Remember When Jan. 19, 2023

10 years ago (2013)
•Members of the Hills Fire Department put their lives on the line Saturday to train in the cold weather of the Hills Rez. Retired firefighter Dan Bernardy traveled to Hills from Inver Grove Heights to train the local firefighters on water and ice rescue techniques and equipment. The day started with several hours of classroom training at the fire hall. After learning how to respond safely to ice rescues, the group suited up and headed out to the ice for hands-on learning. The temperature Saturday hovered around a chilly 10 degrees with wind chills dipping well below zero.
Firemen grouped in teams of three, wearing waterproof suits. One acted as the victim, while the other two performed the rescue. The remaining department members manned ropes attached to rescuers and their equipment.
 
25 years ago (1998)
•When Jim Johannsen stepped down as chief of the Luverne Fire Department in December, he did it quietly – simply opting not to run for re-election.
So, when the Star Herald approached him about a story on his role as fire chief, he protested loudly. “We ain’t gonna do no story about me,” he said in those words. “I enjoyed my job. I did my job, and that’s it.”
While “Jimmy Jo” preferred to say little about his 17 years as fire chief, there are others in the community who have plenty to say about him.
“He’s done a heck of a good job all the way around,” said Curt Maxwell, who was chief of the Luverne Fire Department for 15 years before Johannsen took over. “I don’t know how he could have done any better.”
 
50 years ago (1973)
•Larry Nelson, 30, a member of the Luverne High School faculty for the past eight years, was named as Luverne’s Teacher of the Year this week by his fellow members of the Luverne Education Association.
Nelson’s selection was based on recommendations made to the Association by the nominating committee which is composed of past Luverne Teachers of the Year.
Nelson is a senior high school social studies instructor. He has been a teacher here since his graduation from Concordia College in Moorhead in 1964 where he received a B.S. degree in social studies and business administration. He graduated from Alexandria High School in 1960. In 1969, Nelson received his Master’s from the University of South Dakota in U.S. History.
He and his wife, Janice, have two children, Jeffrey 4, and Rebecca, 11 months.
 
75 years ago (1948)
•Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Kelley, who have owned Kelley’s Bake Shop here for the past 17 months, announced that they had sold the business to William Dorn, of Pierre, S.D. who will take possession in the near future. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley’s plans for the future are still indefinite, but they will continue to operate the business until Mr. Dorn arrives.
 
100 years ago (1923)
•According to present indications, Luverne is to have no less than three new, complete grocery stores catering to the wants of the people of this vicinity within the next few weeks, making nine complete stocks from which prospective buyers have the privilege of supplying their wants.
The new stores are to be opened by Martin Sather, in the east part of the Palace theatre  building, heretofore occupied by the Palace song shop and the Cowan barber shop; Einar Lorange in the front part of the New Meat market, and by Oscar Hegge, in the front part of his building on East Main street where he has been conducting his automobile tire repair and vulcanizing business.