Meetings
The Town and Country Garden Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the First Presbyterian Church friendship room in Luverne. Louella Voigt is in charge of the meeting about online resources to answer gardening questions. Call 507-597-6378 for more information.
 
New Life food giveaway moves to ATLAS
New Life Celebration Church’s third Thursday monthly food giveaway is now at the ATLAS building at 101 W. Maple Street in Luverne. The next distribution is at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17.
Enter from Maple Street and stay along the WEST side of the building. (Do not block the Redeemed Remnants parking lot.) Food will be loaded into vehicles which will then exit via the alley going WEST toward Estey Street. Call 507-283-4366 with questions.
 
Food for seniors Feb. 17
Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS) 60 and older, sponsored by A.C.E. of SW MN, will distribute food from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, drive-thru style in the parking lot at 319 E. Lincoln, Luverne. Call Linda Wenzel at 283-5064 to register.
 
Community meal is Feb. 23
The Free Community Meal is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Luverne United Methodist Church, 109 N. Freeman Ave. A pick-up option is available. For more information contact the church office at 507-283-4529.
 
Blood drive Feb. 22 in Luverne
The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, in the Living Rock Church fellowship hall. NOTE the new location. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: LuverneMN.
 
Mobile dental clinics scheduled
Mobile dental clinics will be in Luverne Wednesdays, March 9 and April 6 and Thursday, April 7, at the Rock County Health and Human Services community room. These clinics provide dental care for adults and children ages infant through age 17. Call 612-746-1530 to schedule an appointment. All forms of insurance accepted. The clinics are organized by the #Luv1LuvAll initiative, Rock County Oral Health Task Force.
 
Community Ed
Call Cindy at Luverne Community Education, 507-283-4724, to register for classes. Community Ed’s website is www.isd2184.net, select Luverne Community Education under schools.
Register now for the Defensive Driving Refresher class to be held on Feb. 17 at 5:30 pm. $28.
Register by Feb. 25 for Footloose at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre on March 26. Fee is $115/person for this chartered bus trip.
Family Game Time for kindergarten through Grade 12 is Feb. 24 at the Library. Fee is $10 per family.
Weight Lifting Intro will have class instructor Courtney DeBoer introduce various entry/moderate level lifts and exercises along with proper technique. Class conducted in the new middle-high school weight room. Cost is $10.
Students in grades 5 – 8 that are interested in acting or working behind the scenes can sign up for Intro to Theatre on Feb. 24. $12.
Ambulance Tour & CPR Class is Feb. 28. Hands-only CPR training will also be taught during class. Fee is $5.
 
Rock County Library Happenings
For more information about library happenings, call 507-449-5040 or email rockcountystaff@gmail.com
The 2022 Winter Reading Program, “Catch a Keeper at your Library,” is currently under way and goes through March 31. Read or listen to 12 books checked out from the Rock County Library and win a fabulous prize. Winter Reading Bingo will also be played. Bingo sheets are available now at the library.
Story Time with Bronwyn takes place 10:30 a.m. Fridays through April 29. No story time on Feb. 18.
The last of the three-part Seed Saving is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19.
Who says kids get to have all the fun? An Adult Show and Tell will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at Take 16. Bring an item (or items) to tell us about or perhaps a story or two. It will be a fun and relaxing evening of sharing tales of local brews.
Bring your creative selves to Bad Art Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Take 16, and compete to see who can make the worst piece of art with provided supplies. The less artistic ability you have, the better. Prizes will be awarded.
Trivia Night is at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Take 16 in Luverne. Team registration begins at 6 p.m.
Reminiscence Kits are available featuring various topics such as gardening, pets, baking, sewing, farming and hunting. The kits are designed to use with a loved one experiencing memory loss, encouraging the loved one to open up about activities they once loved in the past.
 
Free tax preparation at library
AARP volunteers will offer free tax preparation for low-income and seniors at the Rock County Library on Mondays through April 15. Call 507-449-5040 for appointments. Bring documents, including last year’s tax return and a form of identification to document social security number. Masks are required.
 
Goehle gym open Sundays through March 27
The Hugo Goehle gymnasium in Hills is open for public recreation from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays now through March 27.
 
Tack swap March 5 at Rock Ranch
A tack swap benefit is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Rock Ranch near Hills. Organizers are seeking individuals in selling horse-related items or sharing business or service information by reserving a booth. The event is a fundraiser for two area 4-H families: Mark and Lisa Ehlers of Luverne and Wyatt and the late Tanya Fey of Woodstock. Call Kris Vanderbrink at 507-350-9209 to reserve a booth.
 
Winter Carnival scheduled for March 5
Luverne Music Boosters Winter Carnival, which was scheduled for Jan. 22, is tentatively rescheduled for Saturday, March 5.
 
