Members of the New Prague Veterans Memorial Committee put up a sign this week to show the progress in fundraising for the new memorial, which will be built next year just east of the New Prague Library along Main Street at Memorial Park. To date, more than $200,000 of the needed $350,000 has been raised. Pictured are, left to right, Mark Dvorak, JoLyn Williams, Dan Bisek, DaleLyn Means, Andrea Means Lehman, Linda Dvorak, Randy Fierst and Paul Busch. Missing from the photo are Amy Jirik and George Tupy. (Chuck Kajer Photo)

Skluzacek, Ernest F., age 77 of Lonsdale, died peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2019 at the Three Links Care center in Northfield.

Mark Morphew has been named head gymnastics coach at New Prague High School, pending board approval.
Morphew is currently the co-director and a team coach at the New Prague Gymnastics Center. For the past four years, he has also been an assistant coach for the high school team.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol will be closing State Highway 19 from Henderson east to Highway 169 by 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, due to flooding from the Minnesota River.
Motorists will need to find an alternate route, as State Highway 93 south of Henderson to Highway 169 is already closed due to flooding.
Both highways will remain closed until further notice.

Shopko announced Monday, March 18, that it will liquidate its assets and close all of its remaining locations by mid-June.
The Wisconsin-based retailer filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and announced closure of about 70 percent of its stores, including its New Prague Shopko Hometown store, in an effort to reorganize. However, the company was unable to find a buyer for the retail business and will begin winding down its operations beginning this week, according to a statement released Monday.

Pauline Lucy Krenik, 92, of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at her son’s home in Lonsdale. Visitations was held Monday, March 4 at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Wenceslaus Church in New Prague at 11am Tuesday, March 5 with Father Thomas Krenik officiating. 

Helen M. Javurek, age 101, of New Prague, died peacefully on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center.  Helen was born on August 16, 1917 in Wheatland Township, Rice County to Frank and Mary (Chromy) Shambour, Jr.  She attended Rice County district school and St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.  Helen married Stephen T.

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team lost its semifinal game at the State Tournament Saturday, falling to eventual champion St. Cloud 12-1, but bounced back with a 9-1 win over Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville to claim third place. The team, which includes players from New Prague, Tri-City United, Le Sueur-Henderson, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools, ended its season with a 13-1 record. The Trojans' Blake Perry and Garret Gagner were named to the all-tournament team. Read more in the print edition.

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team won its opening game at the state tournament Friday, 18-2 over Anoka-Hennepin.
The Trojans led 8-0 after one period and were never threatened. Dylan Raaen had five goals and four assists for the Trojans.
New Prague will face defending state champion St. Cloud at noon Saturday at Bloomington Jefferson High School, and will play one more game later that afternoon, for either the championship or for third place. Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville and South Washington County will play in the other semifinal game.

Lydia Schmitz and Elana Vivant perform a magical duet for the New Prague Area Figure Skating Club’s Spring Skate Show “Under the Big Top - The Greatest Show on Ice” on Saturday, March 16, at the New Prague Ice Arena. The show featuring duets, solos and group numbers has one more performance at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 17. There are several circus themed skating numbers from tightrope walking to juggling to elephants. For more on the program see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Le Sueur County Judge Mark Vandelist wants answers from the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) and has ordered its three-person board to appear in court to explain themselves.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 1 p.m. It orders Jenifer Morsching, Donna Morsching and Evelyn Fierst to explain why they shouldn’t be held in contempt of court for their failure to abide by the court’s orders.

This weekend’s adapted floor hockey state tournament will bring an end to the winter sports season at New Prague High School.

The New Prague Area Figure Skating Club will present its Spring Skate Show this weekend with the theme “Under the Big Top.” Performances will feature “The Greatest Show on Ice” at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the New Prague Ice Arena. Tickets are available at the door.

New Prague High School nominated four students for Minnesota State High School League awards during the current school year.
Triple "A" Award The Triple "A" Award, for Academics, Arts and Activities, is for seniors who have excelled in the classroom, the athletic field and in the fine arts.

Witty, fracture, fan, blockhead, illuminate, vapor, fragile and biblioklept were a few of the words that third grade students at Raven Stream Elementary School learned. On Thursday, Feb. 28, the 125 students at the school on the west side of New Prague showed off those words during a Vocabulary Parade in front of their parents and grandparents.

The New Prague Trojan adapted floor hockey team will compete in the Minnesota State High School League Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament, which will be held Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, at Bloomington Jefferson High School. The Trojan team, which includes players from New Prague, Tri-City United, Le Sueur-Henderson, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools, are 10-0 on the season, having defeated South Washington County in their regular season finale last week, 10-3, and then defeating Minnetonka/Wayzata in a state play-in game 12-2.