News

Residents express concern about preliminary levy

At the City Council meeting the evening of Dec. 8, several Janesville residents expressed concern about the expected increase in their property taxes. Due to the rising costs, Mayor Andy Arnoldt explained that when the city passed its preliminary levy in September, the city decided to err on the...

Senator Jasinski speaking during a committee meeting.

Sen. John Jasinski announces district re-election campaign

State Senator John Jasinski of Faribault announced today he will run for re-election in 2026, asking residents of Goodhue, Rice, Steele, and Waseca Counties to send him back to St. Paul to continue pushing for safer roads, stronger oversight of state spending, and a more affordable Minnesota...

Coffee with Tom Sexton discusses fraud and corporate tax rates

During his session of Coffee with Tom Sexton on Friday, Dec. 12., Representative Sexton spoke to a small group about the fraud in this state citing former Minnesota Attorney General Andrew Luger, a Biden appointee, “Minnesota, you have a fraud problem.” AG Luger resigned in January of this year...

Above: Members of the NRHEG high school choir delighted instructor Krista Reeder when they appeared on stage in colorful, fanciful holiday attire. Below: Saxophonist Alexis Olson stands for a solo during the band concert, while fellow brass section musician Sophia Williams looks on.

NRHEG Music presents Dec. 8 concert

In back-to-back concerts presented the evening of Dec. 8, the vocal and instrumental music departments at NRHEG shared an array of lively holiday tunes performed by students in grades 6 through 12. The instrumental department, directed by district music instructor Seth Schaefer, presented...

Steele County decides to leave MNPrairie agreement

An agreement reached between Steele, Waseca and Dodge counties includes terms under which Steele County can withdraw from the joint powers agreement regarding the delivery of social services through an agency called Minnesota Alliance of Prairie Counties (MNPrairie). The Alliance was first formed...

AFTER - With the "on" button pressed, the new decorations were lit for the first time the evening of Thursday, Dec. 4. They will continue shining into February so that they add a festive touch to after-dark Sleigh and Cutter activities.

Waseca ceremony lights up the season

“The spirit of Waseca is alive, resilient and shining long before a single bulb is switched on,” declared Mikhail Rostislavovich, president of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, as a robust crowd of community members gathered at the Waseca Art Center on the evening of December 4 for...

Caribou Coffee to open in former Taco Johns spot

Two big announcements were made during the Waseca city council meeting, Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Caribou Coffee will be moving into the location previously occupied by Taco Johns at 1401 N. State St. in Waseca. Taco Johns operated in Waseca from roughly 1989 (when the building was...

Christmas Time at the Mill sees attendance rise

The Fifth Annual Christmas Time at the Mill took place during the busy afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 6. With light flurries of snow starting to come down outside, the Christmas spirit was just as refreshing inside, and it was a little warmer. Even the Grinch looked like he was having a good time as...

County looks at taxes, payroll and land surveys

During County Board sessions the morning of Dec. 2, county administrator Michael Johnson summarized that the county’s “property tax effect” for 2026 will be a three-percent increase, though official numbers will indicate about six percent due to a bookkeeping change. Namely, the taxes formerly...

Kathey Huisman of Grandma's Krunchie Creations was surrounded by Christmas joy during the Starfire Event Center's Winter Wonderland on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

The Starfire makes Christmas official

The Starfire Event Center in Waseca held its Winter Wonderland event on Saturday, Dec. 6. The vendors, from all over southern Minnesota, were wall to wall and all of them had something to do with the holiday season, making for a very cheerful Christmas happening. Among those arriving at the...