Officer Bryan Tupy, who began with the Montgomery Police Department in October 2019, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Officer Tupy began his law enforcement career as a part-time officer for the City of Le Center in 2015. Officer Tupy generally worked the afternoon or night shift with Officer Jack Strand.

Four people lost their lives in a two-vehicle accident in Le Sueur County’s Sharon Township, Sunday night, July 25.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, the crash occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. at the intersection of Le Sueur County Road 15 and Le Sueur County Road 22.
Initial investigation indicates a 2012 Ford Expedition with seven occupants, who were all from California, collided with a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado with one occupant from Le Sueur.

They’ll be dishing up delicious dumplings at the Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant booth this weekend.
Volunteers mixed, formed, rolled and cooked 3,060 potato dumplings on Sunday, July 18 in the Tri-City United High School kitchen. (That’s 12 and a half 25-pound bags of flour and 24 five-pound cans of potatoes!)
The dumplings will be sold as part of the stand’s popular Czech Meal Deals throughout the weekend at Memorial Park.

Montgomery’s law enforcement agency is implementing a bodyworn camera (BWC) program.
The program was approved by the City Council on Monday, July 19.
Police Chief Nathan Hintz believes the time is coming when the department will be forced to use them. He also said the cost-savings from avoided litigation will pay for the program.
“I believe one case of litigation or lawsuit will pay for it. It records the behavior our officers are seeing on the street. It makes us do our job correctly. It keeps us out of court. I believe it’s necessary at this point,” he stated.

Grace Barnett, daughter of Kevin and Keri Barnett, and Abby and Chris Degrood, was crowned the 2021 Kolacky Queen on Friday. Joining her are First Princess Ellaina Novak, daughter of Gary and Tami Novak. Second Princess went to Ronni Smith, daughter of Clint and Jill Smith. The candidates chose Aubrey Filter as Miss Congeniality. (Wade Young Photo)

A community garden is taking root at the foot of Montgomery’s water tower takes to a group of ambitious Girls Scouts who are working to earn their Silver Award.
“We wanted to do a more long-lasting project for the community, and we thought there should be a community garden, so we decided to make it happen,” explained 14-year-old local Girl Scout Tahlia Buckingham.

The Credit River Antique Tractor Club held its 1 p.m. parade on Friday, July 16, at Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park. Around 40 tractors took part in the parade that was part of the 22nd annual show, which continues at the park north of New Prague on Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18. Tractor parades will also be held at 1 p.m. those days with antique vehicles and engines on display, plus activities around the park and food vendors. The show is held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and offers free admission and parking. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times.

Beginning at 4 a.m. on Thursday, July 15, the intersection of Main Street and Highway 21, on the west side of New Prague, is scheduled to be closed for one day for mill and overlay work. The work will begin at the intersection and go west on Highway 19 to the intersection with Fifth Avenue NW/SW. There will be several detours around the closed intersection. Northbound vehicles on Highway 21 can take the turnoff right before the intersection to get onto Main Street. Drivers can then go north on Second Avenue NW, then west onto Second Street NW and reconnect to Highway 21.

This weekend Generations Theatre Company will present Shrek Jr., a production that was all set to go in 2020, but was cancelled on its opening night due to COVID- 19 restrictions. There are three shows that will be performed at the New Prague High School auditorium, 221 12th St. NE. The first is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 9, the next two are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 10. Cost is a donation to Generation Theatre Company’s scholarship fund.

Le Sueur County’s new Public Health Director Megan Kirby hit the ground running April 26th when she officially stepped into the position.
“I was fortunate enough to have multiple weeks with our previous director, Cindy Shaughnessy, to train and learn the role a little more in depth,” stated Kirby, who has a background working in community health along with a Master's Degree in Public Health, a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health Education, and an Associate's Degree in Psychology.

Motorists should plan for the Intersection of Highways 19 and 21  (Main Street & 4th Avenue NW) on the west side of New Prague being closed to thru traffic Thursday, July 15 – Friday, July 16 during scheduled milling and resurfacing work.  Although this schedule could be adjusted based on weather conditions, through traffic should follow any temporary detours.
 The current detour for the reconstruction project in downtown New Prague is expected to stay in place until the project completion, scheduled for this October. 

A man was found dead in a Le Center home Tuesday morning, July 6, following a 10-hour long standoff with law enforcement.
The man, who has been identified as 38-year-old Michael Lee Elie of Le Center, died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
According to a press release issued by the Le Sueur County’s Sheriff Office, law enforcement officers responded to a residence in the 300 block of South Cordova Avenue in Le Center for a reported domestic assault at 9:19 p.m. Monday night.

The Le Sueur County Board received a report from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) June 15 explaining the 10- year district work plan.
There are many road projects scheduled in the next 10 years which will affect residents in most of the communities within the county.

Le Sueur County and the City of Montgomery approved a permit by Joshua and Jonathan Beulke last month for establishing a mental health clinic at the former Lakeside Supper Club.
The application by the Beulke brothers was approved Tuesday, June 22 by the Le Sueur County Board, and in a special meeting by the City of Montgomery on June 7.
The outpatient clinic, which is currently at 100 Oak Ave. SW in the City of Montgomery, will be moved to the former supper club on Lake Pepin.

The Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Lonsdale Community Days Committee announced on Wednesday, June 23 that Daryl Rieck has been chosen as the 2021 Lonsdale Grand Marshal.
According to a press release, Rieck has been an integral part of the community for more than 35 years. It listed Rieck’s commitment to Londale being the American Legion Commander, instructor for AARP Defensive Course Classes, member of the Veteran's Memorial Task Force, Memorial Day Service Organizer, and volunteer who always helps with BINGO on Saturday evenings at the Legion.

According to information from the Rice County Sheriff’s office, Sergeant Justin Timothy Hunt, age 40, of Faribault died in his sleep while on vacation with his family. His obituary states he passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 23 in Arthur, WI, following a sudden illness.