Lorraine J. Barta, age 89, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026.

While New Prague High School’s boys’ basketball’s season came to an end Wednesday, March 4, its final two games of the regular season were against Waconia and Chanhassen. NPHS faced Waconia Friday, Feb. 27, with an 83-73 loss. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Trojans had a difficult game against Chanhassen ending with a 73-63 loss.

Wednesday, March 4, the Trojans had their first and only game of the Section 1 Class AAAA tournament.

Waconia 83, Trojans 73

New Prague High School’s had a strong showing at the 2026 MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) State Wrestling Tournament last weekend as Azalea “Z” Kallal (girls, 106 pounds) repeated winning the state title. Joining her in first place was Rhilynn Tolzman (girls, 100 pounds) in her first state appearance. Charlie Wagner (boys, Class AA, 107 pounds) also made his first state appearance at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, taking fourth. Aeralyn Palmer (girls 118 pounds) fought hard and went 1-2 for her first state appearance.

She didn’t have to accept the invitation. She could have passed on the offer to accept the money and let somebody else put it to good use.

Cora Goldade is more interested in doing what she can to make the world a little better place. Her hope is people will turn prayer into action, action used to eventually curb gun violence. It’s a big project, one she knew was worthwhile given the experience of a friend.

NP falls to champs in Saturday semifinal round

Rebounding from a tough loss in the semifinal round to the tournament’s eventual champion, the New Prague Trojans’ floor hockey team took third-place honors at the Minnesota State High School League’s floor hockey tournament at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

Nearly 30 students from Eagle View Elementary arrived at school in four-alarm style Wednesday, Feb. 26, and Wednesday, March 4, courtesy of the Elko New Market Fire and Police departments. The rides were prizes in the school’s February Read-aThon fundraiser.

“They loved it. They had fun,” said Eagle View Elementary Principal Adam Dittberner about the students’ rides. The trips from the fire and police departments to the school were among a number of incentives the school offered to students during the read-a-thon, Dittberner said.

Cub Scout Pack 323 held its Pinewood Derby Sunday, March 1, at the New Prague Park Ballroom.

Cub Master Ted Hefty said there were 27 cars entered by Lion members who are in kindergarten and Arrow of Light who are in fifth grade. Pack members are given wood blocks to carve into cars and attach the wheels to.

Helping with the event was Warren Kalsow of Apple Valley, who provided the electronics for the races and the track. “We do it frequently,” said Kalsow, noting his group has...

David Peter Flaherty, formally of New Prague, MN, passed away in Phoenix, AZ, on January 17, 2026. Born to John and Gertrude on September 9, 1957, David loved God, his Harley, and Maggie.

Proceeded in death by father, John; mother, Gertrude & stepfather, Donald Wilkins; brother Terrence. Survived by brothers Steven (Sandy), Joseph (Kathy), John, and many nieces & nephews. Also survived by his special dog, Maggie, whom he loved with all his heart.

New Prague’s Carter DenHartog, No. 5, center, breaks through Farmington’s defense on a drive to the basket, Wednesday evening, March 4, at Farmington. The Trojans battled, but their season ended with an 82-47 loss in the first game of the Section 1AAAA boys basketball tournament. The New Prague Trojans were the No. 7 seed and the Farmington Tigers were the No. 2 seed. New Prague battled, going on a scoring spree at the end of the first half. Farmington led 42-31 at intermission and outscored New Prague in the second half, 40-16, for a tough end to the season.

Judith “Judi” Ann Miller passed away peacefully, with grace and dignity, at home on February 26, 2026. She was surrounded by family and dear friends. She was 77 years old.

Steven Hruby, age 58, of Le Center, passed away surrounded by his family on March 1, 2026, at Mala Strana in New Prague.

Joseph James Bendzick, 68, of Waxahachie, Texas, formerly of New Prague, passed away on February 10, 2026, due to a fatal car accident. Joe was born on 09/07/57 to Ervin & Audrey Bendzick in New Prague, MN.

He attended St. Wenceslaus School and then New Prague High School where he graduated in 1975.

Joe married Donna Pumper in 1979 and they had 2 sons together, Christopher and Adam.

They later divorced.

The New Prague City Council at its Tuesday, Feb. 17, meeting approved a resolution where city staff will request an advancement of $950,000 from the state for the city’s municipal state aid street construction funds.

Any momentum the New Prague girls’ basketball team may have gained from winning their final regular season game of the season didn’t hold up well as the Trojans fell in the opening round of the Section 1AAAA playoffs Wednesday night, Feb. 25, at Lakeville North.

The Panthers, the section tournament’s No. 3 seed, ended No. 6-seeded New Prague’s season with a 73-40 win. The Trojans end the season at

At 9-18 overall, 2-10 in the Metro West and 1-3 against Section 1AAAA opposition.

Sunday, Feb. 22, was a sunny day with temperatures in the teens, but it didn’t stop 243 children from showing up to help build housing for wood ducks.

The 26th annual Youth Wood Duck Box Building Day sponsored by the Scott-Le Sueur Waterfowlers at the New Prague Knights of Columbus Hall. Organizers said it had been busy as 50 children, age 16 and younger, had signed up in the first 90 minutes of the four-hour event. Around 10 a.m., the number of children and their families waiting to help build wooden houses for wood ducks stretched out the front door said organizers.

New Prague’s two gymnasts who earned spots among the state’s top individuals offered solid showings in a talented field Saturday, Feb. 21, at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

New Prague sophomore Hailey Proshek finished eighth with an all-around score of 37.575 – just 1.075 points out of first place. Proshek earned a 9.525 on the vault, a score good for ninth place. Her uneven-parallel bars score of 8.775 was good for 23rd place. She earned a 9.575 on the beam, good for fourth place on the event. Proshek had the second-best score in the floor exercise, a 9.7.