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)

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce has parted ways with Deb Kalousek, executive director for nearly five years, it was announced this week.
Barb Skluzacek, chamber president, said the chamber’s executive board made the decision to “go in a different direction” last month. The change was effective November 14.
Brooke Sticha, office assistant at the Chamber, was named interim executive director.

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.

Elko New Market City Clerk Sandy Green was honored on Thursday, Dec. 6, for 19 years of service to the city. An open house was held that evening for Green, who is retiring this Friday, Dec. 14. During the Elko New Market City Council meeting later that evening she was presented a plaque by Mayor Bob Crawford.

It’s not often a government body cuts taxes, but that’s what happened at Monday’s meeting of the New Prague Area School Board. Following its state-mandated Truth in Taxation hearing, the board approved a 2019 property tax levy of $13.37 million. That is a reduction of $56,299 from 2018, or 0.42 percent.

Monday’s meeting of the New Prague Area School Board was the final meeting for three long-time board members.
Jerry Walerius and Don Dvorak served 13 years on the board and Sherry Brooks nine. All three chose not to run for reelection this year. Their seats will be taken by Mark Bartusek, Leo Giesen and Tammy Pexa.
At Monday’s meeting, all three spoke about their time on the board and thanked fellow board members, the administration and the voters for having trusted them to serve. A short reception was held following the meeting.

The New Prague Trojan wrestling team hosted a three-team meet last week and earned a sweep, defeating Rochester John Marshall and Tri-City United.
The Trojans improved their season record to 5-2 and will compete in their first Wright County Conference dual of the season Thursday, Dec. 13, at Hutchinson. The Trojans are at Northfield on Saturday, Dec. 15, for the Northfield Invitational, starting at 10 a.m. They host a home triangular Tuesday, Dec. 18, with Le Sueur-Henderson and Blue Earth.

The New Prague Trojan gymnastics team opened its season Thursday, Dec. 6, with a win over Breck. Score for the meet was 131.7- 126.275.
New Prague used 12 different gymnasts in the meet. Top performer was Emmalyn Dickerson, who placed second in the all-around with a score of 32.7. Dickerson had the high score on both the balance beam (8.575) and the floor exercise (8.95). She also placed third on the uneven bars at 8.025 and had a score of 7.15 on the vault.
Brooke Nerud took first for New Prague on the bars with an 8.325.

Francis "Fran" Vohnoutka, age 79, of Battle Lake, MN, formerly of Shakopee, passed away unexpectedly in Galveston, TX. on Monday, December 3, 2018.
Fran was born in St. Patrick, MN, on April 25, 1939, the son of Frank and Bessie (Pavlicek) Vohnoutka. He married Kathleen Geis in Shakopee, MN on September 2, 1961. Prior to retirement Fran was employed as a truck driver.

Lucille H. Schmitz, age 87, of New Prague died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at her home.  Lucille was born on September 2, 1931, in Belle Plaine Township, Scott County, MN to Martin and Katherine (Michel) Neisen.  She attended country school, married Ralph J. Schmitz on September 2, 1950 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Union Hill, and the couple farmed and raised their family of eleven children on their farm near St.

Members of Hymnus sing in the lobby of the Hotel Broz during the 2018 Holiday Makers Market Friday, Dec. 7. The two-day event, featuring handcrafted items from a number of area vendors, continues Saturday at the historic hotel in downtown New Prague.

The New Prague Trojan boys hockey team lost its opening game to Shakopee, but rebounded with a pair of overtime wins to start the season 2-1 under first year Coach Cory Lonke. Grant Yackly scored the winning goals in both wins for New Prague.
The Trojans were scheduled to travel to Red Wing Tuesday, Dec. 4, and play at Bloomington Jefferson at 7 p.m Saturday, Dec. 8. New Prague renews a rivalry with former Missota Conference foe Holy Angels on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Richfield.

The New Prague City Council is all set to give final approval to the Main Street 2020 Improvement project that has been in the works for several years. A hearing on Monday, Dec. 3, drew about 22 people - mostly property owners and business owners who are understandably concerned with the effects this project will have on their investments.

The New Prague Trojan girls basketball team split its first two games of the season last week, both at home. The Trojans opened with a loss to Shakopee, but rebounded in a big way with a 70-22 win over Rochester Century.
New Prague was scheduled to face Blaine Tuesday, Dec. 4. They will play Friday, Dec. 7, at Prior Lake and then travel to Bloomington Kennedy on Tuesday, Dec. 11. The Trojans host Chaska on Thursday, Dec. 13.

Nearly everyone spends time during the holidays thinking back to the memories of Christmas in their childhood. Family traditions can bring back great memories.

Disney on Ice will be playing this weekend, with eight shows at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, and a New Prague native will have a featured role in the production.
Cale Ambroz, son of Chuck and Cindy Ambroz, got his start skating with the New Prague Area Figure Skating Club when he was six years old.
"I didn’t really like it. I thought it was too hard and quit," he recalls.