Paul Wynia, Freeman Public’s public address announcer, gives instructions at the start of yesterday’s Region 4B Track and Field Meet. The competition was the last of its kind as the SDHSAA is doing away with region track meets after this year because of the new qualifying structure for state (a top-24 performance list) that has been in place since 2021. The Menno boys and the Centerville girls won Thursday’s Region 4B meet.    The state meet is next Thursday-Saturday in Sioux Falls. The field is expected to be released later today. 

The final region championship belongs to the Menno High School boys.

Ashton Massey, a Menno junior and the top Class B hurdler in South Dakota, warms up at the Region 4B Track and Field Meet in Freeman Thursday morning, May 18. Field events began at 10 a.m. and running events are scheduled to start at 12 p.m. This marks the final year of region track meets in South Dakota — a decision that comes on the heels of a change in the way the field of state qualifiers is set.

Running a newspaper has never been without challenge. Ever since journalism through the printed word became part of the human existence there have been issues to deal with and hurdles to overcome, be it accuracy and fairness, timely delivery, content that is appealing to readership or financial viability.

The Canistota/Freeman/Marion Sticks and Scotland/Menno Trappers have both finished in the top eight in the 12-team Region 1B standings and have therefore qualified for the region tournament this Sunday. The Sticks (5-6) are No. 7 and will face No. 2 Dakota Valley (10-1) at 2 p.m. at Dakota Valley (North Sioux City). The Trappers (7-4) are No. 4 and will play No. 5 Ethan/Parkston/Tripp (7-4) at 3 p.m. in Tyndall. 

Donna Ries, outgoing instrumental instructor at Freeman Academy pictured in the lower center, stands with both current and former students at the conclusion of a pep band concert that was part of a full evening of activities at the school on what was a beautiful Tuesday evening, May 16. The event, which included a tribute to Ries' years of service to the school, was marked by a surprise visit from Donna's three daughters, who are pictured standing next to her.

A 2021 Ford Expedition driven by a male juvenile with a learner’s permit on his way to school plowed into a storage unit at the corner of Cherry and Sixth streets around 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, May 17, sending the vehicle all the way into the steel structure and damaging at least five of its units.

Katie Juhnke, principal at Freeman Junior-Senior High School, gestures in the direction of a new bench that has been placed in front of the school building in honor of Kahlen Salis, the 14-year-old student who passed away last August following complications from a liver transplant. Freeman Public held an assembly for students and staff on the last day of school Tuesday morning to dedicate the bench, which was made by Jim Christensen using red cedar and is inscribed with the words, "In Loving Memory, Kahlen Ranae Salis, 2008-2022," and bookended by two butterflies, which she loved.

The Courier is happy to share as its Photo of the Day the picture that is featured in Heritage Hall Museum & Archives' weekly feature, "Monday on Main." Here's the text that accompanies this classic click: