Daylight saving time has returned, prompting many to celebrate with an eye toward warmer temps and the change of seasons. As if on cue, this is a great time as well to celebrate newspapers and the sunshine they deliver to all of our lives and communities.
Reminding citizens and public officials about the public’s right of access to government information is the focus of “Sunshine Week: It’s Your Right to Know,” March 14-20. At its foundation, Sunshine Week underscores preserving the free flow of information for an open, effective and accountable government.

Four area Cub Scouts “crossed over” to Boy Scouts during a special Blue and Gold Banquet at the New Prague Park Ballroom, Sunday afternoon, March 7.
The new Boy Scouts are: Cooper Christenson, son of Derek and Krista Christenson, Daniel Vaughn, son of Brian and Angie Vaughn, Honu Fierst, son of Les and Aleka Fierst, and Kason Adamek, son of Terry Adamek and Carla Sticha.
Prior to “crossing,” the senior Webelos Cub Scouts received their...
To see more on this story, pick up the March 11, 2021 print edition of The New Prague Times.

Today, Governor Tim Walz expanded the groups of individuals who are “priority eligible” for the COVID-19 vaccine, which include people with underlying health conditions, those with rare medical conditions, and documented disability; similarly, these priority groups now also include those working in the judicial system, food production, and food retail services. For specific information, please visit https://scottcountymn.gov/336/Public-Health for further definitions and information.

The Rice County Sheriff’s Office is asking everyone to be alert to a new scam hitting our area.  This is another form of mail fraud where you receive mail asking you to pay a fine for a traffic violation.  The latest scam states that you were caught on a DOT camera for a traffic violation.  The State of Minnesota does not currently allow photograph traffic enforcement, excluding body cameras or mobile vehicle cameras that are fixed to an officer or a squad car.    

Beverly Theresa Rutt passed away at Mayo Hospital in Arizona on February 27, 22021.
She was born in New Prague, MN to Frank and Mary Rutt on April 5, 1939.  Beverly graduated from Montgomery, MN High School in 1957, attended the School of Business in Minneapolis, MN and moved to Hawaii for three years. Beverly has resided in Scottsdale, AZ since 1968 working for the US Airforce and US Post Office in Arizona until retirement.

Zachary “Zakk” Voehl, of Prior Lake, passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 2021. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 12, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant Street SE) in Prior Lake.  A Celebration of Life Service is Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church (3611 North Berens Road NW) in Prior Lake. 

Thursday, March 11th 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Canterbury Park Expo Center
1100 Canterbury Road Shakopee
Appointment required
To register, please go to https://gis.co.scott.mn.us/publichealth/vaccinate.html using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge or call the County’s COVID Hotline at 952-818-3730 or send an email to covid@co.scott.mn.us if you need assistance.
More clinics will be scheduled for other groups as more vaccine doses become available.

The Ptarmigans Kevin Korbel, center #40, tries to push through the Polars’ defense during the 61st annual SnoBowl on Saturday, March 6, at Southside Park in New Prague. The Ptarmigans came out on top with a victory over the Polars in the annual football game played by New Prague High School alumni. The game had been moved from Memorial Park to keep from tearing up grass that had been planted at the park last year. While usually played between Christmas and New Year’s, this year’s game was postponed to March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philip L. Murray, age 74, of Chaska, died suddenly on Friday, March 5, 2021 at 212 Medical Center in Chaska.  Phil was born on March 20, 1946 in New Prague to Paul M. and Eva L. (Peach) Murray.  He grew up on the family farm in Kilkenny, attending country school and Waterville Public School.  He farmed and raised cattle, goats, and other animals.  He met his bride, Darlene G.

Starting March 10, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Coborn’s, Inc., will begin offering the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine).  
  “The entire Coborn’s team is honored to be on the leading edge of providing the COVID vaccine to members of our communities,” said Jason Miller, Pharmacy Clinical Program Manager. “We strongly recommend that EVERYONE receive the COVID-19 vaccine when they are eligible to receive it.”

Minnesota’s 1,781 townships will hold their annual meeting on Tuesday, March 9. Known as Township Day, these annual meetings are held every year on the second Tuesday in March.
Residents of the townships will meet to voice their opinions about local issues with other township residents and also vote directly on their annual tax levy; direct democracy in action. Citizens attending annual meetings also often discuss and vote on other local issues.
In addition, many of the state’s townships will hold their township officer elections on Tuesday’s Township Day.

Spring has sprung, at least in the meteorological sense. As of Monday, March 1, the sun will be out longer and the temperature will get warmer. Judging by the forecast that will definitely be true as temperatures will be in the 40s for most of the week and a prediction of the 50s for the weekend.

Rafik Moore, CEO of Caspian Group and a partner in New Prague Mill LLC, the organization that bought the former Miller Milling property said they are in the early stages for their plans for the property, which covers 180,000 square feet.

The Le Sueur County Historical Society has remained busy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The society recently finished repairs of the old Cleveland Methodist Church, which currently houses many of the society’s artifacts.
In late fall, the large, overgrown lilac hedge on the building’s west side was removed to give better visibility to the building’s exterior in an attempt to deter people from breaking in. According to LCHS, several breaches have occurred at the church in recent years, but none of the artifacts appear to have been taken or damaged.

The first win of the season for the New Prague girls basketball team was narrowly missed Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The Trojans went into double overtime with Jordan and were edged, 69-61.
“I don’t know if I have ever been more proud of a team. Our girls left everything on the floor,” Trojan head coach Eric Specht said. “Our coaches have asked so much of these girls and they continue to give us their best efforts. That alone says a lot about the character of our athletes.”
New Prague led 50-48 with 1.6 seconds remaining when the Jaguars hit a shot to tie the game.

The Elko New Market City Council discussed at its electronically held meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25, the possibility of having hybrid meetings, where council members would meet in-person and the audience would attend virtually.
Council member Bryce Schuenke brought up the possibility of having hybrid meetings.