Scott Pelava, owner of Lonsdale Auto Works, was chosen as the 2024 grand marshal for Lonsdale Community Days, happening on Saturday, August 10.
Pelava opened Lonsdale Auto Works in 2005, providing service to the Lonsdale area for 19 years so far. He has been an active member of the Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC), serving two terms on the board of directors for them. Chamber Executive Director Shanna Gutzke-Kopp says that he has been “constructively working with staff, committee members & business leaders.”

Donald J. Giesen, age 84, of Union Hill, died peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Don was born on May 21, 1940, in Belle Plaine Township, to Casper and Isabelle (Ruhland) Giesen.  He spent his entire life in Union Hill and graduated from New Prague High School.  He entered the US Army and served a 13-month tour in the Vietnam Conflict.  On September 27, 1969, Don married Ruth E. Siemon at St.

The armed man who prompted sheriff’s deputies and police to shut down Interstate Highway 35 near Faribault Sunday, July 21, for nearly five hours allegedly had drugs in his vehicle, paraphernalia and equipment for packaging drugs.
The incident began at 2:52 p.m. and ended shortly after 7 p.m.

Inez Kubes of Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living celebrated her 105th birthday with family, friends and other residents in New Prague Monday, July 22.

Mary Ann Maruska, age 97, of Lonsdale, formerly of New Prague, passed away on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at The Villages of Lonsdale.  Mary Ann was born on September 15, 1926, on the family farm in Wheatland Township, Rice County, Minnesota to Ben A. and Anna M. (Schoenbauer) Barta.  The first of six children, she attended country school, Immaculate Conception School and St. Wenceslaus School.  She married Edward J. Maruska on September 25, 1945, at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale and farmed in Helena Township, Scott County, where they raised their family.

Despite a solid pitching performance from a pair of Irish hurlers, Hampton pulled off a walk-off win over visiting St. Patrick Sunday, July 14, in a Section 1 thriller.
With the game deadlocked at 2-each, the Cardinals scored the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth inning. It spoiled St. Patrick’s hopes of stealing a road win from the Cardinals.

Dorothy Rita Lubbers, age 94, of Shakopee, MN, died peacefully on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 19, 2024, from 9:30-11:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial service at 11 a.m. All to be held at SJA-Church of Saint Mary, 535 Lewis St. S, Shakopee, MN. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

Two Montgomery Township residents were killed in a house fire early Sunday morning.
Roman Jindra, 76, and Betty Jindra, 73, were found in the kitchen area of a house on Jindra Lane in Montgomery Township around 1 a.m. Sunday, July 14. Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office dispatchers received a report of a structure fire at the house at 12:54 a.m. Betty Jindra called 911 and reported the house was on fire and she and Roman were trapped inside the residence, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

Edward M. “Eddie” Malz, age 86, of Farmington, died peacefully with his family at his side at his home on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.  Edward was born on November 22, 1937, in Belle Plaine, to Edward and Emiline (Krekelberg) Malz.  He grew up in Belle Plaine, graduated from Belle Plaine High School, and served in the US Army after graduating.  He met Judith E.

Donald "Don" Joseph Barnett, age 87, of Kilkenny, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 8, 2024, at his home. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, from 4-7 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Visitation will continue Saturday, July 13, from 10-11 a.m. at St. Canice Catholic Church in Kilkenny with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Father Timothy Sandquist and Father George Grafsky officiating. Interment will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in rural Montgomery. Military honors will be provided by the Montgomery area Veterans Honor Guard.

Gary Dennis Halloran, age 81, who was born and raised in the community of St. Thomas, MN, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Gertrude (Brown) Halloran, and survived by his siblings: Margie Eischens (Gordon), Bruce (Cathy) Halloran, Rosanne Halloran, and Sheila Soukup (Jerry), and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Rosemary "Rosie" Franek, age 88, of New Prague, sadly passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Mala Strana Healthcare Center.  Rosemary was born on February 13, 1936, in Wheatland Township, Rice County, to William F. and Mary Tupy, the youngest of four with three older brothers.  She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School.  She went on to work at Queen of Peace Hospital for many years.  Rosie married Leonard Franek on September 18, 1956.  The couple was blessed with and raised three daughters on their beautiful family farm.

This week marks 248 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when the American colonies declared themselves free from the United Kingdom. Many people will be celebrating it by spending time with family, friends and with fireworks capping the day.

A group of New Prague youngsters is hoping to help honor veterans while enjoying time outdoors during the summer months. It’s a project they planned and are implementing with the help of their moms, one glass at a time.

St. Patrick built an early lead and then held off Hampton Sunday afternoon, June 30, at Bonin Field.
The Irish took a 5-0 lead with two runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth frame. Hampton rallied with a three tallies in the sixth inning before St. Patrick upped its lead to 6-2 with a solo run in the home half of the eighth inning, a run that provided to be the game-winner for the home team.

Marion J. Tuma, age 93, died on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Villages of Lonsdale.  Marion Julia (Koldin) Tuma was born April 7, 1931, on the family farm in Rice County, Minnesota to Joseph J. and Mary Ann (Pesta) Koldin.  She was baptized, and received her first Communion and Confirmation at Immaculate Conception Church in Lonsdale.  She attended District 46 Country School, and Parochial School in Lonsdale.  On May 17, 1949, she married Francis A.