket past Redwood Valley’s Mike Karsky during Friday’s boys’ basketball game in Luverne. Lange scored six points during a 49-33 loss to RWV.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne boys’ basketball team recorded its first Southwest Conference win in three seasons when it toppled Windom by 13 points in Luverne Tuesday.

The win came five days after a home loss to Redwood Valley on Friday.

Luverne, 2-7 overall, will try to win back-to-back games when it hosts Southwest Christian Friday before playing in Madison, S.D., Tuesday.

Luverne 57,
Windom 44
A drought that began in 2000 came to an end Tuesday night when the Cardinals posted a 13-point Southwest Conference win over the Eagles in Luverne Tuesday.

Luverne had not posted a league win since the 1999-2000 campaign, when Gordie Hansen was Luverne’s head coach.

The drought started during the first two years of current coach Tom Rops’ tenure, and he ended it after the Cardinals dropped their first four league games this year.

"I was a little emotional after the game," Rops admitted. "These kids, especially our seniors, have put in a lot of time and effort to win a game like this one. I’m just very proud of the way they stuck with it."

Luverne used a balanced-attack to snap the SWC losing skid against the Eagles as four Cardinals reached double figures in scoring.

Jake Studer and Joey Pick led the way by netting 14 and 13 points respectively. Jesse Kuhlman and Josh Lange added 12 and 10 counters to the winning tally.

Luverne doubled (16-8) Windom’s scoring output in the first quarter and led by 12 points (29-17) after outscoring the Eagles 13-9 in the second quarter.

The difference remained at 12 points (36-24) heading into the fourth quarter, when Windom offered a challenge by climbing to within four points of the Cards before LHS put the game away by making 12 of 14 free throws in the final eight minutes of play.

Aaron Schmidt and Pick pulled down nine and eight rebounds for LHS. Studer recorded five steals.

Box score
Studer 6 0 2-2 14, Kuhlman 2 2 2-3 12, Schmidt 1 0 6-6 8, Lange 3 0 4-4 10, Pick 0 3 4-7 13.

Team statistics
Luverne: 15 of 36 field goals (42 percent), 16 of 20 free throws (80 percent), 31 rebounds, 15 turnovers.
Windom: 14 of 51 field goals (27 percent), nine of 14 free throws (64 percent), 29 rebounds, 14 turnovers.

RWV 49, Luverne 33
The Cardinal boys were unable to break into the win column in Southwest Conference play when they fell by 16 points at home to Redwood Valley Friday.

Luverne played well enough to stay with RWV in the first half, but the visitors outscored the Cards 32-21 in the second half to win handily.

RWV turned a five-point cushion heading into the second half into a 10-point advantage (27-17) by outscoring the Cards 10-5 in the first five minutes of the stanza. A late three by RWV gave it a 32-19 advantage before the quarter was complete.

The Cards trimmed the difference to 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but that proved to be as close as they would come to catching RWV, which outscored LHS 17-14 in the period to win by 16.

RWV led 9-5 at one point in a tight first quarter before the Cards trimmed the difference to three points (11-8) at period’s end.

The Cards pulled to within two points of RWV in the second quarter, but a late three by the visitors made it a 17-12 game at the intermission.

Studer led Luverne with 11 points and three assists in the game. Scott Boelman snared five rebounds.

Box score
Studer 2 2 1-2 11, Pick 0 0 0-0 0, Kuhlman 0 2 0-0 6, Goembel 0 0 0-0 0, Roemen 0 0 0-0 0, Scmidt 1 0 2-3 4, Stegemann 0 0 0-0 0, DeWispelaere 0 0 0-0 0, DeGroot 2 0 0-0 4, Hulstein 0 0 0-0 0, Boelman 1 0 0-1 2, Lange 2 0 2-2 6.

Team statistics
Luverne: 11 of 37 field goals (30 percent), five of eight free throws (63 percent), 26 rebounds, 18 turnovers.
RWV: 17 of 43 field goals (40 percent), 11 of 15 free throws (73 percent), 25 rebounds.

By Sara Strong
The Rock County Board of Commissioners isn’t quite done with the thought of being involved in the new hospital project.

It voted Tuesday to look into costs of renovating the existing Luverne Medical Center into a law enforcement center or other county uses.

Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System has said it is interested in building a new hospital, but wants the current campus off its hands for that to happen. So, the city of Luverne and Rock County have been considering possible public uses for the clinic and hospital.

The Board said it doesn’t want to hold up any project so it’s looking into renovation costs for the Medical Center as soon as possible.

"Whether it’s a ‘hell no’ or whatever, I think we owe [Sioux Valley] an answer," Commissioner Bob Jarchow said.

A recent study of the existing hospital showed the county that it doesn’t have the money ($3.8 million) or the need to renovate as much as 29,000 square feet.

New Board Chairman Ron Boyenga said he’d still rather see money spent on the current law enforcement center than to renovate a different building.

The upcoming brief study of the clinic will cost about $2,000.

The clinic shows more promise than the hospital because it’s much smaller, about 10,000 to 11,000 square feet, and it’s newer.

The Medical Center has a sound heating and cooling system and the air exchange guidelines are easily met, where the hospital would need much work to get up to current standards.

Even if the county decides the medical center is worth the cost for public use, the hospital building would still be left.

State budget
The board discussed the state budget crunch and its effects on Rock County in coming years.

The projected $4.5 billion shortfall in 2004-05 will have to be dealt with for years, but cuts are in the works and the county figures it’s among them.

"It’s a philosophical time for government," Commissioner Jane Wildung said. "We’ll have to cut spending while still trying to offer people some sort of quality of life."

Governor Tim Pawlenty has said the state won’t raise taxes, but local governments may be forced to, probably without the levy restrictions previously imposed.

New Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "Maybe something like this is a good chance to overhaul the entire system instead of putting on Band Aids."

Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre said that capital gains and income taxes brought in less than in previous years and property taxes couldn’t make up the difference.

Oldre said, "During the last 10-to-12-year boom, the state spent like it was coming in in barrels."

While people have shared many ideas on what the state should cut on spending, it’s no easy task.

For example, if all state employees were eliminated, the state would only save $2 billion. All aid to Minnesota counties is less than $1 billion.

People don’t usually favor cutting education and that’s almost half the state budget; health care is 19 percent of the general fund; health and human services makes up another 7 percent.

In looking at the desperate financial state of the state, some have suggested using county reserves that are undedicated. As a measure to protect those funds, Rock County is in the process of choosing amounts of reserves to put in specific funds so they aren’t sitting in accounts, looking unnecessary.

Next summer is the earliest Rock County will know how it stacks up in state funding.

In other business:
New elected officials were sworn in before the start of the meeting, including Sheriff Mike Winkels, Auditor-Treasurer Gloria Rolfs and Commissioner Richard Bakken.

Presented a farewell acknowledgement to outgoing Commissioner Wendell Erickson. Boyenga said, "We’d like to thank you for all your years of service on behalf of the people of Rock County and all of southwest Minnesota."

Approved appointments to the county’s 57 sub-committees and boards, which include membership of at least one commissioner and members of the general public.

Marten and Betty Kruger say their children have brought lots of laughter to their lives. They play cards and games regularly and enjoy spending quality family time together.Pictured left to right Marten, Heather, Betty and Jonathan.

By Sara Strong
Two children traveled across the country and through the sadness of their mother’s death to make their home in rural Rock County.

Despite what they’ve gone through to get here, they say they are happy where they are.

"The farm part, I’m not sure that I love so much," Heather Kruger, 16, said. "But the rest is good."

Her mom, Betty, said, "Sure, when you have to get up and feed the animals everyday, you say you don’t like the farm."

Heather and her brother, Jonathan, 11, were adopted from New Mexico by Marten and Betty Kruger three years ago.

The Krugers want to share their family’s story with others and remind people that adopting older children is a viable option for those interested in parenting.

They, along with other local adoptive families, will be a part of an open, educational meeting on adoption at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in the United Methodist Church, Luverne.

Before they were adopted, Heather and Jonathan were eager to have a permanent mom and dad and get out of the foster care system.

But why Minnesota?
All they knew about the state was that it was cold, but after just two phone visits, Heather and Jonathan asked the Krugers if they could call them Mom and Dad.

Of course, the answer was yes, and the Krugers went to New Mexico to get their family. The children still have contact with some of their family members there.

Since coming here, the few years have been full of learning and love for parents and children.

Before they came to live in Minnesota, for example, Heather and Jonathan hadn’t even seen an icicle. In fact, one of Betty’s favorite stories is about Jonathan’s reaction to seeing them:

When school was cancelled one day during their first winter here, Jonathan was outside and then ran into the house, wondering how stalactites (which he had seen growing in caves in the Southwest) had formed around the house.

