opinion
- By Rev. Ed Borchardt, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church HardwickJune 03, 2026I’m not clear the number of phones I have owned. I recall my first cell phone was an actual phone in a carry bag that could be used in a vehicle. I thought this would be my first and last phone. After all, could it get any better? Indeed it has. From that first phone to a flip phone. I felt as if I was on the “Star Ship Enterprise!” “Beam me up Scotty!” Then came a phone with internet, texting…
By Nicole RonchettiMay 27, 2026If you had asked me a few weeks ago whether a theater production of “The Hobbit” could capture the heart and the whimsy of Tolkien’s original book, I would have said, “Maybe, but it’d be tough.” If you had told me that the adaptation was set in a post-apocalyptic 2056, I would have said, “Never in a million years.” I am, against my better judgement, a bit of a Tolkien purist. So, when I sat…- By Star Herald EditorialMay 27, 2026The Minnesota Department of Human Services reports that 9,070 children and youth experienced out-of-home care in 2025. Of those 63% are in greater Minnesota. Children’s Home, a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and longtime leader in foster care and adoption, is seeking additional foster parents to care for children in need. “Statewide, there is a shortage of foster families…
- By Anthony Gacke, Rural LuverneMay 27, 2026To the editor: We the taxpayers and electricity users paid for an auto start on the generators and it appears that we do not need it according to City Administrator Jill Wolf. Her statement in the April 30 Star Herald article stated the L&O notifies the power plant/city how long the outage will be and if they should turn on their generators. She also stated that these generators cost a…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMay 27, 2026Question: Did I hear something about a new law about stopping for school buses? Answer: In March 2026, Minnesota law changed to require drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus whenever the red lights are flashing. The stop arm does not need to be fully extended. This new requirement aims to remove confusion and clarify expectations for every driver on the road. WHAT CHANGED…- By Joshua Hayden, Pastor of Living Rock Church in LuverneMay 27, 2026I have been thinking about the word “rest” for a couple months now as I have been preparing for a season of rest. The leadership and members of Living Rock Church have gifted me a sabbatical this summer. A sabbatical, if you are unfamiliar with it, is a time of rest, replenishment, and to refocus on what God has called you to as a pastor. Here are some observations I have made from my own…
- By Tom GetmanMay 20, 2026What does one who is in public life in a nation’s capital do when despair undermines hope? Often discouragement abounds from exceptionalist imperialistic governance, illegal warring foreign policy, lack of support for beleaguered farmers, with many communities suffering emergencies without adequate relief. There is heartbreak because of diminished attention to suffering people oppressed at…
By RIck Peterson, general managerMay 20, 2026This is my last column for the month of May. I have June and July left and then I step away from the computer on my July 31 retirement date. Before I do step away, we have two very busy months ahead. Last week we published the 2026 Business Directory. This week’s Star Herald will have the 2026 Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek Graduation special edition. Then in early June the Arts and Academic…- By Roger Elgersma, PipestoneMay 20, 2026To the Editor: When I talk to people about when Jacob Wetterling was raped and murdered, if they were his age they immediately emphatically say, ‘that is when it all changed.’ Previously kids would go on bike rides as a group and stop at a community park and chose sides for a softball game on their own. Jacob and his brother and friend were out on a bike ride on a summer evening when they…
By Wyatt VanSteenbergMay 20, 2026Spring may finally be upon us with a recent string of mild, sunny weather. That got me thinking about things that we take for granted here in Rock County that people in bigger cities may not get to experience. The first one is as simple as smelling the fresh air when you go outside or after a good spring rain. Obviously when farmers are laying fertilizer — especially manure — the smell might…- By Manda Seensma, NextGen Pastor of Rock River Community ChurchMay 20, 2026Seasons are changing, and it’s time to rummage! Do you associate spring with rummage sales, garage sales, or even junk days? Apparently, there is a difference between a rummage sale and a garage sale. A quick internet search for “what is a rummage sale” shows that a rummage sale is a sale of donated, miscellaneous second-hand items—such as clothing, household goods, toys, and books—organized to…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMay 13, 2026Question: In my community and on my daily commute I encounter two roundabouts each morning, others that I work with will encounter three roundabouts in less than five minutes. Please use your platform to remind drivers how to safely and properly use a roundabout. I see, almost on a daily basis, drivers physically stop their vehicle for other drivers that have not even entered the roundabout.…- By Star Herald EditorialMay 13, 2026During Mental Health Awareness Month, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is encouraging conversations around mental health in agriculture and reminding farmers that support, and resources are available. Farming is a rewarding yet high-pressure profession. From volatile markets and unpredictable weather to long hours and diverse daily responsibilities, the challenges farmers and ranchers face can…
By Lori SorensonMay 13, 2026As the child of a farmer, wife of a farmer and mother of a farmer, this week’s Farm Bureau editorial content resonated with me. Farming is among the most physically and mentally hazardous occupations in the world, yet farmers are the least likely to reach out for care when they need it. That’s partly due to high-deductible health insurance that makes you think twice before scheduling an…- By Pastor Andrew Palmquist, Bethany Lutheran ChurchMay 13, 2026The mother gazes down at the baby snuggled close to her breast. For a moment, their eyes lock. In that brief instant a bond is made; a love is expressed without words. She is his, and he is hers. A loving, timeless phenomenon that we all understand. It is a tender scene that many of us have witnessed. This also is a beautiful image that God uses to express his abundant love for us. “Can a…
- By Star Herald EditorialMay 06, 2026May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the prevention, symptoms, and treatment of tick-borne illnesses as tick activity increases with warmer weather. Key efforts focus on educating the public to avoid infections, which can cause serious long-term health issues if left untreated. LymeDisease.org offers the following tips for prevention and awareness: …
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