After an early-season setback to the defending state champion, the Trojans’ floor hockey team are continuing to improve their overall game. “Overall, I like where we are at and I feel confident this team can make a push down the stretch to compete for another state tournament berth and hopefully compete for another state title, said coach Jeremy Kalal.
At 5-1, the Trojans travel to East Ridge High School today, Thursday, Feb. 8, to face South Washington County. Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Trojans will host Stillwater at 4:30 p.m. in the New Prague Community Center gym.

Evelyn T. Simon, age 92, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side, on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Evelyn was born on October 15, 1931, in Webster, Rice County, to Frank and Agnes (Trenda) Rezac. She graduated from New Prague High School and married John M. Simon on June 2, 1951, in Norfolk, VA. 
 John and Evelyn owned and operated Simon’s Bar but in addition, Evelyn worked as a nursing assistant at Queen of Peace Hospital and Mala Strana Nursing Home. 

Robert Herrmann was born to Ervin and Betty Herrmann on October 24, 1964. He departed this earthly life on Monday, January 22, 2024.

John Mueller
news@newpraguetimes.com
A former school board member from another community and a previous candidate for the New Prague School Board who came up short in 2022 and two others are seeking the appointment to an open school board seat share a common belief and commitment to students and their education.

Evonne M.

Joel Delbert Loose, age 64, of New Prague passed away at home on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Joel was preceded in death by his father, David Leonard Loose and sister Paula Jean Loose. He is survived by his wife Christine (Anderson) of New Prague, sons, David Loose of Minneapolis, MN and Braeden Loose of Hopkins, MN, daughter AnnaMarie Loose of Seattle, WA, mother Rosemarie Loose of Pipestone, MN, siblings Brian (Marine) Loose of Kaufman, TX,  Erin Hansen (Chuck) of Scottsdale, AZ, Neil Loose of Kaufman, TX and Angela Stephenson (Steve) of Wheaton, IL ; many nieces and nephews.

Francis “Fritz” Lambrecht, age 82, of rural Henderson, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Ridgeview Sibley Medical Center in Arlington. Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 9, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Fr. Chris Shoffner will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at church on Friday morning. Military Rites will immediately follow the service in front of the church, followed by a luncheon in the church social hall. Interment will be at a later date.

New Prague High School’s Peter Arita, left, was crowned Snoball king and Destiney Lofton was crowned queen during a Friday, Feb. 2, pep fest in the high school gym. The coronation was a highlight for the annual celebration at the high school. A dance will be held Saturday evening, Feb. 3, in the high school gym. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

New Prague’s swimmers have reason to enjoy growing confidence as the schedule turns the final leg of the regular season.
The Trojans earned their first-ever dual meet win over Benilde-St. Margaret’s Thursday, Jan. 25. With two meets left before a 20-day layoff before the section meet Feb. 21-22 in Lakeville, coach Dakota Becerra said the team’s hard work and talent are coming together to pay dividends.

Nicole Thietje, New Prague High School’s choral director, was recently named the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s High School Music Educator of the Year. Thietje will receive the award during the opening day, Thursday, Feb. 15, of the Minnesota Music Educators Association’s convention. She was also chosen by the Minnesota Music Educators Association to conduct the SopranoAlto Choir for this year's all-state program.

With two regular-season games left to play before the section playoffs commence, the New Prague High School girls’ ice hockey team is working to build as much momentum and confidence as possible before the section playoffs open.
At 3-18-2 overall, the Trojans expect to play a top-seeded team in the section playoffs. Their aim is to enter the section playoffs playing at the top of their game regardless of their opponent.

Judge hears testimony on plan; PUC will decide route this spring
Great River Energy’s proposed reroute of an electric power line has residents along Baseline Avenue and Highway 19 angry and frustrated the company selected a route they claim will negatively impact their homes and businesses.

After splitting its first two games, the New Prague floor hockey team has enjoyed surge, overwhelming opponents with plenty of offensive and solid defensive play as well.
The Trojans have scored 29 goals in three games. The most recent, a 13-goal effort against Owatonna, is a sign the Trojans’ offense is rounding into form. The win improved the Trojans’ record to 3-1.
New Prague played Chaska/Chanhassen/Shakopee/ Prior Lake co-operative team Tuesday, Jan. 30, after The New Prague Times went to press. Today,Thursday, Feb. 1, New Prague will host South Suburban at 4:30 p.m.

New Prague High School’s one-act play troupe won the subsection championship for the fifth straight year Saturday, Jan. 27, during competition in the high school’s auditorium. New Prague won with the comedy “Middle School Dating Game” by Jennifer McVetty.
Director Allie Meyer said New Prague moves on to compete at the Section 2AA finals at Minnetonka Saturday, Feb. 3. If the New Prague troupe wins Feb. 3, it advances to the state competition Thursday and Friday, Feb. 8 and 9, at O’Shoughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

New Prague needs improvements for its post office building. The current owners of the building have a lease with the United States Postal Service that runs through February of 2025.
That’s the easy part.

A two-vehicle crash called into Le Sueur County Sheriff’s dispatch at 5:59 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, at the intersection of Le Sueur County Roads 3 and 28 ends in minor injuries.
According to the incident report from the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office, a white 2014 Chevy Silverado traveling westbound on County 28, driven by 20-year-old Addison Hartshorn of New Prague, was struck on the passenger side by a red 2017 Ford Escape, driven by 20-year-old Maxim Lee of New Prague.