Capt. Lesley J. Fierst USN, Ret., age 53, of New Prague, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at his home.  Les was born on March 15, 1971, in New Prague, to Randolph and Nancy (Lapic) Fierst.  Les spent his youth like most kids.  He enjoyed hanging out with neighborhood friends playing sports, backyard pickup games, going to the pool, just being a typical small-town kid.  Les was the stereotypical 80’s kid, collecting sports cards, playing video games, scouts and growing up with that 80s music watching Friday night videos.

There have been numerous questions on the status of Molter’s Fresh Market grocery store in town and whether or not the store is closing. Over the past month or so, shelves have slowly been getting emptier and emptier and the deli inside was closed for business last week permanently.
The store never brandished any permanent sign on the building, leaving the previous grocery store’s name, Mackenthun’s, on it for about six months before it was painted over and small temporary banners were placed below it.

Union Pacific, which owns and operates the railroad running from Montgomery through New Prague, has been working on a tie replacement project along the line to Jordan.
“We do that periodically to ensure safe transport of the items we ship,” said Mike Jaixen, senior manager of communications for Union Pacific. “Along with replacing the ties, the crews do ballast work. The ties will be set to the side of the track, and we have a different crew that will come by later and pick up the old ties.”

Richard J. “Dick” Zweber, age 85, of New Prague, died while praying a rosary with his daughter at his home on Thursday, August 22, 2024.  Dick was born on November 13, 1938, in St. Paul, to Vincent and Helen (McFadden) Zweber.   He grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Matthew’s, St. Joseph’s, and Cretin Schools, before moving as a sophomore, graduating from New Prague High School.  It was there that he met Mary Ruth Cervenka, the woman who would become his bride, on December 31, 1958, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.  

Although the final numbers aren’t yet official, estimates indicate the Le Sueur County Fair enjoyed a successful run Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 14-18, at the fairgrounds in Le Center.
Jessie Filter, a director on the fair board, indicated attendance was up this year over a year ago based on the parking lot numbers. The fair’s website indicates it draws 12,000 to 14,000 people to Le Center during the fair’s four-day run. Filter said the parking area was full Thursday and Sunday when free parking was permitted.
“People like that,” she said.

As of this month, I have been in New Prague working for The New Prague Times for 25 years.
In the last few months, I’ve had a few people mention they remembered when I started. One person said they remembered how black my hair was then. At the time I started, I was 31. Someone recently asked how old I was now and when I told them, they were surprised.

After a dry spell spanning longer than veteran players want to remember, the Union Hill baseball team has enjoyed success at the state amateur baseball tournament. The Bulldogs topped St. Peter Friday, Aug 16, in Belle Plaine.
The Bulldogs, Montgomery and Waterville will be the three area teams in action this weekend at the Minnesota Baseball Assoc.’s State Tournament. Three area teams – New Market, Webster and Elko all suffered tough season-ending losses in the tournament’s opening round.

Elko New Market’s mayoral race has been reduced to two candidates as Councilor Josh Berg recently decided to cease his campaign for the two-year position. With Mayor Joe Julius not seeking re-election, the mayoral race is now between Andrew Garfield and Rick Stidger.
Berg, who is currently serving his third term as a member of the Elko New Market City Council, said in a prepared statement he decided to step back due to the time commitment the position of mayor would require.

If you’re a baseball fan, they say the best four words each spring are ‘Pitchers and catchers report’ to spring training. Each spring, when professional baseball players show up for spring training, it’s a sign we’ve survived another winter, that the best of our climate is yet to come and there is hope for better days ahead.

Eileen M. Wagner, age 91, of Prior Lake, MN, entered eternal life on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at New Perspective Senior Living. 
A visitation will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., and on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 9:30-10:45 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 a.m., all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. She will be laid to rest at St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery, in Elko New Market, MN. 

The following participants in Scott County 4-H clubs were honored for their entries during the Scott County Fair in July.

David J. Solheid, age 78, of Union Hill, died peacefully on Friday, August 16, 2024, at a hospice in St. Paul.  Dave was born on April 24, 1946, in New Prague, to Michael and Mary (Pint) Solheid.  He graduated from New Prague High School and served in the US Army, where he received awards for his marksmanship.  He married Judy Fitzke on October 4, 1969, in New Prague.  Dave worked for Scott Equipment for over 30  years, retiring as a shop foreman.

Leona E. Weiers, age 95, of Montgomery, formerly of Union Hill, died peacefully in her sleep, on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at her home at Traditions of Montgomery.  Leona was born a twin on the family farm in Derrynane Township on February 7, 1929, to Mathias and Barbara (Klinkhammer) Giesen.  She grew up and spent her entire life in the Union Hill area and graduated from New Prague High School.  She married Edwin "Speed" Weiers on September 10, 1949, at St. John's Catholic Church in Union Hill and very successfully raised a beautiful family of 14 children.

A shed fire on 270th Street East, east of Creeks Bend Golf Course, in rural Cedar Lake Township on the afternoon of Saturday, Aug. 17, is a total loss. The shed was used to house equipment only. More information will be available in the print issue of the New Prague Times.

Dennis Wayne Ellman, age 77, of New Prague, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2024, unexpectedly as a result of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital New Prague.  Dennis was born June 21, 1947, in Buffalo Center, IA, to Vincent and Deloris (Johnson) Ellman.  Dennis was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and went to school in Lakota, IA.  He met Marion Schiprett in Montgomery when his parents moved and they were later married on October 7, 1967, at St.

Beyond the hard work that those exhibiting animals have put in, fair foods and beverages, amusement rides, live music, and other events, the Le Sueur County Free Fair is also host to — drum roll please — the Ag Olympics!
The University of Minnesota Le Sueur County 4-H’ers pack in a fun time on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 1 p.m. in the show arena at the fair hosting the Ag Olympics. Events will include wheelbarrow races, feed sack relays, egg tosses, bobbing for corn, roping, and hog calling.