News

Hardwick native sets rowing records
By Mavis Fodness
February 15, 2016
After nearly two months of non-stop rowing, Luverne High School graduate Caitlin Miller and her rowing partner, George Pagano, safely docked in Antigua Tuesday morning. Miller of Hardwick and Pagano of Media, Pennsylvania, competed in the “Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge,” a 90-day, 3,000-mile journey from the Island of LaGomera (one of Spain’s Canary Islands just off the coast of Africa) to…
How does buffer law apply to me?
By Lori Sorenson
February 15, 2016
Gov. Mark Dayton introduced legislation last year to mandate vegetative buffer strips along waterways in an effort to clean up Minnesota’s notoriously impaired waters. Ever since those details have emerged, farm groups have pushed back vigorously, especially on the piece of legislation that requires producers to put buffers along private ditches on their land. Responding to these concerns, Dayton…
Board adopts calendar, buys buses, tours lockers
By Mavis Fodness
February 15, 2016
A website made the purchase of two buses for Luverne Public Schools as easy as a few mouse clicks. For the first time, the district personnel used the state education department’s school bus purchasing program. Business Manager Marlene Mann said during the Feb. 4 school board meeting that the department’s website allows districts to click on various bus features and submit the information to…
Exercising with a purpose
By Mavis Fodness
February 15, 2016
Like its larger predecessor conducted annually in Rock County, Luverne Elementary School’s Relay for Life event features pledges, luminaries and walking. On Friday, Feb. 5, the school’s event raised $5,656.40 for cancer research. “We had a very successful relay,” said Principal Stacy Gillette. Walking is not a new activity for the elementary school. The first Friday of every month, students,…
Winter delivers one-two punch
By Lori Sorenson
February 09, 2016
Area residents had just dug out from the record-breaking Groundhog Day Blizzard last week when Round 2 hit just as the Super Bowl game was ending Sunday night. Many game day travelers found it difficult or impossible to get home Sunday night, and white-out conditions through most of Monday again prompted officials to close roads in southwest Minnesota. For both blizzards, wind speeds of 35 to 45…
Paquette announces retirement, eye clinic to expand into dental space
By Lori Sorenson
February 09, 2016
Longtime Luverne dentist David Paquette announced his retirement this week while also revealing plans to sell his space to the adjacent eye clinic. In a letter to patients, Paquette said his dental practice will close Feb. 25. “I have been deeply privileged to provide dental care for you and your families,” he wrote. “I have been grateful for the opportunity to talk with you and learn what is…
Local apiculturist shares beekeeping skills in new Community Education class
By Mavis Fodness, reporter
February 09, 2016
Area residents have a unique learning opportunity currently being offered through Luverne Community Education. “Intro to Beginning Beekeeping” is a new two-class offering by local apiculturist Tim Olsen. Classes will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25 and March 10 in the Community Education building. “I remember opening up a bee hive and was startled by what I saw,” Olsen said of his initial experience…
Students celebrate 100 days of learning
By Mavis Fodness
February 08, 2016
Thursday, Jan. 28, marked the 100th day students at Luverne Elementary have attended classes for the 2015-16 school year. “The 100th Day is a tradition at LES,” said Principal Stacy Gillette. “It coincides with our math curriculum and our 100s chart that we use with our students.” Classrooms in kindergarten through fifth grade use the 100s chart to practice a variety of skills, including counting…
Blizzard strikes region
By Lori Sorenson
February 02, 2016
Schools across the tri-state region closed classes for the day Tuesday, Feb. 2, ahead of the heavily forecast blizzard that started in Nebraska and Iowa and moved northward through southern Minnesota. Five to 8 inches of snow were predicted for Rock County and southwest Minnesota, and as the Star Herald went to press Tuesday, snow had begun to fall. Icy flakes sliced sideways through the air as…
Hammering at progress
By Lori Sorenson
February 02, 2016
The local construction industry has been steadily busy over the past several years, according to data from the Luverne building and zoning office. “Looking at current and past data, it appears for the most part consistent,” said Luverne Building Official Chad McClure about the city’s building permits. If it seems like there’s always something under construction in Luverne, that’s because there is…
Affordable options for promgoers
By Mavis Fodness
February 02, 2016
A Luverne High School senior wants every high school girl to have a chance to experience prom. Zoe Brown is coordinating a prom dress exchange with ATLAS of Rock County to make that happen. For the cost of dry cleaning, any area high schooler can borrow a glamorous dress for the special night. “I noticed that some people may not be able to attend prom because of the expenses and thought that this…
Free physical comedy workshop coming to Luverne next week
By Mavis Fodness
February 02, 2016
Area residents are invited to assist a University of Minnesota acting professor in writing a play during a three-day workshop next week in Luverne. The event is free and is open to anyone age 14 and older. Luverne Seifert (no relationship to the town of the same name) is a professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. Ideally, Seifert would like 10 to 15 persons…
Luverne's Mock Trial team starts season with three wins
By Mavis Fodness
February 02, 2016
Luverne High School’s Mock Trial team earned three wins since the 2016 season began late last month. The team most recently traveled to Redwood Falls Friday, Jan. 29, earning a win over Minneota, 230-215. The first round was earlier in January against Lakeview High School with Luverne winning 226 to 222. The LHS team has also earned a win over Hills-Beaver Creek 218-207 in the second round. The…
Luverne High School celebrates Snow Week
By Mavis Fodness
February 02, 2016
Luverne High School celebrates its first Snow Week coronation Wednesday, Jan. 27, naming seniors Hannah Hoogland and Derek Krueger as queen and king respectively. Last week featured special dress up days and a dance, organized by the student leaders in grades 9-12 and fun winter activities. Teachers selected eight students as Snow Week royalty based on academic success, leadership and involvement…
Weather makes for tough travel week
By Mavis Fodness
January 25, 2016
The Minnesota State Patrol recorded 121 traffic incidents from snow-packed and icy road conditions in its Marshall district during the past week. From Jan. 18 through 25, there were 38 property damage crashes, 10 injury crashes and 73 vehicles reported off the road, according to the Troy Christianson of the State Patrol. The Marshall district includes 13 counties in southwest Minnesota. Locally,…
Should state park rebuild lower dam?
By Lori Sorenson
January 25, 2016
The future of the Blue Mounds State Park water recreation hangs in the balance as park officials consider how to address the flood-ravaged dam that was destroyed in 2014. An open meeting next week will allow the public to provide input on alternatives to restoring the site and to learn about issues surrounding the Blue Mounds State Park dam. The meeting will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2,…

Subscribe to News

Locals travel to path of totality to view 2024 eclipse

Student perform 'Legally Blonde The Musical'

Roeman retires from 38-plus years with county FSA

Thone wins spelling bee C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-S-H-I-P

History Center to host April 18 celebration

Palisade Lutheran Church celebrates 150 years of worship

News

You can only keep one, which would you choose?