News

Neighborhood Service Center temporarily c losed

According to Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center director Cindy Kolander, the thrift store has been notified the sidewalk along the building’s east side will be removed sometime during the week of Oct. 13 and work along that wall will continue for as much as the next two weeks.With access to...

A crew foreman with Osmose Utilities Services carries out an inspection on a powerline pole along Hwy 13. About 13 crews of four people each have been working on similar inspections throughout the county for the past two weeks or so. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Osmose crews inspect Xcel Energy poles

More than 50 workmen have been in Waseca County for the past couple of weeks with the utilities service company Osmose, based out of Peachtree. Georgia. Crew supervisor Jerry McCarty explains Osmose has been contracted by Xcel Energy to perform inspection and maintenance services on wooden...

ORDER UP - Stephanie England was grill master for the evening and helped to put out 600 Brats for Waseca's annual "Beers and Brats" night on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Waseca tradition, Beers and Brats

Business owner Shane Wendland, owner of Barden's Bar in Waseca, dined with some of his customers during Waseca’s annual “Beers and Brats” night on Thursday, Oct. 2. He recalls being present at the inaugural launch of the event back in 1975. With eight taverns taking part, Beers and Brats turned...

Staff spotlight new SRO

School Resource Officer (SRO) Brent Brass was the staff spotlight at the Oct. 2 work session of the Waseca school board. Brass has been a police officer for 26 years, 16 of them in Waseca. He described his entry into the SRO position as “trial by fire” as it was during Homecoming week when he...

LEARNING TOGETHER - Natalie (left) and Maria, members of the Adult Basic Education class for English learners, use some of the class materials as a foundation for conversation that allows them to practice their English. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

English learner classes offered for free

Locals who would like a structured setting to improve their English skills can find one for free in room 325 of the Waseca Central Building from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Fridays and from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Evening sessions meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays...

OKTOBERFEST - David Ziegler and Mallorie Gehloff, right, played tournament bean bag toss at the Oktoberfest celebration. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

St. Paul's Oktoberfest features Hammerschlagen, Steinholding

The St. Paul Lutheran Church of Waseca held its Oktoberfest into the night on Saturday, Oct. 4. There was live music, food, refreshments, a bounce house, hammerschlagen and more. All proceeds were slated for a church youth group mission trip and attendance at the “Higher Things” conference. The...

CINFULLY DELICIOUS - Cinful Delights can be found at the Waseca Farmers' Market with deliciousgoods. Pictured here are, from left, Andrew, Madison, Audry, Cindy, and Harper Gilmore of Cinful Delights were staffing a booth on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

Cinful Delights are 'sinful' in a good way

There was a record breaking 90-degree sun filled day on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Waseca Farmers Market. Along with was a heavy wind accompanied by the sound of dead leaves tumbling along the street. But all that did nothing to deter Cindy Gilmore, owner and proprietor of Cinful Delights. A...

2025 NRHEG High School Homecoming royalty: (front, from left) Prince Holden Arnold, King Jordan Brouwers, Queen Chloe Riewer and Princess Rae Phillips. Back: Owen Wayne, Quinn VanMaldeghem, Gavin Lewison, Adalyn Stadheim, Camryn VanMaldeghem, Hudson Chrz, Chloe Stork and Wyatt Tuttle. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Community enjoys festive week, game

NRHEG Homecoming 2025 brought a week full of activities, themed dress up days, coronation, and parades coming to a close Friday. Monday evening, Jordan Brouwers, son of Jessica Brouwers, alongside Chloe Riewer, daughter of Jodi and Andy Riewer, were crowned King and Queen. Serving as...

JWP’s 2025 Homecoming King and Queen, Caleb Quast and Brielle James, celebrated with this year’s court during homecoming festivities Sept. 29 through Oct. 3.

Queen James and King Quast reign

By JANESVILLE JOURNAL Janesville-WaldorfPemberton’s homecoming began with a bang on Monday, September 29, as the seniors enjoyed the sunrise together over breakfast at the JWP football field. But the main event everyone was waiting for was the crowning of homecoming king and queen. Out of...

A large screener was brought onsite at the Waseca County Recycling Center last week to perform the final step before compost produced on site is ready for sale. Area residents can now purchase the material for use in gardens, raised beds, flower pots and landscaping at a price of $25 aW ton or about one cent per pound. Amounts of material purchased at a time can range from bucketloads to trailers full. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Compost site offering first sales

Built in 2023 thanks to a grant, the Waseca County compost site located south of Waseca along Highway 13 is now offering compost for sale. Recycling supervisor Tammie Bramer clarifies the recycling center has had compost available for purchase since 2021, but this is the first time material from...