By Dana Hess/For the S.D. Newspaper Association On Wednesday the board of directors of the South Dakota High School Activities Association approved a variety of rules for fall sports that deal with safety measures schools should take during the coronavirus pandemic. 

By Dana Hess/For the S.D. Newspaper Association No handshakes. No high fives. No awards ceremonies. 

This was the scene outside of Heritage Hall Museum and Archives/the Prairie Arboretum Tuesday afternoon, July 21 as workers moved the historic Deckert House to its new location east of where it had stood since the fall of 1979. Marnette Hofer, archivist and executive director at Heritage Hall, called it “a moving scene,” likely because it has been in the works in one way or another ever since she started there in 2015.

A 29-year-old male, who has been identified as Mitchell C. Dairy, Freeman, sustained life-threatening injuries and charges are pending against Freeman 23-year-old Amy Mehlhaf following a two-vehicle accident south of Freeman late Monday night, July 20.

Repairs continue at the Freeman water tower as workers from Maquire Iron prepare to tent the structure from top to bottom for the removal of led-based paint. Repairs are expected to continue well into August.

Assuming the South Dakota High School Activities Association approves a recommendation from a fall sports/activities task force later this week, the football field and other high school sports venues across the state will see action this fall. The SDHSAA announced Monday morning that the task force established to consider whether to play sports this fall amidst COVID-19 concerns is recommending the upcoming season begin as scheduled. A special meeting of the SDHSAA will begin at 11 a.m.

Amy Beck grills chislic from the corner of Main and Third streets Saturday afternoon, July 18 as part of the Chislic Block Party thrown by Doc's Bar. The event began at noon and featured a bean bag tournament, food and drink specials, inflatables and, later in the day, live music. 

Setup was underway Saturday morning, July 18, for the Doc's Bar Chislic Block Party, which begins at the corner of Main and Third streets at noon today. Activities include a bean bag competition, inflatables for kids, food and drink specials and live entertainment. The action is scheduled to continue into the morning hours of Sunday.

This photo from Menno's Fourth of July baseball game was included with The Courier's coverage of Independence Day earlier this month. The baseball field in Menno will be the site of the District 6B Amateur Baseball Tournament that begins next week. The Mad Frogs will be the No. 2 seed and will take on No. 7 Irene at 8 p.m. Friday, July 24. Here's the full schedule: No. 1 Tabor vs. No. 8 Scotland, 6 p.m. July 23 No. 4 Lesterville vs. No. 5 Wynot, 8 p.m. July 23 No. 3 Crofton vs. no. 6 Freeman, 6 p.m. July 24 No. 2 Menno vs. No. 7 Irene, 8 p.m. July 24

With a new school year fast approaching in South Dakota, the usual feelings of excitement, anticipation and opportunity have been replaced with angst, anxiety and worry.