News

A 150-foot-tall crane swings a wrecking ball against one of the structures at Crystal Valley Coop between Janesville and Waseca. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Elevator demolished: Crystal Valley structures stood for five decades

By DEB BENTLY News Editor When it was built by Harvest States GTA in 1973, the Crystal Valley feed and grain facility between Janesville and Waseca was state of the art. The grain elevator was about 250 feet tall with concrete 7.5 inches thick. It was poured using slip forms, which meant...

Wickersheim joins Waseca Dental Care

By TRISTAN GEHRING Staff Writer “I call Waseca my hometown,” says Brett Wickersheim, the newest dentist at Waseca Dental Care. “My parents lived in St. Louis Park when I was born and we moved a couple of times when I was very young, but we landed in Waseca when I was four. This is where I...

Area farmers Gregg and Annette Rosenthal live and farm on property acquired by Gregg’s grandfather, Walter, more than 100 years ago. Photo by Deb Bently

Following in Grandpa’s shoes

“Research shows that there are more microbes in a teaspoon of soil than there are people on the planet,” says Gregg Rosenthal, a Waseca County farmer with a degree in agronomy. “That’s how we can measure whether a patch of soil is ‘healthy’ or not.” Area farmers Gregg and Annette Rosenthal live...

The current Waseca Soil and Water board of supervisors. Back row from left: Keith Morgan, Wayne Cords, Larry Muff. Front: Matt Sommers and Gregg Rosenthal.

A significant milestone

By DEB BENTLY News Editor “Three quarters of a century is a significant milestone,” observes Mark Schaetzke, manager of the Waseca Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for the past 5 years. “It’s good to celebrate what we’ve accomplished over that time.” The state of Minnesota...

A NEW BEGINNING - New teachers from all Waseca learning sites were welcomed during a lunch held Friday, August 24, at Lakeside. Pictured here are (seated at front, from left) Marley Rowher, joining the Alternative Learning Center (ALC); Carol Goebel, joining Waseca Junior/Senior High School (JHHS); Jessie Hager, Hartley; Sammi Ladd, Hartley; and Tessa Dekruif, Hartley. Middle row, from left: John Pereda, JHHS; Ashley Depauw, Waseca Intermediate School (WIS); Ashten Matton, JHHS; Hannah Eckblad, JHHS; Miranda Merrill, JHHS; Megan Kreinbring, JHHS. Back row, from left: Dan Marlow, Hartley; Anthony Jackson, ALC; Andy Marincic, JHHS; Carly Wiste, Team Academy; and Ashlyn Rosenberg, Hartley. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Waseca welcomes new teachers

A total of 16 new teaching staff members from four Waseca learning sites were welcomed at a luncheon co-sponsored by the Waseca Rotary, Lions, and Exchange clubs on Friday, August 24, at the Lakeview Golf Course. Lions Club president Diane Beckman told teachers, “I hope this luncheon helps...

Former Janesville mayor murdered

Mark Novak, who served as mayor of Janesville from 2011-2013, died after being attacked in his home in Bloomington last week. Novak, 74, experienced multiple sharp and blunt force injuries, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office. Pamela Novak, his wife, 72, was seriously...

Milbrath, Johnson, Fitch run for county seat

Three candidates have filed for the open Waseca County Commissioner seat in District 3, vacant since the death of longtime commissioner Blair Nelson in May. Brad Milbrath, Larry Johnson and Ann Fitch have all filed the necessary paperwork to run in the special primary election set for November 7...

All veterans present at the cemetery during the Caleb Erickson Memorial Day gave a salute in Erickson's honor.

Ninth annual Erickson ride

By TRISTAN GEHRING Staff Writer The ninth annual Caleb Erickson Memorial Day took place in Waseca Friday and Saturday, August 25 and 26, with great success in raising funds for veteran support. “He's worth remembering,” said “Mac,” a Marine who served alongside Caleb Erickson. “The people who...

Danielle Androli is one of three owners who operate C&A Designs located along State Street in Waseca. Their location is near El Molino and the Waseca Chamber of Commerce Pioneer photo by Amelia Roessler

DIY at C&A Designs

C & A Designs has opened a storefront with handmade consignment, do-it-yourself (DIY) classes, and private parties. The storefront is located at 208 N State Street in Waseca, the former location of Hammer and Stain. The company has also posted information online at candadesignsmn.com about...

Roslyn Schmidt of St. Peter, left, behind the wheel of the “Pantheon 1” was the day’s champion. Photo by Jonah Stafford

Annual day of races and smiles

The Waseca Masons held their annual Soap Box Race last Saturday afternoon. During the event, the street next to Tuscan Lodge #77 in the 800 block of Third Avenue Northeast was closed to make room for needed equipment including a two-lane slope, the soap box cars themselves, hay bales, and a...