The St. Paul Lutheran Church is pictured at daybreak earlier this week; note the preparation that has been made for new shingles — a project that has made considerable headway this week.

The news that broke out of Marion, Kansas over the weekend following the search and seizure of the Marion County Record’s newsroom and publisher’s home is troubling at best and deeply dangerous at worst. Not only was it reckless and intrusive, but it appears to be in violation of federal law that protects free speech and freedom of the press. For those who don’t know, here’s what happened.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER When Ashley and David Downs moved their family to Freeman from Washington State in December of 2021, they did so because they wanted to experience a different way — and pace — of life. They had always loved South Dakota and, after taking a look at the Experience Freeman Welcome Guide that included a page featuring a quick glance at the community and some of what it has to offer, they settled on Freeman.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER When Ashley and David Downs moved their family to Freeman from Washington State in December of 2021, they did so because they wanted to experience a different way — and pace — of life. They had always loved South Dakota and, after taking a look at the Experience Freeman Welcome Guide that included a page featuring a quick glance at the community and some of what it has to offer, they settled on Freeman.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER Von Vangenderen, a radio personality with WNAX and 104.1 The Wolf, has been to the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department Firehouse Rib Cook-Off before, so he knew what he was getting into when he stepped foot onto the grounds of the Swimming Pool Park Saturday afternoon to be a judge for the rib competition. He still had his socks knocked off.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER Von Vangenderen, a radio personality with WNAX and 104.1 The Wolf, has been to the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department Firehouse Rib Cook-Off before, so he knew what he was getting into when he stepped foot onto the grounds of the Swimming Pool Park Saturday afternoon to be a judge for the rib competition. He still had his socks knocked off.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER It’s that time again — time for school. Classes will begin at both Freeman schools, in Marion and in Menno next week. Students from Marion will report first on Monday, Aug. 21 and will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. that day. Freeman Public will hold its first day of classes on Tuesday, Aug. 22 with a noon dismissal; lunch will be served. Freeman Academy and Menno will both start with a full day of classes Wednesday Aug. 23.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER It’s that time again — time for school. Classes will begin at both Freeman schools, in Marion and in Menno next week. Students from Marion will report first on Monday, Aug. 21 and will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. that day. Freeman Public will hold its first day of classes on Tuesday, Aug. 22 with a noon dismissal; lunch will be served. Freeman Academy and Menno will both start with a full day of classes Wednesday Aug. 23.

Donovan Friesen, a board member at Heritage Hall Museum & Archives, cuts the grass in front of the main building on the historical campus Tuesday morning. With regular rains these days, grass and other plant life remain flush and fresh as August wears on — unlike the past few years, when dry conditions had the opposite effect.