Many Minnesota partisans have recently been saying out loud what many of us have said for years: Precinct caucuses are a major contributor to the angry, political division permeating politics today.

A person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Le Sueur County Road 3 just north of Le Sueur County Road 29 in Lanesburgh Township this afternoon, Thursday, May 9, around 3 p.m.
Le Sueur County Sheriff's deputies and troopers from the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the crash. The name of the deceased was not released Thursday afternoon.
Additional information on the crash from the sheriff's office is expected Friday, according to a sheriff's deputy. It will be published when available.

We acquired a .22-caliber handgun for dispatching unwanted animals from the barn. Fortunately, we gave it away before ever needing to use it. We were always taught every gun is always loaded unless you personally see it is not loaded. The point of such counsel was to prevent the unthinkable. The advice came from an older brother, who owned many handguns all properly stored in a secured gun locker separate from ammunition.

Like most any mom, Tina Kreger wanted the best for her three children. She wanted her sons and daughter to be comfortable participating in activities and to be accepted by their peers. For her son, Orion, that presented a unique challenge she willingly embraced.

The New Prague City Council approved a bid from Central Ag LLC to install a fence for a dog park on the north side of town. Central Ag LLC had the lowest of two bids at $23,844.
The council approved the bid 4-0, with Mayor Duane Jirik absent.

New Prague’s baseball team has gone 3-1 with a 1-0 win in nine innings over Bloomington Jefferson, a 12-2 loss to Chaska, a 10-6 win over Rochester John Marshall and a 4-0 win over Shakopee.
The Trojans were scheduled to host Orono, Tuesday, May 7. New Prague is on the road with its next two games. Tonight the Trojans are at Waconia at 7 p.m., Monday, May 13, New Prague is at Chanhassen at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, May 15, the Trojans host Benilde-St. Margaret’s at 4:30 p.m.

New Prague School Board members will consider proposed settlements with several unions representing over 200 employees during a special meeting Monday, May 13.
The 6 p.m. meeting is an addition to the board’s previously established schedule. A work session will follow the completion of the special board meeting.
Union employees working in transportation, paraprofessionals and nurses, nutrition services and custodians were scheduled to review and vote this week on a tentative agreement covering July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.

Hard work is paying off for the NPHS girls’ golf team. The Trojans topped a seven-team field at Hutchinson Friday, May 3.
The Trojans finished with a team score of 365 for 18 holes, 12 strokes clear of Delano. BOLD finished third at 384 and the hosts Tigers checked in fourth with a 387. Marshall, Litchfield, Le Sueur-Henderson and Dassel-Cokato rounded out the field.

Phil Mickus, aged 76, passed away on April 29, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was born on May 27, 1947, in New Prague, Minnesota.
Phil is survived by his wife, Patricia, his children Brian and Heather, his stepdaughters Lisa and Laura, as well as his brothers Glenn and Patrick, and his sister Shirley. He was also a loving grandfather, uncle, and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his father Harold, his mother Florence, his brothers George and Steve.

Our beloved mother, Ann Catherine Rhodes, 84, of Bloomington, MN passed away peacefully on March, 28, 2024, two weeks after her 84th birthday.
Ann Catherine Koenig was born on March 12, 1940, in New Prague, MN. She worked for Thunderbird Hotel for over 20 years and following her retirement she provided daycare for all five of her grandkids. Her grandkids were her pride and joy and she lovingly devoted most of her time with them. When she wasn’t watching her grandkids, she was spending time in her flower garden, shopping, or going to garage sales buying toys for the grandkids.

The rain on Saturday morning, May 4, stopped just in time for the start of the 5K race as part of Run New Prague. Starting at the intersection of First Street SW and Main Street in New Prague the race drew 135 participants. It was the 39th and final Run New Prague. It also had a kids color fun run with colored chalk thrown as children raced by. That race had 95 children participate. For more see an upcoming print edition of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher photo)

New Prague’s citywide cleanup day this year is a three-day opportunity for waste disposal.

When hundreds of people begin a 5K run Saturday, May 4, they’ll be among the final runners who cross the finish line in the 39th installment of the popular event.
The 5K race will begin at 10:30 a.m. on W Main Street in New Prague. Runners can register at Central Ave North (Central Plaza) with the start line located only a block away, said Brooke Sticha, the New Prague Area Chamber of Commerce’s executive director. Packet pick-up and same-day registration will be available in Central Plaza (N Central Avenue) the morning of the race. The race will end in Memorial Park.

For more than 24 years I’ve been covering the news in New Prague. There’s been the good and the bad and plenty of events. There’s been events where friends and neighbors gather to help someone in town. This weekend, I was at the grand march for New Prague High School’s prom. This coming weekend, I likely will be at Run New Prague, the 39th year of the event.

Jon A. Tonkin, age 67, of Prior Lake, died peacefully at home after an extended illness on Thursday, May 2, 2024.  Jon was born on February 24, 1957, in St. Paul to Robert and Edna (Koski) Tonkin.  He grew up in Roseville and went to work as a clerk at the Veterans Administration.  It was there that he met Debbie Pexa when both of them were playing on the federal employees softball team. They were married on April 28,1979, at St. Patrick of Cedar Lake Catholic Church. Following 3 years with the VA, Jon began his 35-year career as an inspector and supervisory inspector for the U.S.

New Prague’s Taylor Ledwein is taking aim at a childhood dream of making the field at the women’s U.S. Open when she competes at a qualifying tournament Monday.
Ledwein, a graduate of NPHS and Bradley University, will be part of a small field of women competing for a single berth at the U.S. Women’s Open May 30-June 2 at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Penn.