News

Airport runway update largely complete

The recent Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) and Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) installation project at the Waseca Municipal Airport is nearing completion. Airport manager Brent Langer said, “They did everything but finish the earthworks, seeding and some landscaping. They also have...

GENERATIONAL TRADITION - In attendance at the outdoor mission festival on Aug. 2 were about 50 people from as many as four generations. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Freedom Mission Festival tradition continues

About 50 people gathered in a grove north of Waldorf on Sunday, Aug. 2, for an outdoor “mission festival” which has been a tradition at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Freedom Township for generations. Patterned after gatherings which began in a time before many area congregations had permanent...

Migrant workers fill gap for local farmer

Matt Holland, owner of Holland Agriculture in Ellendale, says he is pleased with his choice to hire 23 workers from South Africa through the H2A Agency of the US Department of Labor. "It's been great so far. These guys work so hard, they’ve been amazing.” He said the workers started...

GRADING AND LEVELING-A lot of earth is being moved at the site of 17 lots in the City of Waseca’s Clearwater Preserve subdivision. Some locations will be as much as five feet higher than they were before excavating began. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Clearwater Preserve moving rapidly forward

A lot of earth has been moving lately at the phase 1 area of the Clearwater Preserve subdivision near Gaiter Lake at Waseca’s southeastern edge. The city council approved a $1.5 million contract last September with W. Lorentz & Sons Construction out of Mankato. Work began in April, with...

The Bee Bash 4.0 took place at the Hofmann Apiaries on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Daughter Laura, with Jan and Larry Hofmann in front of the famous Honey House.

Bee Bash draws honey enthusiasts

The 2026 Bee Bash 4.0 took place at the Hofmann Apiaries located just east of Janesville on Saturday, Aug. 1. The event was complete with music, food vendors, honey vendors, bees, tours and much more. A group of teenagers who resembled guards at the two front drives to the Hofmann place...

The Sisters Brothers, a movie well worth your time

The Sisters Brothers is a 2018 R-rated western film starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilley. Directed by Jacques Audiard, based on the novel written by Patrick deWitt, this shoot-em-up is plenty violent, but ironically closes with one of the most tender, kindest endings one could hope for....

REAL ART - The Waseca Art Center (WAC) held its gallery opening on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. Pictured from left: WAC Treasurer Katie Youngberg, Vice President Penny Vought, professional quilter Kathy Weed, WAC President Mikhail Rostislavovich, and woodturning artist Jay Schmit. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Waseca Art Gallery welcomes Kathy Weed, Jay Schmit

A gallery opening and artist reception at the Waseca Art Center, (WAC) on Saturday, Aug. 1, welcomed quilter Kathy Weed and wood turning master Jay Schmit. Belle Plaine woodworker Jay Schmit has only been working professionally with wood for the past seven years. “I was getting close to...

CLOSING CEREMONY - About 80 riders arrived in Waseca the evening of July 25 after a three-day ride which took them across a wide swath of southern Minnesota. The Ride for Fund 85 raises money toward an American Legion program which provides money to help veterans experiencing a financial emergency. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Bikers help fund support for veterans

When 40 or more motorcycles pulled into Waseca Saturday evening, they were finishing a three-day ride that had taken them from New Ulm to points as far west as Pipestone and as far east as Adams, stopping at American Legion halls in many communities along the way. According to event...

DOWN HOME TUNES - The Gold Star Band performed for Farmamerica's "Band for the Barn" event the evening of July 25. Band members are, from left, Lynda Kiesler, Gary Pfeifer, Mark Betters, Jim Kozan, Brenda Kopischke, and Howard Mock. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Band for the Barn draws more than 150

By the end of the evening, about 150 people had come to enjoy “Band for the Barn,” a Farmamerica event calling attention to about $90,000 of work needed to put new siding on the classic red barn located at the interpretive center’s site representing the 1930s. The five-member Gold Star Band...

“I WANT SOME MORE OF IT” - Mary Zielund led a group of about 80 participants as they learned line dancing during a class at The Mill the evening of July 24. A class was also held there about 6 weeks ago; some participants were back for a second time. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Line dancing brings energy, fun, social time

Country music artist Tim McGraw seemed to be speaking for the entire crowd of 80 or more as a recording of “I like it, I love it, I want some more of it” rang out at the Mill entertainment center the evening of July 24. More than 75 people ranging in age between 9 and 85 years old had registered...