Navy 1st Class Petty Officer and Machinist Mate Nuclear (MMN1) Kenneth “Kenny” Wollin, son of Dave and Deb Wollin, grew up in Waterville.
Now, after spending years attending the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program and being deployed at sea, Wollin helps train other sailors in nuclear operations.
The 2007 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School graduate graciously agreed to share a little about his military career in honor of Veterans Day 2020, which just happens to be an extra special day for he and his wife.

The WEM football team scored its first points of the season in Janesville Friday, Nov. 6.
But the lone touchdown was all they would put on the board as the JWP Bulldogs won their first game of the season, down- ing WEM, 31-6.
Senior Kurtis Crosby blocked a Bulldog’s punt and senior Travis Van Houdt returned the ball 29 yards midway through the second quarter.
The score cut the JWP lead to 13-6 with 6:54 left in the third quarter.
“Things got a little close after the blocked punt,” WEM head coach Mike Richards said. “I thought at that point the momentum

Tickets for the Playoff FB game on Tuesday Nov. 17 will begin Wednesday, Nov. 11 at noon.
Cost per ticket is $10 (Adult/ Student/ Senior Citizen) WEM will only have 120 total tickets available for purchase.
1) Each FB Player and Cheerleader will have tickets assigned to their
WEM JMC account.
- These can be claimed using JMC by paying online OR
- You will need to call the WEM Activities Office (362-4403) and bring in $ to purchase.
* Either one of these MUST be completed by Noon Friday, November 13.

As hospitals express concern about capacity to treat Minnesotans with COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus in Minnesota. Beginning on Friday, the restrictions will apply to social gatherings, celebrations and receptions, and bars and restaurants, which are three of the most significant sources of COVID-19 outbreaks across the state.
Walz also today announced $10 million in funding to support small businesses affected by the pandemic.
 

Chester Dale Hrdlicka, age 90, of Elysian died Thursday, November 5, 2020, at St. Johns Hospital in Maplewood.

Bucs are 7-0, have clinched at least tie for 3rd straight conference title
In a battle between two of the state’s top nine rated teams, the WEM volleyball team swept Medford Thursday, Oct. 29 in Waterville.
The Bucs entered the contest rated No. 2 in Class A while the Tigers were rated No. 9 in the most recent poll Oct. 26.
WEM picked up their sixth straight sweep of the season, downing Medford 25-14, 25-16, and 25-19.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 5, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

A few weeks ago, my sixth grader, Anna, had to report to her class on a current event. She needs to report on one local, one state, one national, and one world headline throughout the school year.
The students present their findings on a rotating basis, so the classroom gets a few “top news stories” each week. After the presentations, students can ask the presenter a few questions and discuss the topic.
It’s a pretty cool project.

Local businesses are trying to get back to some sort of normal after suffering through the COVID-19 virus shutdowns. This weekend, Waterville and Elysian businesses are planning on opening more hours in order to start off the holiday shopping season. Holiday Shopping Opener will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at a number of businesses including B's Barn Door, Davis' MarketPlace, Grumpy Old Man Cave, J & L Bottles, Phil Mart, and Make It Waterville, all located in Waterville.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 5, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Waterville City Council member Tim Smith has been a firefighter and first responder for many years in St. Louis Park.
During his time on duty, he has seen many instances when pertinent information about individuals they were responding to was not immediately available.
Smith’s department decided to provide local residents with a potential livesaving product call the File of Life.
“This has been really critical to us as first responders,” Smith said.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 5, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Free food giveaway serves 700 families
There IS such a thing as a free lunch - and breakfast - and dinner, thanks to a free food distribution event that was held for Le Sueur County residents on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The distribution was held at the county fairgrounds for those in need or newly struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 crisis.
A total of 700 families were served, according to Tammy Stewig of Le Sueur County Emergency Management. Her department, and Le Sueur County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), hosted the event.

The Minnesota Secretary of State has released results from the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election.
The results will not be final until the government entity canvasses the results, which most offices are doing Friday, Nov.13.
In Waterville, Alan Schmidtke received 825 votes and will return as mayor. Incumbent city council members Jennifer Grobe (675 votes) and Tim Smith (644) votes were also re-elected.

Richard Wesley Fredenburg, Jr, age 65, passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis on Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on November 27th, 1954 in Northfield, MN to Richard and Beverly (St. Martin) Fredenburg.
He left Waterville High school at the end of his senior year to join the Marine Corp. in 1973 and later obtained his GED. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1975.

Unfortunately, a COVID situation will require us to cancel our 10/30 varsity game vs Owatonna and our 11/6 varsity game at Mayo.  Our JV and 9th grade teams are not affected and will continue to play during that time.
We thank our community for their continued support, as our players and staff really appreciate it during a difficult time.   We’ll rest up and prepare to complete the season successfully thereafter.

WEM High School's 2020 Homecoming King and Queen are Griffin Atherton and Kylie Pittmann.
The pair was crowned during a small ceremony in the high school gym Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, with only parents attending.
Atherton is the son of Chad and Rhea Atherton. Pittmann is the daughter of Kristie Pittmann and the late Brian Pittmann.

During this time of uncertainty, little things mean a lot.
Whether it be a pat on the back, a thank you, or just a note to say have a good day, kids need positives in their lives.
Sue Morsching, who owns Elysian Auto with her husband Carl, saw a display of kindness in the Twin Cities.
Morsching saw a heart wall, where individuals had a chance to provide uplifting messages written on a small heart. They were displayed for all to see and she felt this was something which could be done locally.

John Gordon Hendrickson, age 86, of Waterville, died on Tuesday evening, October 6, 2020 at his home.