By Mavis Fodness
August 04, 2020
In a special meeting Wednesday, Aug. 5, Luverne School Board members reviewed possible learning models for the opening of the 2020-21 school year.
Superintendent Craig Oftedahl recommended waiting until the state-mandated deadline of Aug. 24 before announcing which of the four plans the district will operate under when classes begin Sept. 8.
Parents and students were notified Friday, July 31, a…
By Mavis Fodness
August 04, 2020
Facemasks and temperature checks became routine when the Luverne High School marching band opened its two-week summer camp Monday.
Last week first-year students went through the same routine during freshmen and colorguard camp, where they learned the basics before joining the 50-member group this week.
Josie Golla, a senior, returns as drum major to the band that is already smaller in numbers.
“I…
By Lori Sorenson
August 04, 2020
The Luverne Area Aquatics and Fitness Center is about to see a $4.8 million remodel and expansion that will include an outdoor splash pad and 24-hour fitness access.
City leaders, administration and expansion committee members met Thursday night to review plans, final architect drawings and finishing options.
Plans date back to 2016 when citizen input showed the community supported an investment…
August 04, 2020
Madge May’s family celebrated her 103rd birthday July 29 with an outdoor, socially-distanced, gathering under the front door canopy of the Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne. Five generations of the May family gathered for the short birthday party, where everyone, including the birthday girl wore a facemask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
By Jason Berghorst
August 04, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic is now impacting the fall season of Minnesota high school sports.
The Minnesota State High School League governing board voted Tuesday afternoon to move the football and volleyball seasons to spring 2021.
Girls’ tennis, cross country and other fall sports will be allowed to begin as scheduled, but with significant modifications to their seasons, based on decisions made by…
By Mavis Fodness
August 04, 2020
Rock County Commissioners approved an additional $100,000 in CARES grants for distribution to eligible Rock County businesses and non-profit organizations at their regular Tuesday meeting.
CARES Act stands for Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act.
Commissioners originally earmarked $675,000 for distribution in early July, and as of Tuesday more than $612,000 has been allocated to 95…
By Lori Sorenson
August 04, 2020
Luverne City Council members took action at their July 28 meeting to change their method of disbursing pandemic relief funds to local businesses.
The CARES Act — the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act – is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law in March in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
In…
By Lori Sorenson
August 04, 2020
Rock County has had 75 confirmed coronavirus cases (as of Tuesday) since health experts began tracking in March.
It’s a modest number, considering neighboring counties are in the hundreds, but recent spikes are the more important trend to watch, given that schools decide in-person learning based on the rate of increase. (See the related story).
In-person learning is appropriate if there are fewer…
By Lori Sorenson
August 04, 2020
Local leaders interested in filing for office have until Tuesday, Aug. 11, to throw their hats in the ring.
This applies to open seats in school boards, all Rock County municipalities except Luverne and townships that hold their elections in November.
Following are the local government seats open for election and the incumbents currently serving:
Beaver Creek:
Mayor: Josh Teune (has refiled)…
By Mavis Fodness
August 04, 2020
Parents in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District want their students to return to in-person instruction this fall and the state’s Safe Learning Plan may allow their return.
H-BC Superintendent Todd Holthaus said Gov. Walz’s Friday announcement allows the individual school districts to decide which of three learning models will be in use at the elementary and secondary schools.
“We have the tools…
August 04, 2020
As the primary election nears, the Minnesota Legislature extended the expiration dates of driver’s licenses and identification cards in response to the peacetime emergency.
Effective March 29, the expiration date for driver’s licenses and identification cards that expire during the peacetime public health emergency or anytime in the month the emergency ends are extended.
The expiration dates are…
August 04, 2020
Luverne’s new Subway building seemed to spring up overnight once construction started in earnest this summer.
Franchisee Jeremy Jalas purchased the 85-by-287-square-foot lot in 2017 from Elbers, between the real estate office and Howling Dog.
The new building on South Highway will have drive-through service.
Luverne Subway is one of nine franchises Jalas operates in Minnesota and Iowa.
August 04, 2020
The 69th Annual Luverne Country Club Women’s Club Tournament was played Saturday at LCC. Mary Jo Graphenteen of Luverne, third from left, won her third consecutive club tournament title and fourth overall club championship. Luverne’s Jen Stratton, left, was the low net winner. Wendy Evink of Edgerton, second from left, won the first flight and Maren Tollefson of Luverne, far right, won the second…
By Jason Berghorst
August 04, 2020
Two Rock County men’s fast pitch softball teams competed at state softball tournaments Aug. 1 and 2.
Both the Beaver Creek and Steen teams finished as runners-up during the weekend tournaments.
Beaver Creek played at the South Dakota state tournament in Sioux Falls. The team went 3-2 in the tournament, losing to Scarlett’s 9-1 in the championship tilt.
Steen took the field at the Minnesota State…
August 04, 2020
On Aug. 18 at 1 p.m., the U of M Extension will host a virtual Cover Crop Field Day, “Setting up for Success.”
Through this live webinar, researchers and educators will highlight U of M research that provides management tips and considerations to help farmers and ag professionals successfully incorporate cover crops into Minnesota cropping systems.
The program will run from 1 to 2:…
August 04, 2020
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is aware that people across the country have received unsolicited packages of seed from China in recent days.
APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from…