Latest articles - Marshall County Journal

RUNNING FROM BRITTON TO BOSTON

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:20:00 -0500

Amber (Kadoun) Kirkvold, originally from Britton, holds up her race bib from the Boston Marathon, one of the world’s most prestigious running events. Kirkvold, now living near Sioux Falls, recently fulfilled a longtime goal of qualifying for and competing in Boston after years of dedicated distance running and marathon training.

    From running the open spaces of rural Marshall County to crossing one of the most iconic finish lines in the world, Amber (Kadoun) Kirkvold has come a long way from her roots near Britton.
    Kirkvold, now living in the Sioux Falls area, recently achieved a longtime goal by competing in the Boston Marathon, an experience she describes as both challenging and unforgettable.
    Growing up on a farm just outside Britton, Kirkvold said her early years were filled with simple moments that still shape who she is today.
    “Most of my early memories are pretty simple, spending hours playing on the farm, going to the old swimming pool, and just being with friends,” she said. “It’s the kind of place where everyone knows you, and a place I still feel strongly connected to.”
    After leaving the area during high school, she graduated from Aberdeen Central and later attended Presentation College. She eventually settled in Sioux Falls, where she has lived since 2010.
    Kirkvold’s passion for running began early. “My first memory of running goes back to when I was about ten years old, racing my sister from apple tree to apple tree,” she said. “A couple of years later, I went out for junior high track, and that’s really where things started.”
    Although she stepped away from the sport for a time, she returned to running in 2020 with a new perspective. “I appreciated it more the second time around, this gift I had been given,” she said.
    Today, running is a central part of her life. She logs between 40 and 60 miles per week, often on gravel roads. “It’s where everything else quiets down, and it’s just me and the gravel roads,” she said.
    That dedication has paid off. Kirkvold has completed five marathons, including a personal best time of 2:51 earlier this year. Qualifying for Boston had been a goal for some time, which she achieved with a 3:07 finish at the Lincoln Marathon.
    After waiting a year to compete, the experience lived up to, and exceeded, her expectations.
    “I expected the course to be challenging, but I don’t think I fully understood how special the experience would be,” she said. “The energy from the crowd and the history of the race made it completely different from anything I’d done before.”
    Race day itself was a whirlwind. “Standing there at the start line felt surreal,” Kirkvold said. “The crowd support was incredible from the very beginning.”
    She said two moments stood out most, Heartbreak Hill and crossing the finish line.
    Kirkvold finished the race in 3:03, choosing to focus more on the experience than the time. “I wanted to go out there and run it, not race it,” she said. “I have never slapped so many spectators’ hands, danced to music, and pumped fists during a race.”
    Behind the scenes, she credits a strong support system for helping her reach the starting line. “My husband Rob is my biggest supporter and really picked up a lot of the slack during my training so I could focus,” she said. “Knowing everyone was following along and cheering me on meant so much.”
    Looking ahead, Kirkvold isn’t slowing down. She plans to run the Chicago Marathon this fall and continue improving as a runner.
    Beyond racing, she remains focused on balancing her goals with family life. She and her husband have three kids, and she said she is mindful of enjoying each stage along the way.
    “You have to soak in the little moments,” she said.

HWY 10 WORK TO RESUME

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:18:00 -0500

    A road improvement project west of Britton is set to get underway in early May, with drivers advised to plan for delays.
    According to the South Dakota Department of Transportation, work on widening the shoulders along South Dakota Highway 10 will begin Monday, May 4. Crews will start in Britton and move west for about three miles, first placing signs and preparing the site before beginning widening work.
    At the same time, pipe replacement is scheduled to begin roughly one mile west of Houghton, with crews working east toward Britton. The project will also include paving new asphalt shoulders from the intersection of South Dakota Highway 37 and Highway 10 into town.
    Motorists traveling through the area should expect changing traffic patterns throughout the project. Traffic will be guided by signs, flaggers, and a pilot car during daytime hours, with delays of up to 15 minutes possible. Speeds will also be reduced to 45 miles per hour in the work zone.
    The $22.8 million project is being handled by Loiseau Construction, Inc. of Flandreau and is expected to be completed in June.
    Additional project details are available through the state transportation department’s website at https://dot.sd.gov/houghton.

CLAREMONT NATIVE HONORED BY UNIVERSITY

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:16:00 -0500

    A Claremont native has earned top honors at Dordt University, a private Christian college in northwest Iowa known for its Reformed perspective and focus on preparing students for service and leadership.
    Will Cutler, of Claremont, was named the university’s 2026 Business Student of the Year by the Business, Accounting, and Economics Department, an award that recognizes academic performance, character, and leadership.
    Faculty at Dordt say Cutler stood out among his peers throughout his time on campus.
    “Will has distinguished himself as one of the strongest students in the program,” said Brenda Zylstra, associate professor of business. “His practical application of material, sincere commitment to challenging himself, and genuine enthusiasm for learning set him apart.”
    Cutler said he approached his college career with a consistent mindset, regardless of recognition.
    “The work that I have put in here at Dordt has been and will be the same, whether or not I am given the award,” he said. “Whatever the outcome, whether it is me or one of my deserving classmates, I will be happy. It is the work that really counts.”
    Still, he said receiving the honor was a meaningful moment.
    “When my name was announced, it felt natural,” Cutler said. “After the banquet, I went for a walk and called my parents to tell them about it. While it is the work and the experience that really mean something, this award is something that I will carry with me for a long time.”
    During his time at Dordt, Cutler was involved in several academic and extracurricular activities. He participated in the CFA Research Challenge alongside classmates, applying classroom knowledge in a competitive setting. He was also active in Defender Capital Management, a student-led investment group that gave him hands-on experience in financial decision-making.
    “The hands-on structure of DCM allowed me to fail, learn, and grow,” he said. “It also gave me the opportunity to build strong relationships with my classmates.”
    Cutler said he focused on balancing different priorities during his time in college.
    “Rather than trying to do everything at once, I’ve tried to think in seasons,” he said. “Some months you focus more on work, others on study, others on relationships. It’s more effective to focus deeply on a few things than to spread yourself too thin.”
    He also credited his time at Dordt with helping strengthen his faith.
    “I fail more than I would like,” he said. “Yet God’s grace is sustaining. Here at Dordt, I have learned to trust God more, love God more, and rest in His goodness more.”
    After graduation, Cutler plans to continue his education at the University of Iowa College of Law, where he has been accepted on scholarship.
    Looking back, Cutler encouraged younger students to stay motivated and open to growth.
    “You have to try,” he said. “Try to understand the material better. Try to build relationships. Try to do more than you think you can. You will come up short more than you like, but you will come out a winner more than you expect.”

LANGFORD AREA FFA WRAPS UP STRONG SEASON

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:11:00 -0500

    The Langford Area FFA Chapter recently concluded its competition season at the State FFA Convention, where several members earned recognition across multiple events.
    Students who placed in the top 55 percent of their respective contests included Adaline Larson, who earned a bronze ranking in livestock evaluation; Regan Bruns and Bradyn Small, who both received gold rankings and contributed to a silver finish in the meats team competition; Lizzie Gustafson, who earned a gold ranking and was part of the bronze-ranked milk quality team; Dane Horter, who received a bronze ranking in natural resources; and Caroline Bahr and Zoe Slaba, who earned bronze rankings, with the team also competing in veterinary science.
    Two students also achieved a significant milestone by earning their State FFA Degrees, the highest honor the state organization can award members. Congratulations were extended to Dylan and Bradyn for receiving this distinction.
    In addition, Mike Frey, chair of the agricultural advisory board, was honored with an honorary State FFA Degree in recognition of his work in restarting the chapter and his ongoing support throughout the district.
    The chapter will celebrate its accomplishments and recognize members during its annual banquet on Sunday.

