After a fierce six-week landscape design showdown set in the whimsical world of topiary, Minnesota-based botanical mosaic artist Meghan Petricka was crowned the "Clipped" champion of the freshest competition series on discovery+.
Judges crowned Petricka as the last topiarist standing, winner of $50,000 cash and bragging rights as the first-ever "Clipped" champion.
Petricka is a 2002 Montgomery-Lonsdale High School graduate, the daughter of Donald and JoAnn Petricka, and the 2001 Kolacky Queen. For more, pick up the print edition.

Spider-Man, left, was a surprise guest for Christian Stage at Home Town Bats’ Home Run Derby the evening of Friday, June 18, at Union Hill Ballpark, west of New Prague. Christian, the son of Nick and Joan Stage of Lonsdale, is a big fan of superheroes. His family are the beneficiaries of the annual fundraiser that features fun, food, games and members of the Dakota-Rice-Scott League slamming for the fences to get as many home runs as possible. For more see upcoming print issues of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Kathy Kramer has lived south of Lonsdale for more than 40 years, and she’s never eaten a Czech dumpling.
“Nope, never had one. I’m Swedish and German, and I’ve never had those dumplings either,” she said with a laugh.
Along with more than 30 other people from around the area, Kramer’s hands were deep in dumpling dough when the Czech Heritage Club hosted a free potato dumpling-making demonstration on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at Revival on Main in Montgomery.

Central Health Care of Le Center celebrated “Together” for National Skilled Nursing Care Week May 9 to 15, 2021.
The theme “Together” was just how the facility celebrated. That began with the staff and residents choosing Bill Rohlfing and Lori Jones as their King and Queen.
Tammy Plonsky, Activities Director, said the week was full of events like a “Relay for Life” fundraiser that involved as many people as possible.

From left, New Prague Mayor Duane Jirik, Czech Heritage Club members Vi Chromy, George Mikiska, Jan Kubista, Deputy Consul General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, Marit Lee Kucera, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, Czech Heritage Club members Jim Simon and Fred Simon stand in front of the Brana on New Prague’s east side the morning of Thursday, June 17. Kubista was visiting New Prague and Montgomery with stops at historic sites. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Home Town Bats will be holding its fifth annual Home Run Derby at 6 p.m. this Friday, June 18, at Union Hill Ballpark, west of New Prague. The beneficiary of this year’s family friendly fundraiser is Christian Stage, the five year old son of Nick and Joan Stage of Lonsdale. He has three siblings, Preston, Anna and Brielle. Ted Nytes of Home Town Bats organizes Home Run Derby, which features batters from the Dakota- Rice-Scott League hitting for the fences to see who can slam the most home runs.

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.

A judge in Le Sueur County heard arguments Monday on a building the city has declared hazardous and wants torn down.
The building is located at 100 First Street South (corner of Vine Avenue and First Street).
Robert Whipps of the law firm Christian, Keogh, Moran & King represented the City of Montgomery. Montgomery resident, Francis Meger represented Bob Taraba, the property owner. Meger, who has the power of attorney for Taraba, stated he is in a nursing home and was unable to attend the proceedings.

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!

A Montgomery man faces felony charges after he and a female victim were found naked in Sand Creek in Jordan following a car crash into the creek on Wednesday, June 2.
According to a summary of the incident provided by the Jordan Police Department, Jared Scott Herman, 38, of Montgomery was arrested at the scene and is in Scott County Jail facing two felony charges—second degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony terroristic threats.

Before the seniors of TCU Class of 2021 entered the real world after graduation, they received some interview training at an event that brought in business professionals from around the area.
The TCU High School Real World Communications Class conducted Mock Interviews on May 11 in the high school gym. Danielle Duffey, Workforce Development Coordinator, said the event was one of first in-person, yet still social-distanced workforce development events this spring due to COVID.

The Montgomery Area Community Club, the organization responsible for organizing Kolacky Days, announced this year’s candidates for the Kolacky Days Queen Pageant.
The candidates are Ronni Smith, daughter of Jill and Clint Smith; Aubrey Filter, daughter of Jessie and Andy Filter; Grace Barnett, daughter of Kevin and Keri Barnett, and Abby and Chris Degrood; Ellaina Novak, daughter of Tami and Gary Novak; Haley Goettl, daughter of Andrew and Catherine Goettl, and Jamie Nelson, daughter of Amber Plonsky and Adam Nelson.

Charli Kossow, age 9, of Waterville won the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s 2021 Distracted Driving Poster Contest. She is the daughter of Amber Atherton and Richard Kossow. Her winning poster reads “Don’t drive distracted. Save lives!” and features a person focusing on their cellphone while driving and an innocent little animal dangerously close to the front of the vehicle. The Faribault Lutheran School third grader received a pizza party for her family, including pizza, cheesy breadsticks, and orange pop, and a $75 Visa gift card for her work—all delivered by Sheriff Brett Mason.

Montgomery Police Chief Nathan Hintz issued a press release around 1:30 p.m., Thursday, June 3 regarding the report of a possible abduction attempt that occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. the same day near Spruce and Third Streets in Montgomery. 
According to the report, a teen and a younger kid were approached by a male driving a white Volkswagen hatchback-style vehicle, possibly a “Polo” model. The male asked the teen and child to “get in” and he would give them a ride. 
Upon being told “no” numerous times, the male drove off.

In celebration of Fr. George Grafsky’s fiftieth year in the priesthood, local firefighters, police officers, and members of the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department paraded their chaplain through the streets of Montgomery on Saturday, May 29, following 5 p.m. Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Church.
Grafsky rode in Montgomery Fire Department’s beautiful vintage fire truck, smiling and waving to onlookers. A line of fire trucks and police cars followed with their lights flashing and sirens sounding in celebration.

The 36th Annual Morristown Dam Days started Wednesday, June 2 with the crowning of Miss Morristown.
Grand Marshals of this year’s Dam Days Parade are Morristown Morries baseball teams.
Friday, June 4 The rest of the festivities begin on Friday with Family Fun Shows of Mankato at 5 p.m. and the numerous food stands and beer garden also at 5 p.m.
There will be a Euchre Tournament at 1:30 p.m. in the Morristown Community Center. Don’t forget the Twilight Parade at 7 p.m.
At 8:30 p.m. music by Old Country Boys will be under the Big Top Tent.