Opinion
- August 27, 2025Whether children walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it’s extremely important that they take proper safety precautions. As students return to school, the National Safety Council offers the following tips for children to safely travel to and from school: Walkers: Review family walking safety rules and practice walking to school with your child. ●Walk on the sidewalk if one…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolAugust 27, 2025Question: I was driving in the metro area the other day and I witnessed a bus driving on the shoulder. Is this allowed? Answer: Transit buses and metro mobility buses are permitted to use the shoulder of a freeway or expressway. Buses can use the shoulder only when main-line traffic speeds are less than 35 miles per hour. Bus drivers on the shoulder may not exceed the speed of main-line traffic…- August 20, 2025Wellness Month is observed in August when we’re encouraged to focus on improving our overall health and well-being. In our Rock County communities there are countless opportunities to engage in activities that support physical, mental, emotional and social health. We have walking and biking paths, splash pads, fitness centers and numerous classes for senior balance and strength training. But…
By Lori Sorenson, editorAugust 20, 2025In the days following my husband’s appointment as sheriff, friends and acquaintances have, in gest, called me the future “First Lady” of Rock County. While I was flattered, something about the title for a sheriff’s wife didn’t ring true, so I asked Siri. In short, “first lady” is typically reserved for the wives of presidents, governors and mayors, but not for the wives of sheriffs. By…- By Rick Peterson, general managerAugust 20, 2025August is a busy family celebration month at our household. We have three birthdays and two anniversaries on the calendar this month. One of the birthdays belongs to me, and one of the anniversaries reminds Mary and me it’s been 48 years since the “I do’s” were exchanged. Those of you who have 48 years or more of marriage under your belts probably already know there are only so many ways to…
- August 13, 2025Aug. 6 marked the 60th Anniversary of the passage of the federal Voting Rights Act, which most historians would put on their top 10 list of most consequential acts ever passed by the U.S. Congress. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reached out last week to observe the date and to encourage Minnesotans to continue their long history of strong voter turnout. He said the legislation stands…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library directorAugust 13, 2025In case we don’t know each other, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Calla Jarvie, your friendly neighborhood library director. I have lived in Luverne since 2013, and I have been lucky enough to be the Rock County Community library director since 2018. Rock County is a wonderful place, but hands down, my favorite spot is the library. First of all, it’s got working air conditioning (most of the…- August 06, 2025The Star Herald has received a number of suggestions for “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” mentions in recent weeks. They include: Thumbs down — to train delays at intersections in town. The community appreciates that our railroad is vibrant and contributing to the local economy, but frequent and lengthy delays in the middle of town are not only an inconvenience to motorists, they can be a public…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterAugust 06, 2025I noticed the angels surrounding me beginning late afternoon on July 11. They’re not angels as supernatural beings with actual wings, but angels in the sense of the compassion and care they displayed in the three weeks following my husband’s motorcycle accident and resulting funeral on July 26. I’ve offered a personal thank you to many of these angels, while some I’ve yet to meet and maybe I…
By RIck Peterson, general managerAugust 06, 2025The first week of August is in the books, and the back-to-school shopping season is well underway. It’s fair to say back-to-school shopping isn’t what it used to be. Granted, I am out of the loop when it comes to back-to-school shopping. For this column I reached out to my two granddaughters for their help with the “must have” back-to-school clothes, shoes and school supplies. Brooke is a soon-…
By Brenda WinterJuly 30, 2025Jim and I were enjoying a blistering hot summer evening on the Take 16 patio when our out-of-town guests asked casually, “So what’s with all the nutcrackers?” An eerie silence fell over our table, and the free-flowing conversation was stalled by the question no one can answer. We took small, nervous sips of our ice-cold beers, eyes darting from side to side. The air was thick enough to cut…
By Rick Peterson, General managerJuly 23, 2025It is fair week – well, actually four days – but it has a week’s worth of fun and entertainment packed into those four days. If memory serves me right, the Minnesota State Fair’s slogan is the Great Minnesota Get-Together. I think that can be said about the Rock County Fair but on a smaller scale. My guess is that a very high percentage of the Rock County fairgoers are repeat visitors. I…- By Better Business Bureau guest editorialJuly 23, 2025Since 2022, business scam reports to BBB Scam TrackerSM have totaled more than 3,600. These scams involved employee and vendor impersonations, theft of social media accounts, data breaches and many more scam types. Reports to Better Business Bureau® show that business scammers can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars in a flash without proper protections. Further reports to federal agencies…
- July 09, 2025Our readers have had an active week with recent submissions for “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” sentiments in the community. Thumbs down — to motorists who park in front of local EV chargers. The charging stations are there for a reason, and if you’re not charging your vehicle, please leave the parking spots open for EV motorists who need a charge. Thumbs up — to last week’s July 4 celebration at…
By Brenda Winter, columnistJuly 09, 2025Rain does not dampen community spirit. Rain was in the forecast, but it was July Fourth and this is ’merica. As the sun began to set, the mood at Luverne’s annual Fourth of July celebration at The Lake was jovial. An elderly gentleman sitting in front of us succumbed to the music when the band started playing “Fishin’ in the Dark.” Pushing his seed corn cap back on his head, he grabbed his…
By Rick Peterson, general managerJuly 09, 2025Is it just me, or are there a lot more distractions while driving on the city streets these days? I am not referring to texting while driving or fiddling with all the knobs, dials, buttons and switches that cars and trucks come with these days. What I am getting at is all the other modes of transportation vying for space on the streets. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds and UTVs all have to be…
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