The WEM Board of Education approved a slight increase to the school district’s levy for the 2022 pay year.
The board adopted a proposed levy in September based on the limits set by the Minnesota Legislature. The increase in levy is due to an increase in debt service.
But according to Business Manager Margaret Jewison, county assessors determine estimated market values for each parcel of property in the WEM School District.

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved the final 2022 levy in the amount of $24,611,528, which is an increase of $1.1 million or 4.8 percent from 2021.
This action was taken during the December 21 meeting.
County departments developed their proposed budgets during the months of April and May. Work sessions are held between the department heads and the county commissioners during June through August. In September the board sets the preliminary levy.

Students at Trinity Lutheran School, North Morristown, performed a special “Miracle in a Manger” Christmas program as part of the morning worship service on Dec. 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The children acted out the story of Christ’s birth, which took place over 2,000 years ago. The program was filled with joyful songs and prayer. Pianist Susan Wagner and organist Val Braun provided musical accompaniment.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, with other area law enforcement, held its Shop with a Cop the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague. There were 23 children that participated in the annual event that allows children to find gifts for family members and something for themselves.

Le Sueur County received $3.7 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), part of a $2.2 trillion federal economic stimulus bill that was passed in March 2020 in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, how did the county spend those dollars?

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is preparing motorists for forecasted heavy snowfall rates Friday morning through Saturday morning. The heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are expected to reduce visibility, cause compaction on the roadways, and make travel difficult in south central and southwest Minnesota. 

A resolution regulating street parking in a residential area in the City of Elysian was discussed during the monthly November 8 meeting of the Elysian City Council.
The area in question is along SW Maple and SW Third Street. which is very narrow in size.
The council was looking at the resolution that states no person shall park a vehicle or trailer longer than 24 hours on either side of SW Maple Ave and SW Third Street.
It was decided to leave the street as is and not regulate the parking in this area and revise it in the spring.

A 446-acre park in Le Sueur County will benefit from a fundraiser held in Montgomery on Sunday.
The Ney Nature Center (NNC) was the focus of the 13th annual Fall Fling, the nature preserve’s largest fundraiser of the year. It attracted people from around the county who are dedicated to the NNC’s mission of preservation of the natural state of its surroundings, restoring and preserving the buildings of historical significance, and engaging the greater community in connecting with the natural world.

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason reported that law enforcement has located and spoken with Pamela Jewison, who was reported missing on Saturday, November 13th, 2021, by her family.
Sheriff Mason advised that this afternoon, at approx. 2:20 p.m., State Troopers in Idaho located Jewison traveling in her vehicle, traveling east on Interstate 90.

The family of a New Prague woman is looking for help locating her after she left home and never returned.
Jeffrey Jewison of rural New Prague contacted Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason’s office on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at approx. 5:23 p.m., to report his wife, Pamela Jewison, 50, was missing.
Jeffrey told the sheriff’s office his wife had not reported to work and her whereabouts were unknown. After the family and deputies were unable to contact Pamela, she was signed/entered as a Missing Person.

“If you’re looking for a silver lining in this pandemic, improved broadband service in Le Sueur County is one.”
- Barbara Dröher Kline
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Le Sueur County has spent $1.7 million of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to improve the speed and reliability of internet service throughout the county.

The WEM volleyball team defeated NRHEG Thursday, Nov. 4 at New Prague High School to win their 6th straight Sub-Section Championship. The Lady Bucs defeated the Panthers 25-18, 25-15, 23-25, and 27-25 to win the South Sub-Section title. The win advances WEM into the Section 2AA Championship Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at St. Peter High School. This is a time change due to their opponent, Southwest Christian of Chaska, having a State Soccer match. Southwest Christian, the No. 1 rated team in Class AA, swept Belle Plaine in the North Sub-Section Champion game.

Waterville Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 30 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Location: County Garage on Reed Street, Waterville Free. All ages are welcome. Participate or come watch the fun! Food Shelf donations accepted. Free hotdogs! Games and candy. If you would like to donate or have a participating trunk, contact Betty at 507-362-8807.

New changes are coming to how people make phone calls as mandatory 10-digit dialing starts on Sunday, Oct. 24. The Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) July 2020 Order required all telecommunications carriers, to make any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) by July 16, 2022.

Following the city council’s decision to move forward with a major street project and a waste water treatment plant upgrade, Morristown’s City Administrator Michael Mueller resigned.
Mueller submitted his resignation during the council’s Oct. 4 meeting. His resignation was accepted. His employment with the city will end Nov. 12.
Mueller was hired by the city as a part-time administrator in July 2020 and the position soon became full-time.