There were no injuries when a semi tractor trailer carrying sand tipped over at the roundabout of the intersection of Scott County roads 2 and 91 in Elko New Market Thursday, July 27.
Members of the Elko New Market Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office and State Patrol responded and directed traffic around the single-vehicle crash for a little over two hours.

Darlene A. Pelcl, age 69, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Mankato.  Darlene was born on April 23, 1954 in New Prague to William J. and Bessie C. (Preslicka) Pecholt.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and New Prague High School.  Darlene married Stanley H. Pelcl in Chaska on May 23, 1990.  She worked as a quality control inspector for Lake Regions Manufacturing for over 25 years.

Marian Elizabeth (Horejsi) Topic, 91 years old, died July 23, 2023 peacefully at her home in New Prague, Minnesota. Born May 3, 1932 to Frank M. And Mary S. (Tuma) Horejsi in Webster Minnesota, the first daughter and middle child of 5. Growing up on a rural family farm ingrained in her a love of gardening, sewing, hard work and family. 

New Prague area residents are reminded about Wednesday’s meeting of the POPS (Praha Outdoor Performance Stage) leadership team/committee at 6:30 p.m. at Giesenbräu Bier Co.

Daniel M. “Dan” Pumper died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in Lonsdale, Minn., on July 10, 2023. He was 59. Dan was born on Jan. 14, 1964, in Northfield, Minn. He served in the U.S. Marines after graduating from Northfield High School. Dan also served in the Minnesota National Guard. He lived in Lonsdale for most of his adult life. He retired from Menasha Corporation in 2022.

FOX9 anchors Amy Hockert, left, and Tim Blotz, listen as Terry Kalina, Mike Kalina and Scott Malecha talk about being on the 2002 Lonsdale Aces baseball team which placed second at the state tournament. They were among those from the Lonsdale Aces that FOX9 interviewed during its last stop in its Town Ball Tour that featured ballparks around Minnesota. For more see upcoming print editions of The New Prague Times and the Montgomery Messenger. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

With a win over crosstown rival New Market Friday night, they set the stage for Sunday’s milestone victory, the 1,100th victory in the coaching career for Elko’s Terry Fredrickson.

Hope. That one word in the form of a tattoo led The O’Neill Foundation of Hope to help Kyle Schultz, who has ALS, receive a new motorized wheelchair.
“I was watching the news and I saw he had his van and wheelchair stolen,” said Ryan O’Neill who grew up in New Prague and founded the foundation, a private 501c3, with his brother, Tim, in 2022.
Schultz, 26, lives in St. Paul and has been dealing with ALS for two years. ALS is an incurable disease that weakens muscles over time and attacks the nervous system, eventually making walking and talking difficult.

There’s plenty of reason to believe former Minnesota Rep. Bob Vanasek of New Prague was correct when he said the current debate over school districts handling the facilities use of transgender and gender non-conforming students is a legislative issue and will not be settled in a school board meeting room in New Prague or any other school district across the state.

James “Jim” H. Grassmann, age 75, peacefully entered eternal life on June 29, 2023. A Time of Gathering to honor Jim will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with Closing Words & Prayers at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 First St W, Jordan, MN 55352. Interment Spirit Hill Cemetery, Jordan. 

Police, firefighters and medics responded to a motorcycle-vehicle crash along Highway 19 near its intersection with Lincoln Avenue Monday, July 17, just after 3 p.m. Details of the crash are not available.
A request for information has been placed with the New Prague Police Department.

LaVella Berger, 87, passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Cura of Le Sueur Nursing Home in Le Sueur, Minnesota.
LaVella Arlene Berger was born on November 25, 1935, in Henning, Minnesota, the daughter of August and Belle (Halvorson) Loser.  She was baptized and confirmed in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Henning, attended Country School District #93 in Inman Township, and graduated from Henning High School in 1953.  After her graduation, she moved to Minneapolis and was employed with Northwestern National Bank for three years.

Kenneth M. “Pizza” Piazza, age 77, of New Prague, died suddenly while riding his bike close to his home at Cedar Lake on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.  Ken was born on February 16, 1946 in Joliet, IL to Mario and Anne (Belom) Piazza.  He graduated from Joliet High School and went on to attain his Bachelor’s degree from Central College in Pella, IA.  While in college he wrestled and played football competing in several bowl games and was named to the All Iowa Conference Football Team.  It was while he was in grad school at Mankato State College, that he met Jean H.

He remembers the fear sweeping through his being in 2003 when he heard his wife had cancer. Two years later, Chris Smith heard a doctor direct those same words at him.

Hadley Dorick, left, Emmett Ryks and Malachi Watson enjoy treats from Dairy Queen in New Prague Friday, July 14. The three were the winners in the New Prague Police Department’s coloring contest of posters that celebrated the Fourth of July. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)