Virginia A. “Ginny” Mahowald, 98, of New Prague, died peacefully on December 31, 2025, at Praha Village. Ginny was born on June 8, 1927, in New Prague, Minnesota, to George and Rose (Holec) Layne. She attended St. Wenceslaus Grade School, New Prague High School, and the College of St. Catherine, graduating with a degree in nutrition and dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Minnesota and later married her childhood sweetheart, Allen Mahowald. Together they made their home in New Prague, spending summers at Cedar Lake.

Robert “Bob” Kubes, 83, of Webster, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at home on December 29, 2025.

At a meeting of the Le Sueur County Officials Association, State Senator Rich Draheim (22, R) and State Rep. Terry Stier (22B, R) were present to share information from the state legislature that affects the area. The meeting was held Dec. 3 at Le Sueur City Hall.

“I don’t want to say it was the most confusing year, but probably the most uncertain year I have seen in my nine years,” Draheim said, noting the size of the state government has tripled in funding since he took office in 2017.

When the New Prague School Board reconvenes for the first time since Dec. 8, Director Denny Havlicek wants to maintain his position as the board’s chairperson.

Havlicek stated his interest to the other directors at the last meeting of 2025. He said he has spoken with board members and heard no opposition to him staying on as the board’s chairperson.

During the halftime at the 66th annual Sno-Bowl game, members of the Ptarmigans reminded each other their namesake are birds of a feather that fly together. The message energized the team as the Ptarmigans rallied to a hard-fought 12-6 victory in the latest edition of the storied rivalry with the Polars.

They enjoy a good post-holiday clearance sale at their local home-improvement or hardware store. If somebody has a good deal on Christmas decorations for next year, Lisa and Jess Realander want to know about it.

With three upcoming non-conference games, the NP boys ice hockey team is looking to round into form in time for the MetroWest schedule starting next week.

The Trojans will face longtime rival Northfield tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 2, 7:15 p.m., in Northfield. Monday, Jan. 5, 7:15 p.m., New Prague will host Hutchinson followed by a trip to face Kasson-Mantorville Tuesday, Jan. Jan. 6, 7 p.m., at the Dodge County Ice Arena.

FaithPoint Lutheran Church and its members will be welcoming a new leader this week as Pastor Wes Asheim arrives Monday, Jan. 5.

John Millea has been writing about sports and people, youngsters and communities sharing their passion for life and competition for many years. He is a renowned storyteller, a person with a deep caring for humanity.

With six games remaining on its regular-season schedule, the New Prague High School floor hockey team is ready to get back to work on its drive for a return trip to the state tournament and a possible defense of its state championship.

At 4-0, New Prague will host Mankato Wednesday, Jan. 7, 4:30 p.m., at the Community Eucation Center. The game is the first of a three-game run at home. The Trojans will face Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound-Westonka Monday, Jan. 12, 4:30 p.m., followed by a showdown game against an old rival, Dakota United Wednesday, Jan. 14, 4:30 p.m., in NP.

After weeks of discussion and adjustments, Elko New Market city councilors approved a budget and property tax levy for 2026.

The council OK’d the city’s 2026 property tax levy at its Dec. 18 meeting. The general fund budget will increase from $3,297,590 to $3,849,687 – an increase of $447,903 or 15.72%. The city’s total levy will increase by $490,823 to $4,238,383 – an increase of 13.1%.

Mary Kay Dolejs, age 82, of Nicollet, formerly of Montgomery, died on the afternoon of Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Mala Strana Assisted Living and Rehabilitation Center in New Prague.

Donald M. "Don" Picka, age 82, of New Prague, died peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Mala Strana Health and Rehabilitation Center.  Don was born on April 6, 1943, in Derrynane Township, Le Sueur County, MN, to Edward and Angeline (Brezina) Picka.  He graduated from Montgomery High School, and his first job began his career in the print shop at Suel Printing.

The Ptarmigans and Polars will renew their rivalry Saturday, Dec. 27, noon, in the 66th edition of New Prague’s Sno-Bowl football game.

The game will be played at the open lot north of the Memorial Park Baseball Field and south of CSSW. A pregame gathering will start at Fishtale Grill at 9 a.m. All New Prague graduates are in a roster. Rosters can be found at https://ballcharts.com/ team/?team=snobowl with all graduates not listed whose last name is between N-Z are a Polar and all graduates not listed whose last name is between A-M are a Ptarmigan.

The New Prague Area Historical Society is celebrating toys with a display at the New Prague Memorial Library from now until the end of January.

Dennis Dvorak of the historical society said the toys are ones from the Victorian era. “Some are 125 years old and they have been well cared for,” Dvorak said, adding some of the toys are made of metal or wood. Another reason the toys are well preserved is there was usually only one child in the family, who didn’t have to share his or her toys with others, said Dvorak.

Had it not been for a slow start in the second half of the Trojans’ game against Stillwater Saturday, the NP girls’ basketball team would have enjoyed a far more relaxing victory, the final contest of a busy yet successful week on the hardwood.

The Trojans won all three of their games for the week, improving their record to 6-2 overall. But the road is expected to be a bit more challenging moving forward, NP coach Eric Specht said.