New Prague city crews and staff from Vic’s Crane & Heavy Haul Inc., were busy on Monday, June 3, along Columbus Avenue SE. Residents could see the huge crane brought in to lift the old substation transformer out and install a new transformer.

The New Prague Trojan boys track and field team ended its season Friday, May 31, at the Section 2AA meet. While the Trojans did not advance any athletes to the state meet, Coach Nick Meyer said that the team had a strong showing on the Gustavus Adolphus College track.
“We had one of our best team performances of 2019,” Meyer said. “We were proud of the energy that our athletes brought to the competition, and it was fun to see so many of our athletes reach their goals and show improvement.

The Czech Heritage Club invites young and old to join them in learning about the kroje, the Czech ethnic dress. This presentation will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at the New Prague City Hall.
Anne Jans will be presenting her Kroje collection from the different regions of the Czech Republic. 

Softball team fought hard in both of their games at last week’s state tournament, but came up short in both as they went 0-2 in the tournament at Chanhassen High School.
The Trojans opened with a 9-4 loss to eventual tournament champion Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville and then lost 8-6 to St. Cloud. The team, which includes players from New Prague, Tri-City United, Belle Plaine and Jordan schools, ended their season with a 4-6 record.

New Market and St. Patrick remain unbeaten and atop the Dakota- Rice-Scott standings through games of June 2. The Muskies claimed two wins last week, over Union Hill and Webster, while the Irish defeated Lonsdale.

Needing just one win to earn a berth in the state tournament, the New Prague Trojan baseball team faced Lakeville North for the Section 1AAAA championship Tuesday, June 4, in Dundas.
Rain delayed the start of the game two hours, and the Trojans held a 2-0 lead going into the top of the fifth, when rain started falling again.
The Panthers scored four runs in the inning to take a 4-2 lead. As the rain continued, the Trojans batted in the bottom of the fifth, but couldn't score, and the game went into a rain delay.

Walter W. Kohoutek, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at his home.  Walter was born on December 27, 1927 in New Prague to Frank and Anna (Shimota) Kohoutek.  He attended  St. Wenceslaus School and New Prague High School and then entered the US Navy  where he was a Seabee on the USS JP Kennedy, serving in WWII.  Walter married the love of his life, Georgean Pauly on June 29, 1949 at St.

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.

A New Prague city worker cleans out one of two stopped up storm drains along Main Street, near the intersection with Pershing Avenue NE around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4. A storm that rolled through New Prague and surrounding communities left damage in its wake with trees and branches toppled. The storm was a mixture of heavy rain, golf ball size hail and winds clocked at 85 miles per hour. Plus there was a tornado warning in the Prior Lake area. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

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.

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.

Joshua David Bastyr passed away unexpectedly on Thursday May 30th, 2019 in his hometown of New Prague, MN. He lived his life as a loving father, son, brother, partner and friend.
He is survived by his son Hunter Bastyr, parents Pamela Hallum and David Bastyr (Mariah), brother Derek (fiancé Diane Vo), stepbrother Taylor Flicek, grandfather Jerry Hallum, grandmother Evelyn Bastyr, and partner Shawn Novotny.
You will be forever loved, missed and remembered.

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.