Opinion
By RIck Peterson, general managerMay 28, 2025This is the third installment in my series of columns about what I consider growing trends of having too many choices in making simple decisions. I so far covered barbecue sauces and paint, and now we’ll cover dog food. Pet food choices are off the charts, and for this column I am zeroing in on dog food. Our local Bomgaars is where I buy my dog food, so I did my research there on the plethora…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistMay 28, 2025There seems to be a new sheriff in town when it comes to operating a boat or personal watercraft in Minnesota waters. There are new regulations starting July 1, 2025. These new rules require both youth and younger adults to be certified in watercraft safety if you were born after 2004. The new rules are being phased in. If you were born after 2004, the requirements begin on July 1 of this year…- May 21, 2025We have a reputation here in Rock County of working together to solve complicated problems. This collaborative spirit — especially among local leaders and private enterprise — has put us on the map numerous times for many reasons. Thirty years ago, for example, Rock County emerged as a leader in the state when our planning and zoning commission adopted its own feedlot ordinance. It was 1995,…
By Brenda Winter, columnistMay 21, 2025When Marcella Prokop, co-owner of The Cidery at Blackshire Farms near Beaver Creek, called and asked if I, Brenda Winter, could judge a rhubarb contest at the Cidery on Saturday, June 7, I said I could not, but I knew who could – Marlene and Darlene. Marlene and Darlene are two imaginary elderly sisters created for the stage by DJ Luethje and me. The sisters hail from Leota, Minnesota. They…- May 21, 2025Ginn: 'Take care of you neighbors, both in Luverne and all over the world' To the Editor: I was inspired by Thomas Getman’s mention of Palestine to finally write about this. I haven’t gone a day without thinking about Palestine since 2023. I am sixteen years old, and it is incredibly disappointing to watch those in power do nothing while I watch kids burned alive in tent fires. You might…
- By Nikki FrakesMay 14, 2025A Minnesota native deeply moved by nature, I must have been in high school when I had the unforgettable opportunity to work with renowned National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg. On a frigid winter night, we ventured into the untouched wilderness near Ely, Minnesota. The cold was biting and the silence — vast and consuming. An audio technician placed microphones on the frozen lake, and…
By Lori Sorenson, editorMay 14, 2025There once was a little candle whose flame was beginning to dim. Her light is dimmed by clouds of hardship: a D-minus in math, social media bullying and the recent loss of her grandmother. She tries to push the clouds away, but as other hardships accumulate, she begins to lose hope. The darker and heavier the clouds, the more tired she gets, and it appears her flame might go out entirely.…
By RIck Peterson, general managerMay 14, 2025This is the second installment in my four-part series of columns on how I feel we have too many choices. My last column dealt with the onslaught of choices regarding barbecue sauces. This week I was overwhelmed by the choices in the world of paint. Our local Ace Hardware is ground zero when it comes to paint choices: brands, color, sheen, and now even texture. First, brands. At Ace you can pick…- May 14, 2025Berghorst: Supporting child care: A community commitment To the Editor: For decades our community has struggled with a lack of available child care. As in-home providers retire, fewer individuals are stepping in to fill the gap, leaving many families without reliable options. While it's easy to criticize the investment required to address this issue — especially online — it’s far more…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistMay 14, 2025So how many of you have even heard of the Land and Legacy Amendment? Of those of you who recognize the term, how many of you are familiar with what it is and how it operates? I am so surprised how the average Minnesotan is so disconnected from this title. Let us give you a little background. It was during one of the biggest recessions of the past 40 years that the citizens of Minnesota made a…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterMay 07, 2025Yukon Cornelius is the name of the Arctic prospector in the animated holiday special, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” It’s also the name we’ve given to our new-to-us GMC Yukon sport utility vehicle. Like the animated character, our Yukon has become a trusted friend, especially after a recent drive to California to visit our youngest son. My husband and I spent nine days, 3,676 miles and an…- May 07, 2025Free health care for illegal immigrants: At what cost to Minnesotans? To the Editor, A concerned constituent recently sent me a text message regarding the escalating cost of providing medical care to illegal immigrants in the state of Minnesota. Here’s what’s currently in place: In the 2023 Health and Human Services budget bill, illegal immigrants were granted free coverage under…
By Scott Rall, outdoors columnistMay 07, 2025The smoke is in the air. Anyone who has been driving around the countryside lately will have seen lots of smoke. The different departments of wildlife agencies have been very busy doing prescribed fire. Yours truly has been doing the same, mostly for private land owners who have acres enrolled in CRP. It seems that no matter how many times I include the rationale for spring burning, I always…- April 30, 2025The Star Herald last week was pleased to be invited by Congressman Brad Finstad’s office to join him at the local John Deere dealership for a tour and visit with local people. “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) will be visiting C&B Operations in Luverne on Friday, April 25, at 1:30 p.m. CT,” the email message read. “Press is welcome to attend. Please reply … if you plan to join.” We replied…
By Brenda Winter, columnistApril 30, 2025Her brow furrowed in disapproval, my nine-year-old violin instructor releases another exasperated sigh. “Gra-maw! Your ‘second’ finger!!!!” She reaches for the instrument and again demonstrates the finger progression required “to tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead.” We are in Kentucky where children play the violin and call their grandmothers “Gra-maw.” I have been a violin student…- April 30, 2025‘Junk Days’ are among many things to love about Luverne To the Editor: With recent social media criticism of the city of Luverne, I felt it in my heart to reflect on the past 23 years. Truthfully, I wasn’t supposed to move here. The plan was for my fiancé to move to where I was. But 24 years ago, he brought me to Luverne to try and change my mind. Moving here meant uprooting my daughter and…
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