News

Rachel Mitchell, under the supervision of attorney Perry Berg, is one of 33 paralegals who helped gain approval for a statewide program which makes it easier to get court representation in the areas of housing and family law.

Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

Statewide pilot program

Rachel Mitchell, 38, is grateful the state is not only planning to continue its pilot program for paralegals, but expand it. “I think it’s benefitted the clients,” she observes. “And I’ve been glad I can be of help.” Mitchell, a paralegal with the Patton, Hoversten and Berg law office in Waseca...

Kari Wadd, program coordinator at Farmamerica, organized the facility's "Taste of Time" event. Photo by Ben Revermann

‘Taste of time’ at Farmamerica

“Taste of Time” was a sold-out fundraiser and special event at Farmamerica the evening of August 8 attended by 120 guests; according to program coordinator Kari Wadd, proceeds are designated to support the Farmamerica facility and its educational programs. Guests were sent to the various...

Longtime coach, Tink Larson. Pioneer photo by Jim Lutgens

Mr. Baseball

Part two of two Clint “Tink” Larson has not only proved to be perhaps the greatest baseball influence in Waseca’s history, it has been shown he could excel in other sports as well. This week, we wrap up the stories of Larson’s nickname, prowess in other sports, and how he ended up in Waseca...

Nathaniel (left) and David Adams work with their three siblings to run a sweet corn booth in Janesville. Photo by Ben Revermann

Young entrepreneurs

Before sunrise just outside Janesville the morning of August 7, five children were getting their shirts and shorts wet walking among the dew-wettened stalks of sweet corn. As the sun rose, their product was loaded into their dad’s truck and they headed into town. Brady Adams, father to the five...

Participants in Saturday’s annual Soapbox Derby.

Stars of the show

The Waseca Mason Tuscan Lodge 77 sponsored a Soapbox Derby Race the afternoon of Saturday, August 10. This was the sixth time the organization has held soapbox races, but the first time at a new location, along the west side of Tink Larson Field on Fourth Street NE. Six-year-olds were the stars...

From left: Hazel Botten, Amelia McKenna, Josh Babcock, Dawn Tangen, SaraJo Vulcan, Conway Botten, Ryan Gehrke, Kaisley Gehrke, Janda Ferguson, Tanyce Bruegger and Chad Neitzel.

Fifth annual New Richland Night Out

Several dozen people attended New Richland’s fifth annual Night to Unite celebration Tuesday evening, August 6, 2024 at New Richland City Park. “Night to Unite” is meant to honor law enforcement officers and first responders, including medical personnel and firefighters. “The weather was...

A rustic display catches the eye along Waseca County Highway 23 near the Wilton bridge. The nostalgic feature was made by Laurie Mariner and James Priebe, pictured here with grandchildren baby Charlotte Lund and Kenny Spiess.

Pioneer photo by Ben Revermann

‘Flair for decoration’

For anyone driving south of Waseca on the Wilton Bridge Road, an old Ford F-100 pickup truck sits as a greeting to passersby where County Roads 4 and 23 meet. James Priebe lives close to the truck, in fact, he’s the one who put it there. His girlfriend Laurie Mariner helped him do it. At the...

Jerry Hackett constructed a model of the Waseca County Courthouse from toothpicks. Pioneer photos by Deb Bently

Architectural appreciation

Shakopee resident Jerry Hackett, 85, says that if he had kept all the model buildings and bridges he’s constructed over the past 19 or so years, “There would be no room to walk, and I would be living alone,” he says, joking that his wife Pat would not put up with it. During July, Hackett...

Joe Heinrich is newest shareholder with the legal firm of Patton, Hoversten and Berg. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently

New shareholder

“It’s a big deal to become a shareholder,” says Joe Heinrichs, 28, of his new partial ownership with the well-established law firm Patton, Hoversten and Berg, P.A. (PHB). He compares joining PHB with being put behind the wheel of a precision automobile. “All the support and resources are in...

Heartland Healthcare owner operator Ken Bentson

Pioneer photos by Ben Revermann

Putting heart in healthcare

Mayo Clinic closed in Janesville in August of 2023; it was officially finished moving out on March 1, of 2024, leaving Heartland Healthcare the only medical provider remaining in town. Just two blocks off Main Street across from the Summers Ridge Veterinary Clinic, the facility’s address is 303...