News

Caterpillar contributions allow hands-on learning

During their May 7 workshop, members of the Waseca school board heard from high school agriculture teacher Robin Tidd and community member Brenda Harguth speaking of an opportunity that arose for students. During a career fair last autumn, the previous ag teacher convinced Caterpillar to donate...

County Board looks at zoning, tourism matters

During their May 5 meeting, county board members voted down a proposed change to the county’s Universal Development Code (UDC) whose terms had been prompted by the legalization of marijuana and a new state law allowing “cannabis events” up to four days in duration. As discussion on the...

JOYFULLY UNPREDICTABLE - Members of the Waseca Chorale will be presenting their spring concert, "Surprise!" at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16 in the Waseca Junior Senior High School performing arts center. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Waseca Chorale brings pleasant surprise

What’s a good name for a concert made up of songs which are joyful, energetic–and highly unpredictable? “Surprise!” Members of the Waseca Chorale will present their spring concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Waseca High School performing arts center. They say that, even though...

The Waseca Historical Museum has a rare 48-star American Garrison Flag, which was discontinued in 1959.

WCHS seeks information about long-hidden flag

As America nears its 250th birthday, staff at the Waseca County Historical Society (WCHS) would like to reveal a very special, and very valuable find, a 48-Star U.S. Garrison Flag that came under their care after a surprise discovery last year. Executive Director Amy Danielson relates, "...

WELL-STOCKED SALE - Garage sale proprietors Ivagene Kobylinski (left) and Sandy Anderson were among 20 or more households that set items out for sale during Janesville’s city-wide garage sales the first weekend in May. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Janesville city-wide sales draw many buyers

Janesville’s city-wide garage sale event featured 20 or more sales and likely drew hundreds of visitors to town from Thursday to Saturday, April 30 to May 2. One well-stocked sale was put together by Sandy Anderson and Ivagene Kobylinski, who had begun sorting and organizing their wares...

School board puts house up for sale

During their meeting the evening of April 20, members of the NRHEG school board authorized superintendent Michael Meihak to seek out a realtor to assist with the sale of a house located east of the secondary school parking lot at 302 South Broadway Avenue. The district has owned the property...

ASK AND ANSWER - Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas held a conversation with community members the afternoon of May 1. About a dozen people attended and asked questions. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Sheriff shares thoughts at a public conversation

Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas made himself available for a conversation with community members at the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism the afternoon of Friday, May 1. About a dozen people attended and posed questions on a number of topics. One of the first was the April 24...

KITCHEN FUN - From left: Cara Dickerson, Karen Below, Mason Smith, Alex Dickerson, Janet Will, Grace Dickerson, Donna Hanson, Jackie Jenson, Judy Lett, Cindy Johnson, Diana Welander, Lindy Miller, Darlene Prestegard, Phillys Murcado, Sheila Kaiser, and Joanne Bauman volunteered at the Waseca First Congregational Church's salad luncheon on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Church salad luncheon fills the basement

People just kept on coming to the salad luncheon offered at Waseca’s First Congregational Church on Friday, May 1. About 120 customers came for the selection of 30 different salads; 20 volunteers helped serve them. Inside the front door were three raffle baskets, one had food and recipes...

HELPING FAMILIES - Members of the Waseca County DFL party pooled together their donations to help the Waseca Library purchase backpack take-home kits for families with adults experiencing dementia. Pictured here are (from left) DFL Board of Directors member Ary Blom, Jen McCabe, Steve Welander, Diana Welander, Karen Tlougan, Waseca County DFL Chair Deb Hogenson, Les Tlougan and Hans Junkers. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

DFL donates toward library dementia resources

Members of the Waseca County DFL party recently pooled together their donations to help the Waseca Library purchase backpack take-home kits for families and caregivers interacting with adults experiencing dementia. County DFL chair Deb Hogenson explained that, after considering a number of...

TAKING A HAND - Michael and Librarian Brianna Bleeker were taking part (playing Rock, Paper, Scissors) in the Hazardous Histories event at the Waseca Public Library on Friday, May 1, 2026. Pioneer photos by Ben Revermann

Blood, hazards and American History for children

Since there was no school, there was an adventurous event for children at the Waseca Public Library on Friday, May 1. Hazardous Histories with Nathan Hale is a series of activities exploring the wild and weird sides of American history. Through storytelling, games, crafts and challenges,...