The plan to return to face-to-face teaching and learning at colleges in South Dakota in August is causing great concern among faculty and staff.

Workers from Maquire Iron are nearing two weeks of progress on the city of Freeman's water tower project that includes general upkeep, a cleaning inside and out and repainting. This show the tent that will be lifted up to cover the structure as led-based paint is removed. Workers say weather conditions will determine when the tent is elevated, but it could be as soon as this weekend. This is expected to be a month-and-a-half long project.  

No. 6 Freeman gave No. 3 Crofton a battle, but came up short in a 4-2 final on the second night of the District 6B Baseball Tournament in Menno Friday night, July 24. Meanwhile, No. 2 Menno topped No. 7 Irene 13-8. Freeman's loss pairs the Blacksox with Irene Sunday night at 7 p.m. in an elimination game. The Mad Frogs will play Crofton at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday night for chance to play in the district championship on Aug. 1.

Blacksox, Mad Frogs both play Friday night; again either Sunday or Tuesday The baseball field in Menno will be home to the District 6B Amateur Baseball Tournament starting Thursday night, July 23 with games continuing through Saturday, Aug. 1. Both Freeman and Menno will take the field Friday; the Blacksox are the No. 6 seed and will play No. 3 Crofton at 6 p.m., followed by the No. 2 Mad Frogs facing No. 7 Irene at approximately 8 p.m. The winners play again Tuesday, July 28 with the losers facing an elimination game Sunday night.

Robert “Bob” Thompson, 85 of Hurley, S.D., died Monday, July 20, 2020 in an automobile accident near Sioux Falls. A funeral was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 24 at the United Methodist Church, Hurley, with burial and military rites at the Hurley Cemetery. Because of COVID-19, family and friends are encouraged to wear masks while attending the visitation and service.

To return to the classroom or not to return to the classroom? To wear a mask or not to wear a mask? How many people in a classroom is too many? And how to handle lunch?

Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. Many-way meat balls. Heartbreak chili. Scotch eggs with sausage. Frito corn salad. Impossible pumpkin pie. Pawhuska cheesesteaks.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER Officials from Freeman Academy, Freeman Public and Menno Public schools are making plans to start the 2020-21 term as planned. Menno will be the first to return to the classroom with half-days planned Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 17 and 18 (1 p.m. dismissals).

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER The Freeman City Council is expected to approve a new chapter to the ordinances established by the city of Freeman 30 years ago that creates a board of directors that would oversee the city-operated Valley View Golf Course.

Corn looks healthy as it grows taller near Freeman; meanwhile a bank of clouds paints the western sky Thursday morning, July 23.