Maurice Waltner, who began his first four-year term as Hutchinson County Sheriff in January, is pictured in the county police pickup on Tuesday. Waltner was in Freeman for The Courier's 5-Minute Interview, which is published in the April 6 edition. Below is a sampling. To read it in its entirety, check out this week's issue available online to subscribers later today and in print tomorrow. The first three months have been … Exciting. Not overwhelming, but busy. What’s your department’s primary focus?

A group of house finches enjoy a Monday afternoon meal one day before the weather turned less-than-ideal for eating outdoors. Cold, windy and wet weather will mark today and tomorrow before the conditions finally turn to more springlike weather. A beautiful weekend is expected with even warmer temperatures coming next week.

The April 3 landscape that includes Silver Lake and surrounding area shows that ice and snow are still the reality several weeks into the spring season, although considerable melting has taken place. And while the winter weather has been around for what feels like forever — and while another system is moving across the state Tuesday and Wednesday — it appears that a corner will be turned thereafter. Highs are expected to be in the high 50s and low 60s for the Easter weekend.

With temperatures climbing through the 40s and into the 50s this weekend, considerable meltIng is taking place. The result is standing water like this in a field on the edge of Freeman just east of Fensel’s.

Dog tracks in the snow show the dusting the Freeman community received in the overnight hours, and while winds were a factor, the impact of the latest weather event was minimal. The sun is out and temperatures are expected to be closer to normal through the weekend before another system is expected to move in on Tuesday.

A city garbage container is reflected in a puddle following an overnight shower — the beginning of what is expected to be a wet 24-hour weather cycle. Rain and high winds are expected to develop this afternoon with a chance of snow toward evening hours. While the region that includes Freeman won't see nearly the totals expected in the central part of the state, some accumulation is expected. And with wind gusts reaching into the 40s later tonight, it's going to look and feel like winter all over again.

Freeman High School juniors Cami Fransen and Torrie Zachariasen work on the Hollywood sign that will be part of the Hollywood-themed prom set for Friday, March 31. The popular social event is set to go on despite the incoming weather, with photos to be taken in the afternoon inside the school gym, a banquet set to start at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Grand March that is open to the public. 

By order of President Joe Biden, flags are to fly at half-staff through March 31. The president's proclamation reads:

Part 1: Overture My first memory of a Schmeckfest musical came when I was 6 years old. It was 1983 and my dad, age 33 at the time, was directing “Oliver!” and working with Tom Graber on a scene in which Fagin accosts him for asking for more food. The director and title character were near the stage on the north side of the Pioneer Hall auditorium-turned-theater and my dad was telling Tom to make his body fall limp when Fagin, played by LeRoy Epp, grabs his arm and shakes him. It’s the only thing about the 1983 musical I remember, but it obviously left an impression.

For those looking for a sign — any sign — that spring is really here, this photo will be of good news. The food delivery to the clubhouse at Valley View Golf Course took place Tuesday morning, just days ahead of the opening of The Fringe. The kitchen, bar and dining area inside the clubhouse located one mile south of Freeman will open this Saturday, April 1. Grill hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.