Le Sueur County commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday, June 25, declaring the county in a state of emergency for conditions resulting from the flooding events beginning on June 17.

Memorial Park was once again host to this year’s Kolacky Days Meet and Greet. It was a chance to meet the candidates, some of the volunteers that put on the annual celebration in July, and find out and meet the 2024 grand marshals.
On a steamy but rain-free evening of Monday, July 24, members of the Montgomery Area Community Club handed out free kolackys, cookies and water, while Scott Smisek played his concertina. Shortly thereafter, the reigning Kolacky royalty spoke, followed by each of the seven candidates for this year — who were presented with their Little Sisters.

Harriett Helen Soukup, age 96, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2024, at Mala Strana Care Facility in New Prague. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 27 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. with prayer service at 11 a.m. all held at the Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Interment will be held in Bohemian National Cemetery in Montgomery.

The Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office has issued no-wake restrictions for all lakes south of state Highway 99 to include lakes Washington, Gorman, Sakatah, Tetonka, West Jefferson, Emily, Middle Jefferson, East Jefferson, German, Francis, Rays and Volney.
The restriction has been issued because of the abnormally high-water levels, which has created shoreline erosion concerns, submerged docks and excess debris in the lakes creating potential hazards.

For the third time in the last 10 years, the city of Waterville and surrounding areas have been deluged with excessive rainfall, causing the most prolific flood in the town’s history.
In 2014 the city received high waters which was considered the worst flood since 1965 when flood waters covered many of the downtown streets. In 2016 the city endured yet another massive rainfall which was nearly as bad as 2014. There was also some flooding in 2019.

Richard “Rich” George Vargo, age 77, of Montgomery, died on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.  Visitation was held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 with funeral at 11:00 with Pastor Jason Pollington officiating, all at St. John Lutheran Church in Montgomery. Interment was in at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Montgomery.

The Le Sueur County Fairgrounds in Le Center was host to the Sixth Annual Tri-City United FFA Alumni and Friends Truck and Tractor Pull on Friday evening.
    There was plenty of muscle to go around on a very pleasant evening, with a good portion of the crowd of approximately 800 opting to purchase pit passes to be closer to the loud, sometimes smokey action. Spectators were treated to a total of 66 hooks on the straightaway. 

Scott County Highway 9/Carver County Highway 11/Jordan River Crossing (Jordan/Sand Creek Township): The Jordan River Crossing will close Thursday, June 20, at 2 PM due to flooding.

From the Minnesota Department of Transportation
Highway 19 east of Henderson to Highway 169 closed at 12 p.m. today, June 19, due to flooding from the Minnesota River.
Traffic is detoured to Highway 19 west of Henderson, Sibley County Road 17 (391st Avenue), Sibley County Road 8 (336th Street), and Highway 169.
Motorists should monitor www.511mn.org for current road and detour information.
Other crossings closed

Monday evening was a history lesson for the Kolacky Queen candidates for this year at the Arts and Heritage Center.
Local historian Dale Ruhland, seen at the left in the group photo and next to the current royalty, briefly spoke about a few historical items, and Jim Mladek followed with a more thorough wrap-up of Kolacky Days throughout the years. Mladek said, “My challenge to you (candidates) is to do some of your own research on your own heritage.”

Gladys “Dee” Soulek, age 97, of Eagan, died peacefully, as the result of a fall, with her family at her side, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital.  Dee was born on February 11, 1927, in Montgomery, Minnesota, to George and Albina (Jakes) Trcka.  She graduated from Montgomery High School and married Clarence E.

Carrie Rose (Sticha) Simon, age 47, of Montgomery, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 2, 2024, after a courageous battle against cancer.
 Visitation was held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery with Father Tom Niehaus officiating. Interment was at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in New Prague.

Union Hill got just enough offense and defense this past week to win a pair of Dakota-Rice Scott League games.
Wins over Montgomery Friday, June 7, and Veseli Sunday, June 9, improved the Bulldogs’ record to 6-2 in the DRS, just behind league-leading New Prague. The Bulldogs will host the Orioles Sunday, June 16, 2 p.m.
Bulldogs 8, Veseli 6 Two runs in the eighth inning gave the Bulldogs the win at Veseli Sunday, June 9.

Lillian Marie Dornfeld, age 95, of Montgomery, died on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at The Villages of Lonsdale. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 15 from 10:00 a.m to 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Father Nick VanDenBroeke officiating all held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lonsdale. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Lonsdale.

Eighth-grader Carly Hartwig took second place in preliminaries with a time of 57.83, and at finals took third place with a time that beat her own state Class AA record 56.99 in the 400 meter dash. Hartwig was outpaced by this and last year's second place finisher Kaela Skistad of Monticello with a time of 56.38, and Brooke Hohenecker of Providence Academy, who now holds the new Class AA record of 56.35.
Seventh-grader Nyadak Ruei placed 11th in the high jump finals, at 5'3". It was her first visit to the state tournament.

Marilyn Mae Reddemann, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, departed from this world on May 6, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion. Born on October 18, 1940, to Mildred and Jasper Shaver, Marilyn's life was a testament to faith, family, and a spirit of adventure. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. with Funeral Service at 11 a.m. all held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center.