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STAFF- Most of the Pioneer staff is pictured above. From left, Jonah Stafford, Amelia Roessler, Deb Bently, Jim Lutgens, Eli Lutgens, Logan Piltingsrud, whose photos have been featured in the Star Eagle, held by Melanie Piltingsrud, Michael Roy, Chris Schlaak, and Reed Waller. Pioneer photo by Pam Goehrig

A paper to be proud of

“We plan to find at least one story for every edition that makes the whole year’s subscription worthwhile. We know we won’t have everything for everybody in every edition, but we will definitely have something for everyone.” –Eli Lutgens, publisher This issue of the Waseca County Pioneer is the...

Waseca Mayor Charged with 2 felony counts

On May 31, 2023, Waseca Mayor Randy Zimmerman was charged in Waseca County Court with two felony counts of perjury. The court complaint alleged that Zimmerman committed perjury by signing his name to a voter registration form which included false information, implying that he was maintaining a...

Barney’s Drive-in has been a piece of local culture since 1942.

Waseca fixture in new hands

Five seconds of courage, a facebook message, and a lot of crazy were all part of the process for the new owners of one of Waseca’s oldest restaurants, Barney’s Drive-in. For 81 years, Barney’s has stood the test of time. Over the past couple years, previous owner Troy Bent has been trying to...

Jeff Yalden, a teen motivational speaker and former teacher of 32 years, spoke to Waseca High School students, staff, and later the general public, about mental health Thursday, May 11.

National expert shares mental health insights

Mental health is a very tough subject to tackle, especially when it concerns children and teens. But many organizations in Waseca and beyond banded together to have the conversation at Waseca High School on Thursday, May 11. Jeff Yalden, a former teacher of 32 years and a teen motivator, was...

From left to right: Larry Rosenthal, John Schlack Polly Klampe, Riki Weitzenkamp, Jenna Krassin, and Erin Villwock.

Lakeshore receives national award

Waseca’s Lakeshore Assisted Living has been named one of the best assisted living facilities in the United States with an award bestowed upon them by U.S. News & World Report. The winners of this award were selected by an independent organization based on anonymous surveys of residents and...

Julie Tesch, a Waldorf native, spoke about how her faith and love for agriculture led her on a journey to Washington D.C. and then back to Waldorf.

Tesch talks faith journey at luncheon

The ladies at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf provided a fantastic assortment of salads and desserts at one of its luncheons Tuesday, May 9 at noon. Along with the luncheon was Waldorf native Julie Tesch. Tesch was invited to speak about her time in Washington D.C. and other parts of the...

The Waseca Music Department presented their annual Pops Concert Friday, May 12, at the Performing Arts Center.

Pioneer photo by Michael Roy

Final performance of the year

Every year, the Waseca Music Department ends its concert band productions with the Pops Concert under the direction of Devon Lawrence. On Friday, May 12, the Concert and Symphonic Bands had their last concert of the year. “It’s been great working with these kids all year,” Lawrence said. “I’m...

ROYALTY - Allie Eldeen, Katy Eldeen, and McKenna Eichorn were simultaneously crowned as Waseca County’s Dairy Princesses during a ceremony at The Mill on Sunday afternoon. Pioneer photos by Deb Bently

Dairy Royalty

To be a dairy princess is to be an ambassador. “We especially want them to interact with children,” observes Cindy Clayton, board member for the Waseca County Dairy Association. “There are so many misconceptions out there.” Many young children, when asked where chocolate milk comes from, will...

Council votes to investigate sales tax

The University of Minnesota Extension office approached the City of Waseca the morning of the Tuesday, May 2 city council meeting with the idea of adding a city sales tax to purchases within city limits. The possibility led to an energetic discussion, eventually leading to instructions from the...

Joel Groskreutz dances with Lilly Galvin during the father-daughter dance Friday, May 5. Joel’s wife Renae is clapping and cheering in the background.

Fathers, daughters share evening out

Even as storms swept through the area, JR’s Barn in rural Waldorf held a father-daughter date night on Friday, May 5. An event that has been going on since the beginnings of the venue, the annual father-daughter date night gives local fathers the chance to dress up nice with their daughters,...