Bernard L. "Bernie" Dougherty, 76, Owatonna, formerly of Luverne, died unexpectedly Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, at his home.

Services were Tuesday, Jan. 8. The Rev. Tom Hargesheimer of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Owatonna, officiated. Burial, with full military honors rendered by the Steele County Funeral Detail, was at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna.

Bernie Dougherty was born to Pete and Leone (Bahnsen) Dougherty on July 5, 1925, in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. He was raised in Elkader, Iowa, where he graduated from high school. Following high school he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942-46.

Following his discharge he married Jean Duffy on Sept. 4, 1948, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester, Iowa. Following their marriage they made their home in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque in 1950 and served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1950-52.

After his military service the family made their home in several locations prior to moving to Luverne in 1963. In addition to other work he worked for B.F. Goodrich for several years. He then began his career in sales with Red Wing Shoes in 1963 and retired in 1988. They moved to Owatonna in 1998.

Mr. Dougherty was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna. He was a past member of Luverne V.F.W. and was a member of Owatonna Elks Club. He enjoyed golf, singing, reading, writing and was a fantasy football commissioner.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Dougherty, Owatonna; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Dan Dougherty, Sioux Falls, S.D., Shawn and Tammie Dougherty, Red Wing, and Kelly and Lisa Dougherty, Sachse, Texas; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Larry Larson, Shelly and Scott Golberg, all of Owatonna, and Amy and Jim Baldus, Mound; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Jerry (Rose) Dougherty, Farmersburg, Iowa, and Jim (Louise) Dougherty, Des Moines, Iowa; six sisters, Jean (Jerry) Fassbinder, Postville, Iowa; Delores (Bob) Mangan, Darlene (Jack) Dittmer, all of Elkader, Janice (Junior) Hanson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jeanette (Tom) Prideaux, Marion, Iowa, and Pat Minehan, Canton, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Dougherty was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marilyn.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Michaelson Funeral Homes Inc., Owatonna, was in charge of arrangements.

Elmer Gerhke, 87, died Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Services will be Saturday, Aug. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Luverne. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 24 from 2 to 8:30 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne.

John Van Ruler, 84, Luverne, died Sunday, Jan. 13 at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center, Luverne. Services will be Wednesday, Jan. 16 10:30 a.m. at the American Reformed Church, Luverne. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton. Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the American Reformed Church.

By John Rittenhouse
Luverne-Hills-Beaver Creek evened its Southwest Conference gymnastics record at 2-2 with a 121.55-113.1 home win over Pipestone-Jasper Tuesday.

Competing for the first time since Dec. 18, the Cardinals showed no signs of being on an extended layoff when they bested the Arrows by 8.45 points.

Amanda Aning and Amanda Dooyema came up big for the Cardinals by winning three of the meet's four individual events.

Aning, who was the all-around champion with 31.2 points, won the vault and floor with 8.5 and 8.25 tallies respectively. She also placed third on the beam with a 7.75.

Dooyema, who was second on the beam with a 7.8 and fourth on the floor with a 7.3, won the bars with a 7.55.

Gabe Van Dyk and Callen Bosshart helped the cause by placing second and third all-around with 30.25 and 29.1 points respectively.

Van Dyk was second on the bars with a 7.5 and placed third on the vault and floor with respective 8.4 and 7.55 efforts. Bosshart, who was fourth on the bars with a 6.85, finished second on the vault and floor with 8.4 and 7.8 scores.

The 3-4 Cardinals will compete at the Martin County West Invitational in Welcome Saturday.

L-H-BC individual results
Bars: Dooyema, 7.55; Van Dyk, 7.5; Bosshart, 6.85; Aning, 6-7; Jessica Mann, 6.5.
Beam: Dooyema, 7.8; Aning, 7.75; Van Dyk, 6.95; Missy Boeve, 6.45; Bosshart, 6.05.
Floor: Aning, 8.25; Bosshart. 7.8; Van Dyk, 7.55; Dooyema, 7.3; Brittany Boeve, 7.1.
Vault: Aning, 8.5; Bosshart, 8.4; Van Dyk, 8.25; B.Boeve, 7.95; Morgan Bosshart, 7.75.

Hills-Beaver Creek senior Lyle DeBoer drives by Lincoln HI's Shawn Leibfried to score two of his 16 points during a 72-63 boys' basketball win for the Patriots in Hills Monday.

By John Rittenhouse

The Hills-Beaver Creek boys won back-to-back basketball games for the first time this season while opening the 2002 portion of its schedule.

