Austin Unruh, head football coach for the Menno/Marion Razorbacks, takes height and weight checks during a practice in Marion last week. Tonight will be the season-opener for teams across South Dakota, including both the Razorbacks — who travel to Alexandria to play Hanson — and Canistota/Freeman, which hosts Chester Area in Canistota.

Freeman Superintendent Kevin Kunz asks a question of Dr. Shakil Hafiz at a special meeting of the Freeman School Board Wednesday night, Aug. 19. Hafiz was invited to share medical information and advice about ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as part of a larger discussion about the district's plan to deal with spectator sports. After more than two hours of discussion, the board agreed to acknowledge an action plan that includes the following provisions:  • Masks are highly encouraged, but not required

Freeman High School senior Madeline Hofer gets her temperature checked upon arriving at school for the first day Wednesday, Aug. 19. It's a half-day of instruction for public school students, who will go for their first full day tomorrow.

Levi Bender heads into the school building in Menno just after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, Aug. 18. Menno Public School is beginning the 2020-21 term with a half-days Tuesday and Wednesday while Freeman Public starts with a half-day tomorrow. Freeman Academy begins its year with a full day of instruction Wednesday, Aug. 26.

A crane is used to reconfigure the silos at Associated Milk Producers, Inc. in downtown Freeman Monday morning, Aug. 17. Plant manager Bryce Morgan said the company is moving around silos among a number of facilities; while the production capacity in Freeman won't change, the arrangement of the infrastructure will be different. The silos are used to store milk that is brought in from area producers for a day or two before it is put into production. 

The Swimming Pool Park was the place to be in Freeman Saturday evening, Aug. 15 as the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department hosted its seventh annual Firehouse Rib Cook-Off. With perfect weather and an eagerness to get out and do something social, the fundraiser was a smashing success, with large crowds and positive vibes. Music filled the air as men, women and children of all ages gathered in the late afternoon, early evening hours of a fleeting summer day. Watch for pictures and a full report in the Aug. 20 edition of The Courier.

Phil Luke and Victoria Blau of Marion prep ribs on a picture-perfect Saturday morning at the Freeman Swimming Pool Park. The Marion Fire Department is one of 16 teams taking part in the seventh annual Firehouse Rib Cook-Off being hosted by the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department; organizer Chad Soulek said more than 20 teams were scheduled to take part, but the threat of COVID-19 took six of those out. A bean bag competition and car show starts at 12 p.m. Judging of both brisket and ribs will begin at 4 p.m. with serving to the public beginning at 5 p.m.

Bottles of hand sanitizer are placed in classrooms throughout Freeman Public Schools as staff prepares to welcome students back into the building next week. Freeman Public recently released its comprehensive back-to-school plan, and Freeman Elementary yesterday released its action plan in response to COVID-19. You can read that by clicking here.

The final of the falls sports — volleyball and cross-country — officially begin today, Thursday, Aug. 13, with the first allowable practices in South Dakota. Watch next week's Courier on what to expect from Freeman and Menno schools in the weeks and months to come.

Street work is in its second day at the corner of Main and Fifth streets as workers from Koerner Construction are repairing the badly damaged intersection. While local traffic is allowed, through traffic is being asked to find another route.