Editorials
- January 18, 2022This week’s Star Herald features a story on Generations’ next steps in their mission to improve senior nutrition in Rock County. Senior nutrition used to be a poverty topic for the community group, Luv1LuvAll. Luv1LuvAll grew out of a Blandin Foundation initiative called “Leaders Partnering to End Poverty,” and senior nutrition was identified as one piece of the poverty puzzle. Now, fully…
- January 11, 2022The critically important role of health care workers has never been more apparent than now as we enter a second winter with COVID-19. Minnesota’s nursing assistants, RNs, respiratory therapists and many others have saved thousands of lives during the pandemic. They need more Minnesotans to join them in this noble and lifesaving work. That’s why Governor Walz has proclaimed January as Health Care…
- January 04, 2022Maybe it’s the promise of a new year, or maybe we really do live in a great community, but this round of Star Herald “thumbs” are all pointed up. Thumbs up — to the city workers who combed the field east of Blue Mound Avenue to pick up all the recycling that blew out early Monday morning. Thumbs up — to the city of Beaver Creek for approving new “Welcome to Beaver Creek” signs at the city’s…
- December 28, 2021The Star Herald news writers each year at the end of December consider and recap top stories that made headlines throughout the year. This year’s final edition again attempts to recap 12 months of news with a series of sub-headlines in a single (albeit long) story. Just like last year, and the years before that, the annual review recaps Rock County’s tragedies and triumphs that build on our…
- December 21, 2021Christians 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, we celebrate 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 Judea, to the city of…
- By Joseph KertisDecember 14, 2021The Covid-19 pandemic put many of last year's holiday festivities on hold, so these holidays are the first opportunity that many have had to gather and celebrate. But this could also mean that many people who've become addicted to drugs and alcohol are seeing their family again, which could bring a lot of things to light. That's because the Covid-19 pandemic drastically worsened…
- December 07, 2021The Star Herald this week doles out “thumbs up and thumbs down” for a variety of topics that have frequently come up in local conversations. Thumbs up — to the volunteers, organizers and sponsors of the Nov. 28 Santa Train, fireworks and park lighting. Everything was well-organized and executed, which results in holiday cheer and goodwill all the way around. The evening drive through the park is…
- By Jodi Harpstead, commissioner of Minnesota Department of Human ServicesNovember 23, 2021All children need safe, loving, permanent families. But right now, too many Minnesota children aren’t getting the basic building blocks of support, stability and love that families can offer. During uncertain times, the safety that families provide is more important than ever. Foster children face their own upheavals, not only dealing with the turmoil of the world around us, but also with day-to-…
- November 16, 2021Have you thanked a teacher lately? If not, you should. And while you're at it, you might thank a school administrator, support staff and school board member. Few people are undertaking the challenges these folks face on a daily basis. They literally have the lives of our children in their hands, yet we often don’t consider what that’s like and what it means for the individuals on the job at…
- November 09, 2021It’s time again for the Star Herald news team and contributing commentators to share another round of Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down for a number of issues, good and bad, in the community. Thumbs up — to the completion of the Chris Ashby Trail and the meaningful dedication ceremony in October. Our hearts go out to Barb and Gene Ashby who have been living without their son since 2006 when he died in a…
- November 02, 2021Legendary jazz vocalist Norah Jones recorded “American Anthem” in December 2006 especially for the Ken Burns documentary film, “The War.” Jones’ piano- and-vocal interpretation of “American Anthem,” written by American composer Gene Scheer, became an emotional centerpiece for the documentary. Her haunting notes and Scheer’s poignant lyrics are an appropriate way to honor veterans throughout our…
- October 26, 2021Saturday, Oct. 23, was National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. Locally a drop box is available at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. The box is available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Last year 200 pounds of pills were collected from the drop box. Nationally 420 tons of medications were…
- By Kari Voss-Drost, Southwest Crisis Center assistant directorOctober 19, 2021Each year the Southwest Crisis Center joins advocates, survivors and supporters across the nation to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). More prevalent than most realize, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. Last year, the Southwest Crisis Center served over 500 individuals, families and children, providing nearly…
- By JoAnne Lund, Second Harvest child hunger program managerOctober 12, 2021If you have a school-aged child, you may be aware that school meals are free for all students this school year regardless of household income, due to a federally funded U.S. Department of Agriculture program. This ensures Minnesota kids get the nutrition they need to thrive in another pandemic school year, but it may also mean that fewer families are filling out the Application for Educational…
- October 05, 2021This week is National Newspaper Week and it’s a good time to consider why the Star Herald is worth the price of a subscription. •We are the only news outlet that covers your school boards, city councils and Rock County Board of Commissioners. These elected officials, dear readers, are the ones who spend your tax dollars and take action on building projects, commercial development and other…
- By Mark Jacobson, Winona Peer support specialistSeptember 28, 2021Although the majority of people who have depression do not die by suicide, having major depression does increase suicide risk compared to people without depression. The risk of death by suicide may, in part, be related to the severity of the depression. Recent data on depression that has followed people over long periods of time suggests that almost 2 percent of those people ever treated for…
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