By Lori Sorenson
April 28, 2020
As Rock County’s confirmed coronavirus cases still number in the single digits, its neighboring counties to the east and west are reporting rapidly rising cases.
As of Tuesday morning, Rock County had eight cases, but Minnehaha is up to 1,939 and Nobles has 477, both stemming from outbreaks in meat processing plants in Sioux Falls and Worthington.
While it appears Rock County is an oasis in…
By Mavis Fodness
April 28, 2020
Local livestock producers have permission to exceed their feedlot capacity permit, if needed, due to coronavirus outbreaks shutting down meat processing plants.
Rock County commissioners on April 21 approved a resolution — The Rock County Feedlot Permit Relief for 2020 – that allows local feedlots to exceed maximum capacities up to 90 days.
The shortage of the operation of pork and beef…
By Mavis Fodness
April 28, 2020
Area schools will finish the 2019-20 school year in virtual classrooms.
The announcement was made Thursday, April 23, through executive order by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
“To preserve the health, safety and lives of Minnesotans, it is necessary to extend the distance learning period of all Minnesota school districts and charter schools for the…
April 28, 2020
Ron and Jane Cote and their son, Wyatt, on the mandolin, brought their musical talent to a birthday party at the end of Pine Drive today in Luverne for Allison Grieme, whose name is celebrated in colorful chalk in the driveway. In addition to leading the group in singing Happy Birthday, the Cotes played a number of country western songs and wrapped up with their signature song, "Happy Trails…
April 28, 2020
Temperatures reached the upper 70s for several days in a row this past week, and area farmers took advantage of warming soil to get a big chunk of spring planting done. Curt Sandbulte, with his daughter, Alena, in the buddy seat plants a field near Beaver Creek Wednesday just north of the Palisade Lutheran Church west cemetery. Many farm operators have said soil conditions this spring are fit for…
By Lori Sorenson
April 28, 2020
When the Luverne Area Community Foundation set up the Covid-19 Help Fund last month, director Emily Crabtree knewthe funds were needed to help people, but she had no idea how the community would respond with donations.
Her goal was $100,000. “We figured go big,” Crabtree said, and she’s already halfway.
“The donations have come from people with a desire to help,” she said. “People…
By Mavis Fodness
April 28, 2020
Local property taxes are due May 15, and penalties will still be imposed for late payments, according to Rock County Auditor Treasurer Ashley Kurtz.
She said state officials recently notified county auditors the annual payment date will not change amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“May 15 has to stay the date,” said auditor Ashley Kurtz.
However, counties can choose to waive or lessen normal late…
April 28, 2020
Southwestern Youth Services students in Magnolia had fun outside last week coloring with chalk on the sidewalk to enjoy the nice weather. SYS is considered “essential” and is also operating under rigorous COVID-19 restrictions, according to educator Carol Naasz. “The kids are feeling more confined than usual as all on-site family visits and occasional off-campus excursions are currently not…
April 28, 2020
Producers signed a record 1.77 million contracts for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 crop year, which is more than 107 percent of the total contracts signed compared with a 5-year average. USDA also reminds producers that June 30 is the deadline to enroll in ARC and PLC for the 2020 crop year.
“…
April 28, 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau began sending reminder notice postcards this week to roughly 69 million households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census.
About 53 percent of households across the country have already responded since invitations began arriving on March 12.
Those households that have not yet responded to the census will receive an in-person visit by a census taker to collect their…
By Lori Sorenson
April 21, 2020
The “Skinny Building” at the alley along Cedar Street is on deck for some exterior improvements, thanks to help from the Luverne Economic Development Authority.
During the April teleconference meeting last week, the LEDA approved a historic Façade Improvement Program application for John Deitering for a project at 115 1/2 N. Cedar Ave.
The scope of work includes repairing missing brickwork,…
By Lori Sorenson
April 21, 2020
There are five MDH-confirmed cases of coronavirus in Rock County as of noon on Tuesday, but there are believed to be many more, considering recent developments in neighboring communities.
The outbreak in Smithfield Foods, Sioux Falls, is one of the worst “hotspots” in the nation with more than 1,500 cases in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties just over the border in South Dakota.
JBS Pork processing…
By Mavis Fodness
April 21, 2020
Small groups of people gathered along Peter Janiszeski’s running route Saturday as he substituted the Boston Marathon with his own 26.2-mile Luverne Marathon.
Friends, co-workers and community members cheered Janiszeski as he ran along Dodge Street, Blue Mound Avenue, 131st Street and Highway 75. Many clapped, shouted words of encouragement and held up signs as he passed.
Written messages…
By Mavis Fodness
April 21, 2020
A simple text on the morning of March 27 pulled Martha Nowatzki from her home in Luverne into a face-to-face battle with the coronavirus.
The text from her stepsister was about her father, John Feight, 93, who had been taken by ambulance to the hospital after suffering various health issues for the past five years.
A shelter-in-place order had just been issued by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, but…
By Mavis Fodness
April 21, 2020
A height variance was granted April 14 for Chandler Feed Company to build a new grain bin in Hardwick.
The Hardwick City Council conducted the teleconference variance hearing with Derek Krosschell and Miles Brown with Chandler Feed Company participating.
No face-to-face meeting took place amidst coronavirus concerns.
Hardwick City Clerk Tammy Johnson said she sent 35 letters out to residents…
By Lori Sorenson
April 21, 2020
Luverne city leaders are laying groundwork for another housing development adjacent to the recently purchased Lynn Lopau property on the west edge of town.
Lowell and Kathleen Fick are transferring 4.13 acres to the Gary and Maxine Thies Mission Foundation, which supports the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Mission.
Once the transaction is completed, the city will purchase it from the…
