Editorials
- March 28, 2016A report released earlier this year named Rock County as one of only 10 counties in Minnesota to have fully recovered from the 2010 recession. The National Association of Counties report indicated a large majority (93 percent) of U.S. counties have not recovered to prerecession levels in jobs, unemployment rates, economic outputs and median home values. Fortunately, Rock County is among the 214…
- March 21, 2016Where does your food come from? For many Americans, the answer is the grocery store, and for those of us living in an agricultural community, that’s a disturbing answer. The grocery store isn't where food comes from. It's just where food is distributed. In reality, far too many people are unaware of the role American agriculture plays in their daily lives … and what it really takes to…
- By By Jim Zachary, Valdosta, George, Daily Times Transparency Project of GeorgiaMarch 14, 2016Government must be held accountable. The only way for the public to hold government accountable is for all of the actions of government to be out in the open. That is why open government is part and parcel of democracy. When government is allowed to operate behind closed doors, it grows out of control, is not responsive to the public and is subject to corruption. These are some of the reasons the…
- By Cammy (Martin) and Rick Iverson, guest editorialFebruary 29, 2016Your article in the Feb. 11 edition of the Star Herald highlighted the work of so many committed citizens in Luverne who have made it possible to ask the question, “Is Luverne ready to be a destination?” From our perspective, the answer is a resounding YES! In June of last year, a group of twelve of our friends from Minneapolis joined us as we all enjoyed Luverne as a destination for three days…
- February 15, 2016While Gov. Mark Dayton will no longer press landowners to maintain a vegetative strip between farm fields and private roadside ditches, we think it’s a great idea to implement the practice anyway. Buffers of grasses, trees or shrubs stop harmful nutrients from washing off farm fields, entering waterways that empty into road ditches. Vegetative buffer strips soak up excessive phosphorus, nitrogen…
- January 25, 2016For the third straight year, Minnesota is ranked one of two strongest states in the nation. The annual analysis by the Politico Magazine is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life and economic health of each of the 50 states. New Hampshire was first in the nation. Louisiana was ranked last. States surrounding Minnesota all ranked in the top 20…
- January 18, 2016This week’s Star Herald Opinion Page represents the quintessential community newspaper opinion page. It has the perfect mix of personal columns and letters to the editor on local topics. It’s an editor’s dream. This, dear readers, is what an opinion page should be: a format to air local opinions. And it’s ideal when differing opinions are submitted on the same topic in the same week. Thank you,…
- January 11, 2016The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to prevent a shortage this winter. Busy holiday schedules in November and December contributed to about 1,700 fewer blood drives held across the country compared to the two previous months, which has resulted in about 50,000 fewer donations and reduced the blood supply. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily…
- January 04, 2016With less than one week into 2016, we’d like to offer one New Year’s resolution for everyone who lives, works and visits our communities from rural locales. The pungent smell left by snowy, dirty boots has been considerably noticeable in several public establishments. It was obvious the wearer walked directly from a feedlot into a retail business. Not only were the boots covered in animal…
- By Dennis Frederickson, regional director, Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesDecember 07, 2015A few weeks ago, I visited the Rock County Board of Commissioners to discuss the DNR’s process for evaluating and deciding the future of the dam at Blue Mounds State Park, which was significantly damaged during the flood of June 2014. Knowing our local communities have great interest in this issue, I wanted to share some of the key aspects of the DNR’s decision-making process with members of the…
- By Chris Kunkle, Wind on the WiresDecember 01, 2015In November community and industry leaders gathered in Slayton to celebrate the contributions that wind energy has made to southwest Minnesota. As the representative of the state’s wind industry, I couldn’t have been happier to deliver a ceremonial “big check” in the amount of $7,224,246, which was paid out earlier this year, based on production in 2014. (Rock County received $896,430 this year…
- November 23, 2015Transition back to a traditional school year Encourage our educators to continue thinking outside the box For six years Luverne Public Schools have been members of a unique group of educators who wanted to take an adventurous approach to instruction. State education officials supported this approach through their Flexible Learning Year program. Locally, the program allowed districts to begin…
- November 16, 2015There is a quiet discussion underway in the community right now about the future of the Carnegie Cultural Center on North Freeman Avenue in Luverne. For the past two decades, the city of Luverne, which owns the building, has leased it to the Council for Arts and Humanities in Rock County (CAHRC). That group includes Rock County Fine Arts Association, Blue Mound Area Theatre, Rock County…
- November 02, 2015City ordinances were developed by our forefathers as a guide for community development — both residential and commercial. These ordinances are sometimes hard to understand, and we may wonder if following these rules is the right course to follow. In a small town, why would anyone care if the integrity of these rules is loosening or, in some cases, being completely ignored? The Hardwick City…
- October 26, 2015No one ever plans to grow up and become an abusive partner. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Star Herald shares the following information from the Southwest Crisis Center in an effort to spread awareness and prevent domestic violence. The transition from love to control to violence can be slow and inconspicuous. It can be attributed, in part, to a number of factors, like…
- October 19, 2015We at the Star Herald have performed little impromptu tests the improvements on Highway 75 and the experiences have left many of us with smiles on our faces. One said he drove from north to south unimpeded with the new two-lane configuration with a central turning lane. Another said she likes the green grass on each side of the roadway. The grass is eye appealing and the color invites passersby…
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