News

Spring equinox hike at Blue Mounds March 20
March 04, 2026
The spring equinox marks the day the sun passes directly over the equator, giving equal hours of day and night. Celebrate the beginning of spring with a one-mile hike on top of the Blue Mounds State Park from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the state park. Use the Eagle Rock Vista entrance off County Road 8 to meet at the trailhead. The hike will end watching the sun set over the…
Large trees to be cleared for ‘progress’ ahead of Highway 75 construction this summer in Luverne
By Lori Sorenson
March 04, 2026
The maple tree at the corner of Dodge Street and Highway 75 in Luverne is at least the age of the stately three-story home on the property — more than 100 years old. Dave and Linda Iverson moved into their home 53 years ago, a year after Dave started as a veterinarian at Rock Vet Clinic. Their maple tree was large and mature at that time. The house was built around 1918 or 1920, and they…
Band button design contest for Tri-State Band Festival opens to the public for 75th anniversary event this year
By Nicole Ronchetti
March 04, 2026
For the first time in its 75-year history, Luverne’s Tri-State Band Festival will open its button design contest to the public. Previously open only to students, the contest has been an annual event since 1976 when the first winner, Missy Weinman, received $10 in prize money. “This is the first year we’ve ever asked the public to come in with designs,” said Jane Wildung Lanphere, who has helped…
Luverne School Board debates options for 2026-27 district calendar
By Nicole Ronchetti
March 04, 2026
The Luverne School Board members were presented with four different calendar options for the 2026-27 school year during their meeting Thursday night, Feb. 26, but no clear favorites rose to the surface. The options were divided into two categories, “construction calendars” and “traditional calendars.” The construction calendars follow the pattern of the last six school years and were first…
Council approves dehumidification unit for pool and fitness center
By Lori Sorenson
March 04, 2026
Luverne City Council members approved a quote by Climate Systems of Sioux Falls to replace the rooftop dehumidification unit at the city pool and fitness center. Council members approved the quote for $374,750, which includes: •a 40-ton two-compressor dehumidifier with a horizontal 2-inch double wall, bottom supply and return, building automation and control net integration, R454B refrigeration…
LCCMR seeks projects for funds through Environment and Natural Resources Trust
March 04, 2026
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has issued its 2027 Request for Proposals (RFP) for funding from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Approximately $121 million from the lottery-generated fund is available for projects that aim to protect, conserve, preserve and enhance Minnesota’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural…
DFL volunteers fill backpacks for local students
March 04, 2026
On Monday, March 2, members of the Rock County DFL volunteered to fill backpacks for Luverne school students at the Rock County Food Shelf. Pictured are (from left) Carol Svingen, Barbara Veldhuizen, Carol Serie, Connie Connell, Deb Vander Kooi, Bill Stegemann, Jerry Deuschle, Lona Klosterbuer and Gayle Stegemann. (Not pictured are Carol Morgan and Rhonna Jarchow.) The local Democrats have signed…
February is ‘I Love to Read’ Month
By Lori Sorenson
March 04, 2026
As part of February’s I Love to Read Month, Luverne Elementary School students and staff had fun with special dress up days. Friday, Feb. 27, was “Space Jammies and Popcorn Day,” and Elementary Principal Stacy Gillette popped popcorn for students and staff to enjoy while reading.
Students celebrate Read Across America Day
By Nicole Ronchetti, reporter
March 04, 2026
Haley Boltjes, an actor with the Green Earth Players community theater group, reads the children’s book, “Miss Nelson is missing!” to Luverne kindergarten students in the elementary school library on Monday afternoon. Boltjes, along with fellow Green Earth Player Denise Wethor, were special guests brought in to read to Luverne Elementary School students Monday as a part of National Read Across…
Horses and nature promote healing at Rock Ranch near Hills
By Mavis Fodness
February 25, 2026
Since founding Rock Ranch as a nonprofit organization in 2016, Marie LaRock is still building on the vision she saw for her grandparents’ farm located west of Hills. “I could see what we could do here, but I didn’t want to just serve people with disabilities,” she said. “I wanted to be able to serve all abilities, and I wanted to incorporate everybody together in a Christ-filled setting.”…
Party fit for Princesses
By Lori Sorenson
February 25, 2026
The Luverne Elementary School commons was transformed into a magical princess gala Monday afternoon with tea parties, cookie decorating, manicures, photo sessions, hair styling, games and more. The Luverne FCCLA chapter members hosted their annual Princess Party for 35 students ages four through second grade who had signed up for the festivities. According to FCCLA advisor Lori Oechsle, the…
Outdoor ice rink may become all-season facility
By Lori Sorenson
February 25, 2026
The outdoor skating area at the Blue Mound Ice Arena will become an all-seasons recreation area if grants and private funding come through. At their Tuesday, Feb. 17 meeting, Luverne City Council members took action to designate the rink as a “city park” and then passed a resolution to apply for an outdoor recreation grant. The city already owns the arena building, but to qualify for the grant…
The Well Fitness Studio opens in Luverne
By Nicole Ronchetti
February 25, 2026
The night before Nicole Wiertzema attended her first group fitness class, she was so nervous she couldn’t sleep. What if she looked like she didn’t know what she was doing? What if other people judged her? Today, as owner of The Well Fitness Studio, Wiertzema and her team help newcomers overcome the same fears she once faced about group exercise. “I never thought I would instruct classes, and…
County to keep deer hunting shotgun-only
By Lori Sorenson
February 25, 2026
At their Tuesday, Feb. 17, meeting, Rock County commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to remain a shotgun-only deer hunting county. The ordinance was unanimously approved following a public hearing that morning when several local people weighed in on the issue. Trae Davis, for example, said he supported rifles over shotguns because hunters can be more precise with a rifle than a…
Burger to leave County Board
By Lori Sorenson
February 25, 2026
Rock County Commissioner Greg Burger has resigned from his seat on the County Board, effective Feb. 28. He made the announcement at the Tuesday, Feb. 17, regular board meeting when commissioners accepted his resignation “with regret.” In his official resignation letter to the board, Burger said it has been “an honor and privilege to serve the county citizens” during these past nine years. He…
Johnson wins national logo design contest
February 25, 2026
Luverne’s Heather Johnson was recently recognized by the National Newspaper Association Foundation for a graphic design she submitted in a recent contest. Johnson, graphic designer and production manager for the Rock County Star Herald, submitted the winning logo to represent the NNA fall Annual Convention & Trade Show. Johnson will receive a free registration to the Sept. 17-18 event,…