More than 150 people, mostly children with their families, celebrated the new year early with a ball drop at noon during the second annual Noon Year’s Eve Ball Drop Sunday, Dec. 31, at Eagle View Elementary School in Elko New Market.
“It seemed like a bigger crowd than last year,” said Pastor Gordon Deuel of Crossroads Church, which hosted the event. “We had a good crew of volunteers and something fur for all ages.”

Although the little steps toward getting better aren’t yet showing up in the win-loss column, the New Prague girls’ ice hockey team is taking small steps the Trojans hope will show up as they head into the conference season.
With about a month left in its season, New Prague is hoping for a turnaround. The Trojans need to win some games to receive a better seed, one that will spare them an opening round match against a powerhouse like Minnetonka. A year ago, the Trojans fell in their opening section game, 14-1, to a Minnetonka team that reached the state tournament.

The American Legion in Montgomery has had a banner out front for a few weeks now advertising a new restaurant coming called Taco Terco. It is a partnership between the Legion and Taco Terco’s owners, Chef Daniel Garza and his wife Cara Sutton. The restaurant is set to open in the first part of January 2024.

Clarence Gosewisch, age 99, of Bloomington passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Clarence spent his final days at the N. C. Little Hospice House surrounded by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Eleanor; his wife Donna and brothers, Howard and Don. He is survived by his sister Betty, sister-in-law Loretta, long time companion and dear friend Peggy as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary T. Bartusek, age 91 of Lonsdale passed away December 25, 2023. Mary was born October 13, 1932, to Thomas and Emma Voracek.
Mary was married on Sept. 16, 1952, to Charles Bartusek in Lonsdale and raised their family near New Prague. They moved to Shieldsville and owned Charlie's Supper Club, then retired in Faribault.
She enjoyed playing cards, reading, crossword puzzles, and quilting. Mary was a member of KC Ladies Auxiliary, regent of the Daughters of Isabelle, and sang as a member of Montgomery Czech singers.

(June 29, 1958 - December 24, 2023 )
Kenneth D. Vosejpka, age 65 of Lonsdale passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on December 24, 2023.  Ken loved his family and would do anything for them.  Ken was a master at the grill and always had a cold beer in the refrigerator for anyone who stopped by the man shed. Ken enjoyed listening to the Monkees and Christmas music all year long. Ken was also a collector of many things and found lots of joy in his pennies. So next time you see a penny, pick it up and think of Ken.

Diana Turek, age 65 of Montgomery, was found deceased in her vehicle in front of Edel’s Meat Market at 116 1st Street North in Montgomery Thursday, Dec. 21.
A female customer arriving at the meat market noticed Turek in the vehicle and knocked on the window but got no response. She made a call to 911 at about 3:22 p.m.
Montgomery Police Officer Sladek was dispatched, arrived on scene and advised dispatch to send Montgomery Area EMS. Officer Sladek found Turek in her vehicle. He checked for vital signs and advised dispatch to cancel EMS as she was deceased.

Diana Mary Turek, age 65, of Montgomery, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 21, 2023. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Prayer service will follow at 2:00 p.m all at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery, MN.

Daniel Michael Borchardt, age 57, of Montgomery passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023, at his home. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at the Le Center Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation one hour prior, all at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center, MN, with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating. Interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Le Center, MN.

New Prague airman finished the mission to make it home in time
He tried not to dwell on the upcoming holiday with his wife and children back half way around the world. Instead, Master Sgt. Brad Miller focused on his work each day and maintained confidence he and his fellow airmen would be home for Christmas.

Mental mistakes and struggles in ballhandling were costly for the boys’ basketball team as New Prague lost two home games. The Trojans lost to Centennial, 56- 51, Tuesday, Dec. 12, and to Worthington, 67-49, Friday, Dec. 15.
New Prague was on the road this week, first at Byron, Tuesday, Dec. 19. The next game is at St. Peter, tonight (Thursday), at 7:15 p.m. The Trojans will be at Lakeville North’s invitational beginning Thursday, Dec. 28.

After a much-needed win, New Prague High School’s girls’ hockey team drop a pair of tough setbacks in the past week.
Despite the losses, coach Madison Drazan sees her team continuing to work hard and putting forth the effort. Drazan wants her team to continue to press for the gritty goals, the type of goals where forwards bang a rebound by a goalie who just made the initial save.
“They’re not the prettiest, but we’ve got to be ready to score the ugly goals,” Drazan said.

After rebounding from a tough loss, New Prague High School’s boys’ ice hockey team is playing well and rolling. It might not be a time to rest for the holiday break.
But New Prague coach Brad Drazan said the team will work on some of the nagging little things that still need to be cleaned up heading into the meaty part of the schedule where the Trojans will face Metro West teams. He’s planning practices over the break, workouts that include a 3-against-3 tournament.

One thing I’ve sometimes found baffling are people who make comments at public meetings and then don’t want it reported on. It’s the one word, “public,” that some people forget is in that aspect of a meeting.

Kyle Daniel Clark, age 39, of Montgomery, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, December 17, 2023.  Kyle was born on January 10, 1984, in Minneapolis to Kevin D. and Gail J. (Schneider) Clark.  He grew up in Lonsdale and graduated from Montgomery High School.  He continued his education in the electrical curriculum at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Jackson to get his Associate Arts Degree.  He  went to Denver, Colorado, to further his education towards his journeyman license.  

Le Sueur County passed a levy and budget for 2024 at the County Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 12.
After breezing through monthly business, the levy and budget section of the meeting was convened after an hour recess.
County Administrator Joe Martin first gave a presentation breaking down user fees, highlighting the increases for the next year. No commentary was given by the public once the floor was opened. On a motion by David Preisler, second by David Gliszinski the user fee changes were unanimously approved.