The Credit River Antique Tractor Club held its 1 p.m. parade on Friday, July 16, at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park. Around 40 tractors took part in the parade that was part of the 22nd annual show, which continues at the park north of New Prague on Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18. Tractor parades will also be held at 1 p.m. those days with antique vehicles and engines on display, plus activities around the park and food vendors. The show is held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and offers free admission and parking. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Beginning at 4 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, the intersection of Main Street and Highway 21, on the west side of New Prague, is scheduled to be closed for one day for mill and overlay work. The work will begin at the intersection and go west on Highway 19 to the intersection with Fifth Avenue NW/SW. There will be several detours around the closed intersection. Northbound vehicles on Highway 21 can take the turnoff right before the intersection to get onto Main Street. Drivers can then go north on Second Avenue NW, then west onto Second Street NW and reconnect to Highway 21.

The New Prague City Council on Tuesday, June 29, unanimously offered the position of the New Prague City Administrator to Joshua Tetzlaff, who currently serves as the City Administrator for the City of Dodge Center. The offer came after a two-day interview process, held on Monday, June 28, and Tuesday, June 29. The terms of employment were under negotiation and were expected to be presented for consideration and approval to the council at its Tuesday, July 6, meeting.

This weekend Generations Theatre Company will present Shrek Jr., a production that was all set to go in 2020, but was cancelled on its opening night due to COVID- 19 restrictions. There are three shows that will be performed at the New Prague High School auditorium, 221 12th St. NE. The first is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 9, the next two are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 10. Cost is a donation to Generation Theatre Company’s scholarship fund.

Le Sueur County’s new Public Health Director Megan Kirby hit the ground running April 26th when she officially stepped into the position.
“I was fortunate enough to have multiple weeks with our previous director, Cindy Shaughnessy, to train and learn the role a little more in depth,” stated Kirby, who has a background working in community health along with a Master's Degree in Public Health, a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health Education, and an Associate's Degree in Psychology.

If you were driving along Minnesota Highway 21 between New Prague and Jordan around 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 1, you may have noted an unusual sight - an old caboose moving on a flatbed trailer.
For nearly 50 years, the old Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway caboose number 1201 was a fixture in the back yard of Bill Hennes’ home, northeast of Jordan. Hennes was a collector of many things, including the old caboose. The Hennes children spent many hours of their youth playing inside the caboose, likely taking many imaginary trips across the country inside its walls.

The Henderson Tractor Ride on Saturday, June 26, paused in Union Hill as part of its 20th annual journey through the Minnesota River Valley.
There were 60 tractors ranging from a 1937-38 John Deere to a model from 1982, and lots of tractors from the 1950s and 1960s, that took part in the trip. Many of the tractor riders were looking forward to this year’s ride as last year’s was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Motorists should plan for the Intersection of Highways 19 and 21  (Main Street & 4th Avenue NW) on the west side of New Prague being closed to thru traffic Thursday, July 15 – Friday, July 16 during scheduled milling and resurfacing work.  Although this schedule could be adjusted based on weather conditions, through traffic should follow any temporary detours.
 The current detour for the reconstruction project in downtown New Prague is expected to stay in place until the project completion, scheduled for this October. 

A man was found dead in a Le Center home Tuesday morning, July 6, following a 10-hour long standoff with law enforcement.
The man, who has been identified as 38-year-old Michael Lee Elie of Le Center, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County’s Sheriff Office, law enforcement officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of South Cordova Avenue in Le Center for a reported domestic assault at 9:19 p.m. Monday night.

Le Sueur County and the City of Montgomery approved a permit by Joshua and Jonathan Beulke last month for establishing a mental health clinic at the former Lakeside Supper Club.
The application by the Beulke brothers was approved Tuesday, June 22 by the Le Sueur County Board, and in a special meeting by the City of Montgomery on June 7.
The outpatient clinic, which is currently at 100 Oak Ave. SW in the City of Montgomery, will be moved to the former supper club on Lake Pepin.

The Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Lonsdale Community Days Committee announced on Wednesday, June 23 that Daryl Rieck has been chosen as the 2021 Lonsdale Grand Marshal.
According to a press release, Rieck has been an integral part of the community for more than 35 years. It listed Rieck’s commitment to Londale being the American Legion Commander, instructor for AARP Defensive Course Classes, member of the Veteran's Memorial Task Force, Memorial Day Service Organizer, and volunteer who always helps with BINGO on Saturday evenings at the Legion.

UPDATE: Road worker struck by vehicle in Spring Lake Township
Update to 6/28/2021 Press Release (Road worker struck by vehicle in Spring Lake Township)
On July 1, 2021, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner notified the Scott County Sheriff’s Office that the road construction worker, who was struck by a vehicle on June 28, 2021, near the intersection of Marschall Road (CR17) and 170th Street East (CR12) in Spring Lake Township, has died of his injuries.

According to Scott County District Court documents a 36-year-old-man from Tennessee, who stole a Metro Mobility bus in Shakopee and drove it to New Prague, where he was arrested, has been charged with second degree aggravated robbery, fleeing police in a motor vehicle and motor vehicle theft. The maximum sentence for his most severe charge is 15 years in prison, a $30,000 fine or both.

New Prague Middle School (NPMS) will be the site of Camp Invention, a nationally recognized, nonprofit summer enrichment program, the week of Monday, July 26, to Friday, July 30.
Camp Invention challenges children in grades K-6 to tap into their natural curiosity and use their creativity to solve problems. Through hands-on activities, Camp Invention promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning; builds confidence, leadership, perseverance and resourcefulness; and encourages entrepreneurship, all in a fun and engaging environment.

The New Prague City Council held a two-day interview process this week with the three finalists for city administrator. The council unanimously offered the position to Joshua Tetzlaff, who currently serves as the city administrator for the City of Dodge Center. The terms of employment are currently being negotiated and are expected to be presented for consideration and approval at the council’s Tuesday, July 6, meeting, which has been moved back a day due to the Sunday, July 4, holiday. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Area residents looking for fun on the Fourth of July will have several choices.