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
- By Mavis FodnessSeptember 14, 2021For the Casey and Lee Westphal family of rural Hills, their dog named Red was a faithful companion. She was an eager greeter and was dubbed “the best farm hand” by daughter McKenna in a social media post Aug. 21 about the 12-year-old Red Heeler’s death. A rescue dog, Red was 2 years old when she came to the Westphal farm and proved to be an eager helper to the family. “She helped with so many…
- By Mavis FodnessSeptember 14, 2021Parents, students and community members gathered in the Hills-Beaver Creek High School gymnasium for the 2021 Homecoming coronation. The student body chose seniors Kenadie Fick and Andrew Harris to reign over this week’s festivities. Other queen candidates included Danette Leenderts, Tara Paulsen and Mackenzie Voss. King candidates also included Cole Baker, Austin Allen and Oliver Deelstra.…
- By Mavis FodnessSeptember 14, 2021The Luverne School Board will host a public open house Sunday to showcase the district’s completed construction. Self-guided tours will be from 2 to 5 p.m. “I am extremely proud of the project,” Superintendent Craig Oftedahl said. “The Board of Education had wonderful vision and did things right. They produced a really classy facility that allows our staff to be extremely functional for the…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 14, 2021Luverne’s Tom Nelson survived a cardiac arrest in the Blue Mounds State Park last month, thanks to CPR from a passerby and ambulance access to the portion of the trail where he collapsed. Had he been on a narrower trail deeper into the park, the outcome may have been different. Nelson’s incident came up in recent Luverne City Council budget discussion when Fire Chief David Van Batavia explained…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 14, 2021Local public health leader Jason Kloss weighed in Tuesday on the Luverne School District’s mask mandate. He said Luverne is not unique — that every school district will eventually be faced with the same choice. “It’s no surprise,” he said. “That’s what COVID does when people get together.” He pointed to the 14-day case rates per 10,000 people (based on population) leading up to the start of…
- By Mavis FodnessSeptember 14, 2021Rock County Commissioners signed a joint powers agreement with the St. Paul Port Authority Sept. 7. Now they can offer Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans through the non-profit governmental agency for up to $1 million. At the same meeting, commissioners approved the PACE loan to GreenSmith Luverne Holdings LLC, which will borrow $1 million to build two market-rate apartment buildings on…
- September 14, 2021Luverne High School’s Homecoming Royalty pose for a group picture Monday ahead of the Sept. 20 coronation event. This year’s candidates include (from left) Hunter Ahrendt, Elise Ferrell, Ashton Sandbulte, Trista Baustian, Brooklynn VerSteeg, Casey Sehr, Luke Thorson, Billi Connell, Olivia Wieneke and Trygve Gangestad.
- September 14, 2021More than $40,000 was disbursed in 2021 through the Prairie Rose Community Fund with city of Hardwick, Springwater Township and Hardwick American Legion receiving the majority of this year’s funds. The community board of directors met recently to make the annual disbursement. This year, $34,500 was given in community grants and $9,500 to high school seniors and current college students. The city…
- September 14, 2021Dallas Bowron (center) with his daughter, Judy Bowron, Plymouth, and his son, John Bowron, Luverne) celebrated his 107th birthday Tuesday, Sept. 7, at Poplar Creek apartments in Luverne, where residents and family members gathered for coffee and cake in his honor.
- September 14, 2021Krista Burkman of Brandon, S.D., is one of 27 4-H youth who were selected to serve as a Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador. Ambassadors are youth leaders and spokespeople for the statewide organization. Selection as an ambassador is one of the highest honors that a 4-H member can achieve. “As a state ambassador for the coming (4-H) year, some of my goals are to improve my leadership skills, meet new…
- September 14, 2021This week, Sept. 12-18, is National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, and the staff and families of Rock County Opportunities are honoring the DSP personnel who work with RCO clients. They are (front, from left) Pam Tieszen, Erika Camarillo, Connie Carda, Jenna Coffman, (back) Christina Hacker, Krista Kurtz, Savannah Siebenahler, Tessa Shuler and Molly Hansen. According to the…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 14, 2021Sanford Luverne’s Hospice Dinner and Auction was a hybrid event this year with part of the auction items being sold online and the banquet in person Aug. 26 at Grand Prairie Events. Organizer Helen Saum said, “I am thrilled to report a net profit of $75,386, our highest fundraiser net proceeds to date.” She said people were excited to support the fundraiser, whether in person or not, based on…
- By Mavis FodnessSeptember 12, 2021Increased coronavirus activity is prompting Luverne School officials to implement a district-wide mask mandate, effective immediately. Superintendent Craig Oftedahl corresponded with parents and guardians electronically Monday indicating that everyone inside the school building must wear a facial covering. “There has been a lot of illness activity in our health office and we have several students…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 07, 2021More than 100 local student drivers were licensed in the past year, and they all had to travel outside the county for their written and behind the wheel exams. That’s because the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) closed all 93 testing stations around the state in March 2020 during the pandemic. A few months later, it reopened 14 consolidated stations, and few…
- By Mavis FodnessSeptember 07, 2021Reactions to life events can often be motivating or devastating, depending on one’s mindset. Parker Hanson, 24, chooses to rise above adversity and embrace the life he was given. “God doesn’t want you to look back in your life,” he said. “He wants you to look forward to tomorrow.” Hanson, a former Augustana University baseball standout and Sioux Falls Canaries player, spoke at the inaugural Rock…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 07, 2021Rock County has agreed to a settlement of all claims asserted in a federal lawsuit against Rock County and its deputies related to the Nov. 27, 2018, stop and search of Kelli Jo Torres. Named in the suit are deputies Dallas Hamm and Shelley Douty, Sheriff Evan Verbrugge and Rock County for “violating the Fourth Amendment prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as state…
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