There have been times the past 18 months when Maddy Smith’s medical condition has left the New Prague 16-year-old and her family feeling isolated from the community and their friends. Sunday, March 19, they will feel anything but alone.

Community members gathered at St. John Catholic Church in Union Hill yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, March 15, to offer their support and prayers for a young police officer from New Prague injured in the line of duty early Tuesday morning.

If you’re a thorough reader of the police blotter we run every week, you may have noticed a few weeks back we included reports of the police department checking licensed tobacco retailers in New Prague to make sure they are not selling products to customers not yet old enough to legally possess or consume the products.

New Prague High School’s boys’ basketball ended its season in a tight, 58-55, game against New Ulm, Tuesday, March 7, in the Section 2AA quarterfinals.
“This was a very tough loss,” said New Prague head coach Dan Peterka. “We played extremely well through the first half and most of the second half.”

The high school archery team turned in its best performance of the season at the Falcon Classic Saturday, March 11, taking home the first-place team award and scoring 3,301 points from the scores of the top 12 co-ed archers.
Ellie Bawdon scored a 289, including two perfect rounds. Bawdon was the event’s top shooting girl. Cory Schroeder scored a 286 with a perfect round and was the event’s top shooting boy.

The board members of DalekoArts, New Prague’s local theater troupe, announced Tuesday, March 7, this season will be its last. The theater on Main Street will close after more than 10 years on June 30.
DalekoArts, a charitable non-profit, was founded by Ben Thietje and his wife Amanda White, who live in New Prague. They said the decision to close was not one made in haste or without tremendous heartache.

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) launched a $1.9 million test pilot that aims to improve public transportation needs across western and southern rural Minnesota. If the test pilot goes well, it could be expanded state-wide and improved upon.

Lynn L. Lambrecht, age 67, of Owatonna, formerly of Montgomery, died peacefully with her loving husband at her side at her home in Owatonna on Monday, March 13, 2023.  Lynn was born on September 23, 1955 in Gaylord, Minnesota to Loren and Lois (Kelm) Lade.  She grew up in Brownton, graduated from High School in Minneapolis, and completed her Bachelor’s degree at St. Cloud State University.  Numbers were important throughout Lynn’s life and she worked in various jobs in the financial industry and was currently still active.  She married her soulmate, Dennis H.

Linda S. Giesen, age 73, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal life on Friday, March 10, 2023, at her home.
Linda was born in Worthington, MN, on December 10, 1949, the daughter of Clarence and Susan (Ykema) Van Grouw. She married Ed Giesen on October 18, 1975, in Union Hill, MN.

Matthew Raymond Wallace Peterson, 48, of New Prague, MN, passed away on the 11th of March, 2023.
Matt was born in St. Louis Park, MN, on February 15, 1975, to Gail and Larry Peterson. He was raised in Maple Grove and graduated from Osseo High School. He then went on to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Matt married his high school sweetheart Brenda and had three children, Alex, Landon, and Taylor. He worked at McNeilus for 17 years selling mixers.

Crocker, Judy Kay "Iri" (née Oukrop) of Golden Valley, MN, died on Monday, March 6th. Judy worked for Lund's & Byerly's for 48 dedicated years pursuing her passions of food and entertaining. This led her to be the Managing Editor of the two Best of Byerly's cookbooks. Her parties will be remembered for elegant presentation and delightful variety of flavors. Judy was an avid gardener, treasuring her 75 hybrid tea roses and raspberry garden. She also liked to sew and knit for loved ones.

(Updated story 3/15)
A New Prague man was cited for a single vehicle crash that happened in Union Hill on Saturday, March 11 at about 3:30 a.m.
A blue 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 was traveling south on Scott County 7 (Church Avenue), ran through the stop sign at MN 19, crossed MN 19 and Hub Drive, sliced through a power pole, over three mailboxes, and ended up in the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church's old schoolhouse parking lot.

Congratulations to New Prague High School’s wrestling team. You finished second at the state tournament. You have represented your school and community well and have much to be proud of in your accomplishments throughout the regular season, post season and last week at the state tournament.
You had a fine season, one to be proud of and remember fondly for many, many years to come.