The Elysian City Council adopted their 2027 proposed budget and payable 2026 tax levy during their Monday, Sept. 18 meeting.

Based on preliminary numbers, the levy will increase by $81,574, or an 8.4 percent increase from a year ago. The previous year the levy increased 4.6 percent or approximately $59,000.

The total preliminary level amount payable for 2027 is $1,049,286. Last year the preliminary levy was $967,712.

There are only eight teams remaining in Class AA who are undefeated after three weeks.

One of those teams are the WEM Buccaneers, who scored a season-high 64 points in a 64-6 whooping of Medford Thursday, Sept. 17.

The Bucs, who average the 3rd most points in Class AA scoring 42 per game, scored 44 at halftime against the Tigers, who were limited to less than 100 total yards.

Much like the win over Lewiston-Altura last week, the Buccaneers scored early and often and the reserves played well in the second half, while the starters watched from the sideline.

The WEM varsity bowling team won two of their three matches last week while bowling a the WOW Zone in Mankato Saturday, Sept. 19.

The Buccaneers swept Fairmont (195-142, 153-117, 145- 119, 181-154, and 177-124), defeated Janesville (171-170, 211-132, 186-158, 132-139, and 196-200), and lost to Faribault (157-110, 203-135, 136-167, 148-103, and 197-173).

In the win over Fairmont, Owen Boese, Trevor Johnson, and Kolton Green led the team with four strikes. Green also had five spares.

The annual Homecoming Celebration at WEM Schools starts Monday, September 28 with the crowning of the 2026 king and queen.

Four candidates for queen and king were selected by their classmates.

Queen candidates

Nevaeh Geyer, daughter of Jeff and Janet Geyer.

Meghan Krystosek, daughter of Simon and Kathy Krystosek.

Kyeria Morris, daughter of Nick and Kristalyn Morris 

Alix Velzke, daughter of Bruce and Kristin Velzke.

King candidates

Reed Sammon, son of Nick and Amanda Sammon.

The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognized 68 Minnesota farms as 2026 Century Farms. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more.

Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Governor Tim Walz.

Since the program began in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.

The WEM football team scored on their first five possessions of the first half in a 44-14 rout of Lewiston-Altura Friday, Sept. 11 at Lewiston Auto Field.

It was a dominating first half for the Bucs. They limited the Cardinals to a negative three yards while scoring four rushing touchdowns and a passing score.

Ethan Einertson started the scoring on a 55-yard run on the second play of the game. After a failed two-point conversion, WEM took a 6-0 lead only 49 seconds into the game.

Signage on the Adolph Dehn mural, which was erected last year on the east side of the WEM Elementary School, has now been added.

Donovan Schwichtenberg said in 2025 leaders in Waterville chose to recognize one of their favorite sons, Adolf Dehn. He was a high school graduate of Waterville and he had become a famous artist. They chose to recognize him by selecting one of his paintings and creating a giant mural of that picture.

As juniors, Blake Bohlen and Quinn Gare advanced to the Minnesota Junior B.A.S.S State Tournament. They finished in the middle of the pack of the more than 80 teams who advanced.

This past weekend the duo, now seniors, again competed in the State Tournament but this time the fish were biting much better and they placed 6th overall among 79 teams entered.

This year’s event was held on Leech Lake near Walker, MN and the youth fished on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13, with the final results being determined at 4 p.m. Sunday.

The WEM volleyball team played a pair of Gopher Conference opponents last week and those two teams were on different sides of the standings.

The Bucs faced Class A No. 6 rated Kenyon-Wanamingo Tuesday, Sept. 8 and were defeated by the Knights, 25-15, 25-10, and 25-14. Two nights later the Bucs faced winless NRHEG and dominated the Panthers in a 25-9, 25-17, and 25-21 victory.

In the loss to the Knights, eighth grader Greta Velzke led the team with nine kills. Inezsa Pope and Kalyn Novak each added three kills.

    This year’s Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day celebration in Kilkenny brought in nice weather with abundant sunshine with pleasant temperatures. One of the largest marching bands in the area, perhaps the state, also made an appearance during Saturday’s 35-unit parade at the request of Andrew McGuinness, mayor of the Kilkenny Municipal District in Ireland, the Lakeville South High School Marching Cougars.

Shirley Ann (Lamont) Krenik, age 89, of Elysian, passed away peacefully at her home on September 4, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Charles Wolff, Jr., age 88, of Janesville, passed away on September 2, 2026, at home surrounded by his family.  

Visitation will be held 3-6 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at All Saints Catholic Church, Madison Lake, visitation will continue one hour before services. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Madison Lake. 

    At first, it appeared as if Le Sueur County would need to set a considerable increase in levy rates going into next year. However, after months of work sessions, the county board of commissioners is now in good position to approve one of its lowest annual increases.
    The county had anticipated a large increase in property taxes because of changes to how the human services department is funded. The Federal government shifted the financial burden of funding the department to the state, as the state shifted much of the burden to the county level.

To the editor,

I’m supporting Marisa Ulmen for Minnesota State Senate District 22 because she understands what it takes to build and sustain a strong rural community.

Marisa knows rural Minnesota because she has lived it. She is a fifth-generation farmer from Madelia, and she understands both the challenges and opportunities facing our farm families and rural communities.

Her campaign is focused on four priorities: affordable, accessible healthcare; support for rural families and communities; a strong future for our farm families; and stronger rural towns.

Judith Ann Peach, age 79, of Waterville, passed away at her daughter’s cabin on September 6, 2026.

Edgar Carl Mumme, age 96, of Waterville, formerly of St. James, passed away at his home in Waterville on the morning of Sunday, September 6, 2026.