Any momentum the New Prague girls’ basketball team may have gained from winning their final regular season game of the season didn’t hold up well as the Trojans fell in the opening round of the Section 1AAAA playoffs Wednesday night, Feb. 25, at Lakeville North.

The Panthers, the section tournament’s No. 3 seed, ended No. 6-seeded New Prague’s season with a 73-40 win. The Trojans end the season at

At 9-18 overall, 2-10 in the Metro West and 1-3 against Section 1AAAA opposition.

Sunday, Feb. 22, was a sunny day with temperatures in the teens, but it didn’t stop 243 children from showing up to help build housing for wood ducks.

The 26th annual Youth Wood Duck Box Building Day sponsored by the Scott-Le Sueur Waterfowlers at the New Prague Knights of Columbus Hall. Organizers said it had been busy as 50 children, age 16 and younger, had signed up in the first 90 minutes of the four-hour event. Around 10 a.m., the number of children and their families waiting to help build wooden houses for wood ducks stretched out the front door said organizers.

Several months after the New Prague School Board OK’d a two-year contract with the district’s teachers represented by Education Minnesota, the school board approved two-year agreements with five different employee groups for 2025-2027.

Donna Marie Cochran, age 65, passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026, in Sebring, Florida. Donna was born on July 21, 1960, in New Prague, Minnesota, the daughter of Gilbert and Shirley Schoenbauer. She attended school at St. Benedict, New Prague Schools and graduated from Mankato State with degrees in Early Childhood and Education. 

Heading into the state tournament, New Prague High School’s cooperative floor hockey team seems ready to begin a strong defense of its state championship from a year ago.

The opening round is the big question mark. New Prague will face Shakopee-Prior Lake-Chaska-Chanhassen tomorrow evening, Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m., at Bloomington Jefferson High School’s activities center. See the team congratulations page in the print edition for the bracket information.

Max Prange, age 35, of New Prague, peacefully went with God after receiving his final blessing surrounded by family after a sudden illness on February 16, 2026. Max was born into his earthly life on February 19, 1990, and was raised on a dairy and crop farm in rural Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Throughout his years he treasured his generational family farm; he grew a love for the land and the animals. He developed a strong work ethic that would stay with him throughout his life. Max succeeded at everything he did.

Marcy Von Bank, age 90, of New Prague, MN, formerly of Jordan, MN, entered eternal life on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Kingsway in Belle Plaine, MN.

Jeanette C. Wieskus, age 89, of New Prague, formerly of Fulda, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, February 20, 2026, at her home at Praha Village.  Jeanette was born on November 8, 1936, in Fulda, MN, to William and Agnes (Dorpinghaus) Odenbrett.  She grew up in Fulda, graduating from Fulda High School and then a calling led to a degree as a nurse from St. Mary’s College in Rochester, with her career beginning on night shifts at St.

Harvey Eugene Chapman, age 85, of Montgomery, MN, passed away peacefully in his favorite chair on his farm on February 16, 2026.

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church’s Annual Soup Supper was held for its 32nd time Monday, Feb 16. Over the years it has raised several thousands of dollars for groups that help the less fortunate.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, New Prague’s girls’ basketball team is looking to build momentum as it prepares for a probable section game on the road.

Coach Eric Specht sees New Prague is a likely No. 6 seed in the section playoffs. NP defeated Rochester Century and has a better record than Rochester John Marshall (6-18 overall, 0-7 against section teams), he said. Rochester Mayo and Lakeville South are expected to be the top two teams in the section, followed in some fashion by Lakeville North, Owatonna and Farmington.

Young cousins Elsie Bergstrom and Savannah Brezina were all smiles as they were about to dig into their meals at the Education Scholarship Breakfast held by the New Prague Knights of Columbus Sunday morning, Feb. 15. Brezina was starting with the caramel roll and Bergstrom was making sure her pancakes had plenty of syrup.

New Prague High School’s wrestling team pinned down its first two opponents, Delano 50-15 and Mankato East 43-16, on the way to the section 2AA tournament championships, where the Trojans battled Scott West into a 25-25 tie, but lost on criteria. New Prague ends its season in second place with an overall record of 28-3.

The Trojans will participate in the individual portion of the section to try and qualify some individuals for state. Wrestling begins 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Delano and continues at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.

“It’s evolved so much,” said Billy Bartusek Jr. as he stood among the sea of adults and youth at the New Prague Sportsman’s Club’s Youth Fishing Clinic. There were 142 children participating in the clinic Saturday, Feb. 14, at Raven Stream Elementary School.

Bartusek Jr. knows how the clinic has changed over its 45 plus years. He attended the clinic as a child.

We heard last week President Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan announced Operation Metro Surge was coming to an end. No matter how you feel about immigrants and illegal immigration, there seems one simple question we should all ask and demand those responsible for it answer.

Was it really worth it?

Fortunately, New Prague didn’t see even a sliver of what happened in Minneapolis. Yet the agency is keeping an eye on our neighbors in rural communities.

Glenn M. Mueller, age 89, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away at his home on Monday, February 16, 2026.