In its continuing series New Prague Community Action Network (NPCAN) had a Community Conversation on Sunday, Jan. 27, about Stewarding the Earth: Realities, Responsibilities, and Opportunities. Held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, they also partnered with FaithPoint Lutheran Church, NewDay Church, and the New Prague Area Catholic Community.

Staff writer and columnist Lisa Ingebrand, who works for the Lake Region Life, Elysian Enterprise, and the Montgomery Messenger, was honored for her writing during the 2019 Minnesota Newspaper Association’s (MNA) Annual Convention on January 24 in Bloomington. Ingebrand earned third place honors for her work as a writer in the Arts and Entertainment category among weeklies with up to 1,500 in circulation. This was her tenth MNA Award in 15 years with the local newspapers.

Due to the dangerously cold weather that is forecast for tomorrow morning, New Prague Area Schools will be closed Thursday, January 31st. This will be another blended learning day. The school closure includes Preschool Programs.
Childcare programs including WRAP and Kids Company will be open from 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM for students enrolled in these programs. Falcon Ridge and Raven Stream families will go to Kids Company at Raven Stream. Central Education Campus preschool families will have WRAP at the CEC. Eagle View will be open for WRAP and K-5 Kids Company families.

Due to projected deteriorating weather conditions, the United States Postal Service has suspended delivery for Wednesday, Jan. 30, for Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, Iowa and Western Illinois.
A press release issued Tuesday afternoon said retail operations at local offices will be available, but may be limited.
There will be no collection mail pickup from business or collection boxes. In addition, there will be no residential or commercial package pick-up service.

Goldsmith Eye Care was named the Business of the Year at the New Prague Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting on Monday, Jan. 28. Accepting the award were Drs. Wendy, left, and Tim Goldsmith. It was the second year for the award. The meeting and dinner was held at the Weddings At The Broz (Hotel Broz) in New Prague. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague Area Schools has announced that there will be no school Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 29 and 30, due to expected weather conditions.
Sub-zero temperatures and extremely low windchills are forecast for the next few days. All students K-12 will have blended learning days, where they are expected to do work online.
The closure includes Kids Company and WRAP classes as well. In addition, all extra-curricular activities are cancelled or postponed.
The New Prague Fitness and Aquatic Center will be open regular hours on both days, with classes held as scheduled.

Skylar Welcome, daughter of Jennifer Welcome, was out helping her mom the morning of Monday, Jan. 28, after a storm dropped about 3 inches of snow on the New Prague area. New Prague Area Schools and other surrounding school districts cancelled school on Sunday, Jan. 27. Area residents were out cleaning off sidewalks, alleys and driveways on Monday. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Due to the winter storm hitting the area, New Prague Area Schools has announced they will be closed on Monday, Jan. 28.

Winter Storm Warning for Le Sueur County, Minnesota
From 3:00pm CST, Sun Jan 27 until 6:00 am CST, Mon Jan 28
Action Recommended: Make preparations per the instructions
Issued by: Minneapolis - MN, US, National Weather Service,
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM SUNDAY TO 6 AM CST MONDAY... *
WHAT...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 8 INCHES EXPECTED.
WHERE...PORTIONS OF CENTRAL, EAST CENTRAL AND SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA. *

New Prague High School’s one act play, “Basketball Play,” has a free public performance at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 25, at the high school auditorium, 221 12th St. NE.

The calendar year of 2019 will be filled with many projects in Le Sueur County.
One of the county’s biggest projects in the last three decades is the construction of the new Justice Center in Le Center.
The project is scheduled to be completed and ready for occupancy in August of 2019.
The county is currently hiring a number of new correction officers and dispatchers.
They are also working on the transferring of probation, court administration, court rooms, judicial court areas, and all sheriff’s department personnel to the new justice center.

The Elko New Market City Council interviewed three candidates to fill its fifth seat during its Thursday, Jan. 10, workshop and then approved a resolution appointing one candidate to the council at its business meeting later that evening. Candidates Jon Schwichtenberg, Kelly Strong and Amanda Novak answered questions from the council. Schwichtenberg was chosen to fill the remaining two years on the seat. The seat had previously been held by Joe Julius, who had been elected mayor in the November elections.

New Prague High School has named its 2019 Sno Ball Royalty candidates. They are (front row, left to right, Baylee Rezac, Carlie Simon, Danielle Burns, Hailey Wight; (second row) Brooklynn Isley, Caroline Geiger, Chloe Davis, Mary Daly; (third row) Luke Schoenbauer, Joseph Beatrez, Charlie Jirik, Joe Weiers, Noah Weichert; (back row) Murphy Warner, Spencer Kajer and Cody Harder. Sno Ball week is January 28 through February 2. Coronation will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, in the high school auditorium.

Sugar Rose Bakeshop opened at 801 First Street SE, in the East Town Plaza in New Prague, on Thursday, Jan. 3, in the spot that formerly housed Lady A’s Cupcakes. It was the final step in a long process that owner Jody Breathwaite hadn’t anticipated a little more than a year ago.

Area residents spiced up their evening on Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Cowboy Chili Feed and Cook Off held in St. Wenceslaus Church’s Parish Activity Center in New Prague. HIS Haven Ranch sponsored the evening that included a chili meal, a contest for best chili recipe, a silent auction, square dancing and a live auction for desserts.
“We did really well,” said Laurie Baer of HIS Haven Ranch, a free local youth mentoring non-profit organization. “The crowd that was there had a good time.”