opinion
- By Star Herald EditorialSeptember 30, 2026In small towns, suburbs and cities across America, local newspapers are there for the moments that matter — elections and ballgames, new businesses and school decisions, celebrations and tragedies. How we deliver the news has changed. Why we do it hasn’t, according to Lynne Lance, executive director of the National Newspaper Association. “Newspapers inform their communities, hold government…
By Tom Brakke, president, Tollefson EnterprisesSeptember 30, 2026Unlike other church buildings that are sold or demolished or left to decay once a congregation disbands, Blue Mound Lutheran Church has been lovingly maintained by former parishioners and their families. Every fall they celebrate together, inviting the public to join them for worship. A half-century after the doors closed, the spirit lives on. Dennis Olson, an emeritus professor at…- By By Craig Oftedahl, Superintendent of Luverne Public Schools and Todd Holthaus, Superintendent of Hills-Beaver Creek Public SchoolsSeptember 30, 2026Minnesota voters will see a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 3 general election ballot related to the Minnesota Permanent School Fund. The Luverne School District and the Hills-Beaver Creek School District are sharing the following information to help our communities understand the question and make an informed decision. What is the Permanent School Fund? The Permanent School Fund…
- By Pastor Mark Eliason, Palisade Lutheran ChurchSeptember 30, 2026In 2017 we acknowledged the anniversary of 500 years since Martin Luther protested what he thought was lacking in the church. Or maybe a better way to express what Luther was trying to do was to reform the church so that it more closely resembled what Jesus intended the church to be. This was a huge task, and Luther did not walk this path alone. There were many others before, during and after…
- By Lori SorensonSeptember 23, 2026It’s not often that reporters and photographers find themselves part of a story — being interviewed and recorded. And when it happens, it can cloud perspective. I’d been following Jason Lennox and his Recovery Road walk around the periphery of Minnesota. I read the Star Tribune story about him, along with compelling coverage by community newspapers on the state’s border about his 1,776-…
- By Star Herald EditorialSeptember 23, 2026Monday was World Alzheimer’s Day, and September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise awareness, challenge stigma and promote support. Here in Rock County local volunteers are planning a “Dementia Walk” under the theme, “Love Never Ends.” The event, planned for Saturday, Oct. 3, is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Generations Event Center, hosted by A.C.E. of Southwest…
- By Dennis Pike, LuverneSeptember 23, 2026To the editor: After attending and considering arguments from both sides in the public meeting on a proposed charter amendment in Luverne tonight, I’m leaning in favor of a commission based on the city’s policy of contributing to entities unrelated to utilities. While many of these entities such as the ice arena serve a great purpose, many of us don’t benefit from this, or other entities of…
- By Jesse Booker, LuverneSeptember 23, 2026To the editor: Many of us attended the town hall at the Palace on Tuesday, Sept. 15, regarding the proposed amendment to our town charter to establish a utilities commission. For those who could not attend, I encourage you to watch the Star Media recording on YouTube or directly from the Star Herald's website. It seemed to me that the committee representing the proposal for the amendment failed…
By Calla Jarvie, Rock County Library DirectorSeptember 23, 2026One of the many fun things I get to do as a library director is attend conferences. I just got back from my favorite conference of the year, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference. This year it was in Montgomery, Alabama. As you probably guessed from the title, this conference is geared toward small and rural libraries. ARSL defines “small and rural” as those with service…- By Pastor Michael Geiger, Crosspoint church, Georgetown, TexasSeptember 23, 2026“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, …” Ephesians 1:18 Paul prayed that the eyes of the Ephesians’ hearts would be opened so they could know “the hope to which he has called you.” Notice that Paul did not pray that God would give them a better set of circumstances. He prayed that they would see more clearly what…
By Scott RallSeptember 16, 2026It was one of the first Labor Days that I can remember over the past years that was actually a rainout. Nobles County received about 3.5 inches of rain over the long weekend. This is the first significant rain we have had in about three months. It killed a lot of plans but part of my weekend plan went off despite of the rain. A few years back I enrolled about 75 acres in a conservation…- By Eric Sage, director of Rock County OpportunitiesSeptember 16, 2026This week, Sept. 13-19 is National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, and Rock County Opportunities (RCO) can think of no group more deserving of a community's gratitude. Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the ones who turn good intentions into reality for individuals with disabilities. They are teachers, coaches, advocates and companions who empower the individuals we serve…
By Brenda WinterSeptember 16, 2026Grapevines connect a family’s generations. Six Concord grape vines grew on the garden fence between the garage and rhubarb when Grandpa Winter bought the farm in the 1920s. His bride, fresh off the boat from Germany after World War I, made tending them part of her responsibilities as a dedicated hausfrau. Every September, Grandma dutifully lined the canning room shelves with sparkling jars of…- By Kristi FrankenSeptember 16, 2026To the editor: September is the month when we send our precious children off to the security of school for seven to eight hours. We wipe the sweat from our foreheads on that first day as they walk or ride to school and say, "Finally they are ready!" But as a parent are you ready? At any moment a parent can receive that call from the police, "I'm sorry to tell you this information, but your…
By Sgt. Troy ChristiansonSeptember 16, 2026Question: I saw in one of your recent articles talking about stopping for a school bus. In the article you stated, “Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) — but they should remain alert for children.” Can you explain the “etc.” as I still have questions. Answer: Excellent question and yes, I can. Minnesota state…- By Pastor Joe Steenholdt, Luverne Christian Reformed ChurchSeptember 16, 2026The book of Proverbs shows us practical lessons from the world, including what we learn from animals. In Proverbs 6, a father tells his son to consider the ant: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Bob, whom I met at church during seminary, taught me to…
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