Montgomery resident Erin Barry is a single mother of three children who took a journey for more than ten years of writing her first book titled simply, “Live Your Truth: Reconnect to Your Inner Wisdom. Create the Life You Love.” 

    For over twenty years, the Roadless Rule has helped protect more than 58 million acres of our national forests from harmful road building and big industrial projects. At the same time, these public lands have stayed open for everyone to enjoy.
    My family has fought wildfires in northern Minnesota for generations, so I have seen firsthand how these protections help keep our forests healthy and support our communities’ way of life.

    VFW Department of Minnesota Commander Ed Keogh and Thumbprint Memoirs Dianne Traxler still have funds to record more history of Montgomery from you, the residents and businesses of Montgomery and the surrounding countryside.

To the Editor,
    This letter is written in response to Rep. Terry Stier’s article on federal immigration enforcement published in the Feb. 5, 2026, edition of The New Prague Times (and Montgomery Messenger). Rep. Stier outlines his law enforcement background and his preference for behind-the-scenes engagement with federal agencies rather than public confrontation, a perspective shaped by his years as a police chief and legislator.

    Tri-City United (TCU) junior Tucker Skluzacek will be making his second Class AA State Wrestling Tournament appearance after winning the 145 pound weight class in the Section 2aA Tournament Feb. 21 in Delano.
    Skluzacek advanced to State in 2024 and placed 5th as a freshman.
    He was the top finisher among the 10 Titan wrestlers who competed at Sections.

    Over the past several weeks, I have received a significant number of calls, emails, and messages regarding increased federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota, including Operation Metro Surge. Many of you have reached out with questions, concerns, and differing opinions. I want to provide a clear update on what I am doing, why I am doing it, and where things currently stand.

Heading into the state tournament, New Prague High School’s cooperative floor hockey team seems ready to begin a strong defense of its state championship from a year ago.

The opening round is the big question mark. New Prague will face Shakopee-Prior Lake-Chaska-Chanhassen tomorrow evening, Friday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m., at Bloomington Jefferson High School’s activities center. See the team congratulations page in the print edition for the bracket information.

Max Prange, age 35, of New Prague, peacefully went with God after receiving his final blessing surrounded by family after a sudden illness on February 16, 2026. Max was born into his earthly life on February 19, 1990, and was raised on a dairy and crop farm in rural Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Throughout his years he treasured his generational family farm; he grew a love for the land and the animals. He developed a strong work ethic that would stay with him throughout his life. Max succeeded at everything he did.

Evan Skluzacek was named the 2026 Masopust King near the conclusion of Montgomery’s annual Masopust, or Czech Mardi Gras celebration, on Feb. 15.
    The event was held at The Revival on Main with a large crowd attending.
    Skluzacek was crowned by the past year’s Masopust King, Isaak Worm, who received a $500 scholarship from the Montgomery Lions Club for his reign.

Harvey Eugene Chapman, age 85, of Montgomery, MN, passed away peacefully in his favorite chair on his farm on February 16, 2026.

City of Montgomery officials presented their updated plan to address what was a largely ballooning tax burden on the former timeline of the Street and Utility Improvement Plan (SUIP) and other infrastructure desires. 
    What was looming as a tripling of city taxes has now been knocked down to between 125% to about 175% of the current city taxes, evening the burden out for many years but adding to the overall cost long-term. 

    Local Montgomery and Lonsdale businesses and volunteers convened at the Revival on Main in Montgomery for the Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce’s (LACC) annual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
    The 80 attendees enjoyed a brief social period starting at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner with of a choice of three different entrees, catered from Pizzeria 201, and cupcakes for dessert,  provided by sponsors.

    The winter blues had nothing on Hibernation Celebration as it celebrated its eighth year on Jan. 31.
    Moving on to a more centralized bingo and raffle format, a crowd packed the space at Revival on Main and Rustic Farmer Saturday night for a night of drawings and fun.
    There were 400 tickets sold for the night’s big drawing, with a top prize of $10,000. Smaller cash amounts were also raffled off in the same drawing, down to a $500 prize.

    It was a week of redemption for the Minnesota River girls hockey team in the Section 2A Tournament.
    The Bulldogs avenged losses from a year ago on their way to their first Section Championship appearance ever.
    Minnesota River opened the Section 2A Playoffs with a 3-1 win over Willmar Thursday, Feb. 5 at Le Sueur. Willmar ended their season in the Section Quarterfinals last year with a 2-0 win. Minnesota River was 18-6-2 last season.

    Saturday evening concluded the Snow Week fun at Tri-City United High School with a dance at Next Chapter Winery. 
    Thursday afternoon about a dozen students showcased their various talents during a talent show, and each day of the week students showed their school spirit with various dress up days. 

    Pedro Abraham Munoz, 33, of Montgomery, was arrested in Shakopee, Minn., near the Holiday gas station near Scott County 83 and 17th Avenue shortly before midnight on Feb. 5, 2026.