The Elko New Market City Council will hold a special meeting tonight (Thursday) at 5 p.m.
The council will consider a request from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) for a 30-day extension on the possible need for an EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) regarding the proposal from Niagara Bottling for a water bottling plant in the city’s industrial park.
For more see the Jan. 26 print edition of The New Prague Times.

As they begin their search to replace retiring Superintendent Tim Dittberner, New Prague School Board members want to know what qualities people believe the district’s next district leader ought to possess. The district has published an online survey it hopes residents and community members will complete by Wednesday, Jan. 25. The results of the survey will help create a profile the district’s consultant, South Central Services Cooperative, can use when reviewing applicants for the job. The superintendent profile will be presented at a special school board meeting Jan. 30.

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig has written to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy asking him to improve mail service in Minnesota’s Second Congressional District, which includes New Prague.

With a few snips of a scissor and the buzz of an electric razor Saturday, Dec. 31, Roman Dorzinkski gave his last haircut at Dorzinski Barbers, a New Prague shop where three members of the Dorzinkski family have been operating for 91 years.
Getting the last haircut while he sat in the 1956 model barber’s chair was Max Kalina of Montgomery.
“He’s been cutting my hair for about 25 years,” said Kalina.
Asked how he chose Dorzinski, Kalina grinned and said, “He’s my grandpa.” When asked when he had his fist haircut, Dorzinski cuts in that Kalina was age 2.

It started as a quiet evening in Michelle and Alirio Vanyo’s home on James Parkway in Elko New Market, a Christmas Eve filled with peace as decorations were placed on a tree and the family enjoyed time together. The night ended with their home and most of their possessions destroyed or damaged by a fire.
It all changed around 7:25 p.m. A fire started in the garage. Alirio said the fire inspectors told him the fire most likely started in a battery charger. A neighbor told Alirio he saw sparks, probably from the charger, from across the street, just before the fire started.

New Prague High School’s wrestling team won the team title at the Rumble on the Red held Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 28-30, in Fargo. ND. The Trojans won first with 193.5 points of the top five out of 58 teams. Second through fifth were Stillwater, Jackson County Center, Waconia and Bemidji.

Because of severe weather and delivery complications, delivery of the Jan. 5 edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger for various areas could be delayed by a day or two. 
These papers will be available at newsstands in Montgomery and New Prague if you wish to pick one up.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Due to inclement weather, there will be no school Tuesday, January 3. This will be a blended learning day. Lessons for blended learning will be available on this link after 9:30 a.m. https://bit.ly/3WXpOh9
There will be No Kids' Company or WRAP.
All afternoon and evening activities for Tuesday, January 3, are canceled.
Fitness & Aquatic Center will be open, but please check emails and watch Facebook for possible schedule changes and closure updates.

Crossroads Church in Elko New Market held an early New Year’s party Saturday, Dec. 31, at Eagle View Elementary School. The family friendly party had games, snacks and a dropping of beach balls at noon. More than 100 people attended the first time event that allowed the community to celebrate together. For more see the Thursday, Jan. 5, print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

The Elko New Market City Council continued its public hearing about the proposed Niagara Bottling water bottling plant on Tuesday, Dec. 20. The public hearing had begun on Thursday, Dec. 15. For most of the two-and-ahalf-hour Dec. 20 meeting, the council heard from more than 30 people at city hall and those attending online.

New Prague Police Chief Jim Gareis will be retiring after a 37-year career in law enforcement at the end of the year. His last day as police chief was Thursday, Dec. 22. Chief Gareis said he’s ready for it.
Gareis thought about how this will be a change for him. “I thought, ‘This is my career I’m giving up,’ but I think I’m ready for that.”

The Scott County Sheriff's s Office has identified the deceased man found near the Interstate Highway 35 ramp and County Road 2 in New Market Township the morning of Dec. 23.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Officer has formally identified the body found in New Market Township Friday, Dec. 23, as 34-year old Alexander Stenberg of Bloomington. Stenberg’s body was located near this area by a passerby at approximately 8:47 a.m.

She likes to draw and appreciates the unique appearance of downtown New Prague.
Graecyn Helmer combined those two interests into an impressive display of art and ability.
The daughter of Michelle and Anthony Helmer, Graecyn, a fifth-grader at Falcon Ridge Elementary, submitted a unique pencil drawing of a downtown New Prague streetscape for The New Prague Times’ annual Christmas edition. The Times has been publishing the drawings in the Christmas edition for many years and Graecyn’s drawing caught the attention of the newspaper’s staff.

They all knew the day would come when Ryan Wetschka would not be home with his family for Christmas. And while his family has accepted the reality of a son, a brother, a grandson and nephew serving his country in the United States Army, it doesn’t make the missing him any easier.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case of a deceased man found this morning, Friday, Dec. 23, around 8:45 a.m., near the northbound exit ramp from County Road 2 (260th Street East/Deuce Road) onto Interstate Highway 35 in New Market Township.
“Our investigators will be working with the medical examiner’s office to make an identification and determine the circumstances surrounding this death,” said Sheriff Luke Hennen. “The investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.”

Because of severe weather and delivery complications, delivery of the Dec. 25 edition of The Extra for the Kilkenny and Le Center areas could be delayed until Tuesday, Dec. 27.
The Extra will be available at newsstands in Montgomery and New Prague.
Our apologies for any inconvenience.