Opinion

My youngest daughter is getting married next Saturday, and she’s asked me to give a little speech at the event. I’m happy to oblige. It’s not very often that children ask parents what they think, let alone listen to what they have to say. Thoughts about what I’ll say are still being formed, as Lyndsey has taken a very long route in the choices of how she’s living her life. I’d liken Lyndsey…

Our much-appreciated Sen. Tina Smith extolled the virtues of Luverne and Rock County in her weekly coffee for mostly small-town Minnesota visitors in her Senate office on April 10. She raved about the partnership among Luverne officials and child care leaders and the federal government, in which she and Sen. Amy Klobuchar played a role.    She noted how the joint advocacy was critical in…

Recently I have received complaints about unusual activity by our deputies.  When I investigated the complaint, I have come to discover that we have a couple of individuals driving around Luverne, Rock County, in decommissioned squad cars. These vehicles look exactly like our current fleet. The difference is that we have our shoulder patch on the driver and front passenger doors. According to…

It’s been a rough week. When there’s a fatal crash, it’s always a dark day — for the drivers involved, for their families, for first responders, for law enforcement — and for us at the Star Herald. It’s hard to report sad news about local families, and it’s even harder to do that work under a barrage of social media criticism. “Shame on you for posting those pictures,” one wrote about the…

It was 1992. I was a young pup reporter for the Rock County Star Herald and was assigned to cover speakers for the Luverne School’s 125th anniversary. I sat with hundreds of folks on the courthouse lawn listening as dignitaries and others extolled the wonders of Luverne. Then it was Jim Brandenburg’s turn to speak. I waited for him to talk about the Great Big World out there and the delights of…

Question: Do you have any advice on what a person should do if they are driving along in the dark and their headlights go out? Answer: If your headlights suddenly go out, try using your parking lights, hazard warning lights or turn signals — one of them may work and give you enough light to guide you off the road. If your headlights fail on a busy or lighted road, you will probably have enough…

It’s been a rough week. When there’s a fatal crash, it’s always a dark day — for the drivers involved, for their families, for first responders, for law enforcement — and for us at the Star Herald. It’s hard to report sad news about local families, and it’s even harder to do that work under a barrage of social media criticism. “Shame on you for posting those pictures,” one wrote about the…

Last summer Rock County was impacted once again by an extreme weather event in the form of heavy rains that flooded fields, basements and public places. My wife and I have lived in Luverne for more than 20 years. In that time we have witnessed at least three “100-year floods” with the most formidable being the Father’s Day flood of 2014. Our autumns are trending warmer and drier, and we have…

With our nation’s current political upheaval (that’s my best shot at a diplomatic description), I’ve increasingly wondered what I can do to make the world better. And I came across a quote from Anne Frank that struck a chord with me. “How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment. We can start now, start slowly, changing the world,” she wrote. “How lovely that everyone, great and small,…

In today’s Star Herald and in this weekend’s Luverne Announcer there is an ad announcing The Great Easter Bunny Hunt. The season for The Great Easter Bunny Hunt runs from April 3 through April 22. Just to be clear, no bunnies will be hurt in any way. The Easter Bunnies in this case are paper bunnies. There are only 10 bunnies hidden. A different paper bunny will be hidden in each of the 10…

Sasker: 'If you are currently having troubled times...' Letter to the Editor: I received in the mail an article entitled “A Message of Hope in Troubled Times.” It reminded me of a time I was part of an organization that put literature in the local churches. I entered some of the most beautiful facilities. I was greeted and helped by smiling, friendly people. If you are currently having…

For more than four decades, the Minnesota Horse Expo offered a variety of vendors, exhibits and educational talks for horse owners and fans of the four-legged animals. I’m a huge fan of the Minnesota Horse Council-sponsored event, and I recall, probably 30 years ago, packing the kids into the minivan to spend a day at the state fairgrounds in St. Paul. We learned a few things and left with a…

Remme: 'I love my hometown newspaper' Letter to the Editor: I love the hometown newspaper and what it brings to the community. However, I don't believe we can truly trust all journalism today. Many are paid outlets for one political party more than the other. Some are owned or operated by movie studios. I don't believe half of what I hear these days. Having said that, I think our biggest…

Question: Can you talk about railroad crossing safety and the laws that cover it? Answer: I have responded to and investigated a number of train/vehicle crashes in my career. A majority of them resulted in fatal or serious injuries to the vehicle occupants. In Minnesota, failure to yield the right of way, disregard of a traffic control device, improper turn, and inattention and impatience are…

The Minnesota Alliance for Problem Gambling and the Minnesota Lottery are partnering with the National Council on Problem Gambling to recognize March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “Seeking Understanding,” focuses on increasing awareness of problem gambling as a serious but often misunderstood mental health condition. The campaign seeks to foster greater awareness and…

Former Rock County Star Herald Editor Al McIntosh penned his widely acclaimed “Tired American” commentary in 1965 at the height of anti-government protests and anti-American sentiment. He wasn’t afraid to express his political views on the Star Herald opinion page, though it cost him friendships and garnered plenty of local criticism. He wrote “Tired American” because he was indeed tired. I’m…