Home

News

Luverne celebrates Hot Dog Night

Mavis Fodness

July 17, 2025

In just over an hour, more than 15,000 hot dogs were consumed during the 63rd annual Hot Dog Night Thursday, July 10, in Luverne. Dozens of businesses cooked hot dogs and offered various toppings for the free hot dogs and buns to anyone who wanted one.

Activities occurred throughout the…

Luverne celebrates Nutcracker Fest

Lori Sorenson

July 16, 2025

Katie Walgrave addressed a small crowd gathered at the base of the partially completed World’s Largest Nutcracker Saturday morning.

The bad news, she said, was that the statue wasn’t completed in time for Luverne’s Nutcracker Fest. The good news, she joked, was that it’s on track to be…

P&Z approves fifth permit for cannabis

Lori Sorenson

July 16, 2025

The Luverne Planning and Zoning Commission approved another conditional use permit application for cannabis licensing following a public hearing Tuesday, July 8.

However, given the proposed dispensary’s proximity to another planned dispensary across the street, it may not be feasible due…

Four applicants considered for sheriff hire

Lori Sorenson

July 16, 2025

Four applications were turned in for the Rock County sheriff position, which will be vacant this fall.

They include current Rock County deputies Chad Kempema, Jeff Stratton and Troy Wenzel and re-tired Minnesota State Patrol lieutenant Matthew Sorenson.

The Rock County sheriff is…

Rock County Star Herald Photo by Greg Hoogeveen

‘Crazy Nutcracker Lady’ honored at Redbirds

Lori Sorenson

July 16, 2025

Rock County Historian Betty Mann threw out the opening pitch ahead of Friday night’s game between the Luverne Redbirds and the Brandon Belugas.

For the casual “Nutcracker Base Race” game during Luverne’s Nutcracker Fest weekend, the Redbirds became the “Luverne Nutcrackers,” donning…

Sports

Redbirds win four games in a row in past week

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor and Jason Berghorst

July 16, 2025

The Luverne Redbirds are on a five-game winning streak after adding four more victories this week. The local amateur baseball team defeated Hadley 6-0 at home July 8, Pipestone 4-0 July 9, Brandon 5-2 Friday, and Fox Lake 14-2 Sunday. The Redbirds played as the Luverne Nutcrackers for one night…

Luverne ‘Nutcrackers’ beat Brandon Belugas

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 16, 2025

The Luverne Redbirds donned Nutcrackers jerseys for an exhibition game against the Brandon Belugas in Luverne Friday, July 11, as part of the Nutcracker Fest weekend. The game-day jersey featured Nutcracker text with a bat on the front and a Nutcracker face and baseball on the sleeve. Players…

Ripka plays all nine positions in single game

Jason Berghorst

July 16, 2025

Luverne Redbird Braydon Ripka (at right) experienced something very few baseball players have the opportunity to do during Sunday’s 14-2 victory over Fox Lake at Redbird Field. After starting the game as catcher, Ripka played all nine positions in the same game. Due to the 10-run rule, the…

Senior Legion wins first round tourney

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 16, 2025

The Luverne Senior Legion baseball team captured the Southwest Sub- Sub State title after beating Adrian 17-2 Friday, July 11, and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 9-1 Saturday, July 12, in Windom. Luverne now advances to play in the eight team Southwest Sub-State tournament in Truman. The team will open…

Junior Legion advances to sub-state

Jason Berghorst

July 16, 2025

The Luverne Junior Legion baseball team took its first step toward returning to the State Junior Legion baseball tournament by winning the sub sub-state tournament championship Sunday. Luverne defeated Pipestone 12-2 in Adrian. The local Junior Legion team, now 12-4 on the season, will open sub…

Reverts, Phelps hit holes-in-one

Jason Berghorst

July 16, 2025

Matt Reverts, Luverne, achieved his second career hole-in-one Saturday while competing in the second day of the annual Luverne Country Club Member Guest Tournament. Reverts aced Hole 3 using a nine iron while golfing with his tournament partner, Dylan Skattum, along with Nathan Siebenahler, Lee…

Columns

Monday was a Monday of all Mondays

Jason Berghorst, Star Herald Summer Reporter

Have you ever had one of those Mondays?

One of those Monday Mondays that are about three Mondays rolled into one Monday?

I had one of those Mondays this Monday.

To be fair, as a teacher, my schedule is generally more relaxed in July. I work a couple of days a week here…

July 16, 2025

Rall: What’s the fuss over 37 acres?

Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist

I just might be addicted to my pastime. Conservation of habitat and the wildlife that lives there consumes at least some part of every day. I cannot remember the last time I was able to completely unplug my thoughts from what might be the next and greatest potential habitat project.

This…

July 16, 2025

'merica

Brenda Winter, columnist

Rain does not dampen community spirit. Rain was in the forecast, but it was July Fourth and this is ’merica.

As the sun began to set, the mood at Luverne’s annual Fourth of July celebration at The Lake was jovial…

July 09, 2025

List of road distractions grows larger

Rick Peterson, general manager

Is it just me, or are there a lot more distractions while driving on the city streets these days?

I am not referring to texting while driving or fiddling with all the knobs, dials, buttons and…

July 09, 2025

Obituaries

Shirley Reisdorfer

July 16, 2025

Shirley Marcene Reisdorfer, of Magnolia, died Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home in Luverne. She was born January 30, 1936, on a farm near George, Iowa, to Jerry and Martha (Runge) Harr. Her mother later married Ted Voss.

She attended public school in…

Bernadine Merrill

July 16, 2025

Bernadine was born on July 26, 1927, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Minneapolis, to William and Theresa (Kauth) Busch. She grew up in Golden Valley, Minnesota, the eldest of five children and attended grade school at Sacred Heart School in Robinsdale and graduated from St. Margaret’s Academy in…

Melvin “Mel” Melzer

July 16, 2025

A Celebration of Life service to honor the life and legacy of Melvin “Mel” Melzer, age 97, of Windom, formerly of Luverne, will be held at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom on Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation and gathering from 10-11 a.m.

…

Chad Blomgren

July 16, 2025

Chad A. Blomgren, age 56, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial was 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2025, at Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon, South Dakota. Visitation was from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, July…

Luverne celebrates Hot Dog Night

Luverne celebrates Nutcracker Fest

‘Crazy Nutcracker Lady’ honored at Redbirds

H-BC art teacher leads summer art camp

Luverne observes July 4 at Lake

Beaver Creek school may open in segments

News

Sports

Columns

Obituaries

Are you smarter than a 6th grader? (17-6÷2)+4x2

Star Herald

Announcer

Special Sections