News

Finding value

Although he “didn’t grow up thinking I wanted to be a county assessor,” there are many ways it seems newly instated Waseca County Assessor Brock Nelson, who took office July 11, seems born and bred for the position. Point one: He comes from a Waseca family closely associated with real estate....

JUST BUSINESS - After Mayor Rob Wilkening found boxes of Waldorf Days shirts during the tour of Gidgets, he decided to buy one. Owner Bridget Gehring processed his transaction mid-speech. Pioneer photo by Michael Roy

BEST for last

As Waseca County’s fastest growing community, Janesville provided a dynamic last stop for the Business and Entrepreneurial Support Team (BEST) on Wednesday, August 10. At the start of the tour in city hall, BEST member Bob Hoffman asked Community Development Director Marley Rohwer about the town’...

Horses in the back

HORSES IN THE ROUND - Jack Kuhns, 13, found himself surrounded by horses seeking his attention Sunday afternoon when he stepped briefly into their pasture. Quarter horses Blondie, Samika and Roxy and Percherons Bonnie, Legend, and their foal James, all stood by awaiting their turn. The horses are...

Waseca lemonade stand

SERVING - Alice Hunt, Logyn Gifford, Tala Schaal, Ronan Gifford, Alayna Gifford, and Kiara Carlson manned a lemonade stand on the corner near Charter Oaks Apartments on the north side of Loon Lake from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The kids plan on using the money for activities such as going to the...

Clear Lake Park Grand Opening

RIBBON CUTTING - The Waseca Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening at Clear Lake Park Monday, August 8 to unveil the completion of the new playground project. The Chamber credited the City of Waseca, thanking the “many departments which contributed,” and extending special thanks to the Minnesota...

Every Waldorf address in question

The August meeting of the Waldorf City Council took place Monday, August 8. Mayor Rob Wilkening and council members Carrie Ferch and Missy Sorbo, all three in positions up for election this November, were present. The remaining two council members could not attend due to illness. The three...

District vision cards discussed

The phrase “vision card” was introduced to the Waseca school district last fall by superintendent Eric Hudspith for use during the 2021-2022 school year. The district adopts a five-year strategic plan that is developed by the school board and lays out goals based on student needs. The current...

Banned book duo Ryan Estrada and Kim Hyun Sook. Photo by Haps Magazine

Waseca library hosts author-illustrator duo

At a virtual event Tuesday evening, the Waseca-LeSueur library system hosted married illustrator/author duo Ryan Estrada and Kim Hyun Sook who are located in Busan, South Korea but, thanks to modern technology, were able to discuss their graphic novel The Banned Book Club and the true story that...

Middle School Rules

Author Sean Jensen traveled around Waseca County’s public libraries on Thursday, July 21, to share his books with kids and families. His series, The Middle School Rules, features colorfully illustrated non-fiction narratives following professional athletes through the highs and lows of their...

Representatives of Waseca’s Catholic Daughters, from left, Sue Harguth, Linda Groh, and Lori Mikkelson stand with Mike Carlson, showing off newly fluffed pillows.

Fluffing for a good cause

By AMELIA ROESSLER Editorial Assistant A lot of pillows were cleaned last Saturday, August 6, at Sacred Heart as part of the Catholic Daughters fundraiser that went from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Professional Mike Carlson stationed his trailer near the church and offered his unusual service. Carlson’s...