
Twenty-one years ago, New Prague’s Shauna Swanepoel learned she had breast cancer. Today, she is cancer-free and appreciates life. Tomorrow evening, Friday, July 11, 5-9 p.m., at the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds in Le Center, survivors like Swanepoel will gather and celebrate their success battling cancer, mourn those who lost the fight and cheer on those who continue the journey at the American Cancer Society’s Le Sueur County Relay for Life. (Submitted photo)
‘I’m lucky. I’m alive. I get to be here’
She recalls being told it was not common for women her age to develop cancer. Twenty-two years later, Shauna Swanepoel wants to do whatever she can to help any person, regardless of their age, receive that diagnosis.
Now 47, Swanepoel will be one of 80...
Joyce Mary Denzer, age 77, of Blaine, formerly of Montgomery, died following a three-year courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at her home.
Born on January 26, 1948, in New Prague, she was the daughter of William and Bessie (Preslicka) Pecholt. She received her education at St....

Jarrod Schoenecker photo
Tri-City United Montgomery PreK-8 School’s refurbished gymnasium floor. The surface was sanded down with some boards replaced, some markings stained for longevity and others painted or graphics that were laid before the finish was applied.
Tri-City United Schools has approved the preliminary budget and has proposed a $39,990,000 general obligation bond based off of the recent community task force’s recommendation and district needs.
The information has to be approved through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) yet before all...

Le Sueur County Highway Department graphic
Construction area for CSAH 30 and detour, scheduled to begin the first week of August.
Construction on Le Sueur County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 south of Heidelberg between CSAH 26 and CSAH 28 is scheduled to start the first full week in August.
The project includes edge drain tile and full-depth reclamation and paving, along with aggregate for the shoulders of the road.
Max...

Graphic courtesy of MnDOT
The roundabout location to be constructed in 2026 in northwest Lonsdale.
The roundabout that was supposed to be constructed starting in July this year at the intersection of Highway 19, and Rice County Roads 2 and 96 (70th Street West) is being delayed until May of 2026.
“Poor soil conditions were found on some of the approach of the roundabout area and delayed some of...
Gloria May (Miller) Trcka, age 87, of Montgomery, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Traditions of Montgomery.
Gloria was born on May 21, 1938, in New Prague, the daughter of William Henry and Mary Ann (Holicky) Miller. She was raised on a farm in Kilkenny Township where she attended a one...
Rose Pauline (Miller) Perteet, age 87, of Albert Lea, formerly of Montgomery, passed away, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at her home.
Rose was born on May 7, 1937, to William Henry and Mary Ann (Holicky) Miller in Montgomery. She was raised on a farm in Kilkenny Township, where she attended a one room...

Jarrod Schoenecker photo
A group of surviving loved ones who have lost a friend or family member to fentanyl poisoning. Pictured, from the left, are Nancy Sack, Katie Tettam, Kim Lang, Kate Sloan, Linda Stanton (sitting), Sloan Benoit, Malia Fox, and Rod Seitz.
'Our children's murderers are sitting right there on their phones'
A quiet epidemic is sweeping the countryside — opioid overdoses, better known from the families of victims as fentanyl poisoning. In Minnesota alone, the numbers have more than tripled over ten years.
According to the Minnesota...

Mike Mallow photo
Ted Christian allowed no hits will pitching the first 4-1/3 innings for the Mallards in their game against Shakopee on Sunday. Christian struck out six Coyotes.
Mallards remain hot, going 2-0 on the week with a three game win streak and winning four of the last five, before heading into an extended break over the 4th of July holiday. The Mallards are now 8-8 in DRS League action and 10-9 overall.
Montgomery Mallards 4, Waterville Indians 3
The Mallards...

St. Benedict pitcher Cody Pirkl fielded a successful sacrifice bunt advancing Union Hill players on the bases in the eighth inning of the Bulldogs’ 5-1 win over St. Benedict Friday, June 27, at Don Giesen Field. (John Mueller photo)
Riding a wave of four wins in its last five games, one of the smallest teams in the Dakota-Rice-Scott League is atop the standings heading into the holiday weekend.
Class C Veseli sits atop the DRS at 9-5 with 27½. The Warriors are the beneficiaries of wins over bigger teams, wins garnering greater...