By Jolene Farley
Last week's theft of an ATM machine from a Luverne bank and recent bank robberies in Sioux Falls, SD., create the need to reevaluate security at area ATM machines.

In the Luverne robbery at First National Bank on Thursday, July 18, a burglar used spray paint to blacken the camera and managed to loosen bolts and take the ATM machine from the lobby. The theft wasn't reported until the next morning.

Bank vice-president, Tim Plimpton is optimistic robbers wouldn't be successful if they tried to take an ATM machine operated by the Exchange State Bank in Hills.

The bank owns two local ATMs, one in the lobby of the Hills bank and one in the Phillips 66 station in Luverne.

"If they tried taking the one in Hills, they'd have to take about half of the building," he said. "I actually have it chained to the metal rafters in the basement."

The other ATM, inside the Phillips 66 gas station, has people around it most of the time who would witness a robbery if it took place. Burglars would have to break into the building to rob the machine after closing.

Two cameras are focused on the ATM machine in Hills at all times, one looking right at the ATM and one in the bank itself.

The machines also have an alarm system that is triggered if anyone cuts wires to the machine.

"When they are messed with or the wire is cut, an alarm will go off," he said.

Although ATMs can hold in the neighborhood of $100,000 in $20 bills, Plimpton always keeps a limited amount of cash in his ATM machines.

This leads him to think stealing an ATM machine is a losing proposition.

"It seems like an awful lot of work to get very little," he said. "Towards the end of the month, they can get down under $1,000."

Banks usually purchase bonds through holding companies to cover their ATM machines, according to Plimpton. The bond reimburses the bank for the cost of the machine and any stolen cash in the event of a robbery.

Meanwhile in Luverne, authorities continue to investigate the First National Bank theft. The ATM was found, minus its cash in the Maplewood Cemetery and is being processed for fingerprints or any other evidence that may be helpful in solving the case.

By Sara Strong
Just one Rock County office will have a competitive primary race at the Sept. 10 election.

An unusually high number of seven people have filed for the Rock County Auditor/Treasurer position by Tuesday's deadline: Lisa Ahrendt DeBoer, Nic 'O Lena Bosch, Gloria F. Rolfs, Johnna Bowron-Ahrendt, Kim Gehrke, Candace R. Reese and Ona Reker.

No other local offices in the county or city of Luverne will appear on the primary ballot because, at the most, two have filed.

Also filing for office are:
Luverne mayor, Glen Gust and Keith Erickson
Luverne north ward, Pat Baustian
Luverne south ward, Bob Kaczrowski
Rock County Sheriff, Ronnal M. McClure and Michael Winkels
Rock County Attorney, Donald R. Klosterbuer
Rock County Recorder, Jere Ohme
County Commissioner District 2, Richard D. Bakken
County Commissioner District 3, Ron Boyenga
County Commissioner District 4, Robert (Bob) Jarchow
County Commissioner District 5, Jane A. Wildung
SWCD 2, Vicky Smook, SWCD 5, Donald P. Reker.

Third through fifth-graders in the Book of the Week Club presented skits to Tuff Home residents Tuesday. Above, actors Alaina Van Westen and Eric Fick perform for Tuff Home residents.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Hardwick kids should set up lemonade stands during detour

We've all heard the old adage, "There are two seasons in Minnesota - winter and road construction." That point is hitting painfully close to home for local businesses who rely on a third Minnesota season: tourism season.

It was an interesting meeting Monday when more than 60 Highway 75 business owners met face to face with the people responsible (indirectly) for making their summer a living nightmare.

I wasn't sure who to feel sorrier for - the merchants whose businesses would be affected by road work, or the state guys and contractors who were about to be lynched.

I got the impression most state highway projects didn't proceed in this fashion. I believe the typical chain of communication comes from the top down: the state decides when and how the work will be done and everyone else obliges.

It's not happening that way this time.

To their credit, local business owners organized and directed their collected voices to the powers that be.

