The New Prague City Council approved a pair of resolutions during their Monday, Oct. 1 meeting, that will allow the city to bill residents for unpaid bills through property tax assessments.
Ken Ondich, city planner, explained that the first resolution is for unpaid snowplowing and property maintenance bills from the period beginning September 15, 2017, through September 14, 2018. These claims were for properties that the city had ordered to be cleaned up, but hadn’t been. The city then hires a contractor to do the cleanup work and bills the property owners.

Due to the significant amount of property and agricultural damage after the Sept. 20 storm, the Le Sueur County Board has entered into a resolution which will help county residents.
The commissioners declared Le Sueur County in a State of Emergency Sept. 24 for the high wind storm event of Sept. 20.
During the Oct. 2 meeting, the county board signed a resolution which will waive zoning permit fees and grant administrative variances.
The resolution deals with affected properties as documented in the damage assessment from the storm damage.

For the second year in a row Lonsdale’s city tax rate is staying the same.
At the Lonsdale City Council meeting held on September 29, the council approved a resolution setting the 2019 preliminary city budget and property tax levy.
“We’re pretty much at the same levy as we were in 2017,” said Lonsdale City Administrator Joel Erickson.
Despite the property tax rate, which is set at 17.64 percent, the same as in 2018, this does not mean residents will not see a change in their city portion of their tax rate.

Workers began removing the current railroad tracks crossing Main Street in New Prague Wednesday, Oct. 3. Reconstruction of the rail crossing and patching of the highway is expected to take up to a week. The official detour takes drivers north of town on Scott County Road 2, however local traffic is being rerouted along local streets to the crossings at Second Street NW and also at Fifth Street SW.

St. Wenceslaus Catholic School in New Prague held its annual marathon Saturday morning, September 29. Students, parents, school staff members, and other supportors of the local school walked and ran around the school and church property and then enjoyed a meal of hot dogs and chips that was served by the Knights of Columbus. The event is one of the school's main fundraisers. This year, the school has a goal of raising $43,000. As of Monday, Oct. 1, Principal Kim Doyle was confident the goal would be reached.

Playing a state-ranked team for the third time in three weeks, the New Prague Trojans lost to Mankato West 41-14 in their Homecoming football game at Trojan Stadium Friday, Sept. 28. 

Like last week against Northfield, both teams scored on their first possession of the game. The Trojans scored on a 3-yard pass from Parker Johnson to Mitch Callahan. 

Mason DeGross and Aidan McLoone were crowned as Homecoming King and Queen Friday, Sept. 28, during the morning pepfest in the school gym. Members of the Royal Court are (seated, left to right) prince Collin Schuette, King Mason DeGross, Queen Aidan McLoone and Princess Hadley Bailey; (standing) candidates Laure DeGross, Blake Woodson, Bryce Simon, Morgan Pint, Grant Yackly, Callie Peterson, Collin Dorzinski, Katelyn Blair, Andrew Piilola, Molly Giesen, Anna Holden, Hartman Sadusky, Kate Wagner and Travis Frerk.

The New Prague Area School Board approved the preliminary levy payable in 2019 during its meeting Monday, Sept. 24.
As it does each year, the board set the preliminary at “maximum.” Finance Director Sandy Linn explained that the Minnesota Department of Education has not finalized all of its numbers for the current school year, so her department does not have any definite numbers regarding the upcoming budget at this time.
“We have some preliminary numbers, but we know they will change, and we need to have the ability to make those changes,” she told board members.

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises motorists that Highway 19 from Henderson to Highway 169 has a high probability of closing on Tuesday, September 25 with the current river forecast.
It is unknown at this time whether Highway 93 from Henderson to Highway 169 will need to be closed. MnDOT crews will do what they can to keep traffic safe and moving.
Highway 93 closed on Friday due to flooding from the Rush River, but crews were able to open the roadway on Sunday.

A detour will be going into effect at the intersection of New Prague’s Main Street (Highway 19) and Union Pacific Railroad’s crossings beginning next week. While the sign says it will be Monday, Oct. 1, a press release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says the detour begins Wednesday, Oct. 3, as crews will be working to replace two railroad crossings for the Union Pacific Railroad located between Highway 21 and Third Avenue Northwest.

Homecoming week at New Prague High School kicked off Sunday, Sept. 23, with the annual Powder Puff football game, a flag football game between the junior and senior girls. This year's senior class dominated play, winning 35-0. Homecoming activities continue throughout the week, highlighted by a pep fest, coronation, parade, football game and dance on Friday Sept. 23. Read more in the print edition of The New Prague Times.

The O’Neill Brothers, Tim and Ryan, perform at the Dozinky Variety Show on Saturday, Sept.22, at the New Prague High School. The piano playing duet gave a special performance to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Variety Show. The two started in New Prague and have gone on to release more than 40 CDs of piano music that have sold millions of copies. For more on New Prague’s Czech Harvest Festival see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Grand Marshal Darlene Witt, center, waves to the crowd during the Parade of Farm Pride on Saturday, Sept. 22, in New Prague. Witt has been part of the community through farming, working for the New Prague Area School District and as a volunteer through the hospital and her church. The weather was wonderful for the parade, which included farm equipment, floats and representatives of area organizations. New Prague’s festival continues with the Dozinky Variety Show at 7 p.m. this evening at the high school. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

As officials continue to assess the damages throughout Rice County, they are encountering a significant amount traffic congestion due to high volumes of on lookers in the damaged areas. In a press release to area news outlets, they would like people to stay away from the areas.
 

New Prague High School announced its Homecoming candidates for King and Queen on Friday, Sept. 21. Queen candidates are (front row, left to right)  Aidan McLoone, Laura DeGross, Anna Holden, Kaitlyn Blair, Callie Peterson, Morgan Pint, Molly Giesen, Kate Wagner; King candidates are (back row) Mason DeGross, Bryce Simon, Travis Frerk, Collin Dorzinski, Grant Yackly, Blake Woodson, Andrew Piilola and Hartman Sadusky. Coronation for royalty will be at 11:10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 28. Homecoming activities begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept.

A vast array of vintage vehicles take part in Cruise Night the evening of Friday, Sept. 21, on New Prague’s Main Street. While most of the day was overcast, the sun broke through the clouds just before the 25th annual parade that marks the beginning of Dozinky, the city’s Czech Harvest Festival. Dozinky continues on Saturday, Sept. 22, beginning at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by music, dancing and various activities, including the Parade of Farm Pride at noon. For more on the festival see The Times website, Facebook page and upcoming print issue. (Patrick Fisher Photo)