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Wiener dogs highlight Luverne's Hot Dog Night

By Lori Sorenson

July 15, 2026

Dozens of wiener dogs and their proud human companions gathered in Luverne Thursday night for the 23rd annual Wiener Dog Races and 18th annual Wiener Dog Beauty Contest.

The event has become a staple highlight of Luverne’s legendary Hot Dog Night, last week marking the 64th year of the…

Luverne celebrates Hot Dog Night

By Lori Sorenson

July 15, 2026

Luverne’s 64th annual Hot Dog Night unfolded in parking lots and side streets Thursday, July 9, due to the Highway 75 road construction detour on Main Street.

Organizers said most of the 15,000 all-beef hotdogs were served up from the alternate locations, which included the city-owned…

Nutcracker celebration set for Saturday

By Lori Sorenson

July 15, 2026

Saturday will be a big day for Luverne residents, volunteers and local leaders who have long held a vision for nutcracker tourism in the community.

The World’s Largest Nutcracker will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, with a ribbon-cutting celebration at the nutcracker’s base on…

Federal, state cuts to human services may force counties to raise levies

By Nicole Ronchetti

July 15, 2026

Social services and public health programs in Rock County, may be looking at a $2.1 million dollar funding shortfall, due to federal and state cost shifts.

The Rock County Board of Commissioners learned how these shifts will affect local budgets during their July 7 meeting with Southwest…

District, city to close on old Beaver Creek school purchase

Lori Sorenson

July 15, 2026

The city of Beaver Creek is buying the former elementary school from the Hills-Beaver Creek School District for $1.

And, according to the purchase agreement, the district is paying Beaver Creek $175,000 to offset demolition costs.

Closing is set for July 29 and Aug. 3, at which…

Sports

Blake Sauer safely slides into second base against Windom July 11 at home in sub-sub state game action. Windom beat Luverne 6-4 with both teams advancing to sub-state tourney.

Luverne Senior Legion slides into Southwest Sub-State Tournament

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 15, 2026

The Luverne Senior Legion Baseball team went 2-1 at home in warm and humid conditions over the past week. Luverne beat Dell Rapids 9-4 July 7 in the final regular season game. In the West Sub-Sub State playoffs Luverne beat Pipestone 16-0 July 10 and fell 6-4 to Windom July 11. The No. 1 seed…

Luverne Junior Legion Red moves on to sub-state action, White ends season abruptly

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 15, 2026

The Luverne Junior Legion Red and White teams went 1-3 this past week at home. Luverne White fell twice to finish their post season push. Luverne fell 6-4 to Adrian July 12 and 20-10 to Edgerton July 13 in the sub-sub state playoffs. Luverne Red lost 8-5 to Dell Rapids in their final regular…

Greg Hoogeveen photo/NCmarathon Shelby Bell of Topeka, Kan., is greeted by Dave Duffy and volunteers after she finished the Nutcracker Half Marathon Walk Saturday, July 11, in Luverne.

Nutcracker Half Marathon draws runners to local trails

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 15, 2026

Nearly 50 runners participated in the 2026 Nutcracker Half Marathon Saturday, July 11, in the Luverne City Park. “The very first two guys to show up at the park were from Georgia and Oklahoma,” organizer Dave Duffy said. “And another lady drove seven hours from Kansas just to walk.” Duffy said…

Redbirds beat A’s 4-1 on the road

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 15, 2026

The Luverne Redbirds pulled off an extra inning win over Pipestone Wednesday, July 8, on the road. Tied 1-1 through nine regulation innings, Luverne rallied to collect three runs in the top of the 10th inning to go ahead 4-1. The Redbirds shut down the A’s in the bottom of the inning to take the…

Local racing results for July 10-12 include information for drivers with ties to Rock County

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 15, 2026

Rapid Speedway July 10 - Rock Rapids, IA Sportsmen #17 Brandon Boeve, Beaver Creek – placed 9th in A Feature, finished sixth in Heat 1. #21 Larry Kracht, Magnolia – DNF in A Feature, finished third in Heat 1. Overall points leaders to date 7th - Brandon Boeve – 754 9th - Eric Gaul – 588…

Greg Hoogeveen photo/SL1 Maddox Miller heads for third base with Landyn Lais rounding second base against Windom Monday, July 6, in Luverne. The Luverne Senior Legion baseball team handily beat Windom 10-4 in the contest.

Senior Legion runs away with two wins, improves to 12-3 for the season

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

July 08, 2026

Luverne’s Senior Legion took two decisive wins in the past week scoring double digits in both games. Luverne beat Sioux Falls Christian 12-2 on June 30 on the road and beat Windom 10-4 at home July 6. Luverne, now at 12-3 for the season, was scheduled to host Dell Rapids Tuesday, July 7, before…

Columns

Never underestimate the lasting impact of a handwritten note

Lori Sorenson

Jeane Leslie stopped in last week to deliver some columns she had clipped from the Star Herald through the years.

…

July 15, 2026

In my newspaper career, it wasn’t what I knew but who I knew that mattered

Rick Peterson

My column countdown continues with just one more remaining after this one. I know you’re probably thinking enough already.

…

July 15, 2026

Columnist shares birthday with nutcracker dedication

Brenda Winter, columnist

At 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, on South Highway 75 the largest nutcracker in the world will be dedicated in alignment with a pretty significant birthday.

Mine.

In a way, the Luverne nutcracker and I will now share a birthday.

In my 63 trips around the sun I’ve had some…

July 08, 2026

What does progress look like to you?

Scott Rall, outdoors columnist

There are dozens of stories swirling around the “Roadless Rule”. The Roadless Rule was put in place back in 2001 by the president Bill Clinton. The rule was put in place by a wilderness regulation and not by a bill passed in the congress. It prohibited the construction of roads across 59 million…

July 08, 2026

Obituaries

Charles Olson

July 15, 2026

Charles Peter (Chuck) Olson, of Burnsville Minn., died July 1, 2026, at his home. He was born April 13, 1941, in Bertha Minn., the son of Lillian (Dahlstrom) and Cleve Olson. He grew up in Miltona and graduated from Alexandria High School, in 1959.

He attended the University of Minnesota…

Carolyn Grimaldo

July 15, 2026

Carolyn “Carol” Ann (Sabata) Stasch Grimaldo, age 88 years, of Luverne, Minn., passed away peacefully July 2, 2026, at the Sandford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

Carol was born in Bruno, Neb., on June 17, 1938, to Daniel and Vivian Sabata. She grew up on a farm and had a pet pig named…

Gail Bremer

July 15, 2026

Geraldine Sandstede

July 08, 2026

Geraldine Ilene Sandstede, age 81, of Luverne, died Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Sanford Luverne Medical Center.

Gerry was born March 2, 1945, in Luverne, to Hyman and Mae (Ziegahn) Top. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1963.

Gerry was united in marriage to James…

Wiener dogs highlight Luverne's Hot Dog Night

Luverne celebrates Hot Dog Night

Nutcracker celebration set for Saturday

Maple Street housing seeks permit

Luverne Senior Legion slides into Southwest Sub-State Tournament

Luverne Junior Legion Red moves on to sub-state action, White ends season abruptly

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