2023
By Mavis FodnessApril 24, 2024Patrons of the Rock County Community Library visit for more reasons than books, according to the library’s 2023 annual report. Some attended in-person programming. Some connected to the wireless internet. Some participated in special self-directed activities. In total, more than 31,800 people entered the library in Luverne last year, an increase of 411 from 2022. “We are up there with the…
By Lori SorensonJanuary 24, 2024A good way to measure growth over time is to track the number of building permits issued for construction. Luverne building official Chad McClure compiled numbers for 2023 when he issued 177 permits valued at $10,105,595. Of those, seven were for single-family home construction valued at $1,369,625 and comprised 13.5 percent of permit valuations last year. McClure points out that these…- By Mavis FodnessJanuary 10, 2024Rock County collected nearly $200,000 in gravel taxes in 2023, making it the highest amount collected since the tax was implemented in 2003. In total, $195,419 was paid in 2023 from seven businesses who are required to self-report the yards of material removed from aggregate pits located in Rock County. The businesses are taxed 15 cents per ton of material removed. The collected taxes are…
January 03, 2024Jackson Gacke from Hills-Beaver Creek School is a winner in the local “Voice of Democracy” patriotic audio essay competition, “What are the greatest attributes of our democracy?” for grades 9-12. Jackson received a certificate and $75 cash prize from the Wilmont VFW and VFW Auxiliary, which sponsored the competition. Since 1947 this scholarship program has been the VFW’s premier scholarship…
By Lori SorensonDecember 27, 2023Rock County’s biggest news stories in 2023 follow a theme of growth, development and progress, and the Star Herald headlines over the past 12 months reflect strong and resilient communities behind those successes. National Guard Readiness Center opens Among the biggest success stories of 2023 was the recent grand opening of the $17.5 million Minnesota National Guard Luverne Readiness Center…- By Mavis FodnessDecember 27, 2023More than 30 contractors gathered in the Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School media center Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 19, in Hills for the bid opening to construct a new elementary school in Beaver Creek. A total of 82 bids were received for the 33 identified construction projects necessary for the new elementary school. Overall, bids ranged from $68,250 for the sealing of joints to $4.596 million…
- December 27, 2023The following is a list of the obituaries that appeared in the issues of the Rock County Star Herald in 2023. December 2022 Dec. 30: Charlotte Twito, 87, Luverne; Glenn Rye, 95, Sun City, Ariz. Dec. 31: Maria Korthals, 51, Luverne. January 2023 Jan. 1: Renita Schlegel, 64, Lincoln, Neb. Jan. 2: Benedict Blum, 73, Luverne. Jan. 3: Carol Haycraft, 82, Luverne. Jan. 5: Leonard “Shorty…
By Greg Hoogeveen, sports editorDecember 27, 2023The 2023 sports season saw eight teams make state appearances from both Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek communities. The Cardinals and Patriots also had several individual athletes participate in state events which included gymnastics, wrestling, track and field, cross-country and golf. Here is a breakdown of the teams and individuals that made state appearances this past year. LHS Girls’…
December 20, 2023About 260 students in four middle school and high school choirs sing under the direction of Seana Graber in the Luverne performing arts center last week to a full auditorium of audience members. There were over 1,000 people in the performing arts center for the candelight grand finale of "O Holy Night." On Dec. 14, the performing arts center again filled with music, this time with band students…
By Mavis FodnessDecember 13, 2023The Minnesota National Guard’s newest readiness center officially opened its doors Saturday morning for a public ribbon-cutting and community tours. Local, state and federal dignitaries gathered in the assembly hall of the 49,293 square-foot facility, touting its significance as the new home of the Alpha Battery 1-125 Field Artillery. “It’s hard to believe that we broke ground only two years…
By Mavis FodnessDecember 13, 2023Rarely is County Administrator Kyle Oldre at a loss for words, but at the Nov. 21 commissioners meeting, he was speechless. Sheriff Evan Verbrugge attended the meeting to discuss a grant, but in his address to the board, he announced Oldre would receive the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Outstanding Service Award. “This award is presented to individuals who have exhibited exceptional…- December 13, 2023Dispatch report Nov. 30 •Complainant reported harassing communication. •Complainant reported a parking issue. •Complainant on Donaldson and Luverne streets reported truancy. •Subject was arrested on Rock County warrant. •Complainant reported suspicious activity. •Complainant reported disturbing the peace. Dec. 1 •Complainant at location reported disturbing the peace. •Complainant…
December 13, 2023The semi-retired veterinarian mulched leaves and “took a little off the top” as he mowed his lawn Thursday, Dec. 7, during lunch time. He mowed around the lighted nativity scene, careful not to cut the extension cord, and passed the three snowblowers (in background) that he has for sale. Temperatures reached into the upper 40s on Dec. 8 along with strong winds, which brought more winterlike…
By Mavis FodnessDecember 06, 2023Members of the public will have a rare opportunity Saturday to tour the state’s newest Minnesota National Guard Readiness Center in Luverne. A ribbon-cutting ceremony begins at 10 a.m. with military, federal, state and local dignitaries participating. The tour will last just an hour, from 11 a.m. to noon, in order for the Alpha Battery 125th Field Artillery to complete its first weekend drill…
December 06, 2023- By Lori SorensonDecember 06, 2023Luverne residents and businesses will see an increase in their electric rates of roughly 6 percent over the next three years. That’s according to the results of a recent rate study conducted by Missouri River Energy Services, which provides supplemental electricity for the city of Luverne. The rate increases will vary by customer, but residents will generally see increases of $4 to $10 per…
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