Donors respond to teacher’s request for funding, supplies
Fifth grade teacher Rachael Wetzel wanted to bring back the science fair to Waterville- Elysian-Morristown Schools, but with more than a third of her students coming from low-income families, the extra financial burden of the projects was worrisome.
But, instead of giving up, Wetzel brainstormed a new way to fund a science fair.

The Le Sueur County Board approved the medical director agreement with Dr. Michael Wilcox during the Tuesday, March 5 meeting in Le Center.
Wilcox has been involved in providing emergency medical services to the county for many years. This agreement, which includes a fee of $500, will allow Wilcox to act as medical director for the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Training Center and provide consultation.
In other Le Sueur County Board business:
* A renewal of a consumption and display permit was approved for the Caribou Gun Club in Le Sueur.

Kenneth “Ken” R. Kloubec, age 75, of Alexandria, died peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with Fr. Steven Binsfeld officiating. Music was provided by pianist, Laurie J. Youngers and cantor, Erin Takle. Burial was at the church cemetery.

Orville Otto Krienke, age 82 of Waseca died peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.
Born on April 11, 1936 in Alton Township, Waseca County, Minnesota, he was the son of Otto and Delia (Roeker) Krienke. He attended school in rural Le Sueur County before graduating from Waterville High School in 1954. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1955 until his honorable discharge in 1957.

The retired judge overseeing the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) lawsuit assigned tasks and specific timelines to move the case along.

The WEM girls basketball team overcame a nine point second half deficit and defeated Fairmont 40-37 Tuesday, Feb. 26 in the South Sub-Section Quarterfinals played at Waterville. Sophomore Toryn Richards hit four straight free throws the final 14 seconds of the game to give the Bucs their first lead. Senior Paige Pittman scored 12 points and sophomore Richards and Brielle Bartelt each added 10 points. WEM, the No. 2 seed, will play the No. 6 seed, Maple River Friday, march 1 at 7:15 p.m. at Mankato East High School in the South Sub-Section semifinals.

On February 28th, 2019 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Le Sueur County dispatch received a call regarding a home break-in on the 400 block of Main Street East in the City of Waterville. A Waterville Police Officer arrived at the residence shortly after. The officer was advised by the owner that they were woken up by a loud banging noise and the sound of breaking glass. The owner then went to the stairs and witnessed a male wearing a white hoody and dark jacket in their home. The owner yelled at them and they fled the scene.

Marna Lee Bauer, age 83 of Waterville, died on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Birchwood Cottages in Owatonna.
Born in Erin Township, Rice County, Minnesota on February 14, 1936, Marna was the daughter of Alva and Evaline (Roemhildt) Jackson. She was baptized
into the faith on April 5, 1936 in Kilkenny and was later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville on May 28, 1950. She graduated from
Waterville High School in 1954 and later married Donald F. Bauer at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville on June 12, 1955. Throughout her

Post-season action for the WEM boys and girls basketball teams will start soon for both teams. The girls are the No. 2 seed in the Section 2AA South Sub-Section with a 19-5 record. They will host No. 7 seed Fairmont (8-15 overall) Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. The No. 1 seed is undefeated Medford, who defeated the Bucs Thursday, Feb. 21 for the second time this season. If WEM wins their opener, they will play either No. 3 seed Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial (21-2) or No. 6 seed Maple River (16-10) Friday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Mankato East. WEM defeated LCWM earlier this season.

Despite orders from a Le Sueur County judge and a retired, court-ordered judge, the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS), has not turned over all its records.
A motion was filed on February 8, 2019, to have Le Sueur County Judge Mark Vandelist address the many missing documents and hear reasons why they haven’t been produced.

Francis "Frank" Charles Janda, age 88 of Minnetonka, formerly of Waterville, died on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at Lake Minnetonka Shores in Spring Lake Park.

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is preparing motorists for forecasted heavy snowfall rates overnight through Wednesday. Weather conditions will limit visibility and make travel difficult in south central Minnesota.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for much of southern Minnesota, and advises motorists to plan for extra travel time, especially for the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.
MnDOT snowplow operators will do their part to make highways safe and motorists should remember to:

The Holy Land has always called to Pastor David Mumme of Waterville, but the timing never seemed quite right--the kids were little, things at the church were busy, etc. 
"He has always wanted to go," his wife, Glenda, said of her husband. "He's read Biblical Archaeology Review for more than 20 years." 
Finally, they decided the trip need to happen, and they were going to invite others to join them. They would lead a tour of the Holy Land. 

Janice Kulla, age 86, of Waseca, died on Saturday, February 17, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20, at Church of the Sacred Heart with Fr. Gregory Leif as Celebrant. Visitation will be for two hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in St. Casimir Cemetery at Wells.
Arrangements are with Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. www.wasecafuneral.com

Richard Wallace “Sparrow” Scholljegerdes, age 91 of Waseca died on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Birchwood Cottages in Owatonna.

LeRoy J. Janda, Fargo, formerly of Waterville, MN, was crowned with eternal life, by the grace of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ on February 16, 2019.  He died at Bethany Retirement Living on University in Fargo, ND.
LeRoy James Janda was born to Emil and Christine (Schwartz) Janda on January 21, 1936 at home in Waterville, MN. He was baptized at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.