The Elks’ Alex Trautman charges out of the starting blocks in the boys relay during the DVC Conference Track Meet held at the new athletic complex in Elkton, S.D. on Thursday afternoon.

The Elkton-Lake Benton track teams participated in the Vince Relays on May 12 atElkton,S.D.

The girls came in second with 156.5 points and the boys also came in second with 120 points. There were seven teams partici­pating in the event. Great Plains Lutheran boys and girls teams took first place.

Following are the girls events.

100 yard dash – 5th Lac­ey Lynn 13.97; 7th Marissa Bressler 14.42; 8th Bobbi Huber 14.52; 9th McKen­zie Johnson 14.90

200 meter dash – 1st Lacey Lynn 29.11; 4th Ma­rissa Bressler 30.17; 6th Bobbi Huber 30.94; 9th McKenzie Johnson 31.74

400 meter dash – 6th Madisyn Mutziger 1:07.38; 9thElizabethHegerfeld 1:09.19

800 yard dash – 1st Au­tumn Stoltenburg 2:51.58; 6th Siana Kelsch 3:05.61

1600 yard run – 7th Sa­mantha Lemke 6:35.74; Siana Kelsch 6:57.53

3200 yard run – 5th Sa­mantha Lemke 14:49.77; 6th Siana Kelsch 16:54.27

100 yard hurdles – 5th Lacey Lynn 19.72; 7th Hai­ley Ulrich 24.16

300 yard hurdles – 2nd Lacey Lynn 52.06; 5th Lexy Lynn 55.74; 8th Hai­ley Ulrich 1:24.72

4×100 yard relay – 1st Cassidy Gebhart, Dabrisha Stephens, Alissa Lands­man, Stephanie Johnson 51.08

4×200 relay – 1st Cassi­dy Gebhart, Dabrisha Stephens, Alissa Lands­man, Stephanie Johnson 1:47.11

4×400 relay – Cassi­dy Gebhart, Dabrisha Stephens, Sydney Jan­dahl, Stephanie Johnson 4:09.12

4×800 relay – 2nd Elk­ton-LB 10:03.90

High jump – 3rd Megan Krogman 4-07.00; 6th Molly Koch 4-03.00

Pole vault – 2nd Molly Koch 8-06.00

Long jump – 4th Lexy Lynn 15-01.50; 5th Megan Krogman 14-11.50; 8th Kelsey Kinner 13-10.50

Triple jump – 2nd Kelsey Kinner 30-11.00; 4th Mol­ly Koch 30-05.50

Shot put – 6th Morgan Carmody 26-04.00

Discus throw – 6th Lexy Lynn 84.09.00; 7th Molly Koch 80-09.00

Following are the boys events.

100 yard dash – 9th Ben Rolf 13.52; 12th Tanner Landmark 16.53

200 yard dash – 7th Ja­cob Nomeland 25.78

400 meter dash – 5th Richard Mulder 56.97; 8thWalkerSik 1:00.78; 10th Braden Carmody 1:01.49

800 yard dash – 2nd Richard Mulder 2:13.76; 5thWalkerSik 2:19.96; 7th Braden Carmody 2:35.50

1600 yard run – 3rd Jus­tin Sudtelgte 4:58.67

3200 yard run – 1st Jus­tin Sudtelgte 10:52.97; 5th Cole DeRuyter 13:31.13

100 yard hurdles – 4th Jacob Nomeland 20.86; 5th Ben Rolf 23.66

300 yard hurdles – 4th Jacob Nomeland 48.23

4×100 yard relay – 4th Alex Trautman, Jacob No­meland, Trevan Farnham, Jose Flores, 50.50

4×200 relay – 2nd Alex Trautman, Jacob Nome­land, Trevan Farnham, Jake VanDyke, 1:40.10

4×400 relay – 2nd Quinn Fargen, Trevan Farnham, Jake VanDyke, Jose Flores, 3:42.52

4×800 relay – 1st Jus­tin Sudtelgte, Jose Flores, Richard Mulder, Quinn Fargen 8:45.69

1600 sprint medley – 2nd Alex Tratuman, Jake VanDyke, Jose Flores, Quinn Fargen 3:48.35

Pole Vault – 1st Taylor Rolf 12-01.00; 3rd Ben Rolf 10-06.00

Long jump – 7th Andrew Kirschenman 16-00.50; 8th Billy Koch 15-09.50

Triple jump – 7th Andrew Kirschenman 34-03.00; 9th Ben Rolf 33-08.00; 11th Billy Koch 30-01.00

Discus Throw – 4th Jake VanDyke 99-11.00

The Elkton-Lake Benton Girls Track Team is pictured with their first place trophy as they won the Dakota Valley Conference Championship on Thursday, May 10 at the new athletic complex in Elkton, S.D.

