News

County looks at selling nine parcels

The central topic during the March 21 Waseca county commissioner meeting was the sale of nine parcels of county-owned land. Authorization took place in February; the system and process for the sale became the focus of attention. The nine parcels are being made available for purchase because they...

Artist Layl McDill stands with one of her newest pieces on display for the first time at Waseca Art Center, titled "'What's the Difference?' Asked by the Blue Heron."

‘Story sculptures’ at local art center

Layl McDill visited the Waseca Art Center Thursday March 30 for the opening reception of her gallery show there. The show continues until May 5. The artwork on display is available for sale with pickup at the end of the gallery show period. “I'm so grateful to get to show in an art center like...

Gaiter Lake controversy continues

A hot button issue in Waseca for the past few years has been the Gaiter Lake development project. The controversy surrounds a 62-acre property owned by the city and slated for development, including possible installation of a storm-water retention pond, water and sewer lines, and more at city...

Waseca/Steele County Drug Court Coordinator Nicole Grams and Waseca County Attorney Rachel Cornelius spoke at a recent Waseca Rotary Club meeting.

Drug program improves lives

The National Institutes of Health have found that inmates who leave jail or prison are not only likely to begin using drugs again upon release, they are more at risk for death by overdose than other addicts. Even if they may have been forced to “get clean” during incarceration, returning to their...

Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas with Nate at the 41st Annual Waseca Early Childhood Fair Friday, March 24.

Early start - Waseca Childcare Fair

The Waseca Intermediate School played host to the 41st Annual Waseca Early Childhood Fair on Friday, March 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. Some 23 organizations from Waseca and the Waseca area participated in the event, coordinated by the Waseca Family Education Center. The purpose of the fair is to...

A dozen members and volunteers of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 16 helped out at their event at the Mill last Saturday. Serena Frazier (middle row, 3rd in) is the president. Local volunteers include Rachel Cornelius (second row, 1st from the left) and officer Sheila Jewison-Appel (second row, outside right)

Police organization holds celebration

What can be better than delicious barbecue, discounts on drinks, bean bag tournaments, horse races, live music, and auctions of signed Justin Jefferson and Kirill Kaprizov jerseys? The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #16 had all of that and more at The Mill in Waseca Saturday, March...

Joan Conway with senior Kloe Wadd after she scored her 1,000th career point in a 51-35 win over Belle Plaine Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Conway steps down after 11 seasons as Lady Jays’ coach

By DAVE ZIKA A tribute to Joan Conway After 11 seasons, 203 career wins, three conference titles and three state tournaments, head coach of the Waseca Lady Bluejays’ basketball team, Joan Conway, has made the difficult decision to step down. When a school hires a teacher or coach they look...

Charles N. Luther standing outside the First National Bank building where he had his barber shop in the basement beginning early in the twentieth century.

‘The barber shop’

By Patricia L. Dunn Submitted story In the early days, barber shops were called “Tonsorial Shops.” The dictionary says that “tonsorial” means “of a barber and his work.” Usually used humorously! In the year 1915, Charles N. Luther rented the basement area from Waseca’s First National Bank...

Volunteering at the Waseca Lions pancake breakfast Saturday, were, to the right, from left: Jim Ferch, Ryan Ludwig, Jared Dufault, Lucille Youngberg, Jenny Kluvers, LION, Diane Beckmann, Tiffany Lynch, Neil Fruechte, Steve Graff, Bob Hunter, Larry Johnson.

Breakfast open for first time in 4 years

The Waseca Lions Club returned to the tradition of its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, March 26. The organization first formed in 1927, and pancake breakfasts were among its first fundraising endeavors, making this a long-held tradition in the city. This year's was the first in...

The Waldorf City Council approved for a mural to be painted on the white wall shown above. It is hoped that the area in front will be Waldorf Veterans Memorial Park.

Waldorf Veterans Memorial?

In early March, the city of Waldorf received a grant for $3,000 from Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council for completion of a 50-foot-long mural. The location is the old “Eisen” building across the street from the community center. Part of the grant application included an announcement of another...