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Pencils, Smiles and First-Day Vibes

Principal Zach Gors and a group of Mustang students at Colton Elementary smile for a back-to-school selfie. Gage Egger begins his final year as a Tri-Valley Mustang, stepping into his senior year. Siblings Owen and Aubree Effling gear up for their 2025-26 school year....

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Kwik Star set to come to Hartford

KWIK STAR IS COMING TO HARTFORD Kwik Star, also known as Kwik Trip, is set to come to Hartford on Highway 38 and North Maple Avenue. The construction is tentatively set to begin in April 2026, with the hope of completion by September 2026. Sara Stadem | Editor The...

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Ready, set, color!

WALK, RUN OR… BIKE! Come join the Tri-Valley Color Run, where you can walk, run or even bike the 5K. Registration is required by August 28 in order to receive a color packet and t-shirt. (Photo/Bridget Ebert) TRI-VALLEY COLOR RUN IS BACK The Tri-Valley Color Run is...

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Dooner joins New Century Press team

NCP WELCOMES NEW WRITER Carter Dooner, originally from Minneapolis, Minn., graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. Dooner has joined the New Century Press team as the sports writer for The Dells City Journal and The Minnehaha Messenger...

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Chamber holds annual Golf Classic

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP Cressman Sanitation was the Corporate Sponsor for the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic on Wednesday, August 13. Pictured (left to right) are Austin Kubik, Trevor Blaine, Chase Brown and Matt Norgaard. (Photo/Jill Skots) AND THE...

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Get ready to ride for a cause

Sara Stadem | Editor Lucky Ladz in Crooks is gearing up to host the Cars and Bikes Against Cancer Poker Run for Mike Hagen on Saturday, August 30. The event sign-up begins at 11 a.m. with kickstands up at noon. The poker run is $20 a hand with four other stops, which...

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District 9 Update

Having just celebrated a birthday, it got me thinking about all the generations, their breakdowns and the differences in parenting style each has had. The leaps of technology are coming so fast that it’s hard for the older generations to keep up. Not only that, but...

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Your hometown market update

Dave Knows Homes Dave Larson | Hegg Realtors, Inc. It’s time for another Dave Knows Homes: Your Hometown Market Update! Every month, I break down the latest trends in our local real estate market—covering Hartford, Humboldt, Colton, Crooks and Montrose—so you can see...

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Avenue of flags displays community patriotism

DECORATING THE TOWN Hartford Humboldt Optimist Club members place a flag for the Avenue of Flags. (Photo/Submitted) DISPLAYING PATRIOTISM Hartford Humboldt Optimist Club members help showcase the community’s patriotism by displaying flags at homes. If you would like...

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DQ deal: Local business owner acquires another Dairy Queen

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP! On Tuesday, August 4, Hartford resident Lonnie Heier purchased the Dell Rapids Dairy Queen. The Dell Rapids DQ is the eighth store that Heier owns. The store is currently closed for renovations in hopes to be reopening by November....

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Expanding the dream

WHERE THE FUN IS FOUND The Fun Nook, which is a black light mini golf course and more, opened its doors with a soft opening at the end of July. The Fun Nook is by appointment only at this time, with the cost being $10 per person for an hour. (Photo/The Fun Nook) WHO...

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South Dakota Ambassadors of Music Group

Students nominated by their choir or band director were selected to go on the South Dakota Ambassadors of Music trip, performing in five different countries: England, France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. (Photo/Submitted)

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Books, brews and more books!

The Buffalo Ridge Brewing Project has a way for community members to spend some time together in conversation while tasting new beers or enjoying their favorite from the brewery. Once a month, Buffalo Ridge Brewing Projects hosts Books & Brews as part of their...

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2025 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally final vehicle counts

STURGIS, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) provides daily traffic counts at nine locations for vehicles entering Sturgis for the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which ran from August 1-10, 2025. Friday, August 1, 2025: 56,000 vehicles...

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