Players on the Freeman High School volleyball team come together after scoring a point against Viborg-Hurley in Region 5B action in Freeman Tuesday night, Nov. 2. The No. 2 Flyers defeated the No. 7 Cougars 3-1 to advance to the third and final round Thursday, when they will host No. 3 Irene-Wakonda. Action starts at 6:30 p.m., with the winner moving on to next Tuesday's SoDak 16. Irene-Wakonda advanced to Thursday's round by defeating No. 6 Menno 3-1.

No. 2 Freeman High School will host No. 3 Irene-Wakonda Thursday night, Nov. 4 in the third and final round of the Region 5B Tournament — with a return trip to the SoDak 16 on the line. The Flyers (18-9) advanced with a 3-1 win over No. 7 Viborg-Hurley (8-20) in the second round of the region tournament in Freeman on Tuesday. Freeman won in four sets, 25-15, 25-18, 15-25, 25-15.  Irene-Wakonda (14-12) earned its spot in Thursday's third round with a 3-1 win over No. 6 Menno (9-15). The Eagles downed the Wolves 25-12, 26-24, 20-25, 25-15.

Freeman Academy/Marion's volleyball team saw it's season come to an end in the opening round of the Region 5B Tournament Monday night, falling to Centerville in straight sets 25-11, 25-18, 25-21. But this season was about far more than a final 4-25 record or the outcome of a postseason match 45 minutes away; it was about optimism, perseverance and growth. And that's what had the coaches in tears following Monday's match in Centerville. Much more about that in this week's Courier, online Wednesday and in print on Thursday.

Canistota/Freeman head coach James Strang said earlier this week that, when his defense is firing on all cylinders, it can play with anybody. The Pride proved on Thursday night just how good that defense can be.

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JEREMY WALTNER  - PUBLISHER The city of Freeman and members of the Freeman City Council last week were threatened with a lawsuit by Lawrence West, owner of The Whiskey House, a new restaurant opening in Freeman. West appeared before the council at its Oct. 19 meeting and said he would sue the city for failing to address his application for a liquor permit.

JEREMY WALTNER - PUBLISHER The Freeman City Council moved closer toward finalizing its Main Street project last week by approving a design throughout the business district that features extended curbs that slope to zero grade at the intersections of Third and Main and Fourth and Main. The design also includes a 3 ½ foot strip of aggregate concrete as part of the sidewalk from Railway to Fifth that adds both a visual cue and a decorative element.

JEREMY WALTNER  -  PUBLISHER A survey made available to Freeman Public School District patrons this fall generated overwhelming support for school leadership to engage in dialogue with neighboring districts regarding both athletic cooperation and school consolidation. 

This week's 5-Minute Interview is with the physical therapy staff at Freeman Regional Health Services in recognition of October being Physical Therapy Month. The men and women who work in the local PT department have varying levels of experience. From left: Tony Miller has been there 25 years, Becca Schultz arrived in 2017, Elizabeth Waltner joined the staff in June and Mike McCue came on board in 2010. Read this week's 5-Minute Interview online Wednesday afternoon and in print on Thursday.

After meeting in executive session Wednesday night, Oct. 20 at the conclusion of its regular monthly meeting, the Freeman School Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Jim Kaufman as the school's vo-ag teacher and FFA advisor, effective immediately. School Board President Emily Andersen told The Courier late Wednesday evening that ag classes and FAA will continue with "minimal disruption" until a permanent replacement is found. The district will use substitutes in that transition, she said.