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STAFF- Most of the Pioneer staff is pictured above. From left, Jonah Stafford, Amelia Roessler, Deb Bently, Jim Lutgens, Eli Lutgens, Logan Piltingsrud, whose photos have been featured in the Star Eagle, held by Melanie Piltingsrud, Michael Roy, Chris Schlaak, and Reed Waller. Pioneer photo by Pam Goehrig

A paper to be proud of

“We plan to find at least one story for every edition that makes the whole year’s subscription worthwhile. We know we won’t have everything for everybody in every edition, but we will definitely have something for everyone.” –Eli Lutgens, publisher This issue of the Waseca County Pioneer is the...

BREAKING GROUND - Representative Todd Tetzloff from WEB Construction of Mankato (in Red), Tara Roman of Widseth architectural firm, Waseca mayor Randy Zimmerman, U.S. Representative Brad Finstad, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Waseca County commissioner De Malterer and Senator Tina Smith were among those who broke ground for the regional Workforce Development Center now under construction at 1000 W. Elm, Waseca. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Waseca breaks ground on workforce center

State and federal lawmakers Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Brad Finstad, Tom Sexton, Gene Dornink, and Keith Allen were present for the Sept. 25 groundbreaking ceremony for a new regional workforce development center being funded chiefly by a $2.1 million grant from the national Economic Development...

VOICES RAISED - A group gathered outside of Sacred Heart Church the morning of Sunday, Sept. 27, used signs to show they disagree with parish leadership over the discontinuation of former principal Tammy Seys' employment. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Demonstration outside of Sacred Heart Church targets leadership decision

A demonstration outside Sacred Heart Catholic Church during the 10 a.m. mass on Sunday, Sept. 27, consisted of 20 or more men, women, and a few children carrying homemade signs attempting to gain the attention of passing cars to join their demonstration. Messages included “We stand with Tammy...

NEW BEGINNINGS - Local leaders and community members attended a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of Waseca’s new Marketplace Commons apartments on Wednesday, September 23. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Marketplace Ribbon Cutting

About 50 people attended a ribbon cutting celebration Wednesday, Sept. 23, for Waseca’s new Marketplace Commons apartment building located along 19th Avenue NW across from the Junior Senior High School. Construction on the project began last October; leasing began on Sept. 15. Visitors...

COLORFUL HISTORY - Caleb Penic of Cathedral Crafts, picutred top middle, is the manager working on the process of installing refurbished stained glass windows at Waseca’s Sacred Heart Church. Pioneer photos by Deb Bently and Ben Revermann

Century-old artwork shines with like-new radiance

“The first thing we do is make two rubbings,” says Caleb Penic of Cathedral Crafts in Winona. “That way we know for sure we can put the window back together exactly the way it came in. “Then we put it in water.” Penic is field operations manager for the stained glass company now in...

Trainer Jewel Stewart was relieved and grateful when the Waseca County Sheriff's Posse helped find Kajun, who had disappeared into the woods of Waseca County's Courthouse Park. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Mounted posse assists in search for lost horse

“I am so proud to know a community like that exists here,” comments horse trainer Jewel Stewart of rural Waseca. “It feels really special to know they’re around.” Stewart is talking about the Waseca County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, a group of volunteers who make themselves available for...

Jeannie Olson and David Melcher escaped from their apartment through hip-deep water carrying what they could grab in only a few moments. Prior flooding had never reached their home in the apartment building at 240 Third Street Northeast in New Richland, but on Saturday morning, a wall of water suddenly washed against their sliding patio doors and began filling their living space. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Flood victims describe loss, uncertainty

Jeannie Olson and David Melcher had lived together in one of four ground-level apartments at Third Street Northeast in New Richland for six years. With a clear view of the town baseball field, they had seen rising water many times, but the closest it had ever come to their apartment building was...

A MELLOW SOUND - Musical guest Amy Manette played at the Indian Island Winery over dinner on Saturday night, Sept. 26, 2026. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Amy Manette plays the Indian Island Winery

Amy Manette, a musical five-some from Mankato, played at the Indian Island Winery on Saturday, Sept. 26. This jazz and blues group has played all over mid- and southern Minnesota since 2013 and with the big brains in the band it’s no wonder they’ve stayed together so long. Dr. Andrew McNamara, an...

Community volunteers needed Oct. 4

NEW RICHLAND, Minn. — The City of New Richland and the Waseca Exchange Club are joining forces to coordinate a community-wide New Richland Disaster Clean-Up Day on Sunday, October 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers from Waseca County and surrounding communities are encouraged to lend a...

UNDERWATER - Drone footage of the city of New Richland, and local Care Center after more than six inches of rain flooded the town. Photo by Jessie Nino, YouTube - Jessie's Drone Adventures

Devastation

Roughly nine inches of rain fell over the weekend in New Richland, causing flooding that resulted in the evacuation of the city operated Care Center. More than three quarters of homes were affected, says New Richland City Administrator Tyler Lendt. "It's a disaster," said Bob Johannsen,...