News

UNBE-LEAF-ABLY GOOD - Helping celebrate Earth Day at the Waseca Courthouse Annex the evening of April 22 were (from left) Kelly Tomford, administrative clerk for the Minnesota Extension Service; Amy Nelson, 4-H Youth Development leader; and Leah Roeker and her baby girl. Sponsoring events that evening were Waseca County 4-H, Neighborhood Forest, Waseca Soil and Water, and the Waseca High School Student Council. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

County agencies invite kids to Earth Day activities

The Earth Day Celebration at the Waseca County East Annex on Wednesday, April 22, featured children’s activities, free snacks and refreshments, and free saplings. The tree chosen for this year’s giveaway was aspen. The saplings came in small brown paper bags; the soil was black and had...

County explores community health, jail questions

During their meeting on April 21, members of the Waseca County Board asked county sheriff Jay Dulas to prepare a summary regarding changes that will be needed as the county transitions from its current status as a jail approved to take in, hold, and keep inmates for a year and longer, to a short-...

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT - Jeff Parkinen, Jackie Peters, Jim Cozan, Executive Director of Caregiver Services, Kelly Boeddeker, Sharon Jones, Joan Dehn, and Gail Meyers were volunteering at the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the VFW on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

So many pancakes, so little time

The Waseca Care Giver Services hosted an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Sweet-Sommers VFW post 1642 on Sunday, April 26. There was also an accompanying bake sale where donations were accepted. Darnell Anderson was manning the door, the Commander for the VFW, he said, “As far as...

Mental Health conference open to county

An all-day Community Mental Health and Wellness Conference set for Thursday, May 7 at the International Event Center in Rochester is open to all Waseca County residents who wish to attend. There is no cost to take part, but registration is required at 507-328-7770; registered attendees will also...

BEHAVIOR HELP - Bryan Post, a consultant who assists when adoptive or foster care parents are considering ending their role as parents due to a child’s behavior, hosted a seminar for area social workers, foster parents, and other interested individuals. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Bryan Post analyzes stress in parent and child relationships

Bryan Post is a nationally recognized consultant who is called in when adoptive or foster care parents are considering ending their roles as parents because they are having trouble managing a child’s behavior. Post provided a two-day seminar on April 23 and 24 for area social workers, foster...

BRIGHT BUILDERS - Lochran, 8, Roaran, 10, and Warren, 7, were part of the Lego club construction hour at the Janesville Public Library on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Young learners build Lego libraries

In celebration of National Library Week, the Janesville Public Library held a Lego Club event on Monday, April 21. With six children coming and going, all under the age of 10, the table was a flurry of block-building activity. Head Librarian Kelly Koplen was checking out books and...

Waseca FFA members who attended the state convention on April 21 and 22 at the University of Minnesota included (from left) Ryan H., Maci A., Brooklyn F., Claire B., Oriana J., Olivia E., Hannah S., Liah A., Sophia L., and Charley K.

Waseca FFA sends two teams to state

The Waseca FFA Livestock and Dairy Evaluation Teams earned silver rankings during competition at the FFA organization’s statewide convention held April 20 and 21 at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The two-person team of Macy A. and Brooklyn F. was named the Best Informed Greenhand...

Tyler and Stephanie Huber were named Waseca's Farm Family of the year for 2026 during the annual Farm and City Luncheon.

Tyler and Stephanie Huber named Waseca's Farm Family of the year

Tyler Huber says he and his wife Stephanie feel honored by their recognition as the Waseca County Farm Family of the Year, particularly because they know they were selected from among “a community of strong farm families” who he believes are nearly all working hard and focusing effort on...

Sean Holmes, who farms in Freedom and Wilton Townships, is Waseca County's "Outstanding Young Farmer" for 2026. He is pictured here with his wife Tammi and their children Terrence (TJ) and Brianna.

Waseca's Outstanding Young Farmers

Sean and Tammi Holmes are the fourth generation of the Holmes family to own and work property in Freedom and Wilton Townships. They are glad to be teaching their children, T.J. and Brianna, to enjoy the “freedom at a price” which comes with living in the country. “We have a large yard,...

MASTERING THE MARSH - Numerous fire vehicles became stuck in the mud throughout the firefighting efforts, so the MN DNR’s MarshMaster arrived to reach the areas other equipment could not.

Fire chars 200 acres of area wildlife preserve

Twelve firefighting departments and about 100 firefighters assisted in controlling a blaze that charred about 200 acres of open grassland and marsh located east of Rice Lake in the Findlay Wildlife Management Area the evening of Thursday, April 16. The fire was first reported to the Waseca Fire...