Rain and high winds blasted through the area Wednesday morning, July 28, causing damage. Tree damage in various areas has been reported. A city work crew briefly blocked off a section of Waterville's Main Street after large branches downed power lines. The forecast for the day calls for more storms and temperatures topping 100ºF.
Four people lost their lives in a two-vehicle accident in Le Sueur County’s Sharon Township, Sunday night, July 25.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, the crash occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Le Sueur County Road 15 and Le Sueur County Road 22.
Initial investigation indicates a 2012 Ford Expedition with seven occupants, who were all from California, collided with a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado with one occupant from Le Sueur.
Father John Powers is the new pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville and St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Elysian. He will also be teaching at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault and plans to reside in Faribault.
Fr. Michael Ince, who has led the local parishes since 1991, has retired, but will continue to assist the local churches and will continue to reside at the rectory in Waterville.
Powers grew up in Northeast Minneapolis. He graduated from St. Anthony Village High School and enrolled at St. John’s University in Collegeville to study History.
A three-point venture of the Waterville Lions, Waterville Chamber of Commerce, and the Waterville City Council will soon be lighting up the three “Welcome to Waterville” signs, which are located on the north edge of Waterville, at the intersection of Highways 13 and 60, and at the corner of Main Street and State Highway 13.
She’s 100, but she’s surprisingly spry and is quick to welcome a guest at her front door with a big grin.
Ruth (Nichols) Aanas of Elysian has led a full life. She grew up during the Great Depression, worked on marine bases during World War II, eloped with her sweetheart (a Purple Heart recipient), worked hard, fished, laughed a lot, and raised a family.
“I don’t feel like I’m 100, but in not too long, I’ll be 101,” she laughed. “It just doesn’t seem possible.”
Ruth was born to Ernest and Hazelle Nichols a century ago in Elysian.
On Sunday, July 18th at approximately 2:57 pm, deputies were dispatched to a personal injury crash involving a pick-up vs motorcycle. Both were traveling westbound on 245th St. W in Morristown Township, when the pick-up ran into the motorcycle.
The adult male, Allan C Schwartz, 61 of Morristown, on the motorcycle was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital with critical injuries. Corey A. McKenna, 18 of Waterville, was driving the pick-up truck. People in the pick-up were not injured. Allan Schwartz was not wearing a helmet at the time of crash.
Paige Atherton, daughter of Kyle and Kathy Atherton and Wendy and Clinton Stoen, was crowned 2021 Miss Elysian during the pageant held Thursday, July 1.
Atherton, sponsored by Kopischke Seamless Gutter and Scoops, was crowned by 2019 Miss Elysian Sophia Alladin. She also received the Talent Award for her drawing presentation.
Mariah Boyd, daughter of Tricia and Aaron Johnson and Branden Boyd, was named Attendant. She was sponsored by Pamela’s Pet Shop and Pit Stop 60.
The 2021 Princess of the Lakes is Payton Schrot, daughter of Marcus and Lynnae Lukes.
Le Sueur County’s new Public Health Director Megan Kirby hit the ground running April 26th when she officially stepped into the position.
“I was fortunate enough to have multiple weeks with our previous director, Cindy Shaughnessy, to train and learn the role a little more in depth,” stated Kirby, who has a background working in community health along with a Master's Degree in Public Health, a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health Education, and an Associate's Degree in Psychology.
A man was found dead in a Le Center home Tuesday morning, July 6, following a 10-hour long standoff with law enforcement.
The man, who has been identified as 38-year-old Michael Lee Elie of Le Center, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County’s Sheriff Office, law enforcement officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of South Cordova Avenue in Le Center for a reported domestic assault at 9:19 p.m. Monday night.
The Le Sueur County Board received a report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) June 15 explaining the 10- year district work plan.
There are many road projects scheduled in the next 10 years which will affect residents in most of the communities within the county.
Former Trinity Lutheran School teacher Helen Bunge and her son, Peter Bunge, will reign as grand marshals of North Morristown’s Fourth of July Celebration this Sunday.
While neither Bunge no longer resides in the area, Helen and Peter still consider North Morristown “home” and are faithful attendees of the community’s annual celebration.
Thirty-six years ago, they bought what was Ralph’s Corner Bar in Elysian.
They were newlyweds. Their plan was to renovate the bar and sell it so they could buy a farm.
“Well, that didn’t happen, but things turned out pretty good,” laughed Pam Fischer, who owns and operates Fischer’s Corner Bar on the corner of Main and First Streets with her husband, Richard.
“We have three great kids, 10 grandkids, and we love this community,” she added. “We are honored to be Elysian’s grand marshals this year.”
Area residents looking for fun on the Fourth of July will have several choices.
A Le Center native, who loves the small-town life and atmosphere, is now helping taxpayers as the Le Sueur County Chief Deputy Auditor-Treasurer.
Brad Collins started his new position on May 25, 2021. The Auditor-Treasurer position wasn’t always a combined role. In December 2009, when then-auditor, Ron Germscheid retired, the county combined the two departments. In January 2010, Joe Boettcher took over and became the first Auditor-Treasurer, leading both departments until it split this year. The current Le Sueur County Auditor-Treasurer is Dani Blaschko.
A church is not a building! But so much of what a church does and how they are identified is tied to their building that sometimes a celebration of the building is called for.
So it is that the Elysian United Methodist Church is celebrating the 135th anniversary of the structure at 201 Fourth Street NW. The building, much as it appears today, was dedicated in 1886, free of debt.
The Catholic parishes in Waterville and Elysian will have a new pastor next month.
Fr. Micheal Ince, who has led the local churches since November 1991, will be retiring from his position as pastor on July 1.
Fr. John Powers, who was ordained in 2015 and has been most recently serving the parish of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Elko New Market, will become the new pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville and St. Andrew Catholic Church in Elysian. Powers will also be teaching at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault.