10 years ago (1994)"Rock climbers and hikers who use the eastern part of the Blue Mounds State Park will have to walk a little farther to get there, thanks to a new set of no-parking signs.Hikers and climbers are accustomed to parking in the driveway and along the shoulder of County Road 8 in order to access the quarry and rock outcroppings in the eastern part of the park.Recent park emergencies, including two fallen rock climbers, have drawn attention to the danger in parking there. According to Rock County Sheriff Ron McClure, the biggest reason for enforcing the no-parking rule in that area is to allow emergency vehicles to get through if need be."25 years ago (1979)"For the third year in a row, property taxes in Luverne should decrease.The proposed 1980 city budget shows a total tax levy of $267,170, a decrease of $24,2906 from 1979.The city tax levy in 1978 was $300,488 and in 1979 was $291,466."50 years ago (1954)"‘Hello Al, I haven’t seen you since Washington,’ said Vice President Richard M. Nixon as he jumped out of his car Wednesday afternoon at the Star Herald office to say ‘hello’ to Alan C. McIntosh, publisher of the Star Herald.The Vice President and his official party were returning from Worthington where he had made a speech at the Turkey Day celebration. … When the Vice President said he hadn’t seen the Luverne man ‘since Washington’ he was referring to the night of June 19 when Vice President Nixon sat on McIntosh’s left at a banquet held in honor of President Eisenhower in the Shoreham Hotel. At that time McIntosh presented President Eisenhower with a plaque honoring his service to his countrymen."75 years ago (1929)"A number of farmers of Pleasant View and Hardwick communities are securing very satisfactory returns from their foresight in growing a substantial acreage of flax this season. In fact, the yield and quality are so good that the returns are ranging anywhere from $42 to $62 an acre. The first mentioned figure is not exceptional, even if the last is extreme." 100 years ago (1904)"Sparks from the engine of the ‘Bonnie Doon’ line again set fire in the cut weeds on the vacant property in the southeast part of town, while switching Monday afternoon, and for a time it looked as though the fire would result disastrously to the buildings adjoining the property on the north, as at the time a strong wind was blowing from the south. The fire department was called out and when they arrived the fire was within a few rods of the barn belonging to Mrs. E.J. Schmidt, but by their prompt action the blaze was gotten under control before any damage was done."