Online mental health classes continue
NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will offer free online mental health classes in February. The classes are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with mental illness, service providers and also for the general public. Go to namimn.org and click on “classes.”
 
A.C.E. respite care available, volunteers needed
A.C.E. of SW Minnesota (A.C.E.) offers respite care services in Rock County for those needing a break from caring for a loved one.
The respite program offers short-term (1-3 hours), temporary care for families and caregivers by providing a brief period of reprieve from the daily cares they provide to their loved one.
Volunteers provide non-professional supportive services to caregivers to give them time for themselves, relieve their stress and help them remain healthy.
Respite care volunteers are also needed. Trained A.C.E. volunteers provide respite care to family caregivers of adults age 60 and older who are suffering from long-term health conditions.
Contact Linda Wenzel at 507-283-5064 or ace.rock@co.rock.mn.us.
 
Nominations sought for Rock County Hall of Fame
The Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame Committee is seeking nominations for the 2022 induction of current and former residents.
Nominees must have a significant identity with Rock County and have made an exceptional contribution to society, achieved exceptional success, and brought honor and prestige beyond the borders of Minnesota.
Nominations are accepted now through Feb. 28, 2022. Forms are available at The History Center, Luverne Area Chamber or online at www.rockcountyhistorical.com or www.luvernechamber.com. An awards presentation is scheduled for July 17, 2022.

The Luverne Economic Development Authority approved three business loans at their Monday meeting at the Luverne City Offices.
The loans, at zero percent interest, totaled $15,000.
Leroy Austin, owner of Vinnie’s Dang Fine Dine on South Highway 75, received a $5,000 commercial demolition grant to remove the white building north of the existing restaurant at 704 S. Kniss Ave.
EDA director Holly Sammons presented Austin’s request at the meeting. Austin indicated the wooden storage building is dilapidated and is deteriorating. Cost of repairs outweighs the value of the building.
“The demo gives him a clean slate for any future ideas,” she said.
No immediate plans were known at the meeting.
Two separate Rural Business Assistance loans were granted to a related business.
Rachael Dekker, a nurse anesthetist, was approved for a $5,000 five-year business loan to open a medical spa called Novo Aesthetics PLLC at 203 E. Main St. in Luverne.
Dekker has undergone training and received the necessary licensing for medical cosmetic injections and fillers. Services will include botulinum toxin injections, injectable dermal fillers, microdermabrasion with platelet rich plasma and chemical peels.
The business will also retail medical grade skin care products. Dekker expects to open her business this spring.
The business loan will be used to remodel space in the Cragoe Realty building as well as purchase additional medical equipment and inventory.
Relatedly, V & D Properties LLC, owned by Stephen Dekker and Brant Van Dyke, will purchase the Cragoe Realty building with the closing scheduled for next month.
Dekker and Van Dyke applied for a $5,000 five-year Rural Business assistance loan to make interior updates to make the building on Main Street Luverne viable for commercial tenants.
Novo Aesthetics is one tenant scheduled to open in the building. Other commercial areas will be available for rent in the two-story building in the future.

South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension personnel invite individuals involved in farming, ranching and other agriculture-related occupations to participate in a statewide comprehensive needs assessment on farm/ranch stress and mental health.
It's part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (USDA FRSAN) program.
The purpose of FRSAN is to connect individuals involved in the agriculture industry to stress assistance programs.
The comprehensive needs assessment is a three-part process, which includes key informant interviews, focus groups and a mailed survey. Key informant interviews have already been completed, while the survey is still being developed and will be distributed across the state this spring.
Prospective participants for these focus groups include farmers, ranchers and anyone who works with farmers or ranchers, including but not limited to spouses, agribusiness professionals and agricultural educators.
In each focus group, participants will be asked a series of questions regarding their perceptions on farm stress and mental health and will have the opportunity to listen to and discuss topics with one another. Upon completion of the focus group, participants will receive a $30 Amazon gift card for their time.
Multiple focus group opportunities will be available throughout February and March in both in-person and online formats.
Some dates, times and locations are:
Feb 9: Sioux Falls Regional Center 10 a.m. CST
Feb 15: Online via Zoom 10 a.m. CST/9 a.m. MT
Feb 22: Online via Zoom 10 a.m. CST/9 a.m. MT
Feb 28: Online via Zoom 10 a.m. CST/9 a.m. MT
March 1: Mitchell Regional Center 10 a.m. CST
March 2: Aberdeen Regional Center 10 a.m. CST
In-person sessions will be at SDSU Extension Regional Centers, while online sessions will meet via Zoom. See https://sdsuextensionfocusgroups3.questionpro.com.

