People in the News
March 11, 2026This week is National Long Term Care Administrators Week, and there are new leaders to recognize at the Good Samaritan nursing home and assisted living facilities in Luverne. Lauren Klees is the new administrator at the Good Samaritan Society- Mary Jane Brown, and Billi Connell is the new assisted living manager at Poplar Creek and the Oaks. Lauren Klees, GSS-Mary Jane Brown administrator …
January 07, 2026Siebenahler retires from Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Gregory R. Peterson, USAF, Retired Former Commander 934th Security Forces Squadron announces the retirement ceremony in honor of Senior Master Sergeant Justin D. Siebenahler from the United States Air Force Friday, the ninth day of January at 2 p.m. Justin graduated from Luverne High School in 2000 and joined the Air Force in July of 2000.…- December 17, 2025A Luverne native has been selected to lead the University of Minnesota’s government and community relations. Former Mayo Clinic leader Erin (Connell) Sexton has taken on the role following approval by U of M’s Board of Regents Thursday, Dec. 11. Her appointment will begin Jan. 5. “With more than 25 years of experience in government relations, public affairs and community engagement, Erin brings…
- December 09, 2025Luverne utility worker earns POWER award Braydon Ripka, a lineman apprentice, is among eight employees recently recognized by Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). The individuals received Peer Ovation With Earned Recognition (POWER) awards during a board-employee luncheon Dec. 4 at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Sioux Falls. Given once a year, the POWER Award is the highest form of employee…
- October 22, 2025Luverne utility employee completes high-level leadership course Aric Uithoven, Water/Wastewater Assistant Director at Luverne Municipal Utilities, was among 24 utility professionals to earn leadership certification through Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). The LEAD Course (Leadership, Excellence and Development) is an advanced training program focused on critical skills, awareness and…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 19, 2025Luverne High School band instructor James Jarvie is a member of The Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) inaugural “Wall of Honor.” “We received so many nominations from across the state — and found ourselves with the challenge of so many deserving candidates, and a few slots available,” wrote Michael Bjork in an email. Bjork serves on the MMEA awards committee. “In order to honor more…- October 30, 2024City employee earns leadership certificate Marissa Marr, billing clerk for the City of Luverne, was among 20 utility professionals to earn her leadership certification as part of the LEAD course, a workshop presented by Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). LEAD stands for Leadership, Excellence and Development, and it is a training course focused on critical skills, awareness and perspective…
July 10, 2024Johnson earns recognition at foundation conference Luverne’s Heather Johnson was recently recognized with Ciara’s Spirit of Hope Award for her volunteer efforts with the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. Johnson operates a hobby baking business, Embellished Luv, and donates decorative cakes through her annual DSF fundraiser for the past 11 years. With her “Cake 4A Cure,” she encourages donations,…- April 10, 2024Three local seniors receive 4-H scholarships Three Rock County 4-H’ers were selected by the local 4-H Extension Committee to receive the Marcel Reisch and/or Sunshine Foods scholarships. Scholarship recipients are: •Lanae Elbers, daughter of Kurt and Lanette Elbers, Steen. She is a senior at Hills-Beaver Creek High School. •Nathan Kinsinger, son of Shawn and Teresa Kinsinger. He is a…
March 20, 2024Kessler honored with Outstanding Bandmaster Award Kevin Kessler, assistant professor of music education and director of athletic bands for South Dakota State University, was presented the 2024 South Dakota Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award. Kessler received the award before the evening concert of the 2024 South Dakota In-Service Music Conference held in Brookings on Feb. 9. He was…- February 28, 2024Shirley Top with Kozlowski Insurance Agency and Financial Services Inc. of Luverne has recently been recognized as a top-producing crop insurance agent for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company. FMH recognizes the top-producing agents in total premium written each year. Top has been recognized as placing 47th in the company's Top 50 Agents in Private Crop Insurance Premium list for 2023. In…
January 17, 2024Hills-Beaver Creek graduate Jax Wysong was selected for a Future Innovator of America Fellowship at South Dakota State University, Brookings. He was among seven students in the SDSU College of Engineering selected for fellowships in the various engineering departments. Wysong, a senior physics major, will work under associate professor Jung-Han Kimn to investigate “ghosts” in computational…- October 25, 2023Uithoven, Ahrens achieve wastewater certifications Aric Uithoven, senior water/wastewater operator and Joe Ahrens, a water/wastewater operator, both for the city of Luverne, recently achieved wastewater certifications through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Uithoven, employed by the city since 2012 and an operator since 2019, achieved Class B Wastewater Certification. Ahrens, employed…
September 27, 2023Bakken travels with Farm Bureau Federation to Washington, D.C. Rock County farmer Peter Bakken was among a delegation of members and leadership from the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation who traveled to Washington, D.C., Sept. 11-13. Bakken is the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation District 3 director and former Rock County Farm Bureau president. He joined the group to share agriculture’s story…- September 13, 2023$500 classroom grant Luverne Public Schools teacher Angie Janiszeski is one of 10 recipients of Sioux Valley Energy’s C.L.A.S.S. (Cooperative Learning and Supplies Scholarship) grant. Nearly 400 teachers in the electric cooperative’s 10-district service area in South Dakota and southwest Minnesota applied for the grants. One teacher from each of the districts received a $500 grant. Janiszeski…
- September 06, 2023Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has recognized Jeanne Vandehoef, Luverne, with the prestigious 2023 Spirit Award for her work with the organization. Vandehoef is senior cook at LSS Meals which serves local residents in Generations Event Center and through home-delivered meals. The Spirit Award honors LSS employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment and dedication to the vision and…
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