The New Prague City Council approved a change in its preliminary 2019 property tax levy for taxes payable in 2020 at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18, meeting. The council amended the preliminary levy, increasing it by $1,811.

The New Prague Area School Board set its 2020 preliminary property tax levy at “maximum” level during its meeting Monday, Sept. 23.
Sandy Linn, the district’s Director of Finance, requested the move to give the district flexibility as it works on finalizing its 2019-20 budget. The district is required to set a preliminary levy by September 30 in preparation for the December Truth in Taxation hearing, after which they set the final levy. At that meeting, the amount of the levy can be lowered, but cannot be increased from the preliminary figure.

Ruth Dietz, age 92, of New Prague, died peacefully on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague.
Ruth was born on December 11, 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Leo and Marie (Babineau) DeLisle. Ruth graduated from Catholic high school in Minneapolis. She met Alvin M. Dietz at the Prom Center and they later married in Minneapolis on May 14, 1960. In addition to raising her family in New Prague, Ruth also worked at Hendricks chick hatchery, Cedar Lake Farm, bookkeeper for Rademacher Photography, and seamstress for Valley Fair.

A brief downpour at about 10 a.m. gave a wet start to Saturday's Dozinky festivities in New Prague, but for the most part, except for a few sprinkles, it didn't rain on the Dozinky Parade of Farm Pride. Parade grand marshal Tom Goetzinger, right, with his wife Kim, waved to the crowd at the start of the parade. Dozinky continues with music, activities, food and drink until 7 p.m.

The New Prague Trojans had a win within their grasp Friday, Sept. 20, scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds left in the game.
But Mankato West heaved a 54-yard Hail Mary pass inside the five yard line, and Spencer Spaude grabbed onto the ball and slipped into the end zone as time expired to give the Scarlets, ranked No. 10 in Class AAAAA, a 40-35 win at Trojan Field.
It was the Trojans’ third straight game against a ranked team.

New Prague’s Dozinky Festival began with Cruise Night on Friday, Sept. 20, as more than 300 vehicles of vastly different shapes, forms and models made their way down the city’s Main Street. The evening was a beautiful one as sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s brought out a large crowd lining Main Street. The evening continues with the band IV (Fore) Play performing at the Chamber Beer Garden’s stage until midnight. New Prague’s Czech harvest festival will begin the morning of Saturday, Sept. 21, with vendors, food, entertainment, sports and the Parade of Farm Pride at 12 p.m.

Anne Stroening, left, Amanda Myers and Alexandra Stroening found the 2019 First Bank & Trust Dozinky Medallion on Thursday, Sept. 19. The three New Prague women were searching in an area between Falcon Ridge Elementary School and Trojan Stadium and Alexandra found it tucked under the bench they are sitting on. They have been on the hunt for the medallion since clue one. They said the $300 grand prize will go back into Dozinky in the form of refreshments. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

New Prague High School announced its Homecoming Royalty candidates for 2019. They are (front row, left to right) queen candidates Sadie El-Wailli, Carly Berglund, Kate Seymour, Maggie Jirik, Olivia Schmitz, Emily Russo, Amanda Giesen, McKenna Vacek; (back) king candidates Joe Becker, Jack Kreutzian, Seth Dorner, Mitch Callahan, Parker Johnson, Will Busch, Wyatt Zack and Emmett Bartyzal. Homecoming week is September 29-October 6. Coronation will be during a pep fest at 11:15 Friday, Oct. 4. The Homecoming football game is that evening against Rochester Century.

The Tri-City United School District lost one of its own Friday morning when Carol Lilla passed away.
Lilla taught Math and Computer Science at TCU High School.
She has been a teacher in the Montgomery area for 46 years, starting at Most Holy Redeemer, then Montgomery-Lonsdale and Tri-City United. She coached sports for several decades.
When she retired from coaching in 2014, Lilla said she entered teaching and coaching because she loves working with kids. She was devoted to her career and students who often saw her at all of the high school events.

It’s New Prague’s biggest annual event. The 35th Annual Dozinky Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, with Dozinky Cruise Night set for Friday, Sept. 20. 

The New Prague Trojan volleyball team swept Mankato East on Tuesday,Sept. 10, winning 25-13, 25-13, 25-18.
"It was a good night forTrojan volleyball, with New Prague sweeping at all levelsof play," Coach Angie Andersen said.

The 2019 First Bank & Trust Dozinky Medallion has been found! It was discovered in its hiding spot the morning of Thursday, Sept. 19. Details on who won the $300 grand prize and where they found the medallion will follow.

The New Prague Trojan boys soccer team won two of three matches last week, defeating Mound Westonka and Rochester Century. The Trojans also lost to Holy Family Catholic. 
New Prague lost to Chaska 7-2 on Monday, Sept. 16. Details of that game will be in next week’s issue. 
The Trojans return to action Thursday, Sept. 19, when they host Waconia at 5 p.m. They play Mayer Lutheran at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, at Watertown-Mayer HS, and will host Rockford on Thursday, Sept. 26. 
Fire 1, Trojans 0

Friday, Sept. 20, will mark the end of a career for Bob Hanek. 
 A barber since 1960 and the proprietor of Bob’s Barber Shop since 1972, Hanek will put down his clippers for the last time at his shop at 127 Main Street E, in front of Czecher’s New Prague Times Sports Bar. 
The son of a barber. Bob’s dad - also named Bob - had a barber shop in Montgomery for 67 years. retiring in 1996. Bob Sr. wasn’t in favor of his son going into the business. “He tried to talk me out of it… tried to talk me into doing something else,” he said. “Together we had 127 years in this business.”

The New Prague Trojan girls tennis team lost two matches last week, to Orono and Mankato East. 

Nelson recognized with Golden Apple Award.
Nelson’s Apple Farms is observing two accomplishments this year, as the apple orchard near Webster is celebrating 45 years in business and owner Ross Nelson was recognized by the Minnesota Apple Growers Association with the Golden Apple Award. The award is given to recognize a person who has made contributions to the Minnesota apple industry.
 “It was nice,” said Nelson about receiving the honor. “I remember the guys that received it when I was starting out. They seemed to know the most about apples. I never thought I’d get it.”