When he looks at the lives his adult children enjoy today, Ron McBroom thinks of the lessons they learned as students at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague.

It is with great pride in his children – Mary, Joseph, John, James and Julie – and his late wife, Kathy, that McBroom recently announced he was making a $250,000 donation to the school. The donation is in memory of Kathy McBroom and the greater glory of Jesus Christ. Ron believes giving the money in the name of his wife of 56 years and to honor God is more important than the amount of the donation.

Firefighters from at least New Prague Fire Department and Montgomery Fire Department extinguished a fully-engulfed separated garage fire Thursday, Jan. 29, during the evening hours at Number One Auto north of Heidelberg in rural Lanesburgh Township in Le Sueur County. Temperatures at the time were only about five degrees above zero.

His service to the United States ended decades ago, but Jim Harmon is still serving his community any chance he can. Helping out a friend, a neighbor, anyone who needs a hand is just part of who he is. That kind of selfless commitment gets noticed.

During Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, Jan. 22, meeting, Councilor Josh Berg brought up concerns and questions he had from a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action Friday, Jan. 9, in the community.

For 17 years Jen and Jason Schmit have ben helping providing warmth for others by collecting blankets and coats.

“We wanted to do something to help others,” said Jen, adding they also wanted to teach their four sons about aiding others.

Jen came up with the idea from a similar event she participated in at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. “We collected blankets and then distributed them,” said Jen. “It was a humbling experience as I saw people in need and it stuck with me.”

The city of Elko New Market recently announced in a press release it has been awarded a $7 million grant through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program, a statewide initiative designed to improve freight mobility and enhance transportation infrastructure.

When she and her sister played ‘school’ while they were youngsters growing up in Iowa, Elaine Harty recalls frequently playing the role of the teacher. It’s a job she loved, even long after she retired from leading a classroom at St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague.

The Elko New Market City Council discussed a draft policy for remote meeting attendance at its Thursday, Jan. 8, meeting.

City Administrator Tom Terry said that evening’s draft was for a final consideration with it to be considered for approval at its Thursday, Jan. 22, meeting.

Saturday, Jan. 10, was an evening filled with song at Giesenbrau Bier Co. as Generations Theatre Company celebrated its 25th anniversary with a cabaret. Cast members from past shows performed a musical revue of songs from past musicals, plus there was a spotlight on the company’s upcoming summer production.

New Prague High School’s theatre department is busy with rehearsals for its one-act play, “The Perfect Ending,” by B. Dwayne Craft. The actors began with its first readthrough Dec. 2.

The start of the new year also brought a change in ownership at Cedar Press Coffee on New Prague’s Main Street. Rachel Cannon and her husband, Stephan, sold the business to Patty and David Peterson of Montgomery.

Monday, Jan. 5, the coffee shop reopened under the ownership of the Petersons. The Cannons had bought the business three years ago and renovated it. They had bought the coffee shop from the previous owner, who was also named Patty Peterson, but has no relation to the new owners.

They enjoy a good post-holiday clearance sale at their local home-improvement or hardware store. If somebody has a good deal on Christmas decorations for next year, Lisa and Jess Realander want to know about it.

FaithPoint Lutheran Church and its members will be welcoming a new leader this week as Pastor Wes Asheim arrives Monday, Jan. 5.

After weeks of discussion and adjustments, Elko New Market city councilors approved a budget and property tax levy for 2026.

The council OK’d the city’s 2026 property tax levy at its Dec. 18 meeting. The general fund budget will increase from $3,297,590 to $3,849,687 – an increase of $447,903 or 15.72%. The city’s total levy will increase by $490,823 to $4,238,383 – an increase of 13.1%.

At a meeting of the Le Sueur County Officials Association, State Senator Rich Draheim (22, R) and State Rep. Terry Stier (22B, R) were present to share information from the state legislature that affects the area. The meeting was held Dec. 3 at Le Sueur City Hall.

“I don’t want to say it was the most confusing year, but probably the most uncertain year I have seen in my nine years,” Draheim said, noting the size of the state government has tripled in funding since he took office in 2017.

When the New Prague School Board reconvenes for the first time since Dec. 8, Director Denny Havlicek wants to maintain his position as the board’s chairperson.

Havlicek stated his interest to the other directors at the last meeting of 2025. He said he has spoken with board members and heard no opposition to him staying on as the board’s chairperson.