Hardwick celebrates annual Jubilee Days
Hardwick residents and visitors celebrated the town’s annual Jubilee Days Saturday and Sunday.
Rock County among 21 included in presidential disaster declaration
Rock County is among 21 counties included in a major disaster declaration approved Friday by President Biden.
Local Soil Health experts brainstorm for options as farmers consider next steps for flooded fields
As the realities of flood damage to crops come into focus, area producers are considering options for soil that was supposed to grow corn and soybeans.
Carson's Cause Truck Meet and Classic Car Cruise attracts over 120 and raises $27,000 Saturday
The second annual Carson’s Cause Car and Truck Meet at the Verne-Drive-In attracted more than 120 vehicles and raised $27,000 for local efforts to improve brain he
Disaster declared in Rock County
Preliminary estimates are over $2 million in public infrastructure damage as a result of the June 21-22 flood event.
Some areas receive 12+ inches of rain
Multiple rounds of torrential rain in Rock County and the tri-state area created significant flooding over the past week, wreaking havoc on properties and public infrastructure.
News
- By Lori SorensonDecember 30, 2019As Rock County puts another decade in the review mirror, it’s helpful to reflect on major events — accomplishments, tragedies and community efforts that affected local residents and shaped their behaviors and leadership policies going into the next decade. It’s cliché to talk about weather in Minnesota, but in the case of recent history, it’s fair to say extreme weather events had a major impact…
- By Lori SorensonDecember 29, 2019As the Star Herald closes the books on 2019, it’s helpful to look back on the year’s top news in the ongoing quest to record county history. Weather, business developments and growth dominated headlines in 2019, in addition to setbacks and losses that test resiliency and define community spirit. Mother Nature has her way Early in the year, two major snowstorms buried the region, closing roads…
- December 22, 2019Weather conditions were just right Thursday morning, Dec. 5, in rural Rock County for hoarfrost to form on trees and other vegetation, resulting in art-like scenery, as the Ellis & Eastern train makes its way to Luverne. Temperatures were mild during the past week with daytime temperatures in the 20s and 30s with lows in the upper teens and low 20s.
- By Lori SorensonDecember 22, 2019Several properties were demolished in recent weeks as part of Luverne’s continued effort to remove blight and encourage redevelopment. The city purchased three properties this summer — two on Maple Street and one on South Highway 75 — and they were razed in the past couple of weeks. Purchase prices of the three properties totaled $65,000 and demolition costs averaged $5,000 per structure. They…
- By Mavis FodnessDecember 22, 2019Luverne Elementary’s 517 students are learning some obedience skills this month through a special instructor. Ally is a 7-year-old golden retriever/Labrador mix and is an approved therapy dog for the school. Her owner, elementary counselor Marie Atkinson-Smeins, spent months certifying her through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ally officially joined the staff this…
- By Lori SorensonDecember 22, 2019Art Aadland, Valley Springs, South Dakota, travels the country building and repairing organs, and one of his projects this year has been to service and repair the Palace Theatre organ. The 1926 Smith-Geneva is the oldest working theater organ of its make and model in the United States, and Aadland is determined to improve its sound while protecting its historic integrity. The instrument’s system…
- By Lori SorensonDecember 22, 2019Brenda Winter and DJ Luethje took their popular “Marlene and Darlene” act to the Palace Theatre stage Sunday as a fundraiser for the Generations building project. The two comedy shows, one at 2 and one at 7, attracted a total of more than 450 people and donations are still coming in for the new Generations meeting space and dining center to be built west of the current facility. Winter and…
- By Mavis FodnessDecember 22, 2019The last of six wind turbine blades were escorted through Luverne Dec. 23 on their way to the Rock County Wind Fuel project west of town. The blades, 180 feet in length, were transported by a semitrailer with special blade holding apparatus to the site 2 1/2 miles west of Luverne on County Road 4. The wind fuel project is a joint effort between Gevo Inc. and Juhl Energy Development of Chanhassen…
- By Mavis FodnessDecember 22, 2019Kinley Leuthold wore a bright blue sweatshirt Thursday, Dec. 19, with the phrase “Winning is my Business” written across the front. Ironically it was her second-grade classmates who were “winning” when Leuthold shared Rauk’s pizza with her 26 classmates at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary in Beaver Creek. In three months Leuthold accumulated 300 Patriot PRIDE points, which are awarded for positive…
- By Mavis FodnessDecember 22, 2019State officials approved a request by Luverne School officials to increase the local 2020 levy an additional $200,000. The 5.94 percent increase brings the total amount from local property owners payable in 2020 to $4.08 million, up from the preliminary levy of $3.8 million approved in October. Business manager Marlene Mann outlined the 2020 budget at the district’s Truth In Taxation hearing Dec…
- By Mavis FodnessDecember 22, 2019Debt refinancing is saving property owners in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District more than $110,000 in 2020 prompting a 7.8 percent decrease in the levy. The district will collect $1.352 million from taxpayers next year, down from $1.462 in 2019. The savings is a result of the Sept. 30 bond-refinancing sale that lowered interest rates from 4 percent to 2.1 for the next 16 years. “The board…
- By Lori SorensonDecember 22, 2019The Minnesota Board on Aging recently awarded a $72,900 grant to A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota to support its ongoing efforts to educate the public about dementia in its seven county service area. Linda Wenzel coordinates Rock County aging and volunteer services for A.C.E. and said the money will support the recently launched Dementia Network in Rock County. “We need to work together as a…
- By Lori SorensonDecember 22, 2019Luverne artist Jerry Deuschle hosted an informal artist reception Friday night at his studio for three of his students to showcase their work from the semester. Genna Rolfs, Katlyn Petronek and Rylee Gee completed an independent study course through Minnesota West Community College as a post-secondary education option. Deuschle teaches art for Minnesota West at the Jackson campus, but since the…
- December 22, 2019Luverne Elementary School fifth-graders and their parents celebrated a book reveal Wednesday, Dec. 18, in the school commons. The 80 students worked for a month on four books collaboratively with reading teachers Amy VonHoltum and Travis Bullerman. They chose a theme, wrote individual stories based on the theme, edited the writing and added illustrations to form a book.
- December 22, 2019The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently opened sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). through Feb. 28, 2020, while sign-up for continuous CRP is ongoing. Farmers and ranchers who enroll in CRP receive a yearly rental payment for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving covers, such as approved grasses or trees. The practice helps to control soil erosion, improve…
- By Lori SorensonDecember 17, 2019Despite a recent flurry of housing development in Luverne, studies show demand continues to outpace supply. New data shows a need for 267 more housing units through 2030, and more senior options could prompt turnover in existing mid-range homes that are in high demand. Luverne city leaders requested an update to their 2016 study that showed a need for 360 new housing units over 10 years. That…
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