JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER Ever since its debut in 1987, the Mennonite Central Committee relief sale designed to raise funds for worldwide assistance has provided an opportunity for men, women and children of all ages to come together for a common cause. It has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars that has been used in immeasurable ways to benefit those in need around the globe. But it has also done something else — help keep the organization that has been around for more than 100 years in the public eye.

Centerville proved to be too tough for the defending Class B 14U champions as the Canistota/Freeman Sticks were eliminated in the championship round of the SD VFW Region 6B Tournament. Facing a must-win game in the double-elimination tournament, the Sticks fell to 9-5 Wednesday night, July 13 in Freeman.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER Meeting in regular session last Tuesday night, July 5, the city of Freeman issued watering restrictions effective immediately and until further notice. 

Laverne Diede, whose career in education was marked by 40 years at Freeman Public Schools as a coach, teacher and administrator, is being recognized once again for her role in high school athletics. The South Dakota High School Coaches Association (SDHSCA) announced last month that Diede will be inducted into the SDHSCA Hall of Fame. An induction ceremony and awards luncheon will be held at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell this Sunday, July 17 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the banquet can be arranged by contacting Jim Dorman at 605-940-1262.

Merchants State Bank Field in Freeman will play host to, not one, but two postseason baseball tournaments coming up later this month. The first will be the South Dakota VFW 14U Region 6 Tournament featuring the Canistota/Freeman Sticks Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 11, 12 and 13. Action begins that Monday with Canova facing Centerville at 5 p.m., followed by the Sticks against Salem.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER Menno’s newest family business is taking its show on the road. Roamin’ Roast, a traveling coffee trailer, is operated by Diedra Mettler and other members of the Mettler family — the same Mettlers who have Mettler Implement.

Despite pleas from the owners and others saying they are not vicious animals, the Freeman City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday night, July 5 to have three pit bulls who attacked a Freeman woman last month put to sleep.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER The Freeman City Council is expected to hear next week from Dawson Schild and his mother, Denise, as to why their pit bulls who attacked a Freeman resident earlier this month should not be destroyed. The Schilds are on the city’s agenda for Tuesday, July 5 at 6:30 p.m.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER It will be a 48-hour, double dip of delight as the communities of Freeman and Menno use the backend of a long holiday weekend to celebrate the Fourth of July. Activities are planned at the Freeman baseball/softball park complex Sunday afternoon and evening, July 3, and a full slate of to-dos are planned in Menno throughout the day on Monday, July 4. Here’s what to expect. In Freeman

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER Freeman Mayor Michael Walter is expected to recommend an appointment for a vacant Ward 3 seat after Doug Uecker resigned from his position at the table when the Freeman City Council met in regular session last week Tuesday, June 21. Uecker stepped down because he has moved out of Ward 3. Walter did not identify his recommendation by name but told The Courier early this week he has spoken with a person who is interested in filling out the remainder of the first year of Uecker’s two-year term.