Luverne woman dies in apparent homicide; suspect in custody
On Friday the Rock County Sheriff’s Office released information about an arrest following a suspicious death that evening in the city of Luverne.
World's largest nutcracker dedicated
The World’s Largest Nutcracker, “Verne,” was dedicated and named Saturday morning with a ribbon-cutting celebration at the nutcracker’s base on South Highway 75 in Luverne.
'On Golden Pond' coming to Luverne's Palace Theater July 24
A classic play centered on the complex relationships of families, the realities of aging and finding acceptance and reconciliation is coming to the Palace Theater in Luverne.
What should we do about e-scooters?
Luverne recently launched a civic assembly group for residents to help shape local decisions about electric scooters.
Luverne's Bull Pen Sports Bar and Grill featured on America's Best Restaurants
The Bull Pen Sports Bar and Grill in Luverne will host national media and marketing company America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) for an on-site visit next month as part of an upcoming ABR Roadshow.
This young pro became a licensed operator at age 18
Ryker Johnson became one of Minnesota’s youngest wastewater operators when he earned his Class D license at age 18.
News
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 25, 2026Local farmers are facing increased fertilizer prices as a result of the Iran war. The conflict has closed the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a key trade route for as much as 30%of global fertilizer trade. This disruption has caused nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer prices to increase dramatically. “Prices have increased about 30% in the last two, three weeks,” said Tom Kellen, area manager…
By Lori SorensonMarch 25, 2026A public hearing is set for 7:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, to gather comments on plans for expanded gravel extraction northeast of Luverne near the Blue Mounds State Park. The proposed expansion would be on property in Mound Township currently zoned A-1, limited agriculture, which doesn’t allow gravel mining. Zoning amendment Northern Con-Agg currently mines the gravel pits south and west of…
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 25, 2026The Rock County Community Library saw significant growth in the past year in the number of visitors, programs and items in circulation. Library Director Calla Jarvie shared details of the accomplishments during the annual report to the County Board earlier this month. In 2025, the library saw 35,407 visits, up from 33,725 in 2024. It also hosted 146 programs, an increase from the 117 the year…
By Lori SorensonMarch 25, 2026Tree removal began this week on Highway 75 in Luverne ahead of road reconstruction work starting in April between Main Street and Veterans Drive. The contractor, Husky Con-struction, Eden Prairie, began removing marked trees (there are 31) and work will continue through this week, according to officials with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. MnDOT hosted another information meeting…
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 25, 2026The Rock County Board of Commissioners reviewed the next several years of county road and bridge projects and approved a five-year construction plan. Rock County Highway Engineer Mark Sehr presented the plan during the March 17 County Board meeting. The plan outlined eight projects coming up in 2026, including: •Bituminous mill/overlay on 11 miles of County Road 20 from Highway 23 to…- March 25, 2026The Rock County Sheriff’s Office issued the following information Tuesday afternoon regarding its involvement in the investigation of the case of the Sioux Falls 14-year-old McKenna Wendel: On March 23, 2026, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office was mentioned in the Sioux Falls Police Department press briefing in reference to the McKenna Wendel investigation. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office had…
March 25, 2026Local emergency responders were dispatched to a personal injury crash Tuesday morning on Highway 75 in the area of the Luverne Public Schools. According to the report, Beverly Hoogland, 72, was driving a 2018 Ford Edge southbound and she collided with Dominic Maras, 76, who was driving a 2015 GMC pickup northbound. No further information was available as of press time.
March 25, 2026March 16-20 was Farm Week at the Rock County Community Library, which hosted several days’ worth of community activities and programs. On Monday, there were farm-themed crafts and a scavenger hunt. Tuesday brought a tractor from Titan Machinery and cookie decorating. Wednesday included a tractor from C&B Operations and storytime with local farmers as guest readers. Thursday included a…
March 25, 2026The 21st Annual Luverne Heroes Behind the Badges blood drive on Jan. 19 successfully boosted the local blood supply, providing crucial support during the challenging winter season. The event, a friendly competition between the Luverne Fire Department and the Rock County Sheriff’s Office and EMS, encouraged community members to rally in support of their community heroes, and provide a lifesaving…
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 18, 2026Members of the Hills City Council heard a no-cost offer to modernize the city website, adding online billing, information on city financials, and archives of council minutes and meetings. Allen Saakyan, a resident of Hills and member of the Hills Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the council during its March 10 meeting, highlighting the importance of government transparency and website…
By Lori SorensonMarch 18, 2026Rock County was part of a major Midwest snowstorm that dropped several inches of snow that was accompanied by fierce wind that created blizzard conditions Sunday. Following a pattern that has been repeating over the past several weeks, the bulk of the heavy snow hit north and east of Rock County. However, this time, the weather system caught just enough of southwest Minnesota to close roads…
By Lori SorensonMarch 18, 2026For the third year in a row, wind energy production taxes will exceed $1 million in Rock County. In fact, the amount will be the most paid ever at $1,133,665. The five wind production farms in Rock County will pay $71,461 more in 2026 than they did in 2025. That’s according to an update provided to the Rock County Board of Commissioners at their March 3 regular meeting. The 165 turbines…
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 18, 2026The Blue Mound Area Theater board experienced a shake-up during its annual meeting on March 12 when three long-time directors were replaced with five new board members. The annual meeting is open to the public, but it usually sees only a handful of attendees. Thursday’s meeting drew a crowd of over 40 people. At the start of the meeting, former BMAT president Ben Vander Kooi made a motion to…
March 18, 2026Rock County Sheriff Matthew Sorenson on Tuesday announced his intention to file for election to office in the fall general election. Since October of 2025 he was hired by the county to fill the unexpired term of Evan Verbrugge who resigned from his position in the spring of 2025. Sorenson, 58, retired from the Minnesota State Patrol in December 2022 after 34 years in law enforcement. He…
By Nicole RonchettiMarch 18, 2026Continuing discussion from their last meeting, Luverne School Board members narrowed in on their preferred calendar for the 2026-27 school year during their work session on March 12. Of the options presented, board members decided on a clear favorite that would maintain a similar structure to years past. The favorite calendar would have 168 student days and begin on Sept. 8 before ending on…- March 18, 2026In a March 10 Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, ranking member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) renewed calls to make E15 available to sell year-round. Since the outbreak of war in Iran, she said gas prices have risen sharply, causing pain at the pump for Americans. “With gas prices spiking, now’s the time to make E15 available year-round,” said Klobuchar. “It will help lower costs and decrease our…
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.
