Elroy Milton Picha, 90, of Montgomery, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019, at Mayo Clinic Health System New Prague Hospital. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Mass of Christian Burial at 2:30 p.m. with Father Victor Valencia officiating. Burial will be at Trebon Cemetery.

The Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) began a new chapter on Monday.
After a year-long lawsuit where more than a dozen plaintiffs asked a judge to force transparency, a fair election and an examination of the society’s books, a new board of directors was elected.
A Nominating Committee put together a list of candidates, and the following people were officially elected: One-year terms - Bryce Stenzel, Mike Frederick, George Luskey, Richard Bennett; two-year terms - William Stangler, Dean Pettis, Lois Mack, Bonnie Reak and Ruth Collins.

Judith Mae Williams (Eddans) died peacefully on May 29th, at Belgrade Nursing Home in Belgrade, MN. She was born in Minneapolis, MN on October 4, 1944 to Charles and Jean Eddans. She was raised on the shores of Lake Minnewashta in Excelsior, MN. Judy married Carl Williams on October 7, 1967. Together they made their home in Webster, MN, where they raised their two children. Judy worked at Sears as a secretary, where she met Carl. She also filled various roles at New Prague Schools including paraprofessional, secretary, librarian, and finally worked in the copy shop.

James C. Mickus, age 85, of Savage died peacefully on May 29, 2019 at The Pillars Hospice Home in Oakdale.  Jim was born on December 7, 1933 in New Prague to Clement and Luverne (Nolden) Mickus.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, graduated from New Prague High School, attained his undergraduate degree from St. Thomas University, and his Masters and PhD from the University of Minnesota.  Jim taught chemistry at St. Thomas for 5 years and then worked in technical and commercial management for Cargill for 30 years.

Highway 93 from Highway 169 to Henderson opened over the weekend (June 1) after closing a fourth time on May 27 due to flooding on the Rush River.
Motorists are advised to continue to drive with caution along Highway 93 as flood waters are near the roadway. Speed limit is reduced to 50 mph and vehicles weights are reduced to 7 ton per axle until further notice.
Highway 19 from Henderson to Highway 169 remains closed due to flooding on the Minnesota River.
MnDOT crews will continue to monitor area highways, bridges and bluffs to ensure motorists safety.

Father Kevin Clinton, center, leaves St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague to a 43 bell salute from members of the bell choir and church choir on Sunday, June 2. Father Clinton is retiring and served at his last Mass on Sunday, after 45 years as a priest. A celebration of his retirement was held the evening of Saturday, June 1, with more than 300 people attending. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Trojan baseball team advanced to the Section 1AAAA championship game with a 4-1 win over Lakeville North Saturday, June 1, in Dundas.
New Prague will play at 5 p.m. against whatever team comes out of the loser’s bracket - Farmington, Rochester John Marshall, or Lakeville North - at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in Dundas. If the Trojans win that game, they will advance to the state tournament. If they lose, the two teams would play a second game to determine the section champion.

New Prague High School’s senior class of 2019 celebrate at the end of the graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 31, at Trojan Stadium as family and friends look on. The ceremony included music, the student address by Anne Zweber, an address from NPHS social studies teacher Allie Meyer and the awarding of diplomas. Of the 322 members of the senior class, 310 participated in Friday’s ceremonies. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The New Prague Trojan adapted softball team lost its opening round game in the State CI Adapted Softball Tournament Friday, May 31, at Chanhassen High School. The Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville Blazing Cats defeated them 9-4.
New Prague plays St. Cloud in the consolation round at 9 a.m. Saturday at Chanhassen. If they win that game they play in the consolation championship at
1:45 p.m.

Aidan McLoone and Samantha Kubes qualified for the State Class AA Girls Track and Field meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8 at Hamline University.
At the Section 2AA meet in St. Peter, Kubes won the shot put with a toss of 36 feet, 9 inches. McLoone placed second in the long jump on Wednesday, with a leap of 16-11.75, and in the triple jump on Friday, with a leap of 35-7.25.
The girls finished fifth as a team. Waseca won the section championship.

Falcon Ridge Elementary School teacher Cindy McNab, left, received the Paul Flick Silver Apple Award from Roseann Flick, widow of former school administrator Paul Flick, during the New Prague Area Schools' Year-End Celebration Friday, May 31. McNab has not only taught in the same building - formerly known as New Prague Elementary - for 34 years, she also attended school in that building starting in second grade, when it first opened, and student-taught there as well.

Shirley A. Sticha, age 61, of Webster, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. Shirley was born on September 25, 1957 in New Prague to William and Bernadine (Kubes) Svoboda. She attended St. Nicholas Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. Shirley married the love of her life, Charles A. “Charlie” Sticha on September 19, 1978 at St. Nicholas Church in New Market. The couple made their home in Webster where they raised their three children.

The Minnesota Legislature finished its business for 2019 last week, with a special session that wrapped up Saturday morning, with all of the necessary budget bills passed and expected to be signed by Gov. Tim Walz.
As noted on this page last week, while a special session was needed to complete the work, it was still done in a timely manner, without much of the vitriol and grandstanding that we had become used to over the last six years.

On June 2, 1974 Father Kevin Clinton was ordained a priest at St. Paul Seminary, now 45 years later he will be holding his last Mass this Sunday, June 2, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague.

More rain meant more postponed games in the Dakota-Rice-Scott league this week.
Four league games were postponed earlier in the week, but the sun dried the fields so games were played Friday and Sunday, but Monday’s Memorial Day deluge resulted in six more postponements. The nine games that were played saw nine different winners, ranging from a 38-hit, 25-run slugfest in which St. Patrick defeated Montgomery 13-12 to a pitcher’s duel that saw Prior Lake defeat Union Hill 2-0.

Braith Auto Repair and city officials held a ground breaking ceremony the morning of Thursday, May 23, in New Prague’s Industrial Park, just off of Highway 21. The ceremony was the latest step for the business, located outside of New Prague, to relocate into the community.
Howard Braith, owner of the business, and his family plan to build a 4,992 square foot mechanical repair shop on the 2.59 acres lot.