Editorials
- December 05, 2022The Luverne Area Chamber’s annual meeting is Monday night, and it will be a time for board members, businesses and individuals to reflect on the organization’s mission and accomplishments. Looking at the agenda, it appears the past year has seen a dizzying level of community events to promote the town. For example, in 2022 the Chamber and its partners: ·Welcomed approximately 6,000 visitors to…
- By Jessica Campos, Center for Rural AffairsNovember 29, 2022This holiday season, pitching in to support a small business may be easier than you think. Many small towns are proud to feature a vibrant main street, and rightfully so. Busy storefronts are a sign of activity and growth. They also indicate strong community support. But not every small business gets their start in a brick-and-mortar location. With the popularity of online shopping, more small…
- November 21, 2022The Rock County Star Herald is again facilitating a holiday campaign to send Christmas greetings to deployed military men and women serving the United States around the world. After the first campaign in 2019, more than 600 letters were mailed through the Star Herald’s lighted display in the city park. We are again collecting letters for service people at our lighted display at the park, and…
- By Sue Abderholden, director, Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental IllnessNovember 15, 2022World Kindness Day was Nov.13, a day that more than ever before needs recognition. Here at NAMI Minnesota, we’ve been promoting “Space and grace,” to give others space to err, to be upset or mad. It means giving others grace so that our response to them is not filled with anger or frustration. When we respond with grace and space, we actually feel better – because we have responded with kindness…
- October 25, 2022Politics have a way of bringing out the worst in people, and that’s never been truer than in the wake of the 2020 election. Online conspiracy theories and unfounded allegations of voter fraud are still widely believed by many who feel their candidates had their elections “stolen” from them. We’ve grown accustomed to reading these sentiments on social media and even in a few random letters to the…
- October 18, 2022We at the Star Herald take seriously our role in educating voters as they navigate their options for the Nov. 8 General Election. In the Luverne School District, voters will choose school board members from a crowded ballot of 18 candidates, and residents in Ward 2 of the City of Luverne will choose one of two candidates seeking to represent them on the Luverne City Council. Voters in the cities…
- By Kari Voss-Drost, Southwest Crisis Center assistant directorOctober 11, 2022This past weekend I was in line at a concession stand when a guy standing behind me started harassing the woman at the front of the line. As he did so, he laughed and rhetorically asked, “If you can’t verbally abuse your neighbor, who can you?” The answer is, “No one.” Whether it is verbal, physical, sexual or psychological, violence and abuse is never OK. Now, I understand that the man thought…
- By Sue Abderholden, director, Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental IllnessOctober 04, 2022Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 3-8. It’s a time to raise awareness of mental illnesses, fight discrimination and provide support to people whose lives have been impacted. This year it takes on significant importance because so many people are experiencing poor mental health due to the impact of the pandemic. Anxiety and depression have increased dramatically. We can see the angst in our…
- September 27, 2022Everything’s coming up Thumbs Up this week in the Star Herald’s Thumbs-Up, Thumbs-Down editorial. Thumbs up — to Fairway Meat Market and their grand opening. This business is clearly a class act, from its bow-tie-sporting manager to its attractive meat cases fully stocked with mouth-watering meats and groceries. Thumbs up — to PrairiE Loft apartments for their steady construction progress and now…
- September 20, 2022It warms my heart to see Carson’s young friends rallying to remember him and raise money in Carson’s name to help others. I love them for this, but I cautioned them against glamorizing Carson’s life amid their loss. We need to avoid the suggestion that suicide is a noble way to escape burdens. Carson was indeed a special soul who had many reasons to live, but he was much like his 20-something…
- September 13, 2022Ready or not, the 2022 election season is upon us, and by next week, early voting will be available for those interested in doing so. If they haven’t been paying attention, Luverne School District voters will be surprised and a little overwhelmed by a list of 18 candidates vying for five open seats on the Luverne School Board. There are 15 seeking election to four open seats with four-year terms…
- September 06, 2022Dear Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan and members of the Minnesota House and Senate: As associations representing the state’s local partners – its school districts, counties, cities, and townships, encompassing all citizens of our state – we are aware of the significant challenges and needs local leaders face amid an uncertain economy and the ongoing effects of the pandemic. During the 2022…
- By Craig Oftedahl, Luverne Public Schools SuperintendentAugust 30, 2022Staff encouraged to ‘know’ each and every student Superintendent Craig Oftedahl addressed employees at Luverne Public Schools Monday morning in preparation for the 2022-2023 school year, opening on Sept. 6. In his annual address to all staff members, Oftedahl encouraged them to make “Cardinal Connections.” To illustrate his message, the names of the 1,200 students were typed on a sheet of paper…
- August 23, 2022Eighteen candidates seeking election to five open seats on the Luverne School Board is a testament to the spirit of local leadership and interest in the future of the district and its students. With this many candidates on the ballot, the heightened interest in voting will also shine a spotlight on the quality of education in our district. Luverne boasts a talented staff that rivals any in the…
- August 16, 2022Maybe it’s the barometric pressure, or maybe we didn’t receive enough happy “thumbs” from readers, but this week we’re all down in the thumbs. Thumbs down — to bicycle riders on Main Street sidewalks. The painted red circles with a line through a bike are fading at downtown intersections, but common sense would suggest it’s unsafe for bicyclists to whiz by storefront doors where pedestrians could…
- By Angela Nolz, walk chair, Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention WalkAugust 09, 2022Luverne will host its second annual ‘Out of the Darkness’ suicide prevention walk on Sept. 10 following an amazing outpouring of support for our walk last year. The Luverne community has been known to lend a hand in hardship and prides itself in the health and sustainability of the community. Our goal is to ensure the mental health of this community is also considered. We want to provide support…
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