The annual Chamber of Commerce event, Czech Out New Prague, drew several hundred people to Memorial Park Thursday, Aug. 1, to meet staff from businesses, non-profit organizations and members of faith communities.
This year’s event was again a popular attraction. Visitors also interacted with New Prague police and firefighters. The event also shared the park with The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, part of the Music at the Broz concert series.

Brady Steinhoff, left, tries on a firefighter’s helmet and jacket during Night to Unite the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Memorial Park. Looking on is his friend, Brayden Smith, right. Members of New Prague’s fire and police departments were in the park for the annual event. Children could explore a fire truck and police car, try on firefighter suits and get stickers. (Patrick Fisher photo)

Berg making safe run for mayoral seat
Elko New Market voters will have options in their municipal leadership when they go to the polls this fall.
With Mayor Joe Julius having previously announced he will not seek re-election, councilor Josh Berg has filed to run for mayor and its two-year term. Rick Stidger has also filed to run for mayor. If Berg is not elected mayor, he will serve the remainder of the four year city council seat he won in 2022.

One incumbent and one potential newcomer are among the early contestants for the elections for New Prague City Council and the New Prague Area School District.
Incumbent Mayor Duane Jirik is the only person to file for election to the New Prague City Council. It is for a two-year term. The seats currently held by councilors Shawn Ryan and Bruce Wolf are also up for election for four-year terms.
School district

Mark LeRoy Orvik, of New Prague, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the age of 69. He was born on May 19,1955 in Minneapolis. He grew up in South Dakota, Minneapolis, Beltrami, and Faribault, Minnesota.
Mark graduated from Faribault High School in 1973. He graduated from Northwestern Electronics Institute where he earned an Associate in Electronics Technology in 1977.

Mildred Dehlinger passed away on July 27, 2024, in St. Paul, MN.  She was born Aug. 16, 1932, on her family’s farm in Jordan, MN, the oldest daughter of ten children of William and Walberga Busch Schoenbauer, attending school at St. Benedict and Good Counsel Academy.  

A St.Paul man is charged with killing a retired Catholic priest who was giving him a ride to a mental health evaluation.
The Rev. Larry Johnson was killed Thursday afternoon, Aug. 1, around 12:40 p.m., as he gave Nathan Thomas Wondra, 32, a ride to an evaluation. Wonder has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of the 76-year-old retired priest while parked just off Interstate 94 along Prior Avenue. Wondra reportedly told police ‘voices’ told him to strangle Fr. Johnson to ‘save humanity.’

Gerald Leo “Jerry” Kurkowski, age 83, of New Prague, Minnesota, died Thursday, August 1, 2024, at his daughter's home in Shakopee, Minnesota.
Born in Grenville, South Dakota, January 5, 1941; the son of Irene (Wojcik) and Joseph Kurkowski.

Lori “Erdie” Jean Bohnsack, age 67, of Belle Plaine, MN, died on Thursday, August 1, 2024, in Hinkley, MN.  Celebration and time of Sharing will be on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. ~ 7:00 p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, MN. 
Erdie was born on January 6, 1957, to her biological mother, Gretchen Schultz, she was then adopted by Vernon and Sylvia (Heinisch) Schultz.  She attended Belle Plaine Schools and graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1975.

Larry V. Braun, age 69, of Roseville,  passed away unexpectedly at his home on January 19, 2024.  He was born and educated in Montgomery, Minnesota, and was an outstanding athlete at MHS.  The rest of his life was spent at various locations with the last being in Roseville, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Irma (Harmeyer) Braun; beloved dog, Charlie.

Nolan Ryan Lake, age 25, of New Prague, died unexpectedly from an accidental overdose after a lifetime of mental health struggles on Saturday, July 27, 2024. Nolan was born on August 8, 1998, in Burnsville, to Ryan and Jennifer (Erickson) Lake.  He grew up in New Prague, attending New Prague Public Schools.

Helen Brandt passed away surrounded by her loving children after a long, happy life filled with faith, family, and friends.
Helen considered her #1 career to be caring for, living with, and laughing with all of her children. She devoted her life to the community of Rosemount working in the schools and volunteering at St. Joe’s.

Nolan Ryan Lake, age 25, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Arrangements pending.   
bruzekfuneralhome.com

NP police, firefighters, deputies, dispatchers team up to save man’s life
His relatives tease John Ruehling there’s an easier way to enjoy a helicopter ride. Joking aside, the Helena Township farmer knows the airborne trip was a small part of a lifesaving effort by New Prague police, firefighters and Scott County Sheriff’s deputies and dispatchers.

Florence M. Hanek, age 97, of Lonsdale, MN, peacefully passed away on July 24, 2024, at the Northfield Hospital in Northfield, MN, surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her parents; Douglas Victor Snelling, Margaret Palen Snelling, her siblings, Edward, Douglas, Dorothy Rutherford and beloved husband of 57 years, Alois Hanek. 

You know the penny dishes originally intended for folks to use a penny or two rather than breaking a dollar bill. You take a few pennies when you need ‘em and leave a few when you have extra.