The Lake Region Area is lucky to have three artists who have been recognized not only in Minnesota, the United States, but worldwide.

WEM students had a chance to study various aspects of the art created by Adolf Dehn, Roger Preuss and David Maass, the three local artists who lived in this area.

“I know SNAP has been the highlight of discussion for many, many weeks” Le Sueur County Director of Human Services Jamie Hayes said at the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners regular meeting on Nov. 18.

Hayes was before the board for the payment authorization of an elevator project, but had time left in her segment to talk about the ongoing federal issues with the SNAP program.

Four WEM girls basketball players who have played in 40 or more varsity games return to the 2025-2026 Buccaneer squad this winter.

The four include senior Addison Condon (72 games), senior Kaitlyn LaFrance (47 games), senior Alenka Jans (45 games) and junior Alix Velzke (44 games) return after playing many minutes over the last two seasons.

WEM kindergarten students shared how they would “Cook a Turkey” if they had the chance.

I cook my turkey with a stove. My turkey cost $100 and I got it from Wal-Mart. I got my turkey home with a car. When I cooked my turkey I put cereal in the pan with my turkey. I cooked it on 400 degrees for one minute. I ate ketchup and ranch, and chicken nuggets and ice cream with my turkey. My family ate the turkey with me. My turkey tastes good. Haddie Guy

Gladys Anna Culhane, age 101, of Morristown, MN, passed away on November 21, 2025, in the Mala Strana Rehabilitation & Assisted Living facility in New Prague, with her good friend and roommate, Janet, and caregivers by her side.

Christopher Lee "Chris" Walczak, age 54, of Rosemount, passed away November 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born on September 16, 1971, in Edina, Minnesota. Chris lived a life marked by deep passion, unwavering loyalty, and a profound belief in the value of human connection.

Mark Jeffery Paulson, age 69, of rural Waseca, passed away on November 19, 2025, at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato following a lifelong battle with muscular dystrophy. 

The WEM bowling team captured the regular season South Central Conference Championship.

Following this title, they finished as the conference runner-up in the end-of-theseason conference tournament held last Saturday in Owatonna.

WEM grad Ashlyn Pelant plays for the Yellowjackets

The Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) volleyball team ended on a high note Saturday, Nov. 15, beating the College of DuPage (Ill.) 3-1 in the third-place match of the NJCAA Division III tournament at Allian Energy Powerhouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Yellowjackets, who entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed, finished their season 25-9 overall.

RCTC defeated College of DuPage 25-19, 12-25, 25-18, 25-18.

A proposed solar farm on the northeast corner of Morristown drew concerns at the city’s monthly meeting on Nov. 3.

The project would see the farmland directly southeast of Dollar General converted into a solar farm capable of 4.99 megawatts. New Leaf Energy is the solar company interested in developing the land. The land is owned by Poplar Grove Farms LLC of Farmington.

Goodhue ends undefeated WEM football season at State

The dream of a state championship may be gone, but the memories of two outstanding seasons by the WEM football will never be forgotten.

A team which won one game three years ago morphed into a Section runner up and a Section Champion - something only 10 other teams in WEM School history have done.

Twelve players will graduate from the team which went 10-1 after losing in the Class AA State Football Quarterfinals, 29-28, in overtime Thursday, Nov. 6.

Three members of the WEM volleyball team received individual State honors and the Buccaneer team was also honored by state coaches.

One of those individuals is being honored for the second time.

Seniors Liza Baker, Addison Condon, and Alenka Jans were each honored by the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association for excellence in two different categories.

All three student-athletes received the Class AA Academic All-State Award. Baker and Condon each have achieved a 3.99 grade point average and Jans has a 3.98 grade point average on a scale of 4.00.

Two Elysian Legion members received outstanding recognition when they were presented with the Quilt of Honor during the Veteran’s Day Ceremony held Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the WEM High School.

Receiving the honors were Ron Berndt and Ron Gregor.

For the past two weeks, a talented group of WEM actors have been rehearsing for their performance of Sherlock Holmes.

The WEM Fall Play will be performed Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in the newly remodeled auditorium in the high school in Waterville.

Fifteen students will be taking to the stage and almost all of them will be performing more than one role.

Christopher Thomas Short, age 49, of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 7, 2025.

Born on March 19, 1976, in New Prague, Chris was the beloved son of Thomas and Juilee (Larson) Short. He grew up in Elysian and attended Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1994. He went on to earn a degree in Marketing from Winona State University in 1998, where he made lifelong friends. 

Agnes Rose Kniefel, age 90, of Waterville, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield.

Agnes was born on January 5, 1935, in Owatonna, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Gladys (Bartosch) Kniefel. She spent her early years in the Owatonna area before the family moved to Waterville. Agnes graduated from Waterville Public Schools in 1953.