News

Council honors runner-up Blue Jays

It was standing room only at the regular Waseca city council meeting the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 6. Every seat was taken by members of the Waseca high school Blue Jay football team, there to hear Mayor Randy Zimmerman share a proclamation honoring their accomplishments during the 2025 State...

CHALLENGE OF THE BELLS - The winner of the "Battle of the Badges" bell-ringing challenge held Dec. 6 was the Waseca County Salvation Army, which benefited from six hours of fundraising outside the Waseca Walmart by teams representing the Waseca police department, the county sheriff's office and posse, and the Waseca fire department. The sheriff's office was the most successful group, bringing in more than $2,300. Pictured here, from left, are Chief Deputy Doug Gerdts, sheriff's posse member Shalee White, county Salvation Army chair John Petersburg, Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas, and posse member Jadyn White.

Contest raises $4,000 for Salvation Army

More than $4,000 was raised for the Waseca County chapter of the Salvation Army during a bell-ringing competition among the Waseca police department, Waseca County sheriff’s office, and the Waseca fire department held in front of the Waseca Walmart store on Saturday, Dec. 6. The three...

Waseca School Board retains same officers as 2025

During the Jan. 8 organizational meeting, Waseca school board members voted to retain the same officers as in 2025: Dave Dun as board chair; Grant Scheffert as vice chair; Scott Deml as treasurer, and Alyssa Bowers as clerk. The designated board representatives for school business committees...

Chuch and Lora Root on their wedding day in 1980. Chuch believed he was leaving the specter of sexual abuse he encountered at age 12 behind, but found its effects reappearing as he went on to become a father and coach.

Chuch Root tells his tough story

At 67, Waseca area resident Chuch Root can list off many accomplishments. Chief among them are 45 years of marriage with his wife Laura, the three sons and the daughter they raised together, and a whole collection of grandchildren. Prior to retiring, he had a 35-year career as a press mechanic...

The Sleigh and Cutter parade on Feb. 22, 1964. Two horses pull a float with Gisela Alexander, Miss So. St. Paul, and Sheila Hawkins, Miss Owatonna.

Sleigh and Cutter history highlighted in display

The Waseca County Historical Society has set out displays ranging from sequins to equines to help visitors connect with the rich local roots of the Sleigh and Cutter festival, now in its 76th year. As those who visit the Society’s exhibit will quickly see, the event has brought Waseca area...

STILL STANDING - Tad Anderson, a Janesville resident, decided about 10 years ago he wanted a classic car in his yard, a Chrysler New Yorker, which still stands proud today, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025.

Vintage Chrysler still showing style

On display a few miles south of Janesville along 30th Street sits a classic Chrysler New Yorker car in the yard of Tad Anderson, 47. He says it’s been sitting there for around 10 years or so; though there is a touch of rust and the vehicle’s driving days are far behind, that doesn’t mean this...

Appeals Court judge pleads guilty to DWI

The Minnesota State Court of Appeals judge from Owatonna who was charged with drunk driving pleaded guilty Friday and was immediately sentenced in the case. Renee Lee Worke, 67, originally faced two counts of gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI; one of the counts was later amended to a...

The back wall of an apartment building located at 115 South State Street in Waseca collapsed between 1 p.m. and 1:17 p.m. Wednesday, April 2. There were no injuries reported; power and gas were turned off that same day.

Looking back at 2025

In the past year the Waseca County Pioneer has covered many exciting stories worth remembering. Here is a look back at the best highlights from the year that was 2025. April - During the March 18 meeting of the Waseca City Council, Marc Basara of Rebound Enterprises reported on progress...

HOMESTEAD GOODS - Christime Hoffmann of "Hoffmann's Homestead Goods" was at the Winter Farmers Market at Farmamerica on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2025.

'Hoffmann's Homestead Goods' ten year of marketing

The Waseca Winter Farmers Market being held at Farmamerica has slowed down a little since the new year started. But that doesn’t mean Christine Hoffmann of “Hoffmann’s Homestead Goods” is going to take a break any time soon. In between customers, she had a few minutes to talk about it. She...

ICY ART - Ice sculptors Adam Scholljegerdes and Joe Christenson have been creating sculptures for the Waseca Sleigh and Cutter Festival since 2012. Scholljegerdes says one of the most meaningful pieces for him was in 2020, when the sculpture included replicas of racing snowmobiles once owned by Tracy Kruger, the victim of a tragic killing in 2007.

Sakatah Carvers continue tradition

The Waseca Sleigh and Cutter parade will be Feb. 28, but the Sleigh and Cutter Festival is already underway, with a special display at the Waseca County Historical Society covering the “history and highlights” of Waseca’s unusually durable celebration, now in its 76th year. Bingo nights at Barden...