Public forum addresses city charter amendment question on Nov. 3 ballot
Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to change their city’s government charter.
County proposed tax levy to increase 5% instead of 7.46%
After initially looking at a tax levy increase of 7.46% for 2027, the Rock County Board of Commissioners has reduced the proposed tax levy amount to increase 5%.
Merc to receive EDA grant for facade improvements
The Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a $15,904 façade improvement grant for Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow (LIFT) for work on The Merc.
Generations celebrates 56 years, honors Neva Claussen
Generations celebrated its 56th anniversary on Sept. 12 with an open house, which included recognition for Neva Claussen who served the organization for 35 years.
Public forum to address city charter amendment
Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to change their city’s government charter.
Meals on Wheels faces funding shortage
A recent funding reduction has forced southwest Minnesota’s local Meals on Wheels program to scale back its services, prioritizing those with the highest needs.
News
- May 07, 2025On Monday the Minnesota House passed the Human Services Finance and Policy bills, delivering meaningful support for nursing homes, seniors, and vulnerable Minnesotans. Representative Joe Schomacker (R–Luverne), co-chair of the Human Services Committee, praised the bipartisan effort to protect essential services while improving accountability. “Nursing homes are the backbone of care for many of…
- May 07, 2025ITC Midwest will conduct aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines throughout its service territory from approximately May 12 through May 23, weather permitting. Helicopter patrols provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest. The flights take place across the following areas of the ITC Midwest service territory that…
- May 07, 2025The approaching walleye fishing season comes with a reminder from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to always follow state laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Most anglers and boaters in Minnesota take the “clean, drain, dispose” steps for invasive species prevention every time they leave a lake or river. DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said prevention takes…
By Lori SorensonMay 07, 2025Jocelyn Jacoby recently received national recognition for her work as activities director at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. She was nominated for the Quality of Excellence Award at the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) conference in Dallas, Texas. The award honors activities professionals “who go above and beyond to enhance the well-being of our residents, set new…
By Mavis FodnessMay 07, 2025Luverne children’s author and retired educator Shirley Harrison received the Jeanette Fair Memorial Book Award this weekend at the Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) Minnesota State Convention in Bemidji. Harrison’s book, “We All Need,” was chosen as the top children’s book for preschoolers (ages 3-5) and for primary students (kindergarten through grade 5). The award is named after Jeanette Fair, a…- May 07, 2025Four Hills-Beaver Creek students were recognized for their writing at the annual Southwest/West Central Cooperative Creative Writing Contest in Marshall. Award recipients and their placings included: •Vivienne Tatge, fourth-grader, first place fiction grades 3 and 4. •Bryce Metzger, fifth-grader, first place nonfiction grades 3 and 4. •Penni Moore, seventh-grader, first place nonfiction…
May 07, 2025Volunteers from the Rock County DFL completed an Adopt-A-Highway service project along Interstate 90 on Monday, May 5.
May 05, 2025Brooke Huisman celebrates 4 years at the Star Herald office on May 5. She answered a few questions about her time at the Star Herald. 1. How did your journey with the Star Herald start? I was looking for a job with flexibility after having my first child but still wanted to be able to use my creative side. 2. Can you make a comparison between then and now? What was your role in the…
By Lori SorensonApril 30, 2025The city of Luverne has so far received three conditional use permit applications for cannabis licensing since the process went live on the city’s website last week. The conditional use permit application window for the first round of applicants is from April 25 through May 9. The non-refundable application fee is $400. They will be reviewed by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, and a…
By Mavis FodnessApril 30, 2025Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School sixth-grader Sophie Gehrke was welcomed home Thursday night, April 24, with a drive-by parade in her honor. Gehrke, 12, underwent her third open-heart surgery April 10. During the nine-hour procedure, Sophie’s mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical one. Gehrke is the daughter of Pete and Melissa Gehrke of Hills. The April 10 surgery may not be Sophie’s…- By Mavis FodnessApril 30, 2025The county will soon accept credit or debit card payments online or in person. It’s uncertain, however, when the service will be available. “We are still waiting on the equipment to show up, and then we have to get it all hooked up and take training to get it going,” said auditor-treasurer Ashley Kurtz. Kurtz received approval from Rock County commissioners April 22 to contract with the Fort…
By Lori SorensonApril 30, 2025The Rock County Sheriff’s Office, with information from the National Weather Service, sounded emergency sirens in Luverne Monday afternoon. It was the first time the sirens were enacted under the new local policy that allows use of the sirens for severe thunderstorms, and not just tornadoes. As the sirens blared just after 1 p.m., residents received Sheriff’s Office texts advising that a severe…
April 30, 2025Sixth-graders from the Luverne School District visited the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center nursing home Wednesday afternoon, April 23, to spend time with their “adopted grandparents.” The residents and visiting students took advantage of pleasant spring weather to spend their time outdoors with sidewalk chalk. The students visit the nursing home weekly for activities that have included…
By Lori SorensonApril 30, 2025Rep. Brad Finstad visited C&B Operations Friday afternoon at the invitation of Pioneer Equipment Dealers Association, of which the local John Deere dealership is a member. Finstad toured the Luverne facility before hosting a closed-door meeting with farmers and C&B officials about taxes, tariffs, the Farm Bill and other issues affecting agriculture. “It’s just like the most Minnesota…
By Mavis FodnessApril 30, 2025On Sunday the nine-member ukulele group calling themselves The LUGS will return to perform in the Luverne Street Music Spring Showcase Recital at the Palace Theatre in Luverne. The nine women, whose ages range from 70 to 82 years old, first performed at the holiday recital in December. They are coming into Sunday’s performance with more experience and confidence. LaDonna Iveland of Luverne…- By Mavis FodnessApril 30, 2025Students and staff at Luverne Public Schools will be in school an extra day in order to make up an instructional day missed on March 5. The last day of classes for the 2024-25 school year will now be Thursday, May 22. Students will be dismissed at 11:30 a.m. District officials called off classes March 5 due to a weather event that closed major roads and highways including Interstate 90. March…
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