News

BULLSEYE - Payton Smith, 10, raises her state tournament plaque above her head after taking first place in the cub female bowhunter freestyle class at the Minnesota State Archery Association indoor competition on April 11 and 12. Sixteen members of the Waseca Archery Club junior team took part, earning numerous first, second and third place wins.

Young local archers score well at state competition

Members of the Waseca Archery Club junior team scored exceptionally well at the Minnesota State Archery Association (MSAA) indoor tournament the weekend of April 11 and 12 in Hutchinson with 10 members taking first, second or third place in their divisions. According to the MSAA, the tournament...

FLAMINGO DREAMS - Anne Travis, owner of The Dreaming Flamingo, was just one of the numerous vendors who attended the BTO Event Center's 'Sip and Shop' happening in Janesville on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Janesville Sip-n-Shop Springtime Market has chilly start

The Janesville Springtime Market Sip-n-Shop took place during a sunny but chilly Saturday, April 18. Shoppers could see the work of crafters, vendors and bakers in one place, and sample some wine while they were at it. The event took place at the BTO Event Center at 130 North Main Street in...

Secret Service member speaks at Rotary Club, school

“It is–and it isn’t–what you see in the movies,” comments 2009 Waseca High School graduate Caleb Davies, whose post-secondary education in criminal justice led to his current career with the Secret Service. Davies provided presentations both at some Waseca High School classes and for the...

PANCAKES HERE - On behalf of the Waldorf Peppy Peppers, Jace, Nash, Kaisley,

Kenny, Marvin, Kendrick, and Kaeson were struggling against the wind to display a sign to attract passing motorists. They were advertising the group's pancake breakfast at the Waldorf Community Center on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Pioneer photos by Ben Revermann

Peppers offer 4-H pancake breakfast

More than 220 guests attended the Waldorf Peppy Peppers 4-H Club pancake breakfast at the community center on Sunday, April 12, with free will donations accepted. Proceeds go directly to the club and help kids go to camp and other club outings. Out in front of the community center were children...

CLASSIC TEXTILE - Waseca County Historical Society staff members pose with one of the four featured items from the current display, "This Old Thing." Pictured here with a 190-year-old wedding dress are (from left) Elizabeth Anselmo, Anna Simmons, Amy Danielson and Pauline Fenelon. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Historical Society display leads in diverse directions

“Think about it.” Perhaps the overwhelming message of the current display, “This Old Thing,” at the Waseca County Historical Society (WCHS) is that, rather than being entirely in the past, “history” has profound effects on our everyday actions and choices. Along with being a chronicle of...

Board hears new projects

During their regular business meeting on April 16, members of the Waseca school board heard from Junior-Senior High Principal Justin Johnston. Johnston spoke of the outstanding things students have achieved this year, highlighting senior Layla Keith who earned a full ride scholarship to St....

FOR THE COMMUNITY - The Grace Lutheran Women of the ELCA held a salad luncheon to a full house on Friday, April 17, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Grace Lutheran salad luncheon has community in mind

The Grace Lutheran Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) held a salad luncheon at their church along East Elm Avenue in Waseca on Friday, April 17. The dining room was nearly full to bursting with 75 guests within the first half hour. Linda Born, who was taking tickets...

SPRING CLEANING - The New Richland Garden Club's Barb Finseth, Kris Pfeffer, Stacy Bethke and Garden Club President Eleanor Schlaak were getting the garden across from the high school ready for spring on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Said Schlaak, "All our annuals are doing good so far this year." For those interested, the Garden Club will have its plant sale from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Garden club anticipates spring

During their April meeting, members of the New Richland Town and Country Garden Club planned for the upcoming planting season, including scheduling a work session on Thursday, April 9 to remove any remaining plant debris from the flower garden along Highway 30. Each year, club members work...

Jim Majeski

Majeski appointed to Waldorf Council

The Waldorf city council meeting took place during a tornado warning on a rainy and windy Monday, April 13. The next council workshop will be at 7 p.m. May 18. The Waldorf Days committee will meet at 5 p.m. May 11; Mayor Rob Wilkening invited everyone interested to attend. With the recent...

SHARING COFFEE AND CONCERNS - Among those who attended the most recent session of "Coffee with Representative Tom Sexton were, from left: Ron Wood, Tami Reuter (MRCI), Brad Milbrath, Sexton, Bernie Gaytko of Keen Bank, and Chamber President Mikhail Rostislavovich.

Coffee with Sexton discusses nuclear waste

Nuclear energy was the starting point for an April 17 session of Coffee with Representative Tom Sexton at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce offices, attended by Chamber President Mikhail Rostislavovich, Waseca County Commissioner Brad Milbrath, Ron Wood, Bernie Gaytko and Tammi Reuter of Minnesota...