December 17, 2025
Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre received the 2025 Joe Ries Excellence in County Management Award for “demonstrating exceptional contributions to county government administration.”
The Minnesota Association of County Administrators (MACA) announced Oldre’s award on Dec. 8 at the Association of Minnesota Counties Annual Conference in Bloomington.
"Kyle Oldre has shown extraordinary skill…
December 17, 2025
A Luverne native has been selected to lead the University of Minnesota’s government and community relations.
Former Mayo Clinic leader Erin (Connell) Sexton has taken on the role following approval by U of M’s Board of Regents Thursday, Dec. 11. Her appointment will begin Jan. 5.
“With more than 25 years of experience in government relations, public affairs and community engagement, Erin brings…
By Lori Sorenson
December 17, 2025
Fire destroyed a shed and damaged a nearby garage Saturday night on a Luverne property south of I-90.
The Luverne Fire Department was dispatched at 10:30 p.m. Saturday to 1102 U.S. Highway 75 in response to a 911 call reporting a garage/house fire.
According to Luverne Fire Chief David Van Batavia, a storage shed on the property, owned by Hal and Lori Schmidt, burned to the ground.
It was…
By Lori Sorenson
December 17, 2025
uverne Street Music and Generations presented “Carols and Cake” Sunday afternoon at Generations Events Center on South Estey Street.
The event at Generations featured live vocal and instrumental music, cake and beverages by Bluestem Catering and a visit by Santa.
The fundraiser for Generations and Luverne Street Music attracted more than 100 paid ticketholders plus dozens of talented volunteer…
By Lori Sorenson
December 09, 2025
Luverne’s annual Winterfest Celebration featured all the classic holiday activities over the weekend, along with an appropriate dose of winter snowfall Saturday afternoon.
“There was just a ton of stuff going on around town, and it went really well,” Chamber Director Kenzi Klein said Monday during the Chamber Annual Board meeting.
The weekend kicked off Friday with the annual Story Hour at the…
By Mavis Fodness
December 09, 2025
Paul Aukes held up a piece of quarter-inch angle iron Tuesday night, Dec. 2, at the public input meeting about rifles vs. shotguns for deer hunting.
Pierced through the angle iron were two perfectly round bullet holes from a rifle.
“This is what a 30-06 does,” he said of the potential damage to a person. “I’m against it.”
Aukes was one of 40 people attending the listening session at the Rock…
By Lori Sorenson
December 09, 2025
A manufacturing company has expressed in 15-acres of Luverne’s industrial park, according to discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority.
EDA director Holly Sammons said the city engineer is developing preliminary concepts for road and utility configurations that could accommodate both large and small development sites.
She showed a map of Luverne’s industrial…
By Lori Sorenson
December 09, 2025
Housing continues to be a priority for the Luverne Economic Development Authority, which met Monday to assess progress and future direction.
LEDA director Holly Sammons explained the city’s participation in the Southwest Minnesota Housing Institute.
“It’s been a good resource, and it’s led to really good discussions,” Sammons said about the regional cohort that provides training, tools and…
By Mavis Fodness
December 09, 2025
Rock County Commissioners accepted the sale results for a 10-year $2.5 million bond conducted Tuesday, Dec. 2.
TD Financial Products LLC of New York submitted the lowest bid at an interest rate of 3.074 percent. Two other bidders submitted bids at 3.103 percent and 3.131 percent.
George Eilertson with Northland Securities in Minneapolis presented the bid results to commissioners Tuesday night…
By Lori Sorenson
December 09, 2025
he Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Monday included the usual business of electing officers, approving budgets and reviewing 2025 events and activities.
However, the gathering in Take 16’s event center also featured updates about key local developments.
Future Leaders Network
For example, Ron Honken shared information about the “Rock County Future Leaders Network,” which…
By Lori Sorenson
December 09, 2025
Coaches and players from Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota state champion football teams met at the Tri-State Marker in the southwest corner of Rock County Thursday, Dec. 4, to congratulate each other on their winning seasons.
The Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots, Brandon Valley Lynx and West Lyon Wildcats all won their respective state football titles in their classes.
Dan LaRock, Hills,…
December 09, 2025
As Minnesotans reacquaint themselves with the winter chore of clearing sidewalks and driveways, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency urges people to remember smart salting practices.
Salt damages infrastructure and plants and is harmful to water. When the snow melts or it rains, salt runs into storm drains and into nearby lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
Too often, salt is over-applied,…
December 09, 2025
These two were fighting a losing battle Saturday as they tried to keep up with falling snow on Main Street in Luverne. Alex (left) and Ben Bernard of Cardinal Lawn and Snow, Luverne, are contracted to clear sidewalks for many of the downtown businesses and said they were gearing up for a long night Saturday as Rock County and much of the region was in line to receive several inches of snow by the…
December 09, 2025
Luverne Elementary students enjoyed a sit-down, family-style meal Friday for Respect Lunch, sponsored by Parents Partners in Education. PPIE volunteers decorated tables and set flatware for each of the three lunch periods attended by students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Attendees, including an adult volunteer at each table, were served mashed potatoes, corn, ham, bun, milk and a cookie.…
December 09, 2025
The Christmas Time Story Time Friday morning in the Rock County Library basement featured a special visitors for the children and adults who attended the event, which kicked off activities for Winterfest weekend in Luverne.
By Mavis Fodness
December 09, 2025
Hills-Beaver Creek Secondary School students hope to leave the audience laughing with their one act play performance of “Supervillains Anonymous.”
Director Amy Comp chose the 30-minute comedy by Michael Bauer for that reason.
“I’ve got a great crew of students who love to laugh (and make others laugh) so I knew this one act would be perfect for our students and community,” she said.
When Comp…
