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

- Mayor W.A. "Wink" Bender of New Prague followed his own neighborly
advice. After advocating that city residents help out their neighbors
in need, Bender mowed the lawn of the vacant home next door to his own
home. Bender's photo on a riding lawnmower was printed on page 7B of
the June 19 issue of the Times.

- Joe Shuster of New Prague wrote the book "Beond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040."

Dorothy (Tellers) Schmidt passed away Sunday, July 6, 2008 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 9, from 9-11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Shakopee.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Orville Miller, 79, of Jordan, died Friday, July 4, 2008 at St. Gertrude Health Center in Shakopee.

Funeral services are on Tuesday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. from the Wagner Funeral Home of Jordan.

Funeral arrangements with the Wagner FUneral Home, Jordan, 952-492-3366.

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

- Anthony Mark Klaseus of Belle Plaine pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the case of his 8-year-old son's death in a hunting accident. The story ran on page 14 of the June 25 issue of the Herald.

- Chase Hentges, drafted last month by the Kansas City Royals, is the grandson of Mike and Shirley Fogarty of Belle Plaine, the grand marshals of the St. Patrick's Day parade in Belle Plaine.

The following obituaries are from the July 3, 2008 print edition of the Jordan Independent newspaper:

Verdelle Seidel, 71, of Prior Lake, was welcomed into the loving arms of our Lord on the morning of June 29, 2008.

Visitation is Wednesday, July 2, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and also one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday.

Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at Church of St. Michael in Prior Lake.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

The following obituaries are from the June 26 print edition of the Jordan Independent newspaper:

Elva Anna Fahrenkamp, 92, of Prior Lake, passed away Monday, June 23, 2008 at Belle Plaine Lutheran Home.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 28, one hour prior to the service at church.

Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Prior Lake.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard–Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake. 952-447-2633. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com

Lawrence Hennes, 65, formerly of Jordan, passed away in Biloxi, Miss.

A memorial service was held June 10, 2008 at the Rambling River Center in Farmington.

Charles Wellens Sr., 84, of Shakopee, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2008 at his home.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 26, from 4-8 p.m. at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church, Marystown, and also one hour prior to the service at church on Friday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church.

Funeral arrangements by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee, 952-445-1202. ballardsunderfuneral.com