MILBANK TACKLES EMERALD ASH BORER PROBLEM

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:08:00 -0500

By: Makenzie Huber, SD Searchlight
    It would cost up to $4 million to cut down Milbank’s ash trees, after state and city officials detected a beetle last summer that threatens to decimate the northeastern South Dakota city’s tree canopy.
    It’ll cost roughly 60% of that price, or $2.4 million over 12 years, to reach herd immunity against the emerald ash borer — and the city of roughly 3,500 people will keep most of its trees, said city administrator Steve Pendergrass.
    Herd immunity, a term commonly used in public health, happens when a large percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, either through vaccination and treatment or previous infection, making it difficult for the disease to spread.
    Ash trees comprise over 50% of Milbank’s public tree canopy — 1,657 trees throughout the city’s parks, cemeteries and public right-of-way. The emerald ash borer, an eastern Asian beetle first detected in the United States in 2002, burrows under ash tree bark and eats the tree from the inside out. A chemical injection, applied with a needle-like device after drilling a hole into the tree, kills adult insects, preventing another generation of larvae and protecting the tree.
Many communities across the country — including Sioux Falls, the first place emerald ash borers were found in South Dakota in 2018 — have opted to remove a majority or all of their public ash trees. Pendergrass hopes to avoid that.
    “We’re dealing with tax dollars. We need to make sure we’re practicing due diligence while also taking care of public safety and while taking care of as many trees as possible,” Pendergrass said.
    Milbank’s approach can serve as an example for other cities across the state, said John Ball, forestry specialist with South Dakota State University Extension. Ash trees typically comprise one-third of a public tree canopy in cities.
    “Herd immunity could be a technique applicable in slowing the spread of the insect, controlling the damage it does, and providing long-term survival,” Ball said.
    Instead of halving its tree canopy, Milbank is removing about a third of its public ash trees in the next decade — those already too infested, planted too closely together or too small to be worth saving. Officials plan to treat one-sixth of the remaining trees every year, leaving the remainder untreated until they cycle through and treat the remaining trees over the next 12 years.
    “Ash trees are tough and can tolerate a low population of emerald ash borer,” Ball said. “The problem is when you end up with incredibly high populations with an epidemic, which is what kills the tree.”
    Emerald ash borer is slowly making its way across the state. Watertown in Codington County, just west of Milbank’s Grant County, is the farthest west the insect has been detected in the state so far. Ball expects the insect will infest ash trees throughout South Dakota by 2035.
    Ball said other mitigation efforts have helped slow the spread, including firewood quarantines in affected counties.
    The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has been removing ash trees from developed areas of state parks for over a decade. Dakota Dunes benefited from conducting an inventory of their ash trees before emerald ash borer was identified there. The city gradually replaced young or damaged ash trees with new trees before emerald ash borers arrived. The strategy helped the community deal with the infestation without significantly impacting the overall tree canopy.
    “They were well along on their plan before we confirmed emerald ash borer there. They’re one of the best in terms of getting on it early,” Ball said.
    The treatment effort in Milbank will begin this spring, after ash trees leaf out in May. Hired tree care companies will treat another random one-third of trees two years after the initial treatment. The cycle will continue for over a decade until the beetle population declines. Removals of damaged trees will continue through 2030.
    The result will save a majority of the city’s canopy, Pendergrass said. It contrasts with Sioux Falls’ effort to fell every public ash tree in the city. The city has removed 17,000 public ash trees, and it plans to have residents remove or treat the remaining 45,000 trees on private property.
    In Milbank, more than 950 ash trees are in boulevards throughout the city, which Pendergrass said homeowners will be responsible for treating. Boulevards — the strip of grass between a street and sidewalk — are technically city property but are cared for by property owners.
    “If residents don’t do their part with treatment, all we did was buy ourselves time,” Pendergrass said. “Ideally it buys us our trees and herd immunity works, but if nothing else, it buys us time to remove and replant.”
    Milbank will plant about 30 trees every year for the foreseeable future, Pendergrass said. It’ll cost about $20,000 this year.
    The selection of the new trees must be diverse, Ball said. Because there will likely be a new threat.
    “I don’t know what’s out there and coming. But if only 5% of a tree canopy is affected, that’s almost a yawn compared to 30% or 50%,” Ball said. “One of the things we all need to learn from the emerald ash borer, and that people failed to learn with Dutch elm disease that wiped out a large portion of elm trees in the ’70s, is that we want to plant diversity.”

THE HORRORS OF KIDS MUSIC

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:06:00 -0500

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but at our house we’re always playing music. Kitchen, car, hot tub, you name it. We have two Alexa devices, and honestly, they’re used almost exclusively as glorified jukeboxes. Before kids, it was simple. I’d queue up ’90s country, my husband would go with ’80s and ’90s pop, and we’d happily bop around while cooking or cleaning.
    Now the kids have discovered they can make their own requests. I’ve celebrated a lot of parenting milestones, but I’m not sure this one makes the list.
    Here’s a sampling of what’s been on repeat lately, also known as the reason I’m considering investing in noise canceling headphones.
    First up, “Club Step” and basically anything from Geometry Dash. If you don’t know what that is, congratulations on your peaceful existence. It’s a game my son is obsessed with, and apparently half the appeal is the music. These are techno style tracks with no lyrics, just pounding, repetitive beats that feel like they’re drilling directly into your brain. And now his little sister is in on it too, so we get double requests.
    Next, “What It Sounds Like” and “Golden” from the K pop Demon Hunters soundtrack. I’ll admit, I actually like these songs. I even liked the movie. The problem is how often they’re played. My daughter requests them constantly, and heaven forbid I try to sing along. If you’ve seen it, you know there are different character parts, and I am regularly informed, very loudly, that I am not Mira. I am only allowed to sing my assigned section, which I never remember. Luckily my four year old is there to correct me.
    Then there’s “Zombie” by Bad Wolves, a heavier cover of the Cranberries classic. Again, not a bad song until you’ve heard it thousands of times. At one point my son decided we should perform it together at karaoke. He was thrilled. I, on the other hand, will be taking a break from that song for the next several years.
    We also have “The Gummy Bear Song,” which is not the cute version you might be imagining. This one is loud, repetitive, and somehow even more chaotic. I’m blaming one of my nieces for introducing it into our lives. It’s the kind of song that makes you question your life choices within the first 30 seconds.
    And finally, the one that may actually break me, “Burger Dog” from Bluey. I like Bluey. I really do. But this song is an absolute earworm. It gets requested multiple times a day, and I catch myself wandering around the house singing it like I’ve completely lost control of my own mind. Zephie loves it and will yell at Alexa if it doesn’t start immediately.
    Here is just a taste of what is now permanently stuck in my head.
    “Burger dog, b b burger dog
    Burger dog, b b burger dog
    He was once a wiener dog, now he is a burger dog
    Burger dog, b b burger dog
    He has pickles and he has cheese
    Burger dog, b b burger dog
    Fluffy bun with some sesame seeds”

Burger Dog

So yes, if you see me around town with a slight eye twitch and the look of a person who has heard the same song far too many times, just know I’ve probably listened to Burger Dog ten times that day.
You’re welcome to check these songs out, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

THE DAY THE ROOSTERS DECLARED WAR

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:59:00 -0500

So, this week we had a bit of a heart-stopping moment on the farm surrounding our roosters, who apparently woke up that day and chose violence.
    We’ve got ten chickens on the homestead, and four of them are roosters (yes, I now understand that ratio is… optimistic at best). Chase and I raised them from chicks, and up until recently, everything had been pretty easy and even, dare I say fun.
    Well, they’re fully grown now, and what I’ve learned over the past couple of weeks is this: mature roosters can be absolute jerks.
    Friday afternoon, Papa was outside playing with the girls while I started dinner, spaghetti, of course, because apparently that’s the only meal my children believe I know how to cook. Violet came through the front door and told me she was going to play in her little house. “Okay,” I said, glancing out and seeing Papa with Autumn in the back. I made a mental note to check on Violet every few minutes.
    I should have checked sooner.
    Because when I turned my head, literally two minutes later, my poor girl was on the ground with two big, nasty roosters going full karate kid on her.
    I ran from the kitchen and bolted across the gravel, barefoot, trying to kick them away. They were so mean they even took a few swings at me, which was bold of them considering how close they were to becoming chicken parmesan for dinner. I scooped Violet up and ran to the porch, screaming for Chase.
    Her whole right cheek was covered in blood, and all I could think was, “Oh God, they got her eye.”
    Chase came running in while I was trying to clean her up, and I started yelling what can only be described as panicked mother-language, something along the lines of, “AHH—V—blood—roosters—END THIS.” It probably made zero sense, but he’s been married to me long enough to translate. He didn’t ask questions. He just went outside.
    Thankfully, once we got her cleaned up, it looked much worse than it was. She ended up with a couple of scratches on her forehead and a black eye, no stitches needed. I could breathe. She could breathe. And after hearing a few very definitive “pop pops” outside, I knew her daddy could breathe too.
    Violet, however, has officially retired from farm life and refuses to go anywhere near the mother hens. Honestly, I don’t blame her. If birds the size of me attacked my face, I’d probably avoid it for the rest of my life too.
    I think most of us who grew up around animals have at least one story about livestock getting the upper hand. After sharing what happened to Violet, I’ve heard more than a few “character-building” childhood trauma stories, mean chickens, charging goats, bucking horses, and that one mad momma cow you always had to watch out for when sorting calves.
    (I still can’t get back on a horse after that mini launched me, by the way. And yes, I know what you’re thinking, it was a mini horse. But I was a mini kid, and that thing looked full-sized.
    And I’ll never forget the goose that chased my cousin Brason clear across my grandparents’ yard. That memory is permanently burned into my brain… kinda funny.
    I do feel awful about what happened, and I hope no one thinks I wasn’t watching my girls. The reality is, things like this happen in a split second, faster than you can react, even when you’re close by. Still, it’s a hard reminder of how quickly farm life can turn, and I won’t be taking my eyes off them so easily again. Around here, we love our animals… but we’re also not above reminding them exactly where they stand in the food chain. Especially when you mess with my kids.

