Opinion
By Matthew Sorenson, Rock County SheriffJune 17, 2026Our office has received several notifications regarding a scam call or text currently going around the county. The message is sent by an individual acting like they are a lieutenant or sergeant advising that a friend or family member is currently incarcerated, and that money is needed to be sent for their bond. Other variations of the same message have been reported as well. One example we…
By RIck Peterson, general managerJune 17, 2026My column for this week is about things I have never taken for granted. Those things remind meof how lucky I have been to work in an office setting for the past 40 years. The hot muggy days recently give me reason to be thankful I work in an air-conditioned office. The same is true in the middle of a subzero cold spell in the dead of winter to be working in an office with the thermostat set at…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJune 17, 2026Question: I know you talk about the importance of tires when it comes to the winter months but I think it’s just as important to talk about it in the spring with rain and wet roads. Thank you. Answer: It is always a good time to talk about tire safety. Tires must support your vehicle’s weight and grip the road properly. Inspect tires regularly for cuts, cracks, uneven wear, bald spots, bulges…
By Brenda Winter, columnistJune 10, 2026As I enjoyed lunch with a friend, I suggested I might have a second biscuit when she (lovingly) pinched a bit of flubber on my waistline and said, “I think you’ve had enough biscuits.” This was shortly after another friend told me of the success her co-workers were having with weight loss drugs and (lovingly) suggested, “You could try it.” My shirts and pants had been sending the same (loving…- By Star Herald EditorialJune 10, 2026Luverne has a reputation for being a “clean and pleasant” town, with rows of stately homes, shaded drives and manicured lawns. This year, with Highway 75 construction in the middle of town, it’s harder to pull off that image for visitors. Especially for town celebrations — like this weekend’s Buffalo Days and upcoming Hot Dog Night and our 75th Annual Tri-State Band Festival. While we’re…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistJune 10, 2026The past few weeks have been pretty frustrating for this outdoor guy. It is hard to have so much work on my to-do list and each day passes and none of it is getting done. The work I am referring to is my list of prescribed grassland fires. That list has been accumulating since last May and for most of those projects it needs to be completed by May 15. There are always lots of calls and…
June 03, 2026Sometimes I’m proud to be “old school.” I didn’t get a cell phone until 2006. And I still haven’t adopted the use of GPS or other personal navigation technology. That’s right; when I travel I use my trusty “mental map” or look at Google Maps to plan ahead. I don’t let anyone or anything on my phone or car tell me where to go. This is especially true when the route is familiar. Why…- By Linda Wenzel, Program Manager of A.C.E. of SW MN Rock CountyJune 03, 2026As we recognized Older Americans Month in May, it was an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, wisdom and resilience of older adults in our communities while also reflecting on the importance of supporting healthy aging for all. This year’s national theme, “Champion Your Health,” emphasized prevention, wellness and personal responsibility as key components of aging well. It serves as a…
By RIck Peterson, general managerJune 03, 2026The column count has now entered June, leaving just five columns left, counting this one, before my retirement on July 31. One of the joys of this job is being involved in a whole host of community events. This weekend is Luverne’s annual Buffalo Days, and because of the Highway 75 construction some of the traditional events have detoured to different locations. For example, the Friday Night…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJune 03, 2026Question: In last week’s article you wrote about e-bikes. Can you also just provide a reminder on all around bicycle safety? Thank you. Answer: If you’re riding a bicycle, you must: •Obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as you would when driving. — The only exception is that bicyclists may treat stop signs as yield signs when the intersection is clear. •Use signals, if able, to…
By Nicole RonchettiMay 27, 2026If you had asked me a few weeks ago whether a theater production of “The Hobbit” could capture the heart and the whimsy of Tolkien’s original book, I would have said, “Maybe, but it’d be tough.” If you had told me that the adaptation was set in a post-apocalyptic 2056, I would have said, “Never in a million years.” I am, against my better judgement, a bit of a Tolkien purist. So, when I sat…- By Star Herald EditorialMay 27, 2026The Minnesota Department of Human Services reports that 9,070 children and youth experienced out-of-home care in 2025. Of those 63% are in greater Minnesota. Children’s Home, a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota and longtime leader in foster care and adoption, is seeking additional foster parents to care for children in need. “Statewide, there is a shortage of foster families…
- By Anthony Gacke, Rural LuverneMay 27, 2026To the editor: We the taxpayers and electricity users paid for an auto start on the generators and it appears that we do not need it according to City Administrator Jill Wolf. Her statement in the April 30 Star Herald article stated the L&O notifies the power plant/city how long the outage will be and if they should turn on their generators. She also stated that these generators cost a…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMay 27, 2026Question: Did I hear something about a new law about stopping for school buses? Answer: In March 2026, Minnesota law changed to require drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus whenever the red lights are flashing. The stop arm does not need to be fully extended. This new requirement aims to remove confusion and clarify expectations for every driver on the road. WHAT CHANGED…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library directorMay 27, 2026School’s out and summer is here! It’s the library’s busiest season with our Summer Reading Program! We have two reading programs — one for kids and one for adults. The theme for this year’s program is “Plant a Seed, Read!” The summer reading program kick-off is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 5, with The Zoo Man, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The Friends are also handing out treats at…- By Tom GetmanMay 20, 2026What does one who is in public life in a nation’s capital do when despair undermines hope? Often discouragement abounds from exceptionalist imperialistic governance, illegal warring foreign policy, lack of support for beleaguered farmers, with many communities suffering emergencies without adequate relief. There is heartbreak because of diminished attention to suffering people oppressed at…
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