By Mavis Fodness
July 24, 2024
The state of Minnesota may give Rock County the former Luverne armory, and commissioners are considering using it for office and garage space to replace areas it rents from other entities.
State legislators approved a provision to the state Department of Military Affairs allowing the National Guard adjutant general to consider contributions by a local unit of government in lieu of a purchased…
By Lori Sorenson
July 24, 2024
A group of current and former radio professionals are brainstorming to create a new radio presence in Rock County after Alpha Media laid off local on-air staff at K101-KQAD radio in May.
The group is hoping to establish a studio in the East Main Street trailhead building, which is owned by the city and leased to the Chamber for occasional use.
Luverne Chamber Director Jane Lanphere approached…
By Jason Berghorst
July 24, 2024
The Luverne Public Schools Hall of Fame Committee has announced the 2024 alumni inductees as well as first-time inductees to the new Luverne Educator Hall of Fame.
The committee inducted the first class of the Luverne Alumni Hall of Fame last year, and the first members of the Luverne Educators Hall of Fame will be inducted in September.
Both ceremonies will take place Sept. 27 during the…
July 24, 2024
Five organizations in Rock County received a combined $6,500 from Sioux Valley Energy’s Operation Round Up® program during the June 2024 Sioux Valley Energy Customers’ Trust Board of Directors meeting.
In all, $35,000 in grants was awarded, including nearly $5,000 reserved for scholarships.
In Luverne, Luv1LuvAll, the Luverne Elementary School, the Rock County SnoMasters, and the Women’s…
By Mavis Fodness
July 24, 2024
All but one of the county roads damaged during the June 21-22 flood event are open to traffic, according to county engineer Mark Sehr.
Sehr presented the update to commissioners at their July 16 meeting.
The County 52 bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad west of Beaver Creek is restricted to traffic due to a soil collapse on the east side of the north bridge approach.
“We’ve…
July 24, 2024
Rock County 4-H’ers were busy Wednesday, July 17, and Monday, July 22, entering static projects for this week’s county fair. Judges were busy both days talking with 4-H’ers about their projects and awarding ribbons. Wednesday judging took place in air-conditioned comfort at the American Reformed Church in Luverne while Monday judging took place at the fairgrounds. The fair continues through…
July 24, 2024
Hunters can apply for special youth deer hunt permits through Friday, Aug. 16. The number of permits for each hunt is limited. Individual hunts will take place in several state parks on various dates in the fall.
These firearms hunts are for youth who are ages 12-15 at the time of the hunt and are accompanied by an adult. The Blue Mounds State Park special youth firearm hunt is Nov. 23-24.
The…
July 17, 2024
The 62nd annual Hot Dog Night July 11 in Luverne drew thousands of people who consumed 15,000 hot dogs. Several businesses offered a choice of toppings that included bacon, macaroni and cheese, jalapeno cheese and beer cheese, along with the perennial favorites of ketchup, mustard and relish. The free hot dogs were followed up by the 16th annual wiener dog costume contest (21 contestants) and the…
By Lori Sorenson
July 17, 2024
The Kids Rock! Day Care Center is on track to open next spring, and planners have reached out on social media to area families to gauge interest in the facility.
“Kids Rock! is pleased to start a waiting list for families that are interested in staying informed about enrolling at our center,” the Facebook page stated in a post on Monday, July 8.
In the first six hours, 34 families responded…
By Jason Berghorst
July 17, 2024
Operations at Luverne's municipal liquor store are improving under new management and oversight.
That was the message City Finance Director Tyler Reisch delivered to members of the Luverne City Council during their regular meeting July 9.
He told the council that the Blue Mound Liquor store is on track to have a net income of around $197,000 through the end of 2024.
“We’re making better…
By Mavis Fodness
July 17, 2024
Twice a week local volunteers gather food items from the Kwik Trip in Luverne for Thursday distribution at the Rock County Food Shelf.
Bread, frozen meat and frozen prepared meals are the most common items.
On occasion, boxes of donuts, snack items and muffins are included.
The donations began when the convenience store opened in February.
“They have been a nice asset to the community,” said…
By Mavis Fodness
July 17, 2024
Editor’s note: Four educators from Luverne Public Schools packed up their lesson books, cleaned their desks and retired from positions they held for a combined 124 years. This week, we caught up with Beth Capistran, who worked for 31 years at Magnolia and Luverne elementary schools.
By Mavis Fodness
Beth Capistran has sage advice for anyone selecting a career in education:
“Be open to…
By Mavis Fodness
July 17, 2024
Rock County Rural Water (RCRW) will be on the ground floor of another developing regional water system.
Rural Water director Ryan Holtz told Rock County commissioners July 2 of the RCRW board’s decision to join the Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System feasibility study.
The initiative seeks to supply the central and southern regions of eastern South Dakota with a reliable water source.…
By Mavis Fodness
July 17, 2024
Efforts to construct a 105-acre rail yard near Magnolia were thwarted when the project failed to receive a $25 million federal grant.
In February Rock and Nobles counties, owners of the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad, applied for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainable Equity (RAISE) grant.
The money would fund construction of a transload and rail yard located in portions of…
July 17, 2024
The city of Hills was recognized with the Project of the Year Award at the annual meeting of the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) in Windom on July 11.
The city earned the award for its innovative community day care project, according to SRDC officials.
“Facing a critical shortage of day care providers, Hills transformed a property into a facility supporting family child care…
By Mavis Fodness
July 17, 2024
Friends of the Rock County Library typically support activities and special projects inside the library.
However, an outside project was completed last week, allowing patrons to take reading outside.
Friends of the Library board members Elaine Harms, Kristi Groth and Cindy Arends took the lead to design a project that would create a welcoming outdoor area on the east side of the library…