BUSY WEEK FOR LA TRACK

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:31:00 -0500

LA anchor runner Lizzie Gustafson took a handoff from Bailey Dwight in the 400 relay at the Orville Pfitzer Relays last week Tuesday. The duo teamed up with Paytyn Marlow and Brooke Dwight to win the event and the quartet is ranked eighth in the state.

    The Langford Area track squad competed in a pair of meets in the past week, traveling to Britton for the Orville Pfitzer Relays last week Tuesday and competing at the Redfield Relays on Thursday.
    Coach Brian Schuring’s squad participated in the Groton Relays yesterday (Tuesday), travels to Sisseton on Friday, several athletes will compete in the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls Friday and Saturday, and LA travels to Milbank on Tuesday.
    “We had a really good day at Britton on a beautiful day for track and field,” said Schuring. “We needed to perform well and we did, which is a credit to the kids. At Redfield we performed well in spite of the windy day. I really enjoyed our performance.”
    Langford Area will compete in three events at the Howard Wood Relays. Paytyn Marlow will run the 100-meter dash and team up with Brooke Dwight, Bailey Dwight, and Lizzie Gustafson in the 400 and 800 relays.
    Marlow was a double winner in both meets this past week, winning the 100 dash and teaming up with Brooke Dwight, Bailey Dwight, and Lizzie Gustafson to claim the 400 relay title both times. Sophia Rodriguez was the 100 hurdles at Britton and the 300 hurdle event at Redfield, and Skyler Godel won the 300 hurdles in Redfield.
    Currently Langford Area ranks among the top 24 in the state in Class B in nine events. At the conclusion of the regular season the top 24 in each event qualifies for state competition.
    Marlow stands fifth in the 100 dash and 18th in long jump, while Bailey Dwight is 18th in the 100 dash and 21st in long jump. Sophia Rodriguez is 18th in the 100 hurdles, the girls 400 relay is tied for eighth and the same quartet of girls is 20th in the 800 relay.
    Two LA boys are among the top 24. Julian Rodriguez is 18th in the 110 hurdles and Godel is 21st in the 300 hurdles.

FOR FULL STATS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL.

THINCLADS PUT UP GOOD NUMBERS

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:28:00 -0500

    The Britton-Hecla track squad had perfect conditions for the Orville Pfitzer Relays at home last week Tuesday and battled some wind at the Redfield Relays on Thursday but put up some good numbers in both meets.
    “We had beautiful weather for our home track meet and posting strong times at this time of the year is exciting for us,” said B-H coach Stephanie Symens. Despite the wind, our athletes also competed very well at Redfield. It was great to see the runner’s post good times in the windy conditions. Our athletes continue to work hard and it shows. We are excited to see what comes next.”
    The local thinclads were back in action at Groton yesterday (Tuesday), at travel to Sisseton on Friday, several athletes will compete at the Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls on Friday and Saturday, and B-H will compete at Milbank on Tuesday.
    Britton-Hecla currently has five boys and five girls events ranked among the top 24 in the state in Class A. At the conclusion of the regular season the top 24 times or distances in each event qualify for the state meet.
    Boys on that top 24 list include Chaz Vietor who is in a 11-way tie for 12th in high jump, the 1600 relay ranks 13th and the 3200 relay 14th, Ben Suther is 19th in the 400 dash, and Jaxon Zuehlke is 23rd in javelin.
    On the girls’ side Abby Lee is fifth in triple jump and ninth in long jump, Daynika Zuehlke 10th in javelin, Jaelee Grupe is in a 12-way tie for 15th in high jump, and the medley relay ranks 22nd.
    The boys relay quartet of Ben Suther, Drew Heitmann, Jack Teveldal, and Jaxon Zuehlke won both the 1600 and 3200 relays at the Britton meet and took the 1600 and medley relay events at Redfield. Abby Lee was also a double winner in both meets, winning the long jump and triple jump.
    The girls medley relay foursome of Marley Sundin, Abby Lee, Elsa Bosse-Faulhaber, and Daynika Zuehlke won the medley relay in Britton. Vietor won the high jump at Redfield.

FOR FULL STATS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL

SBW MALLARDS STILL FLYING HIGH

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:25:00 -0500

    The unbeaten season for the Sisseton-Britton-Webster (SBW) high school baseball team continued this week as the Mallards earned a pair of one-win victories over Groton last week Tuesday 7-6 and 3-2 and then throttled Mount Vernon-Plankinton-Corsica-Stickney (MVPCS) on Sunday 18-7.
    Coach Mark Nelson’s crew stands at 7-0 heading into a single contest with Clark today (Wednesday) in Sisseton at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday the Mallards will host two games in Sisseton beginning at 1 p.m. against Hot Springs and 5 p.m. against Warner-Ipswich-Northwestern (WIN). Next week Wednesday SBW travels to Clear Lake to battle Deuel in a twin bill starting at 5:30 p.m.
    “We picked up a couple of gritty wins against a good Groton team that’s well coached,” said Nelson. “On Sunday I was proud of our boys who had a long trip and still managed to stay focused and really prepared for our game well in spite of some weather.”

SBW 7-3
Groton 6-2
    Groton grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the opener but SBW looked to be in charge after exploding for five tallies in the third on four hits, led by a two-run double from Colton Chapin. Nelson’s club still led 6-2 heading into the final frame but Groton rallied for four runs to knot the contest at 6-6 in the top of the seventh. Chapin responded again with a walk-off single for the win.
    Kaden Mills picked up the pitching win, relieving Ben Suther with one out in the seventh when Suther reached his pitch limit. Suther allowed five hits over six and a third innings, fanned 13, and walked two.
    The Mallards out-hit Groton 10-8, led by Chapin’s double, single, and two RBI’s. Max Dalen added a pair of safeties and knocked in two runs, and Suther laced a pair of hits. Carter Stickland, Rylan Anderson, LJ Crooks, and Mitchell Burger each singled.
    SBW came up with some late-game heroics again in the nightcap when Levi Nelson broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI-single in the top of the seventh and winning pitcher Anderson blanked Groton in the bottom of the inning. SBW had tied the game with a run in the third, aided by a Groton error.
    Crooks started on the mound and went two and a third innings. Anderson did not allow a hit the rest of the way and fanned seven batters.
    The Mallards held a 6-4 hit advantage. Nelson laced a pair of singles and stole six bases, batting in the lead-off position. Suther, Chapin, Dylan Redler, and Will Richter each singled.
    “We manufactured two runs against a Groton pitcher who threw extremely well (12 strikeouts),” noted Nelson. “Speed on the bases created just enough for the win. I feel we may have stolen that second game from Groton after almost giving away the first one. Rylan Anderson really threw well in relief getting out of several innings with runners on base, and it was a great team effort.”

FOR FULL STATS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL.

B-H GOLFERS PLACE AT WEBSTER

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:24:00 -0500

    The Britton-Hecla boys golf squad finished third in a eight-team field and the girls were second amongst four teams in a meet held in Webster last week Tuesday.
    Coach Ryan Nack’s charges will compete at the Prairie Winds Golf Course in Watertown on Thursday starting at 10 a.m. Saturday they will travel to Eureka for a 10 a.m. start.
    “Takeaways from this outing are to believe in our club selection, build our confidence and shake off the bad shots,” said B-H coach Ryan Nack. We also need to focus on the good small areas we want to hit to and block out or not focus on the trouble spots. Easier said than done, but I feel we have a great group of golfers that realize the time and effort we need to put in to get better each day.”
    Lofton Heer led the B-H boys, carding a 40-43-83 to place eighth in a field of 39 golfers. Jace Rein was 10th with a 48-40-88, Nate Schuller 15th with a 44-48-92, and Bowen Micko placed 27th with a 56-50-106. Seth Lesnar of Webster Area took medalist honors with a 35-35-70.
    Chellon Pruitt led B-H in the girls division with a 54-65-119 to place 15th in a 27-golfer field. Corinne Bosse shot a 60-66-126 to place 17th, Sage Ford had a 60-67-127 to place 18th, and Maddi Micko recorded a 65-74-139 for 21st. Sage Gaikowski of Waubay-Summit shot an 84 to lead all girls’ competitors.
    Webster Area won the boys team title with a 245 total. Deuel was second at 253, followed by Britton-Hecla at 263, Great Plains Lutheran 269, Deubrook 278, Florence-Henry 294, Waubay-Summit 328, and Langford Area 340.
    Deuel claimed the girls crown with a score of 317. Britton-Hecla was second at 372, Great Plains Lutheran third with a 401, and Deubrook was fourth at 408.

