Donald M. "Don" Picka, age 82, of New Prague, died peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Don was born on April 6, 1943, in Derrynane Township, Le Sueur County, MN, to Edward and Angeline (Brezina) Picka.  He graduated from Montgomery High School, and his first job began his career in the print shop at Suel Printing.

It wasn’t quite as low as the 3.9% increase from last year, but the Le Sueur County budget and levy passed was still among the lowest of the last decade.

On Dec. 2, the Le Sueur County Board of Commissioners held its annual Truth in Taxation meeting to hear residents’ concerns. The hearing was followed by the official vote on the next budget.

The final levy was set at $30,337,063, which represents a 4.4% increase over last year.

The only years where the increase was lower were in 2021 (4%) and 2025 (3.9%).

Lonsdale was the centerpoint of Christmas-related activity this past Saturday.
    Triumphant Life Church held an ornament-making activity in the afternoon. Next door, the Lonsdale American Legion hosted kids bingo. Down the street, Something For All held their outdoors Who-Ville event for all to meet The Grinch.

    Saturday’s home weightlifting duo with the Burnsville Blaze yielded three individuals qualifying for state and slug of first place finishes. 
    Morgan Meier qualified for varsity state competition with an automatic qualifying total (AQT) greater than 95 KG of 100 KG in the varsity girls’s 58 KG category. 

Much of Minnesota is feeling the effects of a large winter storm currently with Tri-City United Schools cancelling all afternoon and evening activities, rescheduling the music concert from tonight at the same time tomorrow night, Friday, Dec. 18.

With three early wins, New Prague’s floor hockey team is off to a fast start in its effort to defend its state championship.

The Trojans have earned early wins over Shakopee-Chanhassen-Chaska-Prior Lake, Minnetonka-Wayzata and most recently an improved South Suburban squad. The Trojans were back in action Wednesday, Dec. 17, after the newspaper’s print deadline.

After the holiday break, the Trojans will host Mankato Wednesday, Jan. 7, 4:30 p.m., at the New Prague Community Education Center (the former intermediate school).

Tri-City United Le Center PreK-8 School Principal Jeff Eppen has been awarded the Southwest Division Leadership Award from the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA).

Before you entered the doors to the Revival on Main, you were greeted with the clanking sounds of the horse-drawn carriage rides for Svatý Mikuláš on Sunday.

Stepping inside, you were greeted with a formal Slavic tradition of bread dipping in salt. Sounds of merriment filled the air with people conversing and various entertainment between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. that included music by Colton Tupy, and traditional dances by both the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Adult Folk Dancers and the Sokol MN Children Dancers.

The Tri-City United (TCU) boys basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with three losses.

St. Peter handed the Titans a 113-36 loss Monday, Dec. 1. Three days later St. Claire defeated TCU, 86-61. Friday Worthington traveled to Montgomery and handed the Titans a 78-40 loss.

In the loss to St. Peter, the Saints have a majority of their players returning from last year and they looked to be in mid-season form from the tip.

The 33rd Annual Torchlight Parade and Fireworks in downtown Montgomery on Thursday, Dec. 4, was definitely another bundle-up affair this year.

Temperatures hovered just barely above zero and all the hot foods and drinks along 1st Street were welcomed. As time progressed, the wind also picked up.

Santa Claus was there with his live reindeer again, letting all ages hop on the sleigh for a photo. The Amazing Hoopsters were back dazzling with fire and light-up hola-hoops before the parade in front of Frandsen Bank & Trust and in the parade.

John “JK” Michael Kelly, of rural Waterville passed away at his home December 4, 2025, after a rapid and courageous battle with cancer.

John was born on September 28, 1956, to Walter and Ludmilla (Edel) Kelly of rural Kilkenny.  He attended Treborn Country school, Holy Redeemer Catholic School and graduated from Montgomery High School in 1974.  He later attended Austin Vocational College earning his FCC License in Radio Broadcasting.

Kathleen “Kathy” Ann Christensen, age 71, of Le Center, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato following a courageous battle with ALS.

This month’s Montgomery American Legion Post #79 Thank A Living Veteran focus is on Larry Parsons.

Parsons attended Kindergarten at Montgomery Public Schools before joining Holy Redeemer Catholic School through eighth grade. He completed high school in Amery, Wis., where he attended University of Wisconsin — River Falls after graduation for three years. It was during this time where he decided to enlist, and the U.S. Army was the first to have an opening.

The community’s biggest outdoor holiday event is tonight, Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.

Fun for the evening begins at 5 p.m. along 1st Street in Montgomery.

Entertainment by Schell’s Hobo Band, which will play downtown and at Park Manor (as well as the parade). Lakelanders Barbershop Chorus will stop by Traditions to sing some tunes as well as during the parade.

Most pre-events to the parade can be seen near the intersection of Vine Avenue and 1st Street.

Just like the founders of this community started as first generation and second generation immigrants, a new round of immigrants is planting their foot in Montgomery.

Martin S. Gomez was born in La Estancia, Guatemala, which is also the name of the first bakery he opened in Bloomington, Minn., after the pandemic hit. This month, he opened up his second bakery here inside of Mike’s Discount Foods called Pan Sabroso.