Czech news in brief for September 21: Saturday's top headlines

Polling stations across the Czech Republic closed at 2 p.m. today as citizens voted in regional assembly elections and the first round of Senate elections. Early reports suggest voter turnout is slightly lower than in 2020, with regions affected by recent floods seeing even fewer voters. The results are expected later this evening, with the ANO party defending its previous regional election victory.

Vacov, from the South Bohemia's Prachatice district, has been awarded the title of Village of the Year for 2024. Second place went to Palkovice in the Moravian-Silesian Region, while Dolní Lhota in the Zlín Region placed third. The competition, now in its 28th year, evaluates social life, community activities, and public spaces. Vacov will receive a financial reward of CZK 1.6 million from the Ministry of Regional Development.

Milena Jindrová, celebrated as the Czech Basketball Player of the Century, has passed away at the age of 80. A seven-time medalist in world and European championships, Jindrová played for the Czechoslovak national team from 1963 to 1976, achieving a record 250 appearances. She was recognized as the best Czech basketball player of the 20th century in 2001 and inducted into the Czech Basketball Federation Hall of Fame in 2007.

Prague police have uncovered a scheme where fraudsters collected over CZK 1.1 million, allegedly for Ukraine, but instead used the funds for personal travel and expenses, police spokeswoman Eva Kropáčová said today. Operating under the name "Jsme lidé," the suspects used cash boxes at supermarkets in Prague and Central Bohemia. The main organizer, an 18-year-old, faces up to eight years in prison.

The Moravia-Silesia Region is prepared to provide alternative accommodation, including flats, for residents unable to stay in their homes during the winter following recent floods, Governor Josef Bělica said today. While 8,300 households and businesses remain without power, the situation is improving, especially in towns like Bohumín, Krnov, and Opava. Police continue to monitor flood-affected regions and secure makeshift polling stations for ongoing elections.

The Czech Constitutional Court has upheld a complaint by two individuals assaulted, likely due to their sexual orientation, and criticized the Prague District 2 Court for not recognizing them as vulnerable victims. The victims had requested to avoid testifying in the defendants' presence due to fear of secondary harm, but the Prague court insisted they testify in person. The Constitutional Court emphasized alternative options like videoconference testimony and ordered the district court to issue a new ruling.

The second day of regional and Senate elections in Czechia began at 8 a.m. today. Polls close at 2 p.m., with results expected by evening and finalized overnight. Senate elections will require a second round in constituencies where no candidate wins outright. Regional results will be official by midweek. Voter turnout in flood-affected areas, particularly in North Moravia, has been lower due to ongoing cleanup efforts following last weekend’s floods.

Czech Railways will restart train services between Prague and Ostrava on Saturday following disruption due to floods. Three pairs of trains will run to Žilina over the weekend, with additional services to Košice starting Monday. Due to flood damage, trains will bypass Ostrava-Svinov and Ostrava main station, rerouting via Ostrava-Vítkovice and Kunčice. RegioJet resumed services on Friday.

At 52, Jaromír Jágr extended his record as the oldest scorer in Czech Extraliga history by netting a goal in Kladno’s 4-2 victory over Sparta Prague. Jágr, the playing owner of Kladno, scored in the 34th minute during a power play, bringing the score to 3-0. This marks his second point of the season. Jágr’s achievement continues to cement his legendary status, having previously surpassed Gordie Howe as the oldest scorer in professional hockey history.

A Czech man who lives in Florence smashed an ornate cube at the opening of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's exhibition in Bologna, Italy. Václav Pišvejc, known for previous acts of vandalism, was apprehended and handed to police. He faces charges of destruction of art, which could result in two to five years in prison and a fine of up to €15,000. "I don't know him, I've never seen him, I hope he didn't hurt himself with pieces of china," Ai Weiwei, who attended the opening, told La Repubblica. 

In South Bohemia, the highest flood alert warning remains in effect for the Nežárka and Lužnice rivers, although water levels are slowly receding. The alert covers four stations, with the Lužnice still at its peak at two of them. The Rožmberk pond overflowed earlier this week, adding to the river’s flooding. Levels at the Frahelž station have dropped to the middle flood warning level, and further declines are expected throughout the day at other affected locations.

Fifty-eight Czech municipalities have requested community service assistance to address flood damage, according to the Czech Labor Ministry. Over 1,000 flood victims have applied for aid, with CZK 50 million crowns already paid out, most of it in Moravia-Silesia. Labour Minister Marian Jurečka is exploring additional funding for community service, often used for maintenance tasks by unemployed individuals.