Three gymnasts from Luverne High School were named to the Big South Conference All-Conference Team.
Sophomore Sarah DeCesare and freshmen Amira Cowell and Ella Reisdorfer were among the 15 athletes named to the west division team.
Pipestone had three gymnasts listed on the team along with Big South team champions Worthington.
Marshall and Jackson County Central had two athletes named to the team and Redwood Valley had one athlete.
They join 14 other gymnasts named to the east division team for the 2021-22 season.
East division schools include New Ulm, Fairmont-Martin County West, Blue Earth Area, St. Peter and Waseca.

Luverne’s Brock Behrend, a junior, and Patrick Kroski, a sophomore, were among 13 boys’ hockey players chosen for the 2021-22 Big South All-Conference team.
Receiving honorable mention honors were LHS sophomores Tyler Arends and Owen Sudenga.
Luverne posted a 13-3 record for 2021-22 and finished second in the Big South Conference behind New Ulm, 16-0.
Other teams in the conference include Fairmont, Marshall, Waseca, Windom Area and Worthington.

In Exodus 19 it is recorded that God descended on Mount Sinai. When this happened, the mountain was covered in dark clouds; there were flashes of lightning and thunder. There was smoke because the Lord descended on the mount in fire, and the people of Israel were afraid.
Fear can cause us to make all kinds of poor choices.
Can you think of a time when fear has led you to make the wrong decision?
In Exodus 32 we have a biblical example of the Israelites making this kind of mistake.
“When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, ‘Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’” (Exodus 32:1 NIV)
This statement is made in fear.
Moses, their leader, was nowhere to be found. What would they do? Where would they turn? The answer they came up with was to tell Aaron, the priest, to make them a new god to lead them. Basically, in fear the people of Israel looked for a human solution to their problem. They took matters into their own hands.
We need to challenge ourselves to reflect on how we as a nation have responded to the plague we have labeled as COVID-19.
When people got sick and the world panicked in fear, where did we turn?  Who did we turn to for answers? Did we respond to our fears like the Israelites by taking matters into our own hands? Did we look to other human beings for the answers to this huge problem?
It is clear that the Israelites, because of fear, took matters into their own hands. They demanded that Aaron make a god to lead them.
What could the Israelites have done differently?
Imagine if the Israelites chose to pray for help and to pray for Moses’ safe return.  Imagine if they chose to reach out to God in the midst of their fear. How might their story have ended differently?
What if we turn to God for help in the midst of our fears and choose to trust in God’s love, grace and mercy?  Then how will our story end differently than the story we read in Exodus 32?

