A haze of smoke from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota drifted into the southern part of the state Thursday morning, July 16, and could be seen in the distance looking west along New Prague’s Main Street.
To celebrate the Fourth of July, Gopher State Railway Museum (GSRM), north of New Prague, held train rides on its historic train engine or cars.
Crews working on the new POPS (Praha Outdoor Performance Stage) facility north of West Main Street were busy Wednesday, July 1, installing a nearly two-ton glulam (glued laminated) timber beam in the front of the faci
Orioles use big numbers in a pair of DRS victories
Mike Meyer is honorary survivor at annual ACS Relay for Life
Mike Meyer knows all about luck – bad luck, good luck.
He’s seen his share of both.
After a tough extra-innings setback, a win was just what the doctor ordered for the Union Hill Bulldogs Sunday.
Elko New Market celebrated Fire Rescue Days Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, plus its annual Saturday, June 27, parade marked its 25th anniversary.
He entered the Special Olympics 2026 USA Games looking to enjoy the experience and do the best he could.
For New Prague’s Seth Dorner, mission accomplished.
Patricia M. Solheid, age 82, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, at Mala Strana Assisted Living in New Prague, with her loving husband by her side.
Pat was born on February 3, 1944, in Canby, Minnesota. She was a graduate of Canby High School and went on to attend Moorhead State University. Her deep love for music led her to a career as an elementary music teacher in New Prague, where she met and married the love of her life, Al, in 1972.
Dr. Robert A. “Bob” Stepaniak, age 79, of Faribault, MN, died on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family following an extended illness.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault with the Rev. Diane Goulson officiating.
Visitation will be held on Monday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Myron A. Tietz, age 74, of New Prague, passed away on June 11, 2026, in Rochester, Minnesota.
Myron was born on June 16, 1951, in New Prague to Clemens and Lenora (Bohnsack) Tietz. He was raised in New Prague and graduated from New Prague High School. Following graduation, he pursued his passion for carpentry by attending Faribault Vocational Technical School.
Le Sueur County took a step to pump the brakes on data centers being built in the county. At the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 26, the county unanimously passed a one-year moratorium on data center construction.
The moratorium covers unincorporated areas of Le Sueur County. Cities within the county can still make their own decisions.
“If a city wants to have a data center, we don’t have any control over that at all,” Commissioner David Preisler said. “If they want to, they’re not affected by this ordinance. They’ve got their own planning and zoning.”
Carol M. Hennen, age 83, passed away on June 8, 2026. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Rd) in Shakopee, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. with additional visitation from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, all at Sts. Joachim & Anne Parish, St. Mark Catholic Church (350 Atwood St S) in Shakopee, MN. Father Peter Williams will preside.
Harold K. “Mac” McMahon, age 98, of New Prague, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 9, 2026.
The New Prague School District loves to credit itself for its attention to treating everyone equally. And there’s no reason to believe the district is sincere with its claim equity matters.
But in a recent case, its attention to the notion of treating everyone equally missed the mark. Badly.
Three wins, one a slugfest, gave Union Hill the top spot in the Dakota-Rice-Scott League heading into this week.
The Bulldogs will host Webster tomorrow, Friday, June 12, 7:30 p.m., at Don Giesen Field. Sunday, June 14, 2 p.m., the Bulldogs will face New Prague at Memorial Park.
Orioles face schedule changes
New Prague had two games rescheduled this past week. July 8, 7:30 p.m., NP will make up a game at Prior Lake. The Orioles will make up a game against Waldorf at Bonin Field in St. Patrick, June 25, later this summer.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Union Hill, west of New Prague, held a free-will lunch and fellowship after its Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 7. Rev. Eugene Theisen agreed to get into a dunk tank to help raise funds. The dunk tank was $5 for children and $10 for adults. It was a popular event with children with many lining up to try and dunk Theisen.
Theisen agreed to...
To see more on this story pick up the June 11, 2026 print edition of The New Prague Times.
New Prague’s athletes made a strong showing last week at the Minnesota State High School League’s Class AAA track and field championships at St. Michael-Albertville High School, setting new school records and advancing several athletes to the medals stand.
In the pole vault, John Walters cleared 14 feet to finish eighth and earn all-state.
Music at Memorial, the free summer music concert series in New Prague starts its fifth year of performances Wednesday, June 17, 6-8 p.m. Produced by the New Prague Arts Foundation, there are eight concerts this year, all on Wednesday nights.
“We are excited to produce the concert series again this summer,” said Den Gardner, chair of the foundation. “This is our last year at Memorial Park and we thank the city for the space. Next year the series will be at the new Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) facility on the west end of town.”
David "Dave" Edward Johnston, age 59, of Montgomery, Minnesota, was called home on June 7, 2026, following a tragic accident while doing something he loved—riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
A strong second-day performance vaulted New Prague’s Azalea Kallal 18 places in the individual standings at the Minnesota State High School League’s Class AAA state golf tournament Tuesday and Wednesday, June 9-10, at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids.
David Edward Johnston, age 59, lifelong resident of Montgomery, died unexpectedly as a result of a motorcycle accident on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
William John “Bill” Russ, age 83, of Montgomery, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 7, 2026, with his loving wife and daughter by his side.
Mary Jean Turek, age 76, of Lonsdale, passed away on June 3, 2026, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
