Amber Simon, 44, passed away on June 16, 2024, in her home surrounded by family. She was the wife of Tom Simon, formerly of New Prague. They shared 21 wonderful years of marriage together.
 
Born in Howard, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Gary and Gia Long. She graduated from St. Cloud State University with an English degree and went on to work as a technical writer, a career she excelled in and loved.

A house along Juniper Avenue at Cedar Lake was damaged by a fire. New Prague Fire Chief Steve Rynda said the fire department was called to a structure fire at 11:07 p.m. Monday, June 17. New Prague had mutual aid from the Jordan and Elko New Market fire departments, Rynda said. The fire was under control by 1 a.m. Tuesday. Rynda said the cause of the fire is under investigation with the fire marshal scheduled to inspect the site Tuesday morning. The house is considered uninhabitable according to Rynda. One firefighter suffered a minor cut to a hand. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Gladys “Dee” Soulek, age 97, of Eagan, died peacefully, as the result of a fall, with her family at her side, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital.  Dee was born on February 11, 1927, in Montgomery, Minnesota, to George and Albina (Jakes) Trcka.  She graduated from Montgomery High School and married Clarence E.

Carrie Rose (Sticha) Simon, age 47, of Montgomery, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 2, 2024, after a courageous battle against cancer.
 Visitation was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment was at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague.

Union Hill got just enough offense and defense this past week to win a pair of Dakota-Rice Scott League games.
Wins over Montgomery Friday, June 7, and Veseli Sunday, June 9, improved the Bulldogs’ record to 6-2 in the DRS, just behind league-leading New Prague. The Bulldogs will host the Orioles Sunday, June 16, 2 p.m.
Bulldogs 8, Veseli 6 Two runs in the eighth inning gave the Bulldogs the win at Veseli Sunday, June 9.

Garry L. Goble, age 75, of Elko New Market, died peacefully at home on Sunday, June 9, 2024.  Garry was born on January 8, 1949, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Donald and Myra (Edeburn) Goble.  He grew up in Minneapolis but spent most of his life “south of the river” in the Prior Lake/New Prague area.  Garry served in the US Army for a number of years, which inspired a legacy of his children also serving.  After service, he spent his work life in plastic manufacturing in injection molding.

Joyce F. Madson, age 87, of Lonsdale, passed away June 5, 2024, at Villages of Lonsdale.
Joyce was born December 22, 1936, on the family farm in Greenvale Township, Northfield, the youngest of 8 children, to Carl and Marie (Hanson) Johnson. The farm was eventually sold, and they moved to Dundas.  After Joyce graduated from Northfield High School in 1954, she worked as a secretary at the Odd Fellows Home (now Three Links) in Northfield.

A few weeks back, the New Prague Area School Board discussed the notion of once again asking voters to approve some form of levy increase, possibly a blend of levy and capital projects referendum.
The district has had two separate levy requests rejected, a two-part question in 2022 and a levy increase alone in 2023.

The New Prague High School softball team's magical run through the section and state tournaments concluded today, Friday, June 7, with a second place finish.
The Trojans fell to Rogers, 3-0, in the Class AAAA title game at Caswell Park in North Mankato. New Prague mustered only three hits off the Royals' pitcher, AnnaBelle Waldoch. Struggling to get the big hit when the Trojans needed it, New Prague stranded five runners on base.

Thanks to New Prague American Legion Post 45 Ballroom, fireworks will be part of the Independence Day holiday again this year.
Wednesday, July 3, just after sunset on the middle school grounds, a pyrotechnics display will be presented.
There will be the chance for people to socialize, enjoy food from vendors, check out vehicles on display, and enjoy a massage from a local chiropractor while listening to patriotic music. The national anthem will be presented at 10 p.m., just before the start of the fireworks display.

Despite the teams offering solid collective performances, New Prague’s girls’ and boys’ golf teams came up just short in their bids to win entry into the state golf competition. The Trojans also had two individuals narrowly miss winning their way into the state field.

St. Wenceslaus School principal Kim Doyle is retiring July 1 after 16 years as principal at the New Prague school and 36 years as an educator and administrator.

New Prague’s girls’ lacrosse team went 1-1 at the Class 1A, Section 1 playoffs. The Trojans won their first game Tuesday, May 28, 16-5, hosting Rochester John Marshal/Lourdes. New Prague then lost, 19- 13, to Southwest Christian, Wednesday, May 29.
Southwest Christian 19, Trojans 13 The Trojans, the No. 6 seed, began with the lead over Southwest Christian, the No. 3 seed, during the May 29 road game as the first quarter ended with New Prague leading 4-2.
“It went really well. The girls played extremely well,” said New Prague head coach Drew Danner.

The NPHS softball team topped Rosemount and will play Rogers, 7-5 winners over Forest Lake, in the state championship game tomorrow, Friday, June 7, 10 a.m., at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

Joan F. Kokoszynski (Cleasby) passed away on 05/15/2024, in Winter Park, FL.  Joan was born to Ed and Adeline Cleasby in New Prague, MN, on April 10, 1953, and grew up   in Lonsdale where she attended Immaculate Conception grade school.  Joan went to High School in Montgomery, MN, graduating in 1971, and went to college at Winona State for a few years.

New Prague’s softball team won its first game in the Class AAAA state tournament as the Trojans, the No. 4 seed, defeated St. Michael-Albertville, the No. 5 seed, 5-1, at Caswell Park in North Mankato, Wednesday, June 5.
The Trojans blew open a 2-1 game with three runs in the fourth inning. New Prague now advances to the semifinal game at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 6. The Trojans will face top-seeded Rosemount. The Irish defeated Stillwater Wednesday morning.