This week is Homecoming Week for the Tri-City United School District.
As is common during this week of celebrations, it is also a time for schools to welcome back former students and members and celebrate an organization’s existence. It is a long-standing tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States and Canada.

The Tri-City United Titan Tennis Team finished its regular season play last week with matches against United South Central and Maple River. According to Coach Phil Murry, the team scored some points in each match but couldn’t string together enough points for a win.
In their match against Maple River, the Titans lost 3-4. Murry said the match wasn’t decided until the come-from-behind victory at No. 3 doubles, but he stated the singles players won their matches in No. 2, 3 and 4 spots.

Elsie M. Lukes, age 91, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by her family at Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.  Elsie was born on April 3, 1927 in Lexington Township, Le Sueur County to Albert and Emma (Dvoracek) Holey.  She was raised in the Le Center area and attended a country school in Lexington Township.  She married Leonard R. Lukes on November 21, 1950 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. The couple started their life together in Mankato, where Elsie worked at Brett’s Department Store.  They moved to St.

Tri-City United High School kicked off Homecoming Week festivities Monday with the coronation of its Homecoming King and Queen. Ben Krohn, son of Scott and Kelle Krohn, was crowned King. Olivia Schoenbauer, daughter of Greg and Sheila Schoenbauer, was crowned Queen. For more, see the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)

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People lined up all day for the annual Holy Redeemer Fall Festival chicken and ham dinner. The family event was held on Sunday, Sept. 30 in the school and church. In addition to the dinner, the crowd was entertained by live music, bingo, a silent auction, raffle, kids games and more. For more, see the print edition. (Wade Young Photo)

MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises motorists that Highway 19 from Henderson to Highway 169 has a high probability of closing on Tuesday, September 25 with the current river forecast.
It is unknown at this time whether Highway 93 from Henderson to Highway 169 will need to be closed. MnDOT crews will do what they can to keep traffic safe and moving.
Highway 93 closed on Friday due to flooding from the Rush River, but crews were able to open the roadway on Sunday.

David Leonard Skluzacek, 61, of Montgomery, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018 at his home. Visitation will be on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon with a prayer service to follow all at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
 
David was born on May 18, 1957, in New Prague to James and Leonella (Simek) Skluzacek. He attended Saint John the Baptist Catholic School and Jordan High School. He was united in marriage to Pamela Soine at Vang Lutheran Church in May of 1990. 
 

Gertrude “Gertie” Tuma, 93, of Montgomery, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, at Central Health Care in Le Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, Sept. 28 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery at 11 a.m.  Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Bohemian National Cemetery in rural Montgomery.
 
Gertie, daughter of James and Anna (Kotavy) Tuma, was born in Wheatland Township on February 18, 1925. She lived on the family farm until the age of twenty when she became a housekeeper for the Frank Turek and Joe Kaderlik families. 

A lasting honor for the memory of a man who dedicated his life to teaching and coaching is now permanent at the football field in Le Center.
 
A bench in the honor of the late Fred Schmiesing was dedicated on Monday at the west end of the Le Center Middle School football field. Schmiesing spent his life teaching and coaching youth, with the past several years on the field with his son, John, and the TCU seventh and eighth grade Titans.
 
The bench was installed a day after the five-month anniversary of Fred’s passing.
 
Read more in the print edition.

A detour will be going into effect at the intersection of New Prague’s Main Street (Highway 19) and Union Pacific Railroad’s crossings beginning next week. While the sign says it will be Monday, Oct. 1, a press release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says the detour begins Wednesday, Oct. 3, as crews will be working to replace two railroad crossings for the Union Pacific Railroad located between Highway 21 and Third Avenue Northwest.

The Tri-City United Titans fell to the Fairmont Cardinals 41-25 in week four of the football season. The Titans are now 2-2 and take on the Jordan Hubmen on Friday, Sept. 28.

As officials continue to assess the damages throughout Rice County, they are encountering a significant amount traffic congestion due to high volumes of on lookers in the damaged areas. In a press release to area news outlets, they would like people to stay away from the areas.
 

At a Pep Fest on Friday, Sept. 21, Tri-City United High School announced this year’s candidates for Homecoming Week.

The case against Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) will get a green light or a red light in October after a Le Sueur County judge clarified matters on Monday, Sept. 17.
 
In court were Ray Konz, attorney for LCHS, and Kevin Wetherille, attorney for the 16 plaintiffs. The attorneys discussed the proceedings thus far and made several requests of Judge Mark Vandelist.
 

Evangeline “Vangie” Ann Burns,  88, of Tyrone Township died September 16, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in St. Thomas. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018 at Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur and on Thursday until 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.   A lunch will follow the services at St. Anne’s School in Le Sueur.  
 

Don’t let her looks or her gender fool you. Dressed in football pads with a fierce determination, Anastasia “Ana” Stasney is out to win on the gridiron. 
 
According to veteran coaches, Stasney is the first female to play football for Tri-City United School and the previous Montgomery-Lonsdale School District.
 
Ana’s introduction to football started when her brothers Tadd, 23, and Jayden, 20 played the sport. Even then, she thought it was rather boring - until she started to play it.