Locals travel to path of totality to view 2024 eclipse
The highly anticipated 2024 total eclipse of the sun occurred Monday, April 8, across North America, and several groups of Rock County residents traveled to experience the once-in-a-lifetime ev
Student perform 'Legally Blonde The Musical'
When the LHS production of “Legally Blonde, the Musical” opens next week for six evening performances, audiences will be surprised at what they see.
Roeman retires from 38-plus years with county FSA
Stacey Roemen celebrated her retirement from 38 years with the Rock County Farm Service Agency Saturday night at Take 16, which was crowded with family, friends and well-wishers.
Thone wins spelling bee C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-S-H-I-P
Twenty-three of the best spellers in southwest Minnesota participated Saturday morning in the 2024 SW MN Spelling Bee hosted at the Luverne Middle School.
History Center to host April 18 celebration
The Rock County History Center’s construction project is complete, and staff and volunteers are hosting a celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 18.
Palisade Lutheran Church celebrates 150 years of worship
Palisade Lutheran Church will celebrate its 150th anniversary Sunday, April 14, at the corner of Minnesota Highway 23 and 121st Street (County Road 5).
News
By Lori SorensonMarch 20, 2024Beaver Creek horticulturalist Sean McFarland has purchased the SpringBrooke events facility and surrounding six acres in Beaver Creek from Rick Gourley. According to the purchase agreement signed earlier this month, McFarland also has an option to buy the remainder of the property under contract. Gourley will keep a small parcel near the housing development. McFarland plans to continue…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 20, 2024Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for Ellis & Eastern to operate a temporary storage and staging area near the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad (BRRR) in western Rock County. They supported the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to issue the permit after a Feb. 26 public hearing. Land Management Director Eric Hartman presented the commission’s recommendation…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 20, 2024Minnesota author Mary Casanova visited Luverne Monday evening for a presentation called “My Doll, Me & Mary.” The author of 39 published books felt honored to be talking about the 11 books she’s written for the American Girl series. Five of her books have had dolls developed from her American Girl characters along with three movies. She’s currently talking about her books as she tours the…- By Lori SorensonMarch 20, 2024The city of Beaver Creek will connect to Rock County Rural Water for its municipal needs and to meet demands of the new Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School. At their March 13 meeting, Beaver Creek City Council members unanimously agreed to send a letter to the Rural Water Board indicating their intent to connect to Rock County Rural Water. The action follows a meeting earlier this month…
- By Mavis FodnessMarch 20, 2024Editor's Note: The top wage for the 2024-25 contract year clarifies a teacher's eligibility for the top wage to $90,774 with a master's degree, 30 credits and 16 years of teaching. A new two-year teacher contract was approved March 12 in a special meeting of the Luverne School Board. Approved by the Luverne Education Association (LEA) and the school board, the changes to the existing contract…
- By Mavis FodnessMarch 20, 2024The Luverne High School Business Professionals of America Chapter (BPA) earned a gold status for membership increase at the Spring Leadership Conference March 14-16 at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. “It was a great learning experience, and we had fun being up there representing Luverne,” said adviser Katie Kopp. “It was great to see Luverne’s students being recognized. They worked hard this…
- March 20, 2024If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you have until March 31, 2024, to change your plan. People with Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan can make a one-time plan change from January 1 through March 31. People new to Medicare and who choose to get their Medicare benefits from a Medicare Advantage Plan can also access this enrollment period during the first three months after…
- By Mavis FodnessMarch 20, 2024County commissioners approved expanding U of M Extension office support in order to grow the local 4-H program. The action at their March 5 meeting increases the current 32-hour office support position to 40 hours to assist the full-time so-to-be-hired 4-H youth development educator. This allows the Extension office to be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the absence of an…
March 13, 2024This year’s unseasonable warmth began over the weekend and continued into Monday as temperatures rose into the mid-70s. “It’s just a nice day to be out,” said Schomacker, who enjoyed the outdoors after work. High temperature records were broken Monday in Sioux Falls (80 degrees; old record of 75 was set in 2016) and in Pipestone (73 degrees; old record of 73, also in 2016.) However the lamb-like…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 13, 2024Improvements at Main Street and Highway 75 in Luverne are delayed a year, due additional infrastructure work planned for the project. The estimated $4.4 million project to widen the intersection for truck traffic and resurface Highway 75 to Veterans Drive was on next year’s schedule. Instead, it will be done in 2026 at a cost now estimated at $9.3 million. “This was a result of changing the…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 13, 2024Fifty years after the last Minneapolis Moline tractor rolled off the assembly line, enthusiasts of the prairie gold-colored machines are still celebrating its existence. On March 21-23, the Minneapolis Moline Collectors Club winter show will be in Luverne at Big Top Tents and Events on Hatting Street. On Thursday the group can choose from nine tours with local businesses and/or collectors.…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 13, 2024In five years the Luverne High School robotics team is starting to make an impact. The 39-member LHS team earned the 2024 Impact Award March 2 at the Lake Superior Regionals in Duluth. They competed in the FIRST FRC (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics Competition). They are now qualified to compete at the FRC Worlds 2024 during the FIRST Championship in Houston…- By Lori SorensonMarch 13, 2024Contractors submitted bids last week to renovate the former Total Card building into Luverne’s Kids Rock! Child Care Center. While the bids are still under review, members of Luverne Economic Development Authority discussed highlights of the $6.4 million project at their Monday meeting. EDA director Holly Sammons said the project attracted competitive bids on most of the trade packages, which…
By Lori SorensonMarch 13, 2024A group of sincere and motivated women gathered in Grace Lutheran Church fellowship hall Monday evening to talk about mental health in Rock County. The event was hosted by the Women’s Giving Circle, a charitable group started last year under the umbrella of the Luverne Area Community Foundation. Its members, now numbering more than three dozen, seek to “support, educate, empower, and celebrate…- By Lori SorensonMarch 13, 2024As part of their budget process for 2024, Hills City Council members approved salaries and compensation for elected officials and staff. Mayor Keith Elbers draws an annual salary of $2,500 and City Council members receive $1,300. Council members include Cory Metzger, Vickie Busswitz, Ross Metzger and Alan Leenderts. City Public Works Supervisor Dustin Verhey is full-time and receives $26.30…
March 13, 2024U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar received the 2024 Distinguished Public Service Award from the American Legion for her leadership on a range of issues championed by the organization. She was honored for the following: •her work ensuring Department of Veterans Affairs benefits include comprehensive care for veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. •supporting the Afghan…
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