Columns
- By Lori Sorenson, editorFebruary 18, 2020I enjoyed taste-testing chili last week at Schomackers Home Galleries where family members (who happen to be business partners) competed for bragging rights to the best recipe. Brothers Joe and Tony Schomacker and their dad, Randy, were chili cooks, and Sharon baked sweets to sell on the side. The whole thing raised money for local charity. To make it more interesting, the three crockpots of…
- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 18, 2020Question: I have noticed cars that can't be seen in the day when they fail to turn on their lights when it is snowing, raining or foggy. Can you please explain how dangerous it can be and what the law is that covers this? Answer: Minnesota law states that every vehicle on a roadway shall display lighted headlamps, lighted tail lamps, and illuminating devices from sunset to sunrise. The law…
- February 18, 2020Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911. County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from 02-13-2020 edition of Star Herald) The commissioners named by the governor met for the first time at one o’clock on the…
- By Jason Berghorst, reporterFebruary 11, 2020I’m in the process. And let me tell you, it’s been a real process. If you haven’t heard, our “normal” Minnesota driver’s licenses will no longer qualify as adequate identification for boarding a domestic flight after Oct. 1. At least that’s how I understand it. When my driver’s license renewal notice arrived in December, I realized this was my chance to upgrade to my “real” ID. I had two months…
- By Rick Peterson, general managerFebruary 11, 2020Friday is Valentine’s Day. Truth be told, that is not one of my favorite days. Valentine’s Day puts undue pressure on me to be romantic — not one of my strong suits. I can be compassionate, caring and downright sentimental, but romantic not so much. To make matters worse, Mary will find herself sitting in the dentist’s chair to start her day. In the past, I’ve done the standard Valentine gift…
- By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyFebruary 11, 2020Rock County will celebrate its 150th Anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911. County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 (continued from last week’s edition — 02-06 — of the Rock County Star Herald) A few months after the passage of this act the…
- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 04, 2020Question: Do I need to obtain the new Real ID and Driver’s License when my license expires? Answer: The Minne-sota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards on Oct. 1, 2018, to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. Minnesotans are not required to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card; however,…
- By Mavis Fodness, reporterFebruary 04, 2020More than a year ago local readers were introduced to Ryan and Martha Tofteland. The young couple and their children, Finn and Liv, were visiting Ryan’s parents, Steve and Julie Tofteland, and his childhood home in rural Luverne for Thanksgiving 2018. It was a bittersweet visit for the young couple. Two years prior, in August 2016, Ryan was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou…
- By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyFebruary 04, 2020Rock County will celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. The news will be the history of Rock County, townships, and communities. The following appeared in the Rose History of Rock County, printed in 1911. County and Township Organization — 1870-1878 When the early day settlers located in the unorganized county of Rock, it was attached to Jackson county for civil and judicial…
- By Rick Peterson, general managerJanuary 28, 2020A few weeks ago we published the salaries of city department heads and the increases they were going to receive. We do the same with county and school personnel. The fact that we publish such information was the topic a conversation one day at coffee. Most at the table found it important while others (just one) really felt it was unnecessary. The argument against publicizing the salaries was that…
- By Brenda Winter, columnistJanuary 28, 2020I’ve spent most of my life trying to avoid exercise and I think I’ve been fairly successful. The time that so many of you have spent running, walking, biking and hiking, I’ve spent trying to avoid exercise. I may have burned nearly the same number of calories. One of my favorite exercise memories is the time in high school my sister and I were going to “run around the section.” (That’s four…
- By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyJanuary 28, 2020The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on January 20, 1905. Petition for Cement Walk On North Side Luverne St. Common Council Grants Petition for Four Blocks of New Walk — Action Taken in Public Rest Room Matter — Plans and Estimates to be Made The common council met January 17, 1904, pursuant to adjournment and was called to order at 8 p.m. with all members present except Mr. Leet. A…
- January 21, 2020My high school senior caught me off guard last fall with the announcement, “Mom, I’m playing hockey this year.” This from the kid who’s never played hockey … Not that he hasn’t wanted to; we just aren’t hockey people. By that I mean his mother had neither the will nor the means to keep up with our hockey friends on the road and in hotel rooms. I drove my child to open skate as often as he asked,…
- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 21, 2020Question: I have a question regarding the auxiliary headlights on a truck with a plow. Are they a requirement? I purchased a plow for my truck recently and the lights that came with are not nearly as bright as the stock lights on my truck. My stock headlights actually work perfectly fine over the top of the plow without any glare back at me. Are the auxiliary headlights I always see on plow…
- By Betty Mann, president, Rock County Historical SocietyJanuary 21, 2020The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on January 20, 1905. To Save Our Shade Trees Danger From Scale Insects Remedy Recommended by Prof. Washburn Which Should be Applied While Trees are Bare I wish to call the attention of the city council, the owners of trees near the city hall and all others who are interested in the beautiful shade trees for which Luverne is noted, to the…
- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 14, 2020Question: What allows private for-profit ambulance companies to run tax-exempt license plates on their vehicles? Answer: Vehicles owned by ambulance services specifically intended for emergency response or providing ambulance services are exempt under the Minnesota State statutes. All services must have a valid license issued by the board. The license shall specify the base of operations, the…
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.









