The parking lot at Freeman Public School is largely empty after administration decided to end in-person instruction for students in grades 5-12 for the remainder of the week. Students in the fourth grade were already learning remotely because of a positive COVID-19 case. The development this week comes after a teacher tested positive for the virus; most students in grades 5-9 are considered close contacts and, per guidelines of the CDC, are quarantined through Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Cara Maske and the Freeman High School volleyball celebrates its first-set win over Irene-Wakonda in the second round of the Region 5B Tournament Tuesday night, Nov. 3. The third-seed Flyers beat the Eagles 25-19-25-13, 26-24 to advance to Thursday's showdown with Gayville-Volin — the region's No. 2 seed — in Gayville. Freeman (16-6) lost to Gayville-Volin (16-3) in a five-set thriller earlier in the season. The winner moves no to the SoDak 16 on Nov. 10.

Emily Stern casts her vote in the 2020 general election Tuesday morning, Nov. 3 inside the Freeman Community Center. Poll workers reported strong crowds Tuesday morning, with the line out the door early on and a steady stream of voters thereafter. A host of safety precautions are being taken; a plexiglass shield separates voters from workers at the table, workers are wearing masks and each polling station is disinfected and wiped down after each ballot is cast.

The 2020 general election is set for tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 3. This public notice, which was published in The Courier last week, shows polling places for local and area voters. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

One morning after the first full moon on a Halloween since 1944, a spectacular sky ushered in the first day of November Sunday morning. Chilly and quiet, the morning of Nov. 1 preceded an active Oct. 31 night that included a host of children out and about collecting candy. 

The moon rises in the eastern sky on Friday night, Oct. 30 — Halloween eve. The following was taken from space.com.

Canistota/Freeman head coach James Strang visits with the team after the Pride took care of Philip 50-0 in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs in Canistota Thursday night, Oct. 29. Strang's comments focused on next week's rematch with Howard, the state's No. 1 team and top-seed in the playoffs. The Tigers beat the Pride in triple overtime during the regular season and spoiled their chance to play for a conference title. “You know how important that is,” he said. “They took that from us; you’re going to hear me yapping about that all week. We have the chance to take it back.

The remains of last weekend's snow can be seen on the elementary school playground Thursday morning, Oct. 29. The milder conditions of Wednesday did a good job melting the snow that had remained since it came later Saturday and into Sunday. It's cold again today, but a major warmup is coming. Highs next week are expected to be in the 60s.

This photo from 1977 shows the Pioneer Hall auditorium all set up for Schmeckfest. This has been the norm since the beginning of the festival, when entertainment followed the traditional German meal, and especially since 1967, when full stage productions began a tradition and a big part of the festival. But COVID-19 has impacted that; "Matilda the Musical" was not staged in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic and officials announced this week that the musical would not be presented in 2021, either. Other details about next year's Schmeckfest are still being worked out.

The Freeman Community Center, the Wipf Street building that was constructed as the Freeman High School gym in 1957, is now available to the public for recreational use at no charge. Meeting Monday night, Oct. 26, the Freeman City Council, which owns and manages the facility, voted 6-0 to let families and individuals use the auditorium for free, pending other scheduled activities like wedding receptions and wrestling practice. Those wanting to use it should check in at City Hall for availability and an access code.