Sheriff Brett Mason led members of Le Sueur County Historical Society (LCHS) Board on a tour of the county’s now-vacant, 108-yearold jail and sheriff’s residence and the recently vacated 1978 jail on Tuesday morning, June 23.
According to County Administrator Darrell Pettis, the county is looking for ways to preserve and use the iconic brick building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Eric Steinhoff may have hit 31 homers to win the Home Run Derby, but little Analise Tveitbakk ruled the ballpark on Saturday.
The two-year-old happily ran the bases, took pictures with the batters, and picked out sweets at the concession stand during Home Town Bats' Home Run Derby at the Union Hill Ballpark on June 27. The fourth annual fundraising event benefited Analise and her family.

Shakopee Coyotes Manager: Tanner Graff Last year’s record and accomplishments: Our last year’s record was 5-18. Our accomplishments of last year was knowing we need to work on the fundamentals also try not to overthink situations and just play the sport we love. Players who have left the team since last year: Lance Buchtel - not returning, Sam Fischer - not returning, Jordan Cardey - moved, Nicholas Warren - not returning, and Jesse Nystrom - taking a year off. New players on the team this year: Alec Aument - outfield/infield, pitcher. Shakopee, Jac Campbell - 1st base, outfield.

The detour for the Highway 19 construction project in downtown New Prague is set to start Monday, July 6.  The recent permitting and scheduling issues have been resolved.
Motorists are reminded that the first stage detour for motorists traveling westbound through New Prague consists of 10th Avenue NE, 7th Street NE/NW, and Highway 21.  Eastbound traffic will be detoured south on Highway 13, Le Sueur County Road 29, and 10th Avenue SE.  Motorists desiring to go to downtown businesses will need to watch for special signing.

Hofmeister, Donald L.  Age 89, of St. Paul, passed away June 26, 2020.  Survived by beloved wife of 63 years, Elsa, daughter Elizabeth (Marshall, Dave); sons Andrew (Linda), Franz (Jeannie), and Joseph (Teresa), 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren and one sister.  Preceded in death by parents and brother. 
Mass of Christian Burial Friday, July 3, 2020 at Cathedral of St. Paul at 10AM. 

Highway 93 between Highway 169 and Henderson just closed due to flooding from the Rush River and as a result motorists using the Highway 111/22 Nicollet to Gaylord east detour will be rerouted within 24 hours.
For the second time this construction season, official route for traffic using the east detour changes to  included Highway 169 at St. Peter, Sibley County Roads 8 and 17, and Highway 19 until further notice.  The west detour between Nicollet and north of Nicollet CR 1 remains Highway 14, Highway 15 and Highway 19.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reported a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases in South Central Minnesota among young adults in their 20s who reported visiting bars and restaurants June 12 and 13, the first weekend they reopened.

Lloyd “Angel” Troendle, age 80, of New Prague, died peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020 at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul. 

If you mailed in your registration renewal and have not received your tabs due to processing delays, please contact use using this form: https://dps.mn.gov/…/Pages/dvsforms-registration-tabs-plate…
You will receive a verification letter via email to use as proof of registration renewal until your tabs arrive.
We also notified law enforcement that some Minnesotans will not receive their registration tabs before they are required to display the tabs on their license plates.

Area residents will still have a chance to celebrate the Fourth of July in 2020. While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in parades and other activities being cancelled, people will still be able to enjoy a few festivities and see the night sky lit up with a multitude of colors.

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague will be doing an expansion of the south end of its building. The church at 1300 Main St. E will be adding 3,100 square feet for an administration wing.

Recently during a special mass at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg, Rose Marie Hauer was recognized for her 50 years as the church’s lead musician and organist. She was presented a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Father Eugene Theisen and Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
“It doesn’t seem that long,” said Rose Marie about serving her church that long. While she and husband, Don, live in Philipps Square senior apartments in New Prague now, they began the journey of music and faith together.

This coming Saturday, June 27, at Union Hill Ballpark, west of New Prague, at 5 p.m. the National Anthem will kick off the Fourth Annual Home Run Derby organized by Home Town Bats. This family friendly fundraiser features batters from the Dakota-Rice-Scott League and other leagues from across Minnesota hitting for the fences to see who can slam the most home runs.

Sunday, June 28 is a big day for area baseball fans.
The DRS Amateur Baseball League begins this Sunday with three games.
Webster will play at Lonsdale. Shakopee will play at Montgomery. Faribault will play at St. benedict.
The Minnesota Baseball Association (MBA) and Governor Walz’s office gave approval to amateur baseball to begin official games Wednesday, June 24.
The DRS League held a meeting Sunday, June 22 to discuss the start of their schedules.
League teams will play 46 games in a span of only 29 days.

The Bob Dylan song “The Times They Are a-Changin’” is one that seems very appropriate over the last few months.
Dylan’s song was released in 1964, another time of changes, social unrest, racial tension, protests, and an ongoing war. There was even an influenza pandemic, but that came near the end of the decade in 1968.
For many people today, like then, life seems to be a roller coaster. Just when things seem to be settling down, here comes another crest to ride through.

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church recently announced that Fr. Eugene Theisen has been named pastor of the New Prague church, effective Wednesday, July 1. Fr. Theisen’s Installment Mass will be held at 5 p.m. on July 1, at St. Wenceslaus Church, 215 Main St. E. The Mass will be live streamed on multiple platforms through the church’s website, its Facebook page and YouTube.