A house fire broke out on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 16, on Kilkenny Road, also known as Le Sueur County 168, in rural Kilkenny Township about one mile south of Kilkenny.
The house is a total loss, leaving at least one man homeless for the holidays. It appeared that other buildings, possessions and/or vehicles outside the home were also impacted.

Hunter Tim Alan Schwartz, age 28, died unexpectedly as the result of a tragic accident on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Windom Area Health in Windom, Minnesota.

John “Jack” Cletus Prehn, age 91, of Waterville, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Traditions in Waterville.

Michael Donald Anthony David, affectionately known as “Mickii”, age 73, of Le Center, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held the following day, Monday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior at the American Legion in Le Center. Deacon Dan Wesley will be officiating, and interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in rural Waterville following the service.

Michael Donald Anthony David, affectionately known as “Mickii”, age 73, of Le Center, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held the following day, Monday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior at the American Legion in Le Center. Deacon Dan Wesley will be officiating, and interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in rural Waterville following the service.

This weekend was my first stop in Minneapolis. I had been around the fringes of the cities a few times, but this was my first time smack in the center.
    As far as traffic goes, I would rank it better than Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, along with the Mounted Posse and The Sheriff’s Youth Project, have once again come together to launch the project, “Believe in the Magic of Christmas.”
The project “will provide an opportunity for our community to come together and spread a little Christmas Magic for a very deserving family.”

Darus Lyn Toot, 68, of Janesville, MN, died Saturday, November 9, 2024, at home.
He was born on December 4, 1956, and was the third child of Wayne and Marcella (Huffman) Toot.  He attended Waterville-Elysian Public Schools and graduated in 1975.
Darus worked in construction and traveled to various locations in the U.S. Yearly trips to Sturgis were some of his favorite adventures as well as hunting and camping. He enjoyed socializing with his friends and family and we appreciated his quick wit and sarcastic manner! 

Joe Johnson
Rice County Emergency Management Director
As winter approaches, it's critical to prepare for extreme cold, snow, and icy conditions. These storms can last a few hours or several days and cut off heat, power, and communication. 
Winter storms create a higher risk of car crashes, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, residential fires, and heart attacks from overexertion. 
To ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared, follows these steps: 

Among the buildings along South Plut Avenue at the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds in Le Center, Minn., lies a small building nestled between the other structures that keeps a piece of yesteryear alive — District #75 Schoolhouse. The building is a wood, oneroom schoolhouse, which was typical for the area at the time.

John G. Smisek, age 77, of Le Center, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 15, at 10 a.m. with visitation held one hour prior at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. Interment will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Montgomery.

John G. Smisek, age 77, of Le Center, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Le Center Funeral Home in Le Center. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 15, at 10 a.m. with visitation held one hour prior at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Le Center. Interment will be in St. John Catholic Cemetery in Montgomery.

A combination of disappointment and joy were mixed together following the Section 2AA Championship football game Friday, Nov. 1 at JWP High School.
The disappointment was the Buccaneers losing 52-20 to Triton. WEM scored on their opening drive but the Cobras scored on all eight of their drives in advancing to the Class AA State Tournament. They will play undefeated Chatfield, a team which Triton lost to 33-6 Sept. 27.

Voters in the Lake Region Area have voted and there will be some major changes in many of the four local communities.
Two new mayors and six new city council members have been voted into office following the Tuesday, Nov. 5 General Election.
The cities of Elysian and Morristown will have new mayors. Elysian, Kilkenny, Morristown, and Waterville will all have at least one new city council member.
The only elected office which will not see change is on the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Board of Education.  All three incumbents were voted back in.
City of Elysian

Dennis Leroy Schwichtenberg, age 83, died October 28, 2024, at Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.  
Dennis was born March 17, 1941, in Waterville, Minnesota and baptized at Trinity Lutheran in Waterville.  He lived on the family farm northeast of Waterville with his parents, Paul and Ruth Lamont Schwichtenberg. He started school in a one room country schoolhouse near Horseshoe Lake. Later he attended school in Waterville before moving to St. Clair and graduating from St. Clair High School in 1958.

The Miss Czech-Slovak Minnesota Pageant is now accepting applications for candidacy for junior ambassadors and queens for the 36th Annual Miss Czech-Slovak Minnesota Pageant.
An informational open house will be held at the Montgomery Public Library, 104 Oak Ave, on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 12-1:30 p.m. Potential candidates will have the opportunity to meet with board members, ask questions and learn about the opportunities.