Due to the heavy rains on July 25th and 26th, the following lakes have now reached water levels that have ascended past the threshold concerning a "No Wake". The three lakes listed below have a "No Wake" restriction effective immediately:
Lake Tetonka, Lake Sakatah, Lake Washington
See PDF of complete press release regarding the "No Wake" restrictions.

UPDATED - 
Family will receive friends Friday, August 7, from 10-10:45 AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial, both at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4625 W. 125th St., Savage. *Social distancing will be observed, and masks are required. ** Live streaming of the Mass will begin Friday at 11 AM on this Facebook page: Schmidt Funeral and Cremation.
Memorial donations preferred to: Sharing and Caring Hands.
Arrangements with McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, Shakopee, 952-445-2755.

Morken, Odin “Red”,  passed away on July 22, 2020 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center in New Prague, MN at the age of 83. Red was born March 7th 1937 in Ulen, MN.  His parents Odd and Katherine Morken raised their family on the farm in Ulen before moving to Frazee, MN in the early 1950’s.  He attended Frazee High School and graduated in 1955.  While in high school Red joined the Army Reserves and served 8 years in addition to serving in the Army where he trained to be an electrician from 1956-1958.

Updated Celebration of Life - A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:30 pm, with sweet treats served following at Immanuel Lutheran on Fish Lake, 20200 Fairlawn Avenue, Prior Lake. A private family burial will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Donations will be given to Bud’s favorite charities. 
Delmont “Bud” Wangerin, of Lydia, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2020 at the age of 92.  He will be missed by all who loved him.   

Ron Jabs, a lifelong resident of Jordan, passed away July 21, 2020 at the age of 68.  A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (100 Sixth Street West) in Jordan.  Face masks are required, and guests must practice safe social distancing.

The City of New Prague will be changing its election site for 2020 from St. Wenceslaus Church’s Parish Activity Center (PAC), 215 Main St. E, to the New Prague Fitness and Aquatic Center (FAC), 410 Central Ave. N.

Tracy Gliori of New Prague is among four women business owners from around the region who are being recognized by the Minnesota Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO- MN). Gliori is president, TMI Coatings, Inc., St. Paul, which she purchased in 2001 from her family and has expanded over the years.

The Le Sueur County Board recently approved a pair of independent contractors to a number of projects.
But the decision to approve these individuals came with questions about their rate of pay, which will come from the CARES Act dollars which was recently approved by the federal government.
Barbara Droher Kline was approved to work with townships, cities, and Le Sueur County on COVID related planning. Her rate of pay is $75/hour.

One of the recent positive news items that has been popping up lately is the comet Neowise. It was discovered earlier this year and apparently there are only a few more days left for people to be able to see it this month. After that, the next time the comet is scheduled to come near Earth is 6,800 years from now. A person has a better chance to see Halley’s Comet, which will next show up in 2061. I could be here for that, it will only be seven years before my 100th birthday.

With less than 10 days to play, Prior Lake is in front of the DRS Amateur Baseball League standings as of July 19.
Prior Lake is currently 6-2 after winning two of three games last week. St. Patrick has only played three league games and have yet to lose. Union Hill sits in third place with a 3-1 record.
Wednesday, July 15

William J. “Bill” Jirik, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully after a long battle with heart disease on Monday, July 20, 2020 at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Bill was born on March 24, 1939 in New Prague to William J. and Josephine J. (Javurek) Jirik, Sr.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School, graduated from New Prague High School, and served in the US Army Reserve for 6 years during the Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis.  Bill married the love of his life, Joan M.

New Prague’s Coborn’s Marketplace began asking its customers to wear masks as of Monday, July 20. According to a press release from Coborn’s Inc., the chain of stores began phasing in the policy for its Minnesota and Wisconsin locations on July 20. This is for those shopping in their Coborn’s, Cash Wise, and Marketplace Foods supermarket and liquor stores. The press release states this in consideration of CDC guidance and increasing local and state government mandates. In the event a guest arrives without a mask, a mask may be provided at the store, while supplies last.

Russell Charles Thurston, age 81, of Eagan, passed away Friday, July 17, 2020 with his loving family by his side. He was born June 2, 1939 in Minneapolis, MN, to Oscar W. and Irene M. (nee Ganglehoff) Thurston.
Russell is survived by his children, Steven, Gregory (Melanie), and Anne (Wencel Kubes) Thurston, and Lynn (Todd) Olson; grandchildren, Tanner Thurston, Peter (Danielle McCool) Celatka, and Benjamin Olson; brother, David (Teresa) Thurston; sister-in-law, Millicent Johnson; several nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Sharron Lynn Gillingham, age 88, of New Prague, MN died on July 15, 2020 at her home.  She was married to her love, the late Sterling Hart Gillingham for 63 years. 
She was born in Rock Bridge, WI on August 14, 1931, daughter of the late Bernard and Bernice Johnson.  Sharron graduated from Richland Center High School in 1949.  She enjoyed helping her four children understand and appreciate that lives lived most fulfilled, are those lives based on inclusivity and respect for others. 

Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague has reported there are 14 residents and four staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 The residents are quarantined on campus and the employees are currently quarantined at home. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

In what was described as a “patiently planned” date, FaithPoint Lutheran Church of New Prague broke ground for a new church on Sunday, July 12. A combined service and groundbreaking ceremony were held at 9 a.m. on 14 acres north of New Prague near the intersection of Redwing Avenue and 270th Street.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” said Rev. Dr. Steve Trewartha, senior pastor of Faith- Point, to the approximately 100 people gathered. “It is wonderful to be able to gather again.”