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  • By Jason Berghorst
    July 18, 2023
    The 2023 Rock County Fair kicks off in Luverne on Wednesday, July 26, and continues through Saturday, July 29.  The annual event continues to grow each year with entertainment, 4-H exhibits, food, education programs, rides, racing, concerts and much more, according to Rock County Ag Society President Lee Sells.  “We are always trying to offer as much free entertainment as possible to make the…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    July 18, 2023
    Hills resident Jessica Martens was uncertain which of her three interests she wanted to turn into a business — so she chose all three. Her business, “The Studio on Main St.,” celebrated its grand opening July 12. Located on Main Street of Hills, Martens’ business features a hair salon and spa, a photography studio, and a place for piano lessons. “What I realized about my love for all of these is…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    July 18, 2023
    County Board members and city leaders from around the county will meet Tuesday, July 25, to discuss the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana. The 7 p.m. meeting will be in the basement of the library in Luverne. County attorney Jeff Haubrich will lead a discussion about a possible moratorium on sales and use in the county. The moratorium would be in effect until the state’s newly…
  • By Jason Berghorst
    July 18, 2023
    Members of the Luverne City Council unanimously approved the purchase of 0.53 acres of land from Sandy Maxwell during their meeting July 13.  The land, located near Redbird Field, was purchased by the city at a cost of $16,325.  According to City Administrator Jill Wolf, when Maxwell recently had her property surveyed, it was found that her property line actually extended to the middle of Redbird…
  • July 18, 2023
    Hunters can apply for special youth deer hunt permits through Friday, Aug. 18. The number of permits for each hunt is limited. Individual hunts will be held in several state parks, and in the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge, on various dates in the fall. At the Blue Mounds State Park, the youth deer hunt will be Nov. 18-19. Adults must accompany youth during these hunts. These firearms hunts are…
  • July 18, 2023
    Thirty-four Luverne Middle School students, three school chaperones and nine adults traveled to Washington, D.C., July 7-11. The days were full for the group as they visited the Capitol, White House, Arlington National Cemetery, Gettysburg Battlefield, the Washington Monument, the Holocaust, American History and National Archives museums, and the Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, MLK, World War II,…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    July 11, 2023
    The annual Fourth of July celebration at The Lake in Luverne experienced cloudy skies and a rain delay while finishing with the well-attended fireworks display. “Other than the weather — which slowed down one of the triathlon events — the weather was good,” said organizer Traci Davis, who with her husband, Mike, head the Fourth of July committee. The potential for rain forced the band to set up…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    July 11, 2023
    Pastor Praveen Muthusamy heard about southwest Minnesota’s blustery winters, not knowing the severity of cold and snow until moving to Hills in October. Muthusamy accepted the open pastoral position at Hills United Reformed Church, moving his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Hannah, to Hills weeks before one of the coldest and snowiest winters hit the area. “The snow is pretty,” said the native of…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    July 11, 2023
    The Rock County History Center has acquired a new 6-foot-tall nutcracker that mirrors an existing 6-footer that greets visitors at Luverne’s 5,000-piece collection. The “King Red” German nutcracker, with an estimated value of nearly $6,000, was first given to the Alexandria Shrine Club to be used as a fundraiser for the Minneapolis Shriners Hospital for Children. It was brought from East Germany…
  • By Jason Berghorst
    July 11, 2023
    Luverne will celebrate Hot Dog Night for the 61st time Thursday, June 13.  Since 1963, local businesses have thanked their customers by serving free hot dogs. More than 50 Luverne businesses and organizations will participate this year.  “Over the years, the event has changed and responded to the current needs and opportunities,” said Jane Lanphere, Luverne Area Chamber director.  “But one…
  • July 11, 2023
    The Luverne School District has a new, more modern sign on the front lawn along Highway 75. The new sign is 20.5 feet high, 18.3 feet wide and two feet deep with a 10-by-18-foot Daktronic digital screen. It replaces the existing 1990s structure that had a 2-by-10-foot screen that was no longer working. The new free-standing sign is in the same vicinity as the old one and was made possible through…
  • July 11, 2023
    The National Newspaper Association announced winners of the 2023 Better Newspaper Contest this week, and Rock County Star Herald editor Lori Sorenson is among the winning journalists. She penned the Sept. 22, 2022, editorial, “Suicide note from a grieving mother,” following the Sept. 13, 2022, suicide death of her 21-year-old son, Carson Ehde. The editorial received second-place honors among…
  • July 11, 2023
    The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced this week the process to send 2.4 million one-time tax rebate payments to Minnesotans. This rebate was part of the historic 2023 One Minnesota Budget, signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on May 24, 2023. “This rebate will help millions of Minnesotans pay for everyday expenses such as groceries, school supplies, rent or child care,” said Revenue…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    July 11, 2023
    Luverne, Ellsworth and Rock Rapids fire departments were dispatched to a fire in eastern Rock County Sunday afternoon. According to Ellsworth Fire Chief Terry DeBeer, a storage shed and its contents were a total loss, and the fire spread to a nearby garage-machine shed, which were partially damaged by smoke and fire. He said the property owner, Scott Kooiker, was able to remove snowmobiles, lawn…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    July 04, 2023
    Years of emergency training and specialized equipment led to a successful grain bin rescue Wednesday afternoon in rural Rock County. “It feels really good,” Luverne Fire Chief David Van Batavia said after the incident. “Three guys were in the bin, and three guys came out. No one was injured.” Involved in the incident were Ron Fick, Jim Fick and Mel Fick at the grain storage facility at 1159 101st…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    July 04, 2023
    “Kids Rock! Child Care Center” is the name chosen for the community day care center in Luverne, and local leaders and organizers have launched a campaign to raise $1 million in donations to help pay for construction. “Kids are the center of this project,” said Luverne Economic Development Authority Director Holly Sammons, who has been instrumental in organizing the project and securing funding. “…
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