Testing for COVID-19 has continued with the public health departments in Scott, Le Sueur and Rice counties helping where they can. Reports from the counties and Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living are as follows.

There will be a race for two seats on the Montgomery City Council on November 3 after filings closed on August 11.
Five residents have officially filed. Incumbents Dennis Lambrecht and Bob Forcelle will be challenged for their council positions by Benjamin Koeppen, Joy N. Svoboda and Bob Taraba.
Incumbent Montgomery Mayor Tom Eisert has also filed for re-election. He is running unopposed.
School Board

On Monday, Aug. 10, the Tri-City United School Board held a special meeting to discuss this fall’s schooling options regarding the current COVID crisis.
According to Super­intendent Lonnie Seifert, when the state released guidelines for districts last week, it gave schools some freedoms, mandates and recommendations. He acknowledged when the governor released guidelines (COVID case numbers per county), the first thought was hybrid for all grades.

Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn has reported the death of a one-month-old infant in Erin Township.
Dunn said his department received a call on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 5:29 a.m. for an unresponsive baby at a residence on the 14000 block of Shields Lake Trail in Erin Township.

Harriet Helen (Turek) Bartyzal, age 85, of Shakopee, MN, entered eternal peace, on Monday, August 10, 2020.  
 A time of gathering will be on Friday, August 14, from 9-10:30 am, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 S. Marschall Road, Shakopee, with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at the Church of St. Mark (The Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne), 350 Atwood Street, Shakopee. Live streaming of the Mass will be available by visiting the church website ssjacs.org. A private family burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  

Today, the Minnesota State High School League voted on what the options are for the high school fall sports season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their decisions affect football, volleyball, and the traditional spring sport season. They also voted on adjusting the regular fall sports seasons, limiting contests and competors.

Beverly Ann “Bev” (Thorsen) Richter, age 90, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living.

Myrtle Marie “Myrt” Hanzel, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully in the presence of her family on Friday, July 31, 2020 at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Myrt was born on August 8, 1928 in Derrynane Township, St. Thomas, MN to Thomas and Theresa (Reger) Retka.  She attended Country School District 107 one-room schoolhouse and graduated from New Prague High School.  After graduating, she traveled to St. Paul for the first time and lived with her aunt, Rose Retka, who helped her find employment and paid her tuition to Ancker Hospital in St.

Marvin Stanley Peterson, age 103, of Montgomery, formerly of Bloomington, died peacefully on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Traditions in Montgomery.  Marvin was born on June 18, 1917 in Grove City, Minnesota to Hans and Helen (Nelson) Peterson.  He married the love of his life, Ardys Leone Ekbom on May 16, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN.  WWII brought him to service in the US Navy and he was stationed stateside in San Diego.  He worked his entire career as a mechanic for NW Airlines, retiring after 43 years with the company.  Marvin was a Mason and an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts, serving as a l

A Northfield woman died on Saturday morning after driving into a construction zone on Highway 99 and crashing into a hole in the road, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Michelle Dawn Burwell, 51, was traveling westbound on Highway 99 in Montgomery Township in a 2001 Chrysler Sebring when she drove into the construction zone at about 7:40 a.m.
According to the Patrol, alcohol was involved in the incident.
An airbag deployed, but Burwell was not wearing a seat belt.

November 03, 1954 - July 30, 2020 )

Tri-City United Schools will begin the school year with the hybrid model of some in-school classes and distance learning, according to an email to parents.
Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Education provided school districts with data-driven guidelines for the reopening of schools on Thursday.
Based on the data provided by the Minnesota Department of Education, TCU Schools will open with a hybrid model of instruction for all students.This model uses in classroom learning along with a distance learning component.

Francis J. “Fritz” Tupy, age 77, of New Prague, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at Mala Strana Care and Rehabilitation Center.  Fritz was born on December 3, 1942 at the family home in Webster Township, Rice County to Frank W. and Mary C. (Schoenbauer) Tupy.  Fritz graduated from New Prague High School and entered the US Army National Guard.  He married the love of his life, Karen A. Sticha at St.

No one was injured in an early morning fire in Montgomery that damaged two buildings on Wednesday, July 29.
The Montgomery Fire Department was called to a fire at 104 First Street at 3:45 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they observed flames engulfing the second floor of a vacant building.
City Administrator Brian Heck said the fire was under control in about 5½ hours. Montgomery firefighters continue to remain on the scene.

John Arnold Schleis, 76, of Montgomery, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020. Private family services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor’s choice or Wee3Beasties: Saving the Strays.
John was born on August 15, 1943, in New Prague to Arnold and Emily (David) Schleis. John attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and Montgomery High School. John was united in marriage to Mary Jo Pitmon on October 26, 1963, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.

Due to the heavy rains on July 25th and 26th, the following lakes have now reached water levels that have ascended past the threshold concerning a "No Wake". The three lakes listed below have a "No Wake" restriction effective immediately:
Lake Tetonka, Lake Sakatah, Lake Washington
See PDF of complete press release regarding the "No Wake" restrictions.