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By Lori SorensonOctober 22, 2025Two new weather stations in Rock County are recording real-time data for local users, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The MDA announced last week that its Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN) recently expanded with the launch of three new weather stations in southern Minnesota. One is located on Rock County Rural Water property south of Luverne, one is on private land on…
By Mavis FodnessJuly 09, 2025June 30 marked Monsignor Gerald Kosse’s last day in Luverne as the full-time priest for St. Catherine Catholic Church. Parishioners ushered him into retirement with a June 29 supper celebrating his 49 years in the priesthood. He has served Luverne’s St. Catherine since the parish merged with Pipestone’s St. Leo Catholic Church in 2018. Under Kosse’s guidance, the dual parish gained its first…
June 11, 2025Work on a three-story play system was completed last week and is ready for visitors to Jacobson Park in Hills. A smaller play system was also assembled at The Rez. The work was completed through Dakota Playscapes of Sioux Falls. The Hills City Council approved the purchase of both play systems in September 2024 at a cost of $135,600.
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 05, 2025Pastor Lori Bonkoski’s call to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills brings the Mountain Lake native closer to home in more ways than one. The move to Hills this month ended what she called an extended journey from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Sumner, Washington. “I served there for 38 years and the congregation (numbers) ebbed and flowed,” she said. “It finally became too small to keep…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianJanuary 22, 2025The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Jan. 1, 1932. New auto licenses to be ready tomorrow 1932 plates are maroon and gold; penalty for delay begins February 15th; many apply early The time for the purchase of the 1932 automobile license plates will soon be here. New plates to early applicants will probably arrive some time this week. They are sent direct to the applicant…
By Mavis FodnessAugust 07, 2024A new 500,000-gallon water tower will serve southwest Rock County, according to a conditional use permit granted to Rock County Rural Water (RCRW) Tuesday. Commissioners unanimously approved the two-year permit, supporting the recommendation of the county Planning and Zoning Commission following a public hearing for the permit on July 29. Two people attended the public hearing. Landowners…
By Lori SorensonApril 03, 2024Workers with G&D Viking Glass, Sioux Falls, showed up Tuesday morning at the historic Palace Theatre in Luverne to install a new street level entry. The work follows years of planning and design to make the 109-year-old doorway safer in winter months when snow and moisture cause the decorative tile to get slippery. The Palace at one time used removable doors in winter months to keep out…
By Mavis FodnessJanuary 31, 2024Magie Wieneke is the new assistant director of the Rock County Community Library, replacing Barb Verhey who recently retired after more than 48 years. Wieneke said she’s not sure she’ll stay as long as her predecessor, but she’s found her passion. “I’ve always been an avid reader, and the chance to be around books and have my finger on the pulse of all new releases is thrilling,” she said. “…
By Mavis FodnessDecember 20, 2023Bid opening for the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School will test cost estimates that school officials, architects and construction managers have been working on for months. Sarah Fox, architect with ATSR, led the design process. “Most important is to get the school built on budget,” she said. Bids were set to be opened at 2 p.m. Tuesday after the Star Herald’s press deadline. Bid…
By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyMay 28, 2019The following appeared in the Rock County Star Herald on April 10, 1958. Phone Subscribers Will Get Call Explaining Dial System Starting Monday, April 14, Northwestern Bell Telephone Company will start calling all Luverne telephone customers, according to N. C. Johnson, local manager. “The reason for these calls is to explain the new dial service which will start Sunday, May 4…
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