Public forum addresses city charter amendment question on Nov. 3 ballot
Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to change their city’s government charter.
County proposed tax levy to increase 5% instead of 7.46%
After initially looking at a tax levy increase of 7.46% for 2027, the Rock County Board of Commissioners has reduced the proposed tax levy amount to increase 5%.
Merc to receive EDA grant for facade improvements
The Luverne Economic Development Authority approved a $15,904 façade improvement grant for Luverne Initiatives for Tomorrow (LIFT) for work on The Merc.
Generations celebrates 56 years, honors Neva Claussen
Generations celebrated its 56th anniversary on Sept. 12 with an open house, which included recognition for Neva Claussen who served the organization for 35 years.
Public forum to address city charter amendment
Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to change their city’s government charter.
Meals on Wheels faces funding shortage
A recent funding reduction has forced southwest Minnesota’s local Meals on Wheels program to scale back its services, prioritizing those with the highest needs.
News
By Lori SorensonSeptember 09, 2026The Ninth Annual Rock County Tractor Ride Friday included makes and models of all kinds of tractors, new and old and 80 in total. And they arrived from all over the tri-state region (even some from Missouri) in nearly every color — from red and yellow to blue and green, and even pink (for cancer awareness). They mostly included John Deere and Farmall tractors, particularly from the 1950s, ’60s…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 09, 2026Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to change their city’s government charter. If adopted, it would change the structure and governance of Luverne's municipal utilities, transferring powers and responsibilities from the city council to a “Municipal Services Commission.” Since the ballot question was approved this summer, the proposal has…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 09, 2026A recent funding reduction has forced southwest Minnesota’s local Meals on Wheels program to scale back its services, prioritizing those with the highest needs. Operated by Lutheran Social Services, the local Meals on Wheels kitchen in Luverne had been providing an average of 400 meals a day up until earlier this year. Most of those meals were home-delivered to seniors in the program. Now the…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 09, 2026Alongside statewide and local races on the ballot this November, Minnesotans will also answer an important question asking if they want to increase funding for local school districts – without increasing taxes. With unanimous bipartisan support, a ballot question was added to ask voters if they would like to increase disbursements from Minnesota’s Permanent School Fund from 2.5% to 4.5%. “This…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 09, 2026Two famous bygone landmarks of Magnolia were highlighted on Sept. 1 as a part of the Rock County Historical Society’s Passport Series. A crowd gathered at Magnolia City Park to hear about the Magnolia Jockey Club and Magnolia Steakhouse, both prominent features of the town’s history. Magnolia Jockey Club John Bowron, grandson of John Bowron who operated the racetrack for the Magnolia Jockey…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 09, 2026From the running through the fields of Rock County to teaching in the halls of Princeton University, Dennis Olson has seen a fair bit of life – but it’s his time as a rural pastor that shaped him the most. Olson grew up just east of Luverne, and he’ll return to Rock County on Sept. 20 to give a sermon for the Blue Mound Lutheran Church’s 50th Annual Fall Festival. The church, founded in 1872…- September 09, 2026Stellar Industries, headquartered in Garner, Iowa, announced last week that it acquired Midwest Fire, the custom fire apparatus manufacturer in Luverne. The acquisition expands Stellar’s work truck portfolio into the fire and emergency response market that Midwest Fire has specialized in over the past four decades. Stellar brands include Elliott Equipment Company, a leading U.S. manufacturer…
September 09, 2026Rock County Opportunities clients and staff will celebrate Direct Support Professional Recognition Week Sept. 13-19, when they will recognize direct support professionals dedicated to supporting with disabilities. “Our DSPs are unsung heroes, and next week is a chance to honor these incredible professionals with just a small fraction of the recognition that they deserve throughout the year,” said…- September 09, 2026ITC Midwest will be conducting aerial patrols of high-voltage transmission structures and lines throughout its service territory from Sept. 8 through Oct. 2, weather permitting. Helicopter patrols provide an overall status of the overhead transmission system owned and operated by ITC Midwest. These patrols are a North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) requirement for ITC…
September 09, 2026Marie J. Frakes, age 100, of Luverne, Minn., died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, while at Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington, Minn. Visitation will be from noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne with service to be held at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home. To view Marie’s life tribute…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 09, 2026The Luverne Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the May-June winners of the 2026 Red, White and Blue photography contest. The theme is a nod to this year’s observance of America’s 250th birthday. “Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all for participating,” said Jane Lanphere at the Luverne Area Chamber. May-June winners include: •Amber Brands with “Hummingbird Bliss…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 03, 2026An audience gathered at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne to learn about the history of Rock County’s Poor Farm on Aug. 24, as a part of the Rock County Historical Society’s America 250 Passport Series. Betty Mann said the poor farm was constructed in 1894 on West Warren Street near the current Maplewood Cemetery west of Luverne. It operated until 1948, offering a place for the less fortunate or…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026It was a crowded and somber courtroom Monday for the sentence hearing of Jayson Delfs, who was convicted of criminal vehicular homicide for the drunk driving crash that killed 47-year-old Grant Crawford of rural Jasper. Delfs, 23, Hardwick, entered a guilty plea Aug. 17 after a plea agreement that dismissed a third-degree murder charge and a second charge of vehicular homicide. According to…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026Rock County crops are showing increasing signs of distress as rainfall continues to elude southwest Minnesota. According to the latest digital measurements, most of Rock County is 7 to 8 inches shy of its normal rainfall totals, having received only 13 to 16 inches so far this year. That compares with a 30-year average yearly rainfall of nearly 30 inches in Rock County. The U.S. Drought…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 02, 2026Luverne principals Ryan Johnson and Jason Phelps are getting ready for another school year, but they know that this year it will look a little different. After the retirement of elementary principal Stacy Gillette early this year, the school district elected to restructure its three-principal model down to two. “I’m the sixth through 12th grade principal, and Mr. Phelps is the kindergarten…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 02, 2026Most Rock County residents have never struggled to put food on the table or lived one car breakdown or medical bill away from homelessness. While privilege is a blessing, it can cloud the lens of empathy and hamper local response for meaningful solutions. That’s why the Rock County nonprofit Luv1LuvAll is hosting a community event, Understanding Poverty, on Oct. 6, at the American Reformed…
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