To the credit of the powers that be, they listened. It was great drama, and it was great to see the "Big Bad Government," obliging to the wishes of little ol' Luverne.

MNDOT goofed on early communication efforts, and its staff is sincerely trying to make up for it by bending work schedules around heavy tourism traffic. That counts for something.

The good news in all this is that crappy stretch of road will be fixed when it's all over.

The other good news is tourism season and road construction season will be great for Hardwick
For at least two weeks, business owners there will capture all of Highway 75's detoured traffic from both directions.

If I were an entrepreneurial kid in that town, I'd put my lemonade stand right by the stop sign and offer a "Detour Special."

The Hardwick businesses might be wise to do the same.

It's easier to read the news than to be the news

I'm sorry to report that our Man on the Street has died. He appeared on our opinion page for several weeks and reader response was fabulous. Everyone LOVED it. Who wouldn't love to read about local people's opinions on sensitive topics?

The trouble is, everyone loves to read it, but very few will agree to have their picture published next to their printed thoughts on a subject.

The reason Man on the Street existed at all was due entirely to the enthusiasm of our latest advertising hire, Chantel Connell.

When she started several months ago, she wanted to know why we didn't run an opinion poll in our paper. She even volunteered to take the photos and ask the questions if we provided her with weekly questions.

We agreed, figuring someone with sales skills could coerce participation better than news people could.

The arrangement worked well for a few months, but she eventually ran out of willing participants to poll, and we eventually decided she was spending more time selling the Man on the Street poll than she was selling advertising.

Thanks to all who participated. Man on the Street has been officially laid to rest - until the next enthusiastic sales person wants to resurrect him.

"Touch the Sky" gets SW Foundation grant
The Southwest Minnesota Foundation announced on Monday it was awarding a $50,000 grant to the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation for it's "Touch the Sky" prairie preservation project.

In Monday's press release the foundation said the foundation's mission is to "educate, promote, preserve and expand native prairie in southwest Minnesota."

The "Touch the Sky" project is also an educational, tourism and environmental initiative, with a goal to draw people to southwest Minnesota to experience native prairie, according to the release.

The money from the SWMF will be used to purchase an additional parcel of land that will be developed as a trailhead for visitors.

There are plans by the Brandenburg foundation to build shelters on the site for parking and picnicking.

There is also a long-term goal of possibly building a Prairie Learning Center at the trailhead site.

In it's partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the Brandenburg Foundation has secured 690 acres for the "Touch the Sky" project, which is located northwest of Luverne.

The future will also include a tie to the Southwest Regional Trails Plan for area biking and walking trails, the Highway 75 "King of Trails" project and other area tourist sites such as the Pipestone National Monument and Split Rock Creek State Park and the Blue Mound State Park.

Could you be eligible for an additional property tax refund?
Due to recent property tax legislation, more homeowners will be eligible and refund amounts may be larger.

Income limits for the refund have been raised from $71,700 to $80,180, and the maximum refund amount has been increased from $510 to $1,500.

The expanded refund was part of a property tax bill, aimed at reducing property taxes by $2.3 billion over four years.

Overall, property tax rates are expected to drop, on average, 16 percent.

If you think you might qualify for an additional refund, you will need to file form M1PR, which is available at libraries and government offices, or by calling the Minnesota Department of Revenue at 651-296-3781.

How's your nitrate levels
Do you get your drinking water from a private well? If so, you could have your water tested for nitrates for free.

On August 2, during the fair, at no cost, you can get your water tested at the fairgrounds commerce building from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), Rock County Land Management and the Minnesota Department of Health sponsor the event.

The project is a part of a series of water-testing clinics being offered throughout 2002. Only water from private wells will be tested.

Nitrates are the most common contaminants in MinnesotaÕs groundwater and a significant number of the state's wells have high nitrates.

Nitrates are a major problem if consumed by infants because they can cause suffocation due to a condition known as 'blue baby' syndrome.

