Features

And the first Burger Battle champion is…

The Boss Burger at Baltic Corner was the winner of the 605 Rural Burger Battle 2025. (Photo/Submitted) 605 Rural Burger Battle showdown ends Sara Stadem | Editor The burgers have been tasted, the votes have been placed and counted and the winner has been crowned for...

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Hartford Chamber announces awards

The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce announced Golden West Telecommunications as the 2024 Business of the Year. (Photos/Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce) The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Scott Schrader, manager of Ace Hardware, as the Volunteer of...

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Hochstatter receives Teacher of the Year

Sarah Hochstatter was announced as the Tri-Valley School District Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. (Photo/Submitted) Hochstatter is pictured with her Mustang kindergarten class. She joined the Tri-Valley School District last year for the 2023-2024...

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Sundal named Classified Staff Member of the Year

Dana Sundal is in her 21st year with the Tri-Valley School District and received the Classified Staff Member of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. Sundal is the Office Specialist and Substitute Coordinator. (Photo/Submitted) Marylou Nagel | Writer Mrs. Dana...

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Crooks Fire Department to host Dueling Duo

Abby Mitchell | Staff Intern The Crooks Volunteer Fire Department is set to host the Dueling Due for the sixth time on Saturday, March 15. The Dueling Duo, originally hailing from Sioux Falls, sees two pianists compete against each other for a night of laughs and...

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Next Stop: State Tournament

The West Central Trojans advanced 11 wrestlers to the 2025 South Dakota State Wrestling Tournament. Pictured front row (left to right) is Cain Grocott, Keaton Vessells and Orlando Whiting. Middle row (left to right) is Kyliegh Schuller, Langdon Klinkhammer, Karson...

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Ollerich is Cattleman of the Year

Pictured (left to right) is Mike Mathieu, Carl Johnson, Cattleman of the Year recipient Tom Ollerich, Ethan Wright, Trevor Benson and Dick Funke. (Photo/Submitted) Marylou Nagel | Writer Tom Ollerich has been awarded 2025’s Cattleman of the Year by the Sioux Basin...

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Celebrating the contributions of your school board

Sara Stadem | Editor Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm XIt takes a village to help students prepare for their future from teachers, secretaries, coaches and staff members to principals, bus...

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Congratulations, Trojan Wrestlers!

The West Central Trojan wrestling team competed at the 2025 South Dakota State A Dual Championships in Pierre on Saturday, February 15, bringing home fifth place. Pictured back row (left to right) is Coach Tim Weber, Coach Tanner Sturgeon, Coach Chip Carda, Chaz...

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Hartford Elementary finished renovations

The elementary’s library was greatly expanded thanks to the renovations, gaining a more open-concept feel and look. (Photo/Submitted) Along with the newly-renovated rooms, an entire 3rd grade wing was added to the Hartford Elementary, allowing students to remain in...

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Local elections set for communities

Humboldt, SD water tower (Photo/Submitted) City of Crooks (Photo/Sara Stadem) Sara Stadem | Editor Local communities look to undergo some changes in the 2025 year. Terms of office for City Council members along with the Mayor come to an end for area communities with...

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Street expansion & Exit 387 projects continue

Sara Stadem | Editor Community members of Hartford will soon see some improvements to the streets of Hartford. Two projects will begin: Exit 387 Bridge Project and Western Avenue Expansion Project.According to a recent city council meeting, the South Dakota Department...

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Lights, Curtain, Action….Heading to State!

Congratulations to the Tri-Valley One-Act Play cast and crew! They advanced to the State One-Act Festival with their play, Charlotte’s Web. They competed in Brookings at the State One-Act Festival on Thursday, February 6, at 10:15 a.m. Results were not available at...

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School board elections set for TV & WC schools

Sara Stadem | Editor School Board vacancies are right around the corner for both the West Central and Tri-Valley School Districts and as spring rolls in, so will the petitions.According to Tri-Valley Business Manager Cameron Kerkhove, the Tri-Valley School Board will...

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Continuing to meet the burgers

The Jalapeno Popper Burger is at Norby’s Bar & Grill in Dell Rapids. This burger is an all-beef patty topped with jalapeno cream cheese spread, candied bacon and pepper jack cheese topped with a Jalapeno Popper. (Photo/Submitted) The Hot & Beefy at PINZ in...

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Creating lasting memories at Winter-Green Acres

AT RIGHT IN FRAME: Tammy and Ryan Winter opened Winter-Green Acres Event Venue in September 2024. (Photo/Submitted) Winter-Green Acres can hold up to 425 guests and has several packages to choose from. Pictured is the outside of the building and the seating space...

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