History of Rock County Poor Farm shared during Passport Series
An audience gathered at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne to learn about the history of Rock County’s Poor Farm on Aug.
'This is not justice for Grant'
It was a crowded and somber courtroom Monday for the sentence hearing of Jayson Delfs, who was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide for the drunk driving crash that killed 47-year-old Grant
Luverne principals to team up for covering middle school
Luverne principals Ryan Johnson and Jason Phelps are getting ready for another school year, but they know that this year it will look a little different.
Celebrate the end of summer at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas this Labor Day weekend
Whether people are looking for a day trip or a full weekend, Minnesota state parks and trails have something everyone can enjoy this Labor Day weekend.
Kids Rock! Child Care director resigns following state inspection
The Kids Rock! Child Care Center in Luverne has a new director following an annual inspection of licensed childcare centers for compliance with state health, safety and education standards.
Sen. Klobuchar tours Kids Rock! Child Care Center Tuesday
U.S. Senator and Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Amy Kchildcare facility in Luverne Tuesday morning, taking time to greet staff members and read children’s books to toddlers.
News
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 03, 2026An audience gathered at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne to learn about the history of Rock County’s Poor Farm on Aug. 24, as a part of the Rock County Historical Society’s America 250 Passport Series. Betty Mann said the poor farm was constructed in 1894 on West Warren Street near the current Maplewood Cemetery west of Luverne. It operated until 1948, offering a place for the less fortunate or…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026It was a crowded and somber courtroom Monday for the sentence hearing of Jayson Delfs, who was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide for the drunk driving crash that killed 47-year-old Grant Crawford of rural Jasper. Delfs, 23, Hardwick, entered a guilty plea Aug. 17 after a plea agreement that dismissed a third-degree murder charge and a second charge of vehicular homicide. According to…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026Rock County crops are showing increasing signs of distress as rainfall continues to elude southwest Minnesota. According to the latest digital measurements, most of Rock County is 7 to 8 inches shy of its normal rainfall totals, having received only 13 to 16 inches so far this year. That compares with a 30-year average yearly rainfall of nearly 30 inches in Rock County. The U.S. Drought…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 02, 2026Luverne principals Ryan Johnson and Jason Phelps are getting ready for another school year, but they know that this year it will look a little different. After the retirement of elementary principal Stacy Gillette early this year, the school district elected to restructure its three-principal model down to two. “I’m the sixth through 12th grade principal, and Mr. Phelps is the kindergarten…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026Most Rock County residents have never struggled to put food on the table or lived one car breakdown or medical bill away from homelessness. While privilege is a blessing, it can cloud the lens of empathy and hamper local response for meaningful solutions. That’s why the Rock County nonprofit Luv1LuvAll is hosting a community event, Understanding Poverty, on Oct. 6, at the American Reformed…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 02, 2026The Hills City Council voted against allowing three farmers to remove their agricultural lands from city limits in an ongoing dispute between the landowners and the city. The council’s decision was made unanimously during its meeting on July 14, contesting the farmers’ request. Now it’s up to the farmers whether to take the issue to court. Background The precipitating events to the council’s…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026The city of Luverne and airport staff hosted the annual fly-in and drive-in breakfast at the Luverne Municipal Airport Saturday under partially overcast skies and breezy conditions. The event attracted roughly 550 people, including 90 classic car drivers and more than 10 aircraft, including the Sanford AirMed helicopter. The morning included an all-you-can-eat pancake-and-sausage breakfast (a…
September 02, 2026When students in Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek school districts return to class next week, they’ll be greeted by familiar staff and also new faces in the classrooms. Luverne’s newest teachers are (from left) Jeanette Vanden Hoek, high school chemistry; Brooklyn Ver Steeg, elementary physical education; Cody Henrichs, middle school and high school art; and Shayla Rainford, middle school and high…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026“Amazing,” is how Chantel Connell describes what it’s been like to return to her job at the Announcer and Star Herald in Luverne. “I’m enjoying myself,” she said. “I’m visiting with my old clients. Getting back in my groove.” And she’s getting hugs. Which isn’t surprising, considering the relationships she built over 20 years of calling on clients. Connell returned to newspaper sales this…
September 02, 2026Luverne native Jennifer Iveland was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. The promotion took place Aug. 3 in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, where her parents, Dan and Deb Iveland, and her husband, Matthew Knutson, attended. Her parents and husband were involved in the pinning ceremony, removing the pins from each shoulder designating her as a major and replacing…- September 02, 2026Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison last week joined a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit against the United States Postal Service (USPS) challenging its new rule that purports to grant USPS the authority to regulate mail voting in elections. On Aug. 27, a federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily blocked the USPS from enforcing rules that would have required states to overhaul…
By MN DNRSeptember 02, 2026Whether people are looking for a day trip or a full weekend, Minnesota state parks and trails have something everyone can enjoy this Labor Day weekend. “For those looking to savor the last bit of Minnesota summer, state parks and trails have so many opportunities to get outside,” said Ann Pierce, director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Trails Division. “During the…
September 02, 2026Luverne Public Schools and regional educators recently expanded hands-on STEM education in rural Minnesota with the launch of RESEPI — the Rural Experiential STEM Education Partnership Initiative. Luverne hosted Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU), South Central Service Cooperative (SCSC), Southwest West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC) for the launch event Aug. 24. The event was an…
September 02, 2026The Brandenburg siblings celebrated a combined 243 years of marriage at Revel Kitchen and Cocktails in Luverne on Aug. 19. Brothers Everett, Larry and Gary Brandenburg and sister Audrey Jansen and their spouses all have summer anniversaries and get together annually to celebrate. Everett and Jan (Nelson) Brandenburg of Luverne celebrated 71 years of their wedding day in Luverne on Aug. 7,…
By Lori SorensonAugust 26, 2026The Kids Rock! Child Care Center in Luverne has a new director following an annual inspection of licensed childcare centers for compliance with state health, safety and education standards. The inspection resulted in more than two dozen infractions, and assistant director Andrea Smith has replaced outgoing director Sara Robinson to ensure the concerns are addressed. Kids Rock! Board president…
August 26, 2026U.S. Senator and Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Amy Kchildcare facility in Luverne Tuesday morning, taking time to greet staff members and read children’s books to toddlers. Kin securing funding for the facility, successfully advocating for $2.6 million in federal financing for the project. Now the childcare center offers services for infants through school-age students, and is licensed to…
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