A young woman has died in a house explosion, Saturday, Feb. 26, according to Le Sueur Count Sheriff, Brett Mason.
While the woman’s identity has not been officially released, Facebook posts have indicated it was Kailey Mach.

In a statement to New Prague Area Schools staff and families, Superintendent Tim Dittberner addressed recent allegations of racial taunts. Due to the allegations the school districts of St. Louis Park and Robbinsdale announced they would not compete with New Prague.

Area residents who have concerns, questions or ideas about how to improve Highway 19 the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) wants to hear from you. MnDOT will be having a virtual open house from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2.

The Minnesota State High School League and other organizations are launching an initiative in light of recent events. In a statement released today:

Linda DeMann, age 69, of Northfield, passed away Thursday, February 17, 2022, in Northfield.
 

St. Louis Park High School announced this week that it will no longer compete this season against New Prague High School after an alleged racial incident at a Tuesday, Feb. 15, boys hockey game.
St. Louis Park Athletic Director Andrew Ewald sent a letter to New Prague AD Brad Skogerboe on Monday, Feb. 21, saying he's made the decision that the school "will not compete directly with New Prague High School as a result of the racist experience our boys hockey program was subject to.”

Ardelle A. Solheid, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, February 21, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Ardelle was born on December 15, 1940 in New Prague  to John T. and Anna A. (Pianko) Schoenecker.  She grew up in the Union Hill area, attended parochial school there, graduated from New Prague High School, and graduated from Minnesota School of Business in 1959.  Ardelle married Gerald “Oscar” Solheid at St.

A new face will soon be walking the halls of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague. Lauren Petersen joins the Holy Trinity staff on Tuesday, Feb. 22, as Director of Children, Youth & Family (CYF) Ministry.

She was an active toddler, a wall climber.
Now, she’s a ninja.
Ten-year-old Soumya Dohm, the daughter of Jeremy and Jessica Dohm of New Prague, is a member of Obstacle Academy’s Youth Ninja Team.
The ninja gym, which is located in Eden Prairie, is co-owned by two ninjas—Sarah Schoback of Hastings, who is known as one of the top females to ever compete on American Ninja Warrior, an NBC show featuring top athletes racing through challenging obstacle courses, and Hunter Guerard, who is better known as “The Lizard” on American Ninja Warrior.

The New Prague adapted floor hockey team defeated Burnsville/Lakeville/Farmington, 8-2, Monday, Feb. 7 to remain undefeated.
Ray Parker led the Trojan offense with four goals. Aaron Adamson and Dylan Raaen each scored two goals.

As we’re in the second decade of the 21st Century I think many of us have thought that the future would be different.

Rep. Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn. of Blue Earth, died Thursday night at age 59 of kidney cancer, his wife said in a Facebook post.
Hagedorn represented the Minnesota’s First Congressional District, that includes 21 counties from South Dakota to Wisconsin, along the Iowa border. The district covers much of the southern third of the state and includes Rochester, Austin and Mankato.

The New Prague girls basketball team dropped a pair of Metro West Conference games to St. Louis Park and Waconia last week.
St. Louis Park downed the Trojans, 66-52, Tuesday, Feb. 8. Waconia picked up a 64-40 win Friday, Feb. 11.
In the loss to Park, six different players scored five or more points, something which head coach Eric Specht was happy to see.
“I was really happy and proud of how our bench played,” Specht said. “They were given more minutes than usual and responded well. Those kids went in and competed. It was fun to see their energy.”

Father William Joseph Paron, age 78, of Waconia passed away Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 18, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Community (41 East 1st St. in Waconia. Archbishop Bernard Hebda presiding.  Concelebrants of the Mass are Father Stan Mader, Father Martin Shallbetter and Deacon Joseph Paron. Visitation held from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass at the church.  Interment Catholic Cemetery in Shakopee.  No lunch will be served.

Claims of racist taunts that were allegedly made during a girls basketball game in New Prague are being investigated. New Prague had a home game on Tuesday, Feb. 15, hosting Robbinsdale Cooper, with many players that are students of color. According to accounts it was a close game and as it neared its end students and adults in the New Prague section started making monkey noises. Some of the Robbinsdale Cooper coaches asked people in the crowd to stop.

Thomas F. Simon, age 75 of Lonsdale, passed away Friday, February 11th, 2022 at Reflections of Three Links Care Center in Northfield. Tom was born on November 8th, 1946 in Northfield, Minnesota to Raymond & Ann Skluzacek Simon.