Girls Track Team won the Dakota Valley Conference title at the meet on May 13 in Estelline, S.D. They had a total of 143 points. The boys team came in fifth with 80.50 points.

Cassidy Gebhart won the long jump by out-jumping the number one in the state. Gebhart is now the No. 1 long jumper in the state.

Following are the girls’ results of the meet.

Alissa Landsman charges out of the starting blocks held in place by teammate Sydney Jandahl during the DVC Conference Track Meet held at the new athletic complex in Elkton, S.D. on Thursday. The Lady Elks won first place honors.

Girls 100 meter dash – 2nd Cassidy Gebhart 12.49; 11th Lacey Lynn 13.80

Girls 200 meter dash – 2nd Cassidy Gebhart 25.35; 3rd Dabrisha Ste­phens 26.40; 9th Alissa Landsman 27.71

Girls 400 meter dash – 2nd Dabrisha Stephens 1:01.15; 4thSydneyJan­dahl 1:02.57

Girls 800 meter run – 3rd Stephanie Johnson 2:32.29; 7th Autumn Stol­tenburg 2:59.10; 8th Clar­issa Skyberg 3:00.99

Girls 1600 meter run – 1st Heidi Stoltenburg 5:37.21; 12th McKenzie DeRuyter 6:45.55; 13th Samantha Lemke 7:01.50

Girls 3200 meter run – 2nd Heidi Stoltenburg 13:19.64; 6th Kelsey kin­ner 16:03.16; 7th Clarissa Skyberg 16:17.29

Girls 100 meter hurdles – 9th Hailey Ulrich 23.53

Girls 300 meter hurdles – 6th Lacey Lynn 51.96; 8th Lexi Lynn 54.84; 12th Hailey Ulrich 1:18.63

Girls 4×100 meter relay – 2nd Alissa Landsman, Stephanie Johnson, Lacey Lynn, Madisyn Mutziger 53.67

Girls 4×200 meter relay – 2nd Dabrisha Stephens, Alissa Landsman, Lacey Lynn, Sydney Jandahl 1:52.10

Girls 4×400 meter relay – 1st Stephanie Johnson, Dabrisha Stephens, Syd­ney Jandahl, Cassidy Geb­hart 4:08.69

Girls 4×800 meter relay – 1st Stephanie Johnson, Sydney Jandahl, Rebecca Jurgens, Heidi Stoltenburg 10:23.98

Girls 1600 sprint med­ley – 4th Alissa Landsman, Bobbi Huber, Heidi Stolten­burg, McKenzie DeRuyter 4:42.16

Girls high jump – 7th Me­gan Krogman 4-05.00; 9th Molly Koch 4-02.00; 11th Delsie Weise 4-00.00

Girls pole vault – 2nd Molly Koch 8-06.00; 7th Madisyn Mutziger 6-00.00

Girls long jump – 1st Cassidy Gebhart 18-02.50; 7th Lexi Lynn 14-02.75; 13th Kelsey Kinner 13- 00.00

Girls triple jump – 5th Molly Koch 31-00.25; 7th Kelsey Kinner 30-05.50; 18th Lacey Lynn 25-00.00

Girls shot put – 12th Morgan Carmody 25- 10.50; 14th Brooke Jaacks 25-04.50; 22nd Courtney Mulder 23-02.00

Girls discus throw – 8th Molly Koch 82-08.50; 10th Lexi Lynn 73-05.50; 17th Shelby McCarthy 68-09.50

Following are the boys’ results of the meet.

Boys 100 meter dash – 3rd Jose Flores 11.29; 24th Tanner Landmark 16.21

Boys 200 meter dash – 14th Jacob Nomeland 25.04

Boys 400 meter dash – 5th Richard Mulder 57.77; 9th Tanner Landmark 1:00.42; 14th Trevor Sik 1:11.05

Boys 800 meter run – 4th Richard Mulder 2:22.50; 6th Walker Sik 2:26.14; 12th Nick Skyberg 2:40.69

Boys 1600 meter run – 3rd Justin Sudtelgte 5:07.48

Boys 4×100 meter relay – 5th Alex Trautman, Jacob Nomeland, Trevan Farn­ham, Jose Flores 48.36

