The South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) released its 2023-24 Report Card today. The report showed academic growth in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The statewide attendance rate also increased from 86 percent to 87 percent.“We are pleased with...
The West Central Trojan cross country teams ran their way to success at the 2024 South Dakota Class A State Cross Country Meet. The state meet was held at Hart Ranch in Rapid City on Saturday, October 26. The girls cross country team took third place with 87 points....
The Marching Mustangs had a successful season this year placing in the top three at each competition. (Photo/Submitted) Pictured are Drum Majors BreAnn Heider, Allison Brost, and Andie Ingalls with their awards from Luverne, MN. (Photo/Submitted) The West Central...
The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce held a 24 Ballot Issues Forum on Friday, October 25, at the West Central High School Auditorium. The event had several expert panelists to provide insight into key issues appearing on this year’s ballot. (Photos/Submitted) Sara...
Sara Stadem | Editor Voting Day is around the corner! Election day is Tuesday, November 5. Do you know where you are registered to vote and where the voting location is in your community?According to the Minnehaha County Voting Districts and Precincts, voting...
First Interstate Bank received the award for Scariest Trunk at the Trunk or Treat. Most Creative Trunk went to Black Hills Federal Credit Union at the Trunk or Treat. Best in Trunk went to Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office (Deputy Kardas) at the Hartford Area Chamber...
More than $30,000 given to community groups Seven Minnehaha County organizations will share $11,600 in funding from Sioux Valley Energy’s Operation Round Up program.The awards come as Sioux Valley Energy and its members celebrate October as National Cooperative Month...
The Hartford Women of Today held their 34th Annual Craft Fair on Saturday, October 26, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. In addition to enjoying the vendors, those who attended could sign up to win door prizes. (Photo/Submitted) The Hartford Women of Today’s 34th Annual Craft Fair...
Letter to the Editor If you are reading this and have no idea what Referred Law 21 is, I will give you a quick lesson. It started as Senate Bill 201 which was passed by the legislature to help pave the way for Summit Carbon Solutions to build a carbon dioxide pipeline...
RL21/Referred Law 21 (SB201/Senate Bill 201) - “The devil is in the details!”It’s David vs. Goliath scenario happening right here in South Dakota!$2.2 million is being poured into misleading and inaccurate advertising to pass RL21 vs. South Dakota concerned citizens...
Letter to the Editor For everyone that knows a farmer or is just concerned with the health of the South Dakota farm community, or for anyone unsure what RL 21 and the CO2 Pipeline is all about, it’s of the utmost importance that we cut through the clutter and get...
I am concerned that ordinary well-meaning people might mistake Amendment F for something about helping people get work. Sorry it does not.Rather, the sole purpose of the Medicaid work requirement idea is to kick people off Medicaid.If it were about work, it would...
Senator John Thune For the last four years, it’s felt as if the Biden-Harris administration has led us from one crisis to another. Their reckless spending kicked off a historic inflation crisis. Their open-border policies led to an influx of illegal immigrants...
Rep. Dusty Johnson and children at Lifescape (Photo/Submitted) Representative Dusty Johnson BIG NewsIt’s pheasant season in South Dakota! I’ve been able to break out the orange vest (my favorite color) and enjoy the crisp fall air and golden prairie. It’s one of my...
Governor Kristi Noem Next year, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – America’s 250th birthday! When our Founding Fathers wrote that incredible document, they were in a war for their Freedom against Great Britain,...
The Mustang students at Tri-Valley Elementary in Crooks ended their school week last week with a visit from some special guests. The students had a visit with the Bookmobile and a couple of special guests from the Minnehaha Sheriff’s Department for lunch. The Mustang...
The month of October was Bullying-Prevention month. So, the Mustang students wanted to help spread the word. Tri-Valley Intermediate School 5th graders shared Bullying-Prevention messages with the Mustang Elementary students. The messages focused on the importance of...
The Tri-Valley choir performed at the Veterans Day Program last year and will again this year. The program is put on by the Tri-Valley Student Council. (Photo/Nicole Finnesand) Veterans were able to join in honor during their roll call at the Veterans Day Program at...
The October Students of the Month in Mrs. Spielmann’s second grade class were: Cade Gunderson, son of Jennifer and Christopher Gunderson; Tillee Gundvaldson, daughter of Leslee and Todd Gundvaldson; and Warren Haines, son of Randi and Wyatt Haines. We are so proud of...
Veterans Day is a day set aside to thank and honor those who served in the military, and the West Central Humboldt Elementary students will host an assembly as a way to help honor those who serve and have served.The West Central Humboldt Elementary will host a...