editorial
- By Safe Minnesota, editorial, virus,June 02, 2020It’s been a long three months of social distancing and cautious avoiding of public spaces for fear of transmitting or contracting the highly contagious and sometimes deadly coronavirus. Hyper focus on disinfecting and disconnecting has been effective in our little part of the world, and for that we can be proud. Our community has been spared a widespread and sudden outbreak of the disease. Is it…
- May 19, 2020In this week’s Star Herald we proudly present the Class of 2020 Graduation Edition that features high school seniors from the four schools in the Star Herald coverage area. It’s no small feat to collect nearly 200 student photos and information in a normal school year, but during distance learning — when seniors aren’t gathered in common spaces at regular times — it was challenging at best. But…
- April 21, 2020There aren’t many positive aspects about the coronavirus and its impact on our community, from a reeling economy tofrontline workers in harm’s way, and we fear we may lose loved ones to the deadly virus. That’s why staying home and suspending life’s big events are so important — reduce exposure to stay safe. Our graduating seniors understand the necessary sacrifices that come with…
- April 14, 2020Dear readers, advertisers and subscribers: While we learn to live with the new normal in our community for the next several weeks, we are determined to make the best of it. So, please be aware that the Rock County Star Herald remains committed to reporting on news and information that offers glimpses of our community a week at a time … every week, every month, every year. As we have for nearly…
- April 07, 2020Gov. Tim Walz on Sunday delivered his second State of the State address from the Governor’s Residence where he has beenin self-quarantine. “Self-quarantine. Self-isolation. Social distancing,” he said at the start of his speech. “Phrases that many of us never usedbefore now roll off our tongue in daily conversation.” Walz lamented with all Minnesotans that the new vocabulary defines a new reality…
- March 24, 2020Luverne and Rock County have always been leaders in our little corner of the state on policies ranging from schools, the environment, agriculture and most recently the census (we’re leading the state right now in data response). Now, dear readers, we must again step up and be leaders. Our governor has issued mandates and our local businesses and governments are following through. But just 30…
- March 03, 2020In this week’s paper we have a story on page 6 about Dental Day in the elementary school. This happens to be a puff piece about kids having fun learning about oral health, but it’s part of a broader effort to bring dental health care to an underserved community. Rock County’s 9,000-plus residents are served by one local dentist office and we’re darn lucky to have it, considering other communities…
- February 18, 2020We are an agricultural community, and what’s good for the farm economy is what’s good for the Main Street economy. This isn’t news. Especially not to those of us who live in Rock County or even grew up here. And lately, agriculture has been a rapidly changing industry, in terms of technology, farm practices, global economy and other aspects. The temptation, then, can be to focus so much on the…
- February 11, 2020Nearly 22 percent of Rock County driver’s license or ID cardholders are REAL ID ready, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division. As of Jan. 30, 1,652 Rock County residents or 21.80 percent of the total license and ID cardholders have completed the necessary steps for the enhanced driver’s license or ID card. Pope County is ranked last out of the…
- February 04, 2020Rock County’s social calendar 20 years ago amounted to summer town celebrations, Tri-State Band Festival and, of course, Hot Dog Night. These were a lot of fun and offered great photo opportunities for news people. Today there’s a major event on the calendar nearly every other weekend, illustrated by the Chamber’s quarterly report during the Jan. 28 Luverne City Council meeting. For anyone taking…
- January 28, 2020The Star Herald editorial staff from time to time publishes a list of what we call “Thumb Up and Thumbs Down” to call attention to matters in the community that could use improving and deserve some praise. We set out to compose one for this week but we found that we were pleasantly short on Thumbs Down entries for the article. Either we’re eternal optimists here at the paper, or we really do live…
- January 07, 2020The Minnesota Department of Public Safety recently released its 2019 traffic data, and it appears there are many ways we can improve our driving habits and resolve to be safer in 2020. Preliminary reports show there were 364 traffic deaths on Minnesota roads in 2019, compared with 381 in 2018. Recent fatalities in 2019 include: •A 17-year-old passenger killed when the vehicle he was riding in…
- December 17, 2019As families across Rock County prepare for the holidays, they will join 16 million families and friends who are also caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Though holiday celebrations are often happy occasions, they can be challenging and stressful for those impacted by Alzheimer’s. This doesn’t mean our loved ones with Alzheimer’s shouldn’t be included in…
- December 10, 2019Winterfest weekend was another proud moment for Luverne residents to showcase holiday spirit and a respect for the meaning of Christmas. In particular, the “Love the Light” Christmas at the city park was a grand finale to the already great Winterfest weekend. If you haven’t had a chance to take in the lighted displays, they’ll be up through Jan. 5 and are definitely worth a slow drive through the…
- December 03, 2019We’re closing in on the end of another decade, and the Star Herald is looking back on the highlights of the years between 2010 and 2020. The first 10 years of the new millennium in Rock County were marked by the Ken Burns world premiere of his documentary series, “The War,” at the Palace Theatre. The decade also saw a regeneration of what we now know as the Courthouse Square with the stately…
- November 25, 2019Thanksgiving and the holidays are a perfect time to talk with your friends and family about what matters most in life. When people are together for Thanksgiving and the holidays, there’s no better time to have meaningful conversations and heartfelt sharing about matters truly important to each of us. Minnesota Public Radio’s Cathy Wurzer opened discussions two years ago about living and dying…
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