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Open
forum brings out questions, answers on Murdock school heating issue
by
Ted Almen
About 30 interested folks gathered in the KMS High School auditorium
Monday night to listen and ask questions about a proposed biomass
heating system for the elementary school in Murdock.
KMS learned recently that it was the successful recipient of a state
grant of $343,000, applied on a dollar for dollar match, to come up
with a system that reduces reliance on fossil fuels. In September,
school board members learned from the Energy Committee that a wood
chip burning boiler was being considered to replace the antiquated
fuel oil system presently limping along at Murdock.
Superintendent Martin Heidelberger welcomed the crowd by pointing
out what the need is and the recent history which has led to this
point. With over two years of research into energy auditing and economizing
behind it, the E-Committee had discovered that 25 percent of the energy
used in the building was not efficient. Heidelberger said that amounted
to $250 for each student per year. It is the board’s and administration’s
responsibility to the taxpayers to address this problem.
Done so far are the audit and identification of some projects that
would increase energy efficiency. One of those, probably the biggest
in fact, is to upgrade the heating plant.
Heidelberger said when the board starts looking at the heating system
it also leads to the ventilation, lighting and insulation of the entire
building. Part of that structure was built in 1918, and part in 1958.
All together it totals some 45,000 square feet.
The discussion up to this point has gone from just replacing the old
boiler to some fairly major renovation to replacing the oldest part
of the elementary facility to abandoning the school altogether in
favor of adding on to the high school for a k-12 facility.
No one was arguing that the Murdock building was not in good condition
or not well maintained, said Heidelberger, however there are definite
issues such as a lack of insulation and the fact that part of it is
90 years old. “We’re looking at five, 10, 15, 20 years down
the road. The board just felt it was wise to ask what the community
thought.”
Stan Simon of Simon Engineering, Kerkhoven, admitted right from the
start of his presentation that those in attendance probably knew more
about the Murdock building than he did. However, through the energy
audit it was found that the school had a rating of 33, when 50 would
be considered just average. Thirty-three, Simon said, “...is
probably a D or C.”
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Sweep
or be swept;
Win streak ends at eight
Saints squash Lincoln HI before 3-0 loss to Minneota
by
Wally Loven
The Lady Saints have been on fire! Back on September 13 they lost
a game in their first meeting to Monte in the Montevideo Tournament
before defeating the Thunderhawks to tie in game two. They went on
to defeat Glencoe-Silver Lake twice for a fifth place finish in that
tournament, then went on a record-setting tear.
The Saints not only won their next seven matches in a row, they also
shut out their opponents in each of the eight matches, winning all
of their 23 games during their win streak. They are credited with
a pair of ties in the first two rounds of the Monte Tourney, splitting
with Monte and C-A/H-N, meaning that they have not lost a match since
their Sept. 11 loss to RCW. They are 8-0-2 during that stretch of
games.
In head coach Shannon Schmidt’s tenure, which goes back to 2000,
the 2004 team that placed third in the Class A State Tournament had
two five-match win streaks and KMS had another five-match streak in
2006. “There was a good team in the late ‘90s that might
have put something together, but I haven’t found anything on
that,” Schmidt said when asked if this is a ‘best ever’
at KMS. However, no KMS team has ever recorded a streak of 23 straight
games won.
The last of the Lady Saints streak victims was Lincoln HI (Hendricks-Ivanhoe)
as KMS easily handled the Rebels to go to 5-3 in Camden Conference
play.
All good things seem to come to an end, as did the streak, when Minneota
came to KMS last Thursday. The third-rated Vikings left town with
an unblemished Camden Conference record, 8-0, as they turned tables
on the Saints with, what else, a sweep. It wasn’t an easy win
for Minneota as the KMS girls pushed them right to the end in each
of the three games, but the Vikings’ great defense outlasted
the Lady Saints.
The regular volleyball schedule is quickly coming to a close as the
Saints took on MACCRAY in Clara City last night (Tuesday) then are
off until they travel to Brooten to take on another quality opponent
in Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa next Tuesday. The Jaguars are rated fifth
in Class A and sport a 22-1 record, losing only to Southwest Christian
(Class A, rated eighth).
The Lady Saints wrap up their season in the Underwood Tournament on
Thursday, October 16 with section play beginning the next week. Watch
for details and schedule next week.
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Royalton
upends Fighting Saints, 22-7
by
Wally Loven
The Fighting Saints opened the 2006 season with losses to Parkers
Prairie and Otter Tail Central. That is the last time, until last
Friday night, that a KMS football team has dropped two games in succession.
