News

Cannbis retailer approaches Hills, which sets ordiance
By Mavis Fodness
August 15, 2023
Hills City Council members unanimously supported a countywide ordinance on recreational marijuana at their meeting Tuesday night, Aug. 8. At that same meeting South Dakota business owners voiced interest in starting a marijuana retail outlet, Dakota Herb, in Hills. Dalton Grimmius and Dylan Stokes (a Luverne High School graduate) operate the business that cultivates, manufactures and dispenses…
Luverne updates nuisance ordinance for snow, grass
By Jason Berghorst
August 15, 2023
Luverne City Council members updated the public nuisance ordinance in response to last winter’s extreme snowfall. “We heard from many residents last winter about snow and ice needing to be removed from sidewalks,” Luverne City Council member Caroline Thorson said. “There were places with a foot or 18 inches of snow or more built up on the sidewalks,” Mayor Pat Baustian said. At their Aug. 8…
H-BC enters new school year with full teaching staff
By Mavis Fodness
August 15, 2023
The Hills-Beaver Creek School District filled the last of its open teaching positions for the 2023-24 school year at Monday night’s meeting. Board members approved a contract with April Prohl as full-time secondary special education teacher at a salary of $44,970. The board hired Paul Opheim as full-time secondary agriculture teacher and FFA adviser with required license approval. His salary will…
LHS junior is selected as winning designer for 2023 Tri-State Band Festival button
August 15, 2023
Luverne High School junior Ryker Johnson submitted the winning design for the 2023 Tri-State Band Festival button. The Tri-State Committee partners with the Luverne High School graphic arts class to come up with a new button design each year. The designs are formatted with Quality Printing, and the buttons are assembled by Rock County County Opportunities. Buttons are sold during the annual Tri-…
Kids Rock! gets fundraising boost
By Jason Berghorst
August 15, 2023
Members of the Luverne Economic Development Authority heard updates on the Kids Rock! Child Care Center during their regular meeting Aug. 14. LEDA Director Holly Sammons reported that the non-profit board overseeing the center has raised over $500,000 toward the $1,000,000 private funding goal. “We have seen a great response from what we call our Tier 1 donors,” Sammons said. “These are our…
Township assessor opts out of contract, county extends offer for services through Land Records
By Mavis Fodness
August 15, 2023
The townships of Clinton, Magnolia, Mound, Springwater and Vienna are without assessor services following Joyce Schmidt’s sudden non-renewal of her contract. She told township supervisors in a July 27 letter that she won’t extend her 2024 assessing services due to unforeseen medical concerns in her family. “It would be my suggestion that you reach out to the Rock County Assessor’s Office to see…
School supplies are expensive; families urged to take advantage of tax benefits
August 15, 2023
As inflation continues to eat away at family budgets, parents are encouraged to save receipts on school supply purchases to take advantage of Minnesota tax credits. The Minnesota Department of Revenue reminds parents to use the receipts to claim valuable K-12 tax benefits when filing their taxes next year. In addition, due to changes made during the legislative session, over 31,000 more Minnesota…
Beaver Creek Class of 1963 gathers for 60th reunion
August 15, 2023
The Beaver Creek High School Class of 1963 gathered for a 60-year reunion on Aug. 4 in Luverne. Of the 22 graduates, 16 remain and 13 were able to attend the reunion. Two classmates who graduated elsewhere* also attended. Pictured are (front, from left) Marie (Dunn*) Schroeder, Thelma (Berghorst) Symanietz, Dorothy (Bennett) VanPykeren), Pam (Kahler) Hanson, Carol (Severson) Farrar, Jacque (…
Diaz wins LHS Cardinal Pride competition
By Jason Berghorst
August 15, 2023
Luverne High School’s Marcos Diaz opened his junior football season with a big accomplishment Monday morning. Diaz was crowned the champion of the 2023 Cardinal Pride competition, the annual skills test of 10 fitness events hosted on the first morning of football practice. Diaz’ overall score of 1833 points topped seniors Gavin DeBeer, who placed second with 1466 points, and Sam Rock, who…
Alumni Garden dedication on track for Oct. 6
By Lori Sorenson
August 15, 2023
The Alumni Garden at Luverne Middle-School High School is taking shape as contractors work to meet an Oct. 6 deadline. Buffalo Ridge Concrete trucks delivered load after load of cement earlier this week to frame the walkways that will wind through vegetation and large Sioux quartzite boulders. Included in the design is stadium seating for 30-40 people complete with a podium and sound system.…
Upgraded fire rating reflects better training, could result in lower insurance premiums
By Jason Berghorst
August 08, 2023
The Luverne Fire Department was recently upgraded to a Class 3 rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). Ratings are from 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest and 10 being the lowest. The LFD was rated Class 4 during its last review in 2017. “Getting a Class 3 rating doesn’t sound like a big deal, but for a volunteer department that is dedicated to protecting the citizens and guests of our…
Community ideas sought for dog park in Luverne
By Jason Berghorst
August 08, 2023
Does Luverne need a larger dog park? A local task force is being formed to investigate and make a recommendation on that question. The Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce and the Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow (LIFT) Board are inviting community members who are interested in the topic of a potential second dog park to join the task force. The first meeting is Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in the basement of…
Application window open for livestock investment grants
August 08, 2023
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant. This annual grant opportunity is open to Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers looking to improve their operations, supporting long-term development in Minnesota’s $8 billion livestock industry. MDA anticipates awarding…
H-BC superintendent 'meets expectations' in board evaluation
By Mavis Fodness
August 08, 2023
Hills-Beaver Creek School District Superintendent Todd Holthaus continues to “meet expectations,” according to the annual evaluation by H-BC School Board members. Holthaus’ overall average rating was 3.67 out of 4, falling on the four-point scale between “meets” and “exceeds” expectations. The board met in closed session June 26 to discuss Holthaus’ performance in six areas. They accepted and…
Freeman Ave. dug up to improve Palace water line
August 08, 2023
Workers with W&N Construction are digging up a portion of North Freeman Avenue to replace a one-inch water service line to the Palace Theatre. After a number of recent remodeling improvements inside the Palace, the larger water service line was necessary to accommodate the building’s sprinkler system. The work could take two to three days to complete and Freeman Avenue may need to remain…
State agencies keep people safe on road, trails and water as cannabis becomes legal
August 08, 2023
Starting Aug. 1, Minnesotans can legally possess and use cannabis and cannabis products. However, it’s still illegal to operate a motor vehicle, boat, off-highway vehicle or snowmobile while impaired by cannabis. The Minnesota departments of Public Safety (DPS) and Natural Resources (DNR) want Minnesotans to learn the new law and plan a safe and sober ride if they’re cannabis consumers. “Impaired…