Editorials
- April 21, 2020There aren’t many positive aspects about the coronavirus and its impact on our community, from a reeling economy tofrontline workers in harm’s way, and we fear we may lose loved ones to the deadly virus. That’s why staying home and suspending life’s big events are so important — reduce exposure to stay safe. Our graduating seniors understand the necessary sacrifices that come with…
- April 14, 2020Dear readers, advertisers and subscribers: While we learn to live with the new normal in our community for the next several weeks, we are determined to make the best of it. So, please be aware that the Rock County Star Herald remains committed to reporting on news and information that offers glimpses of our community a week at a time … every week, every month, every year. As we have for nearly…
- April 07, 2020Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday delivered his second State of the State address from the Governor’s Residence where he has beenin self-quarantine. “Self-quarantine. Self-isolation. Social distancing,” he said at the start of his speech. “Phrases that many of us never usedbefore now roll off our tongue in daily conversation.” Walz lamented with all Minnesotans that the new vocabulary defines a new reality…
- By Kat Dahl, 2010 LHS graduate and former Luverne residentMarch 31, 2020I am a family medicine resident, currently working nights admitting sick patients to the hospital. Covid-19 is just starting to hit our area. I don’t know if it’s sleep deprivation or 26-week pregnancy hormones, but last night when I was getting ready for work I cried in the shower. I’m scared. I’m scared for my homeless patients, many of whom have underlying heart and lung disease. They have no…
- February 18, 2020We are an agricultural community, and what’s good for the farm economy is what’s good for the Main Street economy. This isn’t news. Especially not to those of us who live in Rock County or even grew up here. And lately, agriculture has been a rapidly changing industry, in terms of technology, farm practices, global economy and other aspects. The temptation, then, can be to focus so much on the…
- February 11, 2020Nearly 22 percent of Rock County driver’s license or ID cardholders are REAL ID ready, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division. As of Jan. 30, 1,652 Rock County residents or 21.80 percent of the total license and ID cardholders have completed the necessary steps for the enhanced driver’s license or ID card. Pope County is ranked last out of the…
- February 04, 2020Rock County’s social calendar 20 years ago amounted to summer town celebrations, Tri-State Band Festival and, of course, Hot Dog Night. These were a lot of fun and offered great photo opportunities for news people. Today there’s a major event on the calendar nearly every other weekend, illustrated by the Chamber’s quarterly report during the Jan. 28 Luverne City Council meeting. For anyone taking…
- January 28, 2020The Star Herald editorial staff from time to time publishes a list of what we call “Thumb Up and Thumbs Down” to call attention to matters in the community that could use improving and deserve some praise. We set out to compose one for this week but we found that we were pleasantly short on Thumbs Down entries for the article. Either we’re eternal optimists here at the paper, or we really do live…
- By Allan Bakke, Safe Harbor Regional Navigator, Southwest Minnesota Crisis Center, WorthingtonJanuary 21, 2020During the month of January, advocates, organizations and individuals unite to raise awareness about the issue of human trafficking. While movements like #MeToo have started to bring crimes like sexual harassment and sexual assault out of the shadows, human trafficking largely remains hidden. Putting an end to human trafficking starts with acknowledging its existence. Victims of sex trafficking…
- January 14, 2020On Monday, Minnesota Senate Republicans announced their agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Known as “Vision 2020,” it will guide public policy work during the 2020 legislative session, which is expected to include capital investment bill, a supplemental budget, tax relief, health care, public safety, roads and bridges, public infrastructure and more. Sen. Bill Weber, Luverne, shares his…
- January 07, 2020The Minnesota Department of Public Safety recently released its 2019 traffic data, and it appears there are many ways we can improve our driving habits and resolve to be safer in 2020. Preliminary reports show there were 364 traffic deaths on Minnesota roads in 2019, compared with 381 in 2018. Recent fatalities in 2019 include: •A 17-year-old passenger killed when the vehicle he was riding in…
- January 01, 2020At the end of a year, and particularly at the end of a decade, it’s prudent to ask the question, “Are we better off now than we were a year ago (or 10 years ago)?” It’s good to ask the question, because the details and obligations of daily life have a way of distracting us from our intended direction. The question can apply to personal relationships as well as professional careers and community…
- December 22, 2019If you looked only at the big picture, you’d have to say our nation lives in deeply troubled times. It seems we’ve never been more polarized. Political discourse feels more like a war zone than a thoughtful national conversation. But what happens when you zoom in more closely? After all, real life doesn’t happen nationally. It happens locally. At the community level, we see people partnering with…
- December 17, 2019As families across Rock County prepare for the holidays, they will join 16 million families and friends who are also caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Though holiday celebrations are often happy occasions, they can be challenging and stressful for those impacted by Alzheimer’s. This doesn’t mean our loved ones with Alzheimer’s shouldn’t be included in…
- December 10, 2019Winterfest weekend was another proud moment for Luverne residents to showcase holiday spirit and a respect for the meaning of Christmas. In particular, the “Love the Light” Christmas at the city park was a grand finale to the already great Winterfest weekend. If you haven’t had a chance to take in the lighted displays, they’ll be up through Jan. 5 and are definitely worth a slow drive through the…
- December 03, 2019We’re closing in on the end of another decade, and the Star Herald is looking back on the highlights of the years between 2010 and 2020. The first 10 years of the new millennium in Rock County were marked by the Ken Burns world premiere of his documentary series, “The War,” at the Palace Theatre. The decade also saw a regeneration of what we now know as the Courthouse Square with the stately…
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