The Milbank School District Board of Education convened for its regular meeting on Monday, August 11, to finalize preparations for the 2025-26 school year. President Dick Schwandt, vice president Amy Thue, and  Annelies Seffrood, Jeremy Steffensen, and Jon Christensen were present.   Minutes from the July meetings were approved. Superintendent Justin... Read more

Sandra Rose (Barlund) Smit, 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, four months to the day after the passing of her beloved husband, Cornelius “Corny” Smit in Aberdeen, SD. Private burial was held at the Wilmot Cemetery in Wilmot, SD.  Sandy was born... Read more

Cruz Prasnicki, a fifth-grade wrestler from Milbank, was named champion at the 2025 Rumble National Tournament held July 9-13 in Sandusky, Ohio. The 11-year-old then turned around and won the Cowboy Rumble held August 1-2 in Branson, Missouri. The tournament in Ohio featured over 4,000 wrestlers from 36 states and... Read more

Milbank FFA members Isaak Weston, Kalli Moser, Cody Wiik, Kayla Schweer, Ashlynn Lamp, and Megan Wiese attended the annual leadership retreat put on by the South Dakota FFA Association at Storm Mountain Christian Camp in Rapid City from July 22-25.  Sara Colombe and Hannah Schrader, the Milbank chapter’s co-advisers, accompanied... Read more

Sara Colombe, the agriscience teacher and FFA adviser at Milbank High School, successfully completed the 21st Annual National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy in Lexington, Kentucky. She joined over 522 outstanding agriscience teachers from across the country who have also earned the title.  The academy... Read more

John Loeschke, 65, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as a result of an automobile accident in Montana. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Central Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday,... Read more

Shirley Smith, age 96, of St. Paul, MN, formerly of Milbank, SD, passed away on Monday, August 11, 2025, at The Shores of Lake Phalen Assisted Living in Maplewood, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pascal Baylon... Read more

Kathi Tharaldson, age 83, of St. Paul, MN, formerly of Graceville, MN, passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Episcopal Church Homes of Minnesota in St. Paul. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MN. Visitation will... Read more

A bridge south of Milbank now bears the name of a hometown hero—Private First Class Ronald Clifford Dexter—who was killed in action while serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Department of Transportation, hosted the... Read more

Donna O’Farrell, age 56, of Marvin, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Pastor Dr. Peter Reynen will officiate. Visitation will be held... Read more