The Elko New Market City Council at its Thursday, Jan. 10, meeting had three members take the oath of office and adopted a resolution appointing a member to fulfill a term. From left are Jon Schwichtenberg, who was appointed to fill the remaining two years of a term that ends in 2020, council member Dawn Seepersaud, Mayor Joe Julius and council members Kate Timmerman and Josh Berg. Mayor Julius and council members Timmerman and Berg each took the oath of office at the beginning of the meeting. They were elected to office in November.

Nathan Enge of Elko New Market’s Boy Scout Troop 325 was recognized for earning the rank of Eagle Scout during his December 13, 2018 Eagle Scout Court of Honor at the New Prague Fire Station.
Nathan is the son of Troy and Joy Enge and is a senior at New Prague High School and is attending Postsecondary Enrollment Options through Crown College.

Diane Goulson has been put in a very different position the last few months.
The longtime New Prague resident and pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church near Belle Plaine, Goulson was diagnosed in November with pancreatic cancer. She’s facing a series of chemotherapy treatments and surgery, but she’s not facing it alone. She has her family (husband Daryl and daughters Meredith, Rebecca and Erica) along with friends and people from her church who continue to be supportive throughout the process.

The 2019 fee schedule in Lonsdale has been set and it does not include an increase to the water and sewer fees.
Every year the city council makes adjustments to the fee schedule and sets the schedule at its first meeting of the new year. On Thursday, the council did just that, making 15 adjustments.
Lonsdale City Administrator Joel Erickson said that the reason for making these adjustments is to recoup costs incurred by the city, not to make a profit on the items.
In particular, the cost for fingerprints for non-residents is doubling in price.

Minnesota has a new governor and a new, divided state legislature.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz took the oath of office Monday, Jan. 7, succeeding two-term Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. Meanwhile the Minnesota Legislature convened for the first time this year on Tuesday, Jan. 8, with new house members taking the oath and a new DFL majority taking charge. The senate continues to have a Republican majority.

Third District Le Sueur County Commissioner John King of Le Sueur was named the chairman of the Le Sueur County Board Tuesday, Jan. 8.
First District Commissioner David Gliszinski of New Prague, was named the vice chair during the board's first meeting of 2019.
The Le Sueur County New Prague Times News was named the county's legal newspaper.
The Lake Region Life was named the county's 2nd legal newspaper.
Newly elected officials were also sworn in by Judge Mark Vandelist.

The New Prague adapted floor hockey team is looking to follow up on a strong season with another state tournament appearance in 2019.
The squad finished last year with a 12-1-1 record, with their only loss coming in the first round of the state tournament. They went on to win consolation honors.
Shelly Kriha is back for another season as head coach, and she is assisted by Jeremy Kalal and Steve Kriha. Support staff Diane Johnson and Connie Jensen help with the team, along with student managers Brookelyn Skluzacek, Brandon Zeilinger and Eva Johnson.

The New Prague Trojan girls hockey team began the 2019 portion of their schedule with a convincing win over Waconia.

Rose Adeline (Dietz) Washa, 104, of Le Center, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, at her home in Le Center. Visitation will be Saturday, Jan. 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with funeral service following at 11 a.m. also with Father Chris Shofner officiating. Interment will be held at a later date.
Rose was born on December 18, 1914, in Montgomery to August and Rose (Kriha) Dietz. She was a Montgomery High School graduate. Rose was united in marriage to Nathan Henry Washa on November, 12, 1934 in Montgomery.

Wayne Marvin Scheffler, age 62 of Loomis, CA, a former graduate of New Prague High School passed away December 17, 2018. Wayne lost his battle with cancer. Wayne was born Feb.7th 1957.

Rita Marie Sticha, 82, of Faribault, formerly of Montgomery passed away on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Pleasant Manor in Faribault. Visitation will be Wednesday, January, 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery with funeral service following at 11 also at the funeral home with Father Victor Valencia officiating. Interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery.

The first night of Chamber Bingo drew a crowd of 165 people on Thursday, Jan. 3, at the New Prague Golf Club. Held by the New Prague Chamber of Commerce, the evening was sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System of New Prague. The large crowd required tables to be set up on two floors of the golf club. The weekly evening of bingo and prizes continues through March 28. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Highway 21 north of the intersection of that road and Seventh Street NE is currently closed due to the New Prague Fire Department dealing with smoke and a possible house fire on the west side of the highway. Around 2:15 p.m. the fire department was summoned to the scene after a call was received of smoke coming from a window of the house. The New Prague Police Department was also called to the scene to detour traffic around the area.

Blase Benedict Bisek, age 98, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital – New Prague. Blase was born on January 30, 1920 in Lanesburgh Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota to William A. and Mary B. (Snorek) Bisek. He attended country district school, St. Wenceslaus School during the years of his sacraments, and graduated from New Prague High School. He was drafted into the US Army in January 1942 and served with the Tenth Armored ‘Tiger’ Division.

Laurie Ann Theis, age 55, passed away peacefully in the presence of family, on Sunday morning, December 30, 2018, at her home in Jordan, MN, after a couragious fight with cancer.    
 Family and friends are welcome to come share stories and enjoy a light lunch on Sunday, January 20, from 1-4 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN.  

Jerry Wallace Will, age 60, of Sierra Vista, AZ, formerly of Prior Lake, passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, December 25, 2018.
Jerry was the fourth child born to Wallace and Claudia (Busch) Will on July 23, 1958.
At the age of 18, he joined the military and proudly served his country for 42 years. He had a 20 year Army career and a 22 year civilian Army career as a UAS Maintenance Instructor for Unmanned Aircraft for General Dynamics.