Kathryn M. “Katie” Berg, age 40, died peacefully with her family by her side, just one day shy of her 41st birthday on April 9, 2021 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.  Katie was born on April 10, 1980 in New Prague to Paul and Mary Lee (Shonka) Berg.  She attended St. Wenceslaus School, graduated from New Prague High School, graduated from Argosy University in dental hygiene, and attained her B.S. from Minnesota State University Mankato.  Katie had an indomitable spirit, enjoying dance in her younger years and music all her life.

Woodrow Glazer, class of 2019 New Prague High School, continues his shotgun team career at Hillsdale College, MI. Hillsdale shotgun team brought home its Seventh Division III national championship title from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Collegiate Clay Target Championships in San Antonio, TX, on March 25-27. The team won the coveted Highest Overall (HOA) Division III Team award, breaking the most targets across all disciplines throughout the competition.

The City of New Prague will have the building located at 102 E. Main Street (containing The Consignment Lodge at 102 E. Main Street and Downtown Sound at 104 E. Main Street) posted as an unsafe structure and to be vacated (per MN Rules1300.0180) until further notice.

The Le Sueur County Commissioners cast their votes Tuesday, April 6 for their top candidates for the county administrator position.
The board was presented a list of nine candidates by DDA Human Resources Management Consultant Liza M. Donabauer, who has been working on the hiring process for the county.
The position was posted February 17 and four weeks later 30 individuals had applied. 14 of those applicants were selected as semifinalists. Of those, five withdrew their applications.

Gerald M. “Jerry” Anderson, age 59, of New Prague, died suddenly on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Jerry was born on March 17, 1962 in St. Peter, MN to Michael and Dorothy (David) Anderson.  He graduated from Le Center High School and Mankato State University.  Jerry married the love of his life, Lori L.

Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen was appointed to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), effective Monday, April 5. His appointment was among several board appointments recently announced by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.

It’s started. The reconstruction of New Prague’s Main Street began on Monday, April 5, with quite a bit of noise as crews were out sawing street pavement in preparation for its removal. There was also a lot of banging and crashing as machines dug up that street pavement. It’s definitely going to be a loud summer.

Take a Mom Fishing Weekend is the weekend before fishing opener
Fishing seasons open for walleye, bass, trout in lakes, and northern pike on Saturday, May 15, with this year’s date taking the prize for the latest possible opener under Minnesota statute.
“We know there is some confusion about this year’s opener date,” said Jon Hansen, fisheries program consultant for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Students from St. Wenceslaus School in New Prague worked on a challenge from the Minnesota Zoo to get their red panda, Min, out and about more.
Red pandas are omnivores, but can also exist on a bamboo diet, and are native to Asia’s high forests and are unfortunately an endangered species. Red pandas are slightly larger than a domestic cat with a bear-like body and thick russet fur.

Patricia Jean Krouse, 76, of New Prague, MN, passed away after a lengthy illness on April 5, 2021 with her husband by her side.

Crews break ground the morning of Monday, April 5, at the strip mall west of Coborn’s Marketplace. The project will add 4,800 square feet to the strip mall and expand the parking lot to the west towards Chalupsky Ave. SE. The construction value of the project is $425,203 for the “shell building” with the space finished when there is a tenant. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Jeanette D. Tupy, age 84, of New Prague, died peacefully Easter night, April 4, 2021 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living.  Jeannie was born on February 16, 1937 in Webster to Arthur D. and Julia (Voracek) Lexa.  She graduated from New Prague High School and before she was married, Jeannie worked as a nanny and in the kitchen at Queen of Peace Hospital.  She married Arnie L.

Frank Wergin, left, baptizes his son Jack being held by mom Allie during the Holy Saturday baptismal ceremony at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague. The Saturday, April 3, celebration included five families who were having their children baptized. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the ceremony was held outside with families separated and many wearing masks. For more on the celebration see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Helen C. (Ryan) Pomije, age 92, of New Prague, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home in the presence of her loving family on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

The Week of 4/5/2021:
Road Closure and Detour is expected to be in place prior to 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 5th.
On Monday, April 5th, the contractor (SM Hentges & Sons, Inc.) will be saw cutting pavement, curbs, and walks in preparation of removals to begin the next day.

I hope everyone will be able to celebrate Easter with either family or friends in some way this coming Sunday. It is the second year that the pandemic has affected how many of us celebrate the holiday.
Last year Easter was looking quite a bit different even from this year. There were still quite a bit of restrictions and more churches were holding electronic services or meeting in limited capacities. Many activities were cancelled due to the pandemic.