Opinion
- October 15, 2025Baustian: City carefully reviews electric rates To the Luverne Municipal Electric Utility Customers for American Public Power Week: As the City of Luverne continues to provide affordable, reliable, and efficient electric service, we also face the ongoing challenge of rising wholesale energy costs from our suppliers — the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and Missouri River Energy…
By RIck Peterson, general managerOctober 15, 2025I don’t order a lot of things off the internet, but from time to time I do order a few things. Recently I was in the market for a couple of dog collars. So, like most Amazon shoppers, I typed in what I was looking for, and dozens of options popped up. So, after scrolling through them, I started to check out the reviews. Most of the reviews fell into the three-, four- and five-star category,…
By Kent Thiesse, Farm Management AnalystOctober 08, 2025A partial shutdown of the U.S. government began on Oct. 1, with no indications regarding how long that shutdown may last. Most farmers in the Midwest are in the middle of harvest season, so there has probably not been a lot of attention paid to the government shutdown to this point. However, if the shutdown continues for several more weeks, it could start to impact financial decisions for…
By Brenda Winter, columnistOctober 08, 2025Fall 2025 has been pleasant and comfortable far beyond a Minnesotan’s ability to enjoy it. It’s been sunny. It’s been beautiful. It’s been ... unnerving. Grass that should be crusty and brown is still green. Leaves that should be clogging street drains still hang on trees happily fluttering in soft warm breezes. Children continue to play outdoors in the golden glow of October sunshine.…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolOctober 08, 2025Question: I want to work for a farmer during planting and harvest season driving a semi. I have a valid Class D driver’s license but no commercial driver’s license. Can I cross a state line while working for the farmer, Minnesota into North Dakota? Answer: Yes, as long as you stay within 150 air miles of the farm. If you have additional questions regarding commercial motor-vehicles please…- October 01, 2025Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities. It brings stories to light that state and national outlets don’t cover in our communities — stories about school board decisions, city council debates, town celebrations and local heroes. In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, the Star Herald keeps our readers grounded in civic engagement,…
- By Lori Sorenson, editorOctober 01, 2025The Star Herald staff will visit the Luverne eighth-grade careers class Friday about opportunities in communication. I tell the kids that effective communicators are in demand across all job sectors. And I sometimes wonder about career paths I could have followed had I not landed at the Star Herald. For example, wordsmithing for chocolate marketing would be fun. “Close your eyes and taste the…
By RIck Peterson, general managerOctober 01, 2025My last couple of columns have been about things I love about this time of year. Well, here is one more. It’s not so much about what I love about this time of year, but more about the topic of conversation that really only happens this time of year. Pumpkins seem to be at the forefront of a lot of office conversation, as well at the Peterson household. Size, color, shape, how many and where to…- October 01, 2025Gangestad: MRES failed to provide city with direction Letter to the Editor: A decision by the local MRES supervisor to change the normal open point of a HV distribution feeder rendered the (PLC) power line carrier load control receivers “deaf”/not operational. This was 2019. The supervisor was advised of the ramifications of the decision, and the information was disregarded. This scenario…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianOctober 01, 2025The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group. Members of this group consist of persons age 75 and older. This article appeared in The Rock County Star on Oct. 16, 1941. An interesting story of how Rock county gained much of its early day Norwegian population is told by Martin O. Wold, Luverne, this week’s Diamond Club member. Mr. Wold knows the story well because he experienced…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library directorOctober 01, 2025I just got back from the annual Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If you’re thinking it was one big nerd-fest, you would be right. And it was AWESOME. As you probably gathered from the title of the conference, it was focused only on small and rural libraries. Every session at the conference was aimed specifically at libraries in areas like ours…- By Linda Wenzel, program manager, A.C.E. of SW MNSeptember 24, 2025Falls Prevention Week next week is a timely reminder for older adults to stay physically active, maintain balance and stay socially connected. One program helping make that possible right here in our community is SAIL – Stay Active and Independent for Life. SAIL classes are specifically designed to help adults 65 and older reduce their risk of falls and stay strong, confident and independent…
September 24, 2025As I sat in the performing arts center Friday afternoon, memories unfolded as I watched the four retired educators inducted into the Luverne Educator Hall of Fame. Laurin Carroll, Gregg Gropel, Katie Hemme and Joseph Roberts were teachers of mine at one time or another during my elementary and secondary years in Luverne Public Schools. It’s been more than 40 years (for one teacher, 50 years)…- September 24, 2025Radisewitz: 'Best of luck to everyone during this AEP' Letter to the Editor: As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) approaches, it is crucial for those 65 and older to pay attention to the upcoming changes. In late September, beneficiaries will receive the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from their Medicare plan. For some, there will be slight changes, and their plan will automatically…
- September 17, 2025Gov. Tim Walz last week issued an executive order directing the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to expand efforts to safeguard vaccine access in Minnesota in response to federal actions restricting vaccine availability at the federal level. The executive order also directs the state epidemiologist to issue a standing order for the COVID-19 vaccine, which would provide greater flexibility…
By Brenda Winter, columnistSeptember 17, 2025This fall, for the first time in 14 years, I went back to school when I joined three teachers and 18 students for the launch of Equipt Christian School in Luverne as a K-2 classroom helper. I don’t have an official title, but some of my more commonly used titles are, “Teacher” “Mrs. Teacher” “Mr. Winter" “Miss Winters” and “Gramma.” I’ve been amazed to observe, in just two short weeks, how…
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