Pipestone County Star

The number of students meeting state standards at school districts in Pipestone County was lower than state averages in nearly all cases, according to the results of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) that were recently released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). The lone exception was that a greater percentage of students at Russell Tyler Ruthton (RTR) met the state standards in science than was the case statewide. Results from the assessments, which were administered to students in the spring, also showed that a greater percentage of students at Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) were proficient in science in 2026...

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The Calumet Players are bringing “Church Basement Ladies” to the stage of the Pipestone Performing Arts Center (PPAC) beginning on Friday, Oct. 16. The musical comedy was inspired by the books of Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson, the authors of “Growing Up Lutheran,” and written by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuelhlke. The music and lyrics are by Drew Jansen. Troupe America, Inc., a Minneapolis-based production company, premiered “Church Basement Ladies” in 2005 at the Plymouth Playhouse. In 2013, there was sold out showing of “A Second Helping: The Church Basement Ladies sequel” at the PPAC. The PPAC has also...

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This week, the Pipestone County Star begins an informational series to introduce readers to candidates running for positions in local government and that will appear on local ballots. We begin the series with information about contested races for Jasper City Council. In next week’s edition (Oct. 1), we will have information for candidates for Pipestone County Commissioner and Pipestone County Sheriff. Our questionnaires were sent only to candidates vying for contested seats. Voters will elect two candidates to fill the seats Paula J. Gerlach-Sanow - Jasper City Council Pipestone County Star: Please tell us about yourself; background, experience, family, qualifications,...

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Betty Huisken, of Edgerton, celebrated her 84th birthday Thursday, Sept. 17, by challenging the community to donate 84 units of blood. Huisken has been involved with Red Cross Blood drives in Edgerton for about 50 years, organizing the drives, recruiting volunteers and encouraging donors. She doesn’t donate blood herself because she doesn’t like needles, but said her husband, Fred, had been a faithful donor. She said giving blood is important because someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. “The blood helps people all over, not just in our area,” she said. Huisken said the drive being held...

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This week, the Pipestone County Star begins an informational series to introduce readers to candidates running for positions in local government and that will appear on local ballots. We begin the series with information about contested races for mayor of Jasper. In next week’s edition (Oct. 1), we will have information for candidates for Pipestone County Commissioner and Pipestone County Sheriff. Our questionnaires were sent only to candidates vying for contested seats. Voters will elect one candidate to fill the seat Brian Sievert - Jasper Mayor Pipestone County Star: Please tell us about yourself; background, experience, family, qualifications, etc. Brian...

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Jasper City Clerk/Treasurer Renae Jennings and her husband, Kevin Jennings, who is the city’s assistant public works employee, are resigning from their positions. Renae said during the Jasper City Council’s Sept. 15 meeting that her last day would be Sept. 30. Kevin’s resignation letter, which was shared with the Pipestone County Star on Sept. 17, indicates that his last day will be Sept. 26. “Unfortunately, I have reached a point where I no longer feel that the work I have been doing is adequately supported by the City Council,” Kevin wrote. “I have always believed that the people who work...

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INFORMATION CALENDAR Thursday, Sept. 17 Boys Soccer  4:30 p.m., Southwest Minnesota Christian at Butterfield-Odin (Butterfield)  Cross Country  4:30 p.m., Pipestone Area and Southwest Minnesota Christian/Edgerton at Turkey Trot (Worthington) Girls Tennis  4:30 p.m., Redwood Valley at Pipestone Area (Paulsen PAS Courts)  Volleyball  12:30 p.m., Edgerton Public at Hills-Beaver Creek (Matinee/Hills)  7:15 p.m., Pipestone Area at Westbrook-Walnut Grove (Westbrook) 7:15 p.m., Adrian-Ellsworth at Russell-Tyler-Ruthton (Knights Gymnasium) 7:15 p.m., Southwest Minnesota Christian at Red Rock Central (Lamberton)  7:15 p.m., Elkton-Lake Benton at De Smet  Football  7 p.m., Russell-Tyler-Ruthton at Lakeview (Cottonwood)  Friday, Sept. 18 Football  7 p.m., Minnesota Valley Lutheran at Pipestone...

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There were plenty of incentives for the Pipestone Area Schools’ girls tennis team to play its best last Thursday, Sept. 10. First off, it was the “Battle Rackets” match versus Big South Conference rival Luverne.  What’s more, seniors Iva Witte and Jasmine Boeke were honored during “Senior Day” activities. Both Witte and Boeke were showered with gifts.  “Jasmine and Iva have been a steady presence for us on the court,” PAS head girls tennis coach James Skyberg said. “They go about their business, and do whatever is asked of them.” Witte, who was named Homecoming queen on Sunday during coronation,...

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INFORMATION HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD  Tuesday, Sept. 8 Girls Tennis  River Valley 4, Pipestone Area 3  Volleyball  Luverne d. Pipestone Area, 18-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-22, 18-16 Southwest Minnesota Christian d. Edgerton Public, 25-13, 19-25, 25-17, 25-17  Russell-Tyler-Ruthton d. Tracy-Milroy-Balaton, 25-12, 25-20, 25-17  Competition Cheer At Parkston Invitational  Elkton-Lake Benton places first out of six teams.  Thursday, Sept. 10 Girls Tennis  Pipestone Area 5, Luverne 2  Volleyball  Southwest Minnesota Christian d. Pipestone Area, 25-13, 25-20, 19-25, 20-25, 15-10 Lakeview d. Edgerton Public, 25-16, 25-15, 25-13  Minneota d. Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, 25-13, 25-17, 25-9  Colman Egan d. Elkton-Lake Benton, 25-12, 25-18, 20-25, 25-13 Friday, Sept....

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DEERWOOD — There are only so many large accommodating basketball arenas to go around in the Twin Cities.  And that’s why the Minnesota State High School League has decided to push back both the boys and girls state tournaments this year.  The state’s governing body on high school sports made the decision during board of directors meetings on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Ruttger’s Lake Bay Resort. The MSHSL state girls tournament is set for Wednesday-Saturday, March 24-27, 2027. The boys tournament will follow from March 31-April 3 (also with the same Wednesday-Saturday format). Williams Arena, where the University of Minnesota...

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