The much anticipated 2025 WEM Homecoming Week begins Monday, September 29 and will run through October 4.

Four queen and four king candidates have been chosen and they will be crowned Friday, Oct. 3 during the afternoon coronation in Waterville.

Queen candidates include Addison Condon, daughter of Scott and Pam Condon, Morgan Flohaug, daughter of Trevor Flohaug, Alenka Jans, daughter of Andy and Anne Jans, and Clare Landrum, daughter of Ryan and Katie Landrum.

Cecil Harris Madson, fondly known as Harris, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025, at the age of 100, at the Methodist Hospital Palliative Care Unit in Rochester, MN, following a brief illness. He was born on August 16, 1925, in Nunda Township.

The WEM/JWP girls cross country team had their top five runners finish in the top 25 of the Maple River Invitational Thursday, Sept. 11.

The Grizzlies placed fourth among the five full teams with 72 points. Springfield/ Cedar Mountain won the meet with 38 points. They were followed by Jackson County Central (51), Minnesota Valley Lutheran (66), WEM/JWP, and Medford (142).

WEM/JWP competed without their top runner McKenzie Westphal and with her they probably would have finished second overall.

Seven individuals applied, six individuals were interviewed, and one individual was named to the Elysian City Council during the regular September 8 meeting.

A vacancy on the council was declared August 11, 2025. following the death of Mayor Thomas McBroom, Sr. Council member Dennis Schnoor was appointed mayor, which left a council spot open.

Steve Hoppe was chosen among the six interviewed to fill in the fourth city council position.

The WEM/JWP boys cross country team put together their best team performance of the season Thursday, Sept. 11, placing second in the Maple River Invitational.

The Grizzlies scored 57 points top finish as runners-up to Minnesota Valley Lutheran (MVL) for the team championship. MVL scored 29 points and had five runners in the top 11. Placing third through sixth were Springfield/Cedar Mountain (64), Medford (112), Jackson County Central (120), and Blue Earth Area (135).

In his post on Facebook, Sean McCaslin simply started by saying,” Feeling grateful” with an emoji following a fire which destroyed property at Lakeview Resort at approximately 9:54 p.m.Tuesday, Sept. 9.

McCaslin said he was in one of his two bedrooms at his residence at the campground when he heard an explosion. An individual at the campground saw the initial fire and called 911 and within minutes the Waterville Fire Department was at the scene.

Morristown City Council’s monthly meeting on Sept. 2 was only 22 minutes long, but the groundwork was set for future meetings.

As required by law in the month of September, the preliminary levy was set for next year’s budget. The total for Morristown is $717,434.

The amount represents a 6% increase from the previous year. The amount of the increase is not official until the final budget is voted on in December.

Before that, a Truth in Taxation hearing will be held. The council set the public hearing for Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at 402 Division St. S. in Morristown.

Sheriff Brett V.P. Mason of Le Sueur County announced last week the commencement of the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2025.

Sheriff Mason announced that the MSA Board of Directors has established a scholarship fund for the awarding of up to 18 - $2,000 scholarships for this year. These scholarships are due to the coordinated efforts of the 87 elected Sheriffs of the State of Minnesota.

Sandra M. Flitter, born to Margaret B. and Merrill Carson on September 8, 1945, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, at her home in Elysian MN. It was just shy of her 80th birthday. Sandra grew up in Minnesota and graduated with Waseca High School class of 1963.  

Rosemary Lillian Miller, 83, of Dodge Center, MN, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna, MN. 

It was a warm start to the Halfway to St. Paddy's Day celebration in Kilkenny on Saturday, Sept. 13 -- the first of the two-day event. 

Vendors were present all day with food, beverages, and merchandise, as well as there being live music and entertainment throughout the day. The parade was a favorite for kids, young and old. The day will finish off with the "World Famous Toilet Bowl Races," Power Wheels Kids Drag Races, and a fireworks at dusk.

The unveiling of “Jon Bakken Field" in Waterville took place Friday, Sept. 5 before the WEM football game against Lewiston-Altura.

`Family, friends, and fans of football were in attendance to see the naming of the Waterville football field after long-time Buccaneer football coach and educator Jon Bakken.

It will be a fun-filled weekend in Kilkenny Sept. 13 and 14.

The annual Half-Way to St. Paddy’s Day Celebration is in its 13th year and third as a two-day event.

The events start Saturday, Sept. 13 with a Shamwalk 5K Fun Run/Walk at 9 a.m. There will be prizes for the first place finisher 13 and younger and 14 and older. There will also be a prize for the male and female with the most Irish spirit.

Also starting at 9 a.m. are the flea market and food vendors.

Richard LeRoy Prahl, age 91, of Faribault, formerly of Waterville, died September 2, 2025, at the Owatonna Hospital in Owatonna, Minnesota.

William "Bill" Howard Mack, age 85, passed away in his home in St. George, Utah, on September 2, 2025. Bill grew up in Waterville, Minnesota, went to Mankato State then joined the Navy for four years. He then went to Milwaukee School of Engineering to get his bachelors in electrical engineering. He worked for Giddings & Lewis Machine Tool in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Bill retired after 25 years and developed his own consulting business.

Nona Ose of Waterville entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 25, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family.

Nona was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was preceded in death by her husband Harlan, her son Steven, her three brothers Dean, David and Hal, and her parents. She is lovingly survived by her daughter Susan and son-in-law Bruce Knish, her sisters Garnet (Ron) Swift and Jeanne Hill, as well as her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her endless joy.