By Lori Sorenson
May 08, 2024
Spring fieldwork took off in Rock County and across the region in mid-April, but conditions changed in late April and early May after more than 3½ inches of rain fell over a two-week period.
According to the USDA Weekly Planting Progress Report released on April 29, 30 percent of the corn in Minnesota had been planted, compared to a five-year average of 18 percent.
Progress in Rock County and…
May 08, 2024
Kindergarten through fifth-grade students at Luverne Elementary School raised more than $10,000 with their annual Cardinal Dash Wednesday afternoon, May 1. Parents Partners in Education (PPIE) organize the event, which included a fun run and grade-level tug of war tournament. Students sold Cardinal cards to friends and family to raise money for added special events and activities in the 2024-25…
By Lori Sorenson
May 08, 2024
Rock Ranch near Hills is joining the “Seen Through Horses” campaign during the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.
“We are very grateful to be a part of this tremendous national campaign,” said Dan LaRock, who co-founded Rock Ranch with his wife, Marie, in 2016.
“It helps shine a light on the power of equine assisted counseling as a reliable and helpful resource for many who…
By Lori Sorenson
May 08, 2024
Phil Voigt retired this spring from the Southwestern Mental Health Center after 43 years of helping people improve their mental health.
Voigt is a licensed psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed marriage and family therapist and said the career suited him well.
“I sort of grew into this,” he said about the path to his career. “My parents taught kindness and respect for…
By Mavis Fodness
May 08, 2024
Brody’s Bar owner Deon Carriere enjoys drinking Snapple, answering trivia questions and raising money for a good cause, and he’s combined all three passions into a fun Tuesday night activity at his Hills business.
Carriere uses the Real Facts from the underside of Snapple bottle caps for his trivia questions.
His interest in Real Facts began decades ago from watching “Seinfeld” episodes in…
By Mavis Fodness
May 08, 2024
In a recently completed community survey, Hills residents overwhelmingly agree on several statements about their community.
Hills is an affordable place to live and raise children, has an adequate park system, and the quality of life is good.
Residents also agree with city leaders that there is room for improvements.
The Hills City Council contracted with the Southwest Regional Development…
By Mavis Fodness
May 08, 2024
A calf in Pipestone County died from rabies April 24, according to a May 2 announcement by the Minnesota Department of Animal Health.
This is the fourth bovine in the past year to test positive for rabies in Minnesota and the third bovine to test positive locally.
On April 22 a Pipestone County cattle producer noticed one of his calves behaving strangely. The following day he relayed the…
May 08, 2024
Warm spring weather is here, and many Minnesotans are thinking about their lawns, trees and gardens. Whether you do yardwork yourself or hire a professional, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers on your property by following all label directions.
Pesticide and fertilizer labels specify how to use products safely and effectively. In…
By Mavis Fodness
May 08, 2024
An essay written by Luverne sixth-grader Inge Gangestad was chosen as the best in the Luverne Rotary Club essay contest.
As a result, Gangestad’s essay will move on to the District 5610 contest conducted in late April.
Classmates Oliver Carbonneau (runner-up) and Cooper Thone (third) were also recognized. They are students in Deb Hoogendoorn’s class.
The essays were written using the Rotary…
May 08, 2024
The Luverne High School Class of 2024 gathered April 24 on the school campus for the annual senior group picture. This year the 92 students chose to pose with two International Harvester tractors outside the school’s performing arts center. Myhre Studio photographer Jim Juhl snapped the picture after getting all the students in position.
The tradition started more than 25 years ago when the…
By Mavis Fodness
May 01, 2024
The day after Hills-Beaver Creek High School hosted a junior-senior prom for students, residents from Tuff Memorial Home donned dresses and suits Saturday afternoon for their first prom in the same location.
Organized by the Tuff Home’s life enrichment department, the residents senior prom was intended to spark memories of special events, connect residents with the community, and provide a fun…
By Lori Sorenson
May 01, 2024
Minnesota Department of Transportation personnel were in Luverne Tuesday, April 23, to discuss the 2026 Highway 75 construction project.
The $9.3 million project will improve the road surface and pedestrian safety from Main Street to Veterans Drive. The work includes:
•Reconstructing the road and finishing with concrete pavement with the three-lane configuration and bike lanes remaining in…
By Lori Sorenson
May 01, 2024
“Marlene and Darlene” will return to the stage next week for another comedy performance to raise money for Generations.
The show will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Historic Palace Theatre in Luverne.
It will be the fifth Generations fundraiser performance for Luverne actresses Brenda Winter and DJ Luethje and their first return to the stage without the late George Bonnema.
The theme of…
By Lori Sorenson
May 01, 2024
Infestations of the destructive emerald ash borer have been spreading across Minnesota over the past 15 years, and on Monday the Minnesota Department of Agriculture confirmed the first sighting in Rock County.
An arborist working in Rock County discovered an EAB infestation near Beaver Creek about 5 miles from the South Dakota border and reported it to the MDA.
EAB larvae were later found, and…
By Mavis Fodness
May 01, 2024
Voters in the Ellsworth School District will decide if the current K-12 facility will receive $5 million in improvements.
A special election is set for Tuesday, May 14.
The last of three community information meetings is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in the school gymnasium.
While the majority of the Ellsworth district is located in Nobles County, a small portion of Kanaranzi Township…
By Mavis Fodness
May 01, 2024
At their April 22 meeting, Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members hired three people to fill open positions for the 2024-25 school year.
Teacher, guidance counselor and coach Dan Ellingson is retiring after 34 years with the district. Also, 2021 retiree Steve Wiertzema, who had been filling in as secondary physical education teacher and athletic director, resigned from those duties.
The H-BC…
