New Prague’s Boy Scout Troop 323 took a trip to northeastern Minnesota the weekend of Friday, Jan. 15, to Monday, Jan. 18, to attend the High Adventure Camp at Northern Tier near Ely. Breaking up into two crews, the Boy Scouts learned how to...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 28, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Superintendent Tim Dittberner of the New Prague School District informed the New Prague School Board at its Monday, Jan. 25, meeting that more than 200 school district employees have been allotted for COVID vaccines. He was told the news in a...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 28, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Every once in a while some group, or for entertainment purposes, someone brings up how there are questions we should know the answers to.

Ruth Heiland and Cheryl Kollasch of Scott County Public Health Services prepare COVID-19 vaccine shots on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague. The hall was the site for a vaccine clinic that was mainly for essential health care workers who had previously registered. It was held from 1-6 p.m. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Jenni Wickman of Generation Building Center, left, was named Business of the Year by the Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 26. Shanna Gutzke-Kupp, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, right, presents Wickman with a plaque. Wickman operates the business with her husband Tom. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce held a Dinner Drive-Thru on January 26. For more see the Thursday, Feb. 4, print issues of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

A man faces murder and arson charges after a fire on Sunday morning.
According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, on Sunday Jan. 24, 2021, at approximately 7:15 a.m. the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a structure fire at 37722 Hunting Preserve Lane in Le Center.
Investigation into the incident revealed the deceased body of an adult male believed to be Bruce Alan Traxler, 64, who lived at the address.
Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Hardy Robert Wills-Traxler, 25, of Le Center.

Irene Brown, age 90 of Northfield, MN, passed away Thursday evening, January 21, 2021, at home.
Irene Cecelia Brown was born December 11, 1930, on the family farm in New Market, MN to William and Celia (Cervenka) Shimota. She was raised on the family farm, and baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. She attended country school and graduated from New Prague High School in 1948. Following her education she had various jobs including working at Dayton’s in downtown Minneapolis.

John M. Sirek, age 78, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Center.  John was born on December 11, 1942 on the family farm to Mathias Thomas and Bessie A.

A pay-it-forward challenge is rapidly spreading through New Prague, and local businesses couldn’t be happier.
The challenge, which involves an individual receiving a gift card to a local business then buying multiple gift cards to local businesses and gifting them to friends (challenging them to keep the cycle going), has bolstered local businesses struggling during the pandemic—and has provided a good dose of positive...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 21, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I miss being able to actually go to a movie theater. To me there is almost this magic to the entire experience. From getting a popcorn and sitting in a darkened theater and just putting my entire attention on what is happening on this huge screen. Watching the images flash by and the reactions it creates for me and everyone around me.

Residents and staff at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living in New Prague and police and fire departments in New Prague and Elko New Market have begun to get the vaccination for COVID-19.
Lydia Rasmussen of Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living said they had a clinic on...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 21, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

The New Prague Snow Drifters, the local snowmobile club that maintains area snowmobile trails, took time this fall and early winter to convert an old grain bin into a warming shelter for snowmobilers.
Club member Brian Jindra said they began discussions this summer. The club’s Trail Coordinators, the Groomer Committee and board members continued talks about a...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 21, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger.

Richard (Rick) Vanasek, MD, 76, passed away Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021, at Reflections on the Three Links Campus in Northfield.

Barbara Jean Shoemaker, 82, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother passed away January 13, 2021. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 4, 1938. Barbara was the daughter of the late Steven & Helen Friendt (Miller). Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter Francis Shoemaker.

Arden Wesley Hull, age 87, died Monday, January 4 at his home in New Prague, MN surrounded by his children and grandchildren. 
He was married to his one true love Darlene Frances Swanson for 64 years. 
Arden is survived by his children, Vicki (Jacob) Sells, Kathie Hull, Debbie (Mark) Wheeler, David Hull, and Patti Gilster; his eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; his sisters-in-law, LaRie Hull and Carol (Hull) Carlson, many loving nieces and nephews and countless friends. 

The New Prague City Council reorganized at its electronically held meeting the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 5. Under the city’s charter the first meeting of the new year is held on the first Tuesday.
The council unanimously approved the appointment of Scott Riggs of the firm Kennedy & Graven as City Attorney. In a memorandum to the council it was noted...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 14, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.