News

Sheriff's office joins heroin task force
By Mavis Fodness
November 15, 2023
For the next five years, Rock County can claim overtime expenses when sheriff’s office personnel work jointly with investigators at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCA). Sheriff Evan Verbrugge supported the joint powers agreement under the Minnesota Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF). “For us not having a drug investigator, it would be nice to have some of those costs covered…
Marilyn Bloemendaal honored as 'Outstanding Chamber Member' of the year
By Lori Sorenson
November 15, 2023
Marilyn Bloemendaal was honored Monday night as the Luverne Area Chamber Outstanding Member of the Year. The award, established in 2005, honors retired Chamber members “who have made significant contributions to the community in their personal life and professional career.” The honoree is chosen each year by the Chamber Board of Directors, and Chamber Board President Tony Schomacker introduced…
Runnoe honored by peers as LEA Teacher of Year
By Mavis Fodness
November 15, 2023
The 2024 Luverne Education Association Teacher of the Year Becky Runnoe immediately recognized her peers when she was honored Monday afternoon. “Thank you, guys, so much for this honor,” Runnoe said through tears. “It takes a team, and every single one of you has been a part of the team.” The Teacher of the Year and 2024 LEA Friend of Education (see related story) were announced Monday…
Hardwick Legion named Friend of Education
By Mavis Fodness
November 15, 2023
Members of the Arthur Moeller American Legion Post 478 received a standing ovation Monday afternoon when they were named 2024 Friends of Education by the Luverne Education Association (LEA). The award kicked off American Education Week when current and former teachers gathered to celebrate in the Luverne Middle-High School commons. Post commander Kyle Oldre explained that Legion membership is…
Soldiers, students share sweet rolls
November 15, 2023
Luverne Elementary students showed their appreciation to local veterans Friday morning during a Veterans Day coffee event. While munching on school-made cinnamon rolls, the discharged and current soldiers shared stories with students, who gave the veterans drawings and cards in thanks for their military service. The two-hour event was hosted by the elementary student council.
Miniature war games 'remember these important times in history'
By Lori Sorenson
November 15, 2023
Miniature war games returned to the History Center Saturday with a small group of players and periodic Veterans Day audiences. The games use miniature soldiers (about the size of a thumb), artillery and vehicles on a tabletop battlefield. War game enthusiast Mike Westerbur and his son, Dylan, debuted their World War II battlefield at the History Center for Veterans Day in 2019. “I’ve been…
City hires finance director, school loses business manager
By Lori Sorenson
November 08, 2023
The city of Luverne has hired a finance director, and the Luverne School District is now advertising to fill its business manager position. Tyler Reisch will start Nov. 27 as Luverne’s finance director. He leaves his position as business manager with the school on Nov. 22 after giving notice on Friday, Nov. 3. “We are all very excited to have him join our team,” City Administrator Jill Wolf…
GEP brings 'Knickers' to Palace Theatre stage for two weekends, seven performances
By Mavis Fodness
November 08, 2023
The Green Earth Players are set to perform “Knickers: A Brief Comedy” beginning Friday at the Palace Theatre in Luverne. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10 and 11, and Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 16-18. Shows on Sundays, Nov. 12 and 19, begin at 2 p.m. The comedy is about three ladies who are members of the local weight watchers club, whose members do more…
Nov. 18 'reflections retreat designed to help families declutter Christmas
By Mavis Fodness
November 08, 2023
Rev. Steve Voris and his wife, Becky, want Christmas to be a happy time for everyone, and they’re hosting a retreat to show how that’s possible. “So many people have sadness around Christmas because they have a fixed idea of what that tradition is and if they can’t do their normal tradition,” said Voris, interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. “This leads to guilt and sadness…
Church outreach program brings adults, children together for love of reading
By Mavis Fodness
November 08, 2023
Four retired and current educators at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne want children to find love in reading. The four — Sandy Klosterbuer, Jill Wagner, Lisa Lundgren and Kristi Groth — coordinate the church’s newest outreach program called Grace Reading Buddies. “We felt it would be a wonderful way to build community outside of school and promote reading and learning, and at the same time…
Foundation launches 'Max Your Community'
By Jason Berghorst
November 08, 2023
“We help people who have a desire to make an impact.” That's how Ron Honken, treasurer of the Luverne Area Community Foundation, sums up the LACF’s mission. “We give a financial foundation and additional access to opportunities for people to invest in their communities,” Honken said. LACF leaders are currently promoting a “Max Your Community” fund drive. The campaign is intended to educate…
Magnolia Family loses home, belongings, pets in housefire
By Lori Sorenson
November 08, 2023
A Magnolia couple lost their home, all their personal belongings and their pets in a housefire Monday morning. Firefighters from three communities were on the scene at the intersection of Garfield and Luverne streets in Magnolia for several hours, but the house was a total loss. The homeowners, Lucas and Gladys Dohlmann, were at work when the fire started. It was reportedly called in by a…
New CLIMB classroom skits teach students about brain health
By Lori Sorenson
November 08, 2023
A two-person acting team from the Twin Cities’ CLIMB Theatre spent most of last week in Luverne Elementary School teaching students how to talk about brain health. CLIMB (Creative Learning Ideas for the Mind and Body) has a long history in Luverne and districts statewide teaching life skills, such as empathy, resiliency, advocacy and more. Actors and actresses were among the first in Luverne…
Beaver Creek road closed for bridge work
By Lori Sorenson
November 08, 2023
Rehabilitation of the historic Spring Brook Bridge began last week in Beaver Creek, and the gravel road east of town will be closed for several weeks until work is complete. The bridge had been showing signs of wear — cracking, pitting and some erosion underneath — and the Rock County Highway Department received grant funding to repair the historic structure. Prahm Construction, Slayton,…
Southwest MN CEO earns award
November 08, 2023
The Southwest Minnesota CEO program earned recognition last week at the fourth annual MNwest CEO Forum and Entrepreneur Summit in Moorhead. CEO, which stands for Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, prepares young people to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers and contribute to economic development and sustainable communities. At the…
DFL completes fall ditch cleanup
November 08, 2023
The Rock County DFL completed an Adopt a Highway service project on I-90 Wednesday, Oct. 25. Pictured are (from left) Carol McDonald, Lona Klosterbuer, Suanne Ohme, Rhonna Jarchow, Rich Morgan, Shirley Klosterbuer, Carol Morgan, Connie Connell, Larry Nelson, Carol Serie, Dave Svingen, and Keith Erickson. Not pictured is Carol Svingen.