Santa chats with Teagan, center, and her brother Reed, at Cedar Brook Garden Center on Saturday, Nov. 21. The business north of New Prague had Santa visit with children on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22. Santa asked children what they wanted for Christmas, if they had been good and how Mrs. Claus was back at the North Pole making sure the elves would have the presents ready. Children kept their distance and several wore masks during their visit, which were spaced out. There were also...
To see more on this story pick up the November 26, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Effective Monday, November 30th, 2020, the Rice County Courthouse is closed due to recent surge of new cases of COVID-19 and increasing concerns for public health. 
Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued an Order Governing the Continuing Operations of the Minnesota Judicial Branch on November 20, 2020.  This order suspends all in-person court hearings until further notice.  Therefore, the courthouse will be closed to the public until in-person hearings resume. 

Wednesday, November 25, 2020, from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the New Market Town Hall, 8950 230th St. E. Lakevillle, MN 55024
See flyer attached to make an appointment.

On Thursday, Nov. 19, Scott County Sheriff Luke Hennen announced that Connie Lou Herbst (62) and Austin James Herbst (26), both of New Prague, were arrested in regards of the death of 63-year-old Gary Albert Herbst of Elko New Market. Gary Herbst, who was the husband and father respectively of the two, was reported as a missing person to the Elko New Market Police Department in 2014.  His remains were later found in Maple Grove Township in Barron County, WI in late 2017.

Coborn’s, Inc. announced this week another new measure the company is taking to disinfect its shopping carts after guest use. The company’s supermarkets are now utilizing electrostatic cleaning sprayers to disinfect carts in an effort to minimize surface spread of the COVID-19 virus. Once shopping carts have been returned to cart areas, staff uses the Victory Cordless Sprayer to lightly mist disinfectant on the carts.

New Prague’s Dennis Dvorak was recently named to the Minnesota Historical Society’s Honorary Council, which recognizes individuals for distinguished work in service of Minnesota history and advancement of the mission of the state historical society, which is “Using the power of history to transform lives” by preserving, sharing and connecting. Dvorak was being honored for his work with the New Prague Area Historical Society. The recognition came during the Minnesota Historical Society’s 171st annual meeting, which was held as a Zoom meeting due to the pandemic.

Be sure to shop local with all of the new restrictions starting Friday, Nov. 20th.

A three vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Highways 19 and 13 sometime before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, east of New Prague. All involved had minor injuries. According to an early report with the Minnesota State Patrol a GMC pickup truck failed to yield at the intersection, hitting a Jeep Wrangler that was headed west on Highway 19 and then hit a Mercury Milan that was at the south facing stop sign on Highway 13. Also responding was North Memorial Ambulance and the New Prague Police Department. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

The increase in COVID-19 cases has had an affect on the area. Businesses have been affected as several have had to close for a few days and others for nearly two weeks. Due to the increase of cases New Prague Area Schools recently made the decision to have the high school go to distance learning on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and kindergarten through eighth grade will begin distance learning on Monday, Nov. 23. New Prague Area Schools are scheduled to remain in distance learning until December 23.  

Thursday, November 19th 10 am - 2 pm Jordan Fire Station: 501 N Varner St. Jordan, MN 55352

A medical helicopter from North Memorial Health transports at least one person from the scene of a two vehicle crash that happened at the intersection of Highways 19 and 13, east of New Prague, before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. According to early reports a Ford Ranger XLT collided with a Honda Odyssey. At least one person was transported by North Memorial Health ambulance. Also on the scene was the State Patrol, New Prague Police Department, New Prague Fire Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. For more see a future issue of The New Prague Times, plus this website.

Montgomery and New Prague’s Catholic schools were among the top three schools in the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence’s Ofrenda Contest. Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery won first place and St. Wenceslaus in New Prague was third.
In honor of the Latino holiday Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) wanted to embrace the culture of Latino students and build community between the schools by organizing an Ofrenda Contest.
To see more on this story, pick up the November 12, 2020 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Overcast skies and fits of rain was the order of things on Monday, Nov. 9, as Scott County Public Health staff held a free COVID-19 clinic at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 411 Fourth Ave. SW in New Prague. At the clinics people can get tested for the virus. Held from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. it was the first of several free clinics that will be held on Mondays at that site and time until the end of the year. Scott County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are the sponsors of the clinics.

Alaina Bishop, 10-year-old daughter of Daniel and Dara Bishop of New Prague, has wrapped up a fundraiser for Water for South Sudan, an organization that builds wells for clean water in South Sudan. She recently surpassed her goal of $5,000, which she started in June of this year. She went beyond her goal raising $6,155.
Her inspiration was the book A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.

Since breaking ground for its new building on July 12, FaithPoint Lutheran Church of New Prague has seen its new church progress at a steady pace.

Late night delivery
The intersection of Main Street and 10th Avenue NE in New Prague was closed temporarily on Wednesday, Nov. 11, as a tank from Chart Industries went around the corner shortly before midnight. After turning onto Main Street the tank headed east out of town. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)