Elko New Market welcomed its newest police officer, Jeff Addabbo, during an induction ceremony at the city council’s Thursday, April 11, meeting. As part of the ceremony officer Addabbo’s father, Mike Addabbo, was invited to pin his son’s badge on him.
Addabbo’s parents and others in his family were present for the ceremony, which included his taking the oath of office from Mayor Joe Julius.
“Jeff's journey into law enforcement is a testament to his determination and passion for making a difference,” said Elko New Market Police Chief Brady Juell.

Dorthea “Shirley” Lambrecht passed away peacefully on April 15, 2024, while surrounded by her children. Shirley was born on May 15, 1935, in Shakopee, MN, to Herman & Helen Ramaker. She married Tony Lambrecht in September of 1954 and together they raised 6 children. They owned & operated a bar in St. Benedict, before moving to New Prague and running Tony’s Bar. A short time later came Heidelberg Liquors.  Tony went into the rehab business called Choices.

Agnes "Aggie" Pass, age 86, of Jordan, MN, passed away at her home surrounded by family on April 20, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. with visitation time from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (313 2nd St. E) in Jordan, MN. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Aggie will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Submitted by: Sarah Stultz, Managing Editor, Albert Lea Tribune
A significant discussion is taking place at the state Legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.
Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

Taking public notices for schools out of newspapers would hurt public
A significant discussion is taking place at the state legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.
Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

Donald (Don) J. Smisek Sr, age 83, of Lonsdale, MN, passed away peacefully at Lakeville BeeHive Homes on April 17, 2024, with family by his side.  He fought a long and courageous battle with dementia. Don is preceded in death by sons Tommy and Dennis, and parents Joe B. and Helen Smisek. Don was born June 2, 1940, on a family farm in Webster Township. He attended Lonsdale Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from New Prague High School in 1959. He served in the US Marine Corps for 4 years.

The New Prague Fire Department and North Memorial Ambulance responded to a two vehicle crash east of New Prague on highways 19/13 around 5 p.m. Thursday, April 18. According to a preliminary report from the State Highway Patrol one person was transported by ambulance from the scene.
Both vehicles, a Chevy truck and a minivan, were in the north side ditch. Also responding were the New Prague Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. For more information see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times.

First boy Junior Ambassador entered into program
Saturday evening was a gathering from around the state at the Montgomery American Legion for the 35th Annual Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant.
Festivities started with an authentic Czech meal, prepared by board member and Head Chef Josh Gare and his volunteer crew. Gare was recognized for his work in the organization, with special attention for the meals, by the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassadors with the Honorary Commodore’s Award.

Carrie Simon, of Montgomery, went to the doctor in early 2022 thinking it would be a typical doctor visit. In February of 2022, she went through surgery. She and her husband, Russ, believed it was just an ovarian cyst. The doctors thought it was about 18 centimeters, and it ended up being 35 centimeters in diameter and had ruptured.
“Russ knew it was cancer already from the doctors while I was under, but they told me when I woke up. It was pretty gut-wrenching,” she said.

We received bad news last week, a gut punch to our industry, actually, from up the road.
The owner of community newspapers in Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, Chanhassen, Chaska and Jordan announced the final editions of these publications would be published later this month. Six well-established, once-profitable newspapers will be gone. In an era where revenue matters, the size of the return-on-investment matters more than ever.

New Prague High School’s baseball team’s expectations for this season is to be competitive in all aspects on the field.
The Trojans began their season at Rochester Mayo, Friday, April 5, with a close 2-1 loss. (See separate story.) New Prague’s home game against Rochester Century Monday, April 8, was postponed due to the weather. The Trojans are home tonight hosting Chaska at 4:30 p.m. then Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. New Prague is at Lakeville North and back home Tuesday, April 16, 6 p.m. against Waconia.

The Koko and Sam Tarr family of New Prague told New Prague City Council they had concerns their son was racially profiled and was being harassed by a member of the New Prague Police Department. The family said they are originally from Liberia and have been living in New Prague for four years. The family delivered its claim at the council’s March 18, meeting.

When it comes to playing competitive ice hockey, Braeden Woitas isn’t ready to put his skates away. Not yet.
Woitas, the son of Marisa and Kevin Woitas, has accepted a tender to play junior hockey in Mason City Iowa in the North American Tier III Hockey League. His long-term goal is to play college hockey. Where and at what level is yet to be determined, he said.

Two weeks after board members struggled to approve cutting $3.5 million from the general fund, the New Prague School District is once again looking at a plan to reduce the cost of one of its biggest expenses – veteran teachers.

Diane M. Schmitt, age 62, passed away on April 3, 2024, at Nagel Assisted Living in Waconia, MN. 
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. Her burial will follow at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague, MN.

Laurie Beek-Korbel, age 59, of New Prague, passed away peacefully, in her sleep at home on Sunday, April 7, 2024.  She had been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure on June 12 of 2022, and entered hospice care on February 28 of this year. Laurie was born on February 10, 1965, in Faribault to Donald & Evelyn (Timmers) Korbel.  She grew up on the family dairy farm in Kilkenny and graduated from Montgomery-Lonsdale High School in 1983.  She had 2 years advanced schooling in sales marketing and management and worked for K-Mart during those years.  Following her education, she worked for