According to Gene Hugoson, MDA Commissioner, studies indicate that between 5 percent and 25 percent of the private wells in greater Minnesota have nitrate levels above the federal drinking water standard.

If you want to participate you must:
Bring at least one-half cup of water in either a Whirl-Pak plastic bag or a Ziploc-type bag.

Allow the water to run five to ten minutes before filling the bag.

If you have water treatment equipment, or a water softener, take one sample before and one sample after the treatment.

Water samples should be taken no more than 24 hours before the testing, and they must be refrigerated. Samples should be cool when they arrive at the clinic.

To ensure accuracy, homeowners should mark the bags with their name, phone number and a well identification number if more than one well is sampled.

Samples are tested on the spot, and the process usually takes about five minutes.

Publisher Roger Tollefson can be contacted by e-mail at
tolly@star-herald.com

Eldon H. Ehlers, 66, Luverne, died Friday, July 19, 2002, at the family farm west of Luverne.
Services were Tuesday, July 23, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.

Eldon Ehlers was born to Henry and Elsie (Kopp) Ehlers on Oct. 20, 1935, in Luverne. He grew up on the family farm and received his elementary education at country school #10. He graduated from Luverne High School in 1953.

He married Betty Poppens on June 29, 1962, in Aplington, Iowa. He worked for his parents on the family farm until they retired, and he took over the operation. He retired from farming in 1999 and moved to Luverne. He was a part-time employee of Greenview at Beaver Creek Rest Area.

Mr. Ehlers was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne and was a current member of American Reformed Church in Luverne. He was a member of Luverne Lions Club, a Luverne Township board member, an elevator board member and a Sunday School treasurer. He enjoyed doing word puzzles and reading, but his favorite thing to do was spending time on the farm.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Ehlers, Luverne; two sons, Randy (Donna) Ehlers, Mark (Lisa) Ehlers, all of Luverne; three daughters, Barbara (Heath) Austin, Rock Rapids, Iowa, Lori (Fritz) Stubbe, Castle Rock, Colo., and Anna Marie Ehlers, Luverne; five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Steven and Jonathon Ehlers, Zachary and Tyler Stubbe.

Mr. Ehlers was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Elaine Beukema
Elaine Sue Beukema, 35, Palm Harbor, Fla., formerly of the Edgerton area, died Tuesday, July 16, 2002, in Palm Harbor.

Services were Monday, July 22, at American Reformed Church in Luverne. The Rev. David Sikkema officiated. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton.

Elaine Beukema was born to John and Harriet (Koster) Beukema on Feb. 13, 1967, in Luverne. She was raised and attended public school in Edgerton, graduating as class salutatorian in 1985. She attended Nettleton Business College in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she received a degree in business administration in 1986.

After graduation she worked for several financial institutions in Sioux Falls, such as Checkrite, Citibank, Sears and Western Bank. She then enrolled in the Denver Academy of Court Reporting, graduating in August 1997 with high honors. She worked as a court reporter for several firms, but most recently with Robert Dempster & Associates in Clearwater, Fla., where she had worked since December 1999. She was a Notary Public in Colorado, South Carolina and Florida.

Ms. Beukema was a member of The National Court Reporters Association. She was particularly fond of her three cats. She was an avid Star Trek fan and enjoyed doing counted cross-stitch and reading.

Survivors include two brothers, Myron (Jackie) Beukema, Edgerton, and Bruce (Lois) Beukema, Hayfield; one sister, Kathy (Verlyn) De Kam Luverne; 11 nieces and nephews; and four great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ms. Beukema was preceded in death by her parents.

Hartquist Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Gregory Snyders, 41, Savage, died Friday, July 26 at his home. Visitation will be Monday, July 29 form 5 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home. Services will be Tuesday, July 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Theodore Hamann, 84, Luverne, died Thursday, July 25 at Mary Jane Brown Home. Services will be Sunday, July 28 at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Gary Klatt officiating. Burial will be in Luverne Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday, July 27 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home.