News

WHEELING GOOD - The train stopped for lunch at Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilton on June 26. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Friendship Wagon Train benefits Special Olympics

Teamsters and riders from as far away as Indiana finished a nine-day journey–taken at a leisurely pace and often on quiet back roads–from Cannon Falls to New Richland with a breakfast the morning of Saturday, June 27. About 50 people were present in the New Richland community center as...

BAKING DREAMS - Barefoot Lane in Waseca is open for business at 111 2nd St. NW. Owner Christa Wadekamper on a sunny Thursday morning, June 18, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Barefoot Lane

Barefoot Lane LLC is open for business at 111 Second Street NW in Waseca. The grand opening took place May 30 and other than a little road construction on Second Street Northwest, everything has been running smoothly so far. “The construction is supposed to be completed soon, so we’ll see...

Council presents Waseca officers with special acknowledgments

The Waseca city council meeting took place on Tuesday, June 16. During the June 16 meeting of the Waseca city council, police chief Kris Markeson presented recognitions and commendations. First came a “Meritorious Service” award for four officers who Markeson said “demonstrated great...

Statewide ballot item to benefit schools

“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is a fund that supports school districts without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027?” Minnesota voters will find this...

Waseca County Justice Center

During two open house sessions taking place at the courthouse annex at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, area residents will have a chance to learn more about the $28 million Waseca County Justice Center due to be under construction this fall. The new building shown in this architectural...

Sheriff summarizes plans for new jail configuration

During the June 16 meeting of the Waseca County Board, commissioners heard from the business managers of the three school districts based within the county about a statewide voter decision scheduled to appear on ballots during the Nov. 3 election. The managers wanted commissioners to be...

RECEPTION - The Waseca Art Center held a new gallery opening on Saturday, June 20, 2026, featuring painter Gena Cohen and sculptor Brian Quail. Pictured from left: Waseca Art Gallery President Mikhail Rostislavovich, Vice President Penny Vought, artist Gena Cohen, and Molly Hendrickson. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Cohen, Quail displays now open at Waseca Art Center

During a June 20 reception, the Waseca Arts Council introduced paintings by Gena Cohen and works by sculpture Brian Quail. These new works will be on display until Wednesday, July 24. In the Harguth Gallery, Minneapolis-based artist Gena Cohen, dressed in jeans and a button-up shirt, was...

Detectives to hold annual meeting number 162

In 1864, a team of horses was everything to a typical farmer: tractor, truck, and personal transportation. If the horses were stolen, it could mean the year’s crops would go unharvested, the family would be hungry, and the farm might be lost. Knowing that, it’s no surprise Waseca County...

NRHEG looks at funding from many angles

During their June 15 meeting, members of the NRHEG School Board heard from district business manager Karla Christopherson regarding an anticipated $600,000 loss to the $4 million “general fund,” a pool of money set aside at the recommendation of various advisement groups as a buffer to meet...

School board looks at summer activities

At the June 18 meeting of the Waseca school board, Superintendent Erik Hudspith shared a summary of the activities going on within the school buildings during summer months. These included budget planning for the district’s next fiscal year and the strategic plan review. Hudspith reminded the...