Joann “Joanie” Hattie Skluzacek, age 80, of Montgomery, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery with Fr. Tom Niehaus officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.

Lloyd Carl Svoboda, age 85, of rural New Prague, left the loving arms of his family to join God in eternal life on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Central Healthcare of Le Center.

Timothy Robert Doherty, age 78, passed away April 9, 2024, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Tim was born on a beloved family farm in Morgan, MN. He was raised in New Prague, MN, and built a cherished life in Eagan, MN, with his wife Suzanne. A devoted father to Scott (Brandie), Jeff (Sherri), and Meghan Doherty Chappuis (Chris), and a cherished Grandpa to Benjamin, Kellie, Anna, Samantha, Sadie, Julia, Madeline, Emily, and William.

Benjamin T. “Ben” Stuber, age 46, of New Prague, died peacefully, with his family at his side on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville.  

OK, we’ve just enjoyed the wimpiest winter in recent memory. It came after a brutal winter the previous year, a winter reminiscent of the early-1980s. It chased us from the country into town.
We had two, maybe three snowfalls worth noting this winter. We didn’t even have to endure the mid-January cold snaps folks always seem to be surprised by even though they are the stuff calendars can be set by. The point is, this is a bonus spring. Sure, it’s been a bit damp of late, but that’ll help our friends on the farm and help the lawns green up.

Rose Marie Tuma, age 85, of Kilkenny, MN, formerly of Lonsdale, MN, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2024, in Faribault, MN.
Rose Marie was born January 26, 1939, in New Prague, MN, to Max and Emma (Cecka) Kalina. She is preceded in death by her husband, George J. Tuma; infant daughter, Charlotte; parents; siblings, Robert "Bob”, John.

Crews will begin work on the Highway 169 Jordan-Shakopee improvement project at 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Workers will reduce Highway 169 to one northbound and one southbound lane between Highway 21 in Jordan and Highway 41 in Jackson Township through mid-August. Lane closures will not be allowed weekends beginning Aug. 9.
Also starting May 1, through late-June, drivers will be limited to right-in, right-out access to Highway 69 in the project area, except at these intersections:

Elko New Market welcomed its newest police officer, Jeff Addabbo, during an induction ceremony at the city council’s Thursday, April 11, meeting. As part of the ceremony officer Addabbo’s father, Mike Addabbo, was invited to pin his son’s badge on him.
Addabbo’s parents and others in his family were present for the ceremony, which included his taking the oath of office from Mayor Joe Julius.
“Jeff's journey into law enforcement is a testament to his determination and passion for making a difference,” said Elko New Market Police Chief Brady Juell.

Corner Bar at 100 Main St. W in New Prague has on its main door, “Sorry we are closed due to roof repairs.”
According to New Prague city staff the bar’s liquor license expired March 31. Planning/Community Development Director Ken Ondich said the local bar had submitted an application for a liquor license with other liquor establishments before the March 31 deadline, but the business did not have an approved lease for its location. The license could not be renewed because there was not a valid lease, said Ondich.

Trying to soften the runway for anticipated future budget reductions, the New Prague Area School Board approved offering veteran teachers in the upper quadrant of the salary schedule an early-retirement package they can use for expenses including healthcare plans.

Agnes "Aggie" Pass, age 86, of Jordan, MN, passed away at her home surrounded by family on April 20, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. with visitation time from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (313 2nd St. E) in Jordan, MN. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Aggie will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Dorthea “Shirley” Lambrecht passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024, while surrounded by her children. Shirley was born on May 15, 1935, in Shakopee, MN, to Herman & Helen Ramaker. She married Tony Lambrecht in September of 1954 and together they raised 6 children. They owned & operated a bar in St. Benedict, before moving to New Prague and running Tony’s Bar. A short time later came Heidelberg Liquors.  Tony went into the rehab business called Choices.

Submitted by: Sarah Stultz, Managing Editor, Albert Lea Tribune
A significant discussion is taking place at the state Legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.
Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

Taking public notices for schools out of newspapers would hurt public
A significant discussion is taking place at the state legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.
Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

Donald (Don) J. Smisek Sr, age 83, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away peacefully at Lakeville BeeHive Homes on April 17, 2024, with family by his side.  He fought a long and courageous battle with dementia. Don is preceded in death by sons Tommy and Dennis, and parents Joe B. and Helen Smisek. Don was born June 2, 1940, on a family farm in Webster Township. He attended Lonsdale Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from New Prague High School in 1959. He served in the US Marine Corps for 4 years.