Luverne preliminary levy set to rise 7.12%
Luverne City Council members are proposing a 7.12% levy increase for taxes payable in 2027.
Adrian reporter to contribute to Star Herald
The Rock County Star Herald is expanding its coverage area east toward Adrian, and Deb Kroon will be the face of those stories for the Star Herald news team.
Luverne School Board Candidates share views and priorities
Five candidates are seeking election to four seats on the Luverne School Board. They include three incumbents, Michael DeBates, Zach Nolz and David Wrigg, and two challengers, Sara Bolt and Anita Marden.
City of Hills sets fees for data requests
The Hills City Council adopted a resolution setting fees for public data requests during its Sept.
Public forum on proposed charter amendment draws crowd
Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to their city’s government charter regarding public utilities.
News
September 30, 2026The Tri-State Band Festival in Luverne was canceled Saturday, Sept. 26, due to wet weather, however, Luverne marching band members competed in Brandon Saturday evening. The Luverne High School Marching Band captured a fifth-place finish in field competition at the Big Sioux Review in Brandon. According to school reports, just before taking the field the students had to run for cover inside the…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 25, 2026The Hills City Council adopted a resolution setting fees for public data requests during its Sept. 21 meeting – however, Minnesota Newspaper Association attorney Mark Anfinson has weighed in with concerns that the fees could be illegal. In approving the resolution, the Hills City Council adopted a 25-cent-per-page fee for physical copies of requests for public data that are 100 pages or fewer,…
September 24, 2026Watch the video below or use the links below to jump to specific sections of the video.
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 23, 2026Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to their city’s government charter regarding public utilities. If adopted, it would transfer municipal utilities powers and responsibilities from the city council to a “Municipal Services Commission.” On Sept. 15 the Luverne Area Chamber hosted a public forum in a crowded Palace Theatre to address questions…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 23, 2026When Jason Lennox reached Rock County last week, it was a literal turning point in his 1,776-mile walk around the periphery of Minnesota. He posed for a photo at the tri-state marker southwest of Hills before trekking east along the Iowa border on his Recovery Road journey for youth mental health. His legs trembled Sept. 14 as he climbed atop the concrete marker after a 30-mile southbound hike…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 23, 2026The Luverne community along with student musicians and fans will celebrate the 75th annual Tri-State Band Festival Saturday in Luverne. Dubbed the “75th on 75,” the 2026 Band Festival Parade competition will march on the newly poured concrete of Highway 75, which has been under construction since this spring. Because construction traffic has been detoured through Luverne’s Main Street, the…- By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 23, 2026The school year has officially started for Rock County students, and both Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne school districts have shared their enrollment numbers as they stand so far. H-BC enrollment H-BC has a total enrollment in kindergarten through 12th grade of 361 students so far in the 2026/27 school year. Of those, 151 are in the elementary grades and 210 are in high school. A more…
September 23, 2026Two candidates are on the ballot for Rock County sheriff — incumbent Matthew Sorenson and challenger Jeff Stratton. Matthew Sorenson Tell us about your family. My wife, Lori, and I live in Springwater Township where we have a small farming operation. Our children include Alexx Sorenson (and family in Edgerton), Jonathan Ehde (and family in Luverne) and the late Carson Ehde, whose loss in 2022…
September 23, 2026The Rock County Board of Commissioners’ second district has two candidates running: Keith Elbers and Dennis Hartman. Incumbent Stan Williamson has decided not to run for re-election. Keith Elbers Tell us about your family. My wife, Annette, and I live in Hills. We have one son and daughter-in-law, Tyler and Kala Bush, and three grandchildren. Micah is a freshman at SDSU. Malachi is a sophomore…
September 23, 2026The Rock County Board of Commissioners’ fourth district has two candidates running: incumbent Sherri Thompson and challenger Pat Saum. Sherri Thompson Tell us about your family. I am married to Bill Thompson, who recently retired after 34 years of teaching at Luverne Middle and High School. We have two children, Brent and Susan, both of whom have said they are grateful to have grown up in…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 23, 2026An exclusive club of retired teachers is gaining members who gather annually at the start of the school year. This year the group included nearly 40 women, some recent retirees and some who have been retired longer than they were teachers. “As I was thinking about this year’s endeavor, I was curious as to how many of our retired colleagues were in the area,” said retired teacher Jane Cote,…
September 23, 2026Adrian held its Homecoming coronation in the middle school gym on Sunday, Sept. 20, with the court consisting of (front row, from left) Lucy Brown, Ava Brown, Elliot Bullerman, Knox Lunt, Kaedyn Bullerman, Olivia Bullerman, (back row) Carter Murphy, Mitchell Bullerman, Queen Kamry Lehnhoff, King Charger Erlandson, Phillip Balster and Cael Hendel. Contributed photo.
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 23, 2026Already facing higher costs for fuel and fertilizer, farmers across Minnesota also faced another hurdle this year as the price for their health insurance increased by 10, 20 and even 30%. While some farmers have a spouse who works outside of the farm and can share their health insurance, many farmers are forced to navigate purchasing insurance on the individual market. The issue of health…
By Lori SorensonSeptember 23, 2026After a hot, dry summer, Rock County’s parched, cracked soil received a cool drenching rain over Labor Day weekend. Those first few days in September saw over 3 inches, and rainfall totals for the month have so far totaled more than 6 inches, depending on county location. “That actually puts us above average for September,” said Lucas Peterson of Professional Ag Marketing. He uses a digital…
By Nicole RonchettiSeptember 23, 2026In just under two weeks and after several late-night sessions, Sherri Thompson completed her masterpiece – a depiction of the World’s Largest Nutcracker made entirely from Minnesota seeds. Just a few days later, it was on display at the state fair’s crop art exhibit. “I didn’t tell anyone I was doing this,” Thompson said. “I’ve been going to the state fair with the same group of friends for…
By Sen. Amy KlobucharSeptember 23, 2026As I visit Minnesota’s 87 counties every year, I see how small businesses power so many of our local economies. I’ve met with farmers who feed America and entrepreneurs who invent new products. I’ve seen how we export to the world, especially to Canada. Canada is Minnesota’s top trading partner and our trade relationship strengthens our state’s economy. Our state’s exports to Canada represent…
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