People in Minnesota are being warned to be extra vigilant as scam callers are likely to ramp up their activity over the next few weeks to take advantage of increasing amounts of people being at home due to the current coronavirus outbreak.
CPR Call Blocker, a call blocking device, is predicting that scammers and fraudsters will be ready to strike and take advantage of the situation as more states go into lockdown, forcing people to stay at home, and is warning people in Minnesota to be on their guard for a rise in bogus calls.

As the United States faces the worst public health crisis in a generation, we want you to know we are here for you—and with you.
Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper will be there for you.
We’ll be there to let you know how our community is managing through this crisis—from business to government to the health care system and schools to the impact on individuals and families.

On April 1, 2020, at 11:49 a.m., Scott County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch received a report of a two-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Eagle Creek Avenue (CR21) and Natchez Avenue (CR 91) in Credit River Township.
Initial investigation indicates that a 2005 Toyota Corolla was traveling eastbound on Eagle Creek Avenue when it struck a 2018 freight truck that was turning southbound onto Natchez Avenue from the westbound turn lane on Eagle Creek Avenue.

Allie Reynolds, left, and her grandmother, Debbie Reynolds decorate their fence along Seventh Street NE in New Prague the afternoon of Tuesday, March 31. Debbie was inspired by the Facebook group World of Hearts. “Plus my granddaughter was bored,” she said with a grin. They had hearts, shamrocks, a smiley face, “Honk to say Hello!” and other messages on the fence. Around New Prague many chalk messages and pieces of art have been popping up. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

UPDATE - 4/2/20 
Highway 93 between Highway 169 and Henderson opens after 5 p.m today Thursday,, April 2, 2020.
 
Crews monitoring Highway 19 closely.
Motorists are advised that Highway 93 from Highway 169 to Henderson remains closed due to flooding on the Minnesota River.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed Highway 93 early Sunday morning. 
MnDOT and area law enforcement are closely monitoring Highway 19 between Highway 169 and Henderson as current river forecasts indicate the potential closure later this week.

The first Le Sueur County COVID-19 case was identified on March 22. Since that time, over the 
course of the last week, Le Sueur County Public Health has been notified by the Minnesota 
Department of Health (MDH) of an additional 10 cases of lab confirmed COVID-19. MDH does 
not release specific case information to protect the identity and privacy of the individuals. 
Aggregate data regarding the Le Sueur County cases that can be shared at this time include:
none of the cases were hospitalized, all are recovering at home and following isolation guidance 

Effective immediately, we have been directed by our DNR Regional office to implement Burning Permit Restrictions in our counties.  Restrictions mean that (in an electronic burning permit county) the only burning permits that can be activated and legally burned are variance permits. A variance is a burning permit issued for over 1 acre of grass and special permits issued for large piles such as for a road construction activity or similar projects. Variances are issued by a forester and not fire wardens or purchased online.

New Prague residents were greeted by these signs at the playground in Memorial Park on Friday, March 27. City staff made the decision the morning of Friday, March 27, that parks in the City of New Prague will be open, with the baseball, softball fields and trails open for use. The playgrounds would be closed due to the coronavirus and the difficulty to keep such equipment clean. Park staff had been sent out and taped off the playground equipment.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) is closing all exam stations statewide beginning Friday at the close of business to follow Governor Tim Walz’s executive order for Minnesotans to stay home and slow the spread of COVID-19. Offices will stay closed through April 10, when the executive order is set to expire. 

Public service changes, effective 4:30 PM March 27
Governor Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order for Minnesota effective Friday, March 27, at 11:59 p.m. through April 10. Only essential services will remain open.
 What does this mean?
All driver’s license agents and deputy registrar offices must close.

The Walgreens at 100 Chalupsky Ave. SE in New Prague is closed this morning for a cleaning that began at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to last four hours. The store will reopen today after the cleaning is completed. People will be able to pick up prescriptions after the store reopens.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notified Le Sueur County Public Health that Le Sueur County has an additional four cases of lab confirmed COVID-19, in addition to the case reported on March 22. MDH reports that the additional cases had contact with a known positive case and are recovering at home.

Rice County Public Health was notified today, Tuesday, March 24 by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of a second lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in Rice County.
Limited information indicates the confirmed case is in their 30’s with transmission linked to travel within the United States. This person was not hospitalized and is in isolation at home.
Rice County Public Health continues to work with MDH and local health care partners to address the needs of those who are ill in our community.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) notified Le Sueur County Public Health of a lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in Le Sueur County. The individual is in their 40s and is recovering at home.
According to MDH, the individual was not hospitalized and no work exposures were identified.

Kellie Frey, right, special education teacher at Falcon Ridge Elementary School, prepares to drop off a Chromebook computer the morning of Saturday, March 21. New Prague Area Schools was holding curbside distribution of Chromebooks for students in grades 2-5 at all three elementary schools on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Chromebooks will be used by the students for homework and to connect with teachers while schools are closed due to COVID-19. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Starting Monday, March 23 Northfield Hospital + Clinics will temporarily close its Lakeville Clinic/Urgent Care and Lonsdale Clinic. Clinics in Farmington, Northfield and Faribault will remain open for patients who need to be seen for health issues other than COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Patients who need care for chronic conditions or acute situations such as stitches or broken bones will be seen.
Patients are encouraged to CALL FIRST to discuss their symptoms. A triage nurse will help determine the best location if a patient needs to be seen.