Magnolia
- By Lori Sorenson, editorFebruary 11, 2026A Magnolia couple are facing multiple gross misdemeanor charges after a local investigation revealed a child has spent years living locked in a small space in deprived conditions. Byron Dale Davis, 43, and his girlfriend, Samantha Rae Auch, 36, are both accused of keeping a minor child locked in a small laundry room. According to criminal complaints filed in Rock County District Court, the…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianNovember 05, 2025The following appeared in The Rock County Herald on Nov. 20, 1941. Fred A. Baker, Magnolia, recalls “roaring west” Days when this part of the country was part of the “roaring west” are vividly recalled by Fred A. Baker, Magnolia pioneer. Mr. Baker came to the middle west from Canton, N.Y., at the age of seven. Living in Illinois two years, the family moved to Sioux City in 1868 in a covered…- By Jim and Betty Leuthold, MagnoliaOctober 29, 2025To the Editor: We are writing this letter in support of Wanda Jarchow’s letter to the editor in the Oct. 2 edition of the Star Herald. We agree with her concerns about what the motivation is for the numerous approved applications for marijuana dispensaries in Rock County. To reiterate her very valid concerns, as well as ours, what will the cost be for our community in regard to increased…
- By Mavis FodnessAugust 20, 2025Magnolia is the second Rock County city to establish an urban-rural service district following an Aug. 15 public hearing. Magnolia City Council members unanimously supported the measure after a public hearing that no one from the public attended. Urban-rural service districts consider properties in city limits that are not benefiting from city services. In Magnolia, seven properties totaling…
By Mavis Fodness, reporterMarch 19, 2025A March 13 fire at Magnolia Milling LLC at 107 N. Broadway Street in Magnolia was started by ‘natural combustible elements.’ According to Magnolia Fire Chief Scott Dohlmann, the Magnolia Fire Department responded to a fire in the steel-framed building located at the corner of Broadway and State streets at 10:09 p.m. Luverne and Adrian fire departments provided mutual aid. Dohlmann said heavy…
By Lori SorensonNovember 26, 2024New Vision Co-op in Magnolia wrapped up a big week of construction on Nov. 16 with cement pouring complete on its $18 million feed mill expansion. Buffalo Ridge Concrete posted social media updates on work that required round-the-clock cement pouring from Nov. 11 through Nov. 16. The 140-foot-tall load-out expansion silo is built next to the existing facility and will be connected by a 20-by-20…
November 06, 2024Eugene “Gene” LeRoy Cragoe was born on Aug. 28, 1935, to Charles and Garnet (Hetrick) Cragoe in Luverne, Minnesota. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Oct. 30, 2024, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A service was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne with burial following at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. Gene was…- By Mavis FodnessOctober 09, 2024Three candidates are seeking election to two open seats on the Magnolia City Council in the Nov. 5 general election. Robert Somnis filed for re-election to his seat on the council, and Mary Smook is not seeking re-election. Newcomers Justin DeGroot and Sam German Vasquez are also seeking election to the four-year seats on the council. The Star Herald asked each candidate three questions,…
- By Mavis FodnessMay 22, 2024State public utility commissioners granted approval for the proposed 1,500-acre Elk Creek Solar Farm to be constructed north of Magnolia. In a press release dated Friday, May 17, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued the certificate of need to National Grid Renewables (NGR) of Bloomington for the 160 megawatt (MW) solar farm to be built in portions of Magnolia and Vienna…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianApril 17, 2024The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald May 18, 1944. The story of Mrs. Mattie Lehmann of Magnolia continues after her family’s possessions were destroyed in a fire as they arrived in Moscow…
April 17, 2024Evelyn L. Bruhn, age 91, formerly of Magnolia, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Sunrise View Assisted Living in Adrian, Minnesota. Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m. with gathering of family and friends beginning at 9:30 a.m., all at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. Burial will follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth,…
By Betty Mann, Rock County HistorianApril 10, 2024The following article is part of the Diamond Club Member group that began in the January 7, 1943, issue of the Rock County Star Herald. Members of this group consist of persons of age 75 and older. The following appeared in The Rock County Herald May 18, 1944. Almost every American can recall the enjoyment and excitement which accompanied Fourth of July celebrations in their youth. To most…- April 03, 2024Evelyn L. Bruhn, age 91, formerly of Magnolia, Minnesota, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Sunrise View Assisted Living in Adrian, Minnesota. Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m. with gathering of family and friends beginning at 9:30 a.m., all at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne, Minnesota. Burial will follow at Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth,…
By Mavis FodnessMarch 20, 2024The Magnolia City Council shared a letter of support in a grant application Rock County submitted for the $25 million transload and rail yard facility proposed for the east edge of town. Now residents of Magnolia and Magnolia Township are criticizing city leaders for the letter, and they addressed Magnolia City Council and Rock County officials at the March 12 meeting in city hall. Rock County…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 28, 2024Opponents of Rock County’s first large-scale solar farm say the 1,500-acre business will change the rural ways of living. Three concerned citizens talked with county commissioners at their Feb. 20 meeting about how the large number of solar panels will harm the environment, ruin the rural landscape and take needed farmland out of production. Grant Binford and Jane Nelson of Magnolia Township…
By Mavis FodnessFebruary 21, 2024At their Tuesday meeting, Rock County commissioners gave their support for a proposed $25 million transload facility near Magnolia. The Buffalo Ridge Regional Rail Authority (BRRRA) will apply for a federal RAISE grant to pay for the project. RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) provides funding for capital investments in surface transportation that will…
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