McCook Central playground project brings upgrades, accessibility
New McCook Central Playground Nears Completion Bright new playground equipment is now in place at McCook Central, currently wrapped in construction netting until final safety work is complete. The project, which began this summer as a result of the City of Salem’s bike trail project, replaces the 20-year-old structures with a fully ADA-compliant play area....
Scheier Farm hosts international trade team
International Trade Delegation Tours Scheier Farm A 30-plus member trade team from Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka visited the Dawn and Pat Scheier farm north of Salem on...
Public meeting discusses Salem flood mitigation options
CHEESEMAN AND BRIDGE INDUCTED TO SD BASKETBALL HOF On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame inducted its 15th class and also honored the...
Current News
Current News
Montrose FFA president leads summer Backpack Program
Montrose FFA President Carries on Summer Backpack Program Montrose FFA chapter president Addison...
Salem High School Class of 1968 Holds Gathering
Members of the Salem High School Class of 1968 gathered Saturday, August 23 at Pizza Ranch in...
Share your class reunion photos with “The Special”
Troy Schwans | Managing Editor Is your class celebrating a reunion this fall? “The Special” would...
Student Councils to host tailgate before Friday’s football game
The McCook Central High School and Middle School student councils are inviting the community to...
Ecklein launches senior project to support breast cancer awareness
Addison Ecklein Did you know that breast cancer accounts for 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in...
Does South Dakota have some of the best roads in the country?
Fact Brief By Michael Klinski | South Dakota News Watch Yes. South Dakota’s interstates and...
Your voice matters – Share your stories with us
Troy Schwans | Managing Editor A local newspaper is more than ink on paper, it’s a living record...
Miller 85th birthday open house
Come help Ron Miller celebrate his 85th birthday on Sunday, August 31 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the...
Montrose American Legion to host District 7 Meeting
The Montrose American Legion Ruste-Waul Post 154 will host the District 7 meeting on Saturday,...
Not a disciple
You, Me & Jesus Sue Schmidt | Correspondent The third Gospel is the longest book in the New...
Do you have faith?
Paws for Thought Joyce Tieszen Tegtmeier | Correspondent Our cat Boris loves to chase dry cat food...
Area FFA agri-scientists advance to national competition
The National FFA Agriscience Fair is for FFA members interested in the science and technology of...
Obituaries
Carol Fitzmaurice
Age 91 August 11, 2025 Carol Ann Fitzmaurice, nee Slattery, passed peacefully on August 11, 2025, following 91 years of a life in full. Growing up humbly during the Great Depression in rural South Dakota made her resilient, optimistic and grateful. Carol was...
Lynn Wagner
Age 69 Spencer, SD August 24, 2025 Lynn Curtis Wagner, 69, of Spencer, passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell, SD. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in...
Bryan J. Pearson
Age 44 Sioux Falls, SD August 9, 2025 Bryan J. Pearson, 44, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 9, 2025, in Sioux Falls, SD. A celebration of life visitation was held on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem with burial...
Donna Koch
Age 94 Madison, SD August 18, 2025 Donna Koch, 94, passed away on August 18 at Bethel Lutheran Home in Madison, SD. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 22 at Colton United Methodist Church in Colton, SD. Visitation with family present will be...
Wilma Ann Weber
Age 97 Sioux Falls, SD August 17, 2025 Wilma Ann Weber (Schulte), age 97, went home to the Lord on August 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025, from 5:00 -...
Richard Goldammer
Age 81 Mitchell, SD August 14, 2025 Richard Charles Goldammer, age 81, of Mitchell, SD, died Thursday, August 14, 2025 at The Neighborhood at Brookview in Brookings, SD. Funeral services were on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at First Lutheran Church with burial and...
Cyril Haag
Age 91 Fulton, SD August 16, 2025 Cyril Haag, 91, of Fulton, SD, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at his home in Fulton, SD. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Calvary...
Dean Van Emmerik
Age 49 Tea, SD August 7, 2025 Dean Van Emmerik, 49, of Tea, SD, passed away unexpectedly on August 7, 2025 at his home with his wife, Jodi, by his side. Funeral services were Tuesday, August 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea. Dean was born September 14, 1975 in...
Sports
Huskie cross country team rebuilding
BRIDGEWATER-EMERY CROSS COUNTRY Members of this season’s Bridgewater-Emery cross country team are: (back, l-r) Joel Koch, Oscar Fink, Isaac Weber; (front) Josie Holthaus, Hudson Zens, and Greta Fink. Bridgewater-Emery Cross Country Owen Reitzel | Editor The...
Huskies return eleven volleyball players
BRIDGEWATER-EMERY VOLLEYBALL Returning members of this year’s Bridgewater-Emery volleyball squad are: (back, l-r) Alaina Golder, Reese Meyer-Bublitz, Summer Koch, Lily Hilton, Carissa Weber, Liberty Kayser; (front) Oakley Weber, Macie Weber, Aleigha Kroger, Kadyn...
BEE will be young but will gain experience
BRIDGEWATER-EMERY/ETHAN FOOTBALL Leading the way for this year’s Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan football team will be: (back, l-r) Austin Sonne, Eli Thomas, Joe Kayser; (middle) Carter Glanzer, Ethan Longe, Parker Sanderson, Tait Roth, Creighton Klumb, Luke Storm, Holden...
Hawks look to senior leadership in 2025 football season
CANISTOTA FOOTBALL TEAM Members of this year’s Canistota football team are: (back, l-r) Arik Hansen, Josh Popkes, Prayden Acheson, Adam Kleinsasser, Josh DeClark, Nate Merrill, Malachi Weber; (middle) Miles Belt-Hanson, Carter Becker, Ty Jacobsen, Connor Engbarth,...
Hawks cross country runners eager to build on foundation
CANISTOTA CROSS COUNTRY TEAM The Canistota Hawks cross country team returns with experience and promising young talent for the 2025 season. Pictured are: (back, l-r) Gabbie Eichmann, Allison Leber, Maria Addy, Caleb Schroeder, Elijah Voorhees; (front) Hadassah Church,...
Canistota Hawks volleyball looks to rise in 2025 season
CANISTOTA VOLLEYBALL TEAM Members of this year’s Canistota volleyball team are: (back, l-r) Adrian DeHaan (Korkow), Emma Sandman, Katelyn Kennedy, Sophie Kostboth, Haley McGregor, Ellie Becker; (third row) Rebecca Bond, Katelyn Bond, Ember Schenkel, Shelby Stockwell,...
Hanson volleyball team welcomes back three returning letterwinners
HANSON VOLLEYBALL TEAM This year’s Hanson volleyball team is composed of: (back, l-r) Tavaya Haag, Brooklynn Kocer, Ava Arend, Haleigh Haiar, Tacey Weber, Alivia Bender, Brooke Endorf, Ava Doyle, Rylee Furgeson, Brooklyn Schroeder; (front) Sage Haiar, Elloitt Abbey,...
Coach Giles has twenty-one returning football lettermen for 2025
HANSON FOOTBALL 2025 Team members of this year’s Hanson football team are: (back, l-r) Carter Endorf, Conner Endorf, Alex Tuschen, Pierce Kayser, Jamin Peterson, Nate Wilber, Brayden Bahmuller, Jett Jager, Ryker Holm; (bottom) Sam Jarding, Trent Kayser, Elliott...