NEW PRAGUE -- Steve Anderson of Benson turns 56 years old on Wednesday. He honestly didn't think he'd live this long.

In fact, Anderson didn't see any future for himself. He didn't see alternatives to suicide -- only quick relief from the mental pain he was undergoing. Anderson went into the country, put a hunting rifle to his face, and pulled the trigger.

"It didn't knock me over. It blew half my face off," he said. "I have to say, like it or not, the guy upstairs said, 'It's not your time.'"

Jordan High School's homecoming queen and king, Leah Dietel and Danny Lewis, were crowned tonight.

Students voted for Dietel, a hitter for the Jaguars volleyball team, from a field of candidates that included teammates Michelle O'Malley, Brittany Chambers, Marsha Wolf, and Courtni Stever. Lewis, a Hubmen football player, was chosen from the likes of Cameron Boy, Jay VonBank, Mark Dvorak, and Josh Malz.

The junior attendants were Reihle Murray and Lydia Cook. 

How do you like having a school resource officer directing traffic while children cross the street by the schools?

Thirty years ago, a Jordan Independent poll showed that 39 of 64 people surveyed lent support to the idea of having a five-man city police department.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Sept. 25 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Years ago, Valleyview hospital in Sand Creek Township expanded to four floors.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Sept. 25 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

Seventy years ago, in the final game of the season, the Jordan Brewers town baseball team played the Minneapolis Millers.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the Sept. 25 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

This week, the Minnesota Twins baseball club can win the American League Central Division under a number of scenarios. I was getting some conflicting information on radio and TV, so I figured it out myself.

The team to beat is the Chicago White Sox, 2-1/2 games ahead of the Twins. After a three-game series against the Sox at the Dome tomorrow through Thursday, the Kansas City Royals come to town for three games and the Sox go to Cleveland to play the Indians thrice.

Clifford Wittstruck, born on the family farm near Ethon, S.D. on Feb. 6, 1915, passed away Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 at his home in Prior Lake, at the age of 93.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 4-8 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and also one hour prior the service at church.

Celebration of Life service will be Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. at Portland Avenue United Methodist Church, 8000 Portland Ave., Bloomington.

Arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

The following are Scott County District Court felony and gross-misdemeanor dispositions. Defendants either pleaded guilty or were found guilty by the court unless otherwise indicated.

Randy Wallace Langhorst, 53, Prior Lake, driving while intoxicated (DWI), a gross-misdemeanor. Two years’ probation, 45 days under electronic home-monitoring, abstain from alcohol, random tests, $605 in fines.

Richard Frank Urista, 55, Belle Plaine, second-degree possession of controlled substance, a felony. Serve 50 months in prison, provide DNA sample, $80 in fines.

It is always interesting how some people react to things they oppose.

Especially during contentious elections, your local newspaper listens to and answers several complaints a month. It's no surprise that more letters to the editor are mailed, phones ring off the hook some days, and billboard-sized steers make special appearances. (Here I should admit that the latter originally came as a surprise.)