A man from Belle Plaine died in a boating accident on Saturday in Le Sueur County.
According to Le Sueur County Sheriff Brett Mason, deputies responded to a call at 9:45 a.m. on November 28, 2020, at the Clear Lake public access in Lexington Township for a report of a capsized duck hunting boat.
Upon arrival deputies located Nicholas Jeffrey Brooks, 29, of Belle Plaine sitting on top of the overturned duck boat.
Jeffrey Ernest Brooks, 55, of Belle Plaine, was found floating in the water several yards from the overturned boat.

Harlan B. Stevens, age 73, of Elko passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020, at Pleasant Manner Care Center in Faribault with his family at his side.

The shortened season ended for the New Prague football team Tuesday, Nov. 17.
The Trojans were defeated by Waconia, 27-7, in the Section 2AAAAA Quarterfinals.
Waconia entered the game as the No. 4 seed in the Section with a 4-3 record. New Prague was the No. 5 seed with a 2-2 record.
Matt Friedges scored the lone touchdown for the Trojans in the first half, a half in which head coach Jacob Norby said his team played very well in.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague continued its tradition of providing Thanksgiving meals for families and individuals on Sunday, Nov. 22, but there were some changes. Due to the pandemic the church had people drive through the church’s parking lot where volunteers put the ready to make free meals in vehicles’ trunks.
“We wanted to do something this year since we couldn’t do the usual,” said Donna Galvin, Hospitality Coordinator at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

This is has been a difficult year, there is no argument there. It has been a year that has tested people’s resolve, their good humor, and for some their faith. Even with everything that has happened this year there are still things to be thankful for.

Santa chats with Teagan, center, and her brother Reed, at Cedar Brook Garden Center on Saturday, Nov. 21. The business north of New Prague had Santa visit with children on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22. Santa asked children what they wanted for Christmas, if they had been good and how Mrs. Claus was back at the North Pole making sure the elves would have the presents ready. Children kept their distance and several wore masks during their visit, which were spaced out. There were also...
To see more on this story pick up the November 26, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Effective Monday, November 30th, 2020, the Rice County Courthouse is closed due to recent surge of new cases of COVID-19 and increasing concerns for public health. 
Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued an Order Governing the Continuing Operations of the Minnesota Judicial Branch on November 20, 2020.  This order suspends all in-person court hearings until further notice.  Therefore, the courthouse will be closed to the public until in-person hearings resume. 

Ruth Spartz, age 82 of Montgomery, formerly of Northfield, passed away unexpectedly at the New Prague Hospital on Tuesday evening, November 24, 2020
Services will be 2:00PM, Thursday, December 3, 2020, at the Bierman Funeral Home.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Masks are required and the funeral home will assist with social distancing.
Arrangements are with the Bierman Funeral Home.  www.biermanfuneralhome.com

Wednesday, November 25, 2020, from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the New Market Town Hall, 8950 230th St. E. Lakevillle, MN 55024
See flyer attached to make an appointment.

Shirley Scheffert, 82, of Montgomery, passed away at her home on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.
Shirley was born on June 19, 1938, in New Prague to William and Helen (Kajer) Svobodny. She was a graduate of New Prague High School and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato where she received her LPN nursing degree.
Shirley was united in marriage to Karl J. Scheffert on May 14, 1960, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. Together, they raised five children: Mark, Scott, Mary Kaye, Donna and Susan.

Kathleen (Kay) Hartmann, age 81, of Jordan, MN, died peacefully in the presence of her family on November 19, 2020. Her influence as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, sibling and friend will be cherished. Nothing lit up Kay’s life more than when her children and grandchildren were around. They truly were her heartbeat and her legacy will live on through them.

New Prague’s Dennis Dvorak was recently named to the Minnesota Historical Society’s Honorary Council, which recognizes individuals for distinguished work in service of Minnesota history and advancement of the mission of the state historical society, which is “Using the power of history to transform lives” by preserving, sharing and connecting. Dvorak was being honored for his work with the New Prague Area Historical Society. The recognition came during the Minnesota Historical Society’s 171st annual meeting, which was held as a Zoom meeting due to the pandemic.

Wayne S. Mader, age 79, of Le Sueur, died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at St.