From parched to drenched
Harvest is in full swing for much of Rock County this week, marking the final stretch of what’s arguably been a challenging growing season.
Highway 75 project proceeds (almost) on schedule
Contractors have been given a five-day extension on completion deadlines due to September’s frequent rainy weather.
H-BC School Board Candidates share priorities
There are five candidates seeking election to four open seats on the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board.
The Loft after-school program helps kids find community
Starting at 3:20 p.m. on the dot, the quiet halls of First Presbyterian Church in Luverne start to fill with the noise of children.
Luverne preliminary levy set to rise 7.12%
Luverne City Council members are proposing a 7.12% levy increase for taxes payable in 2027.
Adrian reporter to contribute to Star Herald
The Rock County Star Herald is expanding its coverage area east toward Adrian, and Deb Kroon will be the face of those stories for the Star Herald news team.
News
- February 14, 2024U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) delivered remarks at the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s 157th Annual Convention last week in Minneapolis. “You are telling the stories that maybe not everyone knows about, that they don't read on Facebook,” she said. “Many of your stories uncover what happened at the city council meeting and tell people which business is opening and closing. There are a lot…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 14, 2024The Luverne High School speech team placed third Saturday at the Luverne Invitation Speech Tournament. Coach Gavin Folkestad said the day featured 15 schools with 170 students competing in the day-long event. “Everything went smoothly,” he said. Individually, nine LHS members received awards, three of them with first-place trophies. Results by category were: •Original oratory: Roselynn…
February 14, 2024Author, acclaimed chef and Catholic priest Fr. Leo Patalinghug spoke to a crowded St. Catherine’s Church in Luverne Feb. 7 about “Plating Grace.” His movement aims to bring families back around the dinner table by placing importance on the Eucharist. His hour-long presentation touched on why youth tend not to attend church — because it is boring. Patalinghug pointed out services are boring…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 14, 2024Members of the Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a residential grant request for the property during their Monday meeting, Feb. 12. Dan Pick and Julie Becker, trustees of the Leon Pick Living Trust, submitted the grant application to Luverne’s EDA. According to meeting notes on the property, the house is “in extremely poor condition, dilapidated, and beyond repair,” and “the cost…
February 07, 2024
By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2024The city of Luverne has sold its first TNT Tradesmen house and will invest the proceeds into a second TNT house currently under construction. The house was remodeled by the Luverne High School trades class, “Today and Tomorrow’s Tradesmen” (Tnt Tradesmen), led by woodshop teacher Darrel Van Aartsen of Van Aartsen Construction. The school partners with the city through building inspector Chad…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2024The Walgrave family had fun this week with the empty concrete base that will support the World’s Largest Nutcracker when it arrives this summer. The 8-foot-tall concrete base currently holds a 40-foot-tall post that will eventually support the 65-foot-tall nutcracker on South Highway 75 near I-90. It has been a source of both praise and controversy in the Luverne community. The Walgraves and…
February 07, 2024The Rock County Star Herald was recognized by its peers for excellence in journalism during the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s annual convention Feb.1-2 in Brooklyn Park. Star Herald production manager Heather Johnson was recognized for Best Design Portfolio, and Star Herald editor Lori Sorenson earned awards for Best News Photo and Best Columnist and was recognized with the Herman Roe…- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 07, 2024Paper surveys have arrived at residences in Hills seeking opinions on topics such as housing, parks, city infrastructure and future projects. Responses are due March 1, and a Feb. 20 meeting will engage residents in the survey areas and allow additional input through interactive activities. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hills. Residents’ input will help city…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 07, 2024The public can weigh in through in-person, virtual or written comments on National Grid Renewables’ request to build a 1,522-acre solar farm in Vienna and Magnolia townships. The in-person public hearing will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at Generations Events Center in Luverne. (In case of inclement weather or cancellation, the hearing will be 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, at the same location.)…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2024Plans are in place for improvements to the city parking lot north of City Hall in front of the Minnesota West Community College entrance. At their Jan. 23 meeting, Luverne City Council members approved bids and specifications and set Feb. 15 as the bid letting date for the project. The City Hall parking lot improvements project consists of removing the existing asphalt paving, salvaging,…- February 07, 2024Unseasonably warm weather, combined with a lack of snow cover, has taken a toll on the ice on some water bodies, particularly small ponds and drainage ditches often found in neighborhoods. These smaller, nearby water bodies can be magnets for curious children. These places often are overlooked when it comes to ice safety because they generally don't attract ice anglers, but at least eight…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 07, 2024The LHS speech team brought home a fourth-place trophy Saturday from the Worthington Speech Invitational. “I was quite happy with their placement, as we brought a smaller group to this meet,” said coach Gavin Folkestad. “Many of our returning veterans placed well and showed improvement, and we had several new members compete for the first time.” Overall, 154 students from 16 schools competed…
By Lori SorensonJanuary 31, 2024The Blue Mounds State Park and Friends of the Blue Mounds State Park hosted their annual Candlelight Hike Saturday night under mild winter conditions and a starry, moonlit sky. Nearly 600 people from near and far turned out to enjoy the hike that included several warming bonfires, cookies and hot cocoa. “The weather gave us a pretty amazing night and I really enjoyed seeing people enjoying the…- By Mavis FodnessJanuary 31, 2024H-BC rejects, awards elementary construction bids By Mavis Fodness At their Monday, Jan. 29, special meeting, Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members awarded $20.5 million in bids, rejected $1.13 million worth of bids, and held back $1.8 million for further consideration. Board members unanimously approved the following bids/bidders for construction of the new elementary school and…
By Mavis FodnessJanuary 31, 2024Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members conducted two special meetings in the past week to reduce construction costs of the new elementary school and improvements at the secondary school. They learned at the Jan. 23 special meeting that bids opened Dec. 19 tallied $4.8 million over the $25 million budget. On Jan. 29 they approved $3.6 million in cost reductions, and another $1.2 million will be…
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