Boys 4×200 meter relay – 5th Alex Trautman, Jacob Nomeland, Trevan Farn­ham, Taylor Rolf 1:42.09

Boys 4×400 meter relay – 3rd Quinn Fargen, Trevan Farnham, Taylor Rolf, Jose Flores 3:47.39

Boys 4×800 meter re­lay – 1st Justin Sudtelgte, Walker Sik, Quinn Fargen, Richard Mulder

Boys 1600 sprint med­ley – 2nd Alex Trautman, Taylor Rolf, Jose Flores, Quinn Fargen 3:59.73

Boys high jump – 3rd Taylor Rolf 5-05.00; 7th Trevan Farnham 5-01.00

Boys pole vault – 2nd Taylor Rolf 12-00.00; 4th Ben Rolf 10-00.00

Boys long jump – 14th Andrew Kirschenman 16- 06.75; 18th Billy Koch 14- 11.00

Boys triple jump – 8th Ben Rolf 33-09.75; 9th Andrew Kirschenman 33- 05.00; 12th Taylor Rolf 29- 10.00

Boys shot put – 6th Tyler Schindler 39-06.00; 23rd Tanner Landmark 28- 08.75

Boys discus throw – 9th Jake VanDyke 102-08.50

Henry Donald DeGrote was born to Rhinder and Lydia(Timmerman) De­Grote on Jan. 7, 1926 on a farm in Nobles County.He served in the U.S. Army inKorea. On June 14, 1951 he was united in marriage to Caroline Laura Schelhaas in Edgerton. Henry died at the  Golden Living Center in Franklin on Thursday, May 10 at the age of 86 years.

Henry is lovingly re­membered by his wife Caroline DeGrote of Rus­sell; four children: Ger­ald DeGrote and his wife Kitty of Hastings, Sharon DeGrote of Denver, Colo., Darla Winkelhorst and her husband Loren of West Bend, Iowa, and Beth De­Grote of Sioux Falls, S.D.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Wayne (and Irene) DeGrote of Seal Beach, Calif., LeRoy (and Delores) DeGrote of Slay­ton and Lester DeGrote of Punta Gorda, Fla.; a sister, Lois (and Curtis) Erickson of Lake Wilson, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; four broth­ers, Rhinard, Tony, James and Merle, and sister Pearl Jacobson.

LeRoy Ellsworth Stens­gaard was born Feb. 2, 1930 to Lawrence and Ella (Steele) Stensgaard inHopeTownship. He was united in marriage to Betty Ann C. Nelsen on July 25, 1954 at Hope Lutheran Church in Ruthton. LeRoy died at his home Friday, May 11 at the age of 82 years.

LeRoy will be lovingly remembered by his wife Betty Ann of Ruthton; his children: Debra Stens­gaard of Minneapolis, Daniel Stensgaard of Eden Prairie and Chris (and Sarah) Stensgaard of Vic­toria; four grandchildren; brother Curt (and Carol) Stensgaard of Mitchell, S.D.; sister Patricia Swan­son of Farwell, Neb. and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and broth­er-in-law Robert Swanson. Blessed be his memory.

In lieu of flowers memo­rials may be directed to St. James Lutheran Church.

Susan Sudtelgte directs the Elkton-Lake Benton High School Choir during the Spring Concert and Music Awards on Tuesday night.

By Dan Kuss

lbnews@itctel.com

Elkton-Lake Benton School presented its Spring Concert and Music Awards, directed by Susan Sudtelgte and Nicole Eggebraat­en, on Tuesday, May 8.

The show opened with the fifth grade band playing “The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down” followed by the sixth grade band playing “Ode to George of the Jungle” and “The Torch Burns Bright.”

The freshman music awards were presented as the fifth grad­ers departed and the sixth grad­ers set up and the sophomore music awards were presented prior to the Junior High Choir presentation of “Agnus Dei” and “Follow the Sun.”

The junior high music awards were presented before the Ju­nior High Band played “Valley ForgeMarch,” “In the Shining of the Stars” and “Eagle Crest.”

The junior high music awards were presented prior to the High School Choir performing “Bless theBroken Road” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” featuring the male members of the choir singing and howling.

“My main howler, Derek Hau­gen, is gone tonight,” joked Sudtelgte. “He is a phenomenal howler, but these guys did their best. I have to say it was the lon­gest minute of my life.”

The female choir members fol­lowed with another golden oldie and playfully tagged off from the right to the left side singing “You Don’t Own Me” as the guys’ real estate was in the center of the stage and Richie Mulder accom­panied them on piano.

