In 1950, 75 years ago, 3,295 school districts were scattered across South Dakota. An overwhelming majority of these were small one-room rural school districts. By 1970, just 20 years later, only 287 districts remained. The one-room schools that dotted the rural landscape had closed, absorbed by city...

Freeman 39-year-old recognized nationally for her work as an adoption specialist with the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota — but this is not about her. Story & Photo by Jeremy Waltner For those who believe that caring for others is life’s greatest purpose — which Tina Graber most certainly do...

A cast of nearly 50 and a production team of nine will take audiences from Kansas to Munchkinland and onto the Emerald City Thursday night, June 19 when the Freeman Area Children’s Choir presents “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition” on the Pioneer Hall stage. Tickets may be purchased at the door; doors...

The Area Wide Connection, a free-distribution advertising publication of Second Century Publishing, Inc. that serves residents of Hutchinson, Turner and McCook counties, will cease publication at the end of the month. The final issue will be published Tuesday, June 24. Jeremy Waltner, president of S...

It is the largest and most widely-used building in the freeman community, and how it came to be is remarkable. A story told by Courier Publisher Jeremy Waltner in special partnership with heritage hall museum & archives  Look closely. You’ll recognize the building as Pioneer Hall in what is obviousl...

Marion senior medals twice; Preheim returns to podium; relays finish strong Not only was it the end of an era for Freeman Academy/Marion’s top two runners — seniors Finley McConniel and Keaton Preheim — it was also the end of an era for a sports partnership of nine years. Last week’s South Dakota St...

STATE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS Flyers finish strong —  with lots of momentum Peters, Scharberg make podium; six of nine relays earn medals JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER On Monday morning, June 2, less than two days following the conclusion of the 2025 State Track and Field Championships, Freeman H...

It is the largest and most widely-used building in the freeman community, and how it came to be is remarkable. A story told by Courier Publisher Jeremy Waltner in special partnership with Heritage Hall Museum & Archives  Part 2 Were it not for circumstances beyond local control, Pioneer Hall would l...

It is the largest and most widely-used building in the freeman community, and how it came to be is remarkable.  A story told by Courier Publisher Jeremy Waltner in special partnership with heritage hall museum & archives When the ladies of the Freeman community gathered on May 12, 1950 for a mother-...

Track and field participants from Freeman Academy/Marion, Freeman Public and Scotland/Menno will be busy this Thursday, Friday & Saturday At 12:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, four young men from Freeman High School and four others from Freeman Academy/Marion were scheduled to step foot on the track at...