Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Grant County Jail
Grant County held a groundbreaking ceremony today, April 22, to mark the formal start of construction on the new $7.35 million county jail. Officials in attendance included the Grant County Sheriff, Grant County Commissioners, Administrator and Assistant to the Commissioners, Jail Committee members, Grant County States Attorney, and representatives... Read more
Tim Graf Receives 2025 Distinguished Service Award
The South Dakota School Superintendent Association (SDSSA) presented the 2025 Distinguished Service Award to Tim Graf, Superintendent of the Harrisburg School District and former Superintendent of the Milbank and Wilmot school districts. Graf received the award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and dedication to public education. He has... Read more
Supt. Downes Named Community Leader of the Year
The South Dakota School Superintendent Association (SDSSA) named Justin Downes, Superintendent of the Milbank School District, as their 2025 Community Leader of the Year. The group made the announcement today, April 15.  Downes is in his sixth year as the Superintendent in Milbank.  As a professional dedicated to public... Read more
School Board Approves Resignations and New Hires
The Milbank School District Board of Education met on Monday, April 14, to review staffing changes and facility projects planned for this summer. The board also recognized Superintendent Justin Downes for earning a statewide honor. Downes was selected for the Community Leader Award from the South Dakota School Superintendents... Read more
14 MHS Students Punch Tickets to HOSA Nationals 
“It’s Milbank’s largest group ever!” says Johanna Fischer, adviser to the 14 HOSA students who punched their tickets to the 2025 HOSA International Leadership Conference. The event will be held June 18-21 in Nashville, Tennessee. Over 10,000 students from around the world will participate. MHS Students who qualified include... Read more
Schuelke Chosen Debate Student of the Year for SD’s Northern District
Max Schuelke, a student at MHS, has been chosen as South Dakota’s Northern District Debate Student of the Year for 2025. The Northern district includes schools such as Brookings, Watertown, Milbank, Huron,and Aberdeen. Coaches nominate a graduating senior who represents the tenets of the association’s code of honor: humility,... Read more
Hunter Reede Takes First Place at State FFA
Milbank FFA members competed at the 97th South Dakota FFA Convention in Brookings from April 3-5.  Hunter Reede took first place in the Food Science competition. His win propelled Milbank’s Food Science team to eighth place. Cody Wiik earned second place in Ag Mechanics to help his team take... Read more
Schuelke Selected as March MHS Student of the Month 
Max Schuelke, a senior at Milbank High School, has been chosen as the March Student of the Month. Max is the son of Russ and Robin Schuelke. Max takes part in Educators Rising, HOSA – Future Health Professionals, student council, debate, and theater. He serves as a Sunday school... Read more
Elevator Installed at Grant County Courthouse
The ups and downs of working or conducting business at the Grant County Courthouse in Milbank just got a big lift – an elevator. Grant County Commissioners Bill Tostenson, Marty Buttke, Doug Stengel, Bill Street and Mike Mach, along with Karen Layher, assistant to the commissioners, took the inaugural... Read more
OAHS to Install Permanent On-Site MRI Unit
Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS) is expanding its imaging services with the addition of a permanent, on-site MRI unit. The hospital says the new imaging equipment will significantly improve access to advanced diagnostic imaging for patients. Currently, OAHS relies on a mobile MRI truck that visits twice a week,... Read more