The WEM/JWP Grizzly girls' cross country team won their second straight Gopher Conference Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Hayfield. The Grizzlies scored a perfect 15 points, with the top five finishers in the race all from WEM/JWP. Freshman Addison Peed was a repeat Conference Runner of the Year, winning the race. She was followed across the finish line by Lauren Dimler, Madison Zimbrich, Ashlin Keyes, and Emma Johnson. Landon Dimler led the boys' team with a fourth place finish. The Grizzly boys placed third with 58 points. Both teams will compete Thursday, Oct.

The WEM football team improved to 6-3 overall after a 34-8 win over Minnesota Valley Lutheran Tuesday, Oct. 22 in the Section 2A Quarterfinals in Waterville. Nolan Wetzel, Jaden Taylor, and Brant Melchert each scored rushing touchdowns. Matthew Van Houdt scored a touchdown on an interception return. GFW is 7-2 overall, with losses this season to Martin County West (31-20) and Maple River (32-20). The seven teams they defeated have a combined 11-52 record. WEM has lost three times. The losses are to undefeated USC, undefeated Lewiston-Altura, and one-loss Mayer Lutheran.

Vicki Jo Gross, age 75 of Elysian, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter after a short battle with lung cancer.

Project retainage to subscontractors on the Le Sueur County Justice Center Project has been reduced.
The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners received a request by Adolph & Peterson Construction to reduce the retainage for 30 of the 39 subcontractors.
The reduction took the current five percent retainage held and decreased it to one percent.
Adolph & Peterson said they believe these contractors have no risk associated with the project.
The final one percent will be awarded to the subcontractors upon the final signing of the contracts.

Lucille “Lu” Agnes Thomas, age 81, died at Traditions of Waterville on Monday, October 21, 2019.

The WEM football defense has been outstanding over the course of their current four-game win streak.
Friday, Oct. 11 was no exception.
The Bucs limited JWP to 136 total yards in a 20-8 District win over the Bulldogs.
JWP senior running back Jagger Ignaszewski gained 126 yards rushing on 31 carries and caught a pass for six yards.
Throw out his performance and the Bulldogs gained four total yards.
There were a number of top-notch performances from the WEM defense. Seniors Theo Miska, Dylan Androli, Nolan Wetzel, and Brant Melchert combined for 35 tackles.

The restoration of a little historic church’s steeple will be Le Sueur County Historical Society’s first big project, since the group’s leadership changed in June.
The project, which carries an estimated price tag of $174,000, includes the building of a new, historically accurate steeple, the erection of that steeple, and the installation of a new roof on the 160-year-old Ottawa Stone Church, one of four historic properties owned by LCHS.

Crews are close to completing the construction on Highway 99 from Highway 13 to Highway 21 and from St. Peter to Le Center. Weather permitting, the detour east of Highway 13 could be removed by Friday, October 18.
The $8 million, summer-long project covered an assortment of improvements for the traveling public with many of the tasks centered on improving safety. Work on Highway 99 from the Minnesota River Bridge to Le Sueur County Road 38 included:
- Resurfaced from MN River Bridge to railroad crossing

Elysian’s newest business, The Rusty Flamingo, opened Saturday, October 12.
The business, which is owned by Kris Henry of Smiths Mill, is located at 205 5th Street SW (just south of Highway 60), Elysian.
Henry describes her store as an eclectic collection of new, used, repurposed, and handmade items, ranging from decor and gifts to furniture. Many of the items she—or members of her family—make or repurpose.
“I’ve always wanted to have a store like this, a place to sell unique items. So, really, this is a dream come true,” Henry stated.

The Le Sueur County Board received the 2018 audit report during their Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting.
Amanda Mboga of BakerTilly provided the report.
Mboga said there were only two minor findings related to EFT policies and collateralization of deposits.
She added the county has exceeded the benchmarks her firm has set for them.
The 2018 financial statement highlights included the outstanding general obligation debt of $31,430,859, which is 28.8 percent of the county’s debt capacity.

With one Gopher Conference match to play, the WEM volleyball team has already clinched at least a tie for the title.
WEM was the 2018 conference champions. After a sweep of United South Central Thursday, Oct. 10, the Bucs improved to 6-0 in league play and earned at least a share of the 2019 championship.
Medford is 5-1 and their lone loss is to WEM. Faribault BA, WEM’s final regular season opponent Tuesday, Oct. 15, has two conference losses.
WEM has now won 11 straight matches and has not lost a set since Sept. 21.

Harold Pemble passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at age 80.  He was born July 1, 1939 to Harry and Catherine Pemble.  Harold married the love of his life, Virginia Petersen, on October 20, 1962.  He proudly served in the United States Army.

Betty Schwartz, age 98, of Faribault and formerly of Morristown, died on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at District One Hospital, Faribault.
Funeral services will be held at Peace United Methodist Church, Morristown, on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 10 a.m. with the Reverend Elden Eklund officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Morristown.
Visitation will be at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault, on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. and also at the church for one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

The WEM volleyball team is currently 25-2 this season after sweeping five opponents at the Cannon Falls Tournament Saturday, Oct. 5. The Bucs defeated Hastings, Immanuel Lutheran, Lake City, Tartan, and downed Medford in the Championship. This was the third time WEM has defeated Medford, the 2018 Class A runners-up. The Bucs will end their regular season scheduled Thursday, Oct. 10 at home against USC and Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Faribault BA.

Anthony "Tony" W. Schnoor, age 38 of Elysian died on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at his home.
Born on December 21, 1980, Tony was the son of Steve and Marni (Wood) Schnoor. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterville and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Elysian. He graduated from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown high school and recently worked at JC press in Owatonna MN.

For the first time this season the WEM/JWP boys and girls cross country teams each finished first in an invitational.
Both Grizzly teams won their respective races in the Grizzly Pie Run Invitational held Thursday, Sept. 26 at Prairie Ridge Golf Course in Janesville.
The girls just missed a perfect score of 15, winning the race with a very impressive score of 18. NRHEG placed second (68), United South Central third (77), and Maple River fourth (81). Blue Earth Area and Blooming Prairie had runners, but did not field a complete team.