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 Jason BerghorstJuly 02, 2025The Luverne City Council recently approved two new ordinances, one related to recreational fires and the other to rummage sales. Both ordinances, recommended by city staff, passed unanimously on roll call votes during the Tuesday, June 17, Luverne City Council meeting. The first ordinance repeals the current open burning ordinance and adopts a new ordinance that aligns with Minnesota State…
By Lori SorensonJuly 02, 2025Area farmers will have an opportunity to learn the latest in soil health management at a July 17 field day near Jasper. The event, “High Yields in Your Fields,” will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the farm of Eugene Halbur who has been no-till farming for six years. “I don’t have water running off the fields like others. I don’t have dirt blowing off the field like others, and there aren’t as…- By Mavis FodnessJuly 02, 2025Luverne students will continue to attend home events and activities free of charge, thanks to recent action by Luverne School Board members. Earlier this year, district leaders proposed the return to student admission fees and set the amount at $5 per event. In the cost-saving measure prompted by district budget shortfalls, adult admission would be raised from $6 to $7. At their June 17…
- By Lori SorensonJuly 02, 2025Soil health improvement funding is again available through the USDA after several months of being frozen by the federal Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The funds will support regenerative farming practices like no-till and strip-till, cover crops and more. Doug Bos of the Rock County Land Management Office is now encouraging local producers — especially those who haven’t yet tried…
July 02, 2025Mother Nature offered a break in rainy weather Tuesday evening for the community’s annual Touch A Truck event in the Luverne Middle School/High School parking lot. Trucks of all kinds, emergency vehicles and farm implements were on display for children to get an up-close look (and honk air horns). The Luverne Area Chamber hosted the event, and sponsors and donors shared reflector vests with the…
By Mavis FodnessJuly 02, 2025Ten Hills-Beaver Creek middle school students recently returned from Massachusetts where they competed in a national robotics event June 13-15. They earned the runner-up Motivate Award trophy at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Annual First LEGO League Event June 13-15. “They were shocked to hear their team’s name called as a finalist for the Motivate Award,” said H-BC team adviser Lexi…
July 02, 2025More than 100 children and adults gathered Monday night in the Rock County Library basement for Jamie Pastika (pictured above with a soft shell turtle named Scooter) and his “Rad Zoo,” a traveling show about reptiles and amphibians. Pastika, from Owatonna, and his Rad Zoo was sponsored by the Friends of the Library. His visit was preceded by Friday’s performance of Jim Cruise from Jenison,…
July 02, 2025The school bell believed to be from the 1895 Luverne High School is able to ring again Friday after a two-year refurbishing project. Industrial arts instructor Steve Ellis from Dassel-Cokato High School oversaw the project involving 20 of his students. Ellis and workers with Oh’Landscapes of Mayer, Minnesota, returned the bell to Luverne and to its final resting location in the Alumni Garden at…
By Mavis FodnessJune 25, 2025The inaugural “Ride the Rock” Saturday drew 36 participants, with 26 finishing the estimated five-hour paddle from Ruddy’s Bridge on County Road 8 to the Luverne City Park bridge. Windy conditions and temperatures in the high 90s were among reasons paddlers ended their rides early. Angi Peterson of Slayton kayaked the Rock River in about five hours and was the first to reach Luverne. Low water…- By Lori SorensonJune 25, 2025The 11th Annual Fourth of July celebration at The Lake in Luverne will include all the classic summer beach features, including land and water competitions, food, live music and fireworks. Mike and Traci Davis, who own the buildings and campground adjacent to The Lake, have helped organize the celebration since it began in 2015. “We do it to give back to the community we live in,” Mike Davis…
- By Mavis FodnessJune 25, 2025The Rock County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit June 17 for a 100-by-400-foot banquet center in Luverne Township southeast of Luverne. Billy and Missy Cowell of Luverne already constructed the facility on the 21 acres adjacent to their acreage along 111st Street. Located on the same road, but west of the banquet hall, is the Rock River Campground, which the…
By Mavis FodnessJune 25, 2025A current Rock County Land Management Office (LMO) employee will become assistant director in September. Arlyn Gehrke, an engineering assistant, answered the internal posting for the position last week. Gehrke, whose worked for LMO for 27 years, was the only applicant. Current assistant director Doug Bos submitted his retirement in April, after 29 years with LMO. Bos’ last day is Sept. 2.…- By Mavis FodnessJune 25, 2025Luverne School Board members unanimously agreed June 17 to terminate the district’s transportation supervisor Brad Goembel. Seven items were listed on the resolution for Goembel’s termination. (Items in parentheses were costs associated with the items and were provided by the district office.) The seven issues included: •Five days between March 18 and May 7 in which Goembel left the workday…
By Mavis FodnessJune 25, 2025Rock County Historical Society (RCHS) volunteers created a little fun for participants to learn history Thursday morning during “Fossils and Furs” at the Plaza on Main in Luverne. Some tables featured various fossils which participants could handle, along with furs, hides and skulls from various animals located in the Midwest. The items, with the exception of the elk hide, were on loan from the…
By Mavis FodnessJune 25, 2025After a three-year hiatus, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will again provide services to the city of Kenneth. The 18-month contract began June 1 and is effect through Dec. 31, 2026. Commissioners approved reinstating the contract June 17 after tabling action on the contract at their previous meeting. County Administrator Kyle Oldre said commissioners considered adding a penalty for dropping…- By Lori SorensonJune 25, 2025Construction will start this week on 4.2 miles of the Blue Mound Trail between Luverne and the Blue Mounds State Park. Rock County Highway Engineer Mark Sehr, who is overseeing the project, said trail reconstruction is set to begin Thursday, June 26, weather permitting. He said the project was prompted by surface cracking that has occurred through the years since the trail was first paved in…
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