New Prague Area Schools announced Thursday evening that schools would start two hours late Friday, Feb. 8, due to the weather.

The New Prague Trojan wrestling team won the Wright County Conference East championship Thursday, Jan. 31, by defeating Waconia 38-28 in the New Prague gym.
The two teams came into the match undefeated in the conference. New Prague was ranked No. 6 in Class AAA and Waconia was no. 6 in Class AA.
The Trojans have a dual meet record of 15-3 entering the final week of the regular season. They are scheduled to host Rosemount on Thursday, Feb. 7, and will compete in the Minnetonka Duals on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Sisters Lydia, left, and Paige Olson, daughters of Tim Olson of New Prague, enjoy the snow on Thursday, Feb. 7. About 4 to 6 inches of snow had fallen on the area by Thursday afternoon. New Prague Area Schools had cancelled classes for the day and several businesses closed early due to the weather. Area high school sports scheduled for Thursday evening were either cancelled or postponed. This evening's New Prague Area Chamber of Commerce's Bingo Night scheduled at Giesenbräu Bier Co. was also cancelled. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Adapted Floor Hockey team lost to Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville in a thrilling 5-4 overtime contest Thursday, Jan. 24.
New Prague trailed 3-2 going into the final period, but tied the game at 4-4 in the third. The Blazing Cats scored the game-winner with 50 seconds left in the overtime period.
New Prague outshot BFL 33-15 for the game.
Evan Minar had two goals and two assists for New Prague. Seth Dorner and Garret Gagner had the other goals, with Blake Perry getting an assist.

Shopko announced Wednesday, Feb. 6, that it was closing 174 additional stores following its recent bankruptcy filing, and that includes the Shopko Hometown store in New Prague.
When all is finished, the company will have just 109 stores, compared to the current total of 360.
A list published Wednesday includes stores closing in six phases, some as early as March 2. This includes stores that were announced to close last month. Fifteen stores in Minnesota are on the list. The New Prague store is in the sixth phase, and its estimated last day of operation is May 12.

Nordwall, Lonna R., age 73 of Prior Lake, passed away February 6, 2019.  Preceded in death by parents, Alfred and Shirley Beenken; brother, Lee Beenken; daughter-in-law, Joan Nordwall. Survived by her by husband, Jim; children, Michael (Robin) Nordwall and Michelle Nordwall; granddaughter, Brittney; sister, Paulette Vaughan; also by other loving family and friends.

Loretta (Stanton) Zweber, age 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 4, 2019, at her home in Prior Lake, MN.  
 Service will be at St. Michael Catholic Church 16311 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake. A visitation will be on Friday, February 8, from 3-7 pm and on Saturday, February 9, from 9:30-10:45 am, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Interment at St. Michael Cemetery.    

Due to the impending bad weather forecasted for Thursday, Feb. 7, the New Prague Area Historical Society is cancelling its “Winter Meeting” on that date at the New Prague Library. Weather forecasted for that day is there is a 30 percent chance of snow showers in the evening, winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour, and temperatures of 16 degrees fahrenheit for a high and a low of 12 degrees below zero.

Harry Dietz, age 96, of New Prague, died peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center. Harry was born on January 30, 1923 in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota to Frank J. and Rose (Panek) Dietz. He graduated from New Prague High School. In his early years he worked at the mill in Montgomery and as a mechanic for Jimmy Rutt’s garage. He married Leota Busta on October 15, 1945. He spent his life as a farmer, who valued conservation of both the soil in his farming practices and wildlife.

New Prague Area Schools will be delayed 2-hours on Monday, February 4, 2019 due to icy road conditions.

Timothy Joseph Mulvihill, age 53, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at his home.  Tim was born on December 10, 1965 in Rochester, MN to John Edward and Colleen (Loftus) Mulvihill.  He spent his early years in Fountain, MN until moving to Norfolk, Nebraska in junior high.  He graduated from Norfolk High School, where he played football and continued his football career with Rochester Community College after moving back to Minnesota.  Tim married the love of his life, Michelle  Bany at the chapel at Yellowstone National Park on July 10, 1998.

Dorothy M. Cervenka, age 77, of New Prague, died peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Jordan. Dorothy was born on December 20, 1941 in New Prague to Joseph F. and Mary (Novotny) Preslicka. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School. Dorothy married Benjamin T. Cervenka on July 2, 1960 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. In the early years of her marriage, she worked at Munsingwear and cleaned homes. The majority of her life was spent as a paraprofessional for the South St. Paul and Chaska school districts.

The New Prague Trojan girls hockey team received the No. 7 seed for Section 2AA playoffs and will travel to Minnetonka Friday, Feb. 8, to face the No. 2-seed Skippers at Pagel Arena.
The Trojans are 13-8-3 on the season, and have one more regular season game left, Monday, Feb. 4, at Waconia. The Skippers are 11-12-1 and have one more game left, Tuesday, Feb. 5, against Blaine.
Other first round games in the section:
8-Prior Lake at 1-Eden Prairie
5-Holy Family Catholic at 4-Shakopee
6-Bloomington Jefferson at 3-Chaska/Chanhassen

Lawrence B. Bisek, age 71, of New Prague, died suddenly at his home on Friday, February 1, 2019. Larry was born on September 19, 1947 in New Prague to Blasé B. and Elsie J. (Machacek) Bisek. He graduated from New Prague High School and attended a technology college in Minneapolis. Larry worked as an electrician his entire life for MVE/Chart and most recently at the airport for MSP. Larry was a dedicated member of the New Prague Veteran’s Honor Guard, a past commander of American Legion Post 45, was on the Park Board for many years, and belonged to the Sportsman’s Club.

New Prague High School hold its coronation of Snoball Royalty during a pepfest Friday afternoon. Feb. 1. Brooklynn Isley and Noah Weichert were crowned Snoball queen and king. The royal court is pictured (front row, left to right) Danielle Burns, Baylee Rezac, Junior Princess Abigail Bisek, Junior Prince Bohumil Tisdel, Queen Brooklynn Isley, King Noah Weichert, Junior Princess Elle Virtnek, Luke Schoenbauer, Charlie Jirik; (back) Mary Daly, Caroline Geiger, Hailey Wight, Carlie Simon, Chloe Davis, Spencer Kajer, Murphy Warner, Joseph Beatrez, Joe Weiers and Cody Harder.

The New Prague Trojan wrestling team defeated Waconia 38-28 Thursday, Jan. 31, to complete an undefeated season in the Wright County Conference East Division and claim the conference title.
A key win in the match came at 138 pounds, where senior Bryce Lofton, trailing 14-0 and facing a possible technical fall loss, opened the third period with an escape, then a takedown and pinned his opponent. That 11-point swing in the team score proved the difference in the match.