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, 2023Luverne Elementary third-graders traveled to Camp Runamok Feb. 10 for their annual spring concert at the school’s performing arts center. The 84 students were under the direction of Beth Capistran, and their performance was complete with bugs, a bear and lots of action.
- By Lori SorensonFebruary 14, 2023Sixteen teams competed for the traveling trophy in the 30th Annual Helgeson Father/Son Pool Tournament Feb. 10 and 11 at Up the Dam Creek Bar in Beaver Creek. Stan and Ron Jensen defeated tournament hosts Gary and Travis Helgeson in the final round. Dick Kramer and Brandon Muellenberg defeated Keith and Ryan Morford for third and fourth places respectively. Other father-son teams included Rocko…
- By Lori SorensonFebruary 14, 2023Twenty-nine people raised $23,000 for the Luverne Area Community Foundation through the “Reezin’ for Freezin’ Luverne Leap.” It started as an idea from Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge who has participated in “Polar Plunge” fundraisers through his law enforcement affiliations. Working with the LACF, he and organizers encouraged community members to support the cause and raise money ahead of…
- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 14, 2023A request from a friend back in 1976 led Marilyn Jellema of Hills to a 47-year profession. Jellema had a desire to stay home with her daughter, Jodi, when friend Nelva Behr asked if she was interested in watching another child. Behr and her husband, Ron, just had daughter Amy. “We were blessed with Jodi and I wanted to stay home and that was made possible by bringing in Amy,” Jellema recalled. “…
- By Lori SorensonFebruary 14, 2023There is demand for 144 owner-occupied homes, 90 more rental units and over 300 affordable senior housing units in Luverne and surrounding area. That’s according to the latest housing study reviewed Monday at the Luverne Economic Development Authority. “It’s a snapshot of the city’s housing that we can use as we move forward into the next few years of housing development,” said EDA director Holly…
- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 14, 2023On a split vote, Rock County Commissioners decided on Feb. 7 to assist the city of Luverne with a day care facility. The commissioners voted 3-2 to give $250,000 toward the estimated $6.3 million remodel of the former Total Card Inc. office building on Roundwind Road. The county will provide an additional $200,000, contingent on if the project’s construction goal is met. Minutes prior to the…
- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 14, 2023Almost $187,000 in aggregate taxes was collected from six gravel pit operators in 2022. The amount, $186,532, is the second-most collected in the past 10 years. The highest, $189,969, from eight operators, was in 2020. The collected taxes were split four ways. The county road and bridge fund received $75,312, special reserve fund $26,581, townships $75,312, and administrative fees $9,327. Six…
- February 14, 2023A Minnesota boy makes a new friend in an online game. He thinks it’s a cute girl around his age. After chatting for a while, she sends him a nude photo of herself and asks for one in return. He sends a photo and suddenly his new friend stops being friendly. She is actually an overseas criminal who demands money or says that photo will be sent to his parents and friends. Panicked and ashamed, the…
- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 14, 2023Luverne finished fourth Saturday at its own speech invitational. Fifteen teams vied for the team trophies given to small and large schools. Brandon Valley High School took the small school trophy while Russell-Tyler-Ruthton was the large school team champions. For Luverne, seven speech team members were recognized for their performances.Results are listed below. (Blue and red ribbons are awarded…
- February 14, 2023A Honor Roll Quarter 2 Seniors: Justis Ahrendt, Mariam Alinizi, Abigail Anderson, Ross Bergman, Emma Beyer, Parker Carbonneau, Zachary DeBoer, Marcus Feit, Egypt Forrest, Emmanuel Gonzalez, Jacie Graham, Lauren Hansen, Jadyn Hart, Jocelyn Hart, Tori Hemme, Camden Hoven, Camden Janiszeski, Anja Jarchow, Ashlyn Johnson, Katharine Kelm, Reese Louwagie, Lacey Morseman, Priscilla Muehr, Ethan Nath,…
- February 14, 2023A Honor Roll Quarter 2 Seniors: Anthony Beaner, Olivia Bork, Devon Dysthe, Brayden Metzger, Cody Moser, Amallia Ternus, Leif Tollefson, Joshua Wiersema. Juniors: Grace Anderson, Sylvia Fick, Taylor Gehrke, Tahliya Kruger, Brynn Rauk, Justin Roelfs, Larissa Steinhoff, Joylynn Taubert. Sophomores: Beau Bakken, Gracie Fagerness, Michael Martinyuk, Harli Rozeboom, Bailey Spykerboer, Amber Wiersema.…
- February 07, 2023Correction: The Star Herald recently received incorrect information from Sanford corporate communications about funding sources for ambulance power lift cots. The Jan. 26 story incorrectly states that the Luverne Area Community Foundation was a funding source, when in fact the $125,000 expense was shared by Rock County (through Covid relief dollars), Sanford Health Foundation and Sanford Luverne…
- February 07, 2023The nearly full moon stole the show Saturday night for the Blue Mounds State Park annual Candlelight Hike. More than 700 hikers young and old from the tri-state area enjoyed mild winter temperatures and calm winds for the 3-mile trek along moonlit and candlelit trails. Park staff and volunteers with Friends of the Blue Mounds State Park assisted with parking, campfires and hot cocoa and cookies…
- By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2023The Den Herder Construction business of brothers Jim and Cal Den Herder is now operating as the father-son business of Cal and Colby Den Herder. As of Jan. 1, Jim Den Herder, 66, sold his share of the 35-year-old family business to his nephew and is phasing into retirement. “I’m still getting used to the fact that I’m no longer in charge,” he said about semi-retirement. “But I’m learning.” Cal,…
- By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2023As a Luverne High School athlete in the 1970s, Mary Jo (Iveland) Graphenteen and her female classmates weren’t allowed to play varsity sports. They could play intramural bowling, gymnastics, archery and some basketball through GAA, the Girls Athletic Association. “I called it ‘Girls Always Asking’ for sports,” Graphenteen said. She recalled the GAA sports being relegated to the “little gym with a…
- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 07, 2023Luverne Elementary School is abuzz with reading activities throughout the month of February in celebration of “I Love to Read Month.” Tucked among the various reading offerings is fourth-grade teacher Peyten Elbers’ “Book Club,” a new class offered through Luverne Community Education. The first-year teacher wanted to offer a reading alternative during the month of February for families with third…
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