The Rock County Commissioners approved pay increases for elected employees at their last meeting of 2024 on Dec. 17.
The increases take effect Jan. 1.
Salaries for elected commissioners Greg Burger, Gary Overgaard, Sherri Thompson, Stan Williamson and Jody Reisch will increase 5 percent from the current $22,820 to $23,961.
Commissioners also approved a 5-percent increase for county attorney…
City workers Aric Uithoven (left) and newly hired Matt Nath work on a water main break on North Blue Mound Avenue Wednesday afternoon. It was the second break this year, and according to water supervisor Darrel Ykema, they happen when the ground shifts, often in response to changing temperatures. Below, water runs across the street.
Luverne High School Jazz Band students played Christmas music at Wildflowers Coffee Boutique Wednesday afternoon as part of a tour of holiday music they shared in the community over the past week. The Jazz Band, under the direction of James Jarvie, also played at the Veterans Home and Rock County Opportunities Tuesday, and they were featured at the annual band concert at Luverne High School along…
The Auxiliary of Pacholl Moser VFW Post 2603 of Wilmont delivered diapers and wipes to the Minnesota National Guard Training and Community Center in Luverne on Dec. 13 as part of the National Auxiliary President’s project, “Operation Bottom Cover.” Pictured are Gina Newman, Staff Sgt. Tyler Den Herder, Jean Hoffman, Diane Rabenberg and Roxanne Kremer. The diapers were distributed to soldiers with…
Holiday greenery and Christmas trees bring joy throughout the season, but they can also hide dangerous pests. Diseases and invasive species can make their way into our landscapes on trees and boughs brought into Minnesota from other states.
To protect our environment, the State of Minnesota is asking residents to take these steps to properly dispose of greenery and trees after the holiday season…
Luverne Elementary students (donning ugly Christmas sweaters) gathered in the performing arts center Friday morning for a special holiday celebration that included a sing-along, a teacher-performed parody of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” followed by a group of students performing the real lyrics to the Christmas song. Surprise guests, the Luverne High School concert choir, closed the…
Editor’s note: This information was written by the late June Kroon of Steen. Her daughter, Faith DeBoer, shared it last week with the Star Herald for publication.
Today I am babysitting my six-month-old namesake, Virginia, while her mother goes Christmas shopping. I have just laid her down to nap.
I marvel at God’s miracle of creation as I gaze fondly at the long, dark lashes reposing on red…
Hills-Beaver Creek Student Council members conducted a toy drive during the basketball games against Luverne last week for the Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls. Fans from Luverne and H-BC participated by bringing a toy as admission to the game.
Instead of selling his parents’ Cadillac XT5, Randy Warner of rural Lester gave the SUV to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills to be raffled.
“The car was a hassle to sell,” Warner said. “I brought it to a few dealers but they won’t give much for it. I talked with my dad and asked if I could give it to the church. Dad thought it was OK.”
Warner’s parents, Lowell and Dee (both unable to drive),…
St. John Lutheran Church Sunday School students and staff presented their annual Christmas program on Sunday, Dec. 15. This year’s production, “Coloring Christmas,” was written by St. John Director of Christian Education Jessica Blocker. It tells the life of Christ in reverse, with vignettes inspired by The Coloring Song (Petra). Starting at the empty tomb, the children showcased Jesus’ death,…
Elementary and secondary students at Hills-Beaver Creek schools were sent off on the holiday break by some special Christmas characters. On Thursday, Dec. 19, the Grinch, Elf and Santa Claus waved to elementary students from the rooftop and visited classrooms. On Friday, Dec. 20, the costumed characters also appeared at the secondary school when student council members greeted students in the…
Parishioners at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne hosted their annual live nativity Sunday night, turning the church parking lot into a live nativity complete with three wisemen, shepherds, live animals and the baby Jesus. The public was also invited inside for a soup supper, children’s activities and another indoor scene depicting the birth of Christ.
Luverne City Council members certified a levy of $3,566,592 for taxes payable in 2025. That’s a 10.33-percent increase over the current levy of $3,232,740.
Council members noted at their Dec. 10 Truth in Taxation hearing that this levy amount is $75,000 less than the preliminary levy they approved in September.
This is because improvements in liquor store revenues allowed $50,000 more to be…
Members of the Rock County Rural Water Board met with Beaver Creek City Council members last week to address mounting concerns about water needs for the new elementary school.
The Hills-Beaver Creek School District is building a new elementary school in the southeast part of town near the former golf course.
District voters approved the $30 million project in April 2023, and it’s expected that…
Jackie Schoo is the new events coordinator for Generations and is working to keep the organization vital for both members and the community.
Generations was formerly Luverne Senior Citizens, and in 2021 the organization purchased and moved into the Prairie Events building on Estey Street and began rebranding the organization.
The building hosts Lutheran Social Services Senior Dining meals and…
Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members approved hiring a director for the planned day care inside the new elementary school currently under construction in Beaver Creek.
The director will work with Superintendent Todd Holthaus to develop programming and oversee the hiring and training of staff for the facility’s planned opening in September 2025.
“Large parts have to get planned out yet,”…