The front of the Freeman Academy campus boulevard is pictured on an overcast Saturday morning. The countdown to the end of the school year is on at school's like Freeman Academy with corresponding events planned. The Freeman community baccalaureate will begin at 4 p.m. today at the Freeman Community Center, and the upcoming weeks will be the final ones for area students. Graduation at Freeman Public and Menno is scheduled for next Saturday afternoon, May 13 with Freeman Academy and Marion holding their respective commencements Saturday afternoon, May 20.

Clellan Becker, 80 of Marion, S.D., passed away on May 5 at the Freeman hospital. A memorial service was scheduled for Wednesday, May 10 at First Church of God in Marion.

The warden of the town (played by Kolter Schmidt) takes a selfie with a a motorcycle-riding hotshot named Chad (played by Jackson Donlan) in Marion Public School's presentation of "All Shook Up," a musical that uses the tunes of Elvis Presley presented Thursday and Friday night. The story centers around Chad's arrival in 1950s America and his influence on the people of the town, specifically their relationship with love and music.

Donna Ries, instrumental instructor at Freeman Academy, warms up one of her students inside the gymnasium at Freeman Elementary at the Freeman Music Contest Friday morning, May 5. The vocal, ensemble and instrumental competition for students in grades 5-8 will continue all day with seven schools, including Freeman Public, taking part. The Freeman Music Contest debuted in 2010 the year after the new elementary school was built after being held in Tripp for decades prior.

Dusty Johnson, a United States Representative from Mitchell, visits with the junior U.S. Government class at Freeman Public Thursday morning, May 4. Johnson is spending the morning at the local school district meeting with several classes and the student council. 

A Courier editorial published last week suggested that the firing of Fox News host Tucker Carlson and CNN’s Don Lemon — two commentators who brought their own political agendas to the “news desk” at their respective networks — might be a step in the right direction when it comes to civil discourse.

Zenovia Butler, at junior at Freeman Public, runs the anchor carry of the 4x100 relay at the Don Diede Relays Tuesday. Butler and the team of Makenzie Scharberg, Rylee Peters and Kate Miller finished second in the event on what was a nice day for a track meet in Freeman. For results, click here.  

The public is invited to come and worship with the Freeman Ministerial Association and graduates of Freeman Public High School and Freeman Academy this weekend. The annual community baccalaureate service will be held Sunday May 7 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Freeman Community Center. All are welcome to attend and show their support for this year’s  graduates and their families. Music will be led by Craig Wollman, a message will be shared by Pastor Randall Koehler, and the rest of the service will be officiated by members of the Freeman Ministerial Association.

Scotland/Menno has won seven straight and is second in Region 1 standings The Scotland/Menno Trappers, the high school baseball cooperative that is part of the South Dakota High School Baseball Association, are red hot after winning seven straight games and are currently second in the Region 1 standings with a 6-2 mark in region play. Dakota Valley leads in the standings with a 9-1 record while Bon Homme Avon is third at 5-0.

The city of Freeman is once again looking for a chief of police. Meeting in regular session Tuesday night, May 2, the Freeman City Council accepted the resignation of Scott Brewer, who has been Freeman Police Chief since February of 2021, and voted to advertise for his replacement.