A Czech cultural organization whose ambassadors have appeared in events throughout Minnesota and other states for close to two decades will come to an end next month.
Domaci Inc., and its groups, the Domaci Czech Folk Dancers and the Czech Heritage Junior Royalty, will hold its final performance and royalty ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 2. Directors Arnie and Deb Ziskovsky, the founders of Domaci Inc., have been leading and coordinating the ambassadors for 19 years, and they are ending it with their annual event, Hometown Holidays at the Park Ballroom in New Prague.
Alexa Barta, a graduate of New Prague High School and the University of Minnesota- Morris, has earned a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for 2018-19.
A statistics and Spanish graduate of UMM, Barta will spend nine months teaching English in Brazil, beginning February, 2019.
Barta earned an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award, which will place her in a classroom abroad to provide assistance to local English teachers. She also will represent the United States as a cultural ambassador during her time overseas.
New Prague Area Schools presented Veterans Day ceremonies throughout the day on Monday, Nov. 12, in cooperation with the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard.
The first of the ceremonies was held at 8:30 a.m. at New Prague Middle School.
A Le Sueur County judge has ordered the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) to turn over all of its financial records and books, hold a fair and democratic election for members, and allow the additional members to join the lawsuit against it, among other things.
This order was filed on November 8.
A lawsuit was filed against LCHS on February 21 by 16 members who allege the existing board of LCHS has mismanaged the society, has murky financial dealings, and followed anti-democratic processes, which, they state are contrary to Minnesota law and LCHS bylaws.
Girl Scouts from New Prague and their leaders on Saturday, Nov. 10, held a vigil for the three Girl Scouts and their leader who died in a hit and run a week ago in Wisconsin. Before the vigil the Girl Scouts cleaned up the park north of Casey’s in New Prague. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)
Megan Hanson of New Prague had the opportunity of a lifetime last weekend.
The 37-year-old wife and mother of four ran in the New York City Marathon - her first ever marathon, on Sunday, Nov. 4.
Hanson, moved to New Prague about a year ago with her husband Jon and four children, Liam, 8, twins Lincoln and Leland, 6, and Luca 3. She’s been running about six years and had never run more than a 10-kilometer race or a couple of halfmarathons before. She took up running shortly after having her twin sons.
The Elko New Market Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner on Thursday, Nov. 1, at The Firehouse Grille with more than 30 people attending. It was noted the chamber had four ribbon cuttings for new businesses this year and is planning to hold its Ladies Night Out in the spring. The community has also opened a branch of Hope for the Community food shelf, which has been helping hundreds of families since it began five months ago.
Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague officially unveiled a $1.2 million renovation to its Women and Children’s clinic Tuesday, Oct. 30.
The renovation covered 9,000 square feet in the southeast corner of the building. The addition was nearly three years in the making, including planning and design. Construction began in late 2017.
Due to a decrease in funding from the state, Le Sueur County veterans will see a change in their transportation provided by the county.
Veterans utilizing the Le Sueur County Veterans Van will now be charged $10 per trip to the Minneapolis VA Hospital.
This change was approved during the Tuesday, Nov. 6 Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners meeting in Le Center.
According to Veteran's Service Officer Jim Golgart, the funding his department receives from the state has dwindled to between $1,500 and $2,000.
Tony Kornder and David Entinger were elected to the Belle Plaine Township Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Kornder received 285 votes for Seat A, with opponent Chris Franke receiving 107. Entinger received 224 votes for seat B, with Mark Schulz receiving 115 and Chris Bieder 79.
Kristy Bieder was unopposed for Town Clerk, and received 340 votes.
As of 10:45 p.m., With 14 of 15 precincts reporting, it appears Tammy Pexa, Mark Bartusek and Leo Giesen have won four-year terms to the New Prague Area School Board.
The only precinct that hasn’t reported is Lonsdale, and Lonsdale has just a handful of voters in the New Prague Area School District - not enough to overcome the 350-vote difference between the third and fourth place finishers.
Vote totals are:
Mark Bartusek 3991
Tammy Pexa 3868
Leo Giesen 3237
Sandy McMillan 2887
Matthew Goldade 2141
Miranda Vertnik 2111
Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen, who was appointed to the position in 2016, won a four-year term with a narrow victory over challenger Jason Arras in Tuesday’s General Election.
Hennen finished with 29,698 votes, or 50.63 percent. Arras recevied 28,726 votes, or 48.97 percent.
Hennen’s term will begin in January and run through 2022.
County Attorney Ron Hocevar was unopposed for reelection. He received 46,632 votes.
In Commissioner District 3 (Shakopee), Michael “Mike” Beard defeated Joe Wagner, 5,688-3,713.
Todd Lippert (DFL-Northfield) had a strong showing in his hometown as he won election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 20B Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Lippert received 10,932 votes, or 55.3 percent, to defeat Josh Gare (R-Montgomery). Gare had 8,832 votes, or 44.68 percent.
As of 10:30 p.m., With 12 of 15 precincts reporting, Tammy Pexa, Mark Bartusek and Leo Giesen lead the race for New Prague Area School Board. The three remaining precincts not reporting are New Prague Precinct 1 (Le Sueur County), Lanesburgh Township and Lonsdale.
Vote totals are:
Mark Bartusek 2942
Tammy Pexa 2879
Leo Giesen 2364
Sandy McMillan 2148
Matthew Goldade 1553
Miranda Vertnik 1534
This post will be updated when final results are in.