Opinion
- November 05, 2019Every two years state legislators submit requests for the capital budget bill. The requests include improvements to state facilities, public lands and grants to local government entities. The city of Ellsworth is requesting a $1.3 million grant for a new city hall, multi-purpose center and maintenance shop. It’s the only request from a community in our own backyard, and Governor Walz would like…
- October 29, 2019The Star Herald will send its photographers into the streets — or just Main Street, actually, — on Halloween to capture the color, creativity and character of Luverne’s 18th annual Trunk N Treat adventure. By the time our readers turn to this page of their print edition, Main Street will be packed with parents and children, most of them in costume, making their way up one side and down the other…
- By Tom GetmanOctober 15, 2019You in Luverne likely feel like I do here in Washington. In the midst of the hostile even bigoted political debates and civil disequilibrium, I confess the need for instruction to maintain my faith and peace. The Parable of the Good Shepherd (in Luke 15) reminds us what the sacrificing-servant-church, service clubs, NGOs and families can be in this period of resurgent racism, the ravages of rapid…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 17, 2019Next weekend Luverne will again rise to the challenge of hosting one of the most prestigious high school band festivals in the region. Luverne’s Tri-State Band Festival is always a proud time of year for the community, the school, the student musicians and all the families and volunteers who pull off the mammoth event. To outside observers enjoying the music, it all seems to come together…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 17, 2019My husband’s parents, Arden and Mary Ellen, said good-bye this week to their little house on the banks of Split Rock Creek. The rolling green pastures, lush farm ground and thick grove of trees are deceptively tranquil considering the destructive force of the river in high-water years. For decades, a closely monitored sump pump kept flood damage at bay — until last week when an 8-inch deluge 30…- By Jason W. Swanson, director, Minnesota River Area Agency on AgingAugust 13, 2019It’s time we have “that talk” with our loved ones — whether a spouse, parent, in-law, grandparent or a friend — about establishing a plan as they age. We plan careers, vacations, weddings, get-togethers and retirements, but we often don’t take time to plan the things we’ll need help with as we age and the different types of services we may require. It’s difficult to make these decisions in a…
April 22, 2019Patricia A. “Pat” Smedsrud, 84, Garretson, South Dakota, died Sunday, April 21, 2019. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 26, at George Boom Funeral Chapel in Brandon, South Dakota. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the funeral chapel in Brandon, where the family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Survivors include her husband, Gib, Garretson; four children, Dave (…- By Katie Baustian, Luverne School Board memberSeptember 26, 2017With the new school year off to a successful start, now is a good time to talk about the school board’s long-range plan to meet the facility needs of students, teachers and the community. Luverne School District residents will decide whether to move forward with the school district’s building improvement plan on Nov. 7. It is important that district residents are familiar with what is included in…
- By Miranda Roskamp, Southwest Crisis Center Youth AdvocateSeptember 12, 2017With school back in session, students and parents are focused on classes and schedules, but it’s also time to recognize and prepare for the possibility of various forms of violence. Domestic and sexual violence do not discriminate. Any time is a good time to start ongoing conversations with young people about what these types of violence look like, how they may be affected by it, how to help…
- By Jen Lindsey, guest editorialistOctober 03, 2016October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In the past year, two domestic violence-related hashtags have made a huge impact on social media. One in the summer of 2015 began close to home for us. A young Sioux Falls woman was physically assaulted by her boyfriend while she was driving. She later asked a friend, who was a photographer, to do a photo shoot showing her black eyes and bruising.…
By Jason Berghorst, reporterAugust 23, 2016Like me, you felt it this past Friday and Saturday. Some of you, like me, were energized by it and liked the feeling. Others of you dreaded it. But we all noticed it. The change of seasons was in the air last weekend. Temperatures in the sixties during the day and low fifties at night felt downright chilly. It felt like fall. It felt great. Don't get me wrong, I like summer and have…- By Noah Hultgren, Minnesota Corn Growers Association presidentJuly 19, 2016A statewide editorial June 24 called on agriculture to take the lead on managing pollutants. As farmers, we’re always working to improve how we grow food, feed, fiber and fuel for an increasing world population. And when it comes to the important issue of water quality and managing pollutants, farmers are already playing an important leadership role. For example, corn farmers in Minnesota…
By George Bonnema, Luverne HorticulturalistJune 07, 2016We have had wonderful moisture for our flower and vegetable gardens and our season is about two weeks early. If you have hostas, I’m suggesting that you be on the lookout for slugs. These slimy critters eat irregular-shaped holes in the leaves, and if you don’t attack them early on, you will have those “holy” leaves to look at for the rest of the season. Slug baits are very effective as a…- May 16, 2016In the coming week, hundreds of local seniors will graduate from high schools in the Star Herald coverage area. As longtime news reporters, we’ve followed many of these students from preschool through their senior year, documenting their journey and accomplishments along the way. It’s been our pleasure to photograph them with their kindergarten construction paper art all the way to their senior…
- May 09, 2016Teachers play a critical role in educating and shaping our children’s lives. Many of these children will become the future leaders in our communities and will be the teachers for future generations. Our teachers’ impact is immeasurable and worthy of celebration every day. Last week marked the National Education Association’s National Teacher Appreciation Week. Since 1984, the NEA has designated…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMay 02, 2016Question: With all this attention to distracted driving recently, I know that a person can talk on a cell phone while driving if they are 18 years or older. I understand that it is illegal for anyone under that age to be on a cell phone. Does that apply to a hands-free device such as a blue tooth? Answer: Anyone under 18 years of age may NOT operate a vehicle while using a cell phone whether…
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