News

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...

Trinity Lutheran School prinicpal Wade Stockman has served the school for 15 years. Pioneer photo by Jonah Stafford

Trinity prepares for 2023-2024

Principal Wade Stockman is looking forward to ringing in his sixteenth year at the Trinity Lutheran School when classes start August 30. The school, which offers classes for students in preschool through eighth grade, is associated with Janesville’s Trinity Lutheran Church. Because of that link,...

NOW AND THEN - Francoise Lecourt poses with her host mom from 30 years ago, Terri Ingram.

Exchange student returns

Thirty years ago, French exchange student Francoise Lecourt came to Waseca. Now she is back to revisit her second home and share fond memories with her Waseca family and her own family. On Monday, Lecourt, her husband, and her two daughters were joined by Francoise’s host mom, Terri Ingram, and...

Waseca County Dairy Princesses Katy Eldeen, McKenna Eichhorn, and Allie Eldeen represented the local dairy industry at Meat-A-Palooza.

Meats and brews at Farmamerica

Over 200 attendees enjoyed an evening sampling Minnesota meats and brews at Farmamerica’s annual Meat-A-Palooza event Saturday. Besides visiting vendors and industry representatives, guests were able to bid in both silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the event’s ticket sales and auctions were...