The education debate is starting to heat up. This week Governor Dennis Daugaard filed three bills that would implement his reform plans. The governor’s proposals would increase the state sales tax from 4% to 4.5% to raise teacher salaries from the current status of 51st place in the nation and... Read more

Dennis Harder, age 66, of Milbank, SD, died on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at his home. No services will be held at this time. Dennis Michael Harder was born on May 22, 1949, in Aberdeen, SD, to Gerald and Helen (Tomek) Harder. At a young age the Harder family moved... Read more

Reuben Gilbertson, age 87, of Wilmot, died Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at the Wilmot Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 8, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot with Rev. Sheila Pohl officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the time... Read more

The Milbank Bulldogs sent five grapplers to the awards stand at the Lee Wolf Invitational wrestling tournament in Aberdeen Saturday, January 30. Jake Anderson set the pace for the locals with a second place finish. Cole Dockter and Taran Mogard landed in sixth place while Tyler Krause and Isaac Fischer... Read more

Students and staff at St. Lawrence School in Milbank will celebrate Catholic Schools Week Saturday, January 30 through Friday, February 5, with the theme “Kingdom of the Son.” Students are also selling raffle tickets in conjunction with the nationwide Catholic Schools week event. Tickets are available for $5 each. Over... Read more

My apologies for not writing last week. This has been a busy but rewarding week.  Two of the bills I sponsored successfully passed out of committee and were debated on the House Floor. The bill I am carrying on behalf of our veterans passed 13-0 in committee and 68-0 on... Read more

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jason Veen of Milbank retired from the South Dakota Army National Guard December 15, 2015, with 20 years of military service. Veen served with the 740th Transportation Company in Milbank as a team leader, a position he’s held since 2008. Veen began his military career in... Read more

If it’s true, everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten, you probably learned it from Mrs. Scott. Many well-wishers attended the 95th birthday celebration in honor of Mrs. Mary Scott at an open house Sunday, January 24, at Park Place in Milbank. For 45 years, Mary taught abc’s,... Read more

Maralyn Powlish, age 88 of Graceville died January 25, 2016, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville. Father David Breu will officiate and burial will be in the Consolidated Cemetery.... Read more

The frigid temperatures experienced Friday and Saturday last week did not keep participants, spectators, or vendors from visiting the 68th annual Grant County Farm and Home Show. The annual Lego contest was a big hit according to Sara Koepke 4-H Youth Educator, with over 30 youth participating in the event.... Read more