H-BC posted a 16-point Red Rock Conference win in Edgerton Friday before topping Lincoln HI by nine points in a non-conference game played in Hills Monday.

The 5-5 Patriots host Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster Tuesday.

H-BC 72, LH 63
The Patriots made it two straight victories by toppling the Rebels by nine points in Hills Monday.

The game was a competitive one from beginning to end, but the Patriots used their size advantage to control the boards (37-23), which allowed them to narrowly outscore LH in every quarter.

H-BC raced to a 7-1 lead to start the game before LH rallied to pull within two points (16-14) of the hosts at period's end.

The Rebels gained a pair of one-point leads in the first three minutes of the second quarter. H-BC's Brad Haak converted a three-point play in the final minute of the first half to give the Patriots a 35-29 advantage at the intermission.

After H-BC scored the first two points of the second half, LH rallied to take a pair of two-point advantages in the first five minutes of the third quarter. The Patriots countered with a 9-2 run that was capped by a steal and a layup by Haak late in the period to take a 52-45 lead into the final eight minutes of play.

The Rebels pulled within one point (52-51) of H-BC with a six-point run early in the first quarter, but H-BC countered with a six-point surge of its own and never let LH come any closer than four points of tying the game the rest of the night.

Haak, who had 15 points in the first half, led H-BC with 21 counters. He also had eight rebounds and three steals.

Lyle DeBoer scored 10 points in the second half to finish the game with 16 counters. Matt Buck scored 10 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, blocked four shots and passed for six assists. Darin DeBoer added three assists and 10 points to the cause, while David Top chipped in 12 counters.

Box score
D.DeBoer 1 2 2-2 10, Van Maanen 0 0 1-2 1, Haak 9 0 3-6 21, Leuthold 0 0 1-2 1, L.Deboer 7 0 2-2 16, Van Wyhe 0 0 1-2 1, Top 3 0 6-8 12, Buck 4 0 2-6 10.

Team statistics
H-BC: 26 of 68 field goals (38 percent), 18 of 30 free throws (60 percent), 37 rebounds, 12 turnovers.
LH: 22 of 58 field goals (38 percent), 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent), 23 rebounds, 21 turnovers.

H-BC 72, Edgerton 56
The Patriots snapped a three-game losing streak when they bested the Flying Dutchmen by 16 points in Edgerton Friday.

H-BC coach Wiertzema was concerned about how his charges would respond to playing their first game in two weeks, but the Patriots passed the test by outscoring Edgerton 34-25 in the second and third quarters to put the game away.

"You really don't know how you will play after a long break. Our kids played well. We shot the ball really well except for at the free-throw line, and we were the most aggressive team throughout the game," he said.

H-BC sported 18-12 and 35-25 leads at the first two quarter breaks before going on a 17-12 run in the third quarter to make it a 15-point (52-37) difference. A 20-19 scoring edge in the fourth quarter gave the Patriots a 16-point win.

Lyle DeBoer, who had five rebounds and four assists for H-BC, netted 16 of his team-high 21 points in the second half. Matt Buck had 11 rebounds and 15 points, nine of which came in the second half. David Top had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Patriots, and Brad Haak added 11 points and seven rebounds. Darin DeBoer chipped in five rebounds.

Box score
D.Deboer 1 1 4-6 9, Van Maanen 1 0 0-0 2, Haak 3 0 5-8 11, L.Deboer 7 2 1-4 21, Van Wyhe 1 0 2-2 4, Top 2 1 3-4 10, Buck 6 0 3-10 15.

Team statistics
H-BC: 25 of 48 field goals (52 percent), 18 of 34 free throws (53 percent), 38 rebounds, 10 turnovers.
Edgerton: 20 of 56 field goals (36 percent), seven of 11 free throws (64 percent), 20 rebounds, 14 turnovers.

Luverne city worker Greg McClure hoists a Christmas tree into a loader bucket Monday afternoon during the annual post holiday city tree pickup. The collected trees are stockpiled south of Luverne and will be burned on a day when weather permits.

Photo by Lori Ehde

Rock County Commissioners meet
Dec. 26
Law Library 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse
26 December 2001
Chair Hoime called the County Board meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Also present was Special Counsel Gordon Moore of VonHoltum, Malters & Shepard and County Administrator Oldre.

Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Erickson to go into closed session at 8:14 A.M. for the purpose of discussing a performance review, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to rise from closed session at 9:09 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Wildung seconded by Jarchow, to terminate the employment of the Land Management Director John Burgers effective 26 December 01 in a "not in good standing" status, and directed special counsel to develop a press release, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Erickson, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the December 26, 2001 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to move to reconsider Resolution No. 37-01, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to adopt Resolution No. 37-01, a resolution requesting legislation from the State of Minnesota to appoint the county offices of Auditor/Treasurer and Recorder, declared carried on a unanimous vote.

Motion by Erickson, seconded by Wildung, that if legislation passes in allowing the county to appoint the Auditor/Treasurer and Recorder positions, it is the intent of this board to negotiate with the incumbents to provide for current rates and protections of both individuals in those positions, declared carried on a voice vote.

Family Services Director Randy Ehlers, Ona Reker and Sherri Smith-Cronquist presented a review of collection activities. They presented a new policy regarding collection procedures; no action was taken.

The following consent agenda was approved on a motion by Jarchow, seconded by Erickson and declared carried on a voice vote.

1. FSA Contract 66-130-02 with Rock County Heartland Express to provide Medical Assistance and Social Service Transportation services; effective 1-1-02 to 12-31-02.

2. Amendment to FSA contract 52-788-01 with Luverne Community Hospital to provide individual Chemical Dependency treatment services.

Gloria Rolfs, Staff Assistant III of the Auditor/Treasurer's office presented the fund balances, investments and claims. Motion by Wildung, seconded Boyenga to pay the claims with the approval of additional claims to be paid until the close of business on December 31, 2001, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of claims is available at the Auditor/TreasurerÕs office at no charge.

General $ 23,683.40
LEC 227.01
Road & Bridge 20,407.86
Judicial Ditch .00
Welfare 105,614.77
Landfill 5,610.43
TOTAL $155,543.47

Motion by Erickson, seconded by Boyenga, to abate the solid waste assessment at a prorated rate of $24.50 on parcel #14-0085-000, located in Lot 12 of G.O. Ross Addition of the City of Hardwick, as the house was removed from the property in May 2001, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Wildung voting nay.

Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2001 County Board meeting, declared carried on a voice vote.

The County Board discussed the salaries of elected officials for 2002. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the following 2002 salary schedule for elected officials, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Hoime voting nay.

Auditor/Treasurer $47,528.00
Recorder $44,250.00
Sheriff $54,000.00
Attorney $65,000.00
Commissioner $12,000.00

Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve Y2002 employment contracts for the County Administrator and the County Engineer, declared carried on a voice vote.

The County Board was in receipt of union contracts from the Highway Department, Deputies Unit and Dispatcher Unit. Motion by Wildung, seconded Jarchow, to approve the union contracts effective January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2004, declared carried on a voice vote.

The County Board reviewed an employee points and placement report, which was the result of the pay equity study conducted by the Personnel Committee. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the placements, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Erickson, seconded by Wildung, to approve Resolution No. 38-01, a resolution of continued workerÕs compensation for elected and appointed county officials, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the Minnesota Merit Pay Plan for Family Service employees and a separate Pay Plan for all non-union employees for Y2002, declared carried on a voice vote.

The County Board was informed of a Comprehensive Water Plan meeting to be held in Nobles County at a future date; no action was taken.

Motion by Erickson, seconded by Wildung, to approve the $18,000 advance to the Southwest Regional Development Commission through the inter-agency agreement, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Jarchow voting nay.

The County Board discussed the director position at the Land Management Office. Motion by Erickson, seconded by Boyenga, to approve Doug Bos as the interim director, declared carried on a voice vote.

Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to advertise for the Land Management Office Director position following a discussion with the Soil & Water Conservation District Board, declared carried on a voice vote.

The County Board was informed that at the City/County Liaison meeting, Commissioner Wildung was invited to the City Council meeting to discuss the County BoardÕs direction on the RFP's for the Rock County Pool & Fitness Center.

The County Board reviewed nominations and selected an employee for 2001 Rock County Employee of the Year. Award winner and nominated employees will be acknowledged at the January 8, 2002 County Board meeting.
Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to send a letter of congratulations to Richard Bakken, congratulating him for his recent award of Conservationist of the Year. Motion was declared carried on a voice vote.

With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned.

