A young woman’s cow painting just earned her some moolah.
Anna Prchal’s vibrant, acrylic painting of a purple cow claimed the People’s Choice Award--and $100--in the Arts and Heritage Center of Montgomery’s Celebrating Farmers and Agriculture window art contest.
The contest was made possible because of a grant from Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and donations from the Bob and Mary Jo Loftus Foundation and Compeer Financial. Her painting, which she refers to as “Crazy Cow,” was displayed at...

Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason announced Thursday, a $300 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of subject(s) involved in a series of damaged and stolen road signs, that occurred in the recent past, in Lanesburgh and Montgomery Township of Le Sueur County.
Mason said in the past three weeks, on different occasions, his office received reports from citizens and township board representatives about damaged and/or stolen road signs.
An investigation showed the damage was intentional.

Students shop for gifts at school’s holiday store
Holiday shopping got a lot easier for Most Holy Redeemer (MHR) students.
The spirit of Christmas was alive and well last week at a shopping event where gifts came to the school. It was organized by MHR volunteer, Neaner Kriha, who continued a tradition started decades ago by retired teacher, Marian Tuma, and the CCW.
“It used to be called the Mission Penny Sale. This is the second year I’ve organized it. I don’t know what I’ll call it …"

In alignment with Executive Order 20-103 announced December 16 by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Minnesota State High School League will begin in-person practice for winter sports and activities on Mon., Jan. 4, 2021.

Per Governor Walz, thanks to the hard work of Minnesotans over the last few weeks to keep each other safe, we are starting to turn a corner on COVID-19. But we’re not out of the woods yet. Today we announced a way forward that will bridge the gap to vaccination.
This plan will protect hospital capacity while prioritizing getting our kids back in the classroom and supporting Minnesotans’ quality of life.
Starting January 18, every elementary school in Minnesota may choose to operate in person with additional safety measures.

Barbara D. Loebner, age 84, of Montgomery, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Traditions of Montgomery. Barbara was born on April 27, 1936 in Minneapolis to Dale and Agnes (Shepherdson) Smith. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and went on to attain both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in teaching from the University of Minnesota. She married the love of her life, George J. Loebner on May 12, 1956 in Minneapolis.

New Prague KC Hall - 411 4th Ave. SW, New Prague
Mon. December 14. 2020
12:30 - 5:30 pm
New Market Town Hall - 8950 230th St. E, Lakeville
9 am - 2 pm
Wed. December 16, 2020
Jordan Fire Station - 501 N. Varner St, Jordan
Thurs. December 17, 2020
10 am - 2 pm
To sign up for an appointment for either locations go to:
https://www.primarybio.com/r/scottcounty

Timothy Donald "Don" Cashin of Albert Lea, Minnesota, died December 11, 2020 at home from complications of COVID in the care of Mayo Hospice, surrounded by family members.

Donald James Carlson, of Winter Springs, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
Don was born on March 10, 1945, in Willmar, Minnesota. He grew up with his family in Montgomery, Minnesota, and was a Montgomery High School graduate.

Mary Kay Freid, 72, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment will be held in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Montgomery. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
Mary Kay was born on November 11, 1948, in St. Peter to Theodore “Ted” and Mary (Kucera) Blaschko. She was a Le Center High School graduate.

Sheriff’s department donates decorated tree to family in need
The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Department is making magic.
On Friday, Dec. 4, Sheriff Brett Mason and his staff delivered a fully decorated Christmas tree to a Le Sueur County family in need. “Project: Believe in the Magic of Christmas” was organized by Mason, The Mounted Posse, and The Sheriff’s Youth Project.

The Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) Board of Directors on Thursday, Dec. 3, approved a flexible plan for the restart of winter activities when clearance is provided by state governmental leaders. Executive Order 20-99 is currently in place, a directive that mandates a four-week pause in activities designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. That is scheduled to expire on...
To see more on this story, pick up the December 10, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times, Montgomery Messenger or the LifeEnterprise papers.

A free food distribution for those in need of food or newly struggling to make ends meet due to the COVID-19 crisis is being held Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. (or while supplies last) at First Lutheran Church, 116 Inner Drive, Le Sueur, MN.
The event is being hosted by the Le Sueur Food Shelf (LSFS) and Le Sueur County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) with food provided from the COVID Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

It’s a win-win situation.
Using a $10,000 grant awarded by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), the Montgomery Community Foundation (MCF) printed $10,000 in Monty Bucks that were distributed to people in need.
Tri-City United School social workers, local clergy, the local food shelf, and other individuals helped disperse the 400 $25 checks—for free—beginning in September.
Each recipient received a note explaining...
To see more on this story, pick up the December 10, 2020 print edition of the Montgomery Messenger.

Breakfast with Santa adapts during pandemic
Christmas time is family time, and TCU’s community education and early childhood programs promoted that Friday with the annual “Breakfast With Santa … at Night.”
The event, which has traditionally been held on Saturday morning, was changed to a Friday night, on December 4, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The contactless drive-thru event was held in front of TCU High School. Natalie Eckstein, TCU Early Learning Coordinator, said it was her department’s goal to...
 

On December 9, 2020 at 6:02 am, Rice County deputies responded to the 5000 block of Hazelwood Ave in Webster Township, Northfield Ambulance and Northfield Fire/Rescue responded to a personal injury crash on CR 46 in Webster Township. 
Upon arrival, deputies located two vehicles involved with 2 victims.  The driver of a 2006 Audi A6, Miguel Angel Carreon Balderas, 27, of Owatonna was treated at the scene and transported to Northfield Hospital by ambulance.