Early this week, school officials from Freeman Public released their plan to return to in-person instruction when the 2020-21 school year begins on Aug. 19, and it’s impressive. The 28-page document includes a letter from Superintendent Kevin Kunz, an explanation about how and why the district arrived at its conclusions, local data and plenty of documentation from two key players in the return-to-school process — the South Dakota Department of Education and the South Dakota Department of Health.

Gideon Rembold and Lane McCune ride their bikes through Dead Man's Alley to go fishing at the Freeman Prairie Arboretum on a beautiful Tuesday morning, Aug. 4. This week's weather is conducive to all outdoor activities, with highs comfortably in the 70s and no chance of rain. A warm-up is expected this weekend.

Progress is apparent early this week on the water tower maintenance project underway in the city of Freeman. The blue, led-based paint has been stripped and workers are moving toward the repainting of the structure. This is the third week of the project, which is expected to be wrapped up by the end of this month.

Corn continues to mature as we head further into the growing season and closer to what is expected to be an outstanding harvest.

Members of the Freeman 12u softball team smile for a photo in front of Sam Fransen's home last Thursday evening, July 30. The team dropped off balloons, small gifts and offered support for both Sam and teammate Vaida Ammann, who are quarantined at their homes after being around COVID-19 exposures. The mini-parade was organized by coach Dena Deckert and the 12u girls. 

Marion Estella Jorstad, 73, Sioux Falls, S.D., was received into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at the Centennial Cottage, in Sioux Falls, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. A funeral Service was held Wednesday, July 29, at Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, with burial in the Salem Community Cemetery, Freeman, S.D.

JEREMY WALTNER | PUBLISHER Menno managed to get the tying run to the plate, but pitcher Brandon Nickolite and the Lesterville Broncs staved off a bottom-of-the-ninth inning rally to claim a 7-5 win and a trip to the state tournament in District 6B amateur action in Menno Thursday night, July 30.

Jai Walter and Jeff Liebl grill hamburgers at the Lily Pad in Menno on what was a picture perfect Thursday evening, July 30. The burgers were served along with a host of other options at the concessions stand during the District 6B baseball games, all of which are being hosted by Menno. Two games were played on Thursday; in the first, Lesterville hung on to beat Menno 7-5, which was followed by a 14-6 win for Tabor over Irene. Two games remain.

A tent covers the Freeman water tower as workers remove led-based paint from the structure as part of the maintenance project that has been underway since July 13.

Bart Pfankuch | South Dakota News Watch Eight students of Northern State University in Aberdeen and a youth who attended a recent athletic camp on the NSU campus have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a university spokesperson.