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Dry conditions fuel grass fire

Lori Sorenson

April 16, 2025

Fire departments from three different communities were on the scene of a grass fire north of Beaver Creek last week for over three hours last week.

Multiple 911 calls came in around 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, reporting large flames getting close the house, buildings and grove at 575…

Children hunt for Easter eggs in Beaver Creek

Lori Sorenson

April 16, 2025

More than 1,200 eggs were “hidden” on the grounds of the Cidery at Blackshire Farms in Beaver Creek Saturday morning. Within a few minutes, they were hunted down and taken home in colorful buckets and baskets by dozens of local families and children. The event was sponsored by HBCS - Helping…

City approves cannabis ordinances

Lori Sorenson

April 16, 2025

At their regular meeting Tuesday, April 8, Luverne City Council members adopted ordinances regulating cannabis businesses and zoning.

The latest ordinance is based on Minnesota statutes and includes laws for local government authority, laws for local registration and enforcement, laws…

Two teachers cut in wake of budget shortfalls

Mavis Fodness

April 16, 2025

Two probationary teachers were cut Thursday night, April 10, in a special meeting of the Luverne School Board.

The meeting focused on eliminating more than $1 million from the 2025-26 budget.

Luverne’s operating budget in 2024 was $21 million.

Board members also accepted…

Public hearing set for Hills zoning ordinance

Mavis Fodness

April 16, 2025

Hills residents have an opportunity to comment on a zoning ordinance before it is formally adopted by city council members.

The public hearing will be at 6 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Hills American Legion hall.

The 71-page proposed ordinance can be viewed at the Hills City…

Sports

Luverne senior Owen Janiszeski leads the pack in the boys’ 1600-meter race Tuesday, April 8, in Luverne. Janiszeski finished in second place, and H-BC freshman Max Sammons, in dark blue, finished in sixth place for the Patriots.

Luverne track and field teams host Cardinal Relays April 8

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

April 16, 2025

Eight teams participated in the Cardinal Relays Tuesday, April 8, in Luverne. Both LHS and H-BC had strong performances at the meet in cool, windy conditions. Redwood Valley placed first in the boys’ varsity team competition with a team score of 159. Hills-Beaver Creek took second with a 144,…

LHS junior Jocelyn Altman, No. 15, heads to home plate with her teammates waiting to congratulate her after hitting a home run against Windom Thursday, April 10, at home. LHS beat Windom 8-6 in the game.

Cardinals softball team goes 3-2

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

April 16, 2025

The Luverne High School softball team captured three wins with two losses this past week to start the season 3-2 LHS fell 6-0 to St. James in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday, April 8, at home and beat the Saints 11-1 in the second game. On Thursday, April 10, LHS hosted Windom in a…

LHS senior Kaleb Hemme approaches to return a shot from his Worthington opponent Tuesday, April 8, at the tennis meet in Luverne. Hemme won the No. 1 singles match, but Luverne fell 6-1 to the Trojans.

Boys’ tennis team falls to strong opponents

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

April 16, 2025

The Luverne boys’ tennis team lost two matches this past week. The Cardinals fell 6-1 to Worthington Tuesday, April 8, at home and 9-0 to Vermillion on the road Thursday, April 10. “Tuesday’s match against Worthington went very well,” head coach Nathan Rud said. “Thursday we ran into the…

LHS senior Landon Ahrendt safely touches home plate after avoiding a tag at home April 11, at Redbird Field. Luverne beat Blue Earth 12-2 in the first game of their doubleheader.

Luverne baseball team wins two games and falls twice in early season competition

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

April 16, 2025

The Luverne baseball team went 2-2 this past week. LHS beat Blue Earth 15-5 and 20-2 at home Friday, April 11, but fell 4-3 to Esko Saturday, April 12, and lost 14-3 to Fairmont Monday, April 14. Luverne was scheduled to face Jackson County Central on the road Tuesday, April 15.The Cardinals…

Patriot boys’ and girls’ track and field teams place first at Pipestone Invitational

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

April 16, 2025

The Patriots track and field team participated in the Pipestone Invitational Friday, April 11, at Paulsen Field. Both the H-BC boys’ and girls’ teams finished in first place in the eight team competition. The H-BC boys’ team captured first place with a team score of 170. Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda…

LHS and H-BC golfers travel to Trojan Invite

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

April 16, 2025

Both the Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek boys’ golf teams traveled to Worthington to participate in the Trojan Invite Friday, April 11. LHS and H-BC were two of 13 total teams at the meet. In team competition, Lac qui Parle Valley took top honors with a low team score of 335. Lakeview was second…

Columns

G-pa’s message to granddaughter: ‘You have my blessing’

Mavis Fodness

My youngest daughter is getting married next Saturday, and she’s asked me to give a little speech at the event.

I’m happy to oblige.

It’s not very often that children ask parents what they think, let alone listen to what they have to say.

Thoughts about what I’ll say are…

April 16, 2025

Illegal to impersonate an officer

By Evan Verbrugge, Rock County Sheriff

Recently I have received complaints about unusual activity by our deputies. When I investigated the complaint, I have come to discover that we have a couple of individuals driving around Luverne, Rock County, in decommissioned squad cars.

These vehicles look exactly like our current…

April 16, 2025

Brandenburg's words remind us most beautiful place is right here

Brenda Winter, columnist

It was 1992. I was a young pup reporter for the Rock County Star Herald and was assigned to cover speakers for the Luverne School’s 125th anniversary. I sat with hundreds of folks on the courthouse lawn listening as dignitaries and others extolled the wonders of Luverne…

April 09, 2025

Ask a Trooper: What to do if your vehicle's headlights fail

Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol

Question: Do you have any advice on what a person should do if they are driving along in the dark and their headlights go out?

Answer: If your…

April 09, 2025

Obituaries

Jim Brandenburg

April 16, 2025

Minnesota lost a legend.

One of the world’s most celebrated nature photographers James (Jim) Edward Brandenburg passed away peacefully at his Medina, Minnesota, home on April 4, 2025, at the age of 79.

He was surrounded by his wife Judy, daughter Heidi, and granddaughter Olivia.…

Peter Kracht

April 16, 2025

Peter Arlyn Kracht, age 59, of Steen, Minnesota, died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

Visitation was Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral service…

LeRoy Bieber

April 16, 2025

LeRoy “Roy” Adam Bieber peacefully met his Lord and Savior on March 17, 2025, in Vacaville, California, at the age of 90.

A celebration of life will be from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at the Crescent City Elks Lodge at 359 H Street.

Roy was born on June 26, 1934, in Lakefield,…

Dennis Klein

April 16, 2025

Dennis Klein, age 81, of Luverne, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Hospice of Murray County facility in Slayton, Minnesota.

Visitation was Monday, April 14, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Memorial Mass of…

Dry conditions fuel grass fire

Children hunt for Easter eggs in Beaver Creek

Luverne track and field teams host Cardinal Relays April 8

Cardinals softball team goes 3-2

Luverne community mourns loss of world-acclaimed artist and native son

Construction work moves inside of H-BC Elementary

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