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  • By Lori Sorenson
    June 11, 2025
    Luverne’s annual four-day Buffalo Days weekend enjoyed spectacular weather and near record participation. Thursday night’s Tour de LOOP attracted 288 riders and Friday night’s cruise-in had over 280 vehicles that were registered. Saturday morning’s Buffalo Days Run 4A Cause attracted roughly 100 people at the Luverne City Park, and 80 entries participated in the Buffalo Days Parade, some with…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    June 11, 2025
    Traditionally fire trucks lead parades, but in the case of Friendship Days in Hills, firemen are the 2025 parade marshals. “We chose the Hills Fire Department because it’s a big anniversary of 120 years in Rock County,” said Joey Streeter. Streeter is president of HBCS (Helping Build Community Stronger), the volunteer community organizers of Friendship Days. The Hills Area Fire Department has…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    June 11, 2025
    The Luverne Planning and Zoning Commission approved four of five conditional use permit applications for cannabis licensing following a public hearing Monday night. At the start of the hearing, the commission allowed for public comment, and Ken Vos approached the microphone. In addition to asking about setbacks and hours of operation, he shared a personal observation. “For the last 20 to 25…
  • By Jason Berghorst
    June 11, 2025
    A facade improvement project request for the former Sterling’s building was approved by the Luverne Economic Development Authority (LEDA) Monday. The building owners, Arcade Building LLC, were approved for a grant of $18,788 and a loan of $18,788 at a rate of 4 percent for seven years. LEDA member Ryan DeBates abstained from the vote. The $53,680 total project will add a commercial entrance…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    June 11, 2025
    Three members of the Luverne High School student council have appealed to school board members to reinstate free event admission to senior high students. The board may address that request at their next meeting on June 17. Incoming Student Council President Tyler Hodge and council representatives Xander Carbonneau and Olivia Lund asked to make their request at the board’s May 22 community input…
  • June 11, 2025
    Sharon Zinnel was honored as the Quilter of the Year and her quilts were featured at the Blue Mound Quilt Show at the Hinkly House during Buffalo Days weekend. The Blue Mound Quilters honored Zinnel for her creativity and technical skills and for her contributions for the betterment of Rock County through volunteer hours. “As many women of her generation, she was the family's seamstress. She…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    June 11, 2025
    The Kids Rock! Child Care Center in Luverne received a $60,000 gift, thanks to two local banks who applied for grant funding through Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Minnwest Bank and First Farmers & Merchants Bank received grants through FHLB that will be used for operation support for the Kids Rock! Child Care Center Inc. The funds will be used to buy additional supplies, toys,…
  • June 11, 2025
    Ally, a 12-year-old lab-retriever mix, retired this spring after working five years in Luverne Elementary School as a certified therapy dog. Her human companion, school counselor Marie Atkinson Smeins, would bring her to school two to three days a week to help with students where needed.
  • June 11, 2025
    This year the event featured five characters from Rock County’s past. Above, Cody and Nicole Henrichs portray Neil and Jessie Roberts. Sheriff Roberts held his position in local law enforcement for many years, and his wife, Jessie, was popular for the meals she cooked for jail inmates. The event is a fundraiser for the Rock County Historical Society, which accepts donations to help offset costs…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    June 11, 2025
    The Blue Mound Tower apartment units will soon undergo a major rehabilitation, thanks to funding through Minnesota Housing. The $1 million project will address plumbing issues, elevator maintenance and other repairs for the 70-unit apartment building in Luverne. Funds were secured through the Publicly Owned Housing Program (POHP) a state-funded program that rehabilitates and preserves public…
  • June 11, 2025
    Work on a three-story play system was completed last week and is ready for visitors to Jacobson Park in Hills. A smaller play system was also assembled at The Rez. The work was completed through Dakota Playscapes of Sioux Falls. The Hills City Council approved the purchase of both play systems in September 2024 at a cost of $135,600.
  • June 11, 2025
    Quarter 4 H-BC A Honor Roll Seniors: Sawyer Bosch, Gracie Fagerness, Augustus Jacobson, Jack Moser, Harli Rozeboom, Ashton Taubert, Johnathan Tiesler, Amber Wiersema. Juniors: Mya Erickson, Abigayl Olson. Sophomores: Brynn Bakken, Katelyn Chesley, Edward Duncan, Makynzie Hellerud, Hailey Moser, Ava Rainford, Reagan Spath, Ava Steinhoff, Tryg Tollefson. Freshmen: Aspyn Bartels, Kersi Billet…
  • June 11, 2025
    Luverne A Honor Roll Seniors: Keaton Ahrendt, Payton Behr, Zachary Brown, Kaitlin Conger, Trevor DeBates, Marcos Diaz, Owen Janiszeski, William Johnson, Caitlin Kindt, Brianna Kinsinger, Linkon Knorr, Nora Louwagie, Andrea Luitjens, Xavier McKenzie, Emma Nath, Gemma Nath, Janica Oechsle, Corynn Oye, Hallie Pergande, Katherine Pizel, Ella Reisdorfer, Maria Rops, Layne Sasker, Carter Sehr, Hannah…
  • June 09, 2025
    Wyatt VanSteenberg celebrates 3 years at the Star Herald office on June 6. He answered a few questions about his time at the Star Herald. 1.     How did your journey with the Star Herald start? I saw a help wanted ad in the paper and applied for the job. 2.     Can you make a comparison between then and now? What was your role in the beginning, and where are you at right now?   Compared to…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    June 04, 2025
    Luverne’s ethanol plant will resume production this fall after a three-year operating hiatus. Gevo Inc., in a May 28 press release, announced the $7 million sale to A.E. Innovation LLC. A.E. Innovation is the purchasing company established by the plant’s original developers, Agri-Energy LLC. Dave Kolsrud is a principal with A.E. Innovation and the original plant developers Agri-Energy, which…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    June 04, 2025
    Before the Kids Rock! Child Care Center opened its doors Monday, the facility located on Round Wind Road in Luverne hosted a public open house. The May 28 event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the city of Luverne and Kids Rock! board of directors. Opening of the public -private venture was a long time in coming, according to Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian. “For over 10 years, elected leaders…
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