A man was found dead in a Le Center home Tuesday morning, July 6, following a 10-hour long standoff with law enforcement.
The man, who has been identified as 38-year-old Michael Lee Elie of Le Center, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County’s Sheriff Office, law enforcement officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of South Cordova Avenue in Le Center for a reported domestic assault at 9:19 p.m. Monday night.

The Le Sueur County Board received a report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) June 15 explaining the 10- year district work plan.
There are many road projects scheduled in the next 10 years which will affect residents in most of the communities within the county.

Former Trinity Lutheran School teacher Helen Bunge and her son, Peter Bunge, will reign as grand marshals of North Morristown’s Fourth of July Celebration this Sunday.
While neither Bunge no longer resides in the area, Helen and Peter still consider North Morristown “home” and are faithful attendees of the community’s annual celebration.

Thirty-six years ago, they bought what was Ralph’s Corner Bar in Elysian.
They were newlyweds. Their plan was to renovate the bar and sell it so they could buy a farm.
“Well, that didn’t happen, but things turned out pretty good,” laughed Pam Fischer, who owns and operates Fischer’s Corner Bar on the corner of Main and First Streets with her husband, Richard.
“We have three great kids, 10 grandkids, and we love this community,” she added. “We are honored to be Elysian’s grand marshals this year.”

Area residents looking for fun on the Fourth of July will have several choices.

A Le Center native, who loves the small-town life and atmosphere, is now helping taxpayers as the Le Sueur County Chief Deputy Auditor-Treasurer.
Brad Collins started his new position on May 25, 2021. The Auditor-Treasurer position wasn’t always a combined role. In December 2009, when then-auditor, Ron Germscheid retired, the county combined the two departments. In January 2010, Joe Boettcher took over and became the first Auditor-Treasurer, leading both departments until it split this year. The current Le Sueur County Auditor-Treasurer is Dani Blaschko.

A church is not a building! But so much of what a church does and how they are identified is tied to their building that sometimes a celebration of the building is called for.
So it is that the Elysian United Methodist Church is celebrating the 135th anniversary of the structure at 201 Fourth Street NW. The building, much as it appears today, was dedicated in 1886, free of debt.

The Catholic parishes in Waterville and Elysian will have a new pastor next month.
Fr. Micheal Ince, who has led the local churches since November 1991, will be retiring from his position as pastor on July 1.
Fr. John Powers, who was ordained in 2015 and has been most recently serving the parish of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Elko New Market, will become the new pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville and St. Andrew Catholic Church in Elysian. Powers will also be teaching at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault.

Clue No. 1 in the Waterville Bullhead Days medallion hunt is usually very vague.
Clues No. 2 and 3 are also.
But the first clue was enough for 18-year-old Sam Mumme of Waterville and his 22-year-old cousin Zach of Chicago.
The clue: Hooray! It’s Bullhead Days! It’s time to celebrate summer, parks, and our local waters. Happy trails to you, was all they needed to cash in on the $150 Bullhead Bucks Prize.
Sam, has been searching for the medallion for years. This was Zach’s first Bullhead Days.

Due to high temperatures, extremely dry conditions and increased winds, the DNR and Rice County Sheriff’s Office instituted no open burning in Rice County on Thursday, June 17, 2021, starting at 5 p.m. until further notice.
The ban comes from Troy Dunn, Rice County Sheriff, and Jim Edgar, MN DNR Fire Program Forester.
The MN DNR has also put a burning ban on for Le Sueur County effective immediately. According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, burning can resume tomorrow, Saturday, June 19.

Grace Petersen, daughter of Lori and David DeMars and Bryan Petersen, was crowned Miss Waterville 2021 during the June 11 Bullhead Days Pageant.
Kiri Kerekes, daughter of Jim and Kathy Kerekes, was crowned a Miss Waterville attendant.
Petersen, who was sponsored by Whitewater Quilting, received the Talent Award for her singing performance.
Kerekes, who was sponsored by Kamp Dels, performed a piano selection for her talent.

A slice of shade protected painters of Waterville’s community mural from the hot sun on Sunday afternoon, June 13.
Approximately 20 people participated in the community painting event, which was the first of many public painting sessions that will be held throughout the summer to complete the large mural on the backside of the Make It, Waterville building at the corner of Main and Third Streets in Waterville.
Patty Salmon, who owns and operates the local art store and do-it-yourself studio, wrote a grant on behalf of the city to secure funding for the community...

A new retreat facility is being built at Camp Omega in rural Waterville.
According to Camp Director Bob LaCroix, construction will be broken into two phases.
“First phase is a new entrance road, parking lot, lobby, conference space for 200 guests, and a nine-bedroom wing,” LaCroix explained. “The second phase includes a 16-bedroom wing.”
If all goes well, phase-one of the project will be ready by early spring 2022.
The second phase of construction will begin as funds allow.

Retired family physician Dr. Marilyn Waldschmidt, who tended to the medical needs of local residents for 22 years, and local healthcare workers have been named the grand marshals of Waterville’s 2021 Bullhead Days celebration.
Waldschmidt retired from medical practice in April 2020 and was slated to be the grand marshal for the town’s 2020 celebration, but COVID cancelled the event.
This year, the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce decided to honor Waldschmidt and all area healthcare workers who helped fight the COVID pandemic.

When Shelley Strano moved to Waterville three years ago, she asked what she thought was a simple question: Where’s the coffee shop?
To her surprise, the town didn’t have one.
So, the coffee fanatic and mother of six, decided to open her own little shop—a welcoming place community members and friends could gather and enjoy delicious coffees and treats.

Montgomery Music in the Park tonight has been MOVED to the Montgomery American Legion Post at 7 p.m. due to the heat advisory!
Tonight's music will be by the Mary Guentzel Quintet. This group performs the great standards from the 30s and 40s, along with select favorites from more recent decades.
Organizers hope everyone can join them inside for some great music!