The 2016 Legislative Session began this week. This year, I am proposing that South Dakota address the issue of teacher pay. We all know that the key to student achievement is an effective teacher.  We also know that South Dakota’s teacher salaries are lowest in the nation and have been... Read more

Calling all five-year-olds! It’s time to sign up for school! The Milbank School District has scheduled its kindergarten screening for Friday, January 29, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Koch Elementary School. The screening is for any child who will be five years of age before September 1, 2016.... Read more

Kathleen Maye Schweer, age 70, of rural Milbank, went to be with her Savior on January 14, 2016. She had recently moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to her children and passed away at Woodwinds Hospital after a lengthy battle with respiratory illness. A memorial service will be... Read more

Senior Rebekah Tuchscherer led the Milbank debate team at the 22nd Annual Shanley Debate Tornament in Fargo, ND, Friday, January 8, where she was named to the All-Shanley Team. Tuchscherer earned a medal which honored her for team leadership. The award recipients were nominated by their coaches and voted on... Read more

The Milbank Area Lady Bulldogs recorded one win and one loss in their basketball matchups this past week to move their season record to 3-6. The locals came away with a big 42-35 victory over the Sisseton Redmen Saturday, January 9, before falling in a close game 37-34 to Ortonville... Read more

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) tonight made the following statement on President Obama’s final State of the Union Address. “An overwhelming majority of South Dakotans – and all Americans – are dissatisfied with the direction of our country, and tonight’s speech lacked any serious ideas for working together to renew... Read more

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) provided the following reaction after President Obama delivered his seventh and final State of the Union address: “For the seventh year in a row, President Obama used his State of the Union address to lecture the American people about the failed top-down, government-knows-best policies... Read more

As most of you read this, I’ll be back in Pierre for my second legislative session. I spent last week’s space here giving a bit of a preview with some of the legislation that will make the news, and a few things that probably won’t. This week, I’d like to... Read more

A request was presented to the Milbank City Council during its regular meeting Monday, January 11, to save and relocate the train depot that is currently at Lake Farley Park. The request was made by Jerry Brown and Jim Warrey. Brown indicated there is a group interested in restoring, preserving,... Read more

New Year’s baby Trent Michael David Eckland came into the world on January 8, 2016. He arrived at Milbank Area Hospital Avera to Tomas Eckland and Kara Schell. Trent was born at 4:24pm and weighed 8lbs. 3.2 oz. He’s 19 1/2 inches long. Trent joins big brother Brandon Forrette. His parents were... Read more