The office of the Le Sueur County election administrator announces that absentee ballots are now available to the public for the August 13 primary election. Individuals may vote in person at the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at the Le Sueur County Government Center, 88 S Park Ave, Le Center, MN 56057, or fill out an absentee ballot application on-line, or mail in a request for an absentee ballot to Le Sueur County Elections, 88 South Park Ave, Le Center MN 56057, and a ballot will be mailed to them.

This week marks 248 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when the American colonies declared themselves free from the United Kingdom. Many people will be celebrating it by spending time with family, friends and with fireworks capping the day.

The Elko New Market City Council at its Thursday, June 27, meeting approved the Interstate 35 Industrial Park by a 4-1 vote. Casting the only no vote was Councilor Gina Styles who felt the industrial park was not the right fit for the city.

A group of New Prague youngsters is hoping to help honor veterans while enjoying time outdoors during the summer months. It’s a project they planned and are implementing with the help of their moms, one glass at a time.

St. Patrick built an early lead and then held off Hampton Sunday afternoon, June 30, at Bonin Field.
The Irish took a 5-0 lead with two runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth frame. Hampton rallied with a three tallies in the sixth inning before St. Patrick upped its lead to 6-2 with a solo run in the home half of the eighth inning, a run that provided to be the game-winner for the home team.

Marion J. Tuma, age 93, died on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Villages of Lonsdale.  Marion Julia (Koldin) Tuma was born April 7, 1931, on the family farm in Rice County, Minnesota to Joseph J. and Mary Ann (Pesta) Koldin.  She was baptized, and received her first Communion and Confirmation at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale.  She attended District 46 Country School, and Parochial School in Lonsdale.  On May 17, 1949, she married Francis A.

Douglas Brian Simon, age 58, of Veseli, died peacefully at home with his family at his side on Saturday, June 29, 2024.  Doug was born on August 7, 1965, in New Prague to Milton C. and Janet M. (Turek) Simon.  He attended LNMV Catholic School, graduated from New Prague High School, and went on to attend the Hennepin Tech Journeyman Program.  He worked in painting and wall covering for Wasche Commercial Finishes, Inc.

Supporters change plans to help Schmitz family and Chandler
They tried pumps, hoses, shovels, most every tool available to a grounds crew trying to make a ball field playable. In the end, the rainfall at Don Giesen Field the past week just wouldn’t allow the annual home run derby to be held.

The time has come for school districts to put their feet down. It’s time to consider banning cell phones in schools, especially the high school. No, this isn’t about what books, videos or information is made available to students. The time to ban cell phones in schools, New Prague Schools, in this case, has arrived.

Virgil M. “Cutter” Brueggemeier, age 68, of New Prague, died unexpectedly after a short battle with cancer, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Rochester.  Virgil was born on September 28, 1955, in Gaylord, MN, to Martin and Violet (Brockoff) Brueggemeier.  He graduated from Arlington Green Isle High School in 1973 and two years later, married Katherine K. Winter on November 21, 1975, at St.

A seventh-inning home run broke a 3-3 tie and allowed Elko to top its crosstown rival, the New Market Muskies, 7-3, Friday evening, June 21, at Fredrickson Field.
The Express jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second inning only to have the Muskies tie the game in the third.
Elko retook the lead in the third, 3-2, in the home half of the third frame. New Market rallied with a run in the sixth inning to even the score at 3-apiece.

New Prague and other area communities will observe the July 4th holiday in many ways, celebrations including fireworks, parades, music and boat parades.
New Prague The evening of Wednesday, July 3, will be the New Prague Fireworks Show. Events will be held east of the New Prague Middle School, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be Kona Ice, Dawgs on the Run, face painting and free massages. The national anthem will be sung by Linda Fahrenkamp with the fireworks beginning 10:10 p.m.

City hopes residents will take over festival
Elko New Market’s annual festival, Fire Rescue Days, is this evening, Thursday, June 27, through Sunday, June 30.
Elko New Market City Councilor Josh Berg said this year’s festival is the first year in a process to expand the festival. Berg was part of a group of residents working on the festival. He said they are trying to spin Fire Rescue Days off into its own group with residents organizing it. He noted over the last few years, the city has been mostly in charge of organizing the festival.

FOX9’s Town Ball Tour will be stopping at the Elko Express’ Fredrickson Field along France Avenue in Elko New Market, Wednesday, July 3, as the Express take on the Prior Lake Jays.
FOX 9 will broadcast live from the Express’ ballpark starting at 5 p.m. The Minneapolis-based TV station’s Town Ball Tour usually visits with local residents about the history of the ballpark or the team. A part of the Elko Express’ history is it has made 15 state appearances.
The Express and the Prior Lake Jays will begin their game at 7 p.m.

Two updates have been made to the schedule for Fire Rescue Days, Elko New Market’s annual community festival. This Sunday, June 30, the pancake breakfast held by Scout Troop 325 has been moved to Wagner Park, 120 Park St. and will be held 8 a.m. to noon. The annual breakfast is sponsored by the NEW Lions Club. Also at Wagner Park, at 10 a.m. Tapestry Vineyard Church and Crossroad Church will hold an outdoor Sunday service.