News

NRHEG reduces 2026 levy by 2.2%

During the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) school district’s legally required “truth in taxation” meeting Dec. 15, business manager Karla Christopherson reported the amount the district will receive from local taxpayers in 2026 is $54,000 lower than in 2025–a 2.2% reduction. ...

GIVING BACK - Sandi Prange, owner of Past and Present, has turned her final clearance day into a meaningful give-back for the community that supported her.

Past and Present's clearance benefits Food Shelf

As Past and Present closes after 28½ years of collecting and selling, owner Sandi Prange turned her final clearance day into a meaningful give-back for the community that supported her for decades. After five months of retirement and closing sales, she realized there were still many items...

Workforce Development Center to serve region

Numerous reports and summaries share what local employers already know: it’s growing harder and harder to find workers with specialized qualifications who are interested in making greater Minnesota their long-term area of residence. The League of Minnesota Cities summarizes that there are “...

MERRY CHRISTMAS KIDS! - Executive director of the Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center Cindy Kolander was delighted to receive $34,637 raised by the annual Santa Anonymous auction, organized by Todd Schmidt of Waseca's Boxcar Bar. The Nov. 29 auction was well attended despite a storm that delivered more than 5 inches of snow. Funds raised this year will support next year's gift deliveries.

Santa Anonymous raises more than $34,000

“By 2 p.m., I was really worried,” recalls Todd Schmidt, owner and operator of Waseca’s Boxcar Bar and, for 28 years, the organizer of an annual auction to benefit the county-wide Santa Anonymous program. The auction takes place each year at the Boxcar Bar beginning at 5 p.m. on the...

County advances Justice enter construction

In a brief special meeting the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 10, county commissioners gave the go-ahead on general specifications regarding the justice center to be constructed west of the county courthouse beginning next fall. County administrator Michael Johnson explained to commissioners...

COMFORT STAY - Every guest room in the American Hotel in Waseca has been refurbished and received new furniture since the business was purchased this past January by Mike Patel of Madison, Wisconsin. The facility now has more than 50 rooms available.

American Hotel anticipates good year

“Working hard makes a bigger difference in a smaller community,” observes Mike Patel, who has owned the American Hotel at 1313 North State Street since this past January. As soon as he had acquired it, he closed it for renovations, replacing the flooring, repainting the walls and acquiring new...

CHEERFUL WORKERS - Emily Harguth, Keira Holmgren and Carol Brooks pause from their work for a picture.

VFW cheers on Champion Force Athletics

Sweet-Sommers VFW post 1642 held an all-you-can-eat pancake fundraiser on behalf of Champion Force Athletic cheerleading the chilly morning of Sunday, Dec. 14. Despite the coldest temperature of the year the night before, there were still some folks strong enough to brave the zero-degree temp on...

MUSIC TO THE EARS - Rodrigo Pinafort and his band Mariachi America played at the 5 p.m. service at Waseca's Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Mariachi America plays Sacred Heart

The 5 p.m. service at Waseca’s Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, Dec. 13 featured “Mariachi America,” an authentic mariachi band, helping celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. These six, well-dressed musicians certainly brought their A-game, and a bunch of melodies with them. Mass was...

Residents express concern about preliminary levy

At the City Council meeting the evening of Dec. 8, several Janesville residents expressed concern about the expected increase in their property taxes. Due to the rising costs, Mayor Andy Arnoldt explained that when the city passed its preliminary levy in September, the city decided to err on the...

Senator Jasinski speaking during a committee meeting.

Sen. John Jasinski announces district re-election campaign

State Senator John Jasinski of Faribault announced today he will run for re-election in 2026, asking residents of Goodhue, Rice, Steele, and Waseca Counties to send him back to St. Paul to continue pushing for safer roads, stronger oversight of state spending, and a more affordable Minnesota...