Editorials

Proposed school renovations, expansion enrich LHS proud academic tradition
By Becky Rahm, Luverne
October 09, 2017
Over the course of my teaching career, educational content and methods have evolved a lot, but unfortunately the Luverne Middle School/High School building has not kept up with the many changes. It is clear that the current middle school classrooms in particular are no longer adequate for the 21st-century teacher and student. Students must learn skills like collaboration, problem solving and…
Next Week is National Newspaper Week
By Jim Pumarlo, Minnesota News Media
October 03, 2017
Nothing is more satisfying to an editor than reviewing a day’s edition — whether in print or digital format — and quietly proclaiming, “We connected with our readers.” A newspaper’s relationship with its readers is at the heart of National Newspaper Week. Newspapers, at their best, are stewards of our communities. News columns are a blend of stories that people like to read and stories they…
Nov. 7 referendum asks district residents to 'make a difference'
By Craig Oftedahl, Luverne Public Schools Superintendent
September 19, 2017
I’ve worked in schools for 30 years and every fall I am impressed and inspired by the energy of students when they come back to school. It’s an exciting time of year for the kids, for parents and for teachers. The theme for this school year is “Purpose, Passion, Pride … Making a Difference.” Educating students and building relationships to prepare young people for the world is our purpose and we…
As the new school year opens, keep students in mind
September 05, 2017
Thousands of preschool through 12th-grade students entered schools throughout the area this week. It’s a fresh start. A clean slate. A new way to start over with a positive focus on the tasks at hand. Most importantly, the new school year is a chance for young people to learn to communicate and understand that, while issues seem overwhelming, there are ways to overcome them. This summer the…
Slow mail costs money
By Matthew Paxton IV
August 29, 2017
What happens when mail comes late? We found out a few years ago, when the postmaster general took away overnight first-class and periodicals mail from most of the nation. That caused problems for a lot of consumers and businesses. Late payments affect credit scores. Medicines mailed late could mean a trip to the hospital. Delayed payments to a business could mean delays in loan payments. Late…
Intruder training should expand beyond the school walls
August 22, 2017
When Minnesota’s public schools open their doors for the 2017-18 school year in September, some students will learn more than just reading, writing and arithmetic. Students at Luverne Public Schools will learn skills that may be life-saving. Beginning this year, Luverne students and staff will be exposed to lessons about what do to if a violent intruder enters their building. While this training…
Whiteout Campaing draws attention to the importance of local news
By Rick Peterson, Tollefson Publishing General Manager
August 15, 2017
As you can tell, we have a drastically different front page this week for Minnesota Newspaper Week and the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s 150th anniversary. The whole idea behind the mostly blank front page is to offer a sense of what it would be like without a local newspaper. I suspect a few readers will pick up the paper and look at the blank front page and think we had screwed up in some…
Now is the time to shake hands, roll up our sleeves and get to work
November 07, 2016
The political campaigning is now over and it’s time to pull together. We need to gather those good ideas and actually accomplish some legislative good for our communities, our state and our nation. We also need to set aside blatant disrespect, finger pointing and general negativity of the presidential campaign and mend fences. What better place to start than in our own backyards? Take the time to…
Don't miss out on being a part of history; get educated and vote on Tuesday
October 31, 2016
At this stage of any election process, it’s easy to become cynical. This year that’s the case more than we’ve ever seen in any other presidential election. In fact, it’s not uncommon to hear people say, “I don’t trust any of them. They’re all crooks, and I’m not going to vote.” Sadly, this would be the worst response to what should be a celebrated moment in American politics. Voting has always…
Where do you get your news and to what standards do these sources aspire?
October 17, 2016
Every year in October we observe National Newspaper Week during which time newspapers all over the nation remind their readers why local newspapers are important. In an age where we have instant access to so much online information, there’s little reason to be uninformed about the world around us. And that’s a good thing. But without careful consideration of sources and motivation behind messages…
Event was more than meeting at the pole
October 11, 2016
Last week the Star Herald covered the Luverne Middle School-High School students’ participation in the nationwide event “See You at the Pole.” The last time such a gathering occurred in Luverne was at the turn of the new millennium, and community members resoundingly indicated it was about time. Pictures from last week’s brief gathering in front of the middle-high school were posted on our…
For Mental Illness Awareness Week Oct. 2-8, let's celebrate achievements and commit compassion
September 26, 2016
Next week is Mental Illness Awareness Week. If you don’t have a mental illness or disorder, count your blessings, and if you don’t know someone with a mental illness or disorder, you’re in the minority. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — experience a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year…
MnDOT asks farm equipment operators, motorists to share the road
September 19, 2016
Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this fall need to be aware of large farm equipment transporting crops to markets, grain elevators and processing plants, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. “Harvest season is in full swing and farmers in every corner of the state are out using the highways,” said Jay Hietpas, state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to…
The general election is only a few weeks away; what do you want to know about your candidates?
September 12, 2016
This election season is shaping up to be a pivotal moment of changing leadership in many levels of government, from township halls to the White House, so it’s never been more important to research ballot options and the candidates you’ll support. For our local elections, the Star Herald publishes Q and A profiles of city council, school board and county commissioner candidates. The Star Herald…
The general election is only a few weeks away; how well do you know your candidates
September 05, 2016
Voting is both a right and a privilege, but it’s also an important responsibility of every eligible citizen. This election season is shaping up to be a pivotal moment of changing leadership in many levels of government, from township halls to the White House, so it’s never been more important to research ballot options and the candidates you’ll support. For our local elections, we hope you’ll…
Back-to-school safety: Do it by the book
August 29, 2016
Whether it’s just walking across the street to the school bus or young adults experimenting with alcohol for the first time at college, parents need to talk with their children about the dangers that lie ahead during the school year. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has compiled a list of issues and advice that will help guide parents to develop some common-sense principles for their…

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