A rollercoaster of temperatures descended on the area this weekend after a warm, foggy and brown Christmas. Saturday’s temperatures reached 49 degrees before a strong weather front dropped an inch of snow and blizzard conditions throughout the day Sunday.

Hardwick native Sam Hansen spent his 78th birthday (Nov. 12) transporting Luverne Public School students to and from school, a job he’s done for the past 60 years, and he’s not giving it up anytime soon.

Commissioners approved pay increases for county employees at their last meeting of 2025 on Dec. 16.

The increases take effect Jan. 1.

Most of the increases follow the 3-percent cost of living increase approved for the Rock County Highway Department union employees.

City of Luverne union employees are negotiating a new contract that will be in effect for the next three years.

Meanwhile, at their Dec. 18 meeting the City Council approved 2.25-percent step increases for eligible non-union, administrative and department heads.

Rock County Library Board will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13. This meeting is open to all.

Blue Mounds State Park offers events

In the following, I am highlighting my “Top 5 Ag Topics for 2025,” based on issues that were discussed in my columns throughout the year.