Manufacturing firm coming to industrial park
A 176,760-square-foot manufacturing facility is coming to a 15-acre site in Luverne’s industrial park and will require 125 full-time employees at a $9 million annual payroll.
Intervening for success
For some students, school is easy. For others, it’s the hardest thing they do each day.
Regardless, it’s Jon Schomacker’s job to help them succeed.
County bracing for unfunded mandates in 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Rock County and local governments nationwide could soon face increased costs as unfunded mandates in the federal HR1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” go into effect.
Cowbells Quality Meats & Treats to open in former Fareway building
Starting in June, Luverne will have a brand-new business catering to those who love salt and sweet alike.
Large trees to be cleared for ‘progress’ ahead of Highway 75 construction this summer in Luverne
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.
Band button design contest for Tri-State Band Festival opens to the public for 75th anniversary event this year
For the first time in its 75-year history, Luverne’s Tri-State Band Festival will open its button design contest to the public.
News
March 04, 2026The 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…
March 04, 2026On 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…
By Lori SorensonMarch 04, 2026As 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.
By Nicole Ronchetti, reporterMarch 04, 2026Haley 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…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 25, 2026Since 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.”…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026The 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…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026The 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…
By Nicole RonchettiFebruary 25, 2026The 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…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026At 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…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026Rock 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…
February 25, 2026Luverne’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,…- By Mavis FodnessFebruary 25, 2026Hills-Beaver Creek School District’s newly formed National Honor Society (NHS) chapter will install its first members in March. The number of inductees from the senior and junior classes is yet to be determined, and, according to principal Andrew Kellenberger, the number won’t be limited. “We are fortunate to have numerous student leaders at H-BC, and we are excited to see them recognized for…
- By Lori SorensonFebruary 25, 2026Luverne City Council members took action at their Feb. 17 meeting to award the sale of $2.18 million in general obligation utility revenue bonds. The bonds will fund the replacement of the city’s aging water and sewer lines along Highway 75 during the road reconstruction project happening in Luverne this spring and summer. Working with George Eilertson of Northland Securities, Minneapolis, the…
By Nicole RonchettiFebruary 25, 2026Gavin Ballard, a 10th grader at Luverne High School, is the first-place winner of VFW Post 2603’s annual Voice of Democracy essay contest. The second-place winner was Natalie Berning, also from Luverne, and third place went to Taylor Anderson from Fulda High School. This year’s topic for the essays was “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?” Local essay contest winners…
By Nicole RonchettiFebruary 18, 2026When she was a little girl, Carol Ceynowa remembers playing Robin Hood in her hometown of Columbia Heights. “My sister and I played Robin Hood all the time growing up,” Carol said. “She played Robin, and I played all the other parts. We had our own merry band." Now, 60 years later, she and her husband Tim have written, directed, and produced their very own play based on the classic story.…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 18, 2026Roughly 150 participants and dozens of volunteers at the annual Get Hooked Fishing Derby in Luverne enjoyed stellar weather Saturday with sunshine and temperatures reaching nearly 60 degrees. After a week of mild weather, participants worried the event would be cancsecured a solid ice base and Saturday’s ice was still nearly 10 inches thick. Amber Nath and her husband, Chris Nath, have been…
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.
