Opinion
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 10, 2024Question: I was wondering, with the ads on television showing people driving with their hands off the steering wheel, is that legal in Minnesota if your vehicle has that capability? Answer: I believe you are asking about autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, which are capable of sensing their environment and operating without human involvement. Minnesota law states that every driver is…
January 03, 2024Unseasonably warm weather this winter has prevented the usual ice fishing and ice activities that would normally occur this time of year. While many lakes and rivers still have open water in southwest Minnesota, colder weather is coming and some may be tempted to venture onto the ice too soon. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been urging people to be aware of degraded ice…
By Lori Sorenson, editorJanuary 03, 2024George Bonnema has been gone for only a week, and already we feel his conspicuous absence. (See our front page tribute story) Who will lead Generations and be the voice of our newly energized senior citizens? Who will tend the boulevards and update the seasonal planters? Who will place fresh arrangements on tables for senior dining? Who will bake and donate award-winning carrot cake for…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 03, 2024Question: I am applying for a new job that will have questions about my driving record. Can I visit with someone from Law Enforcement to get a copy of that? Answer: No, this is not something that Law Enforcement agencies can provide. If you want to know what employers and insurers see, the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division has made it easier than ever to get a copy of either your…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianJanuary 03, 2024The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on March 23, 1944. (Ole J. Skyberg's life story continues.) Mr. Skyberg is a member of the Zion Lutheran church and was one of its founders. As a…- By Linda Wenzel, program manager, A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota in LuverneDecember 27, 2023The holidays can be a time of mixed emotions and extra stress for caregivers. To help reduce holiday stress, following are some suggestions for caregivers. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of extra tasks and hassles that the holidays bring. Make it a priority to take a little time for yourself to sit quietly, relax and recharge. Taking brief timeouts can help you to be a more…
- December 20, 2023Christians believe “God so loved the world that he gave his only son” to take away the sins of the world (John 3:16), and as such, Christmas is a celebration of the arrival of Jesus as told in the Bible’s second chapter of Luke: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. … And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to…
By Wyatt VanSteenberg, sales representativeDecember 20, 2023I was going to write a column on my favorite five Christmas movies, but the more I thought about the Christmas movies I enjoyed, the more it made me think about family traditions. My favorite family traditions are quite unique and maybe wouldn’t fall directly into the “traditional” category. We celebrate Christmas Eve on my mother’s side with a very unorthodox family meal that’s also my…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 20, 2023Question: My question is why electric cars and trucks do not have front license plates? These are all from Minnesota which is required by law. They are not from out of state. Answer: Electric vehicles are required to have a front license plate in Minnesota, this is a common equipment violation. Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No person shall operate, drive or park a motor…- December 13, 2023It’s a wonderful time of year for giving and receiving gifts, and here in Rock County we have generosity down to a science — or at least a stroke of the keypad. The 2023 Christmas gift drive for our students in Luverne schools is wrapping up, and 44 families in the district will receive extra presents under their trees. Through the School Giving Tree, each child will receive two gifts and each…
By Brenda Winter, columnistDecember 13, 2023Watching Dianne and Rodger Ossenfort play the role of Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the annual Winterfest “Photos with Santa” event is a wonder to behold. Both have the solid emotional core required to press on in spite of being the reason several small children have become sobbing, weeping banshees clinging to their mothers. Undaunted, each child is asked what he or she wants for Christmas.…
By RIck Peterson, general managerDecember 13, 2023Mary and I spend a fair amount of time driving around town after dark checking out the Christmas decorations. Frankly, the city park has never looked better. It’s just another example of Luverne doing it right. The gigantic inflatable Santa recently went up at the home on the corner of Highway 75 and Dodge Street, and it’s a perfect spot for him. It’s like he’s out there saying, “Merry Christmas…- December 06, 2023Construction has started on Luverne’s giant nutcracker, and our social media announcement stirred a long string of comments, both positive and negative. As is the case with many community developments, some will support new initiatives, some will voice sincere reservations, and others are never happy. We welcome all kinds of feedback, but we can’t abide personal attacks, expletives and…
By Lori Sorenson, editorDecember 06, 2023When we decorated the Star Herald office for Christmas, our sports reporter, Greg Hoogeveen, added some holiday cheer to his own workspace with an electric leg lamp. I laughed out loud when I saw it — the warm glow from a fringed lamp shade atop a shapely plastic high-heeled leg in fishnet stockings. It's parked in the center of the newsroom, and I hope our customers are familiar with the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 06, 2023Ask a Trooper Question: I hear there that DWI’s can become more of an issue around the winter holidays. Can you talk about that? Thank you for all you do. Answer: Minnesota Law Enforcement is participating in a statewide campaign that includes extra DWI enforcement that started the day before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Over the past five years (2018-2022), more than 120,000 people…- November 29, 2023There’s an urgent need for child foster families – and adoptive homes as well. In 2022, 11,235 children in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care. For children who left out-of-home placement, 20 percent were adopted by families, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you’ve ever wondered about fostering children or adopting children from foster care, here’s what you…
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