Excavating at The Lake to improve depth, habitat
Work continues in Luverne on the The Lake that’s been affected by low water levels after persistent drought in recent years.
Less money, bigger bills
With the potential for an operating referendum looming, the Luverne School District is facing a budget shortfall of $1.7 million amid inflationary pressures and decreased enrollment.
What's on my ballot?
The Nov. 3 general election presents several contested races for local voters. Following is a summary of those candidates and offices.
Election Day is Tuesday
Rock County Auditor Treasurer Ashley Kurtz heads up election processes in Rock County and said the 2026 general election is going well leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom celebrates 12 years
The Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom at Luverne Elementary School is now 12 years old and has proven to be a valuable learning addition to the school campus.
Railroad receives $26 million grant for improvements
Rock County leaders and railroad officials received word Monday that a federal grant for a $26 million had been approved for local rail improvements.
News
October 28, 2026Work continues in Luverne on the The Lake that’s been affected by low water levels after persistent drought in recent years. Excavators are removing several feet of mud and sediment to expose the gravel bottom of The Lake to improve habitat for fish and native vegetation, according to adjacent property owner Mike Davis. “We’re losing our fish,” said Davis who is on the board for the Convention…
By Nicole RonchettiOctober 28, 2026With the potential for an operating referendum looming, the Luverne School District is facing a budget shortfall of $1.7 million amid inflationary pressures and decreased enrollment. Since the 2020-21 school year, district enrollment has declined from 1,148 students to 1,076. Because funding for schools is determined by the number of pupils, that also means the school has seen a decrease in…
By Lori SorensonOctober 28, 2026Alongside statewide and local races in the 2026 general election ballot, local voters will consider ballot questions. School district voters will be asked if they want to increase funding for local school districts – without increasing taxes. With unanimous bipartisan support, a ballot question was added to ask voters if they would like to increase disbursements from Minnesota’s Permanent…
October 28, 2026The Nov. 3 general election presents several contested races for local voters. Following is a summary of those candidates and offices. Candidate profiles in many of the races can found on the Star Herald’s website under the “Election 2026” tab on the home page. County offices There will be three contested races for county officials on the fall ballot. All Rock County voters will have an…
By Lori SorensonOctober 28, 2026Rock County Auditor Treasurer Ashley Kurtz heads up election processes in Rock County and said the 2026 general election is going well leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. “We’ve had a smooth start to the early voting period, and things are running as expected,” she said Monday. “We were unsure how the transition to early voting would go from a staffing standpoint, badjustments, and…- By Nicole RonchettiOctober 28, 2026Rock County’s school districts have shared their most recent MCA test results, with Luverne leading the southwest region. MCAs — Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments — measure how well students have mastered state academic standards in reading, mathematics and science. Both Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek have maintained similar scores to last year, seeing only a slight decrease in some subjects…
By Nicole RonchettiOctober 28, 2026The 1984 hit movie “Ghostbusters” will be featured at the Palace Theatre at 7 p.m. on Oct. 30 as a free, family-friendly event. The movie, sponsored by Herb N’ Legends, will also include a free popcorn and drink for all attendees. “We’ve been doing events every month for the last few months,” shared Terry Gray, owner of Herb N’ Legends. “I asked how easy it was to get an older movie into the…
October 28, 2026Four generations of the Bonnett family gathered on Saturday, Oct. 17, to celebrate 140 years of the Bonnett family farm near Magnolia where Tom and Ellen Bonnett moved to from Oshkosh, Wis., on Oct. 16, 1886. Pictured on the bench are sisters-in-law Roxy Bonnett (left) and Nancy Wiertzema. Behind them from left are (Roxy’s children) Marty Bonnett, Bunny Loose, Jamie Bonnett, (Nancy’s children)…- By Deb KroonOctober 28, 2026At their Sept. 28 meeting, Adrian City Council members approved a preliminary levy of $851,192 for taxes payable in 2027. This represents a 9% increase over the current levy, which had increased 10% for taxes payable in 2026. The city is budgeting $1,318,298 in revenues and $1,227,855 in expenses in 2027. A major factor affecting next year’s budget is a projected 29.94% increase in health…
October 28, 2026Volunteers from the Rock County DFL completed an Adopt a Highway service project on I-90 on Saturday, October 24. Pictured are (front, from left) Deb VanderKooi, Suanne Ohme, Lona Klosterbuer, Barbara Veldhuizen, Rhonna Jarchow, Kim Manda (back) Carol Serie, Larry Nelson, Mark Lundgren, Lowell Jauert, Greg Antoine, Keith Erickson and Dave Svingen. Contributed photo.- October 28, 2026Drivers should expect lane and shoulder closures on Interstate 90 at Elk Creek east of Luverne beginning Nov. 2 as crews install riprap (rock) to stabilize slopes, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The area sustained significant flooding and damage in 2024. Crews will place riprap near Elk Creek to stabilize slopes and reduce further erosion. Drivers can anticipate lane…
By Lori SorensonOctober 23, 2026The Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom at Luverne Elementary School is now 12 years old and has proven to be a valuable learning addition to the school campus. “The space has been an incredible addition to our preschool programs and community,” said Discovery Time Preschool Teacher Angie Janiszeski. She said the area recently saw several updates and improvements, thanks to some grants and…
By Lori SorensonOctober 23, 2026Rock County leaders and railroad officials received word Monday that a federal grant for a $26 million had been approved for local rail improvements. The funds will be used to construct new siding capacity, replace rail and ties, procure and install track materials, add ballast, surface the corridor and complete related crossing surface and turnout work. The work will be funded through a CRISI…
By Nicole RonchettiOctober 23, 2026The Rock County Board approved a bid by Prahm Construction Inc. to replace a bridge on County Road 8, just east of the Blue Mounds State Park. The bid, accepted at the board’s Oct. 20 meeting, is for $863,208.80. The bid was among five presented to the county, ranging from $820,459 to $1,498,953, and was the second lowest. Construction is set for spring or fall of next year, but a definitive…
By Nicole RonchettiOctober 23, 2026Rock County Rural Water is set to purchase 106.82 acres at $1,500 per acre. The land is located in Clinton Township on the organization’s well field. Owning the property will allow for the future development of wells and protecting the existing water supply from nitrate contamination. “This piece of ground just makes sense for Rural Water to own,” said Ryan Holtz RCRW’s systems manager. The…
October 21, 2026The Pumpkin Patch at the Cidery in Beaver Creek had an abundant crop this year — an estimated 5,000 pumpkins, many of them heirloom varieties. Sean McFarland and his wife, Marcella, and son Cedar, 8, have been hosting events to encourage pumpkin patch visitors. The next one, a pumpkin carving contest, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Regular pumpkin patch hours are noon to 7 p.m. Thursday…
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