Beyond the hard work that those exhibiting animals have put in, fair foods and beverages, amusement rides, live music, and other events, the Le Sueur County Free Fair is also host to — drum roll please — the Ag Olympics!
The University of Minnesota Le Sueur County 4-H’ers pack in a fun time on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. in the show arena at the fair hosting the Ag Olympics. Events will include wheelbarrow races, feed sack relays, egg tosses, bobbing for corn, roping, and hog calling.

New Prague resident Phyllis Smith has been selected the Outstanding Senior Citizen in Le Sueur County.
Smith will be recognized at the Le Sueur County Fair during the Senior Citizens/Farm Family of the Year Program on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m.
The individual that nominated Smith said this about the former elementary school secretary:

Waterville has SBA Recovery Center available
The City of Waterville now has a Business Recovery Center courtesy of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).
According to the SBA, low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses and residents in Minnesota following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to severe storms and flooding that occurred June 16 through July 4, 2024.

The annual Kilkenny Fire Department ATV Ride, which will be held Saturday, August 10, will feature a little different course this year.
Due to a change in the Le Sueur County ATV ordinance, the vehicles will not be allowed to ride in the ditches this year and will be traveling on the highways to their three destinations.
This is the eighth year the Kilkenny Fire Department has been in charge of the event. The ATV Run was started by the Kilkenny Park Committee 13 years ago. That first year approximately 200 vehicles were involved.

Betty Ann Wolff, age 88, of Waterville died on Monday, August 5, 2024, at Traditions of Waterville. 

Linda Jane Schwartz, age 80, of Waterville, died Monday, July 29, 2024, at Traditions Assisted Living Facility in Owatonna.

The Waterville Indians amateur baseball team won a pair of games in the 13-60 League Playoffs which propelled them into their sixth straight Region Tournament.
The Indians defeated Waseca, 9-4 Saturday, July 20 and Minnesota Lake 10-3 Sunday, July 21 to advance to the 13-60 League Championship game Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m. in Waterville. Their opponent will be Blue Earth, who defeated Wells, 11-10, and Eagle Lake, 12-7.
These two teams met for the 13-60 League Championship in 2023 and the Pirates edged the Indians, 7-6.

Eagan resident Myles Knutson was introduced Monday, July 22 as the newest WEM Middle School Principal during the Board’s regular July meeting.
Knutson has more than a decade of experience in the field of education, most recently as the Differentiation Specialist at Prior Lake-Savage School District.

Cassie Eldeen had a busy first day in her new position as City Clerk and Treasurer for the City of Morristown. July 1 was also the same day of the City Council’s monthly meeting. This gave Eldeen a chance to be introduced to the greater community by Mayor Tony Lindahl.
“This is her first day, so don’t beat her up,” Mayor Lindahl joked with the crowd “Be nice to her.”
Eldeen is no stranger to the Morristown offices. Her grandmother, Virginia Schmidtke, held the same position for 34 years.

Diane Rose Johnson, age 83, of Lakeville, died in the early morning of Sunday, July 14, 2024, at Fairview Medical Center in Burnsville following a difficult battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Raymond G. Rosacker, Jr., 83, of Waseca, MN, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home on July 12, 2024, under the care of his daughter Tracie, and St. Croix Hospice. 

Charles “Chuck’ David Beardsley, 85, of Aitkin, MN, passed away on May 23, 2024, in Brainerd, MN, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 25, 1938. Chuck, a caring father and husband, will be remembered by his family for his dedication to and love for his family and friends. Although he may not have told you every day how much he loved and cared for you, his actions spoke louder than words.

Wayne Loren Knauss, 79, of Hawley, MN, went to his heavenly home on July 11, 2024, at SMP Health - St. Catherine North, Fargo, ND. Wayne was born in Watertown, MN, on January 1, 1945, the oldest of six children to Loren and Dorothy (Busby) Knauss. A farm boy, he joined the U.S. Army, serving in Germany from August 1967 to 1969. Wayne married “his jewel” Julia Ann Goettl on May 18, 1971, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, MN. Working for A.O. Breeders Harvester Division in New Prague, MN, he was promoted in 1975 to management for Valley Harvestore Systems, Inc.

Gerald “Jerry” Earl Mason, passed away on July 4, 2024, at Hillcrest Care and Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, Minnesota, after battling complications of cancer.
Born on July 14, 1950 in Spencer, Iowa, Jerry was the son of Phoebe (Giles) and Donald Mason. He grew up in Ruthven and graduated from Ruthven High School. Jerry served his country in the Army and Army National Guard, where he was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.

Ruth Ernestine Aanas, age 103, of Elysian, died on the evening of Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

The office of the Le Sueur County election administrator announces that absentee ballots are now available to the public for the August 13 primary election. Individuals may vote in person at the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at the Le Sueur County Government Center, 88 S Park Ave, Le Center, MN 56057, or fill out an absentee ballot application on-line, or mail in a request for an absentee ballot to Le Sueur County Elections, 88 South Park Ave, Le Center MN 56057, and a ballot will be mailed to them.