Otis Richard Bell, Jr., 69, (formerly New Prague) passed away January 30, 2022 at his home in Ava, Missouri.
Otis was born March 12, 1952 in New Prague, Minnesota to Otis Thomas Bell, Sr. and Geraldine Doris (Ruehling) Bell.
Otis liked vintage cars and going to car shows. He enjoyed live music and being around people. He also loved watching the wildlife such as the deer, turkeys, and cardinals out the back window. Otis had a heart of gold and enjoyed helping others.

New Prague High School held its Snoball Pep Fest on Friday, Feb. 4, with the coronation of its royalty. Libby Olson (left, front row) was named Queen and Jaxon Short was named King. Other candidates were Madi Josephson, Addie Hartshorn, Kenna Huber, Hannah Robasse, Annie Glomski, Sammie Kotek, Brynn Sticha, Josh Miler, Cam Prochaska, Matt Friedges, Joe Maxa, Tom McBroom, Ben Schmitz and Eddie Sirek. For more on Snoball see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The Minnesota American Legion helped a New Prague veteran in getting a car to replace her old one on Friday, Feb. 4, at The Car Lot in New Prague. From left are Rob Krautkremer, owner of The Car Lot, veteran Brandy Steller, New Prague Post 45 Commander Linda Dvorak and Scott County Veteran Service Officer Marissa LaCourt with Steller’s new car. American Legion Department of Minnesota Adjutant Mike Maxa worked with Dvorak and LaCourt to purchase a 2000 Nissan Maxima and assist Steller. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Jean Mary Jirik, 89, of Blackduck, MN died peacefully Wednesday, January 19, 2022, after suffering a massive stroke. She was surrounded by her loving family at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, Bemidji, MN. 

The New Prague Hy-Vee and its gas station are among six Minnesota properties that have been sold in leaseback deals that total more than $88 million. The combined grocery store and liquor store and gas station, all along 10th Avenue SE in New Prague, will still be operated by Hy-Vee Inc.

The Wells Fargo bank in New Prague is temporarily closed due to COVID related staffing constraints according to Staci Schiller spokesperson for Wells Fargo. The closure affects both the lobby and the drive up for the bank along Main Street. Schiller explained the ATM is still available for use and people can use online banking or a mobile app. If people need to they can also find branches in Prior Lake, Shakopee, Lakeville and Savage. Staff at the New Prague branch of the bank potentially hope to have the business open by next week.

Mary Speiker, age 85 of Shakopee, entered eternal life on Friday, January 28, 2022. 
A visitation will be held Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 4-7 PM and Friday, February 4, 2022 from 9:30-10:30 AM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 S. Marschall Rd., Shakopee. Mass of Christian Burial following 11 AM at the Church of St. Mary (The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne), 535 Lewis St. S., Shakopee. Per the family’s request, masks are required. 
Mary will be laid to rest at Shakopee Catholic Cemetery with Father Michael Becker presiding. 

Milton R. Dvorak, age 82, of Prior Lake, formerly of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side, on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital Mankato.  Milton was born on August 28, 1939 in New Prague to Anton J. and Lydia M.

New Prague High School’s one act play won first place at the Metro West Conference Festival on Saturday, Jan. 22. Held at the New Prague High School Auditorium, the festival included four schools total including Bloomington Jefferson, Orono, and Bloomington Kennedy, which were second, third, and fourth respectively.
New Prague’s production was a comedy about a school where the 30 classrooms were built on top of each other and some of the odd things that happen at the school with its students and staff. There were 15 students who participated in the cast and crew.

We’re definitely in January as temperatures are dropping and some days temperatures are only in the 20s. For the past few weeks we’ve had more temperatures that are below zero when you add in the wind chill. I hope most people are staying warm even if they do go outside for activities.

The New Prague girls basketball team played two of the top teams in the Metro West Conference last week and were defeated by both.
Chanhassen downed the Trojans, 81-47, Tuesday, Jan. 18. Two days later, Chaska, one of the top teams in Class AAAA, downed the Trojans, 66-38.

The Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s basketball team welcomes New Prague area residents to join them on Saturday, Jan. 29, for New Prague Community Day and watch New Prague native Emily Russo and the Mavericks take on Northern State University at 3:30 p.m. As part of New Prague Community Day, they are offering discounted tickets for all who attend. For more information and to order tickets, please visit www.msumavericks. com/NewPrague.

New Prague High School announced their Snoball king and queen candidates on Friday, Jan. 28. Queen candidates are (left to right, front row) Madi Josephson, Addie Hartshorn, Kenna Huber, Libby Olson, Hannah Robasse, Annie Glomski, Sammie Kotek, Brynn Sticha; King candidates are (left to right, back row) Josh Miller, Cam Prochaska, Matt Friedges, Jaxon Short, Joe Maxa, Tom McBroom, Ben Schmitz and Eddie Sirek. A coronation ceremony will be held at the Snoball Pep Fest at 1:50 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, at the high school. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

The New Prague boys swimming and diving team picked up four individual wins and two relay wins in a close loss to St. Louis Park Thursday, Jan. 20.
Seniors Ryan Foust and Jonathan Sayler, and freshmen Jacob Bisek and Tucker Connolly each claimed wins in the 92- 86 loss to STL Park.
Foust placed first in the diving competition. Seventh grader Brody Dvorak placed second and junior Ethan Schultz finished third.
Sayler won the 100 yard breaststroke (1:18.11). Junior Jack Anderson placed second (1:30.04).

The next step toward the 2022 election will take place Tuesday, Feb. 1 at its most grassroots level.
It's caucus time.
Le Sueur and Rice County Republicans and DFLers will meet in separate locations to gear up for the election by passing resolutions, electing delegates to send to the local and state conventions and – most likely – talking about the 2022 race for the governor's office. The delegates sent to those conventions will then endorse candidates for State and National offices.

Tabatha (Tab) Vohnoutka passed away on January 11, 2022, at the age of 36 in Biwabik, MN.  She was born in Burnsville, MN, on December 27, 1985 to William (Bill) Crottier of Babbitt, MN and Therese Vohnoutka of Gainesboro, TN.  She was a loving mother to her children Zoey and Arturo Cameron and Akron Hanson and was very proud of them.