On Wednesday, April 15, Tax Day, Senate Republicans held a press conference to spotlight how DFL tax increases and unchecked spending have driven up costs and made life less affordable for Minnesota families. “From rising property taxes to climbing license tab fees, Minnesotans continue to tell me they want our state to be more affordable,” Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne), Republican lead on the Senate Taxes Committee, said. “We are unfortunately seeing what happens when our state leaders treat taxpayers as an unlimited cash machine.” Under DFL control, the state budget has ballooned, devouring an billion surplus while imposing ...

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Recently, there have been a number of conversations about the Pipestone Alternative Learning Center at the school board table and within the community. The Alternative Learning Centers, also known as ALCs are part of Minnesota’s broader system of State-Approved Alternative Programs. These programs were created with the intent to serve students who struggled in the traditional school settings. Students eligible for ALC services often include those who are significantly behind in graduation credits, chronically truant, English Language Learners, pregnant or parenting, or students experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or other significant life disruptions. The first legislated alternative education programs in...

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TO THE EDITOR: THANK YOU Pipestone Star for doing a great job of writing the ALC article. If the school board votes to eliminate the ALC kids from their graduation ceremony it’s out of SPITE, not because of the facts presented by the SWWC President and the ALC President. Also note, the school board will be asking the taxpayers for more money this coming November. Let them know how you feel. I want my tax dollars paying for ALC students to walk at the PAS graduation ceremony, not just traditional setting students, which costs the school district ZERO dollars to...

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Pipestone County Commissioners during their April 14 meeting voted to fill the county coroner position by appointment rather than election as has historically been the case. The change will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Long-time Pipestone County Coroner Dr. Larry Christensen submitted a letter to Pipestone County Administrator Steve Ewing in February indicating that he didn’t plan to seek reelection this fall and recommending that the county make the position appointed. Christensen wrote that he’s served as Pipestone County Coroner for more than 40 years and sees it as an important public service. “If the county moves to an appointed...

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A Pipestone Area Schools graduate performed critical engine analyses on the rocket engine that took four astronauts around the moon in a record-breaking lunar fly-by earlier this month. Seth Lingen, PAS Class of 2021, is an intern with L3Harris Technologies near Los Angeles, Calif. As a NASA defense contractor, L3Harris developed the space launch system that propelled the four-member Artemis II crew into a 10-day flight around the moon. Crew members safely returned to Earth April 10, much to Lingen’s excitement and relief. “My enthusiasm during the mission, and even now after the conclusion, is still running high,” Lingen said....

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The Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) prom is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at the high school. Each year the PAS Junior Class Committee helps plan the prom. This year’s Committee includes Abbi Haack, Valencia Murphy, Iva Witte, JaNasia Larkins, Kaysa Douty, Brooke Einck, Matthew Swenson and Kailyn Burmeister. The students started planning for the prom in October. They’ve selected an enchanted garden theme this year. The decorations include waterfalls, ponds, plants, trees, greenery, mushrooms and rocks. The prominent colors will be navy, greens, lavender and white. Music will be provided by Greg Spaethe. The meal in the commons area will...

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Once again, the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton speech team proved to be head-and-shoulders above the rest. The Knights scored 64 points at the Section 3A meet on Saturday at Redwood Valley High School — their fourth consecutive title. Eleven RTR students advanced to the Class A state competition. What’s more, Edgerton Public’s Joey Fleischman will be a first-time state participant. Fleischman, competing in the original oratory category, reported her topic was on role models. “My parents and teachers have been role models,” said Fleischman, a sophomore. “I love talking, and getting to meet new people. I feel passionate about my topic. I’ve had...

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The estimated market values (EMV) of some properties in Pipestone increased and the EMVs of others decreased this year. City Assessor Erik Skogquist explained during the city of Pipestone’s annual Local Board of Adjustments and Appeals meeting on April 7 that assessors set property values and classifications each year. The values are based on what they think the fair market values are and the classification refers to the use of the property, such as residential or commercial. To develop the values, the assessors review every sale that happened from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 of the previous year and review...

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Pipestone Area Schools’ Kaysa Douty pitched, perhaps, the finest game of her career on Friday, April 10. Douty tossed a complete-game, three-hit shutout as the Arrows downed visiting Esko, 8-0, at the Paulsen Athletic Complex. She fanned 13 batters, and the PAS defense committed just one error. “It was nice to see her pitch that well,” PAS head coach Robert Petersen said. “Her change-up was the key.” Last year, Douty had a similar performance in a 2-0 loss at Jackson County Central. This time, she helped the Arrows come out on top. Douty threw 117 pitches over seven innings, with...

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Pictured are winners of the Three Eye Mixed bowling league first place roll off. Here they are. Front row (from left) Ryan Ridl, Dave Nissen and Greg Nelson. Back row, Curt Fey, Steve Kor and Michael Nelson. INFORMATION BOWLING SCORES From Bole-Mor Lanes Pipestone Thursday, April 9 Lynnette’s Ladies Standings Stay In Your Lane 32-20, American Legion 31.5-20.5, JBS 28.5-23.5, Rock Lobsters 26-26, B&B RV Service 24-28, Dolls With Balls 22-30, Gutter Gals 22-20, The Bowling Stones 22-30 Scores High game: Kayla Smith (Stay In Your Lane) 224, Kerry Johnson (sub.) 171, Julie Bauer (American Legion) 169 High series: Kayla...

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