The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reported a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases in South Central Minnesota among young adults in their 20s who reported visiting bars and restaurants June 12 and 13, the first weekend they reopened.

If you mailed in your registration renewal and have not received your tabs due to processing delays, please contact use using this form: https://dps.mn.gov/…/Pages/dvsforms-registration-tabs-plate…
You will receive a verification letter via email to use as proof of registration renewal until your tabs arrive.
We also notified law enforcement that some Minnesotans will not receive their registration tabs before they are required to display the tabs on their license plates.

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church recently announced that Fr. Eugene Theisen has been named pastor of the New Prague church, effective Wednesday, July 1. Fr. Theisen’s Installment Mass will be held at 5 p.m. on July 1, at St. Wenceslaus Church, 215 Main St. E. The Mass will be live streamed on multiple platforms through the church’s website, its Facebook page and YouTube.

Area residents will still have a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July in 2020. While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in parades and other activities being cancelled, people will still be able to enjoy a few festivities and see the night sky lit up with a multitude of colors.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague will be doing an expansion of the south end of its building. The church at 1300 Main St. E will be adding 3,100 square feet for an administration wing.

Recently during a special mass at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg, Rose Marie Hauer was recognized for her 50 years as the church’s lead musician and organist. She was presented a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Father Eugene Theisen and Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
“It doesn’t seem that long,” said Rose Marie about serving her church that long. While she and husband, Don, live in Philipps Square senior apartments in New Prague now, they began the journey of music and faith together.

This coming Saturday, June 27, at Union Hill Ballpark, west of New Prague, at 5 p.m. the National Anthem will kick off the Fourth Annual Home Run Derby organized by Home Town Bats. This family friendly fundraiser features batters from the Dakota-Rice-Scott League and other leagues from across Minnesota hitting for the fences to see who can slam the most home runs.

FaithPoint Lutheran Church at 201 Central Ave. N in New Prague is offering face masks from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 27. People can prepare for Fourth of July activities by getting a mask. Area residents can stay in their cars and enter the church’s parking lot from the north. There will be two lines to serve people. Face masks for men, women and children will be available. Free will offering will be accepted to cover costs. The remainder of the masks will go the Peace Center in New Prague. The masks are sponsored by Sue’s Quilt Shop in New Prague and volunteers.

Residents of Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague enjoy a Father’s Day parade the afternoon of Sunday, June 21. More than 30 residents watched as more than 30 vehicles in all shapes, sizes and years went by to celebrate dads, plus a few moms. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic staff at the assisted living and nursing home had the parade to allow families to see each other. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Youth sports games and scrimmages can resume June 24 or later for outdoor sports, and July 1 or later for indoor sports.
The guidance seeks to balance the goals of minimizing disease transmission and allowing young people to engage in sports activities that have important physical, emotional, and social benefits. It also provides additional clarifications and recommendations for adult sports competitions this summer.
View the new sports guidance and answers to frequently asked questions at Community Settings: COVID-19.

The detour for the construction project along Main Street (Highway 19) in New Prague’s downtown has been postponed until further notice as a permit to work in the railroad’s right-of-way is experiencing a delay. Work through the railroad right-of-way is the critical first stage of project construction.

On June 15, 2020, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Scott County Dispatch received a report of a possible missing boater on Prior Lake.
The missing individual was reported to have not returned home last night from fishing and boating.  Law enforcement responded to the Knotty Oar Marina and located the missing individual’s unoccupied pontoon and cell phone on their boat slip, along with some personal belongings floating nearby in the water. 

On June 13, 2020 at 3:04 a.m., Scott County 911 Dispatch received a call of a residential garage on fire on the 25xxx block of Willow Lane in Helena Township.  
Police and fire were dispatched and upon arrival, witnessed the detached garage of a single-family residence fully engulfed in flames.  The fire had also spread to the home, a small shed, the nearby wooded areas, and several vehicles had caught fire.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire; however, damage to the buildings and vehicles was substantial.

A 59-year-old New Prague man was found dead on Lake Vermilion in St. Louis County on Thursday, June 11.
According to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, around 11:27 a.m. on June 11 St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies along with the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade, and Cook Ambulance responded to a water emergency on Lake Vermilion near the area of Norwegian Bay, which is located approximately 10 miles northeast of the town of Cook.

Main Street CLOSURE and DETOUR has been POSTPONED one more week to Monday, June 22nd, at which time the project detour is expected to go into effect.
While the need for the detour for Highway 19 project in New Prague is delayed again until Monday, June 22, motorists should be advised that some work in the areas of the shoulders and parking lanes will begin.  Officials ask that motorists watch out for workers, equipment and traffic control devices.

Full road closure at CH 2 and CH 91 intersection so crews can construct roundabout. Closure will last for approximately 10 weeks, weather permitting. Detour map shows both north/south and east/west options.
More information can be found here: www.scottcountymn.gov/1943