Luverne celebrates Buffalo Days weekend
Luverne’s legendary Buffalo Days weekend unfolded June 4-7, ushering in the official start of summer. Lori Sorenson photos.
Filing period closes for city, county elections
Now that the filing period for county and large city elections has closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, local races have started to take shape.
Luverne group petitions to put charter amendment on ballot
A group of Luverne residents is petitioning for a city charter amendment to form a “municipal services commission” that would operate the city’s public utilities.
Al Hartz retires from Rock County Highway Department after 43-year career
When Al Hartz first applied for a job with the Rock County Highway Department in 1983, he could have hardly imagined it would be his career for more than 40 years.
Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper closes
It’s difficult to name the value of a church. Is it the number of baptisms, marriages and funerals it holds?
Cowbells opens at Highway 75 and Main
Cowbells Quality Meats & Treats opened in Luverne this week at the corner of Main Street and Highway 75 in the building formerly occupied by Fareway Meat Market.
News
June 10, 2026Luverne’s legendary Buffalo Days weekend unfolded June 4-7, ushering in the official start of summer. Lori Sorenson photos.
By Nicole RonchettiJune 10, 2026Now that the filing period for county and large city elections has closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, local races have started to take shape. Here are the candidates who are seeking election to positions in Rock County and the city of Luverne. Rock County District 2 Two candidates have filed to compete in District 2 for a seat on the Rock County Board of Commissioners. Stan Williamson,…- By Nicole RonchettiJune 10, 2026Minnesota’s candidate filing period ended at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. Here are the candidates who filed for state and federal offices affecting Rock County voters. State Senator, Dist. 21 The current senator representing District 21 in the Minnesota Senate, Bill Weber, Luverne, has announced he is not seeking reelection. The two candidates who have filed are Chris Knoll, Republican, and…
By Lori SorensonJune 10, 2026A group of Luverne residents is petitioning for a city charter amendment to form a “municipal services commission” that would operate the city’s public utilities. The proposed amendment would reallocate supervisory and rate- and fee-setting authority from the city to the commission for the city’s municipal electric, water and wastewater utilities. “We respectfully request that this proposed…- By Lori SorensonJune 10, 2026Free bison burgers will be served in the Blue Mounds State Park at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13, which is also Minnesota’s “free park day,” so visitors will not be charged admission. “The Blue Mounds State Park is a hidden treasure,” said Rick Serie with the Friends of the Blue Mounds State Park, which is hosting Saturday’s meal. “What we’re trying to accomplish is more visibility for the…
By Nicole RonchettiJune 10, 2026When Al Hartz first applied for a job with the Rock County Highway Department in 1983, he could have hardly imagined it would be his career for more than 40 years. “I grew up on a farm, I’ve always been around equipment,” he said. “In the 1980s when farming was tight, I started as a sign man who put up road signs. Hartz continued in that role for around 10 years before taking a position as a…
June 10, 2026The Blue Mound Quilters Guild hosted the annual quilt show at the Historic Hinkly House over the Buffalo Days weekend. The display featured approximately 105 quilts and 50 handmade items, such as handbags made out of feed bags, dresses, purses, hot pads, placemats, table runners and Christmas items. The group is looking for new members. It typically meets on the first Monday of the month at 2…
June 10, 2026Visitors to the Rock County History Center on Sunday were treated to performances that brought local history back into reality. The annual “Tales from the Grave” event featured stories of four notable residents in Rock County history. They included Lilly Kille, Father Francis Sampson, Captain Lenore (Sandager) Hansen, and Lt. Frank Ferguson, each brought to life by local performers. Over 100…
By Nicole RonchettiJune 10, 2026The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is adjusting its fees for fingerprinting, among other price changes. Sheriff Matthew Sorenson presented to the Rock County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, June 2, proposing an increase of fingerprinting fees from $20 to $25 for residents and up to $30 for nonresidents. He explained that wages for staff have increased and that his office has also seen an…- By Minnesota Secretary of State's OfficeJune 10, 2026As with all aspects of voter registration there are many safeguards in place to ensure only eligible voters are registered. There are only two options for vouching: •A registered voter from your precinct can vouch for you •A staff person from a facility who proves they are employed at the facility can vouch for you Providing false information is a felony offense punishable by up to five…
By Nicole RonchettiJune 10, 2026It’s difficult to name the value of a church. Is it the number of baptisms, marriages and funerals it holds? Since its congregation first formed in 1894, Trinity Lutheran Church in Jasper has held hundreds. Is it the building itself, and the faith of the community that took the chance of creating it? Jasper’s first Trinity Lutheran Church burned down in 1929, and in less than one year the…
By Lori SorensonJune 03, 2026Cowbells Quality Meats & Treats opened in Luverne this week at the corner of Main Street and Highway 75 in the building formerly occupied by Fareway Meat Market. Alongside traditional offerings of cut beef, pork, seafood, soups and breads, Cowbells offers signature desserts, including crepes, truffles and homemade ice cream. On Monday night a “soft opening” event drew dozens of people…
By Lori SorensonJune 03, 2026Organizers and volunteers working to renovate the “Smith Mercantile” building downtown continue to raise money toward a goal of opening this year. The local nonprofit, Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow (LIFT) partnered with the Southwest Initiative Foundation last year to purchase the building for $200,000. Now, a $400,000 fundraising campaign is underway to renovate the historic structure that…
By Nicole RonchettiJune 03, 2026The Luverne School District will operate with two principals instead of three following the retirement of Elementary Principal Stacy Gillette on June 30. Under the new plan, Middle School Principal Jason Phelps will transition to overseeing kindergarten through seventh grade. High School Principal Ryan Johnson will oversee eighth through 12th grades. The announcement was made as a part of…
By Nicole RonchettiJune 03, 2026Each item held up by Lt. Edison Dengler, a member of the Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, looked like an everyday object – shaving cream, pens, hair brushes and more. But each of them had been converted into stashes that could hold anything from alcohol to pills. Dengler was the law enforcement officer presenting “Hidden in Plain Sight” on May 27 at Big Top Tents and Events in…
By Nicole RonchettiJune 03, 2026Ten months after negotiations began, the Luverne School Board has reached an agreement with the teachers’ union, providing final approval during its meeting on May 28. “This was the first time that anyone can remember having to start and end a year without reaching an agreement,” said Jason Berghorst, a high school teacher and co-president of the union. But it wasn’t salary negotiations that…
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