Opinion
By RIck Peterson, general managerMarch 27, 2024Last month, February had an extra day, yet it always is the shortest month every year. March has its regular complement of 31 days as always, but for some reason it seems to have gone on forever. One thought as to why March seems to never end this year is because we’ve had a hint of four different seasons the last four weeks. Sub-freezing temps followed by mid-summer temps. Throw in a touch of…- March 27, 2024Harnack: 'Am I here all alone?' Am I here all alone?! From the moment I could listen, My parents said to me, “Always treat people with respect, The way you want to be.” They also told me not to boast, Don’t brag, don’t bully, or lie, ’cause you will have to answer to these, The moment that you die. I learned the “Sermon on the Mount,” Memorized the “Beatitudes.” But, it seems…
- March 20, 2024Tuesday, March 19, was National Agriculture Day with the theme, “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” The celebration includes virtual and in-person events nationwide, and in Luverne, “Ag Day” became “Ag Week” at the Rock County Library. Library staff teamed up with Rock County Farm Bureau members and local ag businesses to celebrate agriculture. Monday was “Farm Show and Tell” as…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterMarch 20, 2024Next week the Star Herald will publish its annual Home, Lawn and Garden special section. For this year’s feature in that edition, I interviewed Madison Ziegler who recently started Carzel Interior Solutions in Luverne. Among other things, her business finds solutions to the clutter we tend to collect in our homes. After talking with Madison, I’ve decided to do some decluttering by joining…- March 20, 2024State Representative Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne) said good and bad can be found in Minnesota's latest economic update. Our state’s fiscal experts are projecting that Minnesota will see a $3.7 billion budget surplus for the remainder of the current budget term. But in the next budget cycle a $1.5 billion budget deficit is expected. “The economy is stronger than what we were told it would be back…
- By Minnesota Sen. Amy KlobucharMarch 20, 2024Minnesotans seek assistance from U.S. government agencies for a variety of reasons — whether it’s to get an answer about Social Security, access to veterans benefits, or assistance with renewing a passport. But, too often bureaucratic red tape gets in the way. That’s why our state office makes it a priority to cut through this red tape to get action and answers. Last year alone, our office…
March 13, 2024This week, March 10-16, is National Sunshine Week, which celebrates and brings awareness to free and open access to public information and an accountable government. And it sheds light on the importance of community journalists in keeping the public informed. Laws requiring open meetings and public data exist for everyone, but journalists are trained to navigate the sometimes complicated avenues…
By Brenda Winter, columnistMarch 13, 2024A year ago, from atop a 10-foot snow pile in the field next to our house, I took an “aerial” picture of 5 feet of snow covering our backyard. I’m not usually 10 feet above the yard, so I thought the angle was interesting. It was March 12 and the day’s high was 39 degrees. Yesterday, wearing T-shirts, we burned the grass off the asparagus bed at the farm and cleared out the flower bed. The tulips…
By RIck Peterson, general managerMarch 13, 2024From the cheap seats over the weekend I experienced the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory. Believe it or not, the agony and thrill happened in the same game. Like most of the country, I have become a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark. I was going to watch the Sunday Big 10 Championship game from my cheap seat in the garage. Not realizing the game was slated to start at 11 a.m…- March 06, 2024The American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration to honor local community heroes who help ensure their neighbors never face crises alone. “We’re proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another when help can’t wait during emergencies,” said Leah Pockrandt, executive director of the Red Cross serving southwest…
By Lori Sorenson, editorMarch 06, 2024I’ve made it a habit to pay for gas at the pump to avoid convenience store snacks and beverages, but when Luverne’s long-awaited Kwik Trip opened last month, I went inside to check it out. Yes, the store lived up to the hype of bright lighting, clean restrooms, fresh food and happy helpers. However, as a lifelong coffee drinker with an affection for strong brews, I gravitated to the Kwik Trip…- February 28, 2024World Teen Mental Wellness Day is observed across the globe on March 2 every year to raise awareness about challenges facing teens and how to improve their brain health. And in the Hills-Beaver Creek School District, students took charge of observing the day and carrying the message. (See this week’s news section for their story). During the month of February, they raised awareness, raised…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterFebruary 28, 2024In an era of political correctness, I’m happy to see a state agency is not shying away from humor, and it comes from an unlikely department: the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Eight years ago, the Department of Transportation began “Message Mondays,” where the state’s electronic message boards along state highways and interstates display safety messages to travelers. The target…
By RIck Peterson, general managerFebruary 28, 2024Every four years Feb. 29 shows up on the calendar, and for some it’s their birthday. To those folks I say, “Happy Birthday.” For me and thousands of pheasant hunting enthusiasts, it means it’s Sioux Falls’ turn to host the Annual Pheasant Fest. This year’s event kicks off on Friday for three days of all things pheasant hunting. There is literally something for everyone. Over 400 exhibitors will…- February 21, 2024Is it possible you overlooked a rebate check that didn’t get cashed? If so, you may soon get a reissued check, so watch your mail and know what you’re looking for. Officials with the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced last week that they will begin reissuing over 128,000 one-time tax rebate checks that have gone uncashed and subsequently expired after their November and December issuance…
By Brenda Winter, columnistFebruary 21, 2024On May 9 the “elderly spinster sisters from Leota, Minnesota,” Marlene and Darlene, played by DJ Luethje and me, will take the stage at the Palace Theatre for the annual Generations spring fundraiser. This year’s show is called “Without George.” When George Bonnema died unexpectedly in December 2023, he left a void bigger than most. One of the many positions he vacated was being the “Life Force…
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