Prep work is underway at the corner of Fifth and Main, where the city is moving forward with a project that will see the intersection repaired. That includes a new manhole and concrete that will tie into the work that was done when the city rebuilt Sixth and Fifth streets 10 years ago. The project is expected to take a couple of weeks.

The Freeman Public Library reopened to the public Thursday morning, June 25 after being closed to traffic for the past 14 weeks. The Main Street library is following a number of safety protocols, including encouraging the public to wear a mask — as library LeAnn Kaufman is here — as well as the use of gloves. Driver license renewals are also returning to the library on an appointment-only basis; the renewals will take place on July 7 — slots are full — as well as Tuesday, July 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. Call the library at 925-7003 to schedule an appointment. 

Chris Wollmann chalks the first base line prior to Freeman's home amateur baseball game against the Yankton Tappers. The Blacksox were edged 10-8 on what was a picture perfect night for baseball. Freeman stands at 4-7 on the season; the next home game is Saturday, July 3 against Tabor as part of the local Independence Day celebration. The Blacksox are then at Menno the night of July 4.

The COVID-19 pandemic could not have come at a worse time for many of South Dakota’s small towns. The deadly virus has further complicated the already herculean task of keeping cherished rural communities vibrant and reversing a historic downturn in population and economic stability. Though mostly spared from major outbreaks, small towns that once served as the backbone of rural South Dakota have been stung by the indirect economic and emotional outcomes of the pandemic.

The Freeman City Council took action Monday night, June 22 to fix the corner of Fifth and Main streets — the intersection near Mr. G’s Tires and Stucky’s Electric. The work will include, first, the replacement of the manhole by Hydro-Klean out of Sioux Falls, followed by the street work itself. Monday night, the city awarded the job to Koerner Construction of Freeman, which submitted a bid in the amount of $21,632.70. The city also received a bid from Puetz Corporation in the amount of $31,483.

The history books will note that there was no Schmeckfest held in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic that took its toll on that festival, along with a host of other spring and summertime activities. The history books will also note that Schmeckfest and Freeman Academy officials made the best of an unfortunate situation, as is evident in the second Schmeckfest-inspired drive-thru event this Friday, June 26. 

Myrtis Marie Miller, 89, of Freeman, S.D. passed away on June 19, 2020 at the Oakview Terrace of Freeman. Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. with COVID-19 guidelines and social distancing to be observed, followed by private family services at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25 at Walter Funeral Home in Freeman, with burial at the Missionary Church Cemetery to follow.

The Freeman Volunteer Fire Department was called to 624 Wynken Drive at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning after a report of a gas leak. Freeman police, Kleinsasser Heating and Cooling and NorthWestern Energy were also on the scene.

Abnormally dry conditions and a persistent risk of summer wildfires in the Black Hills of South Dakota make the fireworks display planned for July 3 at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial an unnecessary, potentially devastating and expensive event, according to one fire expert with intimate knowledge of the region.

Phoebe Walter Wagner was born Nov. 8, 1926 to Jacob F. and Sarah (Hofer) Walter, on a farm northwest of Freeman, S.D. on Highway 44. She was called to her heavenly home on May 13, 2020. Phoebe was the 10th child in a family of 11. Phoebe attended Gross District #54 school near their farm. She attended Freeman High School. After schooling she went to Chicago and worked several different jobs there for about five years.