Tim Neeser has been with Chart Industries for nearly 40 years. He began as an intern in 1980 when the New Prague based company was MVE (Minnesota Valley Engineering). He was hired full time as a product engineer for packaged gases fresh out of college in 1982. He retired on Friday, Feb. 14.
He said when he began with the company it employed 150 people. Now it has 5,000 employees and does $1.5 billion in sales worldwide. His work with the company has also resulted in his filing 25 patents.

The Le Sueur/Rice County Drug Task Force was very busy in 2019.
Le Sueur County Chief Deputy Nick Greenig presented information about the work completed by the drug task force within the county during the Elysian City Council meeting Feb. 11.
Last year there were 64 cases opened, 55 search warrants were issued, and there were 61 arrests made.
A total of $18,020 in cash was seized as were nine firearms.
More than 3.4 million dollars in street value worth of controlled substances were seized.

Residents of Praha Village, New Prague’s senior apartment complex, held a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, bringing in $1,623.75. The residents held a Bake & Craft Sale on December 13 that was open to the residents and their families. It was the first year that the residents held the fundraiser.

Due to a lack of a quorum, the New Prague City Council meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, Feb. 18) has been cancelled. For the council to meet it needs at least three of its five members to be present. The agenda, which included public comment on the renewal of the Ambulance Service Agreement, has been rescheduled for the Monday, March 2, council meeting.

More than 340 people showed up to warm up at the 26th annual Soup Supper at St. Wenceslaus Church on Monday, Feb. 17. The all you can eat supper had three delectable choices for the evening, chili, vegetable beef soup and chicken noodle soup, plus homemade breads, cookies and bars. The proceeds will benefit the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul. For more see an upcoming print issue of The Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Guests at the annual 4-H Valentine’s Dance enjoy line dancing on Friday, Feb. 14. The dance at Falcon Ridge Elementary School in New Prague is held for adults with developmental disabilities. There were 60 guests from area communities who had a fun time on the dance floor, with games, crafts and other activities. The Valentine’s Dance is organized by the Booster 4-H Club of New Prague and Magnifying Abilities, a social and recreational program for persons with cognitive and physical disabilities. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

This love story starts in the halls of New Prague Middle School back in 1993 when a boy and a girl first crossed paths, as seventh graders.
Jennie Kotzenmacher was the new girl in school with long red hair.
Ben Schoenbauer stood at an impressive 6-foot, 2-inches tall.
That’s pretty much all they remember of each other from those awkward teen years, but even those vague memories seem to sweeten their love story, which now includes almost 13 years of marriage, an incredible fight to live, and three young, active boys running through their St. Paul home.

New Prague’s Cub Scouts of Pack 323 had a lot of exciting fun on Saturday, Feb. 8, as they held their annual Pinewood Derby at St. Wenceslaus Church’s Parish Activity Center. This year’s races of 52 wooden cars, built by the Cub Scouts, was a record number of entries for the annual event.
“It went fantastic this year,” said Cubmaster Erick Christianson of the Pinewood Derby.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, State Representative Bob Vogel, R-Elko New Market, announced he will not be seeking re-election for a fourth term to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Vogel has represented House District 20A since being first elected in 2014.
“I never dreamed growing up in New Market, then a community of 250 people, that I would have the honor of representing over 38,000 people in the Minnesota House for three terms,” said Rep. Vogel. “Serving in public office has been a great privilege and truly a life-changing experience.”

American Legion Auxiliary Unit #45 will meet Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Park Ballroom, 300 Lexington Ave. S in New Prague. A light lunch will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 7 p.m. The dessert committee for February is Linda Dvorak, Alberta Erickson and Tonja Flick.

New Prague American Legion Post 45 will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. with a lunch at 6:30 p.m.

The New Prague Chamber of Commerce held its first State of the City & School Address the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 12, at The Depot. Mayor Chuck Nickolay, center, gives the city’s portion of the address. Superintendent Tim Dittberner provided the portion for the New Prague Area Schools. There were 35 people that attended the event. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

WHAT...Dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 40 below zero. * WHERE...Le Sueur County. * WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Thursday. * IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Cub Scouts from New Prague’s Pack 323 gather for a group photo during the annual Pinewood Derby held Saturday, Feb. 8, at St. Wenceslaus Church’s Parish Activity Center. There were 52 entries in the derby, a record number. There were prizes for those who won in the races and for best design. For more see an upcoming print issue of The New Prague Times. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

Weather Alerts-New Prague, MN
Winter Storm Warning from SAT 11:00 PM CST until SUN 3:00 PM CST
Make preparations per the instructions
Issued By
Minneapolis - MN, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
Portions of central, east central and south central Minnesota
Description
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST SUNDAY...
WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 9 inches.
WHERE...Portions of central, east central and south central Minnesota.
WHEN...Until 3 PM CST Sunday.

The time for the Elko New Market City Council’s Thursday, Feb. 13, business meeting has been changed to 6 p.m. The council’s work session, originally scheduled for 6 p.m., has been cancelled. The meeting will be held at Elko New Market City Hall, 601 Main Street.