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
By Lori SorensonApril 02, 2025Homicide charges have been filed in the case of the fatal crash on Highway 23 in western Rock County March 27. According to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday morning, 21-year-old Jayson Delfs, Hardwick, faces felony charges of criminal vehicular homicide. He's accused of operating a vehicle with negligence — under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the death of a 47-year-old rural Jasper…- By Mavis FodnessApril 02, 2025Property owners can question assessed market values during annual Board of Appeal and Equalization (BOAE) meetings beginning next week. (A list of the scheduled meetings is printed on page 7. Most cities conduct BOAE meetings during their regular monthly meeting times.) Property owners have one last appeal meeting when Rock County Commissioners conduct their BOAE at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18…
By Lori SorensonApril 02, 2025Stan and Tracy Wieneke, Adrian, are the new owners of the Luverne Taco John’s franchise, which has been part of the community for over 30 years. They purchased Wildflowers Coffee Boutique in downtown Luverne in July 2019 and will continue to own and operate both the coffee shop and Taco John’s in Luverne. “Nothing is changing at Wildflowers. We have very capable people there,” Tracy said. “They…
By Lori SorensonApril 02, 2025ATLAS of Rock County hosted an open house Wednesday, March 26, to celebrate 10 years as an independent ministry. The organization now boasts dozens of volunteers and several paid staff to operate five ministries that are housed under one roof in downtown Luverne. Pastor Michael Blank said the past 10 years of growth are worth celebrating, but at its core, ATLAS still has the same mission: “…
By Mavis FodnessApril 02, 2025In Disney’s “Toy Story 3” animated film, Andy gives his cherished childhood toys to a little girl named Bonnie when he leaves home to attend college. Priscilla Nath of Luverne, is organizing a “Toy Swap” and is now collecting gently used toys to pass on to the next generation. “Give these toys their ‘Bonnie,’” she said. Anyone can drop off toys, games and/or stuffed animals at the Luverne…
By Lori SorensonApril 02, 2025A Luverne man is facing felony charges after being arrested over the weekend for domestic assault. According to the complaint filed Monday in Rock County District Court, 31-year-old Justin Voorhees was arrested Sunday after law enforcement was called to his girlfriend’s home. She had called around 2 a.m. Sunday to report Voorhees had beat and strangled her. Law enforcement arrived at her home…- April 02, 2025The Minnesota Department of Transportation will conduct aerial mapping along Interstate 90 in southwest Minnesota this spring. The mapping will create a record of existing infrastructure and landscape along and adjacent to MnDOT right of way for transportation planning and operations. This work must be conducted before the trees leaf out. Work was scheduled to begin in late March and will…
April 02, 2025Longtime friends (from left) Marlene Erickson, Marshall, Kristi Franken, Luverne, Roxanne Westover, Garretson, Pam Luettel, Adrian, and Barb Wiebel, Slayton, have been gathering regularly for 50 years and have supported each other through personal losses. In March they gathered at Franken’s home in Luverne to toast their friend, the late JoAnne Lynch. They drank homemade Irish cream in…
By Mavis FodnessApril 02, 2025A box of Girl Scout cookies awaits students at Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School, a gift from an alumnus. Marla Meyer, H-BC Class of 1988, will dole out 200 boxes during the last week of school in May. Meyer is the chief executive officer for Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons district, which encompasses Rock County. She’s the third H-BC alumnus to speak to students in celebrating the school’s 2024…
By Mavis FodnessApril 02, 2025A new van now carries requested materials to Rock County Library users in style. Plum Creek Library System (PCLS) recently upgraded to a 2025 Ford cargo van. The van is wrapped with graphic designs promoting PCLS member libraries. “One of our goals with this project was to use the van to advertise libraries in our nine-county region, which is why we wanted a great-looking wrap on it”, said…- By Mavis FodnessApril 02, 2025The Luverne speech team traveled to the RTR Knights Duel of the Fates tournament Saturday in Tyler. The event was rescheduled from March 15 due to weather. Luverne fielded nine students to the team event with four students reaching the final rounds in the Star Wars-themed tournament. The team placed sixth out of 15 schools. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton won the event with 75 points. Luverne students…
By Lori SorensonApril 01, 2025Homicide charges have been filed in the case of the fatal crash on Highway 23 in western Rock County March 27. According to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday morning, 21-year-old Jayson Delfs, Hardwick, faces felony charges of criminal vehicular homicide. He's accused of operating a vehicle with negligence — under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the death of a 47-year-old rural Jasper…
March 26, 2025A rabbit, two goats and a Silkie chicken visited the Rock County Library basement Friday morning where patrons could see, touch and ask questions about the common farm animals. The special guests concluded the library’s Farm Week, which featured information sharing, story times with a farmer, and crafts during the five days of activities celebrating National Ag Week.
By Lori SorensonMarch 26, 2025Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow hosted a community gala Friday night to share information about current local initiatives. Mayor Pat Baustian emceed the evening in Big Top Tents and Events, providing background on LIFT. “In 2010 roughly 180 people met to figure out what do we want to do to make Luverne better? Where are we going to go from here? How can we make Luverne a place that people want…
By Lori SorensonMarch 26, 2025Luverne City Council members toured the nearly finished Kids Rock! Child Care Center Tuesday, March 18, as part of their monthly Committee of the Whole meeting. Kids Rock director Sara Robinson led the tour, which included a walk-through of the entire 30,000-square-foot facility. The center operates from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can accommodate 186 children, with care broken down as follows: •…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 26, 2025Demolition of the single-story addition to the former Hills High School is complete, and work on the main three-story brick building is underway in Hills. DRC Inc. of Litchfield began demolishing the north side addition on the 1921 brick structure on March 10. The north side work was complete last week, and a larger excavator was moved in to take down the main structure of the three-story…
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