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  • February 07, 2024
    The Rock County Star Herald was recognized by its peers for excellence in journalism during the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s annual convention Feb.1-2 in Brooklyn Park. Star Herald production manager Heather Johnson was recognized for Best Design Portfolio, and Star Herald editor Lori Sorenson earned awards for Best News Photo and Best Columnist and was recognized with the Herman Roe…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    February 07, 2024
    Paper surveys have arrived at residences in Hills seeking opinions on topics such as housing, parks, city infrastructure and future projects. Responses are due March 1, and a Feb. 20 meeting will engage residents in the survey areas and allow additional input through interactive activities. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Hills. Residents’ input will help city…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    February 07, 2024
    The public can weigh in through in-person, virtual or written comments on National Grid Renewables’ request to build a 1,522-acre solar farm in Vienna and Magnolia townships. The in-person public hearing will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at Generations Events Center in Luverne. (In case of inclement weather or cancellation, the hearing will be 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15, at the same location.)…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    February 07, 2024
    Plans are in place for improvements to the city parking lot north of City Hall in front of the Minnesota West Community College entrance. At their Jan. 23 meeting, Luverne City Council members approved bids and specifications and set Feb. 15 as the bid letting date for the project. The City Hall parking lot improvements project consists of removing the existing asphalt paving, salvaging,…
  • February 07, 2024
    Unseasonably warm weather, combined with a lack of snow cover, has taken a toll on the ice on some water bodies, particularly small ponds and drainage ditches often found in neighborhoods. These smaller, nearby water bodies can be magnets for curious children. These places often are overlooked when it comes to ice safety because they generally don't attract ice anglers, but at least eight…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    February 07, 2024
    The LHS speech team brought home a fourth-place trophy Saturday from the Worthington Speech Invitational. “I was quite happy with their placement, as we brought a smaller group to this meet,” said coach Gavin Folkestad. “Many of our returning veterans placed well and showed improvement, and we had several new members compete for the first time.” Overall, 154 students from 16 schools competed…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    January 31, 2024
    The Blue Mounds State Park and Friends of the Blue Mounds State Park hosted their annual Candlelight Hike Saturday night under mild winter conditions and a starry, moonlit sky. Nearly 600 people from near and far turned out to enjoy the hike that included several warming bonfires, cookies and hot cocoa. “The weather gave us a pretty amazing night and I really enjoyed seeing people enjoying the…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    January 31, 2024
    H-BC rejects, awards elementary construction bids   By Mavis Fodness At their Monday, Jan. 29, special meeting, Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members awarded $20.5 million in bids, rejected $1.13 million worth of bids, and held back $1.8 million for further consideration. Board members unanimously approved the following bids/bidders for construction of the new elementary school and…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    January 31, 2024
    Hills-Beaver Creek School Board members conducted two special meetings in the past week to reduce construction costs of the new elementary school and improvements at the secondary school. They learned at the Jan. 23 special meeting that bids opened Dec. 19 tallied $4.8 million over the $25 million budget. On Jan. 29 they approved $3.6 million in cost reductions, and another $1.2 million will be…
  • By Lori Sorenson
    January 31, 2024
    For years, Luverne ball players have traveled to Sioux Falls for off-season pitching and batting practice, but now they stay in town, thanks to a group of creative planners. “We probably have 200 kids in Luverne who play ball, from Little League on up,” said Don Dinger of the Luverne Baseball Association. “Some of these kids drive to Sioux Falls for batting practice at $120 a week plus gas and…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    January 31, 2024
    Magie Wieneke is the new assistant director of the Rock County Community Library, replacing Barb Verhey who recently retired after more than 48 years. Wieneke said she’s not sure she’ll stay as long as her predecessor, but she’s found her passion. “I’ve always been an avid reader, and the chance to be around books and have my finger on the pulse of all new releases is thrilling,” she said. “…
  • January 31, 2024
    This week students at Luverne High School participated in various activities to combat the winter doldrums including dress-up days, special activities and the coronation of a Snow Week king and queen on Monday afternoon. Ten seniors made up this year’s royalty, selected by high school teachers and staff for their positive leadership in the classroom. Candidates for queen included Jenna DeBates,…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    January 31, 2024
    The Hills-Beaver Creek School Board ratified a two-year contract with teachers Jan. 24, giving the 30.5 full-time-equivalent teachers a 10.38 percent increase through the 2024-25 school year. Teachers receive a 5.83-percent raise for the 2023-24 school year and a 4.55-percent increase for 2024-25. The percentages include increases in salary, health insurance and steps in education. An extra 2-…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    January 31, 2024
    Saturday marks the start of the 2024 high school speech season with Luverne traveling to Worthington in the first of 11 varsity events. Returning coaches Gavin Folkestad and Joseph Stearns are leading this year’s team. “We have about 25 currently signed up, which is slightly more than last year,” Folkestad said. “We only graduated two seniors, and we have a good number of new seventh- and…
  • By Mavis Fodness
    January 31, 2024
    The Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter at Luverne High School doubled its membership for the 2023-24 school year. As a result, the chapter is sending its largest group of members — 22 in all —to the state convention in Minneapolis March 14-16. Adviser Katie Kopp credits previous members for the interest and recent BPA Region 8 success. “The program had great senior leadership last…
  • January 24, 2024
    Luverne music students, families and volunteers hosted their classic Winter Carnival Saturday night in the high school gym. Students manned carnival games, face painting, cake walks and more while volunteers helped with concessions, cotton candy, Bingo and other fundraising activities. According to Music Boosters organizers, crowds were steady Saturday night despite frigid temperatures. The event…
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