About 20 children and 20 area law enforcement officers gather at HillSpring Church on Wednesday, Dec. 12, after participating in the third annual Shop With a Cop at Shopko in New Prague. The Salvation Army, Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, local schools and KCHK Radio assist with the program where children can buy winter clothing for themselves and presents for their family members. The group gathered at HillSpring Church afterwards to wrap presents, for food and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of the paper. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce has parted ways with Deb Kalousek, executive director for nearly five years, it was announced this week.
Barb Skluzacek, chamber president, said the chamber’s executive board made the decision to “go in a different direction” last month. The change was effective November 14.
Brooke Sticha, office assistant at the Chamber, was named interim executive director.

The Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners approved an amended Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Plan during the regular Tuesday, Dec. 11 meeting.
Environmental Resources Specialist Holly Kalbus presented the updated AIS Plan, which included a few minor changes.
Kalbus said there are 128 lakes, many creeks, streams, and rivers within the county.
In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a program aid grant for AIS prevention.

Members of Hymnus sing in the lobby of the Hotel Broz during the 2018 Holiday Makers Market Friday, Dec. 7. The two-day event, featuring handcrafted items from a number of area vendors, continues Saturday at the historic hotel in downtown New Prague.

New Prague had a beautiful evening on Friday, Nov. 30, for its Parade of Lights and Holiday Celebration in the Park as temperatures in the 20s were cold, yet comfortable, and snow on the ground added to the winter atmosphere.

The New Prague City Council approved two of three requests concerning the Main Street 2020 improvement project at its Monday, Dec. 3, meeting. The council did unanimously approve a resolution ordering improvement and preparation of plans for the project and a concurrence with Section 4(f) for Temporary Occupancy of Memorial Park to replace an existing 28-inch clay storm sewer outlet pipe that runs across the park. The council tabled until its Monday, Dec. 17, meeting a resolution approving the final layout (Municipal Consent) for the Main Street 2020 improvement project.

The New Prague Area School Board will honor outgoing members with a reception following the school board meeting scheduled for Monday, Dec. 10. The reception is expected to begin about 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Board Room.
Don Dvorak and Jerry Walerius joined the Board in January of 2006. Sherry Brooks was appointed to the Board in July of 2010.
They will be replaced by Mark Bartusek, Tammy Pexa and Leo Giesen in January 2019.

National Newspaper Association President Andrew Johnson alerted NNA members on Monday that there will be no mail delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 5 because the United States Postal Service will be observing a national day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush.
As a result, post office retail and services will be closed. Suel Printing Co. newspapers (Montgomery Messenger, Lake Region LIFE, Elysian Enterprise and The New Prague Times), which are mailed on Wednesday afternoon, may be delayed.
The closure will not affect newspapers delivered by local newspaper carriers.

Members of the Domaci Czech Folk Dancers made one last performance on Sunday, Dec. 2, at Hometown Holidays at the Park Ballroom in New Prague. The group, directed by Arnie and Deb Ziskovsky, spent 19 years promoting traditional folk dancing. Approximately 30 vendors had an assortment of handcrafted items for sale at the annual event. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Mrs. Claus was ready for a photo, but Paige Hirdler, second from left, and sister McKenna were already talking with Santa about what they wanted for Christmas during the Santa visit at Kubes Realty on Saturday, Dec. 1, in New Prague. The daughters of Chris and Amanda Hirdler, the two girls were among the many children and families stopping by the annual event that ran until 1 p.m. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Day Church of New Prague recreates the first Christmas for the Parade of Lights on Friday, Nov. 30. There were many entries and a large crowd lining New Prague’s Main Street for the annual parade. Following the parade families gathered for the Holiday Celebration in the Park for the lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, visits with Santa, fireworks and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Area School Board heard reports on a therapy dog pilot project and the Worlds Best Workforce during their meeting Monday, Nov. 26. They also discussed the annual superintendent performance review and approved the superintendent’s contract for the next three years.
Amy Hennen, social worker at Falcon Ridge Elementary, received permission this year to use her licensed therapy dog, AJ, in a school setting this year. Hennen told board members that the dog comes to school several times a month and interacts with students individually and in a classroom setting.

Workers for New Prague Utilities put lights on the Community Christmas Tree in Memorial Park Thursday morning, Nov. 29. A ceremonial tree lighting will take place Friday, Nov. 30, following the city's annual Parade of Lights. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. going east from First Avenue NE toward Memorial Park, and the tree lighting will take place at approximately 7:15 p.m., followed by a fireworks display.

Mindy Wescott of New Prague became a new homeowner through Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota. A dedication ceremony for Wescott’s new home along Wencel Avenue NE was held on Tuesday, Nov. 20, and was attended by 17 people representing the New Prague chapter of Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota, its Mankato office and volunteers who helped build the house.
“It’s thrilling that we’ve gotten to this point,” said Pam O’Brien, co-chair of the New Prague chapter of Habitat for Humanity with Mary Bender. She added it was an appropriate time as it was Thanksgiving.

Le Sueur County will be honored Monday, Dec. 3 during the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) Annual Meeting in Bloomington.
MCIT announced last week that Le Sueur County has been selected as the 2018 County of the Year.
"The county has distinguished itself in the areas of loss control, risk management, claims administration, and responsiveness to MCIT," MCIT Executive Director Robyn M. Sykes said. "MCIT commends the county's commitment to managing exposures that jeopardize employees and citizens of the county to loss."

Leadership changes are about to take place on the Lonsdale Fire Department.
Effective January 1, 2019, the city will have a new fire chief and assistant fire chief.
Lonsdale’s current fire chief, Mike Yetzer, has served three terms as fire chief, which is the maximum allowed per the department’s policy. Though he will no longer be fire chief, Yetzer will continue to serve on the department.
“We have a top shelf chief,” said Mayor Tim Rud of Yetzer.