The Royals scored touchdowns in each of the first two quarters and
iced the game with a third with about five minutes to play in the
fourth.
All of the three scores came as a result of the Saints’ defensive
inability to shut down the Royalton offense when they had them in
long-yardage situation. “Seven or eight times we had them in
third or fourth and long situations and let them get away,” said
KMS head coach James Cortez. “All of their touchdowns came after
they kept a drive going with a big play. We just didn’t make
defensive plays when we had them in long yardage situations... that
pretty much determined the outcome.”
Playing in front of their own friendly Homecoming crowd, the Royals’
first ‘big play’ came early in the game when KMS had them
in a third and 16 hole at their 20-yard line. Perhaps surprising the
Saints with a running play rather than a pass, sophomore running back
Zach Lanners broke free and ran for 44 yards before being hauled down
by Joel Bauman at the KMS 36. Moments later the Royals picked up seven
yards on a pass from Shawn to Zach Lanners, setting up a fourth and
one at the Saints’ 27. The Royals’ 210-pound fullback, Ryan
Wiener, kept the drive alive with a two-yard plunge and a first down.
After losing a yard, then five more by penalty, Royalton faced a third
and 16 at the 31. Again, it was Lanners to Lanners, this time for
a touchdown and an 8-0 lead after Brian Schlichting took Shawn Lanners’
pass for the two-point conversion about five minutes into the game.
At first, it appeared as though this could turn into an offensive
explosion as KMS marched right back down the field. Bauman slashed
for 14 yards on his first touch. After another first down run by Bauman,
Kevin Steinhaus hit his favorite receiver, Taylor Freetly, for 28
yards to the 12-yard line. But the drive sputtered and the Saints
would come up empty. Facing a third and 18, Steinhaus connected with
Mitchell Hagen on a short pass that left KMS with a fourth and 13.
Andres Rojas’ 32-yard field goal attempt missed and the Royals
had the ball back at the Saints’ 15.
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4-H
holds year-end awards program
September
28th marked a special day for 4-H members and their families from
around the county as they gathered to celebrate the end of the 4-H
year with an awards program. Serving as emcees for the program were
the 2008-2009 Swift County 4-H Federation Officers: President Courtney
Turnquist, Vice President Tyler Carlson, Secretary Kristina Thompson,
Reporter Chryseis Tvedt and Treasurer Charles Tvedt.
Eighty-three members submitted their records for judging. Several
were recognized with medals. Local members included Derrick Bowman,
Ashley Carlson, Matthew Collins, Morgan Collins, Taylor Feldman, Nick
Lundberg, Halle Walsh, Kendra Wentzel, Elizabeth Wilts and Hannah
Wilts.
Cloverbud members who turned their records in for judging were also
recognized. Local members included Mattea Brendemuehl, Regan Carlson,
Marc Collins, Madison Heidelberger, Elizabeth Mansfield and Katelin
Wentzel.
Several youth were also acknowledged for their dedication to the 4-H
program. Among them was Courtney Turnquist of Hayes Kildare who was
presented with the William H. Danforth’s ‘I Dare You’
Award. A Junior Member award was given to Madison Heidelberger.
Herdsmanship was judged at the county fair and awards were presented
to several youth. Recipients included Kristen Fernholz, Dublin Victory,
for Rabbit Herdsmanship.
The American Dairy Association recognizes 4-Hers who do an outstanding
job in promoting and using dairy products throughout the year. One
of those receiving the award this year was Nick Lundberg.
Members enrolled in livestock participate in a livestock interview
each year at the fair. Members participating in the General Livestock
Project Bowl included local members, Ashley Carlson, Mallory Carlson,
Tyler Carlson, Fred Mansfield, Brett Petersen and Jackson Walsh. The
Horse Project Bowl members included Mattea Brendemuehl, Halle Walsh,
Katelin Wentzel and Kendra Wentzel.
Adult and youth leaders who are retiring from the various boards were
presented with certificates. Local leaders recognized were: Advisory
Board -- Pam Mansfield and Jane Stassen; Livestock Board -- Stan Glimsdal
and Courtney Turnquist; Projects Unlimited Committee -- Hannah Wilts.
Project Leaders recognized included: Dog Project Leader Linda Luschen,
General Livestock Project Bowl coach Pam Mansfield, Horse Project
Bowl coaches Theresa Brendemuehl and Cindy Wentzel.
4-H helps kids see their potential through learning by doing, practicing
leadership, completing projects on gardening, animals, photography
and much more, positive out-of-school time, science and arts enrichment,
service to communities and lots of fun. For more information on 4-H
in Swift County, contact the University of Minnesota Extension at
320-843-3796.
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