By Lori Sorenson
April 16, 2025
The Rock County Corn and Soybean Growers announced winners last week in their poster contest for local fourth- and fifth-graders.
More than 100 students entered original artwork showcasing corn and soybeans in Rock County, and three were selected to be displayed along roadsides in Rock County for the next year.
The winning pictures were drawn by Nick Bose, Greyson Mundt and Siena Barron, each…
By Lori Sorenson
April 16, 2025
Members of the Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a $6,000 grant to improve the roof of a historic downtown building.
At their Monday morning meeting, they reviewed a façade improvement grant application request by David and Stacy Riphagen for a roof replacement project on their building at 210 East Main Street.
They are replacing a third of the roof — the portion that is above a…
By Mavis Fodness
April 16, 2025
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been added as a reason severe weather sirens will sound in local communities.
Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge recommended the change to the community alert system because of the similar dangerous conditions of hail, high winds and heavy rains.
“We clearly get more property damage and the potential for personal injury during severe thunderstorm warnings,” he…
April 16, 2025
Luverne native Carter Headrick was recently honored by Minnesota State University Moorhead with the Dragon Impact Award for his work in “using compelling stories to shape public health policy nationwide.”
The award recognizes outstanding individuals aged 36-55 who exemplify the “power of education, embody Minnesota State Moorhead’s spirit, and have significantly impacted their communities.”…
April 16, 2025
The seventh annual Love the Burger Battle, sponsored by the Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association, starts Monday, April 21, and will continue through Saturday, May 31.
Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Association will present the Love the Burger traveling trophy to the winner of the contest at 8 p.m. on Main Street during the Buffalo Days Cruise-In Friday night, June 6.
Luverne participating restaurants…
By Lori Sorenson
April 09, 2025
National Geographic photographer, filmmaker and environmentalist Jim Brandenburg died last week at age 79.
While the art and nature world last week lost a legendary creator, Rock County residents who knew Brandenburg lost a native son.
“I don't think about Jim first as the famous wildlife photographer that he became,” said Randy Creeger, who grew up with Brandenburg in Luverne.
“I think of him…
April 09, 2025
Eleven months after dirt work began for the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek, workers are focused on the inside infrastructure for the 57,400 square-foot facility. Project manager Michael Beach with R.A. Morton Construction Managers of St. Cloud said a couple weeks of work was lost due to the extreme cold this winter, but on Monday various trades were busy making up for…
By Lori Sorenson
April 09, 2025
A 5,400-panel solar array is now producing electricity for Premium Minnesota Pork in Luverne.
An interconnection agreement with the city of Luverne Municipal Utilities was signed in March, putting the wheels in motion for production to begin.
The agreement provides PMP an interconnection at “the point of common coupling” and operates a distributed energy resource with a nameplate of 1.2…
By Lori Sorenson
April 09, 2025
The Luverne Planning and Zoning Commission hosted a public hearing Monday night for the purpose of reviewing a draft ordinance regulating cannabis business zoning.
Planning and Zoning members and city staff met Thursday in a work session to draft the ordinance, and Monday night’s public hearing was part of the required process for implementing the ordinance.
Three members of the public attended…
By Mavis Fodness
April 09, 2025
Livestock permits issued in Rock County are at a five-year high, according to local feedlot officials.
Nine permits have been requested for 2025, and that number could grow with eight more months left in the year.
Two of the 2025 permits are for new hog barn sites. The other seven are for six cattle feedlot expansions and one dairy expansion.
“(Nine) is the most we have had preseason since…
By Mavis Fodness
April 09, 2025
A lawsuit filed against Rock County five years ago was dismissed in early March when the plaintiffs failed to appear in Minnesota Tax Court.
Chief judge Jane Bowman issued the dismissal March 10 when the case came up for trial on March 4.
Bowman stated the reason for the dismissal was due to the fact that “the court received no paperwork.”
SARP LLC of Sioux Falls, owners of Econo Lodge in…
By Mavis Fodness
April 09, 2025
Doug Bos, Rock County Land Management assistant director, tenured his retirement to county commissioners Tuesday morning.
Bos’ retirement is effective Sept. 2.
In his letter to the commissioners, Bos reflected on his time with the Land Management Office (LMO) and the Rock County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
“I have very much enjoyed serving 29-plus years in the capacity of…
By Mavis Fodness
April 09, 2025
A Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School teacher will receive a special surprise April 17 as part of the middle school robotics team’s “Pie Your Teacher in the Face” fundraiser.
The middle school robotics program is raising money for a team of 10 students to compete at the national WAFFLE (Worchester Annual First Lego League Event) June 13-15 in Worchester, Massachusetts at the Worchester…
April 09, 2025
April 13-19 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time to recognize those who serve the public in their jobs. Rock County dispatchers include Nikki McLendon, Jason Kelly, Brooke Walgrave, Ryan Connor and Tricia Huiskes. Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge calls them unsung heroes. “We want to recognize the individuals that sit in the hot seat 24/7, 365 days a year,” Verbrugge said. “…
By Mavis Fodness
April 09, 2025
Four teams and 23 students competed Saturday in the Southwest Minnesota Spelling Bee.
Fifth- and sixth-grade students from Adrian, Hills-Beaver Creek, Worthington and Luverne competed in Luverne at the annual event.
Sophia Von Holtum, a sixth-grader from Adrian, won the event.
DaLonnie Cummings, a Worthington fifth-grader, was second.
Joss Johnson, a sixth-grader from Luverne, was third.…
April 09, 2025
Librarians at the Rock County Community Library planned five days of fun this week in honor of National Library Week April 6-12 with the theme of “Drawn to the Library.” On Monday Hector Curriel of “Caricatures by Hector,” Sioux Falls, kicked off the activities with drawing free portraits of library patrons. The book illustrator and former editorial cartoonist was sponsored by the Minnesota Arts…