This drift in front of Fensel's on Highway 81 is all you need to know about the weather situation, which continues to be extreme. Snow and blowing snow remained a reality Friday morning and the moisture accumulation from the past couple of days is impacting travel considerably. Plows were out cleaning the main roads in Freeman overnight and the cleanup has continued into the daytime hours — and will in the 24 hours to come.

Offices at Freeman City Hall will remain closed all day Friday and will resume regular office hours Monday (8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m.).  

As was in the forecast, the Freeman area is getting hammered with a winter storm today as snow and wind is making for tough weather conditions. Area schools are closed and it's quiet around the community — with the exception of people clearing sidewalks and driveways. The system is expected to move out by tomorrow, which will be followed by bitter cold temperatures. 

This is the way that it was Wednesday morning as snow enveloped the Freeman community as part of a much larger system that is hijacking most of South Dakota. The snow is expected to continue through Thursday, with wind eventually becoming a factor.

Freeman's Main Street was hopping Monday morning, which could be due to errands being run ahead of the incoming weather system. While it appears southeastern South Dakota will escape the brunt of the snow, there are still big questions as to what the moisture that is coming in will look like. Rain is likely early this week but there's a reasonable chance of ice in the days to come.

The Freeman Public girls opened their 2022-23 basketball season at home against Platte-Geddes Tuesday night, Dec. 6 and lost to the Black Panthers 49-39. The Flyers will host Viborg-Hurley in a doubleheader with the boys Friday night, Dec. 9.

This photo tells the story of Freeman Public this week as a number of extra-curricular activities are planned. The Freeman High School girls open up their 2022-23 basketball season at home tonight against Platte-Geddes; the JV game is set to tip at 6:15 p.m., followed by the varsity girls. Freeman Public is also making plans for its Christmas concerts on Thursday night, with the K-6 program starting at 6 p.m., followed by the 7-12 concert at approximately 7:30 p.m. Watch this week's Courier for more information on upcoming concerts and athletic events.

JEREMY WALTNER - EDITOR & PUBLISHER A brand-new wrestling facility like The Hangar at Freeman Public certainly doesn’t equate to success on the mat, but it certainly doesn’t hurt in building energy for the program, and that’s what head coach Chris Sayler is seeing at the onset of his 15th year as a coach for the Rebels.

For those looking to get into the Christmas spirit, the Freeman Community Center on Wipf Street will be the place to be next Thursday, Dec. 1 where a host of holiday-related activities will take place from 4 to 8 p.m.