SNIFFLES, STORIES AND A SIDE OF MURDER

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:16:00 -0500

  Last week, I never got around to writing a column because our house got hit with a major cold. So, let me catch you up!
    A couple of weekends ago, Chase and I went down to Sioux Falls for a live event of our favorite podcast, Midwest Murder. I was so excited. If you like true crime podcasts, this is the one for you. Jonah and Dawn cover cold cases from all around the Midwest, one of them researches the case, and the other has no idea what it’s about. There is some dark humor, but they still are very respectful to the case and families it affects. There banter between is what makes the serious situation just a little lighter. Just true midwesterns getting worked up, saying our words like, “oh jeez” and, “what the frick.”
    When we first got to Sioux Falls, we decided we should probably stay the night since the drive was long. I wasn’t too impressed with the hotel, but that’s not why we were there. We went out for a date night dinner and then headed to the show. I’m always the early, nervous one, but when my husband said, “We should go…” (an hour early!), I knew he was just as excited as I was.
    The show was at The ICON in downtown Sioux Falls, a really cool building and bar. Chase had surprised me with VIP tickets so we could get front-row seats and meet the hosts after the show. Needless to say, we were some of the first ones there, haha! I had made a joke about podcasts being the new version of a rock concert and how “mosh pitting” looks a little different in your 30s. We had a good laugh about how much things change as you get even just a little older.
    The show started, and it was a full house! If you’re not into true crime, I’ll spare you the gory details, the rest of you can listen to the episode online. The case was from a small town outside of Madison, Wisconsin, in 2021. A young college student named Chandler, was living with his parents and had decided to drop out of school without telling them. He fabricated emails to make it look like he was still in contact with the school.
    Well… his dad eventually found out after calling the school and pretending to be him. The school responded, “Sir, you haven’t been enrolled since the fall semester.”
    Chandler’s dad then texted him, saying, “I know what’s going on. When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here.” Instead of having that conversation, Chandler chose to avoid it altogether. No one knows all the details of why or how, but over the Fourth of July weekend, his parents vanished.
    After eventually filing a missing persons report, Chandler tried to play dumb, until investigators had enough evidence to bring him in. I’ll stop the story there in case you want to listen to the podcast, but let’s just say Chandler was not as innocent as he tried to seem.
    After the show, there was a Q&A session, and audience members could submit ideas for the episode title. There were plenty of funny and serious suggestions, but the winning title was, without a doubt, the best: “Could I be any more guilty?” If you’re a Friends fan, you know that the only other time we really hear the name Chandler said like that is on the show. The crowd immediately burst into laughter and applause. It was clear we had a winner. There were shirts you could buy with sayings they had created throughout their shows. Like, “Try Therapy, Not Homicide.” And “Divorce is easier than Murder.” I of course bought a shirt with one of my favorite sayings from Dawn.
    Jonah and Dawn were so nice! I’ve been listening to their podcast for the past five years, and they were exactly how I imagined them, funny, down-to-earth midwesterns, that are genuinely appreciative of their fans. Getting the chance to meet them after the show made the whole experience even more memorable. Chase and I talked about it the whole drive home, while listening to another episode, already saying how much we’d love to go to another live show sometime. It’s not often you find something you enjoy listening to come to life in such a fun and personal way, and this definitely lived up to the dark hype. You can listen to them on Apple, Amazon music, Spotify or anywhere you’d basically listen to your podcasts. Ten out of Ten recommend for true crime junkies!
“Come to the Midwest, Stay for the Murder.”

Left to right, Jonah Lantto, Chase & Justine Warburton & Dawn Palumbo at the Icon in Sioux Falls for Midwest Murder live podcast.

HWY 27 PROJECT PLANNED FOR 2028

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:14:00 -0500

    About 30 people attended a public meeting last week to hear details on upcoming improvements to South Dakota Highway 27 between Britton and Langford.
    Officials with the South Dakota Department of Transportation outlined plans for two structure replacement and grading projects located several miles south of Britton. Both areas were identified as needing updates due to aging infrastructure and drainage concerns, and the two projects are expected to be worked on simultaneously.
    The southern project site, located about nine miles south of Britton, involves replacing a structure originally built in 1981. Officials said the structure has reached the end of its useful life and current vertical curves do not meet modern design standards. It will be replaced with a reinforced concrete box culvert, along with grading improvements.
    The northern project, about six miles south of Britton, includes replacement of a structure first installed in 1977. DOT officials said the site has experienced channel degradation and inlet and outlet issues, prompting the need for a larger replacement structure.
    Construction is expected to take place over one construction season, likely extending into the harvest period. Plans call for a full road closure at the southern site, while traffic at the northern site will be diverted around the work zone.
    Regional detours are expected to route traffic to Highways 37 and 10, as well as Interstate 29. Local traffic will be directed to county roads east of the project area. DOT officials said measures such as signage will be used to guide drivers, though they acknowledged some may still attempt to use alternate routes.
    Concerns about increased traffic on gravel roads were raised during the meeting. Officials said dust control and regular maintenance, including blading, will be provided, and roads will be restored to their original condition following construction.
    Access to the Marshall County Sportsman’s Club will be maintained throughout the project, according to DOT representatives.
    The project is currently in the planning stages. Landowner meetings are expected to take place later this summer to address topics such as driveway access, fencing, drainage, trees and potential temporary easements or right-of-way needs.
    According to the tentative timeline, final design work will continue through 2027, with right-of-way acquisition planned for that year. Construction could begin as early as 2028.
    DOT officials encouraged residents to submit comments on the project. Written comments will be accepted through May 1, 2026.
    Comments or questions can be directed to David Burwitz, PE, 5316 West 60th St. N., Sioux Falls, SD 57107-6464, or by email at David.Burwitz@state.sd.us. Additional project details, including presentation materials, are available on the South Dakota DOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/projects-studies/projects/public-meetings/.

FEELING MY AGE

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:09:00 -0500

Well, it has officially happened. I’m starting to feel old.
This is actually new territory for me. I’m now 41 years old. I suppose I could lie about that, but if you read this column, you know I make a fairly big deal about my birthdays, so the truth is already out there. Besides, I’ve always felt pretty spry regardless of the number.
This past year, though… things are getting a little creaky.
So here’s a brief rundown of how I’m apparently starting to act my age.
First, I have fully embraced the joy of the shoehorn. At my parents’ house, shoehorns are practically part of the decor. My mom is always on the lookout for a new one, and there are actual discussions about ideal length and design. In the past, this prompted a lot of eye rolling from me. “What a bunch of old fogies who can’t even put on their shoes,” I would think, in my youthful ignorance.
Then one day, dear reader, I tried one. What a revelation. No more smashing my fingers while forcing my foot into already-tied shoes. No more hopping around, tugging and muttering under my breath. You barely even have to bend over. It’s magical.
I now own a shoehorn. I use it daily. I haven’t quite reached my dad’s level of carrying it around for back scratching purposes, but give me time.
Next: stairs.
Now, I won’t say they’re the enemy… but they’re definitely on my watch list. Most days I can still take them two at a time like a functioning adult. But every now and then, I hit that first step and my knee is like, “Absolutely not. What are we doing here?”
And at night? When the kids wander downstairs for the 14th time and need something? I would rather do just about anything than climb those stairs again. (Zephie, I will give you an ice cream cone and a pony if you just go back upstairs yourself.)
Also new in my life: heartburn.
Back in my wild and woolly days, I could eat a pizza at 2 a.m. and sleep like a baby. Now, if I even think about eating something remotely spicy after 9 p.m., I’m up at 1 a.m. questioning all my life choices and wondering why my entire body feels like it’s on fire.
I’m also starting to understand the appeal of going to bed at a reasonable hour. This doesn’t happen every night, but more often than I’d like to admit, I find myself at 9 p.m. debating whether to start a show… or just crawl into bed and scroll the news like a sensible person.
There was a time when I would start movies at 11 p.m. with no hesitation. Of course, that was back when I was young and single and the only thing waking me up was a loud neighbor, not small humans who need water, a blanket, or to discuss life at 2 a.m.
All that said, I still like to think I’m young at heart. I’m not eating supper at 4 p.m. just yet, and I have not taken a spin on the motorized cart at Walmart.
But… let’s not rule anything out.

FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST LOCAL MAN

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:09:00 -0500

    A federal indictment has been filed against Adam Stieha of Britton in U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, Northern Division, on charges related to child pornography.
    According to court records, Stieha is charged with one count of transportation of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography.
    The indictment was filed April 9. Stieha made his initial appearance and arraignment on April 15 in Sioux Falls before U.S. magistrate judge Veronica Duffy, where he entered a plea of not guilty. A detention hearing was also held.
    Court records show a plea agreement deadline has been set for May 22, 2026. If no agreement is reached, a jury trial is scheduled to begin June 6, 2026, in Aberdeen.
    Stieha is being represented by the Federal Public Defender’s Office.

STORLEY FINALIST IN CO-OP COMMUNITY AWARD

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:03:00 -0500

    For Melissa Storley, staying busy is simply part of giving back.
    The Roslyn native and former Britton resident is involved in a wide range of community efforts across northeast South Dakota. That dedication is now earning recognition, as she has been named a finalist in the annual Who Powers You contest, which highlights individuals and organizations making a difference in their communities.
    The contest, hosted by regional Touchstone Energy cooperatives, recognizes those who go above and beyond to serve others, with winners selected based on their impact.
    Storley, who lives on her family farm near Roslyn and is a member of Lake Region Electric Cooperative, returned to the area in January 2023 after spending years living elsewhere in the state. She retired from a 25-year teaching career at that time and has since devoted much of her energy to community involvement.
    “I like to help my community,” Storley said. “You can’t always sit on the sidelines and hope someone else does it. Since I can, I do.”
    That mindset is evident in the number of organizations she supports.
    Storley serves on the board of Strand Kjorsvig Nursing Home, where she has helped increase awareness of the facility through promotional efforts. She is also active at Fron Lutheran Church, where she contributes to fundraising and event planning, including activities such as rummage sales, pie events and the church’s fall bazaar.
    “It was the church I grew up in,” she said. “There are familiar faces, and we’re working toward things like redoing the kitchen and landscaping.”
    In addition, Storley is a key member of the Veterans Memorial Park fundraising committee in Roslyn. The project, located on Main St, remains a work in progress, but has already seen major developments, including cement work and the addition of a gazebo.
    “They had just started it before I came back,” Storley said. “I joined the committee, and I’ve been helping figure out plaques and researching names of soldiers from Roslyn, Grenville, Lake City and Eden.”
    Much of Storley’s time is also spent with CARE (Community Advancement for Roslyn and Eden), where she plays a leading role in organizing events and promoting the area. Her involvement includes managing the International Vinegar Museum, helping coordinate the annual International Vinegar Festival held each June, and assisting with Eden Fun Day and other community activities.
    She also helps manage the Roslyn Event Center and has assisted with organizing performances at Storybook Land Theater.
    “It is busy, but it’s rewarding,” Storley said.
    Her volunteer efforts extend beyond Roslyn as well. Storley contributes time at Langford Area School, where her husband, Shad, serves as superintendent.
    Storley’s nomination for the Who Powers You contest came from friend and fellow CARE member Jenny Roerig, who praised her wide-ranging contributions.
    “Melissa is an intricate part of our group with her organization, her outgoing personality, her high energy and her beautiful voice,” Roerig wrote in her nomination. “She wears many, many hats. Melissa is very deserving of this recognition, as she gives so, so much to our communities.”
    Storley said the nomination came as a surprise. “It’s an honor to be nominated,” she said. “It’s nice that people notice. I don’t do it for that, but it’s nice.”
    Local officials also highlighted her impact. “We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Melissa Storley for being nominated and selected as a finalist of the Touchstone Energy Who Powers You Contest,” said Laura London of Lake Region Electric. “Melissa’s positive impact on our community is truly inspiring.”
    As part of the contest, Storley was featured on Keloland Living on April 2. Final winners are expected to be announced in late May.
    For Storley, however, the recognition is secondary to the work itself.
    From organizing community events to supporting local institutions, she continues to focus on strengthening the small towns she calls home, one project at a time.

MC CONSERVATION: TREE SEASON BEGINS

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

    The Marshall County Conservation District is preparing to begin its spring tree season, with nursery shipments arriving this week and planting expected to start by the first week in May.
    District officials are encouraging those with planned 2026 tree plantings to complete final land preparation so sites can be flagged.
    Distribution of pre-ordered bare root trees is scheduled to begin Friday, April 24. Tree shed hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers are encouraged to pick up and plant trees early to allow time for establishment before warmer weather.
    Additional trees will also be available for purchase, including a selection of bare root trees suitable for replacing green ash, as well as fruit trees and potted spruce trees.
    Due to incoming shipments and pre-order fulfillment, additional time may be needed to assemble new orders. Those interested are encouraged to call the tree shed at 605-448-5400 or stop in to check current inventory.

FSA UPDATES

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:48:00 -0500

    Maps are ready for acreage reporting purposes. Please call the Marshall County FSA Office at 605-448-5921 x2 to pick up maps or have them emailed.
    Final Planting Dates:
• May 15th - Wheat, Barley, Oats
• May 25th - Corn
• June 10th – Soybeans
*Final date to report prevent plant is 15 calendar days after final planting date. Marshall Co. FSA staff are wishing all producers a smooth as possible and successful planting season!
Farm Changes
    Reminder for owners and operators, please make sure you report any owner, operator, or land change to the office as soon as possible for farm program eligibility and base acres allocation process.
Continuous CRP (Signup 66)
    FSA is accepting new continuous CRP offers from interested landowners through May 1, 2026 for batch two. For more information contact Madeline Jones at the Marshall County FSA Office.
CRP Participant Reminders
    CRP establishment activities must be completed by the deadline specified in your approved conservation plan and FSA-848. Now is a great time to start planning and scheduling establishment activities for the year, i.e. new seeding. Practice establishment that is not completed timely could be determined to be a violation of the CRP Contract terms and conditions as outlined in the CRP-1 appendix. In very limited circumstances an extension of time may be allowed to complete required establishment activities, however, you must make a request in writing to the FSA CED/COC. Please remember to keep track of those required activities completed for potential cost-share purposes and inspections. Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns about completing these scheduled actions by the deadline specified in your approved plan and FSA-848.
Marshall County is Eligible for Emergency Loans
    Marshall County was declared a PRIMARY disaster due to 2025 summer flooding that occurred from July 21, 2025 to August 19, 2025. Under this designation, if you have operations in any primary or contiguous county, you are eligible to apply for low interest emergency loans.
    Emergency loans help you recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding and other natural disasters or quarantine.
    You have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. You can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production or physical losses, to a maximum amount of $500,000.
    For more information about emergency loans, contact the loan office servicing Marshall County in Brown County USDA Service Center at 605-226-3360 ext. 2, or visit fsa.usda.gov.
SDRP Stage 2 April 30 Deadline
    The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage 2 deadline is approaching soon. SDRP Stage 2 provides producers assistance with non-indemnified (including shallow losses), uncovered (uninsured), and quality losses of crops due to weather related events in 2023 and 2024. Stage 2 covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses. The enrollment period for Stage 2 opened Nov. 24, 2025, and closes April 30, 2026. Please call to receive an application and make an appointment for certification.

COMMISSION ACCEPTS CHIP SEAL BID

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:43:00 -0500

    The Marshall County Commission met Tuesday. Commissioners again discussed bids for an upcoming highway chip seal project and approved a bid from Bituminous Paving in the amount of approximately $1,178,297. The board noted that change orders could be made if certain areas require patching rather than sealing.
    Representatives from Westwood Colony also met with the commission to discuss County Road 4, expressing interest in paving approximately two miles leading to the colony. Commissioners said the project would likely require grant funding and will be explored further.
    Consolidated Boards of Equalization for Langford, Britton and Marshall County also met to review various property-related matters, including appeals, stipulations, corrections, renewable energy credits, disabled veteran exemptions, assessment freezes, tax-exempt property and owner-occupied status. Detailed actions will be published in upcoming meeting minutes.
    In personnel matters, the commission accepted the resignations of Deputy Treasurer Ginger Olson and dispatcher Bailee Yule.
    Additional business included approval of a special one-day liquor license for the Shrine Club for a wedding event at Fort Sisseton and acceptance of the quarterly report from the county’s Veteran’s Service Officer. The board also held executive sessions for contract negotiations and personnel, with no action taken following either session.
    In zoning matters, commissioners approved a replat of Buffalo Acres Subdivision in Buffalo Township and accepted several building permits, including applications from Randy and Jackie Lien in Dumarce Township, Elise Kretchman in Lake Township, Ronnie Grajczyk in Buffalo Township and Andrew Brecker in Lake Township.
    Zoning director Erin Collins-Miles also provided updates on noncompliant structures in the county, including project deadlines. The commission continued discussion on the county’s comprehensive plan, which is expected to move toward adoption in the coming weeks. Potential updates to the zoning ordinance were also discussed, with further consideration planned at a future meeting.

