Scott County Sheriff’s deputies have recovered a body from the Minnesota River near Belle Plaine, not far from where an unoccupied boat was found Monday, Sept. 2.
This was the fourth day of search efforts to find a missing boater. A 2002 Lund 17-foot open boat with a 60 hp Evinrude motor was found running and unoccupied near the shoreline of the river at 10:50 a.m. Monday. The boat, as well as a truck and boat trailer at a nearby landing, belonged to Bruce Copenhaver, 62, of Watertown.

DalekoArts, New Prague’s local non-profit professional theater, opened its eighth season on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with “Ghost Tour,” a 70-minute interactive comedy that takes audiences out of the theater and through downtown New Prague. “Ghost Tour” lasts through Saturday, Oct. 12.

With an instrumental version of “Amazing Grace” Timothy (Tim) Price began Duct Tape and Grace at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Pastor Ben Hilding told the nearly 90 people gathered, “Tonight we are privileged to hear a story that is full of ups and downs, but resonates with each of us.”
Price detailed how he came through his time dealing with alcohol and drugs to where this year he is celebrating 25 years of being clean and sober.

September 6 marks a big anniversary for this newspaper.
It was on that date, in 1889, that the first edition of The New Prague Times was published. New Prague was a growing community whose population had nearly tripled, from 384 in 1880 to 955 in 1890. It was becoming a center of commerce and agricultural production.

The 1940 locomotive and 1956 caboose at Gopher State Railway Museum makes the turn on their track on Saturday, Aug. 31. The railroad museum two miles north of New Prague on Highway 21 is offering rides this weekend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1. Admission is free for this family fun event. People can also see the 1880 St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba business car that has a long history both on and off the tracks. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Economic Development Authority is seeking interested Main Street businesses to serve on the Downtown Main Street Reconstruction (Highway 19) Project Marketing Committee for 2020. This effort is being made in conjunction with the New Prague Chamber of Commerce.
Committee members will help create, develop and implement communication, marketing and promotional strategies to support downtown businesses during the Main Street Reconstruction Project, which is scheduled to take place in 2020.

Prime weather, great field activities, and a strong feature were just a few of the highlights that helped to make the 46th annual Pioneer Power Show a success, according to Bill Thelemann.
Thelemann, the president of the Le Sueur Pioneer Power Show, said that this year’s attendance on Saturday was close to record breaking for single day attendance.
“The crowd was unbelievable,” he said. “It makes me feel good to see that. I’m very thankful for the people that came to see our show.”

The Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague, 301 Second St. NE, will be holding a Cancer Support Group, from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3. Call 952-257-8220 for more information or check out the Mayo Clinic Health System's website.

Eighth grade students in Jamie Schoenbauer’s classroom at St. Wenceslaus School visit before the start of class on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 26. St. Wenceslaus School started the week with classes for the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Kindergarten through fifth grade students will begin school on Wednesday, Aug. 28. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The City of New Prague announced today (Friday) that the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Seventh Street NE (formerly CSAH 37) will reopen sometime today.
This means that both this roundabout and the one at Columbus Avenue and 12th Street NE/County Road 15 will be open for the start of school on Monday, Aug. 26. 

Since June 26 Elizabeth Sammons of Lonsdale has been waiting at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a heart so she can have a transplant operation. For Elizabeth this is her second heart transplant, plus she needs a kidney.

The games area at the Veseli Ho-Down was busy on Sunday, Aug. 18, as children were able to win an assortment of prizes. Hosted by Most Holy Trinity Parish, the 52nd annual festival also had food, selling out of its pork and dumpling meals, plus grilled burgers. There were three stages of music offering continuous music until 6 p.m. and several prize drawings. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Tom Goetzinger, longtime station manager at KCHK Radio, has been named grand marshall for the 2019 Dozinky Parade of Farm Pride.
The New Prague Chamber of Commerce made the announcement Friday, Aug. 16, after the Chamber board of directors made the selection.
Goetzinger has been active in promoting Polka Music at the station, which is celebrating its 50th year on the air this year.
He is pictured with Chamber Executive Director Brooke Sticha when they surprised Goetzinger at the Radio Station with the announcement.
Read more in the print edition.

Le Sueur County Historical Society has shed its vacant Waterville property and is focusing on the future.
The announcement of the sale was made during the society’s August 7 regular meeting in Montgomery.
“I have no idea what they (previous LCHS board members) were going to do with it, and it’s no use to us. It’s a drag financially as it’s taxable as a regular dwelling, so no reduced taxes, and we can’t afford to keep it,” stated LCHS Chairman Bill Stangler.

The New Prague Times Patrick Goggins of New Prague was sworn in as a Judge of the First Judicial District during an investiture ceremony Thursday, Aug. 8, at Next Chapter Winery in rural New Prague.
Judge Christopher Neisen, a former law partner of Goggins and a Judge in the Third Judicial District, had the honor of administering the oath.
The program began with a procession of approximately 30 judges and justices from the State of Minnesota. Among them was Judge Goggins’ sister, Colleen Goggins King, who is also a Judge in the First Judicial District.

Lonsdale Community Days Grand Marshals Charlotte, left, and Joe Kodada, life-long residents of the town wave to the crowd at the beginning of the Grand Parade on Saturday, Aug. 10. The rain quit just in time for the parade, which had 55 units registered. The Grand Parade made its way down Main Street featuring an array of groups from Lonsdale and surrounding communities. Rain didn't keep people away from the annual festival, which continues through the day with a Car Cruise, Steele Domain Wrestling and an evening performance by Chris Hawkey.