Now, he understands how icicles are formed and says he likes to eat them.

The Krugers share tales of their time together like any family, even though they’ve had fewer years together than most families with children their age.

They want people to know that adopting older children has been a blessing in their life, and that it can be for others, too.

Marten said, "We were at a wedding and a funeral and people asked how parenting was. … We had a good answer for them."

‘Jumping for joy’
The Krugers married in their ‘40s and knew adopting an infant might not be possible. They then thought they could contribute by becoming foster parents, but decided against it.

The state has certain code requirements for foster homes that the Krugers didn’t want to meet in their older home. And besides that, Marten said, "Knowing my emotions, and Betty’s too, I know that saying good-bye wouldn’t work."

He said, "A door closed, but it opened up to better things."

Soon after opting against foster parenting, Betty was getting her hair done and commented that she was just beginning to think of adoption.

Someone in the shop mentioned the Rev. Bart Fletcher and his wife Claudia, Luverne, who have adopted nine children.

Betty called Claudia, who networked through some social services, and helped find a good sibling match for the Krugers.

"I’m absolutely thrilled we did this," Betty said. "It just puts life in the house."

The children are grateful for a permanent home, too.

"I’m glad we came here," Heather said.

"When I knew we were going to be adopted," Jonathan said, "I was jumping for joy I was so happy."

The farm was easy for Jonathan to grow into. He enjoys the hobby animals they own and likes outdoor recreation — like dad building snow hills for sledding in the winter and water fights in the summer.

"Within seconds of coming here," Jonathan said, "I knew I loved the farm."

More are waiting
In Minnesota, there’s a constant struggle to find homes for older children whose biological parents can’t care for them.

The state Department of Human Services says that of the 692 children waiting for adoption, "All have been traumatized during their critical developmental years. Most will need additional educational, medical or psychological help as they grow toward maturity. Many have been in three or more out-of-home placements, such as foster homes."

Of those waiting to be adopted in Minnesota:

60 percent are siblings who need to be adopted together
57 percent are children of color
56 percent have been chronically neglected or abused
43 percent have been diagnosed with a psychological or medical disability
40 percent are 6 to 11 years old
36 percent are 12 to 18 years old
24 percent are under 6 years old

Claudia Fletcher said, "I think it is very interesting that 76 percent of the kids available are over 6, because most people who want to adopt state that they want a child under five. I would venture to say, that means that probably about 60 percent of the kids are 9 or older."

Claudia, "The state is really in trouble right now, because people just aren’t catching the vision to adopt kids over 8."

Other than next Thursday’s meeting, there are also planned training meetings on Feb. 6 and 7 for people interested in adoption.

By Sara Strong
The Luverne Planning Commission discussed the possibility of changing North Highway 75 from a residential to commercial district.

There wasn’t a specific request before the Commission, but Luverne Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator Dan Delgehausen brought it to the table for consideration.

Delgehausen estimated that less than 50 percent of the area on Highway 75 from Lincoln Street north to the edge of town is strictly residential use, considering vacant land, churches and businesses. He said he’s trying to watch for city trends that should be accurately reflected in the zoning books.

Delgehausen said some homes are at their life expectancy, and city growth doesn’t appear to be focusing on the main highway through Luverne, so they may not be maintained much longer.

He said it might be in the city’s interest to encourage new, small office spaces to be built along the highway rather than saving the zone for strictly residential use.

Planning Commission Chairman Jim Kirchhofer said the city Comprehensive Plan, which was put together with much community input in 1993-94, says that it’s a priority to protect residential neighborhoods.

Commission member Mike Reker said, "We’ve got a business district from the river to the airport that we can’t seem to fill, and I wonder if we should start heading off into the other direction."

Alex Frick, a resident of the neighborhood in question, said that many visitors comment on the charm of Highway 75 (Kniss Avenue) and its beautifully-maintained homes.

Frick, a former city council member, said, "The concept of the business district was to be Main Street and South 75."

Another audience member, Greg Burger, said, "I’m kind of amazed that this topic would come up again."

Burger was referring to the issue of rezoning Fledgling Field or granting a conditional use permit for a funeral home, which has been before the Planning Commission off and on for almost three years.

Burger said he’s active in economic development in the community and can’t visualize Highway 75 drawing attractive, small service or retail businesses — partly because of traffic flow issues and partly because existing vacancies in Luverne aren’t being filled.

He also said that comparing Luverne’s Highway 75 to other towns along the roadway is inaccurate in most cases, because Kniss Avenue is "through the heart of the community."

Commission member Bill Ketterling said it may help the board to review the Comprehensive Plan, which is the guide for zoning ordinances.

The Commission will review it and discuss possible changes that should be made since the Comprehensive Plan was last written.

Parking/junk vehicles
The Planning Commission resumed an ongoing discussion on parking and junk vehicle codes, but took no action.

The city has vague codes on where and how many vehicles a residential property can have parked on it. Delgehausen has a difficult task of keeping properties up to code when the codes are so vague.

For example, if a residential lot has a yard full of junk cars, he writes a letter telling the owner that the cars have to be licensed to be parked in the open. The vehicle owners might cover the junk cars with tarp or simply update the tags to make them legal. But the problem with unhappy neighbors still exists.

The code is under the nuisance section because batteries, sharp metal and glass can be hazardous when left in the open in neighborhoods.

The Commission said it will continue discussion on parking and vehicle codes at another meeting.

Kirchhofer’s last
The Tuesday meeting was Jim Kirchofer’s last as outgoing city council representative.

He said, "It’s been an honor and a privilege to work on this very important committee. The discussions are good, and I hope you continue to see all angles on the issues."

Kirchhofer encouraged the board to try to help people who have requests before them, but not to forget that they are serving the entire community.

Elaine VandenBerg enjoyed a day of well wishes as the new Rock County Employee of the Year. She received a sandblasted Sioux quartzite plaque along with surprise flowers, balloons and cake.

By Sara Strong
Elaine VandenBerg was surprised Tuesday when she was named the Rock County Employee of the Year — not because she doesn’t deserve it, but because she enjoys her job so much she seems to forget she’s working sometimes.

VandenBerg is known to people who use Heartland Express as the friendly voice on the dispatch line. She said the people she works with, and for, make her job enjoyable.

"Terrie Gulden (Heartland director) is great to work with, along with everyone in the county," she said.

People think she’s great to work with too, with the county receiving seven nomination letters for VandenBerg.

The Rock County Board of Commissioners votes on the Employee of the Year, which was started three years ago.

VandenBerg has been employed with Heartland Express since 1994, when she started as a part-time bus driver. She became a full-time dispatcher after a couple years on the job, but answering 150 to 200 telephone calls per day isn’t all she does.

She is also responsible for managing driver schedules, out-of-county rides and prepaid medical program through Minnesota Health-Ride. She works with children at preschools, nursing home residents, Rock County Developmental Achievement Center clients, and others living in Rock County.

Some of the comments from the people who nominated VandenBerg were:

"Even on days when there is barely time to breathe, she will always find time for the person who walks through the door."

"Elaine has always made herself available to do whatever the job requires, without complaint. She works many 10-hour days and has worked on weekends to resolve any necessary concerns with the Volunteer Driver Program."

"When I think of quality customer service, Elaine is one of the people that comes immediately to mind."

"Needs arise quickly and she always attempts to help us. … Elaine never makes us feel as though it is an imposition to schedule yet another ride with Heartland Express."

Other nominees for employee of the year were: Deb DenHerder, Extension; Arnold Vink, Transfer Station; Jeff Wieneke, Law Enforcement; Ona Reker, Family Services; Jean Henrichs-Laudon, Family Services, and Walter Stearns, Highway Department.

Previous winners were Pam Nelson and Al Hartz.

By Lori Ehde
More than 150 Luverne residents traveled to the Twin Cities Sunday to attend the funeral of former First Baptist Church pastor Tom Mabe.

Mabe, 51, collapsed in his home New Year’s Day from apparent heart problems — possibly related to the aortic aneurysm that nearly killed him Dec. 6, 2000.

Mabe had been serving the Colony Park Baptist Church, Edina, since March 2001 after heading up the Luverne church for 10 years.

It was his goal to help the Edina church family grow to the size and resiliency his Luverne group had come to enjoy.

Full benches
On Monday, more than 400 people filled the Edina sanctuary to capacity, and Mabe’s son, Josh, recalled his father had intended to fill those benches. "You did it today, Dad," he said.

Having so many people, especially the large number from Luverne, at the funeral was a fitting tribute to Mabe, according to Rhonda Morris, office administrator at First Baptist Church.

"More than anything, he really cared, not only about the congregation, but about the community," Morris said. "Every spare minute he had, he spent with people."

Luverne’s Gordon Hamann was especially close to Mabe and read his obituary at the funeral.

He said Mabe will be remembered for his ability to connect with people.

"He’ll be very missed," Hamann said Tuesday. "He always seemed to be in a pretty good mood, and the caring attitude he had was pretty constant."

Hamann also said Mabe was a walking testimony to his faith. "He always had his perspective pretty clear," he said. "He had a faith that was so real it was part of his life, and everything he did he did it from that perspective."

Friends in eternity
In his farewell interview with the Star Herald in December of 2000, Mabe said he’d badly miss his friends and church family in Luverne.

"Your hearts just get knitted together strongly after 10 years. It’s like family," he said.

"The good thing is we know we’ll spend eternity with the Lord, and those friends are forever, so that helps."

Only days after that interview, Mabe collapsed from an aortic aneurysm that took months to recover from.
Results from the autopsy were not available as of this writing, but it’s assumed Mabe’s death is related to that condition.

In medical terms, his first collapse was due to a "dissecting aortic aneurysm," which means his main aortic valve split open from the top and separated from the lining of the heart.

‘There will never
be another Tom’
Morris said Tom will be remembered for his genuine spirit of kindness and compassion.

"When he asked how you were, he really wanted to know," she said. "That’s what was so special about him. He cared so much."

First Baptist member LeRoy Kellenberger, Hills, said that’s what he’ll remember most about his former pastor.

"There was just something special about the way he talked to you," Kellenberger said.

"He was the most caring person. Even on your best day, he was concerned about you. … He was just a friend — and you didn’t have to go to his church to be that way."

He said Mabe used to personally greet people at the church doors, and newcomers would be impressed to later see the "greeter" at the pulpit.

"I’ve seen preachers come and go, but I’ve never seen people sit up and pay attention like they did for him," Kellenberger said. "There will never be another Tom."

Burial was Monday in Des Moines, Iowa, where Tom and Stephenie grew up.

In Tom’s memory, Kellenberger established a fund for the benefit of Stephenie Mabe and the Mabe family.

Memorials can be sent to Minnwest Bank, P.O. Box 899, 116 E. Main St., Luverne, MN 56156.

Correspondence can be sent to Stephenie and other family members at 5033 Edinbrook Lane, Edina, MN 55436.

Frosty roads were to blame for an accident that sent this vehicle skidding across the median on Interstate 90 Tuesday morning just west of Luverne. The driver of the car, Sarah Smook, and her mother, Arlene Smook, both of Luverne, were on their way to Sioux Falls at about 9 a.m. in the west-bound lane when the tires started skidding. They ended up upside down in the eastbound lane before the vehicle came to a stop. The two were taken by ambulance to Luverne Community Hospital where Arlene was treated for torn shoulder ligaments and was released. Sarah suffered a broken toe and possible whiplash. She was held overnight for observation. Both occupants were wearing their seatbelts. "I’m sure that made a big difference," Arlene said from her daughter’s hospital room Tuesday. "I’m very grateful … we’re doing OK."

More than 2,100 head of cattle were sold at the Luverne Livestock Auction Monday, making it the biggest sale of that type in Luverne for more than 30 years. Cattle overflowed the yards into temporary pens that were reinforced by round bales at the fairgrounds. According to Jerry Reisch, who co-owns the business with his wife, Christy, 41 cattle producers and 61 registered bidders were on hand Monday for the annual feeder cattle auction. The sale in recent years has drawn 1,200 to 1,400 head of cattle, but several years ago the numbers had dropped to only 800. Since then, Reisch said he’s worked to bring up the local client base. "We appreciate the clients we’ve had," he said. "The local people have come to trust us." He said local producers were pleased with their prices Monday, with an average 500-pound steer bringing $1 per pound. "Three months ago, you could buy that same steer for 85 cents a pound," Reisch said. Reisch said the prices reflect a recent dip in supply that’s consistent nationwide. "We’ve had a lot of herd liquidation because of the drought," he said. "The supply was down; that’s why we’re seeing prices where they’re at."

Photo by Lori Ehde