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays, 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Ann Zastrow, Pastor
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, March 17: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, March 20: 9 a.m. Worship Service with baptism. 10 a.m. Sunday School and fellowship coffee. 10 a.m. 5th grade First Communion class. 5 p.m. Worship service. 6 p.m. Senior blanket making. Monday, March 21: Grace Notes deadline. Tuesday, March 22: 7 a.m. Dorcas Circle at The Bean. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 5 p.m. Altar guild meeting. Wednesday, March 23: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 5-6:30 p.m. Lenten supper. 6:45 p.m. Lenten service. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online: Sundays 9 a.m. on the church website www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab or go directly to our Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 will air our worship service Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Lenten Vespers. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Thursday, March 17: 9 a.m. Cookie Crew. 5:30 p.m. Tumbling Tykes. Friday, March: 18: 6:3o a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. 7 p.m. Middle school gathering. Sunday, March 20: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday school. Tuesday, March 22: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. 1 p.m. Piece Out. Wednesday, March 23: 5:30 p.m. Midweek Meal. 6:30 p.m. Pioneer Club. 6:30 p.m. Jr. and Sr. High youth groups. Thursday, March 24: 5:30 p.m. Tumbling Tykes. Services are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church (formerly First Assembly of God)
1075 110th Ave., 2 miles west of Luverne on County Rd. 4
Ph. 612-800-1255; email info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor; Annette Junak, Assistant Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship service. Children’s church for ages 3-6th grade and nursery for ages 0-3 provided during our services. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Worship service. All services are in-person and all are welcome.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Saturday, March 19: 10 a.m. Baby shower for Kristin Ruppert. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, March 20: 9 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 9:15 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible study. Monday, March 21: Messenger deadline. Tuesday, March 22: PPR meeting. Wednesday, March 23: 5:30 p.m. Community Meal. 6:15 p.m. FUEL. 6:30 p.m. Confirmation. 7 p.m. Lenten service at UMC with First Presbyterian. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net
Sunday, March 20: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 10:30 a.m. Sunday school. Wednesday, March 23: 5:15 p.m. Bells. 6 p.m. Choir. 6-8 p.m. Youth fellowship. 7 p.m. Lenten service at United Methodist Church. Session to follow service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, March 19: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sunday, March 20: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible class; Sunday School. 11:20 Junior Choir. Monday, March 21: Newsletter deadline. 1 p.m. Quilting. 7 p.m. Parish Planning Council. Wednesday, March 23: 9:30 a.m. Bible study. 10:30 a.m. Newsletter assembly. 6 p.m. Lent Worship. 6:30 p.m. Supper. 7 p.m. Kids for Christ; Confirmation; Choir. 7:30 p.m. High School Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Billy Skaggs, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sunday, March 20: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, March 20: 9 a.m. Worship at First Lutheran. 10 a.m. Sunday school. Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, even if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, March 20: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship at Palisade Lutheran. Masks are strongly recommended, but not required, even if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sunday, 9 a.m., in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270
Sunday, March 20: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 10 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion. 9 a.m. Sunday School. 7-8:30 p.m. Youth group meets. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, March 22: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:30 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, March 23: 9 a.m. Quilting. 6 p.m. Confirmation. 7 p.m. Social/dessert time. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday night worship service.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Income tax filing season kicks off
Minnesota taxpayers have until Monday, April 18, 2022, to file and pay their state and federal income taxes.
The department offers tips for filing your income tax:
•See if you qualify for free tax preparation. If your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $73,000 or less, you may qualify to file electronically for free. Visit our website (listed at end of this article) to see if you qualify.
You may also qualify for free tax preparation for your returns. There are free tax preparation sites available across Minnesota through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide programs.
Some sites offer in-person options while others offer virtual services. Visit our website to find free tax preparation sites near you.
•File electronically and choose direct deposit. Electronically filing your return and choosing direct deposit for your refund is the most secure and convenient way to file your taxes and get your refund.
Learn more about your electronic filing options and the benefits of choosing direct deposit.
•Save your receipts and other tax-related documents. If you claimed certain deductions or credits, be sure to include all required documentation when filing and save copies in case you need to reference them in the future.
•Check for accuracy. Enter your name and any dependent’s names exactly as they appear on Social Security cards, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) cards or letters. Double-check bank routing and account numbers used on tax forms for direct deposit.
Incorrect information on tax forms can result in refund delays.
•Military members can electronically submit Form M99, Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone. Created based on feedback from military service members, the electronic submission of this form is an easy way for service members to claim this credit.
•File your return by the April 18 due date, even if you owe more than you can pay. Pay as much as you can by the due date and contact us as soon as possible to set up a payment agreement for the remaining balance.
You can include your banking information on your electronically filed return to make the payment or pay electronically with our e-Services Payment System. You can specify when the payment will be taken from your checking or savings account in advance or on the due date.
 
 After you file:
•Track your refund. You can track where your refund is in the process by using our Where’s My Refund? You will be able to track which of the four stages your refund is in and whether you need to take any action to allow us to complete the processing of your refund.
You will see the date your refund was issued when it has finished processing.
•Do not spend your refund until you see the money in your bank account. Returns may take longer to process because of the increase in attempted refund fraud due to scams, stolen personal information, and identity theft.
The department will take the time necessary to review returns to make sure we are keeping your money out of the hands of criminals. Learn more about our efforts to protect your information.
•Contact us if you move after filing your return.That way, anything sent to you will reach you, such as refund checks or requests for more information. You should do this even when requesting a direct deposit. Call us at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094 (toll-free) to change your address.
 
Property tax refunds:
•Wait to track your property tax refund. Many taxpayers file their property tax returns at the same time as their income tax returns. By law, we cannot begin processing Property Tax Refunds before July 1.
Check back later this year for updates on current year Property Tax Refunds.
For news and updates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue by following the department on Facebook and Twitter or by signing up for our email subscription list.

