Christy wins unanimous backing; medical emergency pulls Beulke from consideration
Ann Christy’s commitment to education and serving her community paid off Monday when members of the New Prague Area School Board selected her to fill the vacancy on the board.

The Elko New Market City Council honored 10 of its employees at its Thursday, March 13, meeting. A brief biography was read for each employee, including what department they work in, their position and their history with the city.
Mayor Andrew Ganfield read each biography and presented the employees with a certificate or plaque.

They are hoping to bring the experience and success enjoyed at two event venues in Faribault to New Prague. Will it work? Ryan and Jenny Ernster, the new-owners-to-be of The Broz Hotel are confident they can do it.

New Prague High School senior Emily Pumper, left, and junior Josh Langfield will be among many students who will have nearly 100 art pieces on display at New Prague Area Eduction Foundation’s Arts and Activities Spring Showcase, Thursday, March 20, beginning at 5 p.m. at the New Prague Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S.
Pumper will have on display a ceramic body vase and Langfield will have photos and drawings exhibited at the event.

New Prague senior Toby Bleess, 11, works to get around two Rochester John Marshall defenders during the first game of the Class AAAA, Section 1 quarterfinals. The Trojans, No. 8 seed, fought through the Thursday, March 6, away game, but saw their season end against No. 1 seeded Rochester John Marshall, 71-34. For more on the game see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

After four meetings, members of the New Prague School District’s long-range facilities task force are expected to lay out their preferences for a recommendation to the school board when they gather for the final of their scheduled meetings tonight, March 6, 6 p.m.

New Prague Area Schools (PreK-12) will be closed Wednesday, March 5, due to inclement weather. This will be a blended learning day.
WRAP & Kids' Company will be closed.
ECFE classes will not be held today. Community Education youth and adult class participants will receive an email regarding the status of their class.
Decisions about after-school practices and/or events will be made by noon. Please wait to hear from your coach/director.

Given the rules and limitations of funding enhancement projects, the options for paying for building projects in New Prague School District facilities are limited should the school board ultimately favor moving forward with a recommendation.

The New Prague City Council received an update on the growth of the city at its Monday, Feb. 3, meeting.
City Planning/Community Development Director Ken Ondich reported on a number of vacant lots within the city limits that are set aside for either residential, commercial or industrial. He noted planning staff only identified those lots that have municipal utilities available and are ready to build on. He also provided an update on the annual commercial and industrial businesses in the city and growth statistics.

A Prior Lake woman died from injuries suffered in a head-on crash on County Road 21 near Deer River Court in Credit River just after 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17.
According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the preliminary investigation indicates a white Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by a 64-year-old Prior Lake man, was traveling westbound when it crossed the median, colliding head-on with a red Kia, driven by a 54-year-old Prior Lake woman, which was traveling eastbound in the eastbound lane of County Road 21. The crash was reported at 8:07 p.m.

Citing potentially dangerous weather conditions and out of concern for safety of students and staff, the New Prague School District will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The National Weather Service announced a Extreme Cold Warning beginning Monday, Feb. 17, 9 p.m.
Tuesday will be a blended learning day for students in sixth through 12th grades. Activities director Brad Skogerboe said a decision on activities will be made at noon Tuesday.

Le Sueur County is updating its comprehensive land use and zoning code, titled “Vision 2050,” and held a public meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Le Center American Legion. According to a survey provided to a large crowd the update is to better serve and guide the county’s growth. The work over this year is to “create a plan that balances its rich historical past and resources,” said the beginning of the survey. The new comprehensive plan is to grow the county’s tax base and guide the county over the next 25 years.

Thursday, Jan. 30, was not like most winter days as temperatures reached into the 50s.
Since temperatures were above average, management at CreeksBend Golf Course decided to open the back nine holes to golfers Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 1, and 18 holes were open Sunday, Feb. 2, with conditions for snow.
“This is the second time in the course’s history we’ve been open in January,” said Bryan Connelly, general manager of the golf course north of New Prague. “We were open last year in January.”
Last year the course was open for four days in January.

Write-in votes will settle who takes at least two open seats on Rice County’s townships boards.
No affidavits for candidacy were filed in the 2025 race for Northfield Township treasurer, or to fill the term of the remaining year of the term for the Morristown Township clerk.
The treasurer’s seat, a two-year term, is up in all every township except Forest Township where the treasurer is appointed, rather than elected.

After a vehicle was driven into open water on Lake Washington this weekend, the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office is warning visitors to the lake in Le Sueur County to use caution, advising a large area of open water has developed in the area referred to as the Narrows. Sunday, Feb. 9, Capt. Bruce Collins confirmed the people in the vehicle escaped without injury.
The vehicle is now submerged in about 6 feet of water. The open water starts at the north shoreline and goes almost all the way across, to the south shore.

At New Prague High School’s coronation ceremony for the Snoball king and queen, Maria Schoenbauer, left, was crowned queen and Peter Dias was crowned king. The ceremony was the highlight of the Friday, Jan. 31, pepfest in the high school gym. New Prague High School will wrap up its annual week of Snoball activities Saturday evening Feb. 1, with a dance in the gym. (Patrick Fisher photo)