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 Mavis FodnessApril 28, 2020Teachers and staff of Hills-Beaver Creek Public Schools took to the streets Friday afternoon in a “Teacher Parade” through the district’s communities. The group of almost 50 district employees climbed into about 30 personal vehicles and four school buses for the drive through Steen, Beaver Creek and Hills. The event took about an hour to complete. “We miss your faces!” was a theme for the parade…
- By Lori SorensonApril 28, 2020The coronavirus pandemic is crushing economies all over the globe, as well as right here in Rock County. That’s why the Chamber and the city of Luverne are partnering with local media — the Star Herald and radio station — to launch a gift card campaign this week called #strongertogether – Rock Solid. The idea is for customers to buy gift cards now to use in the future when stay-at-home orders are…
- By Mavis FodnessApril 28, 2020Dreams of a Rock Ranch indoor arena are becoming a reality as builders lift the rafters into place this week. Dan and Marie LaRock began their equine therapy program in 2016, and for the past two years, they dreamed of an indoor facility to avoid weather-related program cancelations. Seven months ago they began a pledge campaign for a $680,000 indoor arena. Today, the steering committee is $40,…
- By Mavis FodnessApril 28, 2020With no students or staff in the Luverne Middle-High School building for the past six weeks, construction workers are completing and starting projects sooner than expected. District personnel will move back into offices on the newly remodeled first floor of the west wing next week. The first floor west wing also includes new counselor suites/athletic offices, a portion of the new school kitchen…
- By Lori SorensonApril 28, 2020The cities of Adrian and Ellsworth are competing for bragging rights for “most patriotic community” as part of a pandemic effort to lift spirits among residents. According to Adrian Community Assistant Megan Vortherms, the two city offices announced it earlier this week to residents. “We decided we need to bring some excitement and fun to our communities so we thought why not a little friendly…
- By Lori SorensonApril 28, 2020As Rock County’s confirmed coronavirus cases still number in the single digits, its neighboring counties to the east and west are reporting rapidly rising cases. As of Tuesday morning, Rock County had eight cases, but Minnehaha is up to 1,939 and Nobles has 477, both stemming from outbreaks in meat processing plants in Sioux Falls and Worthington. While it appears Rock County is an oasis in…
- By Mavis FodnessApril 28, 2020Local livestock producers have permission to exceed their feedlot capacity permit, if needed, due to coronavirus outbreaks shutting down meat processing plants. Rock County commissioners on April 21 approved a resolution — The Rock County Feedlot Permit Relief for 2020 – that allows local feedlots to exceed maximum capacities up to 90 days. The shortage of the operation of pork and beef…
- By Mavis FodnessApril 28, 2020Area schools will finish the 2019-20 school year in virtual classrooms. The announcement was made Thursday, April 23, through executive order by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic. “To preserve the health, safety and lives of Minnesotans, it is necessary to extend the distance learning period of all Minnesota school districts and charter schools for the…
- April 28, 2020Ron and Jane Cote and their son, Wyatt, on the mandolin, brought their musical talent to a birthday party at the end of Pine Drive today in Luverne for Allison Grieme, whose name is celebrated in colorful chalk in the driveway. In addition to leading the group in singing Happy Birthday, the Cotes played a number of country western songs and wrapped up with their signature song, "Happy Trails…
- April 28, 2020Temperatures reached the upper 70s for several days in a row this past week, and area farmers took advantage of warming soil to get a big chunk of spring planting done. Curt Sandbulte, with his daughter, Alena, in the buddy seat plants a field near Beaver Creek Wednesday just north of the Palisade Lutheran Church west cemetery. Many farm operators have said soil conditions this spring are fit for…
- By Lori SorensonApril 28, 2020When the Luverne Area Community Foundation set up the Covid-19 Help Fund last month, director Emily Crabtree knewthe funds were needed to help people, but she had no idea how the community would respond with donations. Her goal was $100,000. “We figured go big,” Crabtree said, and she’s already halfway. “The donations have come from people with a desire to help,” she said. “People…
- By Mavis FodnessApril 28, 2020Local property taxes are due May 15, and penalties will still be imposed for late payments, according to Rock County Auditor Treasurer Ashley Kurtz. She said state officials recently notified county auditors the annual payment date will not change amid the coronavirus pandemic. “May 15 has to stay the date,” said auditor Ashley Kurtz. However, counties can choose to waive or lessen normal late…
- April 28, 2020Southwestern Youth Services students in Magnolia had fun outside last week coloring with chalk on the sidewalk to enjoy the nice weather. SYS is considered “essential” and is also operating under rigorous COVID-19 restrictions, according to educator Carol Naasz. “The kids are feeling more confined than usual as all on-site family visits and occasional off-campus excursions are currently not…
- April 28, 2020Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed compared with a 5-year average. USDA also reminds producers that June 30 is the deadline to enroll in ARC and PLC for the 2020 crop year. “…
- April 28, 2020The U.S. Census Bureau began sending reminder notice postcards this week to roughly 69 million households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. About 53 percent of households across the country have already responded since invitations began arriving on March 12. Those households that have not yet responded to the census will receive an in-person visit by a census taker to collect their…
- By Lori SorensonApril 21, 2020The “Skinny Building” at the alley along Cedar Street is on deck for some exterior improvements, thanks to help from the Luverne Economic Development Authority. During the April teleconference meeting last week, the LEDA approved a historic Façade Improvement Program application for John Deitering for a project at 115 1/2 N. Cedar Ave. The scope of work includes repairing missing brickwork,…
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