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Timothy Bjork’s Army portrait. From June 11-14, Tim and a few dozen other South Dakota veterans will be feted in Brookings when “The Wall that Heals” arrives to honor veterans killed in Vietnam and those who served there and have died since.

The wall and on the web: New ways to honor SD Vietnam vets

Bart Pfankuch South Dakota News Watch

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

RAPID CITY, S.D. – In 28 years of being Timothy Bjork's best friend, travel buddy and devoted wife, Bonnie Bjork said there was one topic that her 'Tim' was reluctant to talk about.His two tours of duty in the Vietnam War.Tim died in March 2025 at age 77 from multiple cancers tied to his military...

Moments of Remembrance 2026

News Staff

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Pastor Mike Easter delivers the Memorial Day address during services at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs; 1st Lt. Zachary Briggs speaks during the Memorial Day program in Alpena; local singers perform patriotic selections during the Wolsey observance; Vietnam...

Memorial Day ceremonies across the area brought generations together to honor fallen service members and preserve their stories for the future

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Memory Lives Through Community

Kristi Hine / True Dakotan

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Memorial Day ceremonies held across the area Monday shared a common purpose: ensuring the sacrifices of fallen service members are never forgotten.

Wessington Springs Middle/High School Academic Awards

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

FreshmenWyatt Arhart - Algebra I Top Academic Taryn Bartel - Agriculture Education Freshman Top Academic, Geography Co-Top Academic, English Freshman Top Academic, Health/PE 9th Grade Top Academic, Most Outstanding Instrumentalist Grason Finn – Geography Co-Top Academic Madilyn Gaikowski Drawing...

Voters Urged to Review Ballot Information Ahead of June 2 Primary Election

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Jerauld County voters are encouraged to carefully review election information ahead of the June 2, 2026 Primary Election, as ballot options will vary depending on party registration and where voters live.A sample Republican primary ballot is published on page 9 of this week’s True Dakotan to help...

Area Memorial Day Schedule

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2026Alpena – Owen Kunze American Legion Post 116 will have a Memorial Day Service with a speaker from the 153rd Engineer Battalion SD Army National Guard, and dedication of the new registry at the Alpena Rest Lawn Cemetery Monday, May 25, 2026, in the Alpena Community Center at 4...

Legion Auxiliary to Observe National Poppy Day May 22

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

National Poppy Day will be observed Friday, May 22, 2026, as Americans across the country wear red poppies to honor fallen service members and support veterans, activeduty military personnel and their families.The red poppy has been recognized as a symbol of sacrifice since World War I and serves...

Class of 2026 Honored During Saturday Commencement Ceremonies

Kristi Hine / True Dakotan

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Wessington Springs High School graduates tossed their mortarboards high and far last week in celebration of the Class of 2026’s commencement.Upholding True Dakotan tradition with each year’s WSHS graduating class, the newspaper asked the seniors where they wanted their cap-tossing photo taken.

True Dakotan Publishes Special Three-Section Graduation Edition Honoring Area Seniors

Kristi Hine / True Dakotan

Thursday, May 14, 2026

The latest edition of the True Dakotan is one of the newspaper’s largest of the year — a special three-section, 22-page Graduation Edition celebrating the Class of 2026 from Wessington Springs High School and Wolsey-Wessington High School.Filled with senior spotlights, memories, photos and messages...

Building Trades Instructor Brandon VanOverschelde demonstrates panel installation techniques for students inside the nearly completed greenhouse at Wolsey-Wessington School District. The student-built structure is part of the district’s expanding farm-totable program and was funded through a Farm Credit Services of America grant matched by the school district. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN)

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Built by Students, Growing Toward the Future

Kristi Hine / True Dakotan

Thursday, May 14, 2026

What began as an idea to connect students more closely to the food on their lunch trays is now taking physical shape outside the Wolsey-Wessington School District.The district’s student-built greenhouse, a key part of the school’s growing farm-to-table initiative, is nearing completion, with...

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