Crews from Lakers New Prague Sanitary, Inc. were busy the morning of Saturday, June 6, unloading vehicles that brought debris to be disposed of during the City Wide Clean-up. Held from 6:30 a.m. to noon New Prague residents were driving up to 302 Second St. NW with vehicles filled with articles to be dropped off. This was the first year where curbside pick up was not being done, unless cleared with Lakers New Prague Sanitary, Inc. beforehand. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Between 7-9am. Be prepared to stop at the Highway 169/41/78 intersection. The intersection will be in a temporary four-way stop condition while crews complete nearby ramp work.

Forest Dale Lehman, 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4,2020. He was a long time resident of New Prague, MN. He was born June 13, 1929 in Tigerton, WI to Paul & Mary (Prahl) Lehman. He entered the US Air Force after graduating from high school and served for 6 years.  During the time he was stationed in Japan, he met the love of his life, Kura and they married March 18, 1952 in Tokyo, Japan. They eventually ended up living in New Prague on a farm. Forest worked at Roberts Automatic Products as a machinist for 29 years.

Governor Tim Walz today announced Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020. Customers and employees will be either strongly recommended or required to wear masks and will be required to adhere to appropriate social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
 

Joe Moravchik of Lonsdale has been busy as he has been running a campaign for the Minnesota House 20B seat. On the evening of Thursday, May 21, the first time candidate was endorsed by the Republican Party for Minnesota House District 20B, which includes Le Sueur and Rice counties. He received 87 percent on the first ballot, easily surpassing the 60 percent threshold needed for endorsement.

After much deliberation and careful monitoring of the current situation, the Lonsdale Chamber and Lonsdale Community Day Committee members canceled Lonsdale Community Day Festival 2020.
In a press release on June 2, Shanna Gutzke-Kupp, festival chair, said chamber and committee members had hoped it would be possible to bring the festival on August 8 with adjusted events, but too many unknowns from COVID-19 are making it impossible.

Jack Webster, 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2020, at the Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna, MN, following a well-fought battle with cancer.
Webster was born in rural Pottawatomie County, Kansas on March 11, 1934 near the small town of Cleburne, to James and Bessie (Harter) Webster. He attended the one-room Belgrade Rural Grade School for six years, then graduated from Cleburne Elementary School in 1948. Webster attended, and graduated from, Cleburne Rural High School in 1952.

6/5/20 UPDATE The Highway 19 New Prague project has been postponed until June 15.
Motorists traveling Highway 19 through New Prague can expect a detour beginning Monday, June 8 as a major reconstruction of Main Street through the downtown begins.  A detour for Highway 19 traffic will remain in place until the end of the construction season and resume again in 2021, but access to the business district will be provided throughout the project.

The New Prague community came together to help the New Prague High School graduates of the Class of 2020 celebrate on Sunday, May 31, with a parade. Graduates wave as the parade makes it way down First Avenue NE. The parade went through several neighborhoods in the community with many people coming out to wave, hold up signs and shout congratulations to the graduates. For more see a print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

After more than two months of its government buildings being closed to the public, Le Sueur County is reopening most of its offices and specific services on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 8 a.m. with the exception of Court Administration, which will be open to the public on June 8, 2020.
According to a press release Friday, the county is taking a cautious, phased approach to reopening and implementing new processes and procedures to protect the health and safety of employees and the community.

Smisek, Julia A., age 88 of Lonsdale, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020.
Preceded in death by her husband, Robert; granddaughter, Rachel Bastyr; parents, William and Elsie Kalal; siblings, Raymond and Milton Kalal and Helen Smisek. Survived by her children, Gayleen (Garth) Cockerell, Robert (Laura) Smisek, Rodney (Kim) Smisek, Charli (Lenny) Bastyr, Roger (Linda) Smisek, and Eileen (Charles) Shimota; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Earl (Theresa) Kalal and brother-in-law, Arnie (Mary) Smisek; also by other loving relatives and friends.

This includes The New Prague Times, Montgomery Messenger and LifeEnterprise offices.
We look forward to seeing you!

Eugene J. Flicek, age 77, of North Mankato, died on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living, North Mankato. 
No services are being held.  Cards and flowers may be sent to the family.  Condolences can be left online for the family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation and its impact on the community, the fair board has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Scott County Fair.   With the current restrictions and unknown future in regard to large group gatherings and required policies and requirements, our hearts are heavy knowing that we cannot come together for our annual celebration of agriculture, education and entertainment.

MnDOT will be doing maintenance work on Highway 19 east of New Prague. Metro MnDOT is in charge of the work that will begin at Redwing Avenue and go east to the intersection of Highways 19 and 13. The work is scheduled to be completed within the next week and is a separate project from the reconstruction of New Prague’s Main Street. Motorists will want to take caution as there will be single lane traffic on Monday, June 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Mahowald, George A., age 90, passed away May 26, 2020, at his family farm in rural New Market, MN. George was born August 7, 1929 in Chatfield, MN to George J. and Beatrice (Zweber) Mahowald and moved to New Market in 1935, where both sides of his family have deep roots.