By Lori Sorenson
January 28, 2026
The Rock County’s 2026 precinct caucuses will be Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Luverne. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. and caucuses start at 7.
Local Republicans will gather in the Luverne High School-Middle commons on Kniss Avenue, and the Rock County DFL group will gather in the Generations Events Center on South Estey Street.
Precinct caucuses are the initial first steps for voters to engage in the…
By Lori Sorenson
January 28, 2026
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the local non-profit Luv1LuvAll is offering its well-timed cookie fundraiser just ahead of the holiday.
Community members are encouraged to order their large heart-shaped cookies for $5 apiece no later than Friday, Feb. 6
B’s Bakehouse will bake, frost and decorate them (gift tags are included), and Luv1LuvAll volunteers will help package and…
By Lori Sorenson
January 28, 2026
After decades of serving crisis survivors in Rock County, the Luverne office of the Southwest Crisis Center will close its doors.
That’s according to an announcement by the organization last week that it was adopting a regional model to “support long-term sustainability.”
"While change can bring uncertainty, our mission remains strong," said Sara Wahl, Executive Director of Southwest Crisis…
January 28, 2026
The Rock County DFL hosted a vigil on Highway 75 in Luverne at noon Friday in minus 10-degree weather to protest the presence of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Minnesota communities and to stand with immigrant families. At the same time in Minneapolis where ICE officials have killed two residents and U.S. citizens, thousands of peaceful protesters were marching. “My heartfelt thanks…
January 28, 2026
A winter-time tradition at Luverne High School celebrates its 10th year as Snow Week kicks off on Monday, Feb. 2.
The Snow Week king and queen will be crowned at 1:50 p.m. Monday, which is also the first of five school-wide dress-up days.
Ten Snow Week candidates were nominated by faculty in recognition of their positive leadership in the classroom, in school activities and in the community.…
By Lori Sorenson
January 28, 2026
Luverne City Council members took action at their Jan. 20 meeting to finance the upcoming $2,425,000 Highway 75 underground infrastructure project.
Working with George Eilertson of Northland Securities, Minneapolis, the council on Tuesday set Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. as the date to receive proposals for the sale of bonds.
The council will review the bids at their regular meeting at 5 p.m.…
January 28, 2026
Sanford Luverne delivered its first baby of the year Jan. 2. Natalie Elizabeth DeBates was born at 8:39 p.m. weighing 7 pounds 12 ounces. Parents are Kandi Karlson and William DeBates. Shared image
By Lori Sorenson
January 28, 2026
Luverne City Council members are adjusting their public meeting schedule for 2026 following discussion at their Jan. 20 meeting.
In the past several months, the council reduced its number of meetings from three per month to one, with an added monthly work session if needed.
This was a change from the council’s decades-old tradition of two business meetings per month, plus a “Committee of the…
January 28, 2026
The Jasper Lions Club recently purchased craft items for Rock County Opportunities (RCO). Pictured holding some of the donated items at RCO in Luverne are (in front, from left) Erika Egdorf, Mitchel Anderson, Tim Kramer, Peyton Maschino and Jack Voorhees. Jasper Lions Club members are (in back, from left) Tim Houg, Jerry Tower and Trinidad Garcia.
By Mavis Fodness
January 28, 2026
Luverne’s one act play cast took second place Saturday at the subsection meet in Pipestone and will move on to section competition.
Five schools competed at the Section 3 Subsection 10 event, and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton took the subsection title.
The top two schools move on to the Section 3 meet on Saturday, Jan. 31, at R-T-R High School in Tyler.
Luverne’s second-place finish was a surprise,…
By Lori Sorenson
January 21, 2026
The Luverne Economic Development Authority approved nearly $30,000 worth of improvements in local property aesthetics during their Monday morning meeting.
Two of the investments were façade improvements to downtown properties and the other was a grant to help clean up blighted property near The Lake.
Laundry Room
Mike and Wanda Jarchow submitted an application for a façade improvement…
By Lori Sorenson
January 21, 2026
Alliance Communications is surveying Luverne residents for interest in fiber-to-the home internet service ahead of a potential expansion into city limits next year.
Alliance, headquartered in Garretson, South Dakota, has been serving Rural Rock County residents since 2016 and is now considering expanding its fiber-optic network into Luverne’s city limits.
Before moving forward, Alliance is…
By Lori Sorenson
January 21, 2026
Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was in Luverne Saturday night sharing her vision for Minnesota seeking the DFL endorsement for U.S. Senate. (The seat is currently held by Sen. Tina Smith who is not seeking re-election this fall.)
Flanagan spoke to roughly 50 people gathered in the Generations Events Center in Luverne about her Minnesota childhood with a single mom who relied on food stamps…
By Mavis Fodness
January 21, 2026
The Hills Area Fire Department’s new fire rescue truck is now operational in Clinton and Martin townships, which include the communities of Hills and Steen.
However, the new truck retained an important part from the previous ambulance — the box. “It’s basically the same box, just on a new chassis,” said fire chief Jared Rozeboom. “We’ve been on numerous runs already.”
Hills Area received the…
By Mavis Fodness
January 21, 2026
Luverne High School one act play cast members are using a MacGuffin in their production of “Life and Death in an Empty Hallway,” by Christopher Evans in competition on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Students will perform at the Section 3A Subsection 10 Tournament at the Pipestone Area High School. The competition begins at 10 a.m.
Director Joseph Stearns said the play’s plot centers on a school shooting…
By Mavis Fodness
January 21, 2026
After setting a record for aggregate tax collected in 2024 in Rock County, the amount collected in 2025 dropped, but it’s still the third highest in the past 15 years.
Six operators paid $189,698 in taxes in 2025, down from the highest amount collected ($210,485) in 2024, which broke the previous high of $195,419 collected in 2023.
“We had a pretty decent dip really,” said county administrator…
