When he was 4 years old, Jay Williams introduced his son, Zack, to motocross racing. By the time he was 18, he won an amateur national championship. A year later, he turned professional and began racing for prize money.
He was initially attracted by the speed, the grit and determination of motocross racing. Later, Williams grew to appreciate the individual nature of the sport.
“You put the helmet on and it’s just you and the bike,” he said.
WEM senior-to-be Katrina Brekke was selected by the Elysian American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) to attend this year’s Girls State event, which was held June 11 through June 17 at Bethel College.
Brekke said she was very happy to get a chance to go and she received the coveted Spirit Award, which goes to the most cheerful person among the 230 attendees.
She said they interacted with FBI, SWAT members, court judges, and many different government officials, during her week stay.
The WEM Girls Track and Field Team had three athletes be named to an All-Gopher Conference team for the second straight season.
Junior Josie Volkmann, sophomore Ashlyn Pelant, and freshman Addison Condon were named Honorable Mention All-Conference. All three were named to the First Team in 2022. Sophomore Maddie Heuss received the Conference Sportsmanship Award.
Volkmann placed fifth in the conference 800-meter run and ninth in the triple jump.
Pelant placed third in the shot put and fifth in the discus.
Three straight wins in the 13-60 League has vaulted the Waterville Indians amateur baseball team into a commanding lead in the 13- 60 League American Division Standings.
The Indians defeated Wells, 9-4, Blue Earth, 7-2, and Morristown, 12-2 in seven innings Sunday, July 2.
The wins improve their record to 9-2 in the division, two full games in front of the North Mankato Gators and 4 1/2 games in front of Morristown.
In the win over the Morries, Bladyn Bartelt pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run, struck out 15, and did not walk a batter.
Bernard Anthony Hausen, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on July 4, 2023, at his home in Waterville, Minnesota.
Governor Tim Walz and Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen visited the Heldberg Dairy Farm, owned and operated by Karl Heldberg, south of Le Sueur the afternoon of July 6 to talk dairy and agriculture. The governor and commissioner spent a great length of time speaking with Heldberg and exchanging thoughts about farmers, their struggles and the state of the dairy industry in Minnesota.
Individuals looking for some historical facts about the city of Waterville, its businesses, and some of its residents, can now read about them outside the Waterville City Hall.
The Waterville Artists and Historic Waterville Businesses exhibit is starting to take shape, with six beautiful displays currently erected.
According to Jeff Jarvis, a partnership was formed with the Le Sueur County Historical Society Board.
Anita Ester Swift, age 76 of Waterville, died at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato on the morning of Sunday, July 2, 2023, shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressively advancing cancer.
New Prague and other communities in the area will be celebrating the July 4th holiday with everything from parades to music to boat parades to fireworks.
New Prague The evening of Monday, July 3, will be the New Prague Fireworks Show. Events are east of the New Prague Middle School, beginning at 6 p.m. there will be Kona Ice, Dawgs on the Run, face painting and free massages. The national anthem will be sung by Linda Fahrenkamp with the fireworks at 10:10 p.m.
Elko July 1st at Dusk, Elko Speedway
Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category in southern, east central, and northeast Minn., which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Barbara Renee Bittrich, age 73 of Waterville, died on the evening of Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Air quality alert issued due to ozone for Tuesday, June 20, through Thursday, June 22, for central and southern Minn.
Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category in central and southern Minn., which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for central and southern Minn., effective from noon on Tuesday, June 20, through 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 22. The affected area includes central and southern Minn., and the tribal nations of Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, Upper Sioux, and Prairie Island.
Charles Frederick Schaedler, Jr., age 83, formerly of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023 in Arizona.
Born on June 25, 1939 in Minneapolis, MN to Charles Sr., and Enid Schaedler. Charles served in the US Air Force for 4 1/2 years before his honorable discharge. He retired from the United States Postal Service after 30 years of service. He was a loving and devoted husband and father.
Charles “Chuck” Paul Dorenkemper, age 73 of Waterville, passed away at his home surrounded by his family in the early morning of Friday, June 16, 2023.
Charlene “Char” A. Schroeder, age 83, of Morristown, died on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Allina Health Faribault Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at First English Lutheran Church, Faribault, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend Mark Johnson will officiate. Interment will be at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault.
Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault, on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service at the church.
