Effective Monday, November 30th, 2020, the Rice County Courthouse is closed due to recent surge of new cases of COVID-19 and increasing concerns for public health. 
Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued an Order Governing the Continuing Operations of the Minnesota Judicial Branch on November 20, 2020.  This order suspends all in-person court hearings until further notice.  Therefore, the courthouse will be closed to the public until in-person hearings resume. 

The City of Elysian’s Giving Tree will not be set up this year due to COVID restrictions. However, if you are in need or know of anyone in need this holiday season call Pat Nusbaum at 507-317-0532.
Unfortunately, Elysian’s popular Shopping with Mrs. Claus event and Holidazzle Parade and Firemen’s Bingo events have been cancelled for this year. All Bingo events sponsored by the Elysian Area Foundation have also been suspended until further notice.
Here’s the good news:

Unfortunately, Santa’s Workshop isn’t immune to COVID-19.
But, there’s good news! Santa and his elves have come up with a plan to hold a socially distanced 5th Annual Santa’s Workshop event at The Village in Waterville this year.
“Things will look much different from previous years,” explained head elf Jennifer Woratschka. “This year, instead of the kids coming in and doing the shopping, the elves will be doing the shopping... This is how we are trying to make the event happen.”

Be sure to shop local with all of the new restrictions starting Friday, Nov. 20th.

Students at Trinity Lutheran School in North Morristown cooked up a truly delicious vote on Election Day, November 3.
In the weeks leading up to the election, the K-6 students learned about the election process and became active participants.
Back in September, each student was asked to give a speech about their favorite food. One student gave an electrifying speech about hamburgers and how they can be “custom made to fit your taste,” and another student made a quick change from cheddar bacon brats to sloppy joes in an attempt to appeal to a wider audience.

Navy 1st Class Petty Officer and Machinist Mate Nuclear (MMN1) Kenneth “Kenny” Wollin, son of Dave and Deb Wollin, grew up in Waterville.
Now, after spending years attending the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program and being deployed at sea, Wollin helps train other sailors in nuclear operations.
The 2007 Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School graduate graciously agreed to share a little about his military career in honor of Veterans Day 2020, which just happens to be an extra special day for he and his wife.

As hospitals express concern about capacity to treat Minnesotans with COVID-19, Governor Tim Walz today announced new restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus in Minnesota. Beginning on Friday, the restrictions will apply to social gatherings, celebrations and receptions, and bars and restaurants, which are three of the most significant sources of COVID-19 outbreaks across the state.
Walz also today announced $10 million in funding to support small businesses affected by the pandemic.
 

Local businesses are trying to get back to some sort of normal after suffering through the COVID-19 virus shutdowns. This weekend, Waterville and Elysian businesses are planning on opening more hours in order to start off the holiday shopping season. Holiday Shopping Opener will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at a number of businesses including B's Barn Door, Davis' MarketPlace, Grumpy Old Man Cave, J & L Bottles, Phil Mart, and Make It Waterville, all located in Waterville.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 5, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Waterville City Council member Tim Smith has been a firefighter and first responder for many years in St. Louis Park.
During his time on duty, he has seen many instances when pertinent information about individuals they were responding to was not immediately available.
Smith’s department decided to provide local residents with a potential livesaving product call the File of Life.
“This has been really critical to us as first responders,” Smith said.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 5, 2020 print edition of the LifeEnterprise.

Free food giveaway serves 700 families
There IS such a thing as a free lunch - and breakfast - and dinner, thanks to a free food distribution event that was held for Le Sueur County residents on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The distribution was held at the county fairgrounds for those in need or newly struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 crisis.
A total of 700 families were served, according to Tammy Stewig of Le Sueur County Emergency Management. Her department, and Le Sueur County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), hosted the event.

The Minnesota Secretary of State has released results from the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election.
The results will not be final until the government entity canvasses the results, which most offices are doing Friday, Nov.13.
In Waterville, Alan Schmidtke received 825 votes and will return as mayor. Incumbent city council members Jennifer Grobe (675 votes) and Tim Smith (644) votes were also re-elected.

WEM High School's 2020 Homecoming King and Queen are Griffin Atherton and Kylie Pittmann.
The pair was crowned during a small ceremony in the high school gym Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, with only parents attending.
Atherton is the son of Chad and Rhea Atherton. Pittmann is the daughter of Kristie Pittmann and the late Brian Pittmann.

During this time of uncertainty, little things mean a lot.
Whether it be a pat on the back, a thank you, or just a note to say have a good day, kids need positives in their lives.
Sue Morsching, who owns Elysian Auto with her husband Carl, saw a display of kindness in the Twin Cities.
Morsching saw a heart wall, where individuals had a chance to provide uplifting messages written on a small heart. They were displayed for all to see and she felt this was something which could be done locally.

In an announcement Tuesday on the Montgomery Torchlight Parade and Firework's social media page, organizers stated the Holidazzle-like event will be canceled in 2020. They said it is due to "the pandemic restrictions by our state government."
"We would like to thank everyone for your support of this event. Unfortunately after careful consideration due to the pandemic restrictions by our state government we have no choice but to cancel the parade and fireworks for 2020" the post stated.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School has been notified of a positive COVID-19 case within the student body. The administration has worked closely with Le Sueur County Public Health along with the Regional COVID-19 Support Team to make adjustments and changes. Those directly affected have been notified and provided guidance.

The “Fall Colors Cruise” rolls out of Henderson the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 3. Approximately 200 classic vehicles were participating in the 70 mile cruise that traveled through St. Thomas, Le Center, around Le Sueur County lakes to the Ottawa Road into Le Sueur and back to Henderson. The Henderson Classic Car Roll-In Committee hosted the cruise. Donations were also taken for the local food shelf that collected an estimated couple hundred pounds of food. For more seen upcoming issues of The New Prague Times, the Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)