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Schomacker announces he won't seek re-election

Lori Sorenson

February 11, 2026

Luverne’s Joe Schomacker announced Tuesday that he’s not seeking re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives.

…

Kids in the Kitchen create sweet Valentine treats

Lori Sorenson

February 11, 2026

Fifteen students ranging in age from kindergarten through fifth grade joined local professional baker Victoria Stearns last week for a special Valentine’s session of Kids in the Kitchen through Luverne Community Education. The students met Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the Luverne Middle School-High…

Ditch work paused as County Board takes second look

Mavis Fodness

February 11, 2026

County commissioners tabled a decision to improve water flow in Judicial Ditch No. 2 after downstream landowners questioned the impact during a Feb. 3 public hearing.

Commissioners will resume discussions at their Tuesday, March 3, meeting.

Six farmers addressed commissioners Feb…

Rock County Star Herald File Photo by Lori Sorenson

Fishing Derby set for Saturday ... weather permitting

Lori Sorenson, editor

February 11, 2026

Mike Davis is among a small minority of local residents wishing for colder weather.

As one of the organizers of the…

District considers new scoreboard

Greg Hoogeveen

February 11, 2026

Luverne School Board members hosted an informational meeting Thursday, Feb. 5, to consider options for a new electronic scoreboard at the west end of the football field.…

Sports

Greg Hoogeveen photo/GHOCFM3 Luverne sophomore Ellie Van Batavia, No. 11, and senior Greta McClure, No. 15, try to get their sticks on the puck above the Fairmont goalie Saturday, Feb. 7, in Luverne. LHS beat Fairmont 5-2 in section 3 semifinal action.

Girls head to section championship

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

February 11, 2026

Luverne started their section run taking down Morris/Benson Area 15-0 at home Thursday, Feb. 5, in the 3A quarterfinals and topped Fairmont 5-2, Saturday, Feb. 7, in the Section 3A semifinals. Luverne is scheduled to face Marshall, the No. 1 seed, in the Section 3A championship game Tuesday, Feb.…

Greg Hoogeveen photo/HBCGBB3 H-BC junior Ava Steinhoff drives the ball under the hoop against RTR Friday, Feb. 6, in Hills. Steinhoff collected four points in the 54-41 win against the Knights.

Lady Pates string three wins in a row

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

February 11, 2026

The H-BC girls’ basketball team locks in three wins as they improve to 20-3 this season. The Patriots beat Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 54-41 at home Friday, Feb. 6, topped Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 67-49 at home Saturday, Feb. 7, and beat Westbrook-Walnut Grove 65-45 on the road Monday, Feb. 9. H-BC was…

submitted photo Luverne girls’ wrestlers shine at the section individual tournament Feb. 6-7 in Redwood. Pictured left to right: freshman Ellie Rock – state qualifier, junior Bernie Rock – state qualifier, senior Bernie Rock – state qualifier, seventh-grader Mary Rock – 5th place finisher and seventh-grader Gemma Zix – 5th place finisher.

Luverne girls’ wrestling team qualifies three individuals for state tournament

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

February 11, 2026

By Greg Hoogeveen Bernie and CeCe Rock will compete in the girls’ state wrestling tournament for the fourth year in a row. Senior Bernie Rock and junior CeCe Rock will take with them their younger sister, freshman Ellie Rock. This will be Ellie’s first trip in her career. All three qualified…

Greg Hoogeveen photo/LHSGBB1 Luverne eighth-grader Ingrid Schmuck dribbles up the court against SWMC Monday, Feb. 9. LHS beat the Eagles 60-48.

Luverne girls go 2-1 on the court

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

February 11, 2026

The Luverne girls’ basketball racked up two wins and one loss this week and are now 13-11 for the season. Luverne hosted Windom Thursday, Feb. 5, beating the Eagles 83-75. LHS fell 65-58 to St. James on the road Friday, Feb. 6, and beat Southwest Minnesota Christian 60-48 on the road Monday, Feb…

Greg Hoogeveen photo/LHSBBB1 LHS junior Darius Dolo drives the basket between two SWMC player Monday. Feb. 9, on the road. LHS fell 60-48 to the Eagles.

Cardinal boys secure two wins, one loss

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

February 11, 2026

The Luverne boys’ basketball team secured two wins and fell once this past week. Luverne beat Windom 62-52 at home Thursday, Feb. 5, topped St. James 63-54 on the road Friday, Feb. 6, and lost 65-61 to Southwest Minnesota Christian on the road Monday, Feb. 9. LHS will play their next two games at…

LHS boys tie Minnesota River 2-2 in overtime hockey game

Greg Hoogeveen, sports editor

February 11, 2026

Luverne and Minnesota River skated to a 2-2 tie in Le Sueur Saturday, Feb. 7, after one overtime period. The Cardinals put 17 shots on the Bulldogs goalie throughout the game compared to Minnesota River’s 20 shots on LHS senior goaltender Gavin Hoven who stopped 18 of them. The first period went…

Columns

Hot yoga mishap stirs warm family memories

Brenda Winter, columnist

I’m not sure who was more surprised: the woman who put her toes on my forehead during yoga class, or me when it happened.

While lying on our backs, we had been instructed to lift our feet over our heads, stretching our toes toward the floor behind us.

One of us was facing the…

February 11, 2026

There are five essential end-of-life documents for seniors

Linda Wenzel, A.C.E. of SWMN

As America’s senior population grows, families are increasingly facing difficult decisions about health care, finances, and final wishes — often during moments of crisis.

Experts say much of that stress can be avoided with proper planning and a small set of essential legal documents.…

February 04, 2026

How long would I wait for a lump of feathers to pose as a swan?

Lori Sorenson, editor

Every so often my job puts me in touch with my “inner nature photographer.”

An assignment last week was to capture a migrating trumpeter swan in his natural winter habitat.

This majestic creature had been spotted in Rock County, and I was determined to document the rare…

February 04, 2026

Sitting in the after glow: 2025 pheasant hunting season wraps up

Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist

The dogs had such a sad look on their faces this morning when I was unloading my hunting vest. It was officially the end of the pheasant season in Minnesota. If you wanted to continue you can chase them in South Dakota which does not close until the end of January or a few days still remain in…

February 04, 2026

Obituaries

Alverna Madison

February 04, 2026

Alverna Madison, age 86, of Wilmont, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at the Sibley Special Care in Sibley, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, at St. Kilian Catholic Church in Wilmont with a prayer service taking place at 4 p.m. Mass of…

Ronald Boyenga

February 04, 2026

Ronald Leroy Boyenga, age 85, of rural Ellsworth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side, on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

Memorial visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. A graveside memorial service will…

Leona Sandbulte

February 04, 2026

Leona Sandbulte, age 98, of Luverne, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at the Luverne Hospice Cottage.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m…

Colton Arends

January 28, 2026

Colton Paul Arends was born on May 10, 1996, to Paul and Teresa (Menning) Arends at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was raised on the family farm east of Luverne, Minnesota. From a young age, his beaming spirit always found a way to light up the room.…

Kids in the Kitchen create sweet Valentine treats

Fishing Derby set for Saturday ... weather permitting

District considers new scoreboard

Caucuses draw healthy participation

Luverne BPA qualifies 34 students to state competition in March

Girls head to section championship

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