Youth soccer is a growing sport in the nation and locally. A report from the Montgomery Messenger Sports & Fitness Industry Association says that there are about 4.6 million players, roughly of one-third of all players in the United States, in the 6-12 age group alone. There have been steady increases in the number of players with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020.
The Minnesota Youth Soccer Association has approximately 25,000 players, which range from ages 6 to 19, and 8,000 coaches and administrators.

The annual Czech Mardi Gras celebration on Sunday, March 2, marked its silver anniversary, celebrating 25 years as an annual festival in Montgomery with a full house at the Revival on Main.
Entertainment included music by Georges Concertina Band and cultural dancing by the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Adult Dancers. People from the audience were invited up front at the Revival on Main after the group had finished dancing to learn a dance, which many obliged.

Montgomery Fire Department members that participated in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb are pictured at the event in the Capella Tower in Minneapolis on Saturday.  They climbed 52 flights of stairs, with full gear, and raised $1,500 — about $500 more than what was raised last year. Sean Benz was recognized as the top fundraiser of the group.

MANKATO - The No. 2 seed NRHEG girls basketball team used a strong second half to defeat No. 3 seed Tri-City United, 81-55, in the Section 2AA Semifinal game played at MSU-Mankato Monday, March 4.
The Panthers outscored the Titans 44-24 in the second half after leading 37-31 at halftime.
NRHEG twin sisters Quinn VanMaldeghem and Camryn VanMaldeghem combined for 53 points. They scored 34 of their team’s 44 second half points.

Kolacky Days members chose the design from Dawn (Ruhland) Elfstrand as the 2025 Button Contest winner out of 10 entries. The 256 members voted on the design back in November, with designs being accepted in October.
Elfstrand, who now lives in Madison Lake, Minn., and works as a buyer for a school district, is a Montgomery native.
“It was pretty exciting. It was the first time I submitted a button. I made several designs, and I emailed them to my kids and husband. They chose the final one I entered,” said Elfstrand.

Tri-City United School’s Facility Master Planning Advisory Committee is seeking public input on their strategic master plan.
In 2023, a 29-member, cross-community Facility Master Planning Advisory Committee met over the course of nine meetings, culminating in a final report to the TCU School Board. Since then, the board has worked to develop a strategic master plan. They now need your input as this work continues to shape future facility decisions across the school district’s three communities.

Marietta "Toots" Kukacka, age 95, of Montgomery, died in the early morning of Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. 

Tri-City United Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5, due to inclement weather. There will be no Kidzone or Activates. It will be a blended learning day.
Also, the Oreo Challenge for teens at the Montgomery Public Library scheduled for March 5 will be held on March 6 instead.

Mick McGuire could not contain his disappointment as he opened the second annual Montgomery State of the Community event.
“We don’t have a single person from the community here,” McGuire began. “Everyone here is here because they are presenting. Over 3,000 people had an opportunity to come and there isn’t a single one.”
Still, the presenters shared their information with one another at the event, which was held Saturday morning, Feb. 22. The event was put on by the Montgomery Community Foundation.

SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED- 3/4/25 AT 9 p.m.
LAST UPDATED: MARCH 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED 

Tri-City United Schools robotics program continues to perform well with three teams making it to the state robotics tournament at St. Cloud Community and Technical College’s River’s Edge Event Center on Feb. 27 and 28.
TCU Robotics Head Coach Jeffery Ballman said, “Please congratulate all of these teams as they work hard to represent our TCU middle schools and TCU High School at the state level of competition! We are very proud to have three of our five teams moving on to the state level.
 
High School

Tri-City United High School's girls' basketball team won its quarterfinals game against the Belle Plaine Tigers in Montgomery on Thursday, Feb. 27, winning 76-55.
Head Coach Don Marcussen said, "The girls really came out fast against the Tigers. Even though we were not hitting many shots from outside, we were aggressive enough on defense to get layups and also get to the free throw line often. Lexi Marcussen and Audrey Vosejpka really ran the floor well and attacked the basket for us tonight."

Linda Lee Herrera, age 70, of Montgomery, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at her home on Green Leaf Lake in rural Montgomery.

Marilyn Agnes Miller, age 86, of Montgomery, died at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague on Sunday, February 23, 2025.

With one final home game remaining, the New Prague floor hockey team has earned a berth in the state tournament again this year and played for a top seed in the regularseason finale against Dakota United.
At 7-0, the Trojans hosted DU yesterday, Wednesday, Feb. 19. The Trojans’ unblemished record includes a win over their nemesis the past two seasons, LakevilleFarmington-Burnsville. The Blazin’ Cats defeated New Prague in the championship game last year.
The state tournament is March 7-8 at Coon Rapids High School.

Coronation is set for Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 12:33 p.m.
The queen candidates are Julia Odenthal, daughter of Randy and Laura Odenthal of New Prague; Eva Tikalsky, daughter of Christopher Tikalsky of Montgomery; Jayden Disbrow, daughter of Jim and Angie Disbrow of Montgomery; Addison Houn, daughter of Trevor and Kristi Houn of Montgomery; and Kaylee Harkins, daughter of Clint and Vicki Harkins of Le Center.