Editorials
- June 27, 2016The Father’s Day flood of 2014 tore through the spillway of the dam at the Blue Mounds State Park, draining what had been the park’s Lower Lake. Since then, park visitors and community members have been waiting for answers about what would be done about the flood damage. Those answers were delivered last week: The dam will not be replaced and there will not be a lake feature at the park. The…
- June 20, 2016Drivers in Luverne need to take notice. Pedestrians always have the right of way. If drivers don’t stop and let pedestrians cross the road, they could be subject to a fine. And if the crossing lights are malfunctioning, it’s not an excuse. On a daily basis Sheriff Evan Verbrugge is contacted about malfunctioning pedestrian crossing lights on Highway 75 at Dodge Street, Barck Avenue and, most…
- June 07, 2016As work continues on bringing broadband Internet to all rural residences in Rock County, commissioners are reconsidering the county’s current tax abatement resolution. For almost 20 years Rock County has offered tax incentives to new businesses that move into or expand within the county boundaries. Passed in 1997, the tax abatement resolution allowed commissioners to forego their share of the…
- May 31, 2016Thumbs up to those of you who are keeping up with the fast-growing grass between the frequent May showers. Another thumbs up to those home and business owners who have taken the time to decorate with brightly colored flowers. Thumbs down to those who cannot seem to find their lawnmowers … or their green thumbs. Thumbs up to the forward-thinking congregation of the Zion Lutheran Church, the…
- May 23, 2016We have life pretty good here in Rock County, with relative peace and prosperity that we tend to take for granted. We don’t worry where our next meal will come from and we don’t fear enemy attacks on our community. When we turn on the light switch and water faucet, we don’t give it another thought when the lights go on and water fills the sink. When we get in the car, we assume it will start and…
- By Jen Lindsey, Southwest Crisis Center, Rock County officeApril 25, 2016Dear survivors of sexual assault, It’s not your fault. You didn’t ask for it. I believe you. You might be thinking that you’re not a victim of sexual violence because you weren’t kicking and screaming or because it was someone you knew. The truth is that 82 percent of sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Sexual assault is not only what most people think of as rape. If…
- March 28, 2016A report released earlier this year named Rock County as one of only 10 counties in Minnesota to have fully recovered from the 2010 recession. The National Association of Counties report indicated a large majority (93 percent) of U.S. counties have not recovered to prerecession levels in jobs, unemployment rates, economic outputs and median home values. Fortunately, Rock County is among the 214…
- March 21, 2016Where does your food come from? For many Americans, the answer is the grocery store, and for those of us living in an agricultural community, that’s a disturbing answer. The grocery store isn't where food comes from. It's just where food is distributed. In reality, far too many people are unaware of the role American agriculture plays in their daily lives … and what it really takes to…
- By By Jim Zachary, Valdosta, George, Daily Times Transparency Project of GeorgiaMarch 14, 2016Government must be held accountable. The only way for the public to hold government accountable is for all of the actions of government to be out in the open. That is why open government is part and parcel of democracy. When government is allowed to operate behind closed doors, it grows out of control, is not responsive to the public and is subject to corruption. These are some of the reasons the…
- By Cammy (Martin) and Rick Iverson, guest editorialFebruary 29, 2016Your article in the Feb. 11 edition of the Star Herald highlighted the work of so many committed citizens in Luverne who have made it possible to ask the question, “Is Luverne ready to be a destination?” From our perspective, the answer is a resounding YES! In June of last year, a group of twelve of our friends from Minneapolis joined us as we all enjoyed Luverne as a destination for three days…
- February 15, 2016While Gov. Mark Dayton will no longer press landowners to maintain a vegetative strip between farm fields and private roadside ditches, we think it’s a great idea to implement the practice anyway. Buffers of grasses, trees or shrubs stop harmful nutrients from washing off farm fields, entering waterways that empty into road ditches. Vegetative buffer strips soak up excessive phosphorus, nitrogen…
- January 25, 2016For the third straight year, Minnesota is ranked one of two strongest states in the nation. The annual analysis by the Politico Magazine is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life and economic health of each of the 50 states. New Hampshire was first in the nation. Louisiana was ranked last. States surrounding Minnesota all ranked in the top 20…
- January 18, 2016This week’s Star Herald Opinion Page represents the quintessential community newspaper opinion page. It has the perfect mix of personal columns and letters to the editor on local topics. It’s an editor’s dream. This, dear readers, is what an opinion page should be: a format to air local opinions. And it’s ideal when differing opinions are submitted on the same topic in the same week. Thank you,…
- January 11, 2016The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donations to prevent a shortage this winter. Busy holiday schedules in November and December contributed to about 1,700 fewer blood drives held across the country compared to the two previous months, which has resulted in about 50,000 fewer donations and reduced the blood supply. Donation appointments can be quickly and easily…
- January 04, 2016With less than one week into 2016, we’d like to offer one New Year’s resolution for everyone who lives, works and visits our communities from rural locales. The pungent smell left by snowy, dirty boots has been considerably noticeable in several public establishments. It was obvious the wearer walked directly from a feedlot into a retail business. Not only were the boots covered in animal…
- By Dennis Frederickson, regional director, Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesDecember 07, 2015A few weeks ago, I visited the Rock County Board of Commissioners to discuss the DNR’s process for evaluating and deciding the future of the dam at Blue Mounds State Park, which was significantly damaged during the flood of June 2014. Knowing our local communities have great interest in this issue, I wanted to share some of the key aspects of the DNR’s decision-making process with members of the…
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