The Postal Service is good to go on its plan to slow down the mail and implement aggressive price increases, according to the Postal Regulatory Commission in a pair of decisions handed down this week.
The PRC expressed skepticism about the wisdom of adding an additional day to service standards for both First-Class and Periodicals mail.
But it stopped short of telling USPS not to make the change. Instead, it cautioned USPS to examine its assumptions about cost savings and to look into the root causes of mail slowdowns in recent months.

She’s happy in her garden.
On summer nights, there’s no place Susan Bliss of Waterville would rather be than sitting in her 25’ x 50’ garden, visiting with family members or friends, and watching critters scurry, flutter, and hop around her blooming plants.
“It’s rewarding to see more and more bees, butterflies, and birds,” she stated. “It’s so peaceful, and right at dusk is when the hummingbird moths come. They’re amazing to watch.”
The little, lawn-turned-nature refuge was certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation last summer.

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.

Edward Henry Schmidtke, age 69, of Morristown died on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at his home after a short battle with lung cancer.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, North Morristown on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at 1 p.m. with the Reverend Juan Palm, officiating. Interment will be at Concordia Cemetery, North Morristown at a later date.
Visitation will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 1 to 4 p.m. and also at the church for one hour prior to the services on Sunday.

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.

I was having an in-depth discussion with a long-lost friend of mine the other day.
We were talking about goofy things which people probably scratch their head about for hours.
He showed me a website which includes many of these wild realizations people have on buzzfeed.com Here are some of my favorites to get your brain waves working…
"The best part of a cucumber tastes like the worst part of a watermelon.” I personally don’t agree with this one.
"Drinking water with a minty mouth is the cold version of spicy."

The Morristown Morries amateur baseball team picked up a pair of big wins last week to move into fourth place in the 13-60 League. The Morries routed Cleveland, 16-6, in seven innings Saturday, July 17. The following day they edged third place Blue Earth, 5-3. Following the Wednesday game with Waterville, Morristown will finish their regular season Saturday, July 24 with a 2 p.m. home game against Wells.

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.

Daniel H. Stangler, age 61 of Elysian, passed away in Rochester surrounded by his family on Monday, July 12, 2021.
Daniel was born in Mankato on December 30, 1959 to Ione (Dehn) Eustice and Charles Stangler. Dan graduated from Waterville HS in 1978. He then worked at Morton Buildings and was a Union Laborer until he retired. On May 11, 1991 he was united in marriage to LoryAnn M. Wolff.

John David Sandquist, age 78 of Elysian, MN and Mesa, AZ, died on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 in Rochester following a brief illness.
Born in Ames, IA on April 11, 1943, John was the son of David and Lorraine (Hutton) Sandquist of Cambridge, IA. After attending school at Iowa Wesleyan College, John began employment for Farmland Industries (later Agriliance). He continued his career in that company until his retirement in 2003. John took pride in his work and received recognition for his sales in fertilizer and chemicals and in his management with people.

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. 

Are my kids the only ones who forgot how to act in public?
It has been months since the COVID lockdown guidelines were lifted, but I still find myself having to retrain my offspring on the basics.  It’s baffling, frustrating, and a bit hilarious.
Last weekend, my family of four ventured to Kohl’s and Target because 9-yearold Ellen needed a few things for camp.

The Waterville Indians remain on top of the 13-60 League standings after picking up one league win and a non-league victory last week.
The Indians, winners of 15 straight games, routed Wells, 19-6, Wednesday, June 30 in Waterville.. The following night the Indians defeated New Prague, 7-2, in a non-league game.

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.