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A Prior Lake woman died from injuries suffered in a head-on crash on County Road 21 near Deer River Court in Credit River just after 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17.
According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the preliminary investigation indicates a white Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by a 64-year-old Prior Lake man, was traveling westbound when it crossed the median, colliding head-on with a red Kia, driven by a 54-year-old Prior Lake woman, which was traveling eastbound in the eastbound lane of County Road 21. The crash was reported at 8:07 p.m.

Citing potentially dangerous weather conditions and out of concern for safety of students and staff, the New Prague School District will be closed Tuesday, Feb. 18.
The National Weather Service announced a Extreme Cold Warning beginning Monday, Feb. 17, 9 p.m.
Tuesday will be a blended learning day for students in sixth through 12th grades. Activities director Brad Skogerboe said a decision on activities will be made at noon Tuesday.

Le Sueur County is updating its comprehensive land use and zoning code, titled “Vision 2050,” and held a public meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Le Center American Legion. According to a survey provided to a large crowd the update is to better serve and guide the county’s growth. The work over this year is to “create a plan that balances its rich historical past and resources,” said the beginning of the survey. The new comprehensive plan is to grow the county’s tax base and guide the county over the next 25 years.

Thursday, Jan. 30, was not like most winter days as temperatures reached into the 50s.
Since temperatures were above average, management at CreeksBend Golf Course decided to open the back nine holes to golfers Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 1, and 18 holes were open Sunday, Feb. 2, with conditions for snow.
“This is the second time in the course’s history we’ve been open in January,” said Bryan Connelly, general manager of the golf course north of New Prague. “We were open last year in January.”
Last year the course was open for four days in January.

Write-in votes will settle who takes at least two open seats on Rice County’s townships boards.
No affidavits for candidacy were filed in the 2025 race for Northfield Township treasurer, or to fill the term of the remaining year of the term for the Morristown Township clerk.
The treasurer’s seat, a two-year term, is up in all every township except Forest Township where the treasurer is appointed, rather than elected.

After a vehicle was driven into open water on Lake Washington this weekend, the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office is warning visitors to the lake in Le Sueur County to use caution, advising a large area of open water has developed in the area referred to as the Narrows. Sunday, Feb. 9, Capt. Bruce Collins confirmed the people in the vehicle escaped without injury.
The vehicle is now submerged in about 6 feet of water. The open water starts at the north shoreline and goes almost all the way across, to the south shore.

At New Prague High School’s coronation ceremony for the Snoball king and queen, Maria Schoenbauer, left, was crowned queen and Peter Dias was crowned king. The ceremony was the highlight of the Friday, Jan. 31, pepfest in the high school gym. New Prague High School will wrap up its annual week of Snoball activities Saturday evening Feb. 1, with a dance in the gym. (Patrick Fisher photo)

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner and awards Monday eventing, Jan. 27.
Becca Najera, director of Early Childhood Academy, received the Employee of the Year award. “She goes above and beyond as a professional and role model, all while getting out to connect with the community,” said a press release from the chamber of commerce.

The New Prague Planning Commission and the business, New Prague Mill, LLC, which owns the former flour mill, discussed the use of the mill at the commission’s Wednesday, Jan. 22, meeting.
Also under discussion was whether to allow a business, Cypress Rail, at the mill. Cypress Rail, which does repair and maintenance to railroad cars, is looking to sign a lease with New Prague Mill, LLC. Cypress Rail would be located in a back area of the mill.

She remembers the sinking feeling watching Pudge take off knowing she couldn’t keep up with him. Cindy Kuhl and Pudge’s owners, Linda and Mark Rahn, are just as thankful the little dog is back home, safe and sound, in New Prague, after a harrowing ordeal amidst temperatures and windchill well-below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

New Prague School Board Director Mark Bartusek has resigned his position on the board.
Monday, the board accepted Bartusek's resignation. The board will discuss how to fill the seat at its workshop meeting Monday, Feb. 10. Bartusek served on the school board for six years.
See details in an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times.

The First Baby of 2025 has been born. Luke James Van Houdt, son or Brandon and Danielle Van Houdt of New Prague was born Sunday, Jan. 12, at 6:20 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee. He was 21 inches long and 7 pounds and 15 ounces. For more and the winners of the The New Prague Times’ First Baby Contest see next week’s print edition of The Times.
The winner will receive $100 in New Prague certificates. The person having the next closest guess will receive $50 in New Prague certificates. Area businesses participating in the contest

On an unseasonably warm day Saturday, Dec. 28, with temperatures in the 40s, New Prague High School alums returned to the gridiron for the 65th anniversary of the Sno-Bowl, a spirited friendly tackle football contest between the Polars and Ptarmigans within the friendly confines of Memorial Park.

Frosty the snowman waves to the crowd at New Prague’s 28th Annual Holiday Parade of Lights on Main Street Friday night, Dec. 6. Frosty was one of several characters who greeted people as the parade made its way east on Main Street to Memorial Park, where there was a tree lighting, music, hot chocolate and fireworks.
For more on the annual celebration see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Union Hill Bar & Grill owner Ryan Klein of New Prague pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, and admitted to crashing his vehicle shortly after leaving his bar on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 28, according to a Le Sueur County Sheriffs Office incident report and court records obtained.

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