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Curt Jasmer, of Belle Plaine, went Home to Heaven on February 10, 2025, at the age of 62. 

Edward Alvin Koktavy, age 74, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away unexpectedly on February 9, 2025. Ed was born on September 8, 1950, in Northfield, MN, to Joseph F. and Agnes (Kotek) Koktavy. He was a 1968 graduate of Northfield High School, a member of the Army National Guard for 7 years, and farmed with his brothers most of his life. He married Arlene Sirek on September 11, 1971, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Veseli.

New Prague’s boys’ basketball team continues to have a tough time. The Trojans lost a home game Tuesday, Feb. 4, to Waconia, 71-56, and fell short in a close, 61-56, Friday, Feb. 7, game at Chaska. New Prague has three home games this week. The first was Tuesday, Feb. 11, with a 93-64 loss to Orono. Next, the Trojans host St. Louis Park Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m., then faces Kasson-Mantorville Friday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. in the Trojans’ gym. New Prague will be on the road Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Benilde-St. Margaret’s for a 7 p.m. game.

NPHS girls’ basketball team enters the end of the regular season looking to build momentum. They faced Orono, one of the state’s top Class AAA teams Tuesday with it ending in a close 74-69 loss. NP heads to St. Louis Park Thursday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m., to take on the Orioles. Saturday, Feb. 15, 1 p.m., NP travels to Owatonna for an important section game against the Huskies.
NP coach Eric Specht said a win over the Huskies is important to possibly receiving a seed worthy of a home game in the section playoffs.

Darrin Palma, age 59, of Janesville, WI, formerly of New Prague, MN, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025.
Memorial service will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1300 Main St. E. New Prague, MN, with visitation one hour before at the church as well.
Darrin was born on February 15, 1965 to Maylon and Carolyn (Dahl) Palma in Northfield, MN. He graduated from New Prague High School in 1983. Following high school, Darrin attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. 

Le Sueur County is updating its comprehensive land use and zoning code, titled “Vision 2050,” and held a public meeting Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Le Center American Legion. According to a survey provided to a large crowd the update is to better serve and guide the county’s growth. The work over this year is to “create a plan that balances its rich historical past and resources,” said the beginning of the survey. The new comprehensive plan is to grow the county’s tax base and guide the county over the next 25 years.

Thursday, Jan. 30, was not like most winter days as temperatures reached into the 50s.
Since temperatures were above average, management at CreeksBend Golf Course decided to open the back nine holes to golfers Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 1, and 18 holes were open Sunday, Feb. 2, with conditions for snow.
“This is the second time in the course’s history we’ve been open in January,” said Bryan Connelly, general manager of the golf course north of New Prague. “We were open last year in January.”
Last year the course was open for four days in January.

With the meat of its schedule on the horizon, the New Prague High School floor hockey team enjoyed big wins in the past week.
In the past week, the Trojans co-op team topped a co-op team of players from Chanhassen-Chaska-Shakopee and Prior Lake Tuesday, Jan. 28. They also thumped South Suburban Thursday, Jan. 30, in Bloomington. The wins improve NP’s record to 5-0.

Just when the Minnesota House of Representatives appears it cornered the market on the biggest circus since Ringling Bros.-Barnum and Bailey went dark in 2017, the Minnesota Senate made a bid for your attention.

Write-in votes will settle who takes at least two open seats on Rice County’s townships boards.
No affidavits for candidacy were filed in the 2025 race for Northfield Township treasurer, or to fill the term of the remaining year of the term for the Morristown Township clerk.
The treasurer’s seat, a two-year term, is up in all every township except Forest Township where the treasurer is appointed, rather than elected.

Barbara Lee “Barb” Mader, age 75, of New Prague, died peacefully at her home with her family at her side on Sunday, February 9, 2025.  Barb was born on August 21, 1949, in Minneapolis, to Harold and Alice (Sinclair) Magnuson.  She attended Minnetonka Public Schools and graduated from Richfield High School.  On a New Year’s Eve blind date, she met LeRoy Mader, the man who would capture her heart.  They married on April 19, 1971, in St.

Russell James Hunstad, age 79, of New Prague, MN, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 6, 2025, while his family surrounded his bedside at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. 
A celebration of life for Russ will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at 11 a.m., with a gathering from 9-10:45 a.m., at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake, MN. Pastor Jonathan Rundman will preside. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Russ’ memory by the family. 

Charles W. "Chuck" Blaha, age 88 of New Prague, died peacefully with his family at his side, on Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Gertrude's Care Center in Shakopee.  Chuck was born on December 4, 1936, in Cedar Lake Township, Scott County, Minnesota, to Frank J. and Albina (Krejci) Blaha.  He graduated from New Prague High School and then was drafted into the US Army, serving in Germany, where he did Morse coding.  Before going into the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Alice Lambrecht, on August 17, 1957, at St.

After a vehicle was driven into open water on Lake Washington this weekend, the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office is warning visitors to the lake in Le Sueur County to use caution, advising a large area of open water has developed in the area referred to as the Narrows. Sunday, Feb. 9, Capt. Bruce Collins confirmed the people in the vehicle escaped without injury.
The vehicle is now submerged in about 6 feet of water. The open water starts at the north shoreline and goes almost all the way across, to the south shore.

Martin J. Shuster passed away peacefully on December 19, 2024.  He was 56 years old.  In his last days, Marty was surrounded by loving family members and friends. Marty was born in New Prague, Minnesota, on March 20, 1968, to Ernest and Ellen Shuster.  When Marty was 11 years old his father unexpectedly passed away.  Marty missed him terribly his entire life.  Marty was surrounded by men who shaped his future and helped him develop his interests in manufacturing, aviation, racing, cars, and motorcycles.

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