By Nicole Ronchetti
May 15, 2026
A public forum during the May 12 Hills City Council meeting drew over 60 people, the majority of whom were there to express support for the city council and city clerk amid an expected lawsuit.
Hills Area Chamber of Commerce president Kris Gagnon has said he is filing the lawsuit alleging that the City of Hills and City Clerk Connie Wiertzema have failed to provide public data when requested in…
By Nicole Ronchetti
May 15, 2026
Against the backdrop of a contentious public gathering, the Hills City Council on May 12 rejected a pro bono offer by Allen Saakyan to modernize the city’s website.
At the council’s last meeting, Saakyan, Hills, had demonstrated what the city website could look like, but the council opted to table the decision until all members were present.
While some had initially viewed the website favorably…
By Lori Sorenson
May 15, 2026
Members of the Luverne Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are asking the city of Luverne to reconsider plans for housing development in the downtown corridor.
Specifically, they’re requesting the half-block south of the History Center be reserved for green space instead of housing.
“Some type of green space or public plaza would only enhance the livability of this community,” they wrote in a…
By Lori Sorenson
May 13, 2026
Luverne’s Agri-Energy started producing ethanol last month and is ramping up to near capacity production, according to plant general manager Mike Stanley.
“We’re about 80 percent there,” he said on April 30, as trucks lined up outside the facility to deliver corn.
He said the plant’s production capacity is 18 million gallons of ethanol per year, which requires 6 million bushels of corn. …
By Lori Sorenson
May 13, 2026
Dozens of flower stems were collected at downtown businesses and artfully assembled into Mother’s Day bouquets Saturday during Luverne’s Mother’s Day Flower Walk.
Community members were invited to visit each business between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to collect a flower and other treats so that they could assemble their very own bouquets.
Nineteen businesses and organizations participated in the…
By Nicole Ronchetti
May 13, 2026
The Rock County Board of Commissioners approved an order for a new dump truck during its meeting on Tuesday, May 5.
The equipment will be a 2026 MAC GU 713 tandem axle dump truck and plow, with attachments.
Due to the extended production time, the new dump truck wouldn’t arrive in Rock County until spring of 2027.
“We’re asking to reserve a slot,” said county engineer Mark Sehr. “They only…
By Lori Sorenson
May 13, 2026
Congressman Brad Finstad toured the Agri-Energy Ethanol Plant in Luverne Tuesday, May 5, at the invitation of plant officials.
“We were waiting for a registration from Federal EPA, and his office was helpful in getting the nudge,” said David Kolsrud, co-founder of A.E. Innovation which purchased the former Agri-Energy facility from Gevo last year.
Finstad, who represents Rock County in…
May 13, 2026
The Rock County Master Gardener plant sale is coming up on Saturday, May 16, and this year other organizations are joining the annual spring event.
“The Master Gardeners have done this plant sale for years, and we thought it’d be kind of fun to get a few more things happening that morning,” said Cindy Arends, one of the organizers.
In addition to the plant sale, there will be a food truck…
By Nicole Ronchetti
May 13, 2026
Despite cool and windy weather, Luverne elementary school students ran with everything they had for the Cardinal Dash on Wednesday, May 6. The annual fundraiser brought in a total of $15,803 to support activities and initiatives at the elementary school. Starting in 2015, the Cardinal Dash replaced the annual frozen food sale. Now to fundraise, students collect pledges to support their mile-long…
By Nicole Ronchetti
May 13, 2026
Local business owner Mert Kracht was elected to the Luverne City Council in 2024 and said he’s learned a great deal about government processes since then.
Today, he’s agreed to share advice for newcomers considering running for public office in 2026.
“I learn something new every time I’m at city hall for anything,” Kracht said. “If you’re thinking you want to make a difference or represent…
By Lori Sorenson
May 13, 2026
The filing period for many public offices opens May 19 and those interested in seeking election to a local public office have until June 2 to throw their hats in the ring.
Offices on the ballot in Rock County this year include
•U.S. Senator and Congress
•Minnesota Governor and Lieutenant Governor
•Minnesota Secretary of State, State Auditor & Attorney General
•State Senate and House…
By Lori Sorenson
May 13, 2026
Luverne will have its first-ever entertainment wrestling event Saturday at The Lake in Luverne.
“New Sound Wrestling, the Final Countdown to Summer Break,” will be at the beach from 4 to 6 p.m.
The event is free, thanks to sponsorship by Luverne businesses Herb ‘n Legend and High Fidelity Cannabis.
“We hope a bunch of people show up,” business owner Terry Gray said.
Concessions will be…
May 13, 2026
Area fire and rescue crews responded to a fire Tuesday afternoon at 1518 110th Avenue northwest of Luverne. Numerous water trucks delivered additional water as firemen battled blazes in 22 mph winds. A structure was on fire, as was a hay pile and a nearby silage pile. As of press time, the cause of the firew was unknown. The National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag Warning Tuesday, due to…
By Minnesota Secretary of State's Office
May 13, 2026
Minnesota voters serving in the military or living overseas can still vote from anywhere in the world through UOCAVA voting. UOCAVA stands for the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
It helps eligible Minnesotans receive and return their ballots electronically while away from home.
College students can use UOCAVA this fall as they study abroad.
Military members, their…
May 13, 2026
Fifth graders in Luverne and Hills-Beaver Creek schools recently graduated from Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, an educational program that teaches young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. DARE was founded in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1983 and its programs can now be found in school districts across the United States.
Rock County Deputy Jeff Stratton served as the educator…
By Lori Sorenson
May 13, 2026
For the eighth consecutive year, the Southwest Minnesota Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program showcased student-developed businesses in its annual showcase event.
This year’s trade show was Wednesday, May 6, at Big Top Tents and Events in Luverne.
The 2025-26 program involved 18 young professionals from Nobles, Rock and Pipestone counties.
Kaitlyn Taylor shares smaples from…
