By Lori Sorenson
April 10, 2024
The Rock County History Center’s construction project is complete, and staff and volunteers are hosting a celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18.
“It’s just beautiful,” said History Center Director Wendel Buys, who said the need for storage prompted the project. “There’s been so much stuff and not enough storage.”
Earlier this year, a grant-funded assessment of the History Center…
By Lori Sorenson
April 10, 2024
Palisade Lutheran Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary Sunday, April 14, at the corner of Minnesota Highway 23 and 121st Street (County Road 5).
The Bishop Rev. Constanze Hagmaier will lead the 10 a.m. worship, and a catered meal will follow.
Congregation members are hosting the event, and many of them collaborated on a history book of their shared memories.
For example, Sara (Bakken)…
By Lori Sorenson
April 10, 2024
The Child’s Remembrance Garden in Luverne was established in 2022 to comfort families grieving the death of a child.
And while it continues to meet that need, the garden also serves a broader purpose in the community for all visitors.
It features walking paths, a pergola and a prayer wall of Sioux quartzite boulders where trinkets and notes can be placed.
The garden is located in the northwest…
By Mavis Fodness
April 10, 2024
A concerted effort began in December to close gaps in accessing affordable mental health care.
Angela Nolz, integrative health therapist at Sanford Luverne Clinic, and Erica Hough, director of Luverne Counseling, addressed the Rock County Board April 2.
Specifically, they sought support for the Rock County Mental Health G.A.P. Fund (grant assistance program.)
“Our goal is to empower Rock…
By Lori Sorenson
April 10, 2024
Local businesses are collaborating on a Spring Marketplace shopping experience April 18-20 in Luverne.
Nearly 20 businesses, ranging from art and retail to hardware and restaurants, will offer deals and giveaways for the collective shopping experience in Luverne.
“It’s a starting point for businesses to start working together,” said Chamber Board President Tony Schomacker.
“Together with this…
By Mavis Fodness
April 10, 2024
An estimated 500 large round hay and cornstalk bales were lost to fire Saturday afternoon, April 6, according to Luverne Fire Department Chief Dave Van Batavia.
The Luverne department was paged at 2:33 p.m. to the Greg Brandt farm at 1227 110th Ave. in Luverne Township.
No people or livestock were injured or lost.
The large cattle shed sustained minimal damage.
When firefighters arrived at…
By Lori Sorenson
April 10, 2024
Luverne Fire Department and local first responders were called to a house fire at 203 Cottage Grove Ave. in Luverne around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2.
Julia Christensen called 911 to report a fire in the kitchen of the home, and when firefighters arrived, she and two others and a dog were safely outside waiting for them.
According to information from the fire department, the fire started on the…
April 10, 2024
Those wanting to grow and process hemp in Minnesota in 2024 must apply for a license with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) by April 30. To date, about 113 people have applied for an MDA license. A license from the MDA is required for individuals and businesses.
Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2024, and a license is valid for the 2024 calendar year.
The application can…
By Mavis Fodness
April 10, 2024
Robotics team members financed their way to the FIRST Robotic Competition (FRC) Worlds April 2 when students hosted a community fundraiser.
Fourteen of the team’s members greeted, talked and thanked those who attended for their financial support of the program.
About $2,000 was raised from the Tuesday event, according to Luverne High School robotics coach Aaron Perkins.
Team members needed to…
By Mavis Fodness
April 10, 2024
Six Luverne students moved on to section competition as medal winners from Section 3A Sub-Section 10 competition April 2 in Windom.
Medal winners, their placings and category advancement included:
•Jessica Tunnissen, first, informative speaking.
•Tyler Hodge, second, discussion.
•William Johnson, second, original oratory.
•Bri Kinsinger, third, creative expression.
•Makayla Oechsle, fourth…
By Lori Sorenson
April 03, 2024
Workers with G&D Viking Glass, Sioux Falls, showed up Tuesday morning at the historic Palace Theatre in Luverne to install a new street level entry.
The work follows years of planning and design to make the 109-year-old doorway safer in winter months when snow and moisture cause the decorative tile to get slippery.
The Palace at one time used removable doors in winter months to keep out…
By Mavis Fodness
April 03, 2024
City of Luverne and Rock County officials met March 27 with state and federal officials to restart the flood plain mapping process.
The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) topography maps are used by the federal flood insurance program and by communities for flood risk assessment.
The mapping process started over a year ago, but stopped in February 2023, when local officials noticed the…
By Lori Sorenson
April 03, 2024
By Mavis Fodness
April 03, 2024
Members of the Denver Go-Getters 4-H Club hosted their first community Easter egg hunt Saturday as part of the club’s Community Pride project.
Adult adviser Ashley Carlson said the 4-H’ers stepped forward when the local church group and Community Club opted not to host the Easter egg hunt this year.
The 4-H’ers stepped in to fill 850 plastic eggs with candy and stickers and hid the eggs…
By Lori Sorenson
April 03, 2024
Construction will begin next week on the $7.2 million child care center in Luverne, and the Kids Rock! Inc. nonprofit board will soon hire an executive director to oversee licensure and facility startup.
As that job description is finalized, Emily Crabtree said the board is looking for a “unicorn” to fill the important responsibilities the job requires.
“The ‘unicorn’ would be able to do it all…
By Mavis Fodness
April 03, 2024
Council members in the cities of Rock County will decide in the next 60 days if they will join in a countywide recreational marijuana ordinance or if they will develop ordinances of their own.
Commissioners agreed to give the city councils of Beaver Creek, Hills, Steen, Magnolia, Luverne, Kenneth and Hardwick until mid-May to decide to opt in or opt out of a countywide limitation.
“Because any…
