She’s 8.
And, after almost four whole weeks of being home from school due to COVID-19, she’s anything but bored.
Penny Herrmann, daughter of Katie and Michael Herrmann of New Prague, is making and selling candles (after completing all of her schoolwork, of course). The idea came to her a few months ago when she was watching a five-minute craft program.
“I saw what they were doing with candle stuff and I told my mom I wanted to start making candles… I wanted to try it,” explained Penny, who had already delved into the arts of slime-making and chap stick creating.

Data is for cases that were tested and returned positive. Numbers are cumulative since Jan. 20, 2020. All data are preliminary and may change as cases are investigated.
Not all suspected cases of COVID-19 are tested, so this data is not representative of the total number of people in Minnesota who have or had COVID-19.
Updated April 10, 2020
Updated daily at 11 a.m., with data current as of 4 p.m. the previous day.
Dates provided are those when the case, hospitalization, or death was first posted in this situation report.

Walleye angling on Mille Lacs Lake will be catch-and-release only for this year’s open water season, with the exception of the month of July, when walleye fishing will be closed.
Additionally, anglers will not be allowed to use live bait for any species in July, except sucker minnows greater than 8 inches in length for targeting northern pike and muskellunge.
The new walleye rule is among several regulations changes this year. Bass and northern pike also have new regulations.

The City of New Prague received an application for a commercial building permit for the former Shopko. The permit is valued at an estimated $1.3 million and the applicant is HyVee Construction. The building is expected to be converted into a HyVee Dollar Fresh grocery store. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

With his family at his side on April 9, 2020,  John A. Halloran (age 95) died peacefully in the house he built on his farm in Belle Plaine Township.  Due to the restrictions with the COVID~19 Virus, services will be private.
John was born to John P. and Grace (Schoell) Halloran on October 20, 1924 in Belle Plaine. He attended Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Grade School in Belle Plaine and New Prague High School, from which he graduated in 1942. After a farm deferment, he was drafted in Spring 1945 and served his country in Japan as an MP in the Occupation Forces.

The start to the 2020 DRS Baseball League is currently on hold.
According to League President Mike Sticha, they are waiting for more information from the Minnesota Baseball Association before rescheduling.

In a 4 to 3 vote on Tuesday, April 7, Lonnie Seifert was selected by the Tri-City United School Board as the district's next superintendent.
Seifert was among three finalists for the position being vacated by retiring TCU Superintendent Teri Preisler at the end of June.
The finalists, who also included Lisa Edwards and Carmen Daniels-Strahan, completed a second round of interviews during the afternoon. The interviews included questions by the school board and other stakeholders, including staff and community members.

Robert W. Vosejpka, age 81 of Owatonna, MN, formerly of rural Lonsdale died peacefully on March 31, 2020 at The Emeralds in Faribault, MN.  
 Robert was born May 6, 1938 in Forest Township, rural Lonsdale, MN to Frank A. and Rose (Barta) Vosejpka. He was the youngest of 4 children. He attended country school through 8th grade and later graduated from Northfield High School. 

Patrick M. O’Malley, age 67, of New Prague, passed away unexpectedly on April 7, 2020 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.  Pat was born on November 14, 1952 in New Prague.  He was the son of Elzear and Edna (Kennedy) O’Malley of Le Center.  He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Le Center High School in 1970.  After high school, he enlisted in the Navy.  Pat married the love of his life, Bonnie Bastyr in 1982.  They have one daughter, Kasey O’Malley.  Pat worked on road construction for Progressive Contractors Inc. for 40 years.

Amanda D. Lake, age 27, of Mankato, died suddenly in her sleep, on Sunday, April 5, 2020.  Amanda was born in Minneapolis, MN on July 27, 1992 to Daniel A.. and Doreen K. (Hanson) Lake.  She grew up in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School.
As she was in everything she did, Amanda was a joyful worker at Mankato Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (MRCI).  She had an infectious zest for life; she exuded happiness and made friends wherever she went.  She was an avid sports fan and loved all Minnesota teams, the Twins, Vikings, and the Wild. 

The family of John Harty, a longtime St. Wenceslaus School teacher (and principal), watch as hundreds of cars pass by Bruzek Funeral Home on New Prague’s Main Street the morning of Saturday, April 4. Also known as Herr Harty, he died earlier this week due to an extended illness. Due to the coronavirus outbreak a private family service was being held, but the family realized many friends, former students, colleagues and area residents would like to share in a memorial service, so a “drive-by visitation” was arranged.

Tuma, DeWayne Lee, of Crystal, passed away peacefully of stroke related complications while in hospice care at North Memorial Hospital Robbinsdale on March 21st, at the age of 81.  Preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Deanna (Rotter); parents Thomas and Mathilda (Schlauderaff); sister Genevieve Nelson and brother in-law Curtis Nelson;  brother Lloyd Tuma and sister-in-law Shirley (Johnson); sister Ardelle Tuma.  He is survived by his daughters Susan (Dennis) Paulson and Michelle Tuma; beloved granddaughter Alexa Paulson; nieces and nephews.

Edna Mae Webster, age 95, of Owatonna, formerly of Waterville, died on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Traditions of Owatonna.

People in Minnesota are being warned to be extra vigilant as scam callers are likely to ramp up their activity over the next few weeks to take advantage of increasing amounts of people being at home due to the current coronavirus outbreak.
CPR Call Blocker, a call blocking device, is predicting that scammers and fraudsters will be ready to strike and take advantage of the situation as more states go into lockdown, forcing people to stay at home, and is warning people in Minnesota to be on their guard for a rise in bogus calls.

Donald W. “Fuzzy” Eilers, age 83, of New Prague, died peacefully with his loving wife at his side on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at his home.  He died just shy of his 40th wedding anniversary.  Don was born on January 19, 1937 in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County to Edwin H. and Matilda L.

As the United States faces the worst public health crisis in a generation, we want you to know we are here for you—and with you.
Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper will be there for you.
We’ll be there to let you know how our community is managing through this crisis—from business to government to the health care system and schools to the impact on individuals and families.