CLAREMONT NATIVE SD HALL OF FAMER

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:29:00 -0500

    Claremont native and long-time Platte and Platte-Geddes coach Frank Cutler will be one of 21 sports legends inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 13 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
    The 2026 class includes one of the most successful basketball players in state history, a baseball major leaguer who pitched to Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, a Guinness Book of World Record holder, as well as legendary coaches and announcers. Tickets will go on sale later this year.
    Joining Cutler as new inductees are: Taylor Baker, Mike Begeman, Howard Blumart (deceased), Julie (Krauth) Dearing, Laticia DeCory, Jim Dorman, Dan Freidel, Barry French (deceased), Jeff Fylling (deceased), Randi (Morgan) Haines, Mylo Jackson (deceased), Greg Jimmerson, Louis Koupal (deceased), Tim Miles, Mike Miller, Kent Mueller, John Papendick, Thelma (Austin) Smalley (deceased), Jim Sorensen, and Jason Sutherland.
    Cutler is a 1978 Langford High School graduate and graduated from South Dakota State University in 1983 where he was a baseball letterwinner for four years, named All-North Central Conference his senior season, and has one of the best all-time season batting averages (.443) in school and conference history.
    A multi-sport standout at Langford, Cutler was a two-time all-state football player, leading the Lions to the mythical nine-man state championship in 1976. He was also an all-state basketball player and a placewinner at the 1978 state track meet in the long (second) and triple jumps (third).
    Cutler took over the Platte boys’ basketball program in 1989-90 after six years as an assistant at Watertown. He retired at the end of the 2025 season with a career record of 546-264 in 36 seasons with 13 state tournament appearances. He guided the Panthers to one Class A state title in 2008 and runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2014.
    At Platte-Geddes Cutler also coached junior high football for 34 years, boys and girls golf for 13 seasons, and served as athletic director for 12 years. His boys’ golf teams were Class B state runner-up four times and he has been named the SD Coach of the Year numerous times in various sports. He also has served as a girls basketball official.
    Cutler had a Hall of Fame amateur baseball career in South Dakota, playing 35 seasons for Claremont, Watertown, Platte, and Parkston and qualifying for the state tourney 32 times. He was a career .400 hitter who played every position and also managed Claremont’s two state championship teams in 1984 and 1985.
    The Hall of Famer also played on several South Dakota senior baseball teams and helped the South Dakota Silver Bullets win a Senior World Series title in 1993. He also coaches the 1983 Groton Teeners to a state Class B championship and the 2007 Platte Teeners to a Class A state crown.
    Cutler will be joining some pretty impressive company in the Class of 2026. Mike Miller, a Mitchell standout, was the No. 1 draft choice of the Orlando Magic and played 17 seasons in the NBA. Tim Miles, a highly respected basketball coach, is the only active coach to lead teams to postseason play at the NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division I levels.
    Jeff Fylling was the voice of the Augustana Vikings football and basketball teams for nearly 50 years. He called more than 400 football games and was on the call for iconic basketball moments such as men’s national championship win in 2016 and for the 2013 Women’s Final Four women’s basketball team.
    Kent Mueller helped build the boys’ basketball and football dynasty at West Central. His teams won 14 of the 17 state championships they appeared in. He is one of only four coaches in state history to win state football and basketball titles as a head coach, and the only one to win multiple state titles in both sports.
    Jim Sorenson is one of the most successful prep coaches in SD history. The long-time Beresford high school coach led his boys’ basketball teams to 27 winning seasons, three state runner-up finishes, five regional titles, 11 district titles and eight conference titles. He also was a very successful golf coach and was a four-time SD golf coach of the year.
    Laticia “Doni” DeCory is one of the best all-around athletes to come out of the talent-rich Pine Ridge Reservation. She was a starter as a true freshman for the BYU basketball team, but transferred to Utah State where she became part of three conference winning track teams. At the 1994 conference outdoor championships, DeCory won the shot put for Utah State.
    Lou Koupal played 19 seasons of professional baseball, with seven in the big leagues. A pitcher, he got his pro baseball break when he was on the mound in an exhibition game on Oct. 18, 1922, vs. Hall of Famer Babe Ruth of the N.Y. Yankees. Koupal homered off Ruth in the contest but did not give up a home run to Ruth. Koupal also struck out Hall of Famer “Joltin’ Joe” DiMaggio three times in a game.
    With the 21 new inductees, the hall will have enshrined 418 women and men from every part of the state representing more than 30 sports. The South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1968 by the South Dakota Sportswriters Association. Inductees are voted into the hall in four categories: as athletes, coaches, contributors (such as media, administrators and/or officials) and/or legends (deceased).

STRONG SHOWING FOR THINCLADS

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:21:00 -0500

    The Britton-Hecla track squad came up with a strong showing in its outdoor season opener at Milbank on Thursday.
    The local thinclads hosted the Orville Pfitzer Relays yesterday (Tuesday), travel to the Redfield Relays on Thursday, and compete at the Groton Relays on Tuesday.
    “We had a great first meet in Milbank,” said B-H coach Stephanie Symens. “It’s great when you get to run in nice weather. We posted good times, throws and jumps in our first meet out and that makes us coaches really excited for the rest of the season. We also have kids in the top 24 which is a great place to be.”
    Britton-Hecla won seven events in the Milbank meet and both the boys and girls placed fourth as a team.
    Ben Suther took the 200 dash and teamed up with Jaxon Zuehlke, Drew Heitmann, and Jack Teveldal to claim the 3200 relay title. Abby Lee was a double winner, taking both the long and triple jump, Daynika Zuehlke was the javelin champ, Avalon Dinger won the 100 hurdles, and Marley Sundin, Abby Lee, Elsa Bosse-Faulhaber, and Daynika Zuehlke teamed up to win the medley relay.
    The first ranking of the top 24 athletes in each event was published Monday and Britton-Hecla had 11 spots on the Class A list. The top 24 at the end of the regular season qualify for the state meet.
    Among the top 24 in the boys’ division are Chaz Vietor, tied for ninth in high jump; Suther, Zuehlke, Heitmann, and Teveldal were 11th in the 3200 relay and the same group was 14th in the 1600 relay; Suther is 15th in the 400 and 24th in the 200 dashes; and Zuehlke stands at 17th in javelin.
    On the girls side Lee is fifth in triple jump and ninth in long jump; Zuehlke is fifth in javelin; Jaelee Grupe in a tie for 14th in high jump; and Sundin, Lee, Bossse-Faulhaber, and Zuehlke are 18th in the medley relay.

LA TRACK SQUAD OPENS SEASON AT MILBANK MEET

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:12:00 -0500

    After a delay forced by Mother Nature the Langford Area track squad opened its season at the National Guard Meet in Milbank on Thursday.
    Coach Brian Schuring’s squad competed in the Orivlle Pfitzer Relays in Britton yesterday (Tuesday), travels to Warner on Thursday for a field event meet, and will compete in the Groton Relays on Tuesday.
    “The Lions were limited on athletes to be able to take to the Milbank meet but we participated and competed really well,” said Schuring. “This was our first track meet of the year and we are already seeing some great things.”
    Medal winners were Skyler Godel, third in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 dash; Johnny Behning was eighth in the 400 dash; and Bailey Dwight was first in the 100 dash, second in long jump, and fourth in the 400 dash.
    Two athletes are listed in the first top 24 ranking of Class B athletes from around the state. The top 24 in each event at the end of the regular season advance to state competition. Dwight ranks 12th in the 100 dash and 14th in long jump, while Godel is in the 14th spot in the 300 hurdles.

FOR FULL STATS, SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL.

SBW EARN 4-0 START

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:09:00 -0500

    The Sisseton-Britton-Webster (SBW) high school baseball team exploded for 27 runs on the way to a 15-2, 12-2 doubleheader sweep at Miller on Sunday and boosted its season mark to 4-0.
    Coach Mark Nelson’s crew will host Groton for a twin bill today (Wednesday) at 5:30 p.m. in the only scheduled action on the Britton field this season. Next Wednesday the Mallards will host Clark for two starting at 5:30 p.m. in Sisseton.
    “Once again, I thought our pitchers did a great job attacking the strike zone and pitching with the lead,” noted Nelson. “We also did a great job of winning the first inning in the first game and setting the tone for the rest of the game. The second game we started slow, but the kids responded late with some offense.”
    Ben Suther, who went 3-5 at the plate to lead a 15-hit onslaught in the opener, ripped a three-run triple to spark a five-run first inning. The Mallards led 8-2 after five innings and then ended the game on the 10-run rule with a seven-run sixth.
    Colton Chapin added a triple and single, Dylan Redler and Max Dahlen both doubled and singled and had a pair of RBI’s apiece, Rylan Anderson and Carter Stickland each laced a pair of safeties, and Mitchell Burger and Levi Nelson both singled. SBW stole five bases, led by Stickland’s two, and played errorless ball in the field.
    Suther started on the mound and allowed three hits and a run in 2.1 innings, retiring all seven batters on strikeouts, to earn the pitching victory. Anderson came on in relief and gave up just one hit and a run in 3.2 frames, striking out six.
    In game two the two squads locked up in a pitching duel for three innings. Miller broke the scoreless tie with a run in the top of the fourth but SBW erupted with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth and five more in the fifth to earn the sweep on the 10-run rule. Doubles from Kaden Mills and Will Richter and an Anderson single fueled the game-turning fourth inning rally.
    Richter doubled and singled and knocked in a pair of runs to head the SBW nine-hit attack. Suther continued with his hot bat and slammed a two-run homer, Kaden Mills doubled, and Stickland, Anderson, Redler, Chapin, and Jack Teveldal each singled.
    LJ Crooks went 3.1 innings and fanned four. Mills pitched 1.2 innings of relief and earned the pitching win, striking out two.

