News

Kristian Bjornstad arrived at Trinity Lutheran church in Janesville almost two weeks ago, and is enjoying it so far.

Well traveled

After Pastor Andrada left Trinity Lutheran Church in February, the congregation began its search for a new officiant. In the meantime, an interim pastor who has served around the United States and Canada will serve the church until a full-time leader can be found. Kristian Bjornstad arrived...

Guest musician Russ Peterson jamming with Jazz Blue on "Missing You."

A groovy time - Waseca Jazz Band concert

The Waseca High School Bands presented their Jazz Festival concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. The Jazz Festival is an annual event featuring the school's two jazz ensembles, Jazz Blue and Jazz One, as well as area jazz musicians. Both high school jazz ensembles are directed by Devon...

Fourteen people joined in the Waseca Ruck of Hope on Saturday, March 4. In the front holding the sign is Kirk Mansfield of “Operation: 23 to 0.” Third from the left in the second row is Jeremiah Miller, who helped start the event in Waseca.

Seven miles of memory

According to a report released by the United State Department of Veterans Affairs in November of 2022, an average of 121 veterans per day committed suicide in 2020. The number is 30 more a day than in 2001, but about 7 fewer than in 2018. This frightening circumstance is hardly talked about in...

Chief Deputy Doug Gerdts with Sheriff Jay Dulas who appointed him to his new position.

Gerdts adjusting to new role

In the middle of January, Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas announced Doug Gerdts as his chief deputy. Gerdts officially took the position January 28. After more than two decades with the sheriff department, he is more than equipped to take on the role. At the same time, however, he admitted it...

County looks at health services

The Waseca County Commissioners gave a warm welcome to Carl Sonnenberg, the new city manager for the City of Waseca, at their regular meeting Tuesday, March 7. He expressed his thanks to the board for their support for the city, and closed his comments by adding he hoped they could “work on...

Board members tour area schools

Elementary school site visits made by the facilities committee members of the school board over the last few months were the topic of the second March workshop. “One of the things we’ve been working hard on for the last several years is identifying some of the physical limitations at our...

TEAM Academy's top readers during I Love to Read Month, from left to right, were Alanis Sanchez, Keira Holmgren, Sawyer Collins, RJ Attenburger, Jax Olsen, Hugh Courtney, Greighton Auen, Keeva Rosenau, and Lucas Negrete. Georgia Courtney not pictured.

Readers rewarded

“I Love to Read Month” concluded at TEAM Academy with two events – Family Night held the evening of March 2, and a “wrap-up” assembly held during the school day March 3. At Family Night, students, former students, family members, and other visitors were welcomed to the school for an evening of...

Kimberly, Rachel, Cody, Austin, and Kenny Hinton, George Hinton's family, stand together at the celebration of life held by Waseca Archery Club.

Hinton honored

The Waseca Archery Club held a Celebration of Life for George Hinton, raising support and funds for the Hinton family at the club’s location on the county fairgrounds Sunday, March 6. George Hinton, 49, was hospitalized on Christmas Eve, 2022 and quickly transferred to Rochester. He was...

A crew of five pyrotechnicials assembled the sleigh and cutter fireworks display which was fired Saturday Feb. 25 on Clear Lake.

Winter sparkle

Morristown area resident and licensed pyrotechnician Tim Boese typically takes charge of two fireworks “shoots” for Waseca each year: the fourth of July and Sleigh and Cutter displays. Both are on Clear Lake, but the meaning of the word “on” changes drastically from one show to the other. The...

Waseca’s Itron factory announced Monday its intention to close at the end of 2024 and relocate to South Carolina.

Itron to close in 2024

Itron announced to staff on Monday its intention to close its up-to-450-employee Waseca factory at the end of 2024 and relocate its operations to West Union, South Carolina. Itron has been operating in Waseca since the 1990s and is one of the largest employers in Waseca County. The company...