After 37 years of faithful service at Camp Omega in rural Waterville, Mary Wetzel of Waterville has retired from her position as Director of Food Services. A retirement celebration honoring Wetzel was held at the camp on January 25. Many of Wetzel’s family members, friends, and long-time co-workers shared special memories of working with her. It is estimated that Wetzel prepared well over one million plates of food for retreat guests and summer campers during her years at camp.
Members of the Elysian Fire Department were honored Monday, February 2 by the South-Central Minnesota EMS Regional System for their efforts in helping save a local man’s life in November of 2025.
Mark Griffith, Director of the South-Central Minnesota EMS, presented nine Elysian Fire Fighters and two members of the Allina EMS out of St. Peter with certificates during the fire departments meeting.
Southwest Metro School District #288 is still pondering the possible purchase of the Morristown School building.
According to WEM Superintendent Mark Winter, the superintendents who are members of the the district are still discussing associate members and what the potential liability there would be if they purchase a building.
The month of February started off on a positive note Monday, Feb. 2 for the WEM boys basketball tam.
After losing their last four games, three last week, the Buccaneers scored 54 points in the first half of their 86-53 win over Medford on Senior Night.
Four players scored in double figures, led by sophomore post Cole Bartz who made 13-of-20 from the field, finishing with 26 points and grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds, nine of those were offensive rebounds.
Senior Talen Taylor finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
The January meeting of the Waterville Chamber of Commerce was held at Make It, Waterville, where owner Patty Salmon treated attendees to a live pottery demonstration.
Salmon demonstrated “wheel throwing,” the process of shaping a lump of clay on a spinning turntable into a finished piece. Using approximately a pound and a half of clay, she smoothly and efficiently formed a small bowl, showcasing her skill as an experienced potter. She books wheel throwing as a private party and hold public classes several times per year.
Arthur William Sorgatz, age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, at Allina Hospital in Owatonna, surrounded by his loved ones.
Art was born on February 8, 1933, in rural Waterville, the son of William and Minnie (Preuss) Sorgatz. He was raised on the family farm with two sisters and one brother, attending school in rural North Morristown.
Arnold Peterson, of Waterville, MN, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026, at the age of 98.
Art Sorgatz, 92, of Waterville, passed away Monday, February 2, 2026 at the Owatonna Hospital.
Funeral services are pending.
Check the LifeEnterprise website for more information.
Republicans and Democrats in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties interested in participating in the early stages of the process of selecting their respective party’s candidates and platforms can do so at upcoming precinct caucuses Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. at various locations.
The WEM One Act Play actors put together a fantastic performance Saturday, Jan. 22, placing second in the Sub-Section Competition.
That effort has advanced them into the six school Section 2A competition which will be held Saturday, January 31 at Waseca High School.
Performing a piece called "Nellie," based on the true story of Nellie Bly, the WEM students brought to life the real hardship of woman at a New York Insane Asylum. Audience members could feel the grief, anger and frustration from the performance of the students.
An outdoors enthusiast, Aidan Oldenburg speaks fondly of time in the woods as he hunted, fished, and explored along the Little Cobb River by his home near Pemberton, Minnesota. Pemberton is a small town of 229 people (2020 census) about 90 miles southwest of Minneapolis but a mere 17 miles from the regional city of Mankato where Aidan was born in 2001.
Faced with a deteriorating infrastructure, the City of Kilkenny is looking to rehabilitate and modernize its water systems.
The city met with Kyle Renneke of the engineering firm ISG Monday to go over details of the project. Particular focus is given to the well house. The 90-year old structure is in critical disrepair.
“It has a concrete roof that could collapse at any time,” said Kilkenny Mayor Tammy Holicky said.
Approximately one month ago, the JWP girls basketball team handed the WEM girls a 70-29 defeat December 16, 2025.
Thirty-four days later the Buccaneers held the Bulldogs to 57 points in a 57-52 win for JWP in Gopher Conference action.
WEM took a 28-21 halftime lead only to see the Bulldogs outscore them 36- 24 in the second half.
WEM limited the Bulldogs to one of their lowest scoring games of the season. They held a 44-35 rebounding advantage and a 16-9 offensive rebounding advantage.
The WEM/JWP wrestling team opened up a 48-0 lead on their way to a 57-15 win over Medford Thursday, January 22 in Waterville.
Medford forfeited six of their first seven matches allowing the Grizzlies to open up an insurmountable lead.
Seventh grader Otto Root improved to 16-7 this season with a pin of eighth grader Kyle Witter in 3:54 at 114 pounds.
Junior Parker James improved to 11-13 with a 36 second pin of sophomore Grayson Burr at 152 pounds.
Junior Trenton Huber decisioned junior Chase Baler, 10-3, to improve to 17-9 at 189 pounds.
Roger Dean Howland, age 87, of Forest City, IA, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, at his home with his wife by his side under the care of hospice.
William C. Hoehn, age 93, longtime resident of Good Thunder, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Good Thunder with visitation starting at 11 a.m. Military honors will follow at church. Complete obituary and livestreaming: www.mankatomortuary.com
