NP falls to champs in Saturday semifinal round

Rebounding from a tough loss in the semifinal round to the tournament’s eventual champion, the New Prague Trojans’ floor hockey team took third-place honors at the Minnesota State High School League’s floor hockey tournament at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

    For the second time Tri-City-United (TCU) junior Tucker Skluzacek had a chance to stand on the podium at a Class AA State Wrestling Tournament.
    Skluzacek, wrestling at Class AA 145 pounds, won three of his five matches to place fifth overall this past weekend at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. He finished his outstanding junior season with a 43-8 record.
    Skluzacek opened with a 15-4 major decision over Foley sophomore Jacob Demarais. 

    At a recent meeting, our city officials described a tentative agreement that would allow a for-profit developer to construct a 56-unit apartment building on 7th Street East. This site is located on a dead-end road that is accessible only from Elm Avenue East—also a dead-end road. The proposal includes substantial property-tax subsidies for the developer, along with the city selling the acreage for just one dollar.

    Mollie Remhof had a typical start to her day after work when she arrived home late afternoon of Monday, Feb. 16. “I’d gotten home from work, and let them outside,” she said. “Just cleaning and whatever. You check on them once in a while, and they generally don’t go anywhere.” 
    Remhof has two dogs, Roxie, an eight-year-old golden retriever, and Harley, Roxie’s seven-year-old mixed-breed. “Her (Roxie’s) daughter came back all wet, not muddy but wet,” said Remhof. “Around here, it was all muddy, so I was like ‘Where were they? What were they doing?’”

    Over 300 people showed up to show their support at the benefit for Mike Meyer held at the American Bar & Grill in Montgomery on Saturday. 
    Paulette “Polly” Bieber, coordinator of the benefit said, “It was a really great turnout. Really good support.” She said that a total of 32 businesses “from Belle Plaine to Montgomery and everywhere in-between” donated to the benefit, whether silent auction items or in-kind.
    Gary West provided music for the event, and Odenthal Meats provided the pulled pork for the sandwich dinners.

Marlene Joanne Hanek, age 84, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague.

    Montgomery resident Erin Barry is a single mother of three children who took a journey for more than ten years of writing her first book titled simply, “Live Your Truth: Reconnect to Your Inner Wisdom. Create the Life You Love.” 

    Tri-City United (TCU) junior Tucker Skluzacek will be making his second Class AA State Wrestling Tournament appearance after winning the 145 pound weight class in the Section 2aA Tournament Feb. 21 in Delano.
    Skluzacek advanced to State in 2024 and placed 5th as a freshman.
    He was the top finisher among the 10 Titan wrestlers who competed at Sections.

    For over twenty years, the Roadless Rule has helped protect more than 58 million acres of our national forests from harmful road building and big industrial projects. At the same time, these public lands have stayed open for everyone to enjoy.
    My family has fought wildfires in northern Minnesota for generations, so I have seen firsthand how these protections help keep our forests healthy and support our communities’ way of life.

    VFW Department of Minnesota Commander Ed Keogh and Thumbprint Memoirs Dianne Traxler still have funds to record more history of Montgomery from you, the residents and businesses of Montgomery and the surrounding countryside.

Heading into the state tournament, New Prague High School’s cooperative floor hockey team seems ready to begin a strong defense of its state championship from a year ago.

The opening round is the big question mark. New Prague will face Shakopee-Prior Lake-Chaska-Chanhassen tomorrow evening, Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m., at Bloomington Jefferson High School’s activities center. See the team congratulations page in the print edition for the bracket information.

To the Editor,
    This letter is written in response to Rep. Terry Stier’s article on federal immigration enforcement published in the Feb. 5, 2026, edition of The New Prague Times (and Montgomery Messenger). Rep. Stier outlines his law enforcement background and his preference for behind-the-scenes engagement with federal agencies rather than public confrontation, a perspective shaped by his years as a police chief and legislator.

    Over the past several weeks, I have received a significant number of calls, emails, and messages regarding increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota, including Operation Metro Surge. Many of you have reached out with questions, concerns, and differing opinions. I want to provide a clear update on what I am doing, why I am doing it, and where things currently stand.

Max Prange, age 35, of New Prague, peacefully went with God after receiving his final blessing surrounded by family after a sudden illness on February 16, 2026. Max was born into his earthly life on February 19, 1990, and was raised on a dairy and crop farm in rural Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Throughout his years he treasured his generational family farm; he grew a love for the land and the animals. He developed a strong work ethic that would stay with him throughout his life. Max succeeded at everything he did.

Evan Skluzacek was named the 2026 Masopust King near the conclusion of Montgomery’s annual Masopust, or Czech Mardi Gras celebration, on Feb. 15.
    The event was held at The Revival on Main with a large crowd attending.
    Skluzacek was crowned by the past year’s Masopust King, Isaak Worm, who received a $500 scholarship from the Montgomery Lions Club for his reign.

Harvey Eugene Chapman, age 85, of Montgomery, MN, passed away peacefully in his favorite chair on his farm on February 16, 2026.