This was the scene inside the Freeman High School gym Wednesday morning as workers install new bleachers. This is the second phase of a major capital improvement project giving the gym a new look; the court was stripped, sanded and painted this past spring.

Voters living in the Menno School District are voting today in the Menno School Board Election, where Bryan Kludt and Jon Schempp and challenging incumbents Justin Plooster and Mary Schoenfish. Results will be posted later tonight.

The Canistota/Freeman 10u Sticks won the Yankton Twins Invitational Sunday night, June 27, coming back to defeat West Lyon 6-4 for the title. The Sticks also defeated Sioux City and Watertown en route to the championship that came one day of the 12u Sticks finished runner-up in their division of the tournament.

The Canistota/Freeman 12u Sticks finished second at the 2020 Yankton Twins Invitational at the Seratoma ballfields in Yankton Saturday, June 27. The Sticks went 2-1 in the tournament, losing only to Madison 6-4 in the final inning of the game. The Sticks 10u team is playing in the same tournament today, Sunday, June 28, and won their first two games. They will play for the championship tonight at 6:30.

Carolyn Preheim tops cheese pockets with white sauce for a to-go order Friday evening, June 26 as part of the Schmeckfest drive-thru event. More than 200 orders for a meal were placed online and then filled from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday as a stream of cars circled in and out of the school's parking lot. In addition to the meals, volunteers working inside the Link sold other items like frozen Schmeckfest sausage, kuchen and other Schmeckfest Country Kitchen items. The drive-thru was held in response to the cancelation of the 2020 "festival of tasting" because of the coronavirus. 

Prep work is underway at the corner of Fifth and Main, where the city is moving forward with a project that will see the intersection repaired. That includes a new manhole and concrete that will tie into the work that was done when the city rebuilt Sixth and Fifth streets 10 years ago. The project is expected to take a couple of weeks.

The Freeman Public Library reopened to the public Thursday morning, June 25 after being closed to traffic for the past 14 weeks. The Main Street library is following a number of safety protocols, including encouraging the public to wear a mask — as library LeAnn Kaufman is here — as well as the use of gloves. Driver license renewals are also returning to the library on an appointment-only basis; the renewals will take place on July 7 — slots are full — as well as Tuesday, July 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. Call the library at 925-7003 to schedule an appointment. 

Chris Wollmann chalks the first base line prior to Freeman's home amateur baseball game against the Yankton Tappers. The Blacksox were edged 10-8 on what was a picture perfect night for baseball. Freeman stands at 4-7 on the season; the next home game is Saturday, July 3 against Tabor as part of the local Independence Day celebration. The Blacksox are then at Menno the night of July 4.

The Freeman Volunteer Fire Department was called to 624 Wynken Drive at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning after a report of a gas leak. Freeman police, Kleinsasser Heating and Cooling and NorthWestern Energy were also on the scene.

An American Flag and Freeman Public Library banner are reflecrted in a puddle of water on Main Street Monday morning, June 22 following an overnight/early morning shower. A nice week is expected across the area.