Visit our website: www.revenue.state.mn.us

Rock County public hearing set for March 22
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF COUNTY OF ROCK FOR TAX ABATEMENT
FOR NEW VISION COOPERATIVE
 
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Rock County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing at 9:00 A.M. on March 22, 2022, at the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse located at 204 E. Brown Street; Luverne, Minnesota to consider the request of New Vision Cooperative for the abatement of 
certain real property located in Magnolia Township and described as follows, to wit:
An addition of a 1.5 million bushel grain bin and 200ft x 90ft building structure located in Section 15-102-44, Lot 0, Blk 0 of Magnolia Township
For abatement of real estate taxes for a period of up to ten years pursuant to Minnesota 
Statutes §469.1813. That the estimated amount of the abatement, on annual basis, for the County of Rock is  
Year 1-5 - $10,585 (100%)
Year 6        $8,468 (  80%)
Year 7        $6,351 (  60%)
Year 8        $4,234 (  40%)
Year 9        $2,117 (  20%)
All persons desiring to be heard should appear at the hearing or present written comments to be presented at the hearing by delivering the same to the Rock County Administrator at 204 E. Brown Street; Luverne, Minnesota. COUNTY OF ROCK
By
Kyle J. Oldre
Rock County Administrator
(03-10)

ISD #2184 School Board
meets Jan. 27 
MINUTES OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF 
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, 
ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA  
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on January 27, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
The following members were present:  Katie Baustian, Jodi Bosch, Eric Hartman, Tim Jarchow, Reva Sehr, Jeff Stratton and David Wrigg. Also present: Craig Oftedahl, Jason Phelps, Tyler Reisch, Griffin Jarchow, Becky Rahm, and Mavis Fodness – Rock County Star Herald.
Chairperson Eric Hartman opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Motion made by Baustian, second by Sehr, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
Administrative reports were given.  
Motion made by Baustian, second by Bosch, to approve the December 23, 2021, School Board meeting minutes as presented. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Wrigg, second by Jarchow, to accept the following donations:
United Methodist Church – Angel Fund
13th District Bar Association – Mock Trial Sponsorship
Steen Reformed Church – Angel Fund
2080 Media Inc. – L Club-Student Activities
Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Jarchow, second by Stratton, to elect the following School Board officers for 2022:
Chairperson – Eric Hartman
Vice-Chairperson – Tim Jarchow
Clerk – Reva Sehr
Treasurer – Katie Baustian
Motion unanimously carried.
Business Manager Tyler Reisch reviewed the Fiscal Year 2021 Audit Report with the School Board members. Motion made by Bosch, second by Sehr, to accept the report as presented. Motion unanimously carried. He also reviewed the expenditures and revenues comparison as of December 31 for the past three years.
Motion made by Jarchow, second by Stratton, to approve payment of the School District bills presented as follows: District and Student Activity Checks - $2,199,182.17; Payroll - $1,004,121.28; Grand Total - $3,203,303.45. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Baustian, second by Bosch, to receive the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of December 31, 2021. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Stratton, to leave the 2022 Committee Assignments the same. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Baustian, second by Jarchow, to acknowledge receipt of the Annual Compliance/Vote of Concurrence or Nonconcurrence from the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee vote held on January 17, 2022. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Wrigg, second by Sehr, to add Aspire Fund as an approved 403(b) vendor that may be utilized by school district employees. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Jarchow, to accept the annual RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCTIONS IN PROGRAMS AND POSITIONS AND REASONS THEREFORE.  Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Baustian, second by Stratton, to approve the Custodial Seniority List as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion made by Bosch, second by Stratton, to approve the Paraprofessional/Food Service/Administrative Assistant Seniority List as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion made by Sehr, second by Jarchow, to approve the Alternative School Seniority List as presented.  Motion unanimously carried. Motion made by Bosch, second by Baustian, to approve the ECFE/Learning Readiness/Discovery Time Seniority List as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion made by Baustian, second by Jarchow, to approve the Preliminary Licensed Staff Seniority List as presented. This list will be posted for 30 days for the staff to review. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Stratton, second by Jarchow, to approve the hiring of Jon Schomacker as 2022 Summer Recreation Director for a salary of $9,400.00. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Baustian, to approve the hiring of Peyten Elbers as long-term substitute for Dana Wolf, Elementary teacher, beginning approximately February 24, 2022. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Baustian, second by Sehr, to accept the retirement of Dennis Moritz, Agriculture teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Baustian, to accept the resignation of Bill Thompson as MS Lego League advisor effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Motion unanimously carried.
Motion made by Wrigg, second by Jarchow, to approve the transfer of Karen Hubbling from M/HS Paraprofessional to District Health Aide. Discussion was held. Motion unanimously carried.
Committee reports were given. It was noted that the School Board members did attend the MSBA Convention held January 12-14, 2022. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.
Motion made by Bosch, second by Baustian, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried.
Dated: January 27, 2022 Reva Sehr, Clerk
(03-10)