Opinion
- By Linda Wenzel, program manager, A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota in LuverneDecember 27, 2023The holidays can be a time of mixed emotions and extra stress for caregivers. To help reduce holiday stress, following are some suggestions for caregivers. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of extra tasks and hassles that the holidays bring. Make it a priority to take a little time for yourself to sit quietly, relax and recharge. Taking brief timeouts can help you to be a more…
- December 20, 2023Christians believe “God so loved the world that he gave his only son” to take away the sins of the world (John 3:16), and as such, Christmas is a celebration of the arrival of Jesus as told in the Bible’s second chapter of Luke: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. … And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to…
By Wyatt VanSteenberg, sales representativeDecember 20, 2023I was going to write a column on my favorite five Christmas movies, but the more I thought about the Christmas movies I enjoyed, the more it made me think about family traditions. My favorite family traditions are quite unique and maybe wouldn’t fall directly into the “traditional” category. We celebrate Christmas Eve on my mother’s side with a very unorthodox family meal that’s also my…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 20, 2023Question: My question is why electric cars and trucks do not have front license plates? These are all from Minnesota which is required by law. They are not from out of state. Answer: Electric vehicles are required to have a front license plate in Minnesota, this is a common equipment violation. Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No person shall operate, drive or park a motor…- December 13, 2023It’s a wonderful time of year for giving and receiving gifts, and here in Rock County we have generosity down to a science — or at least a stroke of the keypad. The 2023 Christmas gift drive for our students in Luverne schools is wrapping up, and 44 families in the district will receive extra presents under their trees. Through the School Giving Tree, each child will receive two gifts and each…
By Brenda Winter, columnistDecember 13, 2023Watching Dianne and Rodger Ossenfort play the role of Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the annual Winterfest “Photos with Santa” event is a wonder to behold. Both have the solid emotional core required to press on in spite of being the reason several small children have become sobbing, weeping banshees clinging to their mothers. Undaunted, each child is asked what he or she wants for Christmas.…
By RIck Peterson, general managerDecember 13, 2023Mary and I spend a fair amount of time driving around town after dark checking out the Christmas decorations. Frankly, the city park has never looked better. It’s just another example of Luverne doing it right. The gigantic inflatable Santa recently went up at the home on the corner of Highway 75 and Dodge Street, and it’s a perfect spot for him. It’s like he’s out there saying, “Merry Christmas…- December 06, 2023Construction has started on Luverne’s giant nutcracker, and our social media announcement stirred a long string of comments, both positive and negative. As is the case with many community developments, some will support new initiatives, some will voice sincere reservations, and others are never happy. We welcome all kinds of feedback, but we can’t abide personal attacks, expletives and…
By Lori Sorenson, editorDecember 06, 2023When we decorated the Star Herald office for Christmas, our sports reporter, Greg Hoogeveen, added some holiday cheer to his own workspace with an electric leg lamp. I laughed out loud when I saw it — the warm glow from a fringed lamp shade atop a shapely plastic high-heeled leg in fishnet stockings. It's parked in the center of the newsroom, and I hope our customers are familiar with the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 06, 2023Ask a Trooper Question: I hear there that DWI’s can become more of an issue around the winter holidays. Can you talk about that? Thank you for all you do. Answer: Minnesota Law Enforcement is participating in a statewide campaign that includes extra DWI enforcement that started the day before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Over the past five years (2018-2022), more than 120,000 people…- November 29, 2023There’s an urgent need for child foster families – and adoptive homes as well. In 2022, 11,235 children in Minnesota experienced out-of-home care. For children who left out-of-home placement, 20 percent were adopted by families, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you’ve ever wondered about fostering children or adopting children from foster care, here’s what you…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterNovember 29, 2023Spending time with my grandchildren over Thanksgiving brought home the fact that they never sit still. If they needed to get somewhere, they ran. Running, to children, is second nature. Running, to an adult, means relearning what used to come naturally. I want to regain that carefree feeling of my childhood, where I could run for what seemed like miles with very little effort. For several…
By RIck Peterson, general managerNovember 29, 2023
By Brenda Winter, columnistNovember 26, 2023Peeking over my folded hands, I watched Mom and Dad pray the blessing spoken at our family’s meals for more than 60 years. “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.” It was November 2022, just a few days before Mom passed away. One end of the large table held our meal, the other end a pile of newspapers, magazines and papers pertaining to the diagnosis. Dad’s…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 26, 2023Question: The first snow storm of the season seemed to catch a lot of us by surprise. Can you talk about what to do to be ready for winter travel? Thank you and be safe. Answer: You are correct, and it comes down to being prepared. While summer months are the deadliest on Minnesota roads, wintertime leads to the most crashes and poses safety risks and hazards. Here are some tips to help stay…- November 15, 2023Shop online safely this holiday season The holiday season often brings a surge in cyber-attacks, and local banks are alerting customers of threats to watch for and tips to navigate the online world safely during the holidays. Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks involve cybercriminals posing as legitimate entities, often via emails or messages. They aim to trick recipients into revealing…
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