Guilty plea entered in vehicular homicide case
Twenty-three-year-old Jayson Delfs, Hardwick, entered a guilty plea Monday morning in Rock County District Court to the charge of criminal vehicular homicide.
Murder case proceedings on hold
Legal proceedings for Luverne murder suspect Melvin Frazier are suspended following a Rule 20 motion that was granted in Rock County District Court Monday.
Administrator announces retirement
After 33 years on the job, Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre officially submitted his notice of retirement during the Aug. 18 county board meeting.
Oldre’s final day of service will be Feb. 28, 2027.
Charter amendment measure advances
Luverne voters will be asked in the Nov. 3 general election if they support an amendment to change their city’s government charter.
Peterson wins election for county commissioner
Rick Peterson won the special election for Rock County’s District 3 and is set to join the county board of commissioners early next week.
PowerOn Midwest narrows routes
PowerOn Midwest has narrowed its preferred route for a proposed high-voltage transmission project, and one of its choices would cut through Rock County within one mile of the Blue Mounds State
News
By Mavis FodnessAugust 13, 2025The four-member team of Jacki Johnson, Gabrielle Ferrell, Erin Hamann and Amanda McDonald took the first Spelling Bee championship title on July 30. The team called themselves “Give ’em Spell.” Thirty words were used to declare a winner among the five teams that participated. Sponsored by the Rock County Library, the Adult Spelling Bee organizers selected words from the Scripps National…
By Lori SorensonAugust 06, 2025Beaver Creek residents and visitors celebrated the community’s third annual Beaver Days over the weekend with perfect weather and high attendance. “We were very thankful for the beautiful weather,” said Mandy Conger, one of the volunteers with Helping Build Communities Stronger (HBCS) that organizes events in Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen. She said the Friday afternoon fun run attracted 26…- By Mavis FodnessAugust 06, 2025Commissioners spent four hours Tuesday interviewing four candidates who applied for the job of Rock County sheriff. They interviewed retired Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Matt Sorenson and Rock County Sheriff deputies Troy Wenzel, Jeff Stratton and Chad Kempema. The Rock County sheriff is an elected position, but current sheriff Evan Verbrugge is retiring before his current term expires Dec…
- By Jason BerghorstAugust 06, 2025Parents of children enrolled in the FamilyU child care program at Luverne Elementary School were notified last week that the program will close Oct. 15. Luverne Community Education Director Lisa J. Nath told parents in a July 29 letter that Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council (SMOC) would be withdrawing its support of FamilyU. “Due to the loss of our fiscal host, this program will be ending…
By Mavis FodnessAugust 06, 2025A production of “Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure” opens at the Palace Theatre in Luverne later this week and marks a rare summer production for the local Green Earth Players (GEP). Performances will be Friday-Sunday, Aug. 8-10. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m. with Sunday’s matinee at 2 p.m. “We had so many requests for a children’s show,” said director Sue Sandbulte. “We…- By Lori SorensonAugust 06, 2025When classes start this fall, three grade levels in Luverne Elementary School will have three sections of students instead of four, due to falling enrollment. “The numbers are dictating that we can no longer financially — feasibly afford to stay in four sections,” Superintendent Craig Oftedahl said last week. Typical class sizes in Luverne have been 80 to 90 students, but so far this year…
By Mavis FodnessAugust 06, 2025Madi Bos of Hills started “Wild Wonders” day care this week as the third provider in 18 months to occupy the city-owned child care facility that opened in January 2024. Bos decided in April to follow in her grandmother, Judy Ripley’s, footsteps of caring for children. “My grandmother did day care for 30 years,” Bos said. “I grew up in her day care, and then she’s kind of inspired me.” For…
By Lori SorensonAugust 06, 2025A highlight of the Beaver Days celebration Saturday morning was the opening of a Hills-Beaver Creek time capsule. Items were enclosed in a large plastic cylinder and buried in 1997 when the elementary school opened its new addition. After Saturday’s Beaver Days Parade ended near the elementary school, a small crowd gathered on the west lawn and sidewalk of the school. Hills-Beaver Creek…
By Mavis FodnessAugust 06, 2025Hills Christian School hosted a schoolyard celebration Monday afternoon in celebration of the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1949. Among the fellowship, bounce houses, ice cream, live DJ, touch-a-trucks and school tours were Albert and Frances Haak. “Hills Christian is important to us,” Frances said. “We have a lot of memories here.” The two met as middle school students in 1949.…
August 06, 2025Luverne Christian Reformed Church members Kevin Ashby (left) and Darwin Timmer replace shingles Thursday, July 31, on the 62-year-old Blue Mound Wayside Chapel north of Luverne along Highway 75. The chapel, which is visited almost daily according to the signatures in the guest book, provides those traveling through the area, as well as those who live in the area, a place to pray and worship. It…
By Lori Sorenson, editorJuly 30, 2025The Rock County Fair wrapped up over the weekend following four days of jam-packed activities that included everything from 4-H livestock to Open Class entries to popular grandstand attractions. According to Rock County Fair Board President Lee Sells, the 2025 event was a success. “This year we had higher attendance at all of our grandstand events,” he said. “With it being a free fair we don’t…
By Jason BerghorstJuly 30, 2025A new retail store will open soon in a vacant storefront on Luverne’s Main Street this fall. The Nexus Vault will be located at 109 East Main Street, next door to the former Sterling’s Café and Grille building. The store will sell comic books, sports cards, trading card games and novelty collectibles. Tyler and Peggy Johnson, Luverne, and Chris and Katrina Brown, Brandon, are at the helm of…- By By Lori SorensonJuly 30, 2025Luverne School Board member Randy Sasker has resigned from the board due to his role with the new Christian school that’s starting in the American Reformed Church. “It is sincerely nothing against the district and administration,” Sasker said about his resignation that was effective immediately. “I accepted a role with the Equipt School Board, and it aligns more closely with who I am. I can’t…
- By By Lori SorensonJuly 30, 2025The community of Beaver Creek will host its third annual Beaver Days town celebration this Friday through Sunday, Aug. 1-3, with three days of events and activities lined up for participants. Mandy Conger is among a group of volunteers with Helping Build Communities Stronger (HBCS) that organizes events in Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen. She said she’s looking forward to Beaver Creek’s special…
By Jason BerghorstJuly 30, 2025Local residents met July 22 to hear a proposal about bringing six passenger rail cars to Luverne to be used as business locations. Luverne resident Kenny Rolling presented his idea to about 25 people at the Trailhead building on East Main Street. A social media post promoting the meeting mentioned possibilities such as a diner, Air BnB, retail shop, rental venue or a four-season farmer’s market…
By Jason BerghorstJuly 30, 2025
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