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.

Although the win total is greater than a year ago, New Prague’s girls’ ice hockey team is looking for more momentum heading into the section playoffs.

The Trojans dropped a pair of games in the past week to Rochester Mayo and Chaska/Chanhassen. New Prague heads west to face Waconia tonight, Thursday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m. NP wraps up the regular season Friday, Jan. 30, 7:15 p.m., against Minneapolis. The section playoffs begin Friday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m., at a site to be determined.

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.

The Trojans hosted Waconia Thursday, Jan. 22, for a dual and bragging rights to be Metro West Conference Champions. It was a one point victory, 25-24, for New Prague.

In May of 2020, we saw a Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, kill George Floyd while a crowd of observers captured video via cell phones. At the time, it seemed maddening nobody put down their cell phone cameras and tried to intervene. Floyd might still be alive today and Chauvin and officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane wouldn’t have been sentenced to years in prison for violating Floyd’s civil rights.

New Prague High School’s boys’ basketball team split its last two games with a one point victory, 70-69, over St. Louis Park, Tuesday, Jan. 20, and a just as close, 80-76, loss to Benilde-St. Margaret’s, Friday, Jan. 23.

The Trojans hosted Bloomington Jefferson, Monday, Jan. 26, results were not available as of press time for this edition. Tonight, Thursday, Jan. 29, New Prague is at Chanhassen for a 7 p.m. game. The Trojans will also be on the road to Waconia, Monday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m.

David "Dave" H. Dezelske Sr., age 84, passed away at home on January 25, 2026, at 84 years old. Dave loved the Lord with all his heart and passionately walked out the Great Commission as commanded by his Savior Jesus Christ in Matthew 28. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Randall “Randy” Lee Ellman, aged 64, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at his home.

Born on April 11, 1961, in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Randy was the son of Vincent and Delores (Johnson) Ellman. Randy enjoyed many activities, including spending time with his loved ones, camping, fishing, gambling and eating ice cream with dots every evening.

Norman Eugene Hallet, age 94, of New Prague, passed away on January 23, 2026.

Matthew Eugene Robert Kadrlik, age 50, a lifelong resident of Montgomery, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer—one he faced with remarkable strength, quiet determination, and without complaint.

Judith "Judy" Ann Parry, age 85, passed away peacefully at her home on January 19, 2026. Born on August 11, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John and Dorothy Bork, Judy grew up with a generous heart and a steadfast faith that shaped every season of her life.

On January 20, 1962, she married the love of her life, Don. Together they raised three children, first in New Prague, Minnesota, later making homes in Plymouth and Apple Valley. Wherever Judy lived, she created a warm, welcoming place where friends and family knew they belonged.

New Prague’s archery team won its first meet of the season, finishing just shy of last year’s high-point total.

The New Prague Archery Club competed at the Concordia Academy Beacon Shootout in Roseville Saturday, Jan. 10, against teams from Becker, White Bear Lake, Champlin Park, Delano, Faribault, Minnesota New Country School (Henderson), Hastings, Mahtomedi, Princeton, Sartell, Sauk Centre, St. Croix Prep (Stillwater) and Zimmerman.

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.”

A week after a tough showing against some of the best high school dance teams around, the New Prague High School dance team showed it has impressive talent with a strong showing at its own invitational Saturday, Jan. 17.

The NP varsity kick team won its event and the jazz team finished third in a seven-team field.

The New Prague JV kick and jazz teams both finished second while the newly-formed B-squad kick team took fifth and the jazz team took third.

“They performed super well,” said NP coach Tiffany Sandhurst. “They were lockedin and ready to compete.”

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.

If you pay attention your city council, school board or county board – and be honest, most don’t – you might think they easily go through their agendas with relative ease with the exception of the occasional sticky item elected representatives know we care about one way or another.