The High School Choir finished their set with “I’m Just A-goin’ Home” and a moving rendition of “Thank You, Soldiers” while Nick Delaney presented a slide show of parents of students and former students in uniform.

The Select Choir then per­formed “I Got a Name” by Jim Croce in perfect harmony.

Students took to the risers to receive their various awards, two of which were the Festival of Young Voices and the Band Mas­ter Contest in which several Elk­ton-Lake Benton students were chosen by audition.

The seniors lined up on the big stage in the north gym decorated with flower baskets which were sold at the end of the evening.

As the senior awards were pre­sented, each was escorted down the stairs to receive a hug and a 12-pack of their favorite soda or a bucket of Gatorade with a spe­cial helium balloon in the shape of star attached.

A special award was present­ed to senior Molly Koch, who has designed the artwork for every music concert since she was in the eighth grade.

The High School Band then played “Sousa Spectacular,” “Ea­gle Mountain Overture” and “Ex­altation” before the High School Jazz Band closed the evening with “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “In The Mood,” with help on the saxophone from Band Director Nicole Eggebraaten.

The FCCLA sold and served ice cream sundaes in the cafeteria after the performance.

lbnews@itctel.com

The Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce still has openings for units in the Dakota-Minnesota Saddle Horse Parade to be held at noon on Sunday, June 17.

Community groups and orga­nizations are invited to partici­pate by contacting Janel Stuefen or Cheryl Kjergaard at 507-368-4261.

The Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce is offering $100 in Lake Benton Chamber Bucks for the Most Creative Entry, $50 in Lake Benton Chamber Bucks for the Most Colorful Entry and $50 in Lake Benton Chamber Bucks for the Best Musical Entry.

Lineup will start at 11 a.m. at Creamery Park by Lake Benton Lake.

Fishermen line the pier by the old creamery on Lake Benton Lake on the opening day of fishing. Good-sized crappie and walleye were reported to have been caught on a lovely day for fishing. For photos from the fishing opener turn to page 6.

She died Sunday, April 29 at Banner Baywood Heart Hospital in Mesa, Ariz.

Hartquist Funeral Home, Utoft-Johansen Chapel in Tyler, is providing the arrangements. Send on-line condolences at www.hartquistfuneral.com.

Edna Norma Krall was born Sept. 12, 1921 inTyler, to Peter and Karen (Larsen) Nielsen. She mar­ried Richard Krall on June 2, 1946.

Edna is lovingly remem­bered by her daughter Katherine and her hus­band Loel Weatherly ofMesa,Ariz., two grand­children, four great-grand­children and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents, her sister Agnes Laursen and her brother Harold Nielsen.

Arrangements are pro­vided by Hartquist Funer­al Home, Utoft-Johansen Chapel in Lake Benton.

To sign an online reg­istry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.

Laura Marjorie Miller was born to George and Louise (Krause) Doehle on Aug. 13, 1922 in Dram­men Township near Lake Benton. She was baptized on June 24, 1923 and later confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton. She was raised on the family farm with her four siblings and attended country school. She gradu­ated from Lake Benton High School in 1939 and continued to help on the farm. On Oct. 15, 1940 Laura was united in mar­riage to Roy A. Miller in Iona. The couple resided the rest of their life in Lake Benton. Laura was a home­maker for their three chil­dren, Robert, Diana and Thomas.Roypreceded Laura in death on June 21, 1983. Following his death, Laura remained living at their home. In May of 2011 she became a resident at the Good Samaritan Vil­lage in Pipestone. On Sat­urday, April 28 Laura died peacefully at the Pipestone County Medical Center in Pipestone at the age of 89 years, eight months and 15 days.

Laura was a member of the United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and belonged to the United Methodist Women. She was active for many years with the Town and Country Study Club. She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening and sew­ing. Laura loved life and was a wonderful mother to her children and a friend to many.

She is lovingly remem­bered by her three chil­dren: Bob Miller and his fiancé Becky of Cushing, Diana Trulock and her husband Roger of Tracy and Tom Miller and his wife Rita of Luverne; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister Phyl­lis Lyndgaard of Hendricks and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy; parents George and Louise Doehle; brother Walter Doehle; sister Nor­ma Nielsen; twin sister Leona Johansen and her daughter-in-law Connie Miller.

Memorials are preferred to the United Methodist Church in Lake Benton.

lbnews@itctel.com

The city council discussed the purchase of a new police squad car, paving Mork Street and re­pair of Cottage Street at the Mon­day night city council meeting.

