News

YOUNG LOVE - Dolores and Marvin Sommers early in their marriage. They farmed for more than 30 years in Wilton township. Contributed photo

Dolores, 101 years young

“A lot of hard work, I guess.” When lifelong area resident Dolores Sommers says it takes “hard work” to reach the age of 101, she’s not talking about exercise machines. “She was always a busy lady!” exclaims her daughter, Marsha Vollbrecht. Now a resident at Colony Court, Dolores celebrated...

County allocates $50,000 to district

Introduction of new staff and discussion of the Riparian fund dominated the August 1 regular meeting of Waseca County Commissioners. The meeting started off with the introduction of new staff by Sheriff Jay Dulas, Public Health Director Sarah Berry, and Court Services Director John Schiro....

Minnesota's new marijuana laws now in effect

Minnesota is now the 23rd state to make it legal for adults to use marijuana recreationally. That means a lot will change in the next few months and years. Soon it will be legal to grow and smoke marijuana. Cities and counties must allow licensed cannabis shops to open. People with certain...

Five-year-old Aubrey Heroff balances her way across the floating obstacles as helpful adult Adam Troyer watches for her safety.

Annual church night

“There you go,” says Christ Community youth pastor Scott Bryant enthusiastically. “Thanks for coming!” Bryant has a row of rainbow-colored ice treats in front of him, and they’re disappearing quickly as folks come from conversations at the well-filled Northeast Park pavilion picnic tables for a...

Joanie Olson was presented with a reproduction of a famous piece of art by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Benefit concert in NR a delight

Genuine delight. The Blue Ringers concert and dance sponsored by the Finly’s Wings philanthropic organization the evening of Saturday, July 29, was a welcome evening of fellowship and fun for Joanie Olson and her daughters, all of whom came. Along with them were a few friends and about 15...

Melissa Schultz

Making waves

Waseca-based musician Melissa Schulz is making waves in southern Minnesota through her ongoing string of performances at local festivals, fairs, breweries, and more. Some of Schulz’s recent bookings include Waseca’s Lakefest and the Waseca and Rice County fairs. A classically trained pianist and...

Council continues to review budget

Council members continued their review of the city’s projected 2024 budget at the July 24 Janesville City Council meeting. The Janesville Police Department’s general fund budget is expected to increase by nearly 9% to $720,389 in 2024, compared to $661,610 in 2023. Like other aspects of the city’...

Beware phone call scams

Submitted by Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas Fake Law Enforcement scams Area law enforcement has received multiple calls from citizens saying that someone has contacted them demanding money because of a missed court date or because they missed jury duty. The caller requests an electronic...

Where can vehicle safety recalls be found online?

“ASK A TROOPER” by Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State Patrol Question: I bought a used vehicle a while back. Where can I check to see if there have been any safety recalls on it? Thank you. Answer: There are several different ways and places to get this information. One place to...

University of MN salutes 2023 Farm Families of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (7/11/2023) — Families and growers from all of Minnesota’s 87 counties will be represented as the University of Minnesota honors them in the 2023 Farm Family of the Year ceremony. This is the first time in recent memory that every county has selected agricultural leaders for this...