News

Wessington Springs High School students Kendall Kolousek, left, and Tierney Knipfer hold a flyer for Bright Nights, Big Smiles, a family engagement event they are organizing through the school’s FCCLA chapter. The glow-themed event will be held Jan. 30 at the WS Rec Center. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN)

Wessington Springs High School students Kendall Kolousek, left, and Tierney Knipfer hold a flyer for Bright Nights, Big Smiles, a family engagement event they are organizing through the school’s FCCLA chapter. The glow-themed event will be held Jan. 30 at the WS Rec Center. (KRISTI HINE / TRUE DAKOTAN)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Students Plan ‘Bright Nights, Big Smiles’ Family Event

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Wessington Springs High School students Tierney Knipfer and Kendall Kolousek are inviting local families to spend an evening together at Bright Nights, Big Smiles, a glow-themed family engagement event set for Friday, Jan. 30, at the WS Rec Center.The event runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
From left, Jamie Farmen, SD Community Foundation, presents the challenge grant to Wolsey Community Foundation board members Ted Haeder, Donna Haeder, Jim Babcock and Robert McGillvrey (not pictured Melva Beals). (PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)

From left, Jamie Farmen, SD Community Foundation, presents the challenge grant to Wolsey Community Foundation board members Ted Haeder, Donna Haeder, Jim Babcock and Robert McGillvrey (not pictured Melva Beals). (PHOTO COURTESY SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wolsey Community Foundation surpasses $100K challenge, secures permanent endowment

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
WOLSEY, S.D. — The Wolsey Community Foundation has exceeded its $100,000 fundraising goal, unlocking a $25,000 matching grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation and establishing a permanent endowment to support charitable causes in the Wolsey area.
Benefit planned for WSHS Student Brett Miller

Benefit planned for WSHS Student Brett Miller

Benefit planned for WSHS Student Brett Miller

News Staff
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
A community benefit in support of Brett Miller will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12, during a doubleheader basketball game at Wessington Springs Elementary School gymnasium and lunchroom.
Rebecca Blue, founder and project coordinator of the Women’s Ag Network, works in Huron, S.D., on Dec. 24, 2025. Blue is leading a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening connections, leadership, and business development opportunities for women in agriculture across South Dakota. (PHOTO: KRISTI HINE/ SOUTH DAKOTA NEWