Hills-Beaver Creek senior David Top drives to the basket before scoring two of his 16 point during Tuesday's 60-46 boy's basketball win over Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster in Hills. The win was H-BC's third consecutive victory.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek boys' basketball team is riding its longest winning string of the 2001-02 season after posting a home win Tuesday.

Playing Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster in a Red Rock Conference game in Hills, H-BC put together a strong fourth quarter to pull out a 60-46 win over the Raiders.

The game was tight for the first three quarters, but the Patriots outscored the Raiders 21-11 in the final eight minutes of play to win by 14 in the end.

The victory was H-BC's third straight. The 6-5 Patriots will attempt to extend the run when they play a road game against Red Rock Central tomorrow before hosting West Lyon Saturday.

Matt Buck, who had nine rebounds for the Patriots, and Lyle DeBoer led H-BC's assault in the fourth quarter. Buck tossed in eight of his team-high 18 points and DeBoer added five of his six counters during a Patriot rally that turned a 39-35 lead after three quarters of play into a comfortable win.

David Top was hot for the Patriots early as he scored eight of his 16 points during a first quarter that ended in a draw at 12.

SV-RL-B moved in front 26-25 at halftime before the Patriots used a 14-9 scoring cushion in the third period to gain a four-point advantage.

Brad Haak had a big game for H-BC by scoring 13 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and producing four steals. Darin DeBoer charted six rebounds for the winners.

Box score
D.DeBoer 2 0 1-2 5, Van Maanen 0 0 0-0 0, Haak 6 0 1-2 13, Leuthold 1 0 0-0 2, L.DeBoer 2 0 2-2 6, Top 7 0 2-3 16, Buck 7 0 4-7 18.

Team statistics
H-BC: 25 of 62 field goals (40 percent), 10 of 17 free throws (59 percent), 39 rebounds, five turnovers.
SV-RL-B: 19 of 53 field goals (36 percent), two of nine free throws (22 percent), 26 rebounds, 17 turnovers.

By Jolene Farley
Connie Stone has joined the First Presbyterian Church of Beaver Creek and the First Presbyterian Church of Rushmore as the new minister for both congregations.

An ordination and installation ceremony will be Saturday, Jan. 19, in the Beaver Creek church.

Stone has already started some of her work in the parishes but cannot perform the sacraments until she is ordained Saturday.

Stone said she knew when she was very young she wanted to serve the church. "I actually had decided very early I wanted to do some kind of work for the church," she said. "The more I grew and the more I prayed, the more I felt pulled in this direction."

Stone completed her studies at the Louisville Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., before moving to Beaver Creek.

She said she chose Minnesota because her 15-year-old daughter, Abby, has asthma and she wanted to get out of the city. "I wanted her out of the pollution," she said.

She also wanted her daughter to get to know her side of the family from Nebraska.

Stone said she is looking forward to getting to know her congregation one-on-one. "I am very much a people person. I like hearing people's stories," she said. "I hope if people do not come to our churches I can still meet them and get to know them."

She's already noticed the "Minnesota nice" that other states talk about.

"I was very attracted to the people here," she said. "They're very honest, healthy and sure of who they are."

The Beaver Creek congregation has more than 100 people on the rolls with more than 80 who attend services regularly. In Rushmore the congregation has more than 40 active members.

Although the Presbyterian Church recommends ministers stay in a congregation for a seven-year period, Stone said she intends to stay as long as she is needed.

"I told the congregations I would stay until I felt I was no longer effective as a pastor," she said. "That would be the point, whether that's seven years or 20 years."

Stone's daughter, Abby, is a talented string bassist who hopes to join the Youth Orchestra in Sioux Falls. She also "sings like a bird," Stone said. Abby is attending Hills-Beaver Creek High School.

Stone said she wants everyone to know she is a big Nebraska Cornhusker fan. "I'm kind of in mourning about that right now ...losing the national championship."

Douglas W. Krug, 74, Mankato, formerly of Luverne, died Monday, Dec. 31, 2001, at Mankato House Health Care Center in Mankato.

Graveside services were Thursday, Jan. 3, at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. The Rev. Mark Mumme officiated.

Douglas Krug was born to Walter L. and Frances Krug on May 2, 1927, in Luverne. He grew up and attended school in Luverne, graduating from Luverne High School. After high school he served in the U.S. Army.

While in Luverne he worked as a custodian for Luverne Community Hospital. After moving to Mankato he worked as a custodian for Northwestern National Bank.

Mr. Krug was a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include one son, David Krug, Boise, Idaho; one daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and DeWayne Hawks, Aurora, S.D.; and three grandchildren.

Mr. Krug was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Woodlawn Hills Funeral Home in Mankato was in charge of arrangements.

Services for Marian Heitkamp will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at St. Adrian Catholic Church in Adrian. The Rev. Gerald Kosse will officiate. Burial will be in St. Adrian Cemetery.

Marian B. Heitkamp, 82, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2002, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Marian Hotz was born to John and Mary (Mauch) Hotz on June 9, 1919, in Mankato. She was raised in Adrian and received her education at St. Adrian Catholic School.

She married Edward Heitkamp on Jan. 17, 1939, in St. Adrian Catholic Church. After their marriage the couple farmed south of Adrian. In 1977 they retired and moved to Adrian. She became a resident of Arnold Memorial Nursing Home in October 2000.

Mrs. Heitkamp was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. She enjoyed sewing and hunting. She also enjoyed crocheting, and she made an afghan for each of her grandchildren. She suffered with rheumatoid arthritis.

Survivors include her husband, Edward Heitkamp, Adrian; nine children and their spouses, Mary Jo (Orlen) Nath, Steve (Cindy) Heitkamp, all of Luverne, Ron (Rosie) Heitkamp, John (Cindy) Heitkamp, Mark (Viv) Heitkamp, all of Adrian, Bill (Carolyn) Heitkamp, Brainerd, Bob (Marianne) Heitkamp, Brookings, S.D., Pat (Don) Ruffing, Gaylord, and Cindy (Jerry) Ross, St. Peter; 29 grandchildren, Kevin (Karen) Brandenburg, Susan (Randy) Schneekloth, Rick (Jennifer) Heitkamp, Tom (Larissa) Heitkamp, Patrick (Jodi) Heitkamp, Heidi Heitkamp, Heather Heitkamp, Jason Heitkamp, Chris (Vollie) Heitkamp, Justin Heitkamp, Jennifer Heitkamp, Julie Heitkamp, Megan Heitkamp, Tad (Michele) Heitkamp, Tracy (Scott) Altman, Keith (Sunny) Ruffing, Eric Ruffing, Sara Ruffing, Travis Heitkamp, Jamie Heitkamp, Jenna Heitkamp, Andrew Heitkamp, Carrie Hogen, Bobbie Ross, Brandon Ross, Ashley Ross, Ashley Heitkamp, LexiJo Heitkamp, and Devin Heitkamp; and eight great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Heitkamp was preceded in death by her parents and one son-in-law, Roger Brandenburg, in 1976.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Adrian, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial services for Mildred Marr will follow visitation from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the United Methodist Church in Adrian. Burial will be in Adrian Cemetery. There was also a memorial service in Prescott.

Mildred Evelyn Marr, 92, Prescott, Ariz., formerly of the Adrian and Rock County area, died in her home on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2002.

Mildred Knowlton was born to Jim and Anna (Obele) Knowlton on Aug. 10, 1909, in Kenneth. She graduated from Magnolia High School in 1926. She enrolled at Winona State Teachers College, now Winona State University, to pursue a career in education. After graduation she returned home to teach in the Kenneth area.

She married Gerald "Monk" Marr of Adrian on June 8, 1939. She continued to teach while they lived on their farm east of Magnolia. In 1946 they moved to a farm near Lismore where they remained until 1955. They then moved to a farm near Kenneth. During that time she taught in two schools near Kenneth and Leota. In 1957 they bought a home in Lismore. She began her teaching days in Adrian. She touched so many lives as a teacher, both in the country schools and in Adrian. Her husband died unexpectedly in 1968. She moved to Adrian where she could be closer to her work. In 1977 she retired from teaching and built a home in Adrian. She moved to Prescott in 1997.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Pete and Nancy Marr, Sparta, Wis., and David and Sandra Marr, Palm Coast, Fla.; one daughter and son-in-law, Geral Dene and Bob Burdman, Prescott; nine grandchildren, Jeff, Eric, Erin, Amanda, Gerad, Tom and Ryan, Bob and David; and nine great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Marr was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gerald, two brothers, Jim and Tom Knowlton, and four sisters, an infant sister, Lillian Shelby, Marge Knowlton and Janet Goeske.

Dingmann Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Adrian, is in charge of arrangements.

Hamilton Ferdinand "Ferd" Luebke, 90, died Saturday, Jan. 12, in Menahga.

Services were Wednesday, Jan. 16, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. Burial was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

"Ferd" Luebke was born to Herman and Ida (Brandenburg) Luebke on April 7, 1911, in Castlewood, S.D. He graduated from Castlewood High School and received a bachelor of science degree from South Dakota State College, Brookings, S.D. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.

After his marriage to Marian Neill in 1938 he became editor and publisher of The Hamlin County Republican and Watertown (Herald) Public Opinion in South Dakota. The newspapers were put into suspension during World War II when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He served as Chief of Public Relations to Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. For his efforts he received the Army Medal of Commendation, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After the war they moved to Luverne where he worked for Tri-State Mutual. He served on the county fair board, originating the Rock County Free Fair, helped found the Tri-State Band Festival and was active in the VFW, American Legion and Boy Scouts. He received the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America.

The family was transferred to Hopkins where he joined Iowa National Mutual and worked for them in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Omaha, Neb. He served six years as the first executive manager of the Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce before retiring. He served on the Hubbard County Fair Board, the Itasca State Park Board and was treasurer of the Food Shelf.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jon and Jeanne Luebke, Waconia, and Neill and Fran Luebke, Brookfield, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jon (Judith) Luebke, Royal Oak, Mich., and Michelle Luebke, Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic; two stepgrandchildren, Jara (Mark) and Kyle (Jill) and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Marian, and six brothers and sisters.

Memorials are directed to establish the Ferd and Marian Luebke Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 822, Luverne, MN 56156.

Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, was in charge of arrangements.

By Lori Ehde
A Luverne man is serving a year in jail for maliciously punishing a child.

Jonathon Dewey Menning, 24, was charged in June with several counts of assault and malicious punishment of a three-month-old baby.

According to the complaint, the child's mother took him to Luverne Community Hospital on April 6 for bruising. The diagnosis was four or five broken right side ribs and two fractured ribs on the left side from a prior injury.

According to the examining physician, the bruises on the right side appeared to be four days old.

In an April 17 interview with law enforcement, Menning admitted to intentionally squeezing the baby in March with his hands around the baby's chest. He said it was about 2:30 in the morning and he was frustrated because the baby wouldn't stop crying.

He told law enforcement he grabbed the baby, set him on his lap, and squeezed him out of frustration. He said the baby gasped and could not breathe, and he heard a "popping" sound on the baby's right side.

He said he did this on five separate occasions.

Menning pled guilty Oct. 2 to the felony offense of malicious punishment of a child, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both.

In a Dec. 11 sentencing hearing, the penalty was stayed on the following conditions:

He must serve 12 months in jail effective Jan. 2. He may be released for work, if eligible, and to attend counseling, anger management programs or parenting classes which may be required.

He shall not be alone with a child under the age of 5 years until a psychologist or counselor approves.

He must have no contact with the victim or any child born to him during probation, except as recommended by Rock County Family Services.

The mandatory minimum fine is waived, but he must pay fines and fees totaling $1,038. He may complete community service work to be applied toward the fine.

He must undergo an anger management evaluation and abide by recommendations that result.

He must undergo a psychological and/or psychiatric evaluation and abide by recommendations that result.

He must complete a parenting class at his own expense as soon as one is available.

He must be on supervised probation for 10 years.

The sentence order recognized Menning's sentence was a "downward departure" from Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines, but it was arrived at based on the terms of the plea agreement.

Though Menning and the victim lived in Rock County at the time of the assaults, the proceedings were heard by Pipestone County Judge David Christensen, and many took place in Pipestone County District Court.

This was done to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest with Rock County Sheriff's Investigator, Clyde Menning, Jonathon's father.

The investigation was turned over to Paul Soppeland, special agent for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Pipestone County Prosecuting Attorney Damain Sandy assisted with the case.

"It was a very sad case for everyone involved," Sandy said Tuesday. "It was sad for the victim, the defendant, the courts, the investigators... all the way around."

He said the baby has recovered from injuries and is in a safe environment.

By Lori Ehde
Agri-Energy LLC, owner of Luverne's ethanol plant, has decided to invest $1.5 million in a solution to its odor problem.

A thermal oxidizer and heat recovery boiler have been ordered and are due for installation in June, contingent on the permitting process with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Plant general manager Rick Serie called Karen Van Wettering, organizer of Concerned Citizens for Quality of Life, Tuesday to let her know.

"We're just ecstatic," she said. "I just about whooped into the phone when Rick called me. They say it eliminates odor 99.5 percent. There will no longer be a plume. It's very good news."

CCQL formed in the spring of 1999 to address the ethanol plant owners and the city about what they called a nauseating "sour beer" smell.

CCQL members, many of them residents in the southwest part of town, said the ethanol plant was decreasing their outdoor enjoyment and their property values.

