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
Students 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
February 07, 2024
By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2024The city of Luverne has sold its first TNT Tradesmen house and will invest the proceeds into a second TNT house currently under construction. The house was remodeled by the Luverne High School trades class, “Today and Tomorrow’s Tradesmen” (Tnt Tradesmen), led by woodshop teacher Darrel Van Aartsen of Van Aartsen Construction. The school partners with the city through building inspector Chad…
By Lori SorensonFebruary 07, 2024The Walgrave family had fun this week with the empty concrete base that will support the World’s Largest Nutcracker when it arrives this summer. The 8-foot-tall concrete base currently holds a 40-foot-tall post that will eventually support the 65-foot-tall nutcracker on South Highway 75 near I-90. It has been a source of both praise and controversy in the Luverne community. The Walgraves and…
February 07, 2024The 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 FodnessFebruary 07, 2024Paper 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 FodnessFebruary 07, 2024The 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 SorensonFebruary 07, 2024Plans 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, 2024Unseasonably 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 FodnessFebruary 07, 2024The 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 SorensonJanuary 31, 2024The 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 FodnessJanuary 31, 2024H-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 FodnessJanuary 31, 2024Hills-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 SorensonJanuary 31, 2024For 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 FodnessJanuary 31, 2024Magie 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, 2024This 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 FodnessJanuary 31, 2024The 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-…
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