FOR FULL STATS, SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL.

B-H GOLFERS JUMP-START SPRING SEASON AT LEOLA

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:16:00 -0500

    After missing out on its scheduled season opener due to poor weather conditions the Britton-Hecla golf squad added a varsity and junior varsity nine-hole event on Thursday at Leola.
    Coach Ryan Nack’s squad was back in action at Webster yesterday (Tuesday). The junior high team will play in the NEC meet at Clark on Saturday at 10 a.m.
    “This was a good shorter golf meet with the goal to put together our game and find the trouble spots that need work,” said Nack. “Staying in the moment and controlling the controllables is needed while we knock the rust off our swing.”
    B-H took the top three varsity boys spots in a 16-player field at Leola. Lofton Heer was medalist with a 40, Ryan Maxwell was second with a 49, Bowen Micko third at 52, and Charles Schuller 11th with a 62.
    Twelve girls competed in the varsity division with Sage Ford the top Lady Brave with a 58, good for fourth. Chellon Pruitt was seventh at 62, and Corinne Bosse ninth at 67.
    Two B-H boys competed in the JV division. Landyn Frederick was sixth with a 60 and Ben Folkman placed seventh, also with a 60. B-H did not have any girls playing in the JV bracket.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS DELAYED

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:50:00 -0500

The Marshall County Auditor’s Office is informing voters that absentee ballots will not be available at the start of the absentee voting period for the June 2 primary election.

Absentee voting was scheduled to begin Friday, April 17, but ballots cannot be finalized until after the March 31 candidate filing deadline and required review period. This creates a short delay before ballots are ready.

Ballot preparation includes certification, layout, programming, proofing and printing, all of which must be completed after candidate lists are finalized.

The delay is due to state law timelines.

The Auditor’s Office said it is working to complete the process as quickly as possible. Once ballots are ready, they will be mailed immediately to voters who have submitted absentee applications, and in-person absentee voting will begin at the courthouse.

“The Auditor’s office is dedicated to ensuring ballots are available to voters as quickly as possible,” said Marshall County Auditor Megan Biel. “In the meantime, voters can contact us to check that they are registered to vote and that their information is up to date. This can also be done on the state’s website. If you need assistance, our office is here to help.”

Voters are encouraged to submit absentee ballot applications early, verify their registration status, and watch for updates through official county communication channels.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot remains 5 p.m. on June 1, the day before the election.

For more information, contact the Marshall County Auditor’s Office.

FOSNESS REFLECTS ON BUSY SESSION

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:32:00 -0500

    After a whirlwind eight months that took him from a gubernatorial appointment to the South Dakota House floor, Britton’s Nick Fosness is back in his office at Marshall County Healthcare Center with a new perspective on public service.
    Fosness was appointed in August by Gov. Larry Rhoden to fill the District 1 House seat following the resignation of Chris Reder. While the path to Pierre was unexpected, Fosness said the experience of serving in his first legislative session has been both challenging and rewarding.
    “Working with incredible people that love our state stands out the most,” Fosness said. “For those of us there for the right reasons, we are doing meaningful work.”
    He added that one of his early takeaways was the importance of thoughtful decision making. “Voting ‘no’ is just as important as voting ‘yes.’ Some of these bills simply are not ready,” he said.
    Fosness described the session as particularly complex. “My first year was a challenge because there are four Republicans running for governor,” he said. “We still need to focus on what is best for South Dakota rather than staging for politics.”
    Coming into the role, Fosness said he was surprised by how difficult it can be to reach agreement, even within the same party. “The difficulty finding consensus in two chambers stood out,” he said. “Not everyone in the same party walks in lockstep.”
    He also emphasized the importance of collaboration when crafting legislation. “When writing new legislation, you need to include state agencies, proponents and opponents,” he said. “You have to vet out concerns before you finalize anything.”
    Despite differences in viewpoints, Fosness said the overall atmosphere among lawmakers was positive. “Republicans and Democrats in South Dakota get along well,” he said, while acknowledging there are divisions within the Republican Party. “People assume every Republican thinks or votes the same, and that’s not the case.”
    Building relationships proved to be one of the most valuable parts of the experience. “Even if I fundamentally disagree, I can still appreciate people as human beings,” Fosness said. “I have a great amount of respect for the citizen legislators on both sides of the aisle.”
    Several key issues helped define the session for him, particularly efforts aimed at property tax relief. Lawmakers approved measures that give counties additional flexibility to use sales tax revenue to reduce the burden on homeowners, along with adjustments to state funding allocations. Fosness said those discussions were among the most significant of the session.
    “It was one of the biggest moments,” he said, noting the balancing act between providing tax relief and maintaining funding for schools and essential services.
    Fosness also pointed to a number of other measures he supported, including legislation addressing abortion pill regulations, funding increases for schools, state employees and health care providers. He highlighted the expansion of behavioral health education programs in Aberdeen and funding for improvements to the Blue Dog State Fish Hatchery as examples of long term investments.
    In addition, the legislature secured the allocation of $403M over the next two years for Rural Health Transformation Funding aimed at strengthening rural health care systems, an issue Fosness said is especially important to his district.
    “This year was the most bills introduced since 1998, which can be overwhelming,” he said. “It’s a big responsibility to read a bill and decide if it’s good for our district.”
    “In District 1, I heard from commissioners about the impact of property taxes on counties,” he said. “Cities are also concerned about sales tax issues, and from regular people, I heard about farm prices and the importance of K-12 funding.”
    Balancing his legislative duties with his full-time role as a hospital CEO required careful coordination. Fosness credited his team at Marshall County Healthcare Center for making it possible.
    “I’m blessed to work with an amazing team and an excellent Governing Board,” he said. “I was still able to be here one day per week, and we’re doing great. Our leadership team and the board see the bigger picture. It’s important to have that representation in Pierre when it comes to rural healthcare.”
    The time commitment also required support from his family. Fosness made 18 trips back and forth to Pierre during the session. “That’s a big commitment, and my family agreed that I could make it,” he said. “Being away is a sacrifice, but it’s small compared to others who serve. If I can make the state better for my kids, I’ll be proud.”
    Looking ahead, Fosness said the experience has reinforced his desire to focus on practical solutions. As he seeks reelection, he said his priorities center on long term growth and stability for the state.
    “I’ve been encouraged by many people across the state,” he said. “I think they see that I’m driven by facts and logic. I want South Dakota to be a place where my kids and grandkids want to live.”
    Economic development, he said, will be a key focus moving forward.
    “If we don’t have our eyes on economic development, we will continue to tax shift,” Fosness said. “We need to invest in large scale development. If we don’t have new families and new businesses, we will miss the boat.”
    He added that serving in the legislature is about being part of the solution. “You can’t complain about issues like Medicaid funding in rural nursing homes if you’re not willing to be part of fixing them,” he said.
    As he reflects on his first session, Fosness said the opportunity to serve has been meaningful.
    “It’s an honor to serve our district,” he said. “If asked to return to Pierre, I’ll serve with the best interest of our district and our rural lifestyle.”

