NP Fire Department aids farmer with arm caught in corn picker
The New Prague Fire Department aided a farmer whose arm became caught in a corn picker Tuesday evening, Nov. 4, along the 23000 block of Helena Boulevard.
NP swimmers, diver need their best to reach state
If New Prague’s top two simmers and its best divers have a chance to reach the state meet at the University of Minnesota, their best will be required.
Falcon Ridge Elementary holds Read-A-Thon
Falcon Ridge Elementary School’s multipurpose gym was extremely quiet Friday, Oct. 24, as students participated in the school’s Read-A-Thon.
ENM Council considers future of former police dept. building
The Elko New Market City Council discussed the future of the former police department building at 26518 France Avenue at the council’s Thursday, Oct. 23, meeting.
Peace Center aiming to help people when SNAP benefits lapse
When word that Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties could no longer process applications for assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Rita Goggins knew more people would be looking for assis
Le Sueur Co. Veterans Office offering gift vouchers
In preparation for Thanksgiving, the Le Sueur County Veterans Office is providing $25 gift vouchers during the month of November to veterans.
Three groups team up to serve 340 families in ENM area
Hope for the Community in Elko New Market teamed up at the beginning of October with the non-profit Feed My Starving Children and local business Niagara Bottling, LLC to serve 340 families in the Elko New Market area.
The bigger, the better Lonsdale man takes growing pumpkins to a larger level
Some people make golf, painting, photography, porcelain figurines or traveling to exotic places as a favorite hobby. Paul Bongers enjoys growing pumpkins in the backyard of his house in Lonsdale.
NP swimmers turning their focus to section, state meets
With the regular season complete, New Prague swimmers and divers are turning their focus and training schedule to prepare themselves for the section meet, a competition where they can earn entry in the state meet.
Gerald W. Williams, age 97, of New Prague, died peacefully on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community in Shakopee. He was born on July 27, 1928, on the family farm in Chanhassen Township to Joseph P.
JoAnn Marie Petricka, age 81.
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, JoAnn Marie Petricka, on Saturday, October 18, 2025. She leaves us with a life of love, charity, selflessness and world famous recipes.
Born on February 24, 1944, to Mary Ann and John Clarence Pomije in New Prague, MN, JoAnn was the second youngest of four sisters, Marion, Dorothy, Janet and Grace.
New Prague swimmers Taylor Bassett and Aspen Schieffer will join diver Maddyn Anderson in the Minnesota Class AA Swimming & Diving meet Nov. 13-15 at the University of Minnesota.
The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is opening its ninth annual greeting card design contest.
New Prague sophomore Maddyn Anderson overcame a big deficit heading into the Section 1AA diving competition's final round and earned a fourth-place finish and a berth in next week’s state diving competition at the University of Minnesota.
John “Jack” Frank Vlasak, age 85, of Montogomery, MN, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, at Mala Strana Assisted Living – Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, with his loving family by his side.
Ralph M. Wagner, age 91, of New Market, passed away November 5, 2025, at his home peacefully surrounded by family.
Voters in the New Prague Area School District approved the school district’s request for additional local revenue by a wide margin.
The New Prague Fire Department aided a farmer whose arm became caught in a corn picker Tuesday evening, Nov. 4, along the 23000 block of Helena Boulevard.
New Prague Fire Chief Steve Rynda said the call came in at 8:25 p.m. The farmer, a male in his early 60s, was working on the machine out in a field when his hand and arm became stuck in the machine, said Rynda, adding the farmer was the one who called the fire department.
After arriving on the scene, firefighters were able to free the farmer’s arm and hand.
Mary E. Thera, age 87, of New Prague, formerly of Inver Grove Heights and West St. Paul, died peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center. Mary was born on Aprill 16, 1938, in St. Paul, to Henry and Helen (Smith) Thera. She graduated from Our Lady of Peace High School in St. Paul and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo College. She worked as a medical technologist and Supervisor of Hematology at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul.
Sharon Ann (Hillesheim) Malecha, age 84, of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 31, 2025, at United Hospital in St. Paul, surrounded by her children.
Sharon was born on May 10, 1941, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to Nicholas B. and Veronica T. (Marz) Hillesheim. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1959. After high school, she attended secretarial school in Minneapolis and worked at Maico and Bell Telephone Security Systems.
Geraldine “Gerry” Mary Pany, age 90, of New Prague, died in the early morning hours of Friday, October 31, 2025, at Praha Village Senior Living in New Prague.
Irene Rose Scheffler, age 100, of Benson, passed away Monday, October 27, 2025, in Benson, Minnesota.
Irene was born October 9, 1925, on the family farm in Rice County near Veseli, Minnesota, to Bohumil and Ludmilla (Kalina) Simon. She was the fifth of nine children.
Jean D. Jirik , age 90, of Webster, passed away Oct. 29, 2025, at Three Links Care Center in
Northfield, MN.
Jean was born on Sept. 27, 1935, in Northfield to Francis "Buck" and Chiquita "Doll" Palan. She
attended elementary school in Dundas and graduated from Northfield High School. She married
Raymond W. Jirik on Sept. 8, 1955, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Northfield and together
they raised five children on a family farm near Lonsdale.
The small yellow signs do exactly what any good piece of advertising ought to do – catch your attention and encourage you to learn the rest of the story.
Found at many intersections, the signs state, “We love Our City.”
Maybe young eyes can read the fine print. From the driver’s seat, the small print at the base of the sign is illegible. At first, one might assume they were created and placed by a business, perhaps the New Prague Chamber of Commerce. Might one of the community’s outstanding service clubs be behind them?
