Minnesota
- By Lori Sorenson, editorJuly 23, 2025Bids for a new Rural Water tower recently came in 30 to 50 percent higher than the engineer’s estimate, due to tariffs on imported steel. “The increase in steel prices enlarged the cost of the water tower significantly and caused a deficit between the grant award and the low bid,” Kyla Branick, an engineer with Banner Associates, wrote in a July 10 memo to the Rural Water Board. “This sharp…
By Lori SorensonJuly 23, 2025Workers direct one-lane traffic on County Road 4 west of Luverne Friday as the mill-off and overlay project continues between Luverne and County Road 11 (the Steen blacktop). Duininck Inc. is the contractor for the work that includes a mill-off and overlay of County 11 between County Road 4 and Highway 270 (the blacktop that enters the east side of Hills). The Blue Mound Trail is also being…
By By Jason BerghorstJuly 23, 2025The Rock County Fair is underway at the fairgrounds in Luverne. The annual event began Wednesday, July 23, and continues through Saturday. Admission to the fair and most activities are free, except for nightly grandstand events. As usual, the fair includes many traditional elements as well as a number of new additions to the event. “Every year we work on bringing in new events to the fair…
By Lori SorensonJuly 23, 2025The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 75 that resulted in a car breaking through the east wall of the Laundry Room in Luverne. According to the accident report, driver Douglas Scheerhorn, age 62, Beaver Creek, said his sandal got stuck in the accelerator causing the 2015 Volkswagen to crash into the building where it was…- July 23, 2025July 9 •Complainant on 41st Street and 50th Avenue, Hills, reported an accident with property damage. •Rock County Sheriff’s Department assisted another department at Highway 75 and Veterans Home. •Complainant on S. Donaldson Street reported disturbing the peace. •Complainant on 164th Avenue, Edgerton, reported lost/found property. •Complainant on 161st Street reported suspicious activity.…
By Lori SorensonJuly 23, 2025On Tuesday, July 15, Rock County Opportunities hosted a Summer Crafts with Watermelon event at the Plaza on Main. The organization invited families and children to participate in “puffy paint chalk,” bubbles, coloring sheets and other outdoor crafts while enjoying fresh watermelon under the shelter. According to organizers the event was well-attended despite the heat and they went through 2 ½…- By Betty MannJuly 23, 2025The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on March 7, 1963. Hills had voting machine company in early 1900s Remember when C.S. Bruce and August Rathjen ran for county auditor of Rock county? Or when John Lind ran on the democratic ticket for governor of Minnesota? He was opposed by Samuel Van Sant on the Republican ticket and Brent Haugen on the prohibition ticket that year. Chances…
July 23, 2025Bryan Fodness, age 67, of Hardwick, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident that took place on Friday, July 11, 2025. Visitation will be Friday, July 25, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, Minnesota, with a…
By Mavis FodnessJuly 17, 2025In just over an hour, more than 15,000 hot dogs were consumed during the 63rd annual Hot Dog Night Thursday, July 10, in Luverne. Dozens of businesses cooked hot dogs and offered various toppings for the free hot dogs and buns to anyone who wanted one. Activities occurred throughout the day including youth 3-on-3 basketball games, Hinkly House tours, free inflatables, tae kwon do demonstrations…- By Lori SorensonJuly 16, 2025The Luverne Planning and Zoning Commission approved another conditional use permit application for cannabis licensing following a public hearing Tuesday, July 8. However, given the proposed dispensary’s proximity to another planned dispensary across the street, it may not be feasible due to the Luverne cannabis ordinance that requires a 1,000-foot buffer between retail cannabis businesses.…
By Lori SorensonJuly 16, 2025Rock County Historian Betty Mann threw out the opening pitch ahead of Friday night’s game between the Luverne Redbirds and the Brandon Belugas. For the casual “Nutcracker Base Race” game during Luverne’s Nutcracker Fest weekend, the Redbirds became the “Luverne Nutcrackers,” donning special nutcracker-themed jerseys. Luverne ended up beating Brandon 5-2 at Redbird Field, but for a moment, 95-…- By Lori SorensonJuly 16, 2025The criminal case for Luverne’s R G Hensley is on hold, pending an examination to determine if the 81-year-old is able to understand the proceedings of his case. Hensley, Luverne, is facing felony charges of first-degree and second-degree criminal sexual conduct for illegal acts that allegedly occurred repeatedly between 2007 and 2017. Hensley appeared in Rock County District Court Monday for…
By Mavis FodnessJuly 16, 2025Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary teacher Isabel Sylvanie spent three days last week getting students excited about art. Sylvanie conducted “Summer Art Adventure,” her first class offering through the school’s community education program. “The district wanted to offer more activities other than sports,” Sylvanie said. “Students get creative experiences through the school year, and now they can get…
July 16, 2025Shirley Marcene Reisdorfer, of Magnolia, died Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home in Luverne. She was born January 30, 1936, on a farm near George, Iowa, to Jerry and Martha (Runge) Harr. Her mother later married Ted Voss. She attended public school in George, Iowa, and Rushmore before graduating from Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Wilmont. Shirley married…- July 16, 2025A Celebration of Life service to honor the life and legacy of Melvin “Mel” Melzer, age 97, of Windom, formerly of Luverne, will be held at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom on Wednesday, July 23, at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation and gathering from 10-11 a.m. Mel Melzer passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025, at Windom Area Health in Windom. Arrangements are under the…
- July 16, 2025Wayne Michelsen, age 92, of Magnolia, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Sanford USD Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Visitation will be an hour prior. Interment with military honors will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Arrangements…
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