Since then, the plant has spent more than $340,000 in modifications, including a 175-foot stack and a dryer scrubber.

With these improvements plant odors were measurably reduced by more than 30 percent, but it wasn't enough for residents living near the plant.

That's why Van Wettering was so pleased to hear about the thermal oxidizer.

"I tell you - it's affirmation that the process works," she said. "You have a concern, you bring it to them, they listen and they act. I think we're going to have happy people all over."

When asked if the CCQL will have reason to meet anymore, she said, "If anything, we'll meet to have a celebration. From our perspective, I don't think we'll have reason to anymore."

Serie said Agri-Energy is committed to the investment, and although it has received commitments for financing, he hopes the city may be willing assist in the project.

"They have a vested interest in the area out there with lots for sale in the subdivision," Serie said.

In the thermal oxidation process, odor is eliminated by venting plant emissions into the oxidizer and destroying them with heat.

Meanwhile, the plant will capture heat off that process in a waste recovery boiler to create steam for the ethanol production process.

"There are efficiencies we can gain by installing this equipment," Serie said.

In addition, the plant will realize savings by not having the operational costs of running the dryer scrubber.

"There were huge operational costs with the scrubber," Serie said.

Another advantage to the oxidation process is that it will allow the plant to increase production while remaining in compliance with the MPCA's emissions standards.

In fact, Serie said, the plant decided to pay $268,000 more for a larger model that will allow the plant to double its production in the future.

"We never could have considered an expansion before, because we'd be emitting twice as much," Serie said.

While the oxidation process requires a hefty up-front investment, Serie said it may pay for itself in five years.

Gained efficiencies of the boiler, costs cut by not using the scrubber and the freedom to expand production all make the oxidizer a worthwhile investment, Serie said.

Thermal oxidizers are in high demand, so the board needed to act quickly on ordering this one.

The equipment has been in existence for a long time, most commonly used by companies such as paint and glue manufacturers. For example 3M has three oxidizers operating in the Twin Cities area.

"They're just new to ethanol production," he said.

"Gopher State Ethanol in St. Paul completed installation of a thermal oxidizer in the summer of 2001, and results showed a 99.5-percent destruction rate."

The oxidizer for Luverne comes from MMT Environmental, a Minneapolis company, and the boiler comes from Victory Energy, Owasso, Okla.

The stack will remain, but the steam plume coming out of the stack will be eliminated.

The existing boiler will be moved into a support position to be used as backup if needed.

Agri-Energy started production in 1998. It now employs 29 people full-time with an annual payroll of $1 million.

It processes 6.5 million bushels of corn per year and produces more than 19 million gallons of ethanol annually.

By John Rittenhouse
The Hills-Beaver Creek girls' basketball team ran its Red Rock Conference record to 5-3 with a 41-38 win over Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin in Butterfield Friday.

In what Patriot coach Tom Goehle said was a physical game, H-BC was able to use its athletic ability to overcome a seven-point halftime deficit to win the game by three points.

"Our quickness and our ability to create some offense from our defensive pressure in the second half was the difference," Goehle said.

The Patriots trailed 9-8 and 25-18 at the first two quarter breaks before turning things around in the second half.

H-BC outscored the Wolverines 12-4 in the third quarter to gain a 30-29 advantage.

Although they struggled by missing eight of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter, the Patriots never lost the lead in a fourth quarter that ended with H-BC post Erin Boeve blocking a three-point shot attempt by ML-B-O in the final seconds.

Boeve, who sat on the bench a good share of the game because of foul trouble, scored 10 points for the winners.

Cassi Tilstra scored 13 points, came up with five steals and passed for four assists for H-BC. Becky Broesder led the winners with nine rebounds and six steals.

The 6-5 Patriots host Comfrey and West Lyon tonight and Saturday before playing in Round Lake Tuesday.

Box score
B.Rozeboom 1 0 0-0 2, B.Olson 1 0 0-0 2, Feucht 0 0 0-0 0, Rentschler 1 0 0-0 2, Tilstra 6 0 1-5 13, Broesder 4 0 0-1 8, S.Rozeboom 1 0 1-2 3, DeNoble 0 0 1-3 1, Boeve 4 0 2-6 10, A.Olson 0 0 0-0 0.

Team statistics
H-BC: 18 of 54 field goals (33 percent), five of 17 free throws (29 percent), 33 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
ML-B-O: 14 of 41 field goals (34 percent), 10 of 16 free throws (63 percent), 44 rebounds, 26 turnovers.