Irene Brown, age 90 of Northfield, MN, passed away Thursday evening, January 21, 2021, at home.
Irene Cecelia Brown was born December 11, 1930, on the family farm in New Market, MN to William and Celia (Cervenka) Shimota. She was raised on the family farm, and baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. She attended country school and graduated from New Prague High School in 1948. Following her education she had various jobs including working at Dayton’s in downtown Minneapolis.

A man faces murder and arson charges after a fire on Sunday morning.
According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, on Sunday Jan. 24, 2021, at approximately 7:15 a.m. the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a structure fire at 37722 Hunting Preserve Lane in Le Center.
Investigation into the incident revealed the deceased body of an adult male believed to be Bruce Alan Traxler, 64, who lived at the address.
Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Hardy Robert Wills-Traxler, 25, of Le Center.

John M. Sirek, age 78, of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Center.  John was born on December 11, 1942 on the family farm to Mathias Thomas and Bessie A.

A pay-it-forward challenge is rapidly spreading through New Prague, and local businesses couldn’t be happier.
The challenge, which involves an individual receiving a gift card to a local business then buying multiple gift cards to local businesses and gifting them to friends (challenging them to keep the cycle going), has bolstered local businesses struggling during the pandemic—and has provided a good dose of positive...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 21, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Residents and staff at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living in New Prague and police and fire departments in New Prague and Elko New Market have begun to get the vaccination for COVID-19.
Lydia Rasmussen of Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living said they had a clinic on...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 21, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I miss being able to actually go to a movie theater. To me there is almost this magic to the entire experience. From getting a popcorn and sitting in a darkened theater and just putting my entire attention on what is happening on this huge screen. Watching the images flash by and the reactions it creates for me and everyone around me.

The New Prague Snow Drifters, the local snowmobile club that maintains area snowmobile trails, took time this fall and early winter to convert an old grain bin into a warming shelter for snowmobilers.
Club member Brian Jindra said they began discussions this summer. The club’s Trail Coordinators, the Groomer Committee and board members continued talks about a...
To see more on this story, pick up the January 21, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times and Montgomery Messenger.

Barbara Jean Shoemaker, 82, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother passed away January 13, 2021. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 4, 1938. Barbara was the daughter of the late Steven & Helen Friendt (Miller). Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter Francis Shoemaker.

Richard (Rick) Vanasek, MD, 76, passed away Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021, at Reflections on the Three Links Campus in Northfield.

Arden Wesley Hull, age 87, died Monday, January 4 at his home in New Prague, MN surrounded by his children and grandchildren. 
He was married to his one true love Darlene Frances Swanson for 64 years. 
Arden is survived by his children, Vicki (Jacob) Sells, Kathie Hull, Debbie (Mark) Wheeler, David Hull, and Patti Gilster; his eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; his sisters-in-law, LaRie Hull and Carol (Hull) Carlson, many loving nieces and nephews and countless friends. 

The WINTER STORM WATCH has now been elevated to a WINTER STORM WARNING which will go into effect TODAY (Thursday) at NOON through FRIDAY evening at 6 p.m.
Key Points:
- Snow is expected today, with total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches possible.
- Winds may gust as high as 35 miles per hour.
- Travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
- If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

The City of New Prague notified residents today of a power outage at 12:30 p.m. today.

Many who have read this opinion piece in the last year have seen that more often than not I’ve tried to keep it light and sometimes attempt to provide something for people to smile about. Some might wonder why with the state of our world. All the things that are going on, the COVID-19 pandemic, riots, people facing unemployment, homelessness, whether they can afford meals or if their medical bills will be overwhelming. With all that in the world why am I still trying to do something positive?

Scott County Public Health will be continuing to hold testing for COVID-19 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague through the month of January. There will be two more testing dates at the KC Hall, 411 11th Ave. SW, next to the Dairy Queen in New Prague. The remaining two dates are Monday, Jan. 18, and Monday, Jan. 25, both will be held from 2-5 p.m. The testing is open to everyone age 2 or older, whether or not they have symptoms and are free with no insurance needed.

New Prague American Legion Post 45 will host a Blood Drive for Memorial Blood Centers from 12-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The Blood Drive will be held inside the Club Room at the American Legion, 300 Lexington Ave. S in New Prague. To sign up, go to www.mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 4900 or call 1-888-448-3253 or contact Alicia at 612-283-7150. To save time, people can complete a health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation at mbc.org/donate.

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a variety of free online peer support groups for adults and young adults living with a mental illness, their families, friends, spouses/partners, as well as parents of children and teens. Led by trained peer facilitators, the support groups help individuals and families learn coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences.