A petition from New Prague residents to have a say in the city’s proposed new police station has been submitted. On Thursday morning, June 12, resident Brian Paulson dropped off the petition to have a vote on the proposed $10,415,000 general obligation Capital Improvement Plan bonds to pay for the building of the new police station.
Paulson has been organizing the drive to collect the 244 signatures that were needed on the petition. He and others collected 543 signatures.

Former mayor willing to serve remainder of term
He remembers the day back in 2020 when some friends were commenting on items they didn’t like how the city of New Prague was handling. Chuck Nickolay decided then it was time to do something rather than just complain.
Last Monday, Nickolay was appointed to serve the remainder of former Mayor Duane Jirik’s term after the city council declared Jirik’s term vacated following his sudden resignation May 16. Nickolay is expected to be sworn in at the next New Prague City Council meeting June 16.

New Prague residents have been busy over the last two weeks to gather signatures for a petition to have a vote on the proposed $10,415,000 general obligation Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) bonds to pay for the building of New Prague’s proposed new police station.
Leading the petition drive is Brian Paulson, who held a drive in Memorial Park, Sunday, June 8, from 3-7 p.m. The event in the park was to allow people to come down and sign the petition or for volunteers to drop off sheets with signatures.

A New Prague man, Jeffrey William Boysen, was sentenced to 72 years in prison after being found guilty of 15 counts of criminal sexual assault of a girl and boy Wednesday, June 4, in Scott County District Court.

Tim Simon of Elko New Market has hunted bear, but he was surprised to see one wander onto his property at 320 Williams St., three blocks south of the city’s downtown, Saturday evening, May 31.
“My daughter said, ‘Dad, you’re not going to believe this, but there’s a bear in the backyard,’” said Simon.
Simon was skeptical at first then he saw the bear. He said he was like, “Wow!”
His daughter, Rachel Keppers, took some photos. Simon said Rachel had been at a wedding and then came home to check on her child, which Simon and his wife were babysitting.

After nearly 36 years Doug and Patty Lau are retiring
Saturday, May 31, was closed out with the announcement Doug and Patty Lau of Lau’s Bakery on New Prague’s Main Street, had sold their business and were retiring.
The couple, who have owned the business for nearly 36 years have sold the business to Alfredo Armenta Cruz, left, and his wife, Marialid.
“We’ve given him the recipes and he’s doing the job. He’s been doing the baking for the last three weeks,” said Doug about Alfredo. Doug added Alfredo will be keeping the recipes the same.

Nearly 30 people attended the New Prague City Council’s Monday, June 2, meeting, the majority there for the public hearing on the general obligation bonds to pay for the construction of the city’s new police station. Of the nine people who spoke during the public hearing, the majority voiced opposition to the proposed $10,415,000 general obligation Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) bonds.

Over its last two meetings, the Elko New Market City Council discussed food truck sales on public property.

By all accounts, Sgt. Maj. Rich Wilson was the kind of teacher most students enjoyed learning from and classroom instructors and staff enjoyed working with.
Next week, he’ll set out with a new set of orders as he enters retirement.
This week, Wilson will retire as a fifth-grade teacher at Falcon Ridge Elementary School. He was hired by the school district as a fourthgrade teacher in 1989. With the exception of his military responsibilities, he has been a constant figure at New Prague’s Elementary school, later renamed Falcon Ridge for about three-dozen years.

On an evening blessed with almost perfect weather, New Prague High School and the community celebrated the graduation of 310 seniors Friday evening at Trojan Stadium.
The commencement ceremony featured a recognition and remembrance of the Class of 2025’s years in school, the challenges they faced and their successes.

Matt Mies, left, manager of Coborn’s Marketplace in New Prague, talks with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Wednesday, May 28, about services offered by the local business. Sen. Klobuchar stopped for a brief visit to discuss how independent grocery stores are important to communities. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

New Prague’s softball team saw its dream of a return trip to the state tournament come to a tough end Saturday in Owatonna.
The Trojans fell to the host Huskies, 3-2, in the consolation bracket of the Section 1AAA playoffs.
After splitting its first two section games with Lakeville South and Lakeville North, the Trojans fell to Owatonna, 3-2. Details of all three games were not available when The New Prague Times went to press.
New Prague led the contest against Owatonna 1-0 and 2-1 before the host Huskies rallied later in the contest.

New Prague Mayor Duane Jirik has submitted his resignation to the city council.
In a press release dated Friday, May 23, Josh Tetzlaff, New Prague's city administrator, stated Jirik submitted his resignation Thursday, May 22.
The letter of resignation reads: "It is with a heavy heart to let all of you know that I am resigning from my position as mayor of New Prague effectively immediately.

Gopher State Railway Museum, north of New Prague along Highway 21, recently rolled out rides for families on its new caboose during Cabose Day, Saturday, May 3.

The New Prague Sportsman’s Club’s Phil Simon Memorial Crappie Tournament was swamped with 27 youngsters wanting to cast their lines into Cedar Lake, Saturday, May 3. It was the most children the annual tourney has had.
Club president Billy Bartusek was not expecting that many youngsters. “It caught me a little off guard,” said Bartusek. “It’s pretty amazing.”
The tournament, named in honor of the late Phil Simon, a New Prague business owner and sportsman, had 37 boats with more than 100 people, including the children, participating.

She’s one of many people who feel a strong sense of gratitude and respect for members of the military who sacrificed their lives and defended the nation. Mary Pierce is one of the people who takes the time to make sure those people are remembered.