On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Erlin “Sandy” Rank of New Prague received the Ultimate Honor from members of New Prague American Legion Auxiliary Unit 45 and the New Prague Honor Guard at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.

The event recognizes military veterans for their service who are usually at the end of life, said Joni Tikalkaky, president of the auxiliary. “We give them a military blanket that represents the branch they served in,” Tikalsky said. Rank served in the Navy. He was a seaman apprentice-E2. Rank also received a certificate and a pin.

New Prague High School named its Homecoming king and queen candidates Friday, Sept. 18. King candidates are (back row, left to right) Evan Otremba, Nolan Laine, Carter Den Hartog, Grady Neisen, Spencer Bahn, Owen Johnson, Riley Krocak, Drew Britten; queen candidates are (front row, left to right) Claire Erickson, Kendall Hauck, Orelia Slavik, Summer Engel, Courtney Nelson, Sophia Lee, Mckenna Noble and Irelin Brockoff.

Tina Zackova (left), Marwan Qasim and (right) Youssef Shahin stopped in New Prague recently to visit the community after hearing about its Czech history. Zackova is full-blooded Czech and Qasim is serving a research fellowship for Mayo Health Systems in Rochester. The trio noted the mural along East Main Street – Bohemian Brass Band – artist Greg Preslicka, a New Prague native now living in Savage, completed updating the mural Sunday, Sept. 13. (John Mueller photo)

    A 911 call on Friday, Sept. 2, at MGM Apartments in Lonsdale, 321 Southeast 1st Avenue,  is a suspected suicide. 
    Lonsdale Police Chief Jason Schmitz said that a call came in at 12:09 p.m. for a welfare check by the person’s employer after they had not showed up to work the last three days.

After months preparing, Le Sueur County 4-H members showcased their accomplishments at the county Fair. 4-H youth prepare for the fair, taking care of their animals before and during the fair, working on projects, and learning new things.

    At first, it appeared as if Le Sueur County would need to set a considerable increase in levy rates going into next year. However, after months of work sessions, the county board of commissioners is now in good position to approve one of its lowest annual increases.
    The county had anticipated a large increase in property taxes because of changes to how the human services department is funded. The Federal government shifted the financial burden of funding the department to the state, as the state shifted much of the burden to the county level.

    Many around the area noticed the out-of-place Ferris wheel on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Next Chapter Winery between New Prague and Montgomery, especially after the lights came on at night.
    The Ferris wheel was rented by husband Jeff Nelson of the late Shonna Nelson, who passed away on Sept. 3, 2025 after a battle with cancer. It was part of “Shonna’s Yahrzeit.” A Yahrzeit, sometimes spelled jahrzeit, is a Yiddish word meaning “year time” and is a Jewish tradition that celebrates the anniversary of a loved one’s death, specifically a parent or near relative.

    His best days were spent on a dirt bike, on some other form of motorized machine or in the garage building or improving anything with a motor he could make run better. Levi Schelhaas died way too young doing exactly what he loved. And in his death, he helped other people enjoy life in their own way.

Like a child awaiting Christmas or a birthday, Elizabeth Johnson is looking forward to next Wednesday, the day elementary students return to class for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

She’s not one to openly discuss national or international politics or her opinions on how the administration is handling relations and trade balances with other countries.

Calvary Church of New Prague held outdoor Sunday worship services through the month of August with each Sunday service being blessed with good weather with sun and temperatures in the 80s most days. The tent was placed in a field south of Raven Stream Elementary School, which is land where the congregation plans to eventually build its church.

    Are you or farmers you work with looking for ways to reduce input costs while maintaining yield and improving resilience? 
    The University of Minnesota Extension and Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) are holding a free event — Strip Till Expo —  to learn about strip tillage. 

    St. Paul, Minn — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and partners in the Minnesota Farm Suicide Prevention Campaign are offering free mental health and suicide-prevention trainings in communities across Minnesota this fall. The workshops will teach people who live and work in agricultural communities how to recognize when someone may be struggling and help connect them with support.

    Mild weather gave the Le Sueur Free County Fair time to shine last week. The 169th annual fair was held Thursday through Sunday. 
    The fair had a 1950s car theme, which was apparent in the style and the many competitions held throughout the week — from kids pedal pull to the truck and tractor pull. Young and old had a contest they could participate in, and many spectators came out to cheer them on.
    Of course, there was a car show, where actual 1950s cars could display their beauty. In all, 120 cars participated in the show.

Friday, Aug. 7, was a busy day for Trygg Holliday as he managed the building of a prayer garden at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Elko New Market.

Part of his inspiration for the prayer garden is his dad, Timothy Holliday, who passed away four years ago. The small garden will have a bench where people can sit. A memorial plaque for Holliday’s dad will be placed on the bench. It was Timothy Holliday, plus Trygg’s grandmother, Darlene Thomas, who got Trygg involved in Boy Scout Troop 9111 out of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lakeville.