Kenneth Hoime, Chairman of the Board
ATTEST:
Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board
(1-10)

Scott probate
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF ROCK
ESTATE OF
Earl D. Scott, a/k/a Earl Scott
DECEDENT
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on February 5, 2002 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at the Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated March 30, 2001 and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for the appointment of Marcella Scott whose address is: 201 E. 1st St., Box 127, Hardwick, Minnesota 56134 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

/s/ Timothy K. Connell 12/26/01
Timothy K. Connell
Judge Date
/s Sandra L. Vrtacnik 12/26/01
Sandra Vrtacnik
Court Administrator Date
Attorney For Personal Representative
Terry Vajgrt
Skewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.
120 N. McKenzie
P. O. Box 538
Luverne, MN 56156-0538
Telephone 507 283-9111
Attorney License #205035
(1-3, 1-10)

ISD #2184 School Board meets Dec. 13
DECEMBER 13, 2001
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Library on Thursday, December 13, 2001, at 7:30 p.m.

The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, and Steve Tofteland. Also present: Superintendent Vincent Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Melody Tenhoff, James Harner, Jan Olson, Mary Jacobson, Matt Crosby Ð K101/KQAD Radio, and Lori Ehde Ð Rock County Star Herald.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Don Bryan.

Superintendent Schaefer gave announcements. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Administrative reports were given.

Motion by Kopp, second by Walgrave, to approve the School Board minutes of November 29, 2001. Motion carried.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve the Final 2001 Payable 2002 Levy Limitation and Certification in the amount of $2,042.480.09. Motion carried.

Marlene Mann reviewed the Revised Revenue budget for 2001-2002. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the Revenue Budget in the amount of $10,973,753.00 as presented. Motion carried.

Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the Transportation report. Motion by Walgrave, second by Kopp, to set the bid date for three buses as January 24, 2002, at 1:00 p.m. in the District Office. Motion carried.

Motion by Deutsch, second by Walgrave, to approve hiring Steven Lorenzen as Assistant Boys Hockey Coach. Motion carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Kopp, to approve Melinda Krull, Northwestern College, to student teach with Angela Ahrendt. Motion carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve Brian Boll as Assistant Girls Hockey Coach. Motion carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve James Harner as Interim Middle School Principal. Motion carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Walgrave, to accept the resignation of Robyn Wessels as Management Assistant. Motion carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve the hiring of Crystal Ellefson and Dan Carlson as Management Assistants. Motion carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Kopp, to approve the leave request by Janet Hanson for February 14. Motion carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve a flexible schedule for Judy Thies as she hosts Anna Arias from Peru who was a previous foreign exchange student. Motion carried.

Superintendent Schaefer presented a request from the Athletic Advisory Board to approve naming the athletic fields located west of the Elementary School as Fledgling Fields. Discussion was held. It was noted by Member Deutsch that two names were discussed at the Athletic Advisory board meeting.
Motion by Walgrave, second by Kopp, to table this item. Motion carried.

The Athletic Booster Club Constitution was presented as a first reading of this document. No action was taken.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch to change the meeting time and place on December 27. The meeting will be held at 12:00 noon in the District Office. Motion carried.

Committee reports were given. Member Walgrave reported on the Staff Development Committee meeting. Member Walgrave also reported on the Systems Accountability Committee meeting.

Superintendent Schaefer informed the School Board that the Spanish trip will be taking place. He also reported we are working on coordinating a mini grant writing workshop to be held in the District.

Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion granted.

Dated: December 13, 2001
Rebecca Walgrave, Clerk
(1-10, 2002)

By Lori Ehde
Local law enforcement can add another crime to its list of things to work on.

A new pickup was reported stolen from the Papik Motors lot Saturday, Dec. 29. It's a 2002 black Chevy Silverado extended cab pickup valued at $30,500.

According to office manager Charlie Goehle, the vehicle was reported stolen on the 29th, but it could have actually been stolen a week earlier.

He said they needed to check with sales staff to see if a customer had the vehicle out on a trial basis. Some salesmen were out of town, so he said it took awhile to confirm the pickup was actually stolen.

Goehle said it's the first time he can remember in his 20 years with Papik's that a vehicle was stolen off the lot.

He said vehicle keys are kept in lock boxes on the driver's side windows, but he said there was no evidence of the lock box being broken into (there were no pieces on the ground).

The Rock County Sheriff's Department is working with Windom law enforcement on the case, because on Dec. 21, a vehicle stolen from a lot there was recovered in Luverne north of the ice arena.

"They probably drove down from there, left it and picked this one up," said Sheriff Ron McClure, alluding to a possible connection to the cases.

The new Pontiac Bonneville has been returned to the Towlerton dealership in Windom. It had no significant damage.