According to the New Prague Police Department a juvenile male was approached by a stranger the morning of Tuesday, March 17.
  New Prague Police Chief Jim Gareis said around 10 a.m. a police officer was approached by a parent asking the officer to talk with a juvenile male. The youngster told the officer that an adult male in a newer Chevy Silverado cab pickup stopped the boy while riding on his bike at Heritage Park near Lexington Avenue N. The male offered the boy some cookies and a candy bar. The boy immediately left the area and told his parents.

The following press release was received Mon. March 16:
“COVID19 - March 16, Letter to the Community
New Prague Area Schools Families: 
We continue to work through issues around the two-week closure, March 16th through March 27th, to prepare our plan for delivering distance learning, if that is required.  We want to keep you informed of new information or changes as they occur. 
SCHOOL BUILDINGS OPEN TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH

Mayo Clinic Health System in New Prague now offers a drive-through screening process for patients who meet criteria for COVID-19 testing. Transmissions of COVID-19 are increasing statewide and across the nation and other institutions have successfully used the drive-through approach.
According to a press release, as a first step, patients must call their Mayo Clinic Health System primary care clinic. A provider or nurse will determine if patients meet criteria and will schedule a drive-through test.

Richard (Dick) Myles Kadrlik, age 74, of Rosemount passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Dick grew up in New Prague, MN and settled in Rosemount, MN with his family. He worked as a Cement Finisher and was a proud member of the Cement Masons Union. During his retirement he enjoyed yard work, going to car shows and making concrete lawn décor.  He also enjoyed meeting his buddies for coffee and laughing at Bill Maher on Friday nights.

Lanny F. Holzer, of Jordan passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020 at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan at the age of 90. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10 from 4-7 pm at Ballard Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, March 11 at 11am with visitation one-hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Full military honors will be provided by the Jordan Veteran’s Honor Guard. Pall-bearers will be Lanny’s grandchildren. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.

Gov. Tim Walz announced Sunday that all of Minnesota’s K-12 schools will close for eight school days starting Wednesday to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Walz and state Education Commissioner Mary Cathryn Ricker made the announcement Sunday morning in St. Paul.

Stanley J. Puncochar, age 92, of New Prague, died peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  Stanley was born on April 30, 1927 in Cedar Lake Township, Scott County to Joseph F.

Johnny Pasek, longtime resident of Prior Lake, passed away March 11, 2020 at the age of 80. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, March 17th at 11AM with a visitation at 9:30AM at Bethel’s Rock Church, 6300 212th Street West, Farmington. Johnny was laid to rest at Concord Hill Cemetery with Pastor Kent Boyum presiding.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Hallum, Roger Pasek, Mike Hallum, Stephen Pasek, Tom Raduenz, Jimmy Volek, Joe Volek, and Dawson Hallum. 

The Minnesota State High School League put out an announcement Friday regarding cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
Effective Immediately:
The Minnesota State High School League is immediately cancelling the Girls Basketball State Tournament.
Additionally, all Boys Section and State Basketball Tournaments have been cancelled.
Section Speech Tournament events for the week of March 15-21 have been postponed indefinitely.
The Adapted Floor Hockey games scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14 will NOT be played either.

EVENT CANCELLATIONS

The Polka Dance Party scheduled for Friday, March 13 at the Central Education Campus in New Prague has been canceled. We are following the Minnesota Department of Health's recommendation to not have large group activities. Please pass this information on to anyone that may have been interested in attending.

Richard J. “Dick” Eischens, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at Amara Hospice in Edinberg, Texas.  Dick was born on September 27, 1931 in New Prague to John and Mary (Svoboda) Eischens.  He attended St. Benedict Parochial School, graduated from New Prague High School, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas.  He worked for Northern States Power as the manager of the testing lab for 34 years.  He married the love of his life, Annette G.

UPDATED March 13, 2020- The Adapted Floor Hockey games scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14 will NOT be played.

Elementary students from across New Prague Area Schools were able to show off their creativity with an assortment of projects at the Elementary Science Fair on Saturday, March 7. Held at the New Prague Middle School gym there were 52 entries in the annual science fair.
“We had a fun day of science and engineering,” said Jodi Prchal, fourth grade teacher at Falcon Ridge, who helps organize the event with New Prague Community Education. She said of the 52 entries there was “a wide variety of very interesting projects!”

Apparently the Switzerland booth was the popular spot for some students during the Culture Fair at New Prague High School on Thursday, March 12. This was the third year for the Culture Fair at the high school, showing off the various countries and beliefs represented in New Prague. There were 19 booths with many focusing on an assortment of aspects of a country or region ranging from its music such as a concertina with the Czech Republic to karaoke in the Philippines. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)