For the second time this season, the 5th ranked New Prague wrestling team has returned from a tournament with hardware.
The Trojans had 17 top six finishers, including three champions, winning the Tri City United Invitational Saturday, Jan. 4 in Montgomery.
Koy Buesgens (106), Colton Bornholdt (113), and Jake Trachte (182) each claimed individual titles.

Join us (New Prague Area Historical Society) Tuesday, Jan. 14th at the New Prague library at 7 pm.
Our featured speaker will be local historian Vic Ruhland who will be doing a presentation on the history of Union Hill.
Come early and enjoy some cider and a treat!

A Waseca Police Officer was shot in the head and “gravely injured” while responding to a report of a suspicious person with a flashlight in the backyard residence on the 900 block of 4th Avenue SE in Waseca after 8 p.m. on Monday night, Jan. 6. The suspect was shot twice and sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Ronan Mark Dvorak, son of Matthew and Cassandra Dvorak of Belle Plaine, arrived at 11:18 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague. He is the New Year’s Baby for 2020. The family gathered for a photo from left are, big brother Finnegan, dad Matthew, sister Eden, holding Ronan, mom Cassandra and brother Killian. For more on the New Year’s Baby see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Robert Charles Simon, age 96, of New Prague passed away peacefully on December 27, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center with his family at his side.  Robert was born on September 27, 1923 to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon on their farm five miles southeast of New Prague.  He attended grade school in Veseli, MN and graduated from New Prague High School.  After graduation he attended a government sponsored trade school in Shakopee, studying metal machining, then moved to California to help build troop ships during World War II.  After returning to Minnesota, he married the

Alvin R. Pany, 90, of New Prague, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague. Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. with Father George Grafsky officiating. Burial will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery.

Denise B. (VonBank) Despenas, 68, of Kensett, IA passed away Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Mason City, IA.
Denise, the daughter of Isidore and Clara (Steinhoff) VonBank, was born September 14, 1951 in New Prague. She was married to Peter Despenas for 40 years. They enjoyed gardening, canning,and sharing their harvest with family and friends.

High winds and icy conditions may continue into the morning
MANKATO, Minn. –  (3:30 p.m.) Motorists in south central Minnesota are advised to expect difficult driving conditions to remain into Tuesday (December 31) with forecasted additional snowfall, dropping temps and even higher wind gusts.

Jayne E. (Pint) Palma, 64, of Kenyon, died Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
She was born December 13, 1955, in New Prague, the daughter of Joseph and Alma (Steinhoff) Pint. Jayne graduated from New Prague High School in 1975. On April 29, 1978, she married Kenneth Palma at St. Benedict Catholic Church in rural New Prague.

The Polars and the Ptarmigans laid everything out on the football field for the 60th New Prague Sno-Bowl held at Memorial Park Saturday afternoon.
Neither icy roads or a consistent rain drizzle during the game kept these New Prague High School alumni football players from lacing up their cleats and enjoying the day together in a game of tackle football.
Despite several turnovers and chances of completing passes for touchdowns, neither team could come up with points. The final score ended in a 0-0 tie.

Eugene B. “Gene” Arves, Jr., age 72, of Prior Lake, died peacefully, in the presence of dear friends and kind caregivers on Saturday, December 21, 2019 at New Perspectives Assisted Living in Prior Lake.  Gene was born on September 24, 1947 in Minneapolis to Eugene B. and Eunice I.

The New Prague Area Historical Society honored Lucille Nickolay for her many years with the society and her involvement with the community. The recognition of Nickolay was held Thursday, Dec. 12, at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center. There were 35 people on hand, including members of Nickolay’s family, board members of the historical society and residents of Mala Strana.

The New Prague boys basketball team received 36 points from senior guard Parker Johnson in a 65-54 loss to Farmington Thursday, Dec. 19 in New Prague.
Johnson’s efforts were not quite enough as the Tigers pulled out a 65-54 win.
Farmington improved to 4-2 overall while the Trojans dropped to 2-4.

Dick Jonckowski, who grew up in New Prague and went on to have a career in sports as an athlete and an announcer, was back in his hometown on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the New Prague Library. While there to present his book, “It’s All about Me: Dick Jonckowski: a Minnesota Treasure,” he also reminisced about growing up in New Prague and his career.
Jonckowski said that people hear the title of his book and laugh. He added one of his children suggested the name.

New Prague girls basketball head coach Luke Swedberg feels playing a tough schedule will only make his team better later in the season.
The Trojans battled a pair of very good teams last week, one of which is rated No. 1 in Class AAAA according to Minnesota-Scores.net.
Farmington won its eighth game in nine contests Thursday, Dec. 19 when they defeated the Trojans, 76-58 in New Prague.
The Tigers featured three of the top 50 players in Class 4A, led by senior Molly Mogenson and juniors Sophie Hart and Paige Klindseth.

The Elko new Market City Council had a brief business meeting on Thursday, Dec. 19, where the council unanimously approved its 2020 budget.
Appearing under the consent agenda, it included the 2019 Property Tax Levy for Taxes Payable in 2020. The council had had the final presentation of that during its Thursday, Dec. 5, meeting, which included it’s Truth in Taxation.
The levy increased...
To see more on this story pick up the December 26, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.