New Prague Area School District’s Bus #1 ended up in the west side ditch along Redwing Avenue at approximately 7:07 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16. The bus’s route takes it north along Redwing Avenue.
“Foremost, we are thankful that no one was seriously injured,” said Superintendent Andy Vollmuth in an email to parents who had children on the bus.

Angela Josephine Shimota, March 16, 1938 - September 16, 2024, age 86 of New Prague, MN
In loving memory of Angela J. Shimota, who passed away September 16, 2024, at her home at Praha Village Assisted Living in New Prague, MN. She was surrounded by her husband of 68 years, Harold Shimota, and family by her side as her two-and-a-half-year struggle with stage 4 lung cancer came to an end. She is now resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus our Lord and Savior.

The Rice & Steele 911 Center, the emergency communications center serving Rice and Steele counties, has implemented Spark, an online reporting tool designed to streamline the process of reporting non-emergency incidents.
This tool enables residents to easily and securely report issues such as thefts, vandalism, parking complaints and other non-urgent matters directly through their website.

Judy Menke, age 83, of Jordan, MN, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 11, 2024. If there is one word to describe Judy, it would be love.

A resolution to execute a Quit Claim was approved by the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners during their regular meeting on Aug. 26. The land in question is the Le Sueur County Fairgrounds.
The approval to take action on the parcels was first approved at the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners meeting on Aug. 6.
The resolution transfers ownership of the fairgrounds from Le Sueur County to the Le Sueur County Fair Association.

Robert S. Forberg, age 67, of Savage, MN, formerly of New Prague, MN, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024, at his home.
Bob was born in Thief River Falls, MN, on September 8, 1957, the son of Joseph and Eleanore (Klabo) Forberg.

Raymond Ceplecha passed away at home on Monday, September 9, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born in Wheatland Township on the family farm in 1935, to Joseph R. and Gertrude (Trcka) Ceplecha.

The New Prague Fire Department had a large flag flying outside its facility along Highway 21 in remembrance of September 11, 2001. On that date 23 years ago was the worst terroristic attack on American soil. Nearly 3,000 people died from the attacks, among them were more than 400 firefighters and police officers in New York City. Around the nation numerous memorial ceremonies were held. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Toni Ellis was born January 21, 1935, and passed from this life on earth into her eternal life with Jesus on August 17, 2024. She was 89 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, as the eldest of two children to Arthur and Madeline (Mary) Chenes. Toni grew up and lived most of her life in southern California followed by long stints in Minnesota and Colorado.

The content of public words and actions combined with a person’s/organization’s overall words and actions in private matters in the political realm, whose words and actions affect the lives of every person within that country.

Otto Allan Johnson, 86, of Prior Lake, died peacefully and surrounded by his family on September 7, 2024.
A time of gathering will be held in his honor on Friday, September 13, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake (4565 Pleasant Ave). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Otto on Saturday, September 14 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake (16400 Duluth Ave SE) beginning at 10 a.m. with an hour of visitation prior from 9-10 a.m. Father Tom Walker will be presiding over services. 

David Joseph Sticha, age 67, of New Prague, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 8, 2024, after fighting complications related to cancer. He was born July 27, 1957, in New Prague to Joseph and Lillian (Rezac) Sticha. Dave graduated from New Prague High School in 1975, followed by getting a degree at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. 
 Dave married his high school sweetheart, Jean Tuma on May 24, 1980. They shared 44 years together raising four children and building several successful businesses. 

Brandon Dennis Witt, age 50, of New Prague, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, August 16, 2024, after a 5 year fight with colorectal cancer. He was born November 12, 1973, in St. Paul to Ken and Lana (Schmid) Witt. Brandon graduated from New Prague High School in 1992, and followed in his father's footsteps toward a lifelong construction and excavation career.

Rita Tobin passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, with her beloved nieces Michelle and Cheryl by her side. She had been in declining health for several months.
The youngest of Walter and Veronica Tobin’s five children, Rita was born on July 15, 1937, in New Prague, where she attended St. Wenceslaus grade school and New
Prague High School. 
After high school, Rita joined the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. During her 20 years as a Benedictine sister, she graduated from St. Cloud

Harold "Hal" Josef Bass, passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2024. His life was full of many adventures during his journey. Hal’s love of baseball as a child and into high school brought a scouting team and an offer to enter the baseball farm system. Also in high school, he placed second in the state wrestling tournament. But rather than pursue sports, in 1963 he enlisted in the Air Force. Hal proudly served his country while in Vietnam, trained in air rescue and later as a LRRP team combat medic. After the service, he was a medical equipment sales representative.

JoAnn R. Hughes, age 90, of New Prague, died unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, August 31, 2024. JoAnn was born in Minneapolis on June 23, 1934, to Roy and Inez (Lindberg)  Bartosh.  JoAnn graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where she met the young man, who would become her husband.  She married Ronald J. Hughes on October 27, 1954, and they raised their family of four daughters in the Bloomington/Minneapolis area for most of their lives, moving to New Prague in 2000.