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.
The New Prague Trojans rallied in their first game, 5-4, of the Section 1AAAA baseball tournament, Monday, May 25. In the bottom of the seventh inning of the game at Memorial Park, the Trojans, seeded third, scored four times to beat Lakeville South, seeded sixth. (Further details of the game were not available as of press time.)
Understanding the cost of freedom was a theme in the speech of New Prague’s Memorial Day speaker, Chief Master Sergeant Jamy Tikalsky, Monday, May 25, during ceremonies at the New Prague Veterans Memorial.
Tikalsky dedicated 31 years to serving the U.S. She served in the U.S. Air Force and the Minnesota Air National Guard. During her career, she supported multiple military operations, including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.
After a tough loss in the opening round of the Section 1AAAA playoffs, New Prague has rallied with a pair of wins and has earned a chance at playing the role of spoiler. The Trojans were slated to take on Lakeville South Tuesday, May 26, in Austin after the newspaper’s press deadline.
Any New Prague High School graduate who was asked Saturday afternoon agreed postponing the ceremony to Saturday afternoon, May 23, 2 p.m. was the right decision. On a sunny afternoon, 343 seniors joined the ranks of graduates ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.
Rain before and up to the commencement ceremony’s scheduled 7 p.m. start time Friday evening prompted the rescheduling of the ceremony to Saturday.
Hundreds of people attended the retirement open house for Pastor Steve Trewartha, Saturday, May 16, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague. Trewartha, more known as “Pastor Steve,” has served as a pastor in New Prague for more than 20 years and is the founding pastor of FaithPoint Lutheran Church of rural New Prague.
The Minnesota Legislature called it a day Sunday, May 18, taking credit in the House for working together for the good of the state and its citizens as mature adults ought to do. People working together for a common good, compromising and acting reasonably in a legislative session will oftentimes occur when the two major parties enjoy equal representation.
And yet, the Minnesota House of Representatives weekly news service makes it sound like such bipartisan cooperation is to be celebrated rather than expected. Sadly, it is.
The Elko New Market City Council approved two new liquor licenses at its Thursday, May 14, meeting. By a 4-0 vote the council approved an on-sale intoxicating liquor license and a Sunday sale liquor license for Jaceyn Brockhouse, Patrick Flynn and Wade Brelje who submitted paperwork for the licenses for Mega Properties LLC, which operates Elko Speedway at 26350 France Ave. Elko Speedway is a 92-acre facility featuring a 3/8-mile NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt oval track.
A public hearing was required for the liquor licenses, which was held with no comments.
This spring, area town baseball teams in the Dakota-Rice-Scott League have returned to the diamond for another season ending with New Prague being one of the communities hosting state tournament games.
Area teams were asked about their prospects for the season which started last month. Those which responded are listed below. The New Prague Times will begin covering area teams in greater depth as the high school seasons end.
New Prague
The day begins with the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard visiting area cemeteries where the names of veterans buried at those cemeteries will be read.
The visits begin at St. Patrick Cemetery at 9 a.m. then St. Benedict Cemetery 9:25 a.m., Lanesburgh Cemetery 9:45 a.m., Union Hill Cemetery 10:10 a.m., Czech National Cemetery 10:30 a.m. and St. Wenceslaus Cemetery 10:50 a.m.
St. Thomas Church near Le Sueur will be holding a Memorial Day Mass at 9 a.m. with a blessing of the graves after the Mass.
After a solid regular season, New Prague’s girls’ golf team came up stellar Monday at the Metro West Conference Championship meet at Braemar Golf Course in Edina Monday, May 18.
The Trojans finished second in the championships, a showing strong enough to earn the Trojans the conference championship. New Prague finished second with a 329 team score, three strokes behind Orono. Benilde- St. Margaret’s finished third (332), followed by Chanhassen (348), St. Louis Park (352), Waconia (356), Chaska (363) and Bloomington Jefferson (410).
Tomorrow evening, Friday, May 22, New Prague High School’s Class of 2026 and seniors from the community, regardless of where they attend high school will join the ranks of high school graduates this community has a right to be proud of and hold in high esteem. Young people are the future of this community, its future leaders, its someday civic leaders, its elected representatives of a community looking up to you.
In Memorial Day ceremonies that will be repeated across the United States, New Prague will honor and remember those who served and who gave all, Monday, May 25, with services at area cemeteries and at memorials.
The day will include ceremonies at the New Prague Veterans Memorial in Memorial Park along East Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the program at the veterans memorial will be held in the Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S.
She could have taken any of a number of easier routes to graduating high school. Friday night, Hayden Tourtillott will receive her high school diploma as a reward to herself for not giving up and thinking of her future.
Hayden Tourtillott, 20, should have graduated with New Prague High School’s Class of 2024. For a variety of reasons, some of which she acknowledges were within her own control, Tourtillott didn’t get the work done, working for an hourly wage to pay rent and meet commitments rather than complete the school work needed to earn passing grades and graduate.
Carol Margaret Kratochvil Carlson, 76, passed away on January 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas, leaving behind a legacy of independence, strength, and simple joys. Born in New Prague, Minnesota, to Agnes and Wenceslaus Kratochvil, Carol cherished her small-town upbringing alongside her five siblings and a large, close-knit circle of cousins and friends.
Richard “Dick” Bresser, age 75, passed away at his home on May 16, 2026. Dick was born on March 7, 1951, to Robert and Marjorie (Bobo) Bresser in Canby, Minnesota. He grew up with older, twin siblings, Roger and Sheila. In high school, he developed his strong work ethic through his part time jobs and being on the wrestling team, qualifying for the individual state tournament twice. Dick started dating his soul mate, Linda, his junior year of high school.
Donald J. Novotny, age 83, of New Prague, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026.
Donald was born on January 11, 1943, to Joseph and Mary (Tupa) Novotny. He was raised on the family farm alongside his ten siblings and was the second oldest of the family. Don attended New Prague High School and, after graduation, worked for a short time before being drafted into the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam era.
