Editorials
- January 17, 2024People in the communities of Rock County are known for their generosity — of time, talents, money and more. Another way to be generous is to give blood. It’s the one way to have the most impact in the sense it saves lives, literally. According to the American Red Cross, blood supplies have fallen to critically low levels, and many areas now face emergency blood shortages. In recent weeks, the…
- January 10, 2024It’s been a while since the Star Herald issued thumbs up and thumbs down for the good and bad in our community, and our news team put our heads together for a fresh list to consider. Thumbs up — to Luverne’s citywide Christmas tree pickup. It’s a much-appreciated perk for living in the city and another reason to “Luv Luverne.” Thumbs down — to another planned postage rate increase for…
January 03, 2024Unseasonably warm weather this winter has prevented the usual ice fishing and ice activities that would normally occur this time of year. While many lakes and rivers still have open water in southwest Minnesota, colder weather is coming and some may be tempted to venture onto the ice too soon. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has been urging people to be aware of degraded ice…- By Linda Wenzel, program manager, A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota in LuverneDecember 27, 2023The holidays can be a time of mixed emotions and extra stress for caregivers. To help reduce holiday stress, following are some suggestions for caregivers. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of extra tasks and hassles that the holidays bring. Make it a priority to take a little time for yourself to sit quietly, relax and recharge. Taking brief timeouts can help you to be a more…
- December 20, 2023Christians believe “God so loved the world that he gave his only son” to take away the sins of the world (John 3:16), and as such, Christmas is a celebration of the arrival of Jesus as told in the Bible’s second chapter of Luke: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. … And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to…
- December 13, 2023It’s a wonderful time of year for giving and receiving gifts, and here in Rock County we have generosity down to a science — or at least a stroke of the keypad. The 2023 Christmas gift drive for our students in Luverne schools is wrapping up, and 44 families in the district will receive extra presents under their trees. Through the School Giving Tree, each child will receive two gifts and each…
- December 06, 2023Construction has started on Luverne’s giant nutcracker, and our social media announcement stirred a long string of comments, both positive and negative. As is the case with many community developments, some will support new initiatives, some will voice sincere reservations, and others are never happy. We welcome all kinds of feedback, but we can’t abide personal attacks, expletives and…
- November 29, 2023There’s an urgent need for child foster families – and adoptive homes as well. In 2022, 11,235 children in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care. For children who left out-of-home placement, 20 percent were adopted by families, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you’ve ever wondered about fostering children or adopting children from foster care, here’s what you…
- November 26, 2023According to a Gallup survey, 74 percent of holiday shoppers said they expect to spend about the same amount or more on holiday gifts this year compared to last, and 23 percent of shoppers said they choose one retailer over another because they want to support small and local businesses in their community. Small businesses are essential to rural America. When buying from local small businesses,…
- November 15, 2023Shop online safely this holiday season The holiday season often brings a surge in cyber-attacks, and local banks are alerting customers of threats to watch for and tips to navigate the online world safely during the holidays. Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals posing as legitimate entities, often via emails or messages. They aim to trick recipients into revealing…
- November 08, 2023Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11, regardless of which day of the week it falls on. This year Veterans Day is on Saturday, Nov. 11. It’s a holiday honoring all service members. Nov. 11, 1918, was considered the end of World War I, “the war to end all wars,” and was called Armistice Day. World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, but…
- November 01, 2023As weather turns cold, homeowners and renters can take steps now to save money, save energy and stay warm. The Minnesota Department of Commerce offers resources for home weatherization and energy efficiency. There are easy steps to weatherize and make your home more energy-efficient. Among the low-cost, simple steps for saving energy you could do: Insulate: •Add plastic film over windows…
- October 25, 2023A unique community consortium is debuting Monday, Oct. 30, at Take 16 in Luverne, and all women in Rock County are invited. The Women’s Giving Circle is a long-desired idea that’s coming to life from Luverne Area Community Foundation executive director Emily Crabtree. She wants to bring focus to the barriers faced by the women and children of Rock County by empowering local women to lead the…
- October 18, 2023Last week families and volunteers “Painted the Prairie Purple” for Dementia Awareness Week, which culminated with a Dementia Walk Saturday in Luverne City Park. The efforts are dedicated to increasing understanding and awareness of dementia, a condition affecting millions worldwide. Dementia is not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms that result from disorders affecting the brain.…
- By Sara Wahl, Southwest Crisis Center executive directorOctober 11, 2023Domestic violence affects millions of individuals, families and children — of every race, religion, culture and status every year. It’s not just punches and black eyes — it’s yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation. It’s stealing a paycheck, keeping tabs online, non-stop texting, constant use of the silent treatment, or calling someone stupid so often they…
- By Sue Abderholden, Director, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental IllnessOctober 04, 2023The first week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week. While we need to learn and talk about mental illnesses all year round, this week is dedicated to raising awareness, fighting discrimination, and connecting people to resources. This year’s theme is “Together We Care. Together We Share.” The U.S. Surgeon General released a report earlier this year on loneliness. In it he wrote, “People…
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