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.
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
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.
Construction on the long-awaited Towne Square Development Project on South Highway 75 will begin this spring, according to action at the March 9 City Council meeting.
Council members approved a development agreement with Alvin Johnson of Town Square LLC to construct two 27-unit apartment buildings on the former Sharkee’s and Mert’s property that the city owns.
The agreement stipulates items the…
After a planned 30 years in law enforcement, Lori Halsne of Luverne hung up her maroon and tan uniform of the Minnesota State Patrol Feb. 12, her 50th birthday.
Halsne entered law enforcement when few women chose policing as a career. She credits positive role models for her choice.
As a teenager growing up in Ruthton, she rode along with a classmate’s father, a deputy sheriff with Pipestone…
Rock County residents woke to a white world Monday morning after nearly 7 inches blanketed the area with a heavy wet snow. Whether that was a good or bad thing depended on who was asked. It was hard work to shovel the stuff, but for students sledding west of the elementary school that afternoon, the snow was a good thing. Luverne Middle School sixth-graders spent time after e-learning lessons…
Rock County and southwest Minnesota residents are steadily finding increased access to the COVID-19 vaccine, according to local public health officials.
Last week the vaccination priority groups were expanded to the second and third tiers of Phase 1b. Tier 1 of Phase 1b included people 65 years and older, teachers and child care providers.
Phase 1a included health care workers, long-term care…
Eighteen Rock County businesses received $180,000 in Small Business Relief Grants last year, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced earlier this month.
State legislators created the program last June and distributed $61.51 million statewide.
“We know that small businesses have suffered the most during this pandemic, so this program was designed to help them,”…
Four juveniles are facing criminal charges in connection with holiday vandalism of Christmas displays at the Luverne City Park, in addition to assault and damage to numerous other properties around town.
According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, the teens are accused of multiple crimes — some of them felonies — ranging from damage to property to assault with a dangerous weapon.
The Rock…
The Rock County Historical Society Board of Directors has authorized the reforming of the Rock County Hall of Fame Committee, and new members are sought for input.
The purpose of the committee is to recognize the accomplishments of the many men and women —great and near-great — who at one time in their lives had a significant identity with Rock County, Minnesota.
Their achievement comes from all…
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board approved the 2021-22 calendar at their March 9 meeting with half of the district’s teachers supporting the choice.
In her staff development committee report, director Tami Rauk said teachers were presented three different calendars and were asked to vote on their preference.
“Fifty percent of the vote supported the one chosen,” she said.
Classes for the…
Four wind production companies operating in Rock County in 2020 will pay taxes totaling $792,327, according to information at the March 2 commissioners’ meeting.
That’s about $58,032 higher than 2019 ($734,295) but down $104,102 from the high of $896,429 collected in 2015.
The county will keep 80 percent of the tax, payable May 15, with the remaining 20 percent divided among the townships where…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline from March 5 to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program because of recent winter storms and some clarifications to program rules.
This program assists producers who suffered crop quality losses due to qualifying 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.
“Because of recent winter storms and…
The Luverne Rotary Club recognized three Luverne Middle School students as winners in the annual Four-Way Test essay contest for 2021.
Wed Kadhim, the daughter of Tareq Abdulhasan and Raghad Haddad, was selected as this year’s essay winner. Kadhim earned $75 for his winning effort.
His essay titled “Social Media” will be entered in the district essay contest. His winning essay is printed below.…
Minnesota West Community & Technical College has been recognized as one of the Top 47 Colleges in the State of Minnesota for 2021 by Intelligent.com.
The top college picks by Intelligent.com are affordable, respected, and flexible.
These rankings are based on assessments of over 153 universities and colleges along with comparisons of over 344 educational programs.
Colleges that have made this…
The Minnesota DNR on Monday released three possible designs for the former state park interpretive center site that was once home to Luverne author Fred Manfred.
According to the DNR all three designs call for the house to be “deconstructed.”
Members of the public have until April 5 to comment on the trailhead development now called Eagle Rock Vista.
The building, constructed in 1961, is…
After more than a decade, Luverne High School returns a team to the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League Tournament.
Eight students will compete in the March 15 virtual math bowl and tournament organized by Augsburg University in Minneapolis.
According to the university’s website, over 3,000 students from nearly 180 schools participate in 26 divisions each year.
Luverne has competed…
The business of Big Top Tent Rentals is getting bigger, according to expansion plans in the former Bomgaars building in Luverne.
Big Top Tent Rentals owners Jordan and Stacey Smidt attended Monday morning’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority to discuss their business expansion at 321 W. Hatting St.
In 2015 they bought the tent rental business from Mike and Wanda Jarchow and…