Shopko has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, the company announced on Wednesday, Jan. 16.
The company has announced plans to close more than 100 stores as part of its reorganizational plan. The closings affect both Shopko stores and the smaller Shopko Hometown stores, but does not include the Shopko Hometown store in New Prague. Based in Green Bay, WI, the company currently operates 363 stores in 24 states.

Le Sueur County Judge Mark Vandelist sent a strong message to the Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) and its membership on January 3 when he rejected the society’s request to split the fees for the retired judge overseeing the case.
Vandelist stated the disputes within the organization are only hurting it, and if the membership and Board of Directors want to deplete the society’s resources by continuing their contentious disputes, there is little doubt their actions may have an adverse financial effect.

Gladys D. Beinhorn, age 81, of New Prague, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Tuesday January 15, 2019 at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.  Gladys was born March 13, 1937 in New Prague to Erwin H.

David W. Amundson, age 44, of New Prague, died by suicide after a long battle with depression on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Dave was born on July 1, 1974 to Tom H. and Marlys A. (Youngbauer) Amundson in Farmington, MN. He graduated from Lakeville High School and attended Dunwoody College of Technology and received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in auto mechanics. He worked for the last 15 years for Airlake Automotive in Lakeville.

New board members, from left, Leo Giesen, Tammy Pexa and Mark Bartusek take the oath of office at the beginning of the school board's organizational meeting Monday, Jan. 14. The three were elected in November to four-year terms. Also remaining on the board are Kytyn Schoenbauer, board chair, Jeanne Kubes, vice chair, Kim Holden, treasurer and Dennis Havlicek, clerk.

David Mecredy, left, leads off a line of dancers to gather people for square dancing at the Cowboy Chili Feed/Cook Off in New Prague on Saturday, Jan. 12. Held at the St. Wenceslaus Church’s Parish Activity Center, the evening event was sponsored by HIS Haven Ranch and featured a chili contest, silent auction, live dessert auction and other activities. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Tom Schmidberger, left, and Mallory Jirik were the final two contestants out of 12 students from New Prague Middle School that competed in the New Prague Area Schools’ Spelling Bee on Saturday, Jan. 12. Schmidberger won by spelling the word electrolysis. There were five schools that had final spelling bees at New Prague High School on January 12. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

UPDATED at 2 p.m. 1-14-19
Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn announced the name of the victim in the death investigation. He identified that it was David Amundson, 44, of New Prague, who was found in a field near his vehicle on January 13, 2019, at 30th Street West and Halstad Avenue in Wheatland Township.
UPDATED at 3:45 pm. 1-13-19

The No. 6-ranked New Prague Trojan wrestling team defeated Prior Lake 56-9 Friday, Jan. 11, to regain the Highway 13 Rumble Traveling Trophy. This was the 12th time the rival teams competed for the trophy and only the second time that New Prague has won it, the other coming in 2012. New Prague won 12 of the 14 matches, In other Trojan sports action Friday, the girls basketball team defeated Orono 49-27. Girls hockey tied Mound Westonka 2-2 and boys hockey lost to Mound Westonka 4-0.

The Elko New Market City Council at its Thursday, Jan. 10, meeting had three members take the oath of office and adopted a resolution appointing a member to fulfill a term. From left are Jon Schwichtenberg, who was appointed to fill the remaining two years of a term that ends in 2020, council member Dawn Seepersaud, Mayor Joe Julius and council members Kate Timmerman and Josh Berg. Mayor Julius and council members Timmerman and Berg each took the oath of office at the beginning of the meeting. They were elected to office in November.

The 2019 fee schedule in Lonsdale has been set and it does not include an increase to the water and sewer fees.
Every year the city council makes adjustments to the fee schedule and sets the schedule at its first meeting of the new year. On Thursday, the council did just that, making 15 adjustments.
Lonsdale City Administrator Joel Erickson said that the reason for making these adjustments is to recoup costs incurred by the city, not to make a profit on the items.
In particular, the cost for fingerprints for non-residents is doubling in price.

The New Prague Trojan girls hockey team began the 2019 portion of their schedule with a convincing win over Waconia.

Third District Le Sueur County Commissioner John King of Le Sueur was named the chairman of the Le Sueur County Board Tuesday, Jan. 8.
First District Commissioner David Gliszinski of New Prague, was named the vice chair during the board's first meeting of 2019.
The Le Sueur County New Prague Times News was named the county's legal newspaper.
The Lake Region Life was named the county's 2nd legal newspaper.
Newly elected officials were also sworn in by Judge Mark Vandelist.

Nathan Enge of Elko New Market’s Boy Scout Troop 325 was recognized for earning the rank of Eagle Scout during his December 13, 2018 Eagle Scout Court of Honor at the New Prague Fire Station.
Nathan is the son of Troy and Joy Enge and is a senior at New Prague High School and is attending Postsecondary Enrollment Options through Crown College.

Minnesota has a new governor and a new, divided state legislature.
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz took the oath of office Monday, Jan. 7, succeeding two-term Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton. Meanwhile the Minnesota Legislature convened for the first time this year on Tuesday, Jan. 8, with new house members taking the oath and a new DFL majority taking charge. The senate continues to have a Republican majority.

Diane Goulson has been put in a very different position the last few months.
The longtime New Prague resident and pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church near Belle Plaine, Goulson was diagnosed in November with pancreatic cancer. She’s facing a series of chemotherapy treatments and surgery, but she’s not facing it alone. She has her family (husband Daryl and daughters Meredith, Rebecca and Erica) along with friends and people from her church who continue to be supportive throughout the process.