B-H TO PERFORM PULITZER-PRIZE WINNING COMEDY

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:30:00 -0500

    Britton-Hecla is readying the stage for a whirlwind of laughter as they perform their spring production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy “You Can’t Take It With You.” Scheduled for next Thursday and Friday at the Amacher Auditorium, the play introduces audiences to the delightfully eccentric Vanderhof family.
    Led by the philosophical patriarch Grandpa Martin Vanderhof, played by Carter Chapin, the household is a vibrant sanctuary for dreamers and lovable oddballs who prioritize personal happiness over social convention. The family dynamic includes a cast of spirited characters such as Penny Sycamore, portrayed by Paisley Bray, and Paul Sycamore, played by Wyatt Strong, alongside the creative energy of Essie and Ed Carmichael, brought to life by Baylee Bender and Noah Schuster.
    The plot thickens when Alice Sycamore, the only seemingly “normal” member of the clan played by Amelia Ingvalson, falls in love with Tony Kirby, portrayed by Charles Schuller. As the son of Alice’s wealthy and conservative boss, Tony comes from a world of rigid order that stands in stark contrast to the unrestrained chaos of the Vanderhof home. The tension reaches a comedic peak during a dinner intended to unite the two families, which quickly erupts into a disaster when the Kirbys arrive early to witness the Vanderhofs at their most unpredictable.
    The curtain will rise for evening shows at 7 p.m. on both Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24, with an additional matinee performance on Friday at 1:30 p.m. All shows will take place in the Amacher Auditorium, and the public is warmly welcomed to attend any performance.

STATE PARK LEADERS VISIT FORT AND ROY

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:26:00 -0500

    More than 80 South Dakota State Park managers and leaders gathered in northeast South Dakota last week for their annual meeting, taking time to prepare for the busy summer season while exploring several area parks.
    The meeting included visits to Pickerel Lake, Roy Lake, Sica Hollow and Fort Sisseton, giving attendees from across the state a chance to experience parks that many had not previously visited.
    Regional Park Supervisor for the northeast corner of the state, Willy Collignon said the annual gathering provides an opportunity for park leaders to connect and plan for the year ahead.
    “Our theme this year is Outdoor Engagement, and we’re interested in how to recruit, retain and reactivate park goers,” Collignon said.
    He noted that participants traveled from as far as Rapid City and Spearfish and showed strong interest in the northeast region’s parks.
    “When we decide where to hold this meeting, we ask park managers, and many said they had not been to these parks,” Collignon said. “You could really see their interest when they walked around Fort Sisseton.”
    During the multi day visit, the group toured a new modern cabin at Pickerel Lake State Park, made a stop at Sica Hollow State Park and later visited Roy Lake State Park to view the lodge and cabins. The group also gathered at Fort Sisseton for lunch and a tour of the historic site.
    At Fort Sisseton, attendees learned about the Fort Sisseton Commission, a 15 member board appointed by the governor to oversee operations. Commission president Bruce Prins spoke about the role of the group and the expertise its members bring to the site.
    Park Manager Ali Tonsfeldt also shared plans for the fort’s future as it marks its 160th anniversary this year. In partnership with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, the commission has developed a long term plan focused on preserving the historic site while enhancing visitor experiences through recreation, education and community engagement.
    A key part of that plan is a proposed 5 million dollar visitor center. (See below for a rendering of the center.) The facility would include expanded and updated exhibits highlighting a broader range of history, along with classroom space, a research library, modern work areas and improved climate control to protect artifacts. The project also calls for additional parking to better accommodate events and tour buses.
    As the meeting concluded, Collignon said the visit left a strong impression on those in attendance.
    “I like to say we have world class state parks in this corner of the state,” he said. “We are excited to continue building on that as we look to the future.”

A rendering of the proposed new visitor center at Fort Sisseton was shared during last week’s South Dakota State Parks annual meeting, highlighting plans for expanded exhibits, modern classrooms and workspaces, improved artifact preservation and additional parking to better accommodate visitors and tour groups

COUNCIL: GOOD WATER METER RESPONSE, MORE ON LAND SWAP

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:24:00 -0500

    The Britton City Council met Monday night for its regular meeting, with much of the discussion centered on ongoing infrastructure projects, a proposed land swap, and committee reports.
    Interim Public Works Supervisor Cameron Gerken reported that the city’s water meter replacement project is nearing completion. “We’re about 93 percent done,” Gerken said, noting that roughly 10 residents have yet to respond. He added that the deadline to schedule a replacement without penalty is at the end of the week.
    City engineers also provided updates on infrastructure planning. ISG engineer Michael Redenbaugh told the council that while no immediate water or wastewater projects are planned, potential state grant funding could help offset costs for future facility plans.
    Work continues on the city’s main lift station project, where crews recently began work on the force main. During the process, a discrepancy in underground infrastructure was discovered. While attempting to locate a 4-inch main, contractors found a 6-inch main directly above it, which differed from existing records. To avoid potential damage and service disruption in the event of an emergency, the contractor plans to temporarily bypass pump the main lift station while locating the smaller line. Officials said the approach is the safest way to maintain sewer service and reduce the risk of a backup.
    The council also revisited a proposed land swap with Jason Bender. The city’s portion includes approximately 0.71 acres in the sale barn lot, compared to Bender’s 0.34-acre parcel near the ball fields. Based on past land valuations of about $2.50 per square foot, council members estimated Bender might owe the city around $40,000 to equalize the trade. A council member is expected to discuss the matter further with Bender.
    A cell tower lease agreement with T-Mobile was also discussed. Finance Officer Jacki Medhaug said the company has asked the city to submit an offer letter after council members expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed renewal rate. Mayor Clyde Fredrickson said he plans to consult with Venture Communications, which owns the tower, to explore fair pricing options.
    The council reviewed rubble site usage fees ahead of the April Saturday openings. While residential fees will remain at $5 per load or via punch card, commercial rates will increase from $250 to $500 for users with site access keys. Medhaug noted that there were several unpaid dumping invoices from last year.
    Council member Tim Dahme reported on a recent meeting with the county law enforcement committee, which he attended along with Brian Beck. Dahme said discussions focused on budget constraints, largely driven by salaries and benefits, as well as code enforcement within the city. The county sheriff has requested a list of city ordinances that carry penalties so deputies can better enforce them during patrols. The council asked City Attorney Justin Scott to provide that list. Dahme added that the county will begin sending weekly reports detailing stops, citations, and arrests within Britton compared to the rest of the county. He described the meeting as productive, with additional discussions planned in the coming weeks.
    Event Center Director Laken Werner presented a request from a catering company interested in using the facility’s kitchen for food preparation and sales. Council member Cristy Davidson noted the kitchen was not designed for that purpose. Mayor Fredrickson agreed, stating, “When we built this building and that kitchen, we did not want to compete with businesses. I don’t think the intent is for people to cook food here and come in there and buy it. It is not intended for commercial use.” Werner said she would relay that decision to the interested party.
    During the open forum, Corrine Zorn addressed the council, expressing concern about how the library is discussed compared to the city pool. She said the library is an important resource for the community, particularly for children. Zorn also raised concerns about parking enforcement, noting that some downtown apartment residents may be unaware of local regulations due to a lack of signage. Officials reiterated that city ordinance prohibits parking in the same spot on a public street for more than three consecutive days. Scott noted that residents are presumed to know the law.
    In other business, the council approved travel expenses for finance staff to attend budget training in Sioux Falls in June, including hotel and mileage. A $270 donation for a family pool pass through the Horton United Way chapter was also approved, along with a special liquor license for Snappers on May 27.
    Fredrickson also reported on a recent airport capital improvement plan meeting, highlighting potential funding opportunities through state and Federal Aviation Administration grants.

LA TALKS TECH WITH COLONY SCHOOL

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:23:00 -0500

    The Langford Area Board of Education met Monday night.
    Superintendent Shad Storley provided an update on discussions with Newport Colony School regarding technology use. Storley said conversations with leadership have led to a compromise on limiting some technology while still meeting instructional needs. “We’ve had three meetings, and it’s been really positive,” he said, noting that the discussions focused on balancing restrictions with educational requirements.
    The board also finalized adjustments to the school calendar due to snow days. Two snow days will be made up, including school on April 24 and an additional day added to the end of the year on May 19. There were five snow days this year.
    In other business, the board approved renewal of the district’s health insurance plan, which includes an 8 percent premium increase, and also approved worker’s compensation coverage. Several memberships were also renewed, including participation in the cooperative and the South Dakota High School Activities Association.
    In activities updates, the district plans to distribute student interest surveys to help guide future programming and better understand participation trends for a variety of sports. The district is also continuing its search for an activities director, with multiple candidates showing interest. A recommendation is expected at the May meeting.
    Facility work also remains ongoing. The district is advertising bids for the removal of wood and metal from the old bleachers, with responses due later this month. The new bleacher project will require additional electrical work, including more outlets.
    Storley also reported continued challenges in bus staffing. Despite ongoing advertising efforts, the district remains short on bus drivers. He said the district hopes to handle activity transportation internally but may need outside assistance for regular bus routes. He intends to explore contracting services.
    Storley added that the district is working through its consolidated application process, which includes budget, special education, and planning components for the upcoming school year. He noted the district is seeking new support after the passing of a former consultant who previously assisted with the application process.
    An executive session was held for personnel and negotiations, with no action taken afterward.