Today, the Minnesota State High School League voted on what the options are for the high school fall sports season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their decisions affect football, volleyball, and the traditional spring sport season. They also voted on adjusting the regular fall sports seasons, limiting contests and competors.

A Northfield woman died on Saturday morning after driving into a construction zone on Highway 99 and crashing into a hole in the road, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Michelle Dawn Burwell, 51, was traveling westbound on Highway 99 in Montgomery Township in a 2001 Chrysler Sebring when she drove into the construction zone at about 7:40 a.m.
According to the Patrol, alcohol was involved in the incident.
An airbag deployed, but Burwell was not wearing a seat belt.

Tri-City United Schools will begin the school year with the hybrid model of some in-school classes and distance learning, according to an email to parents.
Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education provided school districts with data-driven guidelines for the reopening of schools on Thursday.
Based on the data provided by the Minnesota Department of Education, TCU Schools will open with a hybrid model of instruction for all students.This model uses in classroom learning along with a distance learning component.

No one was injured in an early morning fire in Montgomery that damaged two buildings on Wednesday, July 29.
The Montgomery Fire Department was called to a fire at 104 First Street at 3:45 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they observed flames engulfing the second floor of a vacant building.
City Administrator Brian Heck said the fire was under control in about 5½ hours. Montgomery firefighters continue to remain on the scene.

Due to the heavy rains on July 25th and 26th, the following lakes have now reached water levels that have ascended past the threshold concerning a "No Wake". The three lakes listed below have a "No Wake" restriction effective immediately:
Lake Tetonka, Lake Sakatah, Lake Washington
See PDF of complete press release regarding the "No Wake" restrictions.

Montgomery's newest ambassadors were crowned on Friday, July 24 in the TCU Performing Arts Center. Crowned Kolacky Queen was Rachel Rynda, daughter of Francis and Theresa Rynda. First Princess is Marissa Gare, daughter of Joshua and Linda Gare. Second Princess is Nikaija Young, daughter of Kurt and Christine Young. The candidates chose Rachel Way as their Miss Congeniality.
See more in the print edition.

Montgomery history is on display again as the new 40-foot mural capturing various elements of the Kolacky Capital was unveiled on Thursday.
The mural that depicts a Main Street scene of Montgomery in the 1900s was painted by Victor Garcia. He was assisted by several local artists to complete the project.
It is located on Ash Avenue near First Street, on the same building that housed the previous mural which depicted only one side of the street.
Read more in the print edition.

The Le Sueur County Board recently approved a pair of independent contractors to a number of projects.
But the decision to approve these individuals came with questions about their rate of pay, which will come from the CARES Act dollars which was recently approved by the federal government.
Barbara Droher Kline was approved to work with townships, cities, and Le Sueur County on COVID related planning. Her rate of pay is $75/hour.

Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague has reported there are 14 residents and four staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 The residents are quarantined on campus and the employees are currently quarantined at home. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

There’s still time to enter the 86th Annual Kolacky Days’ coloring contest!
Visit www.MontgomeryMN.org/coloring-contest or stop at Franke’s Bakery to pick up a coloring form.
Completed entries forms need to be returned to Franke’s Bakery or an image of the entry emailed to KolackyDays@gmail.com by noon Tuesday, July 21. Make sure to include your name and age.
Members of this year’s Kolacky Days’ royalty will judge the entries.

Puzzle lovers, rejoice!
This year’s virtual Kolacky Days will include a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition featuring a limited-edition, 513-piece Kolacky Days Button Collection Puzzle.
Everyone is invited to participate in this social-distancing friendly competition.
The 16” x 20” puzzle is available for purchase at Herrmann Thrifty White Pharmacy and Franke’s Bakery in Montgomery. It can also be purchased online at www.montgomerymn.org/store.

On Wednesday, July 8, the management of Frandsen Bank & Trust closed the Lonsdale location after learning someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19 had been on the premises.
The bank was closed until Monday after which only the drive-thru reopened. According to Dan Hardel, the president for Montgomery and Lonsdale branches, the lobby will remain closed until further notice.
On its Facebook page, the bank said it closed the office so a thorough cleaning and disinfecting could be completed.

The 86th annual Kolacky Days may be “virtual” this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Montgomery Area Community Club (MACC) is making sure a well-deserving couple is named as its Grand Marshals.
Arnold “Buck” and Gladys Zahratka were chosen by the MACC as this year’s Grand Marshals because they have played a significant role in the development and success of the Montgomery area. 
Buck, who will be 95 years young in August, and Gladys, 88, have a long history of working and volunteering in Montgomery.
They owned local businesses.

In staying on track with their desired timeline, the Lonsdale City Council approved a firm to provide architectural and planning services for the new police facility to be operational in 2021.
After interviews with a handful of firms and further discussion, the council unanimously voted to move forward with Wold Architects and Engineers at their meeting on June 25.

In preparation for the 86th annual Kolacky Days Queen Pageant, the 2020 queen candidates practiced their interview skills Thursday, June 25, at the Next Chapter Winery. They are wearing special face masks made by Maureen Franek and adhering to social distance guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured are (from left) Nicole Sorenson, Nikaija Young, Rachel Rynda, Rachel Way, Marissa Gare, and Chloe Triden. The Queen Pageant will be held in a modified format with live judges on Friday, July 24, in the TCU Performing Arts Center.

Sheriff Brett Mason led members of Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) Board on a tour of the county’s now-vacant, 108-yearold jail and sheriff’s residence and the recently vacated 1978 jail on Tuesday morning, June 23.
According to County Administrator Darrell Pettis, the county is looking for ways to preserve and use the iconic brick building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.