News

Waseca Legion offering free breakfast for all county first responders

The Waseca Legion, Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion (SAL) are sponsoring a Heroes Appreciation Breakfast the morning of Sunday, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. until noon at the American Legion Hall. The first item on the menu is gratitude, followed by pancakes, french toast, eggs, and...

RECOVERY AWARENESS MONTH - During the Sept. 1 meeting of the Waseca County Board of Commissioners, the month of September was proclaimed "Recovery Awareness Month." Members of the recovery community were present to support the cause. Lighting on the county courthouse will be purple all month in recognition of the proclamation. Pictured here are (back row, from left) Commissioners Doug Christopherson and De Malterer, Tyler Bolster, Quen Bena, Christopher Wright, commissioners Brian Harguth, Brad Milbrath and Brad Krause (front, from left) Alexander Henderson, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Megan Radel and Heather Clark, holding her daughters Vienna and Zella. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

County continues work toward 2027 budget

The press toward a preliminary 2027 county budget and levy continued during the Sept. 1 meeting of the Waseca County board of commissioners. During an 8 a.m work session, representatives of agencies which receive more than $10,000 a year in "allocations" provided summaries of the services their...

Charles Rubel

High speed chase leads to arrest

Charles Grant Rubel, 55, of Eagle Lake is in custody with the Waseca County Sheriff’s office after an incident which began about 2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4. A Waseca County deputy driving on West Wilton River Road northwest of New Richland spotted a Chevy Camaro driving with its headlights off on...

TASTEFULLY DONE - Dennis and Diane Sommers of Waseca have been operating Grandma D's Kettle Corn since the 1990s. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Kettle corn business sweetens life for local family

The owner/operators of Grandma D’s Kettle Corn, Dennis and Diane Sommers of Waseca, willingly share the ingredients to their popular treat: Sugar. Salt. Popcorn–a little of the first two, a lot of the other. But when it comes to details like how long it should be cooked or how to tell when...

CORNERSTONE MEMORIES - The time capsule sealed in the cornerstone of Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilton included a surprising number of items given its dimensions, about 5 inches on each side and 10 inches tall. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Cornerstone reveals long-sealed memories

In recognition that Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilton will have a final service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 and then close, church leaders recently removed the time capsule that had been sealed in the church’s cornerstone during a July, 1950, ceremony. Roger Bahr, 90, is a lifelong member...

WELCOMING EDUCATORS - Twelve new teachers now on staff at seven different education sites in Waseca were introduced to community members during an Aug. 27 lunch sponsored by the Waseca Rotary Club. School leaders also shared information about projects and activities planned for the 2026-27 school year. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

New teachers begin year by meeting community members

During a luncheon sponsored by the Waseca Rotary Club on Aug. 27, 12 teachers new to Waseca’s schools had a chance to meet some members of the community; members of the Waseca Lions and Exchange Club also attended. The new staff have positions all around the community, including Waseca Community...

Grateful for four years

Four years ago, the Waseca County Pioneer was founded on a simple idea: a hometown deserves a hometown newspaper. In a county of fewer than 20,000 people living on about 430 square miles of land, we know firsthand that everyone is connected in one way or another, even despite the distance...

FINDING COMFORT - There was a special Quilts of Valor award ceremony for veterans left: David Lienke and Charles Meyer on the right during the Waldorf Days celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22. Pioneer photo by Jean Groskreutz

Quilts of Valor

Local veterans Charles Meyer and David Lienke were honored in a Quilts of Valor ceremony just before the parade during the Waldorf Days celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22. The two were draped in individualized handmade quilts and acknowledged with a standing ovation under the gazebo at the Veterans...

Bob Schneider

Bob Schneider named “Iron Man” by Twin Cities Golf

Waseca native Bob Schneider, a 1977 graduate of Waseca High School, recently achieved an “Iron Man” title from Twin Cities Golf for a Golf Quest of playing 204 different public golf courses in only 121 days. The courses are located in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota;...

Curt Keyes

Curt Keyes seeks seat as district 4 commissioner

“As a commissioner, I would want to concentrate on representing the people of district 4 first and Waseca county as a collective board,” states Curt Keyes, who has filed to be on the Waseca County ballot for the District 4 commissioner seat currently held by De Malterer, a board member since...