It’s time again to review the Rock County Star Herald “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” for local bright spots and disappointments over the past several weeks.
Thumbs up — to local efforts to protect drinking water sources. Gravel is an important economic resource but mining in sensitive areas can lead to water pollution. 
Manure is also an important economic resource, but again we need to protect limited sources of quality water in Rock County.
Thumbs down — to the rapidly deteriorating County Road 4 between Beaver Creek and Luverne. It has some teeth-jarring seasonal bumps, which aren’t a new problem, but one no one seems to want to fix.
Thumbs up — to the return to local examinations for a driver’s license being conducted in Luverne for both the written and behind-the-wheel portions of the license. The absence of a local exam station for the past two years put unnecessary stress (and driving miles) on our citizens.
Thumbs down – to those state officials who thought regional driver’s license exam stations were more efficient. Efficient for whom? Certainly not for hundreds of patrons forced to drive hundreds of miles for a service that’s supposed to be next door.
Thumbs up — to the city of Luverne for investing in the community’s electrical future with the $11 million update of the historic power plant. The price tag is significant and so is the inconvenience of power outages during weather extremes.
Thumbs up — to Hardwick public and private parties who recognized the time had come to demolish a historic structure. The former KJ's Korner Bar had been neglected and become a public hazard. Removing the blight will only lead to better things in the future. 
Thumbs down — to increasing gas prices. In a single day Feb. 2 local stations upped their prices by 15 cents a gallon. The recent wage increases are being quickly swallowed by increases in fuel prices and general inflation.
Thumbs up — to three generation of the Golla family for 74 years in the agricultural business, hardware business, paint store business, pet supply business, equipment rental business, lawn care business, and of course they have always been one of the finest locally owned and operated businesses.
Thumbs up — to the K.A.H.R. Foundation for continued support in our small community. The fixing of the courthouse tunnel frees up funds for other projects, and the alumni garden at the school will further enhance the improvements that have already taken place at the district.
Thumbs up — to the city of Luverne for pursuing funding for the final trail link for The Loop. Having a scenic path to walk, run or ride bike provides residents and visitors alike a perfect place to get outside and exercise.

“Judgment is mine, sayeth the Lord.”
“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
These and other non-Biblical adages (God helps those who help themselves) have been ringing in my ears over the past several weeks as our Cancun vacation dates drew nearer.
A year ago at this time, while the pandemic was still raging and vaccines were not yet widely available, I scoffed (thankfully not out loud) at friends and family who dared to travel.
What were they thinking? Did they want to die? Did they want to bring the germs back to their loved ones? Shame on them.
Well … shame on me for shaming them.
As this edition of the Star Herald reaches readers, Matt and I will be (hopefully) on a flight back to the states after a long-awaited beach getaway.
We dared to book the trip in May 2021, assuming by February 2022 the ‘rona would be in our rearview mirrors.
We dutifully rolled up our sleeves for the first and second rounds of vaccine, and when the booster was recommended, we did that too.
But then, the ‘rona mutated.
Geographic “hot spots” for new outbreaks popped up all over the globe.
And, one week before our scheduled departure, the CDC declared Mexico a “very high travel risk” due to COVID-19 risk.
Sigh.
The excuses were plenty.
“We’re fully vaccinated.”
“We’ll wear our masks.”
And, the excuse likely echoed by last year’s travelers, “But we booked this trip long before we knew what the risks would be.”
Canceling the trip would be responsible, but personally tragic.
Meanwhile, my ever-cautious and reasonable husband followed the headlines about cartel violence near Cancun’s luxury all-inclusive resorts.
“Do you suppose personal assault rifles are included for guests at our resort?” he jested.
This concern was met by more rationalizing by the trip planner in the household: “Those were targeted hits on resort workers who bought cocaine for tourists from a rival gang. … Only one American tourist was injured.”
And so, against our better judgment, we packed our bags, secured our masks on our faces and boarded a plane (which was likely packed with individuals carrying the deadly virus.)
If my byline appears in next week’s paper, you’ll know we survived.
And, if you’re judging our poor travel judgment, that’s fair, if not karma.
“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

