Columns
By Brenda Winter, columnistJanuary 10, 2024(If you haven’t yet read Lori Sorenson’s Jan. 4th column, “Be Like George,” do it now. Then read this one.) A week and a half before he died, Flower George Bonnema marched into my living room. Observing the wilting leaves on my Peace Lily plant, he poked the dry dirt. “This needs water.” He paused. “And it needs to be repotted. It’s root-bound.” George was at my house to drop off a Christmas…
By Rick Peterson, general managerJanuary 10, 2024Over the holiday weekend we did a little cupboard cleaning at the Peterson household. By that I mean down-sizing the number of pots, pans, coffee cups, thermo beverage containers and just about anything else that hasn’t seen the light of day for some time. While doing so, we would run across some things we forgot we even had – or what they were, in a couple of cases. I must say it was quite…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 10, 2024Question: I was wondering, with the ads on television showing people driving with their hands off the steering wheel, is that legal in Minnesota if your vehicle has that capability? Answer: I believe you are asking about autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, which are capable of sensing their environment and operating without human involvement. Minnesota law states that every driver is…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianJanuary 10, 2024The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on April 6, 1944. “Seattle has just gone through a city election, and I had a heap of fun, serving on the election board.” The above statement was…
By Scot Rall, Outdoor ColumnistJanuary 10, 2024An interesting winter we’ve been having until this week. Don’t get me wrong, but I can say I totally loved it. There was no snow to shovel and holiday travel and other events had no road conditions to worry about. What this also means is that if you are a die-hard ice angler or pike spearer, there has been very little to no opportunity in the southern half of Minnesota. There is still some cool…
By Lori Sorenson, editorJanuary 03, 2024George Bonnema has been gone for only a week, and already we feel his conspicuous absence. (See our front page tribute story) Who will lead Generations and be the voice of our newly energized senior citizens? Who will tend the boulevards and update the seasonal planters? Who will place fresh arrangements on tables for senior dining? Who will bake and donate award-winning carrot cake for…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 03, 2024Question: I am applying for a new job that will have questions about my driving record. Can I visit with someone from Law Enforcement to get a copy of that? Answer: No, this is not something that Law Enforcement agencies can provide. If you want to know what employers and insurers see, the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division has made it easier than ever to get a copy of either your…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianJanuary 03, 2024The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on March 23, 1944. (Ole J. Skyberg's life story continues.) Mr. Skyberg is a member of the Zion Lutheran church and was one of its founders. As a…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistJanuary 03, 2024By the time you read this, the 22-23 pheasant hunting season will have come to a close. My dad always used to tell me that if you want to see how fast time flies, take out a 90-day note at the bank. I will add to that with how time flies; just see how fast a 10-week pheasant season vanishes. I had a very good season, with more birds harvested this year over last. Like every year, the later into…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterDecember 27, 2023Last Tuesday the Star Herald newsroom received devastating news from the Luverne community. Josh Stroh, a 15-year-old student at LHS, died at home, another precious child lost to suicide. Our hearts instantly hurt, the shocking news momentarily bringing office chatter to a halt. In the silence, the news began to sink in and my reporter instincts began to rise. I asked myself, is this incident…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 27, 2023Question: I do a lot of over-the-road traveling for work. Can I stop and stretch my legs along the freeway? Answer: Do not stop on the interstate or along the roadway. The only time you can stop on the freeway is for emergencies. Use the freeway exits/off-ramps and pull off onto the shoulder and park. If you are in need, Minnesota offers several rest areas throughout our great state. According…
By RIck Peterson, general managerDecember 27, 2023I started writing this column before we had our office potluck Christmas party over the lunch hour in the office. There are only 10 of us, but we had enough food for twice that number. There are some very accomplished cooks among us. About the only one that may lack in the culinary experience department might be Wyatt, our sales associate. Wyatt took the bold approach and volunteered to make…
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorDecember 27, 2023As we usher out another year, we look ahead to a new year of possibilities and experiences. Looking back, I reflect on the sports I have covered, the people I have met, the places I have been able to go, and things I was able to do in my job as the sports editor: •all the miles I’ve driven for LHS and H-BC events, Redbird baseball playoffs, and state competitions in St. Paul. •the thousands of…
By Scott Rall, Outdoors columnistDecember 27, 2023So, when does an afternoon pheasant hunt turn into a nature walk? Every hunt is a nature walk, but normally at least a few of those nature walks will result in a pheasant or two in the game vest. Late season is far harder than hunting the young and dumb ones that had never been busted by a dog. There is a certain challenge in hunting last season roosters and it is a challenge I enjoy, but this…
By Wyatt VanSteenberg, sales representativeDecember 20, 2023I was going to write a column on my favorite five Christmas movies, but the more I thought about the Christmas movies I enjoyed, the more it made me think about family traditions. My favorite family traditions are quite unique and maybe wouldn’t fall directly into the “traditional” category. We celebrate Christmas Eve on my mother’s side with a very unorthodox family meal that’s also my…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 20, 2023Question: My question is why electric cars and trucks do not have front license plates? These are all from Minnesota which is required by law. They are not from out of state. Answer: Electric vehicles are required to have a front license plate in Minnesota, this is a common equipment violation. Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No person shall operate, drive or park a motor…
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