Leonard “Lennie” Newman, Jr, 84, of New Prague, MN, passed away peacefully at St. Francis Regional Medical Center on July 22, 2024, and has now joined his Heavenly Father in his eternal home. Lennie was the son of Leonard and Mable Newman and was a long-standing member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague, MN.

Marlys Annette Benolken, age 83, of New Prague, formerly of Lonsdale, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, July 22, 2024, at her home at Praha Village.  Marlys was born on September 22, 1940, in Fargo, North Dakota, to James A. and Catherine M. (Kreyer) Stage.  She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, attending Holy Name Catholic School from kindergarten through graduation from high school.  Once Marlys had raised her five children, Marlys entered the work force, serving as an administrative assistant for Rice County Corrections for 15 years.

Donald J. Giesen, age 84, of Union Hill, died peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Don was born on May 21, 1940, in Belle Plaine Township, to Casper and Isabelle (Ruhland) Giesen.  He spent his entire life in Union Hill and graduated from New Prague High School.  He entered the US Army and served a 13-month tour in the Vietnam Conflict.  On September 27, 1969, Don married Ruth E. Siemon at St.

Scott Pelava, owner of Lonsdale Auto Works, was chosen as the 2024 grand marshal for Lonsdale Community Days, happening on Saturday, August 10.
Pelava opened Lonsdale Auto Works in 2005, providing service to the Lonsdale area for 19 years so far. He has been an active member of the Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC), serving two terms on the board of directors for them. Chamber Executive Director Shanna Gutzke-Kopp says that he has been “constructively working with staff, committee members & business leaders.”

The armed man who prompted sheriff’s deputies and police to shut down Interstate Highway 35 near Faribault Sunday, July 21, for nearly five hours allegedly had drugs in his vehicle, paraphernalia and equipment for packaging drugs.
The incident began at 2:52 p.m. and ended shortly after 7 p.m.

Inez Kubes of Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living celebrated her 105th birthday with family, friends and other residents in New Prague Monday, July 22.

Mary Ann Maruska, age 97, of Lonsdale, formerly of New Prague, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at The Villages of Lonsdale.  Mary Ann was born on September 15, 1926, on the family farm in Wheatland Township, Rice County, Minnesota to Ben A. and Anna M. (Schoenbauer) Barta.  The first of six children, she attended country school, Immaculate Conception School and St. Wenceslaus School.  She married Edward J. Maruska on September 25, 1945, at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale and farmed in Helena Township, Scott County, where they raised their family.

Despite a solid pitching performance from a pair of Irish hurlers, Hampton pulled off a walk-off win over visiting St. Patrick Sunday, July 14, in a Section 1 thriller.
With the game deadlocked at 2-each, the Cardinals scored the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth inning. It spoiled St. Patrick’s hopes of stealing a road win from the Cardinals.

Dorothy Rita Lubbers, age 94, of Shakopee, MN, died peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 19, 2024, from 9:30-11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial service at 11 a.m. All to be held at SJA-Church of Saint Mary, 535 Lewis St. S, Shakopee, MN. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Two Montgomery Township residents were killed in a house fire early Sunday morning.
Roman Jindra, 76, and Betty Jindra, 73, were found in the kitchen area of a house on Jindra Lane in Montgomery Township around 1 a.m. Sunday, July 14. Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office dispatchers received a report of a structure fire at the house at 12:54 a.m. Betty Jindra called 911 and reported the house was on fire and she and Roman were trapped inside the residence, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

Edward M. “Eddie” Malz, age 86, of Farmington, died peacefully with his family at his side at his home on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.  Edward was born on November 22, 1937, in Belle Plaine, to Edward and Emiline (Krekelberg) Malz.  He grew up in Belle Plaine, graduated from Belle Plaine High School, and served in the US Army after graduating.  He met Judith E.

Donald "Don" Joseph Barnett, age 87, of Kilkenny, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024, at his home. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Visitation will continue Saturday, July 13, from 10-11 a.m. at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Father Timothy Sandquist and Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in rural Montgomery. Military honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard.

Gary Dennis Halloran, age 81, who was born and raised in the community of St. Thomas, MN, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Gertrude (Brown) Halloran, and survived by his siblings: Margie Eischens (Gordon), Bruce (Cathy) Halloran, Rosanne Halloran, and Sheila Soukup (Jerry), and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Rosemary "Rosie" Franek, age 88, of New Prague, sadly passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Mala Strana Healthcare Center.  Rosemary was born on February 13, 1936, in Wheatland Township, Rice County, to William F. and Mary Tupy, the youngest of four with three older brothers.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.  She went on to work at Queen of Peace Hospital for many years.  Rosie married Leonard Franek on September 18, 1956.  The couple was blessed with and raised three daughters on their beautiful family farm.

Crews will begin work on Highway 282 projects on July 8 that will result in narrow lanes and two separate road closures, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
At 7 a.m. Monday, July 8, crews begin replacing a retaining wall with an earthen slope along Highway 282 in downtown Jordan. Crews working on the project, between Highway 21 and East Street, require a temporary narrowing of Highway 282 lanes. Workers plan to continue the project from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, until July 30.

There used to be a baseball stadium along the Minnesota River in Shakopee, at the north end of the old Holmes Street bridge.
It’s the same bridge where, local legend has it, a man flew a small airplane under the bridge to win the affections of a local young lady. Such a feat today would be considered insanity since the level of the river is much higher than it reportedly was back in those days.