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  • By Lori Sorenson
    April 14, 2020
    Smithfield Foods closed its Sioux Falls pork processing plant over the weekend after more than 230 workers tested positive for coronavirus.        The plant is one of the nation’s top pork processors, and it has many in the ag sector worried about food supply chains.        “It is impossible to keep our grocery stores stocked if our plants are not running,” said Smithfield President and CEO…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    April 14, 2020
    The Luverne Economic Development Authority will provide relief for local businesses suffering economic hardship as a result of temporary closures for coronavirus prevention.  Qualifying businesses — nearly 80 non-residential accounts — will see a credit on their May utility statements equal to half of three months worth of their average bills. Members of the LEDA, which met via conference call…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    April 14, 2020
    Rock County learned of its first two confirmed cases of coronavirus this week as numbers continue to climb across the state and nation. As of Tuesday, there were no more additional local cases, and local emergency management officials continued to prepare for an anticipated “surge” of patients weeks from now. In addition to securing personal protective equipment for “front line” workers — medical…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    April 14, 2020
    As Rock County enters the third week of Minnesota’s stay-in-place mandate, area state legislators are reaching out to various groups to discuss legislative action amid the coronavirus pandemic. Sen. Bill Weber and Reps. Rod Hamilton and Joe Schomacker hosted several videoconferencing calls with school and county leaders last week, and they will talk with city administrators this week. “The role…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    April 14, 2020
    Sometimes pictures from the ground don’t tell the whole story. Luverne High School junior Cade Wenninger last week showcased aerial photographs he captured through his Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities class. “I always thought the drone pictures on the Internet were really neat,” he said. Late last year Wenninger began business plans for Skygenix, an aerial photography company. He researched…
  • April 14, 2020
    On April 8, a Star Herald reader notified the paper about inspirational chalk messages that appear intermittently on the Luverne Loop path northwest of the school ball diamonds. The Star Herald shared them on Facebook and later discovered the artists belong to Peyten Elbers day care. She’s pictured with them at their daycare April 8: Amelia Delowe, Breña Delowe, Kodac Rivas, Hunter Cook, Greyson…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    April 14, 2020
    Beaver Creek City Council members accepted a bid of $175,000 from MC&R, Sioux Falls, for a splash pad at the city park on the southeast side of town. At their Wednesday, April 8, meeting via Zoom, council members discussed the cost of the splash pad with regard to the coronavirus-depressed economy. “I’m worried about public perception,” said councilman Jeff Dysthe, who voted against the…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    April 14, 2020
    Security Savings Bank officials withdrew a request to change a professional agreement with Rock County, just weeks after asking commissioners for a temporary amendment. County Administrator Kyle Oldre updated commissioners April 7 about the bank’s decision.“They recognized the impact it would have on the county,” he said. “They wanted to be a good partner.” When contacted after the announcement,…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    April 14, 2020
    Area livestock producers are planning three new hog barn sites, three cattle barns and one dairy feedlot expansion for 2020. Three additional hog barns are in the planning process, according to county feedlot officer Doug Bos, who presented the county’s 2019 Feedlot Summary Report to county commissioners. “Challenges with the coronavirus may slow this down,” Bos said. The number of proposed…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    April 14, 2020
    Hills-Beaver Creek School District is planning commencement ceremonies for its original date, Friday, May 22. The H-BC School Board met in regular session Monday night via Zoom, hours after Gov. Walz announced that the state’s peacetime emergency declaration to fight the spread of the coronavirus is extended to May 13. “I don’t know what it means (for school districts),” said Superintendent Todd…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    April 14, 2020
    Two conditional use permits erecting meteorological towers in Beaver Creek Township received approval from Rock County Commissioners April 7. The towers, located in sections 6 and 35, record wind speeds, direction, pressure, temperature and other assessments for the development of a potential wind farm.  NextEra Energy of Juno Beach, Florida, submitted the conditional use permit request. Earlier…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    April 14, 2020
    Members of the Luverne Economic Development Authority addressed a number of coronavirus-related business items during their Monday morning conference call. With the economic downturn, a lost opportunity in the industrial park prompted the return of a commercial lot to the LEDA.   Luverne Surgical and Dental Due to the impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having in the health care industry, Dr…
  • April 14, 2020
    Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature recently approved $6.2 million to provide $1,000 emergency grants to Minnesota veterans financially affected by COVID-19.      Starting Monday, April 6, veterans can apply for a Disaster Relief Grant, administered from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA). In addition to the Disaster Relief Grant, veterans who have experienced a more…
  • April 14, 2020
    The Luverne Rotary recognized three Luverne Middle School students as winners of the club’s annual Four-Way Test essay contest. The contest introduces students to the test, which asks four questions to gauge whether thoughts, works and actions are appropriate. Students were asked to incorporate the four questions into their essays. Questions are: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    April 14, 2020
    By Lori Sorenson Many local churches are worshipping online amid coronavirus distancing, but preaching to inanimate cameras isn’t the same as speaking to a live audience. Pastor Dorie Hall has been video recording her messages in the sanctuary of United Methodist Church in Luverne but found it difficult to minister to the empty benches. “You draw so much energy from the people in the room; you…
  • April 14, 2020
    As communities are urged to practice physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanford Luverne, Edgerton, and Adrian clinics are encouraging patients to take advantage of video visits with their health care provider.      “We’ve had questions about whether or not to come into the clinic, or if we can do this a different way,” said Tammy Loosbrock, senior director. “For a lot of those…
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