Churches around the nation have been struggling and closing in rather large numbers. The attendance at churches has dropped significantly. A Gallup poll published in 2024 showed that 43 percent of adults said they attended religious services in their 2000-2003 poll to just 30 percent in their 2021-2023 poll, dropping 12 percent.
St. John Lutheran Church in Kilkenny is no exception to this decline in attendance. Husband and wife Daryl and Alice Bosacker, long-time members of the church, have seen the change personally.

Arlene Mae Wehr, age 87, of Waterville, died Saturday, December 21, 2024, at the New Richland Care Center in New Richland.
She was born on May 28, 1937, in Faribault. She was the daughter of George and Elsie (Schuler) Drinken. On April 9, 1955, she was united in marriage to Merle Edwin Wehr. She loved traveling, and spending winters with Merle in Arizona before his passing. She enjoyed yard sales, thrift shopping, supporting local food shelves, and a good time at a casino. Above all else, she loved spending time with her family.

The WEM/JWP wrestling team improved to 4-2 this season with two wins in three duals at the Byron Invitational Saturday, Dec. 14.
The Grizzlies defeated Dover-Eyota (53-17) and Byron (52-20) and lost to Rochester Mayo (43-21).
Five wrestlers finished the day undefeated and three others won two of their three matches.
Winning three straight matches included Jacksten Knish (107), Carsen Petry (133), Brady Murphy (139), Lucas Morsching (160), and Keegan Kuball (285).
Knish pinned Derek Bye of Dover-Eyota in 1:07 and also received a pair of forfeits.

The first hat trick, the first overtime, the first shootout, and first-time winners highlighted a fantastic night for a fantastic cause.
More than $2,500 and many toys and gifts were collected Saturday, Dec. 14 during the 2nd Annual Waterville Fire Fighter Floor Hockey Tournament.
The tournament featured firefighters from Elysian, Kilkenny, Morristown, and Waterville.

Three WEM High School students were inducted into the Minnesota Honor Society Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:45 a.m. in the Waterville auditorium.
Newly inducted members include junior Kayla Bronk, daughter of William and Lidia Bronk, and sophomores Grace Bartz, daughter of Joe and Heather Bartz and Natalie Elness, daughter of Troy and Aubrey Wetzel and Alec Elness.

Patsy Dorrene Culhane, age 74, of Waterville, passed away on the night of Tuesday, December 11, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems - St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester.

A house fire broke out on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 16, on Kilkenny Road, also known as Le Sueur County 168, in rural Kilkenny Township about one mile south of Kilkenny.
The house is a total loss, leaving at least one man homeless for the holidays. It appeared that other buildings, possessions and/or vehicles outside the home were also impacted.

Hunter Tim Alan Schwartz, age 28, died unexpectedly as the result of a tragic accident on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Windom Area Health in Windom, Minnesota.

John “Jack” Cletus Prehn, age 91, of Waterville, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Traditions in Waterville.

Michael Donald Anthony David, affectionately known as “Mickii”, age 73, of Le Center, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held the following day, Monday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior at the American Legion in Le Center. Deacon Dan Wesley will be officiating, and interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in rural Waterville following the service.

Michael Donald Anthony David, affectionately known as “Mickii”, age 73, of Le Center, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Le Center Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service will be held the following day, Monday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior at the American Legion in Le Center. Deacon Dan Wesley will be officiating, and interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in rural Waterville following the service.

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, along with the Mounted Posse and The Sheriff’s Youth Project, have once again come together to launch the project, “Believe in the Magic of Christmas.”
The project “will provide an opportunity for our community to come together and spread a little Christmas Magic for a very deserving family.”

This weekend was my first stop in Minneapolis. I had been around the fringes of the cities a few times, but this was my first time smack in the center.
    As far as traffic goes, I would rank it better than Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.

Darus Lyn Toot, 68, of Janesville, MN, died Saturday, November 9, 2024, at home.
He was born on December 4, 1956, and was the third child of Wayne and Marcella (Huffman) Toot.  He attended Waterville-Elysian Public Schools and graduated in 1975.
Darus worked in construction and traveled to various locations in the U.S. Yearly trips to Sturgis were some of his favorite adventures as well as hunting and camping. He enjoyed socializing with his friends and family and we appreciated his quick wit and sarcastic manner! 

Joe Johnson
Rice County Emergency Management Director
As winter approaches, it's critical to prepare for extreme cold, snow, and icy conditions. These storms can last a few hours or several days and cut off heat, power, and communication. 
Winter storms create a higher risk of car crashes, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, residential fires, and heart attacks from overexertion. 
To ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared, follows these steps: 

Among the buildings along South Plut Avenue at the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds in Le Center, Minn., lies a small building nestled between the other structures that keeps a piece of yesteryear alive — District #75 Schoolhouse. The building is a wood, oneroom schoolhouse, which was typical for the area at the time.