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 FodnessNovember 20, 2024Seana Graber, an LHS graduate and longtime educator, is the Luverne Education Association (LEA) 2025 Teacher of the Year. She was selected by her peers, and the announcement was made Monday afternoon in the middle-high school commons, along with the Friend of Education (see related story). The announcement kicked off LEA’s celebration of American Education Week. Becky Rahm, LEA co-president,…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 20, 2024Luverne Education Association (LEA) members honored the Rock County Star Herald as the 2025 Friend of Education Monday afternoon during the annual American Education Week party in the elementary commons. The teachers’ association selected the Star Herald for the honor because of the dedication to education shown by its employees. LEA co-president and high school math teacher Becky Rahm…
November 20, 2024Fourth-graders took a field trip to the Luverne municipal airport Wednesday, Nov. 13, to learn about the science of flying and what it takes to be a pilot. Instructors from Lake Area Technical Institute, Watertown, South Dakota, flew in to share with students about aviation and airplane maintenance.
November 20, 2024People seeking support for health and wellbeing now have access to CredibleMind, a free and confidential online resource available 24/7. CredibleMind offers users the opportunity to gain insights into mental health, learn new skills, take mental health assessments, and access an extensive library of wellbeing resources. “We are thrilled to launch CredibleMind in Southwest Minnesota,” said…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 20, 2024A partnership between Luverne Community Education and Rock County 4-H is keeping a popular youth activity available locally. In the early 2010s, interest by youth ages 9 to 14 in LEGO robotics was strong, and youth had two options in which to participate. Luverne Middle School offered a LEGO Mindstorms class, with interest in First LEGO League competitions spilling over into 4-H. In 2014 Rock…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 13, 2024Horses play a central role in the three programs offered at Rock Ranch near Hills. In July, Rock Ranch owners Marie and Dan LaRock received an unexpected donation of two Percheron draft horses, allowing the non-profit organization to expand in an unexpected way. “So, initially I was thinking for therapy sessions,” Marie said. The LaRocks spoke on the phone to donors Dave and Kathryn Johnson of…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 13, 2024Consumer demand for more electricity prompted construction of a new substation north of Hills. L&O Power Cooperative is completing the project for Sioux Valley Energy. It’s slated to be finished in summer 2025 and replaces an existing substation in Hills. “The upgrade is based on growth, centered around maintaining service,” said Troy Metzger, DGR engineer and L&O operation manager. “…- By Lori SorensonNovember 13, 2024With the general election in the rearview mirror, Rock County election official Ashley Kurtz shared insights on the 2024 process. “I thought Election Day went great,” she said last week. “All polling places were busy, and I thought the election judges did great at handling everything.” She said a few voter questions came up through the day, but they were easily addressed. “Polling places…
- By Lori SorensonNovember 13, 2024The Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings has dismissed a complaint filed by Isaac DeBoer alleging Patrick Baustian violated Fair Campaign Practices law with his mayoral campaign. After a probable cause hearing by phone Nov. 4, the administrative judge deemed there wasn’t enough evidence for the case to proceed. DeBoer, a candidate for mayor, filed a complaint Oct. 28 alleging that the…
- By Lori SorensonNovember 13, 2024Luverne history teacher Tom Rops has agreed to complete anti-bias counseling and additional training on American Indian History after referring to a unit of a class as “cowboys and Indians.” That’s according to an order filed Sept. 20 with the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The action stems from a complaint filed with the board’s Ethics Committee accusing Rops of…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 13, 2024For 25 years Quality Printing owners Mark and Annie Opitz have strived to fill customer needs. The latest need is expanding business into the printing of adhesive labels. Mark said over the years he’s received inquiries into printing labels in small quantities since the existing business only accepts orders for a million or more. In order to meet the need for labels, special machines would…- By Lori SorensonNovember 13, 2024Local families and individuals have until Nov. 20 to apply for assistance through Rock County’s SHARE program. For 40 years Sharing Hearts Are Reaching Everyone has been collecting donations and distributing gifts of food, clothing and toys to Rock County residents in need during the holidays. Everyone who helps with the program is a volunteer, including board members and officers, according to…
- By Lori SorensonNovember 13, 2024John Deere farm implement customers who do business with C & B companies received letters on Nov. 4 that C & B had been sold. The letters, signed by the Burwell family, stated that C & B’s Agricultural Division, John Deere dealerships, was purchased by Point Field Partners, another family firm, on Nov. 4. The letter provided background on C & B, which was started in 1988 by Rod…
November 13, 2024Premium Minnesota Pork, Luverne, distributed 225 pork loins averaging 8 to 10 pounds each to local veterans Monday in the Luverne Elementary School bus parking lot. There were 15 left over, and those were taken to veterans who would be attending Monday night’s Veterans Day banquet in Hardwick. According to PMP Human Resources Director Stephanie Bickerstaff, this is the fifth year PMP has shared…
November 13, 2024More than 100 local veterans were honored in a slideshow titled “Local Heroes” Monday morning during the Veterans Day program at Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School in Hills. The annual event also featured H-BC students at all grade levels reading, singing and playing instruments in recognition of sacrifices made by current and former members of the armed forces.
November 13, 2024Luverne High School 2015 graduate McKenzi (Wenninger) Klein was the featured speaker at the Veterans Day program in the performing arts center in Luverne Monday afternoon. Klein, a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard shared information about her own service and expressed gratitude for all veterans. “Joining the military takes courage,” she said. “You don’t know what sacrifices you’ll have…
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