WEM senior Gabe Androli has been named the Buccaneer Football Most Valuable Player following his 2022 season.
In addition to this honor, Androli was also named to the All-District First Team and the Academic All-District Team.
Androli led the Bucs in solo tackles (41) and 21 receptions. He also added 12 assisted tackles, averaged more than 10 yards per catch, and scored a pair of twopoint conversions.

Excellence on the court and in the classroom have WEM senior Jordan Green recognized by the Minnesota State High School Volleyball Coaches Association.
Green, a senior and daughter of Kyle and Kristina Green of Morristown, has been named to the Academic AllState Team. She currently has a 3.897 grade point average.
Academic All-State awards are for seniors on the Section playoff roster that have a 3.8 cumulative grade point average or higher over the course of their high school career.

Christmas wishes really do come true.
The Heidi Erntse family of Kilkenny makes sure of it.
For more than a decade, the Ernstes have spearheaded a nomination-based, wishgranting program called Earnest Effort Christmas Wish to provide extra cheer to local individuals and families in need with the help of many generous and anonymous donors.
Last year, Earnest Effort Christmas Wish granted more than 30 wishes. This year, it will likely be more.

Scott Kenneth Neumann, age 52, of Waterville, MN, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022 at his home with his mom by his side. 
Scott was born September 14th, 1970 in Owatonna, MN, the son of Margaret “Margie” (Lambrecht) Neumann Jacobson, of Waterville, MN, and the late Kenneth R. Neumann. He attended school in Owatonna and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1989. 

Lucille “Celie” Harriet Grose, also lovingly known as “Grandma Lucy” of Waterville passed away on the morning of Friday, November 11, 2022, at Traditions of Waterville.  She was 94 years old.

Earl Thomas “Tom” Tarter, age 83 of Waterville passed away unexpectedly on the evening of Friday, November 11, 2022, in Waterville.
He was born in Kentucky on April 13, 1939. The family relocated to Arizona in 1950. Tom was the oldest son of Roe and Emma (Lindsey) Tarter. After school, Tom went into the Navy where he served his country for five years before entering the Army for an additional 20 years.

Dennis P. Tousignant, age 88, of Faribault, MN passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at Mill City Senior Living.

There will be some changes in the government officials in a number of communities in the Lake Region Area following the State General Election held Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The WEM volleyball team defeated NRHEG 17-25, 25-10, 28-26, and 25-20 to claim their seventh straight Sub-Section Championship Thursday, Nov. 3 at New Prague High School. The Bucs will face Belle Plaine Saturday, Nov. 5 at approximately 7:45 p.m. at St. Peter High School for the Section 2AA Championship.

Judy E. Judd, age 74, of Faribault, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at her home following an extended illness.

The protracted drought in the area has prompted the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to name Scott and Le Sueur counties and several neighboring counties as disaster areas.

Local residents will have a chance to cast their ballots for local, county, state, and school board candidates during the Tuesday, Nov. 8 state general election.
Waterville residents will have a race for two city council positions and four Tri City United School Board members. They will also be voting for US. Representatives, State Representatives, and a county commissioner.
Morristown residents will also be voting for two city council positions, State Senator, US. Representative, and they also have races for Rice County Sheriff and Rice County Attorney.

Brayer Anthony Morales Cruz, age 19 of Waterville, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Methodist Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

Judy Ann Cheney, age 57 of Elysian, died at her home on Monday, October 24, 2022. Born in Mount Clemens, MI on July 30, 1965, Judy was the daughter of Robert and Janice (Reed) Weinert. She was raised in the communities of Richmond and St. Clair, MI, and attended school in the East China School District of St. Clair County, MI. She worked on roofing crews as a shingler for many years, and later worked for Gear & Broach (now North American Gear & Forge) in Waterville.

John Albert Bokelmann, age 68 of Waterville, passed away after a five year long, courageous battle with Kidney Cancer. On the afternoon of Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital – Methodist Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.