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Deb Doering’s larger-than-life skeleton makes for a hauntingly frightful Halloween.

Deb Doering’s larger-than-life skeleton makes for a hauntingly frightful Halloween.

Frightfully Fun: Local Decor Brings Halloween Spirit to Life

From clever to downright creepy, readers shared their spookiest Halloween setups for this year’s True Dakotan photo spread. Local residents proved that Halloween spirit is alive (and undead) across the area. 
Wade Christensen, Christy Christensen and Chad Heezen prepare on the block at Kimball Livestock Exchange ahead of Tuesday’s cattle sale on Oct. 28, 2025. The team’s hands-on approach and dedication to producers set the tone for each market day. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN )

Wade Christensen, Christy Christensen and Chad Heezen prepare on the block at Kimball Livestock Exchange ahead of Tuesday’s cattle sale on Oct. 28, 2025. The team’s hands-on approach and dedication to producers set the tone for each market day. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN )

INTEGRITY IN EVERY SALE

The owners of Kimball Livestock Exchange, Chad Heezen, Wade Christensen and Christy Christensen, say their success comes down to integrity, hard work and teamwork.
Kenzee Schafer was recognized for her decades-worth of paintings she has donated to the banquet, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the organization. She is shown with Tom Mebius.

Kenzee Schafer was recognized for her decades-worth of paintings she has donated to the banquet, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the organization. She is shown with Tom Mebius.

Longtime Contributors Recognized During Ducks Unlimited Banquet

Longtime supporters of Ducks Unlimited were recognized for their contributions to the organization’s conservation mission during the annual banquet held over the weekend.
Shown from left: Wolsey-Wessington’s Kendal Uttecht, Wessington Springs’ Alexis Roesler, Mya Flemming of Wolsey-Wessington, Masynn Mebius of Wessington Springs. TRUE DAKOTAN FILE PHOTOS

Shown from left: Wolsey-Wessington’s Kendal Uttecht, Wessington Springs’ Alexis Roesler, Mya Flemming of Wolsey-Wessington, Masynn Mebius of Wessington Springs. TRUE DAKOTAN FILE PHOTOS

Spartans and Warbirds Qualify Runners to Cross Country State Meet

At the Region 4B cross country meet on Wednesday, October 15 in Gettysburg, the Wessington Springs Spartans and Wolsey-Wessington Warbirds qualified runners to the state meet, with Wolsey-Wessington’s Kendal Uttecht claiming the race title with a time of 19:13.30.
Local youth complete 2025 HuntSAFE certification

Local youth complete 2025 HuntSAFE certification

Local youth complete 2025 HuntSAFE certification

Nine area students recently completed the 2025 HuntSAFE program, gaining valuable knowledge in firearm safety and responsibility. Participants represented communities across the region, including Wessington Springs, Woonsocket, Plankinton and Aberdeen.
Homemade soups by Manor employees served as the foundation of recent fundraising event, Soup for the Soul. Shown left to right are: Sandy Wolfcale, Donna Gray, Amy Kolousek, Taica Ford, Brenda Easton and Nikki VonEye.

Homemade soups by Manor employees served as the foundation of recent fundraising event, Soup for the Soul. Shown left to right are: Sandy Wolfcale, Donna Gray, Amy Kolousek, Taica Ford, Brenda Easton and Nikki VonEye.

Soup for the Soul event raises more than $2,200 for residents, bus

A warm meal and a creative idea came together last week to raise more than $2,200 for local causes during Weskota Manor Avera’s annual Soup for the Soul event.Held Oct.
Carnegie Library continues book sale

Carnegie Library continues book sale

Carnegie Library continues book sale

The Wessington Springs Carnegie Library is hosting a book sale running through the end of October.The sale is open Mondays and Thursdays from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 12:30 – 6:30 p.m., and Fridays from 10 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. The library will be closed Tuesdays and weekends.
Darwin Weeldreyer is joined by fellow Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter #835 members as he proudly displays his Hall of Fame plaque and the official proclamation declaring October 17, 2025, as Darwin Weeldreyer Day in South Dakota. Shown left to right are: Chapter President Paul Sheldon, Chapter Members Mike Krueger, Brian Bell, Brady Younie, Darwin Weeldreyer, Steve Winter, Blake Willman and Tom Riddle.

Darwin Weeldreyer is joined by fellow Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter #835 members as he proudly displays his Hall of Fame plaque and the official proclamation declaring October 17, 2025, as Darwin Weeldreyer Day in South Dakota. Shown left to right are: Chapter President Paul Sheldon, Chapter Members Mike Krueger, Brian Bell, Brady Younie, Darwin Weeldreyer, Steve Winter, Blake Willman and Tom Riddle.

Pheasants Forever Banquet Kicks Off 2025 Hunting Season with Packed House and Special Honors

Out-of-town visitors and locals alike flocked to the Wessington Springs Elementary Gymnasium on the eve of Pheasant Season Opener last Friday, kicking off the season-long celebration with food, friendship and fun at the annual Wessington Springs Pheasants Forever Chapter Banquet.
The Wolsey-Wessington Warbird Competitive Cheer Team will compete at state this Friday. Pictured are, front row, from left: Taryn Rainford, Abigail Huntsinger, Raya Toupal, Skye Tschetter, Ciera Stevens. Back row, from left: Brandee Kelsey, Annie Allerdings, Manon Houze, Allison Hulst, Carson Walters, Preslie Jensen, Amanah Woodruff, Lily Hoverson, Shae Uttecht and Kylie Martin. PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG WOLLMAN

The Wolsey-Wessington Warbird Competitive Cheer Team will compete at state this Friday. Pictured are, front row, from left: Taryn Rainford, Abigail Huntsinger, Raya Toupal, Skye Tschetter, Ciera Stevens. Back row, from left: Brandee Kelsey, Annie Allerdings, Manon Houze, Allison Hulst, Carson Walters, Preslie Jensen, Amanah Woodruff, Lily Hoverson, Shae Uttecht and Kylie Martin. PHOTO COURTESY CRAIG WOLLMAN

Warbirds Bound for State Cheer Championships

The Wolsey-Wessington Competitive Cheer team is statebound. After a strong season, the Warbirds will take the mat at the 19th Annual State Competitive Cheer and Dance Championships in Watertown on Friday, Oct. 24, competing in the Small Team Stunting/ Tumbling division.
 

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