2024
By Lori SorensonNovember 20, 2024A two-person acting team from CLIMB Theatre spent all day Monday in each Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary classroom talking to students about brain health. “Brain health,” they said, is defined as “how the brain affects how we think, feel and act.” They illustrated through skits how to see the difference between a healthy brain (smiling, happy body language) and a brain that’s suffering (slumped…
By Lori SorensonNovember 20, 2024In 2024, 20 Rock County organizations received a total of $66,490 in grants from the Luverne Area Community Foundation. Representatives of groups receiving grants include (front, from left) Wanda Jarchow with Rock the Edge and Luverne Lions, Tammy Loosbrock with Sanford Luverne, Marie LaRock with Rock Ranch, Tammy Johnson with the city of Hardwick, Stacy Schepel with Big Buddies of Rock County,…- November 20, 2024On Monday night the Luverne Area Community Foundation hosted its annual “Friends of the Foundation Celebration of Philanthropy” at Take 16. The event recognizes and celebrates businesses, nonprofits and individuals who benefit from and support the foundation’s mission of strengthening the community. Among the groups and individuals at the packed Take 16 event center were people from diverse…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 20, 2024A partnership between Luverne Community Education and Rock County 4-H is keeping a popular youth activity available locally. In the early 2010s, interest by youth ages 9 to 14 in LEGO robotics was strong, and youth had two options in which to participate. Luverne Middle School offered a LEGO Mindstorms class, with interest in First LEGO League competitions spilling over into 4-H. In 2014 Rock…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 13, 2024Horses play a central role in the three programs offered at Rock Ranch near Hills. In July, Rock Ranch owners Marie and Dan LaRock received an unexpected donation of two Percheron draft horses, allowing the non-profit organization to expand in an unexpected way. “So, initially I was thinking for therapy sessions,” Marie said. The LaRocks spoke on the phone to donors Dave and Kathryn Johnson of…- By Lori SorensonNovember 13, 2024With the general election in the rearview mirror, Rock County election official Ashley Kurtz shared insights on the 2024 process. “I thought Election Day went great,” she said last week. “All polling places were busy, and I thought the election judges did great at handling everything.” She said a few voter questions came up through the day, but they were easily addressed. “Polling places…
November 13, 2024Premium Minnesota Pork, Luverne, distributed 225 pork loins averaging 8 to 10 pounds each to local veterans Monday in the Luverne Elementary School bus parking lot. There were 15 left over, and those were taken to veterans who would be attending Monday night’s Veterans Day banquet in Hardwick. According to PMP Human Resources Director Stephanie Bickerstaff, this is the fifth year PMP has shared…
November 13, 2024More than 100 local veterans were honored in a slideshow titled “Local Heroes” Monday morning during the Veterans Day program at Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School in Hills. The annual event also featured H-BC students at all grade levels reading, singing and playing instruments in recognition of sacrifices made by current and former members of the armed forces.- By Lori SorensonNovember 06, 2024The Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings is considering a complaint filed by Isaac DeBoer alleging Patrick Baustian violated Fair Campaign Practices law with his mayoral campaign. After a hearing by phone Monday afternoon, the administrative judge will determine if there is probable cause for the case to continue. If not, the case will be dismissed. DeBoer, a candidate for mayor, filed…
- By Mavis FodnessNovember 06, 2024At almost three months into the 2024-25 school year, Hills-Beaver Creek School District seeks to hire an additional elementary teacher due to growing student enrollment. Board members agreed to the half-time position at a salary of $28,500 at their Oct. 28 meeting. The part-time additional position is intended to assist in the first-grade classroom. As the school year started in early…
November 06, 2024Luverne area businesses and organizations hosted the community’s annual Trunk ’N Treat in the elementary school bus lot Thursday afternoon to celebrate Halloween. The event featured dozens of creatively decorated trunks and roughly 2,500 costumed trick-or-treaters. This is the 12th annual Trunk ’N Treat in Luverne and the third year it’s been at the school after nine years on Main Street.- November 06, 2024Dispatch report Oct. 26 •Complainant at Redbird Field reported vandalism. •Complainant west-bound on Interstate 90, mile marker 19, Magnolia, reported a road and drive law issue. •Complainant on E. Brown Street requested patrol. •Complainant on Highway 75 and Warren Street reported an accident with property damage. Oct. 27 •Complainant on W. Hatting Street reported suspicious activity. •…
By Mavis FodnessNovember 06, 2024Rock County 4-H conducted the 2024 awards and recognition night Saturday, Nov. 2, at Grand Events in Luverne. The evening’s theme was “4-H: Something to Crow About” and was attended by 125 members, leaders, parents and program sponsors. Federation officers installed for 2024-25 Local Extension educator Fraya Webster installed the newly elected Federation officers. The 2024-25 officers are…
November 06, 2024The Livewires 4-H Club is a 2024 Fair Project Club winner, a contest sponsored by Bomgaars. The contest was open to all 180 Bomgaars locations including Luverne. According to club adviser Jamie Tiesler, each member submitted a fair photo and nominated their club. Winners received $1,000. The Livewires are one of 12 4-H clubs to receive a cash prize. “We are excited to use this money for our club…- By Lori SorensonOctober 30, 2024Two years ago at this time, election workers in the Rock County Courthouse were being harassed about ballot processes and accused of compromised election integrity. “It was bad,” said Ashley Kurtz about the last election cycle. “Our workers were frequently in tears.” Kurtz has been Rock County’s Auditor-Treasurer for 13 years and this will be her ninth time heading up a local general election…
- By Lori SorensonOctober 30, 2024The 2024 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and voters who haven’t already cast ballots early will head to the polls to make election choices. Luverne voters will decide contests for mayor and two council seats. Isaac DeBoer is challenging incumbent mayor Pat Baustian. Incumbent Dan Nath and Josh Gangestad will be on the ballot for North Ward City Council. And Lori Hallstrom and Marlin Kracht…
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.
