They have done something 9.86 million or so people do each year, visit at least one of Minnesota’s state parks. But four women have been to all of them, and along the way, they enjoyed memories they’ll likely cherish the rest of their lives.

City council wrestles with plans for possible future building
During the New Prague City Council's Tuesday, Oct. 3, workshop on its 2024 budget, councilors considered the future of a possible new building for the city's police department.
In previous discussions, the council considered passing on working on a new building, but city staff didn't want to take discussion of the building completely off the table.

The hard work has paid off and New Prague High School’s volleyball team has earned a No. 1 seed for the Section 1AAAA volleyball playoffs.
Having won the Metro West Conference, the Trojans, 22-5 overall, entered section play last night, Wednesday, Oct. 25, against No. 8 seed Owatonna after The New Prague Times went to press. Details of the match will be on the newspaper’s website – newpraguetimes.com – or its Facebook page.
If the Trojans topped the Huskies, they’ll face the...

Ramona "Monie" L. Hentges, age 70, of Shakopee, MN, passed away from a long battle with triple negative metastatic breast cancer, on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at her home, surrounded by family.
Monie was born on June 30, 1953, in New Prague, MN, the daughter of Leonard and Christine (Wolf) Nytes. She married Michael M. Hentges on August 25, 1973, in Union Hill, MN.

New Prague High School’s boys’ soccer team saw its season come to a tough end last night, Tuesday, Oct. 24, with a 6-0 loss to Woodbury in the quarterfinal match of the Minnesota State High School League’s Class AAA state tournament.
Playing amidst a steady rainfall at Farmington High School, the No. 4-seeded Royals, 14-2-3 overall, scored three times in the first half and three more times in the second half. New Prague was the No. 5 seed in the tournament. The Trojans’ season ends with a 13-5-2 overall record.

“Since the legalization of marijuana passed the legislature there has been a scramble to enact laws and ordinances pertaining to its use, growing, transportation and possession. Most municipalities in the area have chosen to enact a conservative approach to the aforementioned. State laws will be maintained, but the state legislation has given each municipality options into how they want to govern themselves. Through the multiple meetings leading up to August 1, 2023, everyone is expecting changes to the original language in the bills.

Ramona “Monie” L. Hentges, age 70, of Shakopee, MN, passed away from a long battle with triple negative metastatic breast cancer, on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at her home.
Full notice next week. Funeral information can be found at www.mcnearneyfuneralhome.com

Theresa Marie McNamara, 86, of Hopkins, MN, formerly of Bloomington, MN died on 10/18/2023. She is survived by her son Paul (Laurie), three grandsons: Ryan, Eric and Sean (Elizabeth O’Day), and two great-grandsons: Jaxon and Meric.
Service to be held on Thursday, October 26 at 3 pm with visitation 1 hour prior at Church of the Assumption in Richfield. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Hospice.

Lillian Cecelia Malecha-Novotny, age 94 of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Mala Strana Health Care in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30 a.m. all at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

My “luck of the Irish” came to a screeching halt this past St. Patrick’s Day when I lost my soulmate, Chuck. Who would have thought as I walked into his hospital room that morning and he was complimenting me on my new shamrock shirt that by late evening he would be gone! I lost the love of my life. But I wasn’t the only one who experienced this unthinkable loss…so did our family and friends…and so did New Prague. This community lost one of its stellar cheerleaders.

There’s something about the responsibility and caring for a horse and what the animal gives back to caregivers that brings peace to the people who come to HIS Haven Ranch.
The ranch offers people who suffer from anxiety, depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts, even eating disorders a mix of spiritual security and purpose in the care of an animal willing to reciprocate almost unconditional affection. Recently, the ranch in rural Le Center celebrated its successes and honored the people who participate in its program at its fall show and picnic.

Carole Entinger had a need she couldn’t easily meet and feared it would cost her the opportunity to participate in one of her favorite activities. Thanks to New Prague American Legion Post 45, the local woman’s problems are behind her.

Keri A. Smith Metzdorff, age 51, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 17,, 2023, in Rochester, MN.

Scoring early and often, the New Prague High School football team steamrolled St. Cloud Tech, 35-7, in the Trojans' regular-season finale Wednesday evening, Oct. 18.
At 6-2, the win sends New Prague into the section playoffs on a roll with a two-game winning streak after the Oct. 6 loss to Northfield. The Trojans will learn their playoff seeding and opponent Thursday morning, Oct. 19.

UPDATED: Trojans will face Woodbury in state quarterfinal match Tuesday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., at Farmington High School.
After scoring two goals in the first half, the New Prague High School boys' soccer team withstood serious pressure from Lakeville North to win the Section 1AAA soccer championship match Tuesday night, Oct. 17, at Trojan Stadium.
Satchel Johnson scored the Trojans' two goals. His first goal gave NPHS a 1-0 lead. Lakeville North scored shortly thereafter before Johnson's second goal.

Lyle George Nagel, 80, of New Prague passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, of cancer at his home in New Prague.
Lyle was born on December 14, 1942, to Henry and Lorraine Nagel. He was born on the family farm in Belle Plaine, MN. After graduation from Belle Plaine Senior High, Lyle served in the Army Reserves. In 1966, he married Mary Alice Bruzek, and moved to New Prague. They had two children, Amy and Chad. Lyle was employed at the flour mill in New Prague and remained with them throughout several ownership changes. He retired from Conagra in 2007.