Bailey Schwagel, daughter of John and Hillary Schwagel, won first place in the 2020 Grandparent Essay Contest sponsored by the Milbank Area Retired Teachers Association (MARTA). Milbank’s second-place winner was Morgean French and third place went to Yani Aide Perez Montes. The top three local winners will receive medals. Schwagel’s... Read more

Today, July 28, is Alphonse Joseph Holtzmann Day in Milbank. The day was set aside by Milbank’s mayor, Pat Raffety, to honor Holtzmann on his 100th birthday. Joe, as he was usually called, was born in Highmore, South Dakota, but resided in Milbank since 1972. He and his wife,... Read more

The Milbank School District Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday, July 27. The board unanimously approved the district’s Return-To-School Plan. Milbank will return to school with in-person, traditional learning and delivery of school services on Wednesday, August 19. There will be no in-person registration and no... Read more

Bobbie Bohlen resigned as director of the Grant County Development Corporation on Friday, July 24. Bohlen has served as the director since September 2011. According to Bohlen, she plans to pursue other personal and professional interests. She will remain in office until September 15 to assist in the transition... Read more

Physician Peter Reynen returns to Milbank and the staff of Milbank Area Hospital Avera on September 1. Reynen began his medical career in Milbank in 1997. He departed in 2012, but returned on a part-time basis in 2018. He served as a hospitalist at the Milbank hospital while also... Read more

If you overheard someone say, “It’s super if the kids want to blow things up!”, you might be inclined to call the police. But Wayde Fraasch always adds, “In the defense of our country, of course!” Wayde’s dad, Doug, probably said the same thing to him. Doug Fraasch joined... Read more

Members of Milbank Boy Scout Troop 45 left Sunday, July 19, for summer camp. The scouts are practicing their skills in Nebraska along the banks of the Platte River at Camp Cedars. Scoutmaster Jeff Loutsch said, “It has been a different year so far with virtual meetings and cancelled... Read more

The South Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors voted unanimously Wednesday, July 22, in favor of a proposal to allow all sanctioned high school fall sports and activities to start in August. South Dakota joins Iowa, Nebraska, and North Dakota in deciding to proceed with a fall sports... Read more

Josh Karels was sworn in as the newest member of the Milbank City Council on July 13. Karels was appointed by Milbank Mayor Pat Raffety to fill in a one-year vacancy created when Evan Grong resigned in April. Mayor Raffety says, “I chose Josh because I have worked with... Read more