JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER When the United States declared war against Germany and thus found itself in the crosshairs of World War I, it didn’t go over well from sea to shining sea. Not initially, anyway.

JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER A “hopelessly hopeful person” — that’s how Jeanette Ulmer describes herself. Anotherway might be fiercely faithful to a God of love who offers forgiveness, encouragement and redemption that the Menno native has experienced firsthand.

Steve (Charly) Waltner will serve another term on the Freeman City Council after winning re-election over challenger Terry Waterman in the Ward 2 election on Tuesday, April 12. Waltner received 38 votes to Waterman's 26 in a race that generated 22% voter turnout. 

When football players from Freeman, Marion and Freeman Academy take the field this fall, they will do so as the Phoenix. That mascot — an immortal bird used in Greek mythology — was chosen by students from all three schools in a vote last week and picked from six options. Phoenix won overwhelmingly, drawing 122 votes; Mavericks was second with 73 votes and Trailblazers was third with 55. Students in grades 6-12 voted individually while elementary students voted by classroom. The mascot was revealed as school boards met in regular session Monday night, April 11.

Thursday's Menno Relays have been postponed until Monday, May 9. That's the date of the junior high relays, so both high school and junior high athletes will compete. Field events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with running events starting at 11:30 a.m.

According to the agenda posted at the Freeman Public Schools website, Dustin Tschetter will be named the head football coach for the new Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy football team when the school board meets in regular session Monday night, April 11. Austin Unruh will be named an assistant, according to the agenda. 

The Freeman Academy board of directors is pleased to announce Dr. Brad Anderson as the school’s next Head of School. Anderson will replaced Nathan Epp, who last year announced his decision to retire at the end of the school year.

The city of Freeman’s Main Street project will proceed as planned. Almost two years after Freeman Mayor Michael Walter urged city officials to take a serious look at rebuilding the primary downtown roadway, the Freeman City Council voted 5-0 to approve the project as planned by awarding a bid in the amount of $4,746,714.19 to Reede Construction of Aberdeen. Council president Blaine Saarie was absent.

In advance of the April 12 City Election in Freeman,The Courier invited both candidates for city council to respond to a questionnaire as a way to help guide voters. With the exception of editing for style, their answers are printed as they were submitted. Click each candidates name below to hear what they have to say. Steve (Charly) Waltner Terry Waterman 

In advance of the April 12 School Board Election in Menno, The Courier invited all five candidates for school board to respond to a questionnaire as way to help guide voters. With the exception of editing for style, their answers are printed as they were submitted. Click each candidates name below to read what they have to say. FOR ONE 2-YEAR TERM Tim Freier Molly Huber FOR TWO 3-YEAR TERMS