Jim Rigo moves snow Friday morning, Dec. 16 — the final day of what ended up being a nasty winter weather event across the Freeman community. What started with sleet and rain early in the week turned over to snow Wednesday, which continued well into Friday. Chad Soulek of Lawns Unlimited speculates Freeman received between 6 and 8 inches of snow and says he can't remember a multi-day weather event like this in years. "It was a doozy," said Soulek, who put in a 22-hour day Friday and was back at it Saturday morning; he hoped to be wrapped up by 3 p.m.

Because of the winter weather, the Missionary Church has canceled Friday night's showing of "Why the Nativity.”

This drift in front of Fensel's on Highway 81 is all you need to know about the weather situation, which continues to be extreme. Snow and blowing snow remained a reality Friday morning and the moisture accumulation from the past couple of days is impacting travel considerably. Plows were out cleaning the main roads in Freeman overnight and the cleanup has continued into the daytime hours — and will in the 24 hours to come.

Offices at Freeman City Hall will remain closed all day Friday and will resume regular office hours Monday (8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m.).  

As was in the forecast, the Freeman area is getting hammered with a winter storm today as snow and wind is making for tough weather conditions. Area schools are closed and it's quiet around the community — with the exception of people clearing sidewalks and driveways. The system is expected to move out by tomorrow, which will be followed by bitter cold temperatures. 

This is the way that it was Wednesday morning as snow enveloped the Freeman community as part of a much larger system that is hijacking most of South Dakota. The snow is expected to continue through Thursday, with wind eventually becoming a factor.

Freeman's Main Street was hopping Monday morning, which could be due to errands being run ahead of the incoming weather system. While it appears southeastern South Dakota will escape the brunt of the snow, there are still big questions as to what the moisture that is coming in will look like. Rain is likely early this week but there's a reasonable chance of ice in the days to come.

The Freeman Public girls opened their 2022-23 basketball season at home against Platte-Geddes Tuesday night, Dec. 6 and lost to the Black Panthers 49-39. The Flyers will host Viborg-Hurley in a doubleheader with the boys Friday night, Dec. 9.

This photo tells the story of Freeman Public this week as a number of extra-curricular activities are planned. The Freeman High School girls open up their 2022-23 basketball season at home tonight against Platte-Geddes; the JV game is set to tip at 6:15 p.m., followed by the varsity girls. Freeman Public is also making plans for its Christmas concerts on Thursday night, with the K-6 program starting at 6 p.m., followed by the 7-12 concert at approximately 7:30 p.m. Watch this week's Courier for more information on upcoming concerts and athletic events.