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...
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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 1999 Sioux Falls Roosevelt girls basketball team as this year’s Team of Excellence in...
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 Tuesday, August 19. The delegation, representing rapidly growing markets for U.S....
Montrose FFA president leads summer Backpack Program
Montrose FFA President Carries on Summer Backpack Program Montrose FFA chapter president Addison Gordon organized and led this year’s Summer Backpack Program, continuing a project started three years ago to support families in need. With help from a grant through the...
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 Sioux Falls for an evening of reminiscing and fellowship. Classmates enjoyed “The Salem Cub” mascot fuzzy that shows up at all the gatherings and even sang the old school...
Share your class reunion photos with “The Special”
Troy Schwans | Managing Editor Is your class celebrating a reunion this fall? “The Special” would love to help you share your class reunion photo with the area communities. We invite reunion groups to send us a photo from your gathering along with the names of those...
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 kick off game night with a tailgate at Gene Danielsen Field in Salem. The event will be held Friday, beginning at 5:00 p.m., ahead of the MCM Fighting Cougars’ football...
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 women each year? With that statistic in mind, and a passion for making a difference, McCook Central senior Addison Ecklein has chosen breast cancer awareness as the focus of...
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 highways are among the best maintained in the nation. US News & World Report ranked the state second in road quality and second in infrastructure. The state is ranked third...
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 of our communities’ people, events, and history. Here at “The Special,” we strive to reflect the life and spirit of our towns, but we can’t do it alone. Our resources only...