New Prague won three in a row in baseball as the Trojans defeated St. Louis Park, 6-5, Chanhassen, 5-4, and Owatonna, 18-8, last week.

New Prague had a home game Tuesday, April 28, against Benilde-St. Margaret’s with results not available as of press time. The Trojans are on the road for their next three games, first at Bloomington Jefferson today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m., then at Waconia tomorrow (Friday) at 7 p.m. and at Shakopee, Saturday, May 2, for a 7 p.m. game. On Tuesday, May 5, New Prague is back home for a 4:30 p.m. game.

New Prague city councilors approved the purchase of two Matrice 4TD Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAV) from Vertex Unmanned Solutions for $24,598. Last Monday, April 20, drones the police department will use to serve the public in times of urgent need – when searching for a lost person, searching for a suspect or someone in need.

American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley of Kansas visited New Prague American Legion Post 45, Thursday, April 23, for a dinner and presentation.

His visit to New Prague is part of a national tour where over 340 days he and others would be stopping in all 50 states. While in Minnesota he stopped at the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley and participated in the Veterans Day on the Hill at the state capitol in St. Paul. He stopped at a total of 12 posts all over the state.

When he was working a shift for the old New Prague Ambulance Service, there was never a need to ask Harry Von Bank how to get to wherever the ambulance was headed. He just knew the way.

From its inception in 1969 through 2010, Harold ‘Harry’ Von Bank gave 41 years of his life to the community’s ambulance service. Von Bank passed away earlier this month, April 10. He was the last surviving member of the people who formed the old New Prague Ambulance Service. A native of the area, he knew the community, its residents and its streets.

Bevcomm is proud to announce the launch of Bevcomm Mobile, a new cellular service designed to keep customers connected wherever they go—backed by the same trusted, local support they rely on at home.

Available exclusively to Bevcomm internet customers, Bevcomm Mobile extends the company’s commitment to delivering reliable connections, according to a press release from Bevcomm. With nationwide coverage powered by America’s largest networks and straightforward, highly competitive pricing, customers can enjoy a seamless experience both at home and on the go, said the press release.

 New Prague High School’s girls’ and boys’ golf teams have enjoyed the benefits of practice and patience during the past week. The teams have earned solid showings at area courses and on the road.

Bryan Francis Pexa, age 68, of Elko, MN, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Bryan was born to Emil and Sophie (Havlicek) Pexa on February 25, 1958. He grew up in Elko and attended New Prague High School. Shortly after, he met his wife, Bonnie (Fredrickson), while they were working at the same job. The first time they met, Bryan offered her a red Tootsie Pop. The two began dating soon after and were married on May 13, 1978, beginning a life together that would span nearly 50 years.

Gladys L. Mader, age 85, of Lonsdale, passed away on April 23, 2026.

Gladys was born in New Prague and grew up on her family farm near Cedar Lake. She graduated from New Prague High School and remained deeply connected to farm life, continuing to work alongside her family. In 1960, she met the love of her life, Roman, and they were married in 1961. Together, they purchased their own farm in Lonsdale, where they built a life and raised their family.

    Minnesota legislators passed a new school bus safety law by a 133-0 vote in the house and 67-0 in the senate in March to close some safety loopholes. It was the first bill of this legislative session to pass. 
    Stopping for school busses allowed for some gray area in the wording that drivers shall stop when busses are “… displaying extended stop signal arm and flashing red lights.” This left the door open for people faced with a fine to argue that the arm was not extended or not fully yet when they passed.

Michael "Mike" P. Bohnsack, age 40, of Montgomery, passed away surrounded by his family on the morning of Saturday, April 18, 2026, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

    Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC), which serves much of our readership area, held its annual meeting at Jordan High School on Tuesday, April 7, where over 200 members gathered.
    A total of 20 $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors were given out or a total of $30,000. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a parent or legal guardian who are MVEC members, be enrolled to attend an accredited post-secondary institution as a full-time student, and have at minimum GPA of 2.0. 

Dennis L. Swenson, age 88, of New Prague, passed away at home April 20, 2026, with his loving wife of 53 years, Miriam, by his side.

Dennis is survived by his wife Miriam; many nieces, nephews; and other loving family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, S. August and Cora (Jacobson) Swenson; siblings, Alta Loy, Orvin Swenson, Carroll Swenson, and LaVerne Gibbins.

Gregory Jon Bruzek, age 75, of Minneapolis, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, April 18, 2026.  Greg was born in New Prague on April 5, 1951, to Johnny and Helen (Herda) Bruzek.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Parochial School and New Prague High School.  Greg was met with many challenges throughout his life but handled them with positivity and grace.  He worked in a variety of sheltered workshops throughout his earlier years and successfully lived independently.   

Jacqueline "Jackie" C. Ruehling, age 92, of New Prague passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026, at Praha Village.

Jackie was born on May 10, 1933, to Frank J. and Blanche E. (Kubesh) Rehor, in New Prague, MN. She attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School, and New Prague High School, followed by a secretarial school in Mpls.

Margaret Mary Christine “Peggy” Hartman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 18, 2026, just 4 days short of her 77th birthday.  Peggy was born in New Prague on April 22, 1949, to Virgil and Armella (Dohmen) Hartman.  She attended St. Benedict Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. She spent her entire career at the IDS Financial Center in Minneapolis.

Back in the late-1980s, when Shakopee’s ‘Bubble,’ home of the community’s fledgling hockey program, went down for the last time, community members matter-of-factly assumed they could go to an area indoor rink for hockey practices and games. For many years, a dedicated group of guys had mended the bubble. They repaired the ripped fabric by hand, sometimes in sub-zero temperatures, and reinflating the Bubble after snowfalls.