Eleven months after dirt work began for the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek, workers are focused on the inside infrastructure for the 57,4
The Luverne Planning and Zoning Commission hosted a public hearing Monday night for the purpose of reviewing a draft ordinance regulating cannabis business zoning.
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…
More than 1,200 eggs were “hidden” on the grounds of the Cidery at Blackshire Farms in Beaver Creek Saturday morning. Within a few minutes, they were hunted down and taken home in colorful buckets and baskets by dozens of local families and children. The event was sponsored by HBCS - Helping Build Communities Stronger.
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…
National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and environmentalist Jim Brandenburg died last week at age 79.
While the art and nature world last week lost a legendary creator, Rock County residents who knew Brandenburg lost a native son.
“I don't think about Jim first as the famous wildlife photographer that he became,” said Randy Creeger, who grew up with Brandenburg in Luverne.
“I think of him…
Eleven months after dirt work began for the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek, workers are focused on the inside infrastructure for the 57,400 square-foot facility. Project manager Michael Beach with R.A. Morton Construction Managers of St. Cloud said a couple weeks of work was lost due to the extreme cold this winter, but on Monday various trades were busy making up for…
A 5,400-panel solar array is now producing electricity for Premium Minnesota Pork in Luverne.
An interconnection agreement with the city of Luverne Municipal Utilities was signed in March, putting the wheels in motion for production to begin.
The agreement provides PMP an interconnection at “the point of common coupling” and operates a distributed energy resource with a nameplate of 1.2…
The Luverne Planning and Zoning Commission hosted a public hearing Monday night for the purpose of reviewing a draft ordinance regulating cannabis business zoning.
Planning and Zoning members and city staff met Thursday in a work session to draft the ordinance, and Monday night’s public hearing was part of the required process for implementing the ordinance.
Three members of the public attended…