News

Current Keen Bank President and CEO Bernie Gaytko and Board Chair Emeritus Richard Sankovitz near the first section of the history wall being unveiled during this week's anniversary. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

One and one half centuries

The live music, food and giveaways at Waseca’s Keen Bank location on North State Street are celebrating 150 years of lively history that ties in closely with the community. “We’ve grown and changed together,” observes president and CEO Bernie Gaytko. He observes that the bank’s 2022 rebrand...

Joel Born left, is standing with volunteers from both Waseca and Steele counties Relay for Life cancer research and charity.

Relay for life event set for Sept. 21

Joel Born, 61, works about 70 hours each week for a private construction contractor. Raised in Waseca, Born spent a short time living in Ellendale before becoming a full-time resident of Owatonna for the past 45 years. Beth Ohnstad, sister to Born, was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer that...

Tom Sexton

Sexton wins 19B Republican primary

In a statement last week Tom Sexton thanked the voters of House District 19B after receiving his Primary Election Results showing him with a 66.5% vote count over his opponent Michael Ditlevson with 33.5%. His statement follows: “Yesterday we participated in a very important step in our...

Mark Indrelie of Mankato-based construction company APX, is overseeing the construction of the new hangar at the Waseca Municipal Airport. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

New Hangar expands options at Waseca Municipal Airport

The first airport in this area was south of Waseca, privately owned and built in the 1930s. That has since closed, leaving the Waseca Municipal Airport, which started operations in 1974 two miles west of town. According to airport director of engineering Nate Willey, the airport currently serves...

Rachel Mitchell, under the supervision of attorney Perry Berg, is one of 33 paralegals who helped gain approval for a statewide program which makes it easier to get court representation in the areas of housing and family law.

Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Statewide pilot program

Rachel Mitchell, 38, is grateful the state is not only planning to continue its pilot program for paralegals, but expand it. “I think it’s benefitted the clients,” she observes. “And I’ve been glad I can be of help.” Mitchell, a paralegal with the Patton, Hoversten and Berg law office in Waseca...

Kari Wadd, program coordinator at Farmamerica, organized the facility's "Taste of Time" event. Photo by Ben Revermann

‘Taste of time’ at Farmamerica

“Taste of Time” was a sold-out fundraiser and special event at Farmamerica the evening of August 8 attended by 120 guests; according to program coordinator Kari Wadd, proceeds are designated to support the Farmamerica facility and its educational programs. Guests were sent to the various...

Longtime coach, Tink Larson. Pioneer photo by Jim Lutgens

Mr. Baseball

Part two of two Clint “Tink” Larson has not only proved to be perhaps the greatest baseball influence in Waseca’s history, it has been shown he could excel in other sports as well. This week, we wrap up the stories of Larson’s nickname, prowess in other sports, and how he ended up in Waseca...

Nathaniel (left) and David Adams work with their three siblings to run a sweet corn booth in Janesville. Photo by Ben Revermann

Young entrepreneurs

Before sunrise just outside Janesville the morning of August 7, five children were getting their shirts and shorts wet walking among the dew-wettened stalks of sweet corn. As the sun rose, their product was loaded into their dad’s truck and they headed into town. Brady Adams, father to the five...

Participants in Saturday’s annual Soapbox Derby.

Stars of the show

The Waseca Mason Tuscan Lodge 77 sponsored a Soapbox Derby Race the afternoon of Saturday, August 10. This was the sixth time the organization has held soapbox races, but the first time at a new location, along the west side of Tink Larson Field on Fourth Street NE. Six-year-olds were the stars...

From left: Hazel Botten, Amelia McKenna, Josh Babcock, Dawn Tangen, SaraJo Vulcan, Conway Botten, Ryan Gehrke, Kaisley Gehrke, Janda Ferguson, Tanyce Bruegger and Chad Neitzel.

Fifth annual New Richland Night Out

Several dozen people attended New Richland’s fifth annual Night to Unite celebration Tuesday evening, August 6, 2024 at New Richland City Park. “Night to Unite” is meant to honor law enforcement officers and first responders, including medical personnel and firefighters. “The weather was...