Feature

Wessington Springs couple Craig and Penny Wenzel shared this photo he took in their backyear garden. “We always consider the pollinators when we plant our flower beds. Hummingbirds, bees, yellow jackets and butterflies are welcomed every summer. The Monarch butterflies spent a lot of time in our yard last week and are increasing every day before they continue their migration to southern Mexico.” (PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG WENZEL)

Wessington Springs couple Craig and Penny Wenzel shared this photo he took in their backyear garden. “We always consider the pollinators when we plant our flower beds. Hummingbirds, bees, yellow jackets and butterflies are welcomed every summer. The Monarch butterflies spent a lot of time in our yard last week and are increasing every day before they continue their migration to southern Mexico.” (PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG WENZEL)

Prairie Transitions: Late-Summer Scenes Across the Area

News Staff
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Late-summer scenes across our area communities capture the beauty of the South Dakota prairie: from monarch butterflies to golden sunflowers and those fleeting moments when summer gives way to fall. Wessington Springs couple Craig and Penny Wenzel shared this photo he took in their backyear garden.
Wessington Springs FFA members (from left) Ella Kolousek, Chase Dunsmore, Rylan Fagerhaug and Logan Klein represented their community at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron during the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships. The team advanced through rounds of challenging farm safety questions before Howard FFA captured the 2025 title.

Wessington Springs FFA members (from left) Ella Kolousek, Chase Dunsmore, Rylan Fagerhaug and Logan Klein represented their community at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron during the Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships. The team advanced through rounds of challenging farm safety questions before Howard FFA captured the 2025 title.

Wessington Springs FFA Makes Strong Showing at State Fair Quiz Bowl

News Staff
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
The Wessington Springs FFA Chapter earned recognition for its skill and preparation during the South Dakota Farmers Union Farm Safety Quiz Bowl Championships, held August 30 at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.
Kelli and Craig Shryock are pictured at the SDAAE conference, where it was announced that Craig was inducted into the SDAAE Hall of Fame on July 28, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATORS

Kelli and Craig Shryock are pictured at the SDAAE conference, where it was announced that Craig was inducted into the SDAAE Hall of Fame on July 28, 2025. PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATORS

Craig Shryock Inducted into South Dakota Agriculture Educators Hall of Fame

News Staff
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
After a remarkable 41-year career shaping generations of students at Wessington Springs Middle and High School, Craig Shryock has been honored with induction into the South Dakota Association of Agriculture Educators Hall of Fame.
Paul VonEye, first place in the pickup division. PHOTO COURTESY ALPENA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Paul VonEye, first place in the pickup division. PHOTO COURTESY ALPENA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Third Annual Alpena Car Show Draws Crowds, Raises Funds for Community Foundation

News Staff
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
The Third Annual Alpena Car Show was held Saturday, July 26 in Alpena, drawing an enthusiastic crowd and a diverse lineup of vehicles. The event, held in conjunction with the Annual Alpena Tractor Pull, served as a fundraiser for the Alpena Community Foundation.
PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY WEST RIVER RESEARCH & EXTENSION

PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY WEST RIVER RESEARCH & EXTENSION

SDSU loses $86M in federal research funding

Emily Decock South Dakota News Watch
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University lost an $86 million livestock research grant as part of recent federal spending cuts, making South Dakota the state with the highest per student loss of research grants, the Center for American Progress reported.
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