Although the regular season didn’t progress as seamlessly as planned, New Prague’s cooperative indoor softball team won a berth in the state tournament Wednesday, May 6, with a big win over Anoka in the league pla
The Elko New Market Safety Camp had 62 children, from kindergarten through eighth grade attend.
New Prague’s boys’ volleyball had a light week as the Trojans clipped the Westonka White Hawks in four games in a Metro West Conference Match, Tuesday, May 5.
Rev. Michael Miller is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his ordination Sunday, May 17, at St. Patrick Catholic Church’s social hall after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Fr. Miller's actual 30th anniversary is May 25.
New Prague High School students drove more than a dozen tractors of various sizes, models and years to school Friday, May 15.
With the championship portion of its schedule just around the corner, New Prague track athletes are looking to round into top form as the Metro West and Section 1AAA meets near.
Heading down the stretch toward the section playoffs, New Prague’s girls’ and boys’ lacrosse teams earned big wins during the past week.
On a windy afternoon in New Prague, the NPHS boys’ tennis team defeated Mankato East in the opening round of the section boys’ tennis team tournament Tuesday afternoon, May 12, at the high school.
New Prague Area Schools has named Michael Schmidt as the next activities director of New Prague Area Schools, pending school board approval.
Bruce Johnson passed away at the age of 68 on December 31, 2025. He was born on April 27, 1957. He was born to Eldon and Edna Johnson. He married Joan Ginter on June 2, 1984. They had one daughter Elizabeth in 1989. He graduated from Minnehaha Academy.
His grandkids were his pride and joy. He enjoyed watching TV and playing games on his tablet. He was on dialysis and had many other health issues for a long time before his passing.
Esther Grace Kabes, age 99, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center, just two weeks shy of her 100th birthday.
Virginia A. “Ginny” Mahowald, 98, of New Prague, died peacefully on December 31, 2025, at Praha Village. Ginny was born on June 8, 1927, in New Prague, Minnesota, to George and Rose (Holec) Layne. She attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School, New Prague High School, and the College of St. Catherine, graduating with a degree in nutrition and dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota and later married her childhood sweetheart, Allen Mahowald. Together they made their home in New Prague, spending summers at Cedar Lake.
Robert “Bob” Kubes, 83, of Webster, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at home on December 29, 2025.
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.
With six games remaining on its regular-season schedule, the New Prague High School floor hockey team is ready to get back to work on its drive for a return trip to the state tournament and a possible defense of its state championship.
At 4-0, New Prague will host Mankato Wednesday, Jan. 7, 4:30 p.m., at the Community Eucation Center. The game is the first of a three-game run at home. The Trojans will face Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound-Westonka Monday, Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m., followed by a showdown game against an old rival, Dakota United Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:30 p.m., in NP.
FaithPoint Lutheran Church and its members will be welcoming a new leader this week as Pastor Wes Asheim arrives Monday, Jan. 5.
John Millea has been writing about sports and people, youngsters and communities sharing their passion for life and competition for many years. He is a renowned storyteller, a person with a deep caring for humanity.
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.
During the halftime at the 66th annual Sno-Bowl game, members of the Ptarmigans reminded each other their namesake are birds of a feather that fly together. The message energized the team as the Ptarmigans rallied to a hard-fought 12-6 victory in the latest edition of the storied rivalry with the Polars.
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.
With three upcoming non-conference games, the NP boys ice hockey team is looking to round into form in time for the MetroWest schedule starting next week.
The Trojans will face longtime rival Northfield tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 2, 7:15 p.m., in Northfield. Monday, Jan. 5, 7:15 p.m., New Prague will host Hutchinson followed by a trip to face Kasson-Mantorville Tuesday, Jan. Jan. 6, 7 p.m., at the Dodge County Ice Arena.
Mary Kay Dolejs, age 82, of Nicollet, formerly of Montgomery, died on the afternoon of Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague.
Donald M. "Don" Picka, age 82, of New Prague, died peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center. Don was born on April 6, 1943, in Derrynane Township, Le Sueur County, MN, to Edward and Angeline (Brezina) Picka. He graduated from Montgomery High School, and his first job began his career in the print shop at Suel Printing.
Recently I saw two movies based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” One was the 1970 musical “Scrooge” and the other was the 1979 made for TV movie “An American Christmas Carol.”
