Here's what's been going on in and around New Prague lately, according to the New Prague Times:

- A proposal for the final plat and an 8-foot-by-12-foot addition to the Knights of Columbus Hall in New Prague passed with city council approval, despite opposition from city staff. 

- The New Prague school district's proposed budget shows just shy of $30 million in expenditures.

When the Belle Plaine Herald told its readers about the Jordan Hubmen's recent doubleheader sweep, it said Jordan "picked apart" the Belle Plaine Tigers.

In the first game, four errors led to five unearned runs off of starter Tyler Hartman, the article pointed out. Jordan won 7-0.

In the second game, Jordan "jumped out to another early lead" and then "blew the game open," according to the Herald. Jordan won 14-6.

Here's what's been going on in and around Belle Plaine lately, according to the Belle Plaine Herald:

- Scott County Commissioner Jon Ulrich of Savage and the rest of the
county board unanimously directed staff to look into ways of opening
Cedar Lake Farms regional park in 2009. The land, which is owned by the
county, is located along Cedar Lake in Helena Township.

By Shannon Fiecke, Correspondant

A giant playbill greets patrons at the door to one of the two neighboring bars dotting Main Street in the former town of Elko.

Inside, the bouncer — excuse me, usher — checks a visitor’s ID and makes sure she is aware of tonight’s performance.

For just $2, this visitor can also get a badge and become an actor if she cares to smoke as part of the performance at the Bullseye Saloon in Elko New Market.

State Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, wrote a letter to the editor to the Brainerd Dispatch, criticizing a DFLer and fellow member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for voting in favor of a gas-tax increase.

You can read the letter and the heated discussion that ensued at http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/042208/opi_20080422040.shtml. (Registration on the Dispatch's Web site is required, but it is free.)

Fifty years ago, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission headquartered its Scott County division in Jordan. Ernest J. Wermerskirchen of Jordan was one of the commission members.

For more information, read the Looking Back column in the May 1 issue of the Jordan Independent. Read it online in the Print Edition section, or subscribe by going to www.jordannews.com/subscribe.

A study of the recent proposal for a Wal-Mart in the area showed that if the store located in New Prague, the city would draw business from a population of 48,897 in New Prague, Jordan, and several other surrounding towns, according to the New Prague Times.

Wal-Mart would increase jobs, sales, and tax revenue in New Prague, but also might lead to decreased patronage of competing businesses. 

Here's what's been going on in and around New Prague lately, according to the New Prague Times:

- About a week ago, Rice County District Court charged Anton Steven Metzenhuber, 34, of New Prague with torture of an animal in the death of this neighbor's dog. Buddy, a miniature beagle, had been missing since April 6 and was found in a channel between Cody-Phelps Lake near Lonsdale. A concrete block was tied to the animal. Two weeks ago, the Times reported that the dog was mysteriously drowned and asked for readers' help in solving the case.

Here's what's been going on in and around Belle Plaine lately, according to the Belle Plaine Herald:

Shannon Fiecke of the Shakopee Valley News reports:

A Jordan woman who fled a traffic stop last week led deputies on a chase through approximately 9 miles of country roads in Spring Lake Township, authorities said.

Anna Marie Schlink, 18, was charged this week with fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, a felony, as well as driving while impaired, having an open bottle in her car and fleeing an officer on foot, all misdemeanors.