The Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant is looking for young women of Czech, Slovak or Moravian heritage to compete for the state title. The 30th annual Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant will be held on April 13, 2019, at the American Legion Club in Montgomery, Minnesota. 

The certified and non-certified staff seniority lists were approved by the WEM Board of Education Monday, Dec. 17. The certified list includes a total of 19 employees who have been with the school district for 20 years or more. Ten of those have been with the district for more than 30 years. The seniority list is headed by Sandy Mielke, who started with the district in 1981. Janet Jones and Barb Mader both started in 1983. The non-certified list includes 15 employees with more than 20 years of service to the district.

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved the final pay 2019 levy in the amount of $20,716,550, a 6.9 percent increase over the 2018 levy. This levy was approved during an early evening meeting Tuesday, Dec. 18. For more information on the levy check out the Dec. 27 edition of the Life/Enterprise.

Kayli Renae Hrdlicka was born March 5, 1989, to Fred and Rhonda (Prahl) Hrdlicka, in Pella, Iowa. She passed away on December 16, 2018, in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Waterville Economic Development Authority (EDA) purchased the nuisance property located on S. 3rd Street in Waterville. They will attempt to sell the two story building. For more on the purchase, check out the Dec. 27 life/Enterprise.

The WEM girls basketball team had its seven game winning streak snapped Friday, Dec. 21 when undefeated Medford (8-0 overall) edged the Bucs, 48-44 in Medford. These two teams are currently No. 1 and No. 2 in the Gopher Conference. WEM is 4-1 in the conference and 7-1 overall after running their win streak to seven with a 55-40 victory over Le Sueur-Henderson Thursday, Dec. 20. WEM will play in Montgomery Dec. 27 and 28 in the Tri City United Christmas Tournament. The Bucs will play TCU at 6 p.m. on Thursday and will face Norwood-Young America Friday at 10 a.m.

The WEM boys basketball team improved to 6-1 this season with a pair of big wins during the third week in December. The Bucs downed JWP 72-25 Dec. 18 and Medford 78-40 Dec. 21. WEM is 2-1 in the Gopher Conference and will play at Montgomery Thursday, Dec. 27 and 28 in the TCU Christmas Tourney. WEM will play Tri City United Thursday at 8 p.m. and Norwood-Young America Friday at noon. For more on the wins last week check out the Dec. 27 edition of the LIFE/Enterprise.

Eugene “Gene” Herman Kletschka, age 78 of Waterville, died unexpectedly, surrounded by family, on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

The WEM girls' basketball team is currently 5-0 this season after opening the season with wins over Faribault BA (73-42), St. Clair (58-51), Maple River (45-35), JWP (60-33), and NRHEG (53-30). The Bucs are tied for the lead in the Gopher Conference with a perfect 3-0 record. Friday, Dec. 14 WEM hosts Hayfield. For more on the WEM girls' basketball team check out the last three issues of the LIFE/Enterprise.

About 20 children and 20 area law enforcement officers gather at HillSpring Church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after participating in the third annual Shop With a Cop at Shopko in New Prague. The Salvation Army, Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, local schools and KCHK Radio assist with the program where children can buy winter clothing for themselves and presents for their family members. The group gathered at HillSpring Church afterwards to wrap presents, for food and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of the paper. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

A truck and fishhouse fell through the ice on Lake Francis in Elysian Saturday, Dec. 8. According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, A cave Brand Fishhouse and Chevrolet Silverado truck, belonging to Jeremy Ziemke of Janesville, fell through the ice at approximately 2 p.m. For more on the accident check out the Dec. 13 edition of the LIFE/Enterprise.

The WEM boys' basketball team has started the 2018-19 season with three straight wins. They defeated Le Sueur-Henderson (73-61) avenging a loss to the Giants from last year. They also downed Cleveland (85-55) and NRHEG (64-33) in the Gopher Conference opener. The Bucs travel to Hayfield Thursday, Dec. 13, host Norwood-Young America Monday, Dec. 17, and host JWP Tuesday, Dec. 18. For more on the Bucs check out the last three editions of the LIFE/Enterprise.

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved an amended Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Plan during the regular Tuesday, Dec. 11 meeting.
Environmental Resources Specialist Holly Kalbus presented the updated AIS Plan, which included a few minor changes.
Kalbus said there are 128 lakes, many creeks, streams, and rivers within the county.
In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a program aid grant for AIS prevention.

Corey David "Big Bucks" Roemhildt, age 40 of Janesville, formerly of Waterville, died at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.
Born in Waseca on September 28, 1978, Corey was the son of Gaylen and Collette Roemhildt. He graduated from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown High School before beginning a career as a welder. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, playing darts, and playing softball.

Donna Lorraine Knish, 56, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. The family will be greeting friends and relatives from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 at Schoenbauer Funeral Home, 200 3rd St SE, Montgomery, MN

Robin L. Smelser, age 55 of Waterville, died on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at her home.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Waterville on Friday, December 14, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend David C. Mumme officiating. Interment will be at Concordia Cemetery, North Morristown.
Visitation will be at Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Thursday, December 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. and also at church for one hour prior to the service on Friday.