Hudson: "...if we the people stand up and say 'no more'
To the Editor:
My wife Robin was recently discharged from Minnesota Bank on 12/30/2021 for refusing to sign a Vaccine Verification form, and on 1/20/22 she was informed that her unemployment was declined for employee misconduct. So she was discharged one day before she would get her 401 and bonuses, and now she has been declined unemployment. This is not a surprise, as the state of this country and what more and more people have turned into has become an atrocity.
The vaccine has divided the people once again just the same way they are using racism, gender issues, and all other things to keep all the people divided and fighting.
What happened to our Constitutional rights to have a choice for your own life, health and well-being? I do not care who has or has not gotten the vaccine, as it is none of my business nor anyone else’s. These are the rights Robin was standing up for, something that most people have forgotten.
To the people who are vaccinated and look down their noses at the ones who are not, shame on you. Who are you to judge? I would like to know how many people in a government position took money from federal and state to try to force the vaccine when there is absolutely no proof that the vaccine was safe. Fauci and the CDC have been caught lying so many times if they were Pinocchio they would need a 55-foot trailer to haul their noses around.
What Minnwest did to my wife, just remember it is coming to a store near you. This can be fixed if we the people stand up and say “no more,” but the government has made so many people dependent on their welfare, privileges, and entitlements that everyone is scared to say anything.
I will not sit back and let these people get by with this behavior. I will confront them and try to get changes done. Hopefully I will not be alone.
Randy Hudson,
Luverne

Question: It’s so cold in the winter, I am thinking about getting one of those fuzzy steering wheel covers. I think they will help keep my hands warm while driving. But my question is, are they legal?
Answer: Steering wheel covers are legal. A quick reminder though – it’s always the driver’s responsibility to keep control of the vehicle at all times, even if the steering wheel cover becomes loose. Every driver is responsible for knowing the actual and potential hazards on the highway and using due care in operating a vehicle. This includes on snow, ice, slush, frost, wet roads or any type of conditions.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober.  Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at Statue 169.791 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848.  (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is transitioning its squad car logo from side panel stripes to a simple patch and updating all vehicles to black Chevy Tahoes.
Until all vehicles are updated, sheriff’s deputies are driving four different makes and models of vehicles in different colors and varied markings.
Sheriff Evan Verbrugge said his own squad, a 9-year-old white Chevy Tahoe, is different from all the others, and is owned by the county. Verbrugge is budgeting to replace the upcoming 10-year-old vehicle in 2023.
The county fleet also includes Ford Explorers and Ford Taurus cars along with the new model Chevy Tahoes.
Some are black and white, some are black, some have side panel striping and some have the Sheriff’s Office shoulder patch design on the side.
Verbrugge said eventually all county squad cars will be black Chevy Tahoes marked by a Sheriff’s Office patch design on the side.
He said he’ll be glad to have his deputies in vehicles more suited for responding to incidents on winter roads.
“People have this misconception that we have magic carpets,” he said. “But it’s hard for us to get places in cars.”
The Sheriff’s Office budgets $85,000 per year for 13 squads. The county leases its vehicles from the state at that price for four years, 85,000 miles.
When the two new deputies are hired, there will be two more squads.

Dispatch report
Feb. 4
•Complainant on S. Walnut Avenue reported theft.
•Complainant on County Road 4 and Birkett Avenue, Magnolia, reported a woman walking on the roadway.
Feb. 5
•Complainant eastbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 5, Beaver Creek, reported a driving complaint.
•Complainant on County Highway 4, Luverne, reported a male walking on roadway.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported an open door.
•Complainant on W. Hatting Street reported stolen documents.
•Complainant requested assistance with bond paperwork.
Feb. 7
•Deputy conducted a civil standby on 150th Avenue, Edgerton.
•Complainant on U.S. Highway 75 and 71st Street, Luverne, reported there is a piece of wood on the road at location.
•Complainant on 31st Street, Hills, reported a grass fire.
•Complainant reported drug paraphernalia.
•Complainant on 140th Avenue, Luverne, reported harassment via phone messages.
Feb. 8
•Complainant on Main Street and Cedar Street reported a parking issue.
•Complainant on N. Kniss Avenue reported issues with children at school.
•Complainant requested to speak with a deputy about a vulnerable adult.
•Deputies assisted a pursuit on U.S. Highway 75, northbound from state line.
•Complainant reported theft.
•Complainant on 71st Street, Beaver Creek, reported identity theft.
•Complainant on S. Kniss Avenue reported a driving complaint.
Feb. 9
•Complainant westbound on Interstate 90, mile marker 16, Luverne, reported a semi with a possible gas leak.
•Complainant on E. Lincoln Street reported a confused individual.
Feb. 10
•Complainant requested information on toll free received in mail.
Feb. 11
•Dispatch reported phone internet outage.
In addition, officers responded to 2 motor vehicle accidents, 2 deer accidents, 2 escorts, 11 ambulance runs, 7 paper services, 5 animal complaints, 1 fingerprint request, 17 burn permits, 1 background check, 1 driver’s license check, 2 gas drive-offs, 1 alarm, 3 drug court tests, 3 purchase and carry permits, 2 stalled vehicles, 9 traffic stops, 8 abandoned 911 calls and 1 welfare check.