There have been times the past 18 months when Maddy Smith’s medical condition has left the New Prague 16-year-old and her family feeling isolated from the community and their friends. Sunday, March 19, they will feel anything but alone.

Community members gathered at St. John Catholic Church in Union Hill yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, March 15, to offer their support and prayers for a young police officer from New Prague injured in the line of duty early Tuesday morning.

If you’re a thorough reader of the police blotter we run every week, you may have noticed a few weeks back we included reports of the police department checking licensed tobacco retailers in New Prague to make sure they are not selling products to customers not yet old enough to legally possess or consume the products.

New Prague High School’s boys’ basketball ended its season in a tight, 58-55, game against New Ulm, Tuesday, March 7, in the Section 2AA quarterfinals.
“This was a very tough loss,” said New Prague head coach Dan Peterka. “We played extremely well through the first half and most of the second half.”

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

Owners JoAnn and Joel Erickson started their passion-business, Something for All, 14 years ago in Lonsdale.
The shop at 135 Main Street S lives up to its name. It’s not strictly antiques. It’s not completely crafts. It’s not a thrift store. It has elements of just a little bit of each. It’s “Something for All.”

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) launched a $1.9 million test pilot that aims to improve public transportation needs across western and southern rural Minnesota. If the test pilot goes well, it could be expanded state-wide and improved upon.

Lynn L. Lambrecht, age 67, of Owatonna, formerly of Montgomery, died peacefully with her loving husband at her side at her home in Owatonna on Monday, March 13, 2023.  Lynn was born on September 23, 1955 in Gaylord, Minnesota to Loren and Lois (Kelm) Lade.  She grew up in Brownton, graduated from High School in Minneapolis, and completed her Bachelor’s degree at St. Cloud State University.  Numbers were important throughout Lynn’s life and she worked in various jobs in the financial industry and was currently still active.  She married her soulmate, Dennis H.

Matthew Raymond Wallace Peterson, 48, of New Prague, MN, passed away on the 11th of March, 2023.
Matt was born in St. Louis Park, MN, on February 15, 1975, to Gail and Larry Peterson. He was raised in Maple Grove and graduated from Osseo High School. He then went on to play hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Matt married his high school sweetheart Brenda and had three children, Alex, Landon, and Taylor. He worked at McNeilus for 17 years selling mixers.

Crocker, Judy Kay "Iri" (née Oukrop) of Golden Valley, MN, died on Monday, March 6th. Judy worked for Lund's & Byerly's for 48 dedicated years pursuing her passions of food and entertaining. This led her to be the Managing Editor of the two Best of Byerly's cookbooks. Her parties will be remembered for elegant presentation and delightful variety of flavors. Judy was an avid gardener, treasuring her 75 hybrid tea roses and raspberry garden. She also liked to sew and knit for loved ones.

Linda S. Giesen, age 73, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal life on Friday, March 10, 2023, at her home.
Linda was born in Worthington, MN, on December 10, 1949, the daughter of Clarence and Susan (Ykema) Van Grouw. She married Ed Giesen on October 18, 1975, in Union Hill, MN.

(Updated story 3/15)
A New Prague man was cited for a single vehicle crash that happened in Union Hill on Saturday, March 11 at about 3:30 a.m.
A blue 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 was traveling south on Scott County 7 (Church Avenue), ran through the stop sign at MN 19, crossed MN 19 and Hub Drive, sliced through a power pole, over three mailboxes, and ended up in the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church's old schoolhouse parking lot.

Townships in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties, as well as in counties throughout the state, will hold their annual meeting Tuesday, March 14.
Known as Township Day, these annual meetings are held every year on the second Tuesday in March and set townships apart from other forms of local government. The meetings allow township residents to voice their opinions about local issues with other township residents and also vote directly on their annual tax levy -- direct democracy in action. Citizens attending annual meetings also often discuss and vote on other local issues.

Wrapping up its season in fine fashion, the New Prague High School boys swimmers at the state meet represented their young program well last week.
The Trojans advanced swimmers in four of five events to the state finals, with Brendan Panka and Jacob Bisek swimming their way to the medal stand. Swimmers broke several school records.
In the 200-yard freestyle, Brendan Panka finished third with a school record time of 1:43.59. His time in the preliminary race was 1:44.08. Last year’s school record time in the event was 1:46.88.

They have endured a small taste what life is like as a person without a permanent home, a lesson some will use to better appreciate the lifestyle they enjoy.
A group of 17 New Prague High School National Honor Society students spent Thursday evening, March 2, learning about life as a homeless person. The chaperoned group spent the night sleeping outdoors in a makeshift tent city using small tents or large boxes. They slept in sleeping bags covered in blankets and using body heat for warmth as temperatures dipped into the mid-teens.