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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
By Mavis Fodness
August 01, 2023
Recreational marijuana use will be limited in Rock County if a countywide ordinance is adopted later this month.
City leaders from Beaver Creek, Hills, Steen, Magnolia, Luverne, Kenneth, Jasper and Hardwick met with Rock County commissioners July 25 to discuss the state’s recent marijuana legislation and how it will be implemented locally.
County attorney Jeff Haubrich will draft a countywide…
By Mavis Fodness
August 01, 2023
The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members accepted resignations of two tenured secondary teachers during their meeting last week.
Randi Oftedahl submitted her resignation to Superintendent Todd Holthaus on July 19, effective July 24, and Kale Wiertzema submitted his resignation July 20, effective immediately.
Oftedahl taught middle school science and social studies. She requested the…
August 01, 2023
The Open Class superintendents were pleased with all who exhibited this year and for their patience with the heat during entry times. Judges commented on the high quality and how difficult it was to select the champions.
The results reported for the Open Class competition at the 2023 Rock County Fair are as follows:
Floral
•Best of Show: Lynette Jauert.
•Reserve: Jennifer Ainsworth.
•Champions…
August 01, 2023
The Blue Mounds State Park has announced its August programs and events. Contact bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6050 with questions or special requests.
Colors of the Prairie Participants hike with the naturalist from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, to see wildflowers and learn some basics on how to use a wildflower identification field guide. The hike may cover up to one mile. Come…
August 01, 2023
The Hills-Beaver Class of 1973 met for their 50th class reunion on July 29 at Take 16 Brewery. Pictured are (front, from left) Lex (Van Wyhe) DeWit, Carol (Wallenburg) Nelson, Joyce (Sandager) Norton Wulf, Beth (Oolbekkink) Gravley, Laurie Schlueter-Hynes, Cathy Aykens, Carolyn (Schubbe) Randall, Sandy (Stoltenberg) Sisk, (second) Bill Stegemann, Wayne Beyenhof, Brad Larson, Rodney Bajema, Becky…
August 01, 2023
The Luverne High School Class of 1968 celebrated their 55th class reunion July 22. Attending the reunion are (front, from left) Mary (Foight) Sites, Sandy (Haakenson) Parpart, Linda (Wessels) Schoon, Cheryl (DePauw) Enger, Monica (Swenson) Hintze, Karen Radermacher, Carole (Bowman) Hemme, Dianne (Lorenzen) Ossenfort, (second) Gregg Fitzer, Keith Rapp, Tim Burns, Steve Leslie, Becky (Frakes)…
By Heather Johnson
July 27, 2023
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and the eighth-largest terminal lake in the world. It lies in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah and has a substantial impact upon the local climate, particularly through lake-effect snow. It is a remnant of Lake Bonneville, a prehistoric body of water that covered much of western Utah. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet…
By Jason Berghorst
July 25, 2023
On July 18 Rock County Food Shelf Co-Director Katie Baustian posted a call for donations on the organization’s Facebook page.
“It has been a while since our shelves have been this bare,” she wrote. “If you enjoy donating items, we are in need of many.”
The post included photos of mostly bare shelves at the food shelf location on Maple Street in Luverne along with a list of a dozen specific…
By Mavis Fodness
July 25, 2023
Blue Mounds State Park became the sixth location last week where an all-terrain trackchair is available for public use through the DNR.
The trackchair is battery-powered and can travel on trails that can’t be accessed using a regular wheelchair.
According to Blue Mounds State Park manager Chris Ingebretsen, the trackchairs can maneuver on the majority of the park’s trails.
“They won’t be able to…
By Jason Berghorst
July 25, 2023
The Luverne City Council is considering $4,039,200 in capital improvements for the proposed 2024 budget.
At their July 19 meeting, council members heard budget requests from city department heads as part of the normal city budget process.
Expenses for water, wastewater, electric, fire, government buildings, parks and recreation, streets, airport, pool and fitness, parking lots, Luverne Loop and…
By Mavis Fodness
July 25, 2023
Commissioners issued a letter of support for the housing project proposed for the city of Luverne.
County administrator Kyle Oldre wrote the support letter for the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SMHP) project.
“The county board believes the units, consisting of two, three and four-bedroom townhomes, will help address the critical shortage our community currently faces in affordable…