Police Chief Guy Harding pre­sented quotes for two different vehicles to the council and ex­plained the details necessary to get one of them operational by city standards.

“Both vehicles are all-wheel drive and get around 18 miles per gallon compared to the 11.5 now,” said Harding. “One is an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and the other is a sedan.”

“They’ve been working on a replacement for the Crown Vic for about four years and came up with the Interceptor.”

The vehicle would come with 90 percent of the necessary equipment and all the city would have to pay for is to fit a new ra­dio, radar and light bar.

“We can install a brand new $2,200 radar system for around $750,” said Harding. “The old one was used when it was pur­chased 10-12 years ago.”

“We can wrap vinyl graphics on the car as opposed to spray painting so when we go to sell it we can just peel the graphics off.”

The projected cost of the squad car would be around $33,300 plus an additional $1,500 for the additional equipment for a total cost in the area of $35,000.

City Maintenance Supervisor Todd Draper said the engineer has given him a cost estimate of $85,165 plus contingency funds for a total of around an estimated $115,165 to paveNorth Mork Streetwith payment coming from tax-incre­mental financing (TIF) funds.

The project calls for wa­ter, sewer, curb and gutter from 100 feet west of Roy­al Lynn’s new place all the way to Benton Street with a catch basin in the south­east corner.

“That street has been there for quite awhile and should be paved,” said Mayor Mike Carpenter.

Draper suggested hav­ing the city attorney go through the documents.

The council also dis­cussed resurfacing Cottage Street. The sewer lines are new but the water mains are cast iron and need to be replaced.

Draper said it might be the time to try out a new geo-tech fabric to keep the soils separated.

“I don’t know why we didn’t deal with it in the 2008 Street Project, but now it’s time,” said Car­penter. “We need to set up an informational meeting with the property owners to discuss our options.”

There are seven or eight property owners on that street and repairs would be assessed to them, since the city has an assessment policy in place.

The council authorized City Clerk Rosie DeZeeuw to send a letter to property owners about a special meeting on Tuesday, May 22 to hear their concerns about the possibility of im­provements to the water and street.

Library project architect Tim Fonder of Banners said the projected cost is within the loan/grant range from USDA but the city needs to contract with an electrical architect for the heating, cooling and electrical for the building.

The city will send it out for bids on May 16 and hopes there is interest from local contractors. A performance bond is re­quired to protect the city. There will be two bids, one for the electric, heating and cooling and the other for construction/remodel­ing of the building.

Carpenter asked Library Committee Members Duff Trautman and Barb Powell if there is any reason not to move forward with the project.

Powell said, “As long as we’re in budget.”

Carpenter said all i’s are dotted and t’s crossed and the next step is to call for bids. The council approved moving forward with the project.

Costs for electrical, heat­ing and cooling will be on hand at bid opening.

The earliest construc­tion could begin is mid-July and the goal is to be done by the end of the year.

Draper said he is watch­ing the water levels onParkview Driveand may disconnect the drainage system to alleviate prob­lems facing the northwest residents.

Draper also said the oil prices are down for the seal-coating project and the county will lock in a price on May 15.

Draper is also research­ing the best way to go with a street sweeper. There are two types, mechanical and hydraulic. There are pros and cons with each type as mechanical creates more torque and hydrau­lic wears out faster, but is easier to repair.

Bids for painting the water tank should go out in June.Tyleris painting their tower and Draper and Powell will talk to that company for information.

Carpenter said Greg Mensen reported that the Opera House Beaver Tail System is working and the floor was dry after the big rain over the weekend.

The council authorized issuing a $3,100 check from the insurance com­pany to the Opera House, who will replace the signs damaged in the July 1 storm.

Johansen’s Repair sub­mitted a letter to the city saying they will clean up some cars, barrels and iron by June 16.

The city attorney had a question on insurance for leasing the West Side Foot­ball Field to the Wildcats. The clerk will check with Coach Mike Tiedeman.

The city received the $5,000 grant for the siren project and will work with Meghan at USDA Rural De­velopment on a low inter­est loan for the remainder.

The council authorized the mayor and the clerk to sign the mowing contract for Cemetery Hill once LaDon Prosch signs the document.

The city will have its annual Rabies Clinic at reduced rates on May 21 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Dog licenses will also be available at this time.

USDA Rural Develop­ment agrees with the city on redirecting CD funds for city projects.

The next meeting of the city council will be on Monday May 21, with theCottage Streetspecial meeting on May 22.