Minnesota

Fire departments from three different communities were on the scene of a grass fire north of Beaver Creek last week for over three hours last week. Multiple 911 calls came in around 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, reporting large flames getting close the house, buildings and grove at 575 121st Street, Beaver Creek. The acreage is home to Evan and Denae Meinerts, and initial reports were that the…

At their regular meeting Tuesday, April 8, Luverne City Council members adopted ordinances regulating cannabis businesses and zoning. The latest ordinance is based on Minnesota statutes and includes laws for local government authority, laws for local registration and enforcement, laws for public use restrictions and more. It requires cannabis retail businesses to register with the city before…

Two probationary teachers were cut Thursday night, April 10, in a special meeting of the Luverne School Board. The meeting focused on eliminating more than $1 million from the 2025-26 budget. Luverne’s operating budget in 2024 was $21 million. Board members also accepted two retirements Thursday night. Prior to the special meeting, nine full-time teachers and support staff positions were…

Hills residents have an opportunity to comment on a zoning ordinance before it is formally adopted by city council members. The public hearing will be at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Hills American Legion hall. The 71-page proposed ordinance can be viewed at the Hills City Office. Council members began the development process in December 2023 with the assistance of the Southwest Regional…

Hills City Council members declined a resident’s request to own chickens within the city limits. Kylie Ganun met with council members April 8, outlining the reasons why she should be allowed to house up to six hens at her South Water Avenue residence. “As the interest in sustainable living, local food sourcing and self-sufficiency continues to grow, I believe allowing chickens within city…

The Luverne School Board unanimously adopted the calendar for the 2025-26 school year, choosing a different 168-day format from the version supported by the Luverne Teachers Association (LEA). The two calendar versions presented at the Feb. 27 meeting showed several similarities: •Start/end dates of Sept. 2 through May 21, 2026. •School day hours for students from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. •Holiday…

The Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers announced winners last week in their poster contest for local fourth- and fifth-graders. More than 100 students entered original artwork showcasing corn and soybeans in Rock County, and three were selected to be displayed along roadsides in Rock County for the next year. The winning pictures were drawn by Nick Bose, Greyson Mundt and Siena Barron, each…

Members of the Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a $6,000 grant to improve the roof of a historic downtown building. At their Monday morning meeting, they reviewed a façade improvement grant application request by David and Stacy Riphagen for a roof replacement project on their building at 210 East Main Street. They are replacing a third of the roof — the portion that is above a…

Severe thunderstorm warnings have been added as a reason severe weather sirens will sound in local communities. Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge recommended the change to the community alert system because of the similar dangerous conditions of hail, high winds and heavy rains. “We clearly get more property damage and the potential for personal injury during severe thunderstorm warnings,” he…

Luverne native Carter Headrick was recently honored by Minnesota State University Moorhead with the Dragon Impact Award for his work in “using compelling stories to shape public health policy nationwide.” The award recognizes outstanding individuals aged 36-55 who exemplify the “power of education, embody Minnesota State Moorhead’s spirit, and have significantly impacted their communities.”…

The seventh annual Love the Burger Battle, sponsored by the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association, starts Monday, April 21, and will continue through Saturday, May 31. Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association will present the Love the Burger traveling trophy to the winner of the contest at 8 p.m. on Main Street during the Buffalo Days Cruise-In Friday night, June 6. Luverne participating restaurants…

Dispatch report April 2 •Rock County Sheriff’s Office issued a weather alert. •Complainant reported a road and drive law issue eastbound on Interstate 90 at mile marker 9. April 3 •Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported suspicious activity. •Complainant on E. 4th Street in Hills reported suspicious activity. •Complainant on E. Luverne Street reported suspicious activity. April 4 •…

The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Feb. 6, 1925. First and Farmers Nationals merged Complete Reorganization effected under title of First and Farmers National Bank Capital and surplus of new bank, $150,000 Stockholders of two banks to liquidate real estate holdings and frozen assets The merging of the First National bank and the Farmers National bank of Luverne into a new…

  10 years ago (2015) •It was a record-breaking night for volunteers and fundraising coordinators at Sanford Luverne Hospice Saturday, April 11. The Blue Mound Banquet Center in Luverne accommodated a packed house of 400 people for the Annual Hospice Charity Dinner and Auction fundraiser, which featured a New Orleans and Mardi Gras theme. According to Sanford Luverne Hospice volunteer…

Minnesota lost a legend. One of the world’s most celebrated nature photographers James (Jim) Edward Brandenburg passed away peacefully at his Medina, Minnesota, home on April 4, 2025, at the age of 79. He was surrounded by his wife Judy, daughter Heidi, and granddaughter Olivia. He had been privately battling anaplastic thyroid cancer for seven months with further complications from pneumonia…

Peter Arlyn Kracht, age 59, of Steen, Minnesota, died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne. Visitation was Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service was Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Living Rock Church in Luverne. Trucks were driven to the funeral service in honor of…