Are you wondering about the safety of our printed newspapers during this COVID-19 crisis?
According to information from the World Health Organization (WHO), a highly credible source of factual information, the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low, and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, traveled and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

By order of Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn, effective March 19, 2020 at 7:30 am, access to the Rice County Courthouse will be restricted.  The courthouse is not being closed. 

Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, our offices in New Prague, Montgomery and Waterville will be closed to walk-in traffic. We will be available during our regular business hours via telephone, email or our websites to continue services for you. 
If you need to pick up a printing order, please call ahead and our staff will meet you outside with your delivery.
We are committed to providing you good service as we all face significant changes in our day to day lives, but we feel we need to take these precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the COVID-19 illness.

In an effort to receive the most competitive bid prices from contractors, the City of New Prague and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) modified the proposed Hwy 19 New Prague Main Street construction schedule. Instead of completing work in one construction season (2020), the project is now proposed to be completed in two construction seasons (2020-21).

Effective Thursday, March 19, Le Sueur County is closing the majority of its government buildings to the public - the exception being the Sheriff’s Office lobby and the Le Sueur County Court Administration in the Justice Center.
Sheriff Brett Mason said his office will continue to provide residents with the services they expect, but they are taking precautions with the COVID-19 pandemic.

So much has changed in the world in the last few weeks.
We’re entering unchartered territory in this fight against COVID-19.
Everyone at Suel Printing Company's newspapers (Montgomery Messenger, The New Prague Times, Waterville Lake Region Life and Elysian Enterprise) remains dedicated to providing you with a high-quality newspaper with consistent news coverage and delivery.
That said, we’re doing what we can with the resources we have to keep ourselves, our families, and our sources healthy.

Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Health System is deferring all elective care that can be deferred for eight or more weeks, according to a press release Tuesday, March 17.

According to the New Prague Police Department a juvenile male was approached by a stranger the morning of Tuesday, March 17.
  New Prague Police Chief Jim Gareis said around 10 a.m. a police officer was approached by a parent asking the officer to talk with a juvenile male. The youngster told the officer that an adult male in a newer Chevy Silverado cab pickup stopped the boy while riding on his bike at Heritage Park near Lexington Avenue N. The male offered the boy some cookies and a candy bar. The boy immediately left the area and told his parents.

Richard (Dick) Myles Kadrlik, age 74, of Rosemount passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Dick grew up in New Prague, MN and settled in Rosemount, MN with his family. He worked as a Cement Finisher and was a proud member of the Cement Masons Union. During his retirement he enjoyed yard work, going to car shows and making concrete lawn décor.  He also enjoyed meeting his buddies for coffee and laughing at Bill Maher on Friday nights.

The following press release was received Mon. March 16:
“COVID19 - March 16, Letter to the Community
New Prague Area Schools Families: 
We continue to work through issues around the two-week closure, March 16th through March 27th, to prepare our plan for delivering distance learning, if that is required.  We want to keep you informed of new information or changes as they occur. 
SCHOOL BUILDINGS OPEN TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH

Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague now offers a drive-through screening process for patients who meet criteria for COVID-19 testing. Transmissions of COVID-19 are increasing statewide and across the nation and other institutions have successfully used the drive-through approach.
According to a press release, as a first step, patients must call their Mayo Clinic Health System primary care clinic. A provider or nurse will determine if patients meet criteria and will schedule a drive-through test.

Lanny F. Holzer, of Jordan passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020 at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan at the age of 90. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10 from 4-7 pm at Ballard Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, March 11 at 11am with visitation one-hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Full military honors will be provided by the Jordan Veteran’s Honor Guard. Pall-bearers will be Lanny’s grandchildren. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Sunday that all of Minnesota’s K-12 schools will close for eight school days starting Wednesday to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Walz and state Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker made the announcement Sunday morning in St. Paul.

Stanley J. Puncochar, age 92, of New Prague, died peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  Stanley was born on April 30, 1927 in Cedar Lake Township, Scott County to Joseph F.

The Polka Dance Party scheduled for Friday, March 13 at the Central Education Campus in New Prague has been canceled. We are following the Minnesota Department of Health's recommendation to not have large group activities. Please pass this information on to anyone that may have been interested in attending.