Le Sueur County is updating its comprehensive land use and zoning code, titled “Vision 2050,” and held a public meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Le Center American Legion. According to a survey provided to a large crowd the update is to better serve and guide the county’s growth. The work over this year is to “create a plan that balances its rich historical past and resources,” said the beginning of the survey. The new comprehensive plan is to grow the county’s tax base and guide the county over the next 25 years.

Write-in votes will settle who takes at least two open seats on Rice County’s townships boards.
No affidavits for candidacy were filed in the 2025 race for Northfield Township treasurer, or to fill the term of the remaining year of the term for the Morristown Township clerk.
The treasurer’s seat, a two-year term, is up in all every township except Forest Township where the treasurer is appointed, rather than elected.

After a vehicle was driven into open water on Lake Washington this weekend, the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office is warning visitors to the lake in Le Sueur County to use caution, advising a large area of open water has developed in the area referred to as the Narrows. Sunday, Feb. 9, Capt. Bruce Collins confirmed the people in the vehicle escaped without injury.
The vehicle is now submerged in about 6 feet of water. The open water starts at the north shoreline and goes almost all the way across, to the south shore.

Gordon “Grump” Greenwald, age 79, of Elysian, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025, in Mankato, Minnesota with his beloved wife, Sharon, by his side. He was the son of Leroy and Grace (Rachel) Greenwald and a lifelong resident of the family home where he was born.

Jason Eugene Miller of Waterville died unexpectedly of natural causes in his home Thursday, Jan. 30, at the age of 71 years.

An award ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 2 honoring Waterville resident Dalton Grose.
Grose will be presented with the Carnegie Medal for Heroism at 1 p.m. at the Waterville Event Center.
There will be a short program, featuring the events which led him to saving the life of a man in September of 2023 and thus being selected to receive this highest of honors.

The City of Waterville and Waterville Police Civil Service Commission has received three complaints January 9 against a pair of city employees.
The complaints were directed at Waterville Chief of Police John Manning and Public Works employee Jordan Edwards. Manning received two complaints against him and Edwards one.

For nearly two thirds of their game against Gopher Conference leading JWP, the WEM girls basketball team played right with the Bulldogs.
The Bucs led 30-29 at halftime and five minutes into the second half trailed by only one against the Bulldogs, who are undefeated in the conference and 16-2 overall.
It was at the 13 minute mark of the second half JWP's defense took over the game and they limited the Bucs to only 14 second half points, and just nine the final 13 minutes of their 60-44 win.

Two wins in the Gopher Conference last week has moved the WEM/JWP wrestling team into second place.
The Grizzlies edged previously undefeated Maple River/United South Central, 32-31, Friday, Jan. 17 in Janesville. They traveled to Medford Thursday, Jan. 23 and returned with a 42-29 win over the Tigers.
WEM/JWP is now 3-1 in the Gopher Conference and 10-6 overall. They trail Kenyon-Wanamingo in the conference and have two duals left against NRHEG and Triton.

Mahlon Charles Grubish, age 95, of Waterville, died peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2025, in Faribault

Mike Milbrath, 77, of North Mankato, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, January 24, 2025.
Please join the family for visitation from 3:30-4:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Northview – North Mankato Mortuary, with Memorial Service to follow. www.mankatomortuary.com.

Randy E. Coon, age 68, of Waterville, died on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Allina Medical Center, Faribault, after a lengthy hospital stay surrounded by family.
Memorial services was held at River Valley Church, Faribault, on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 3 p.m. with memorial visitation at church for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Arrangements are with Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault.

Donald William Wolff, age 85, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025, in Mankato, MN. He was born on March 17, 1939, in Mankato; grew up in Madison Lake; and attended Loyola Catholic School in Mankato. After graduation, he trained with the Minnesota National Guard. He married Harriet on April 28, 1962, and lived in Elysian where he farmed. He was employed by Brown Printing in Waseca. After retiring, he volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Donald was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus and was strong in faith. 

Margaret J. Matz, age 93, passed away in the early morning of Jan. 6, at Thorncrest Nursing Home in Albert Lea, MN.
Margaret was born March 19, 1930, to Harold Faltersack and Delores Whipps in Elysian. She married Merlyn Matz in 1950 and together they had a son, David. Throughout her life she worked at Larson’s Cafe, Johnson’s, Munsingware, and Waterville Good Samaritan. She also was a long member of the Episcopal St. Andrew’s Church in Waterville. She lived by Lake Tetonka most of her life. She loved her cats and dogs.

Mary Ann Bauman, age 84, of Morristown, died on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.
Memorial services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Morristown, on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Weslie Odom officiating. Memorial visitation will be at church for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be at Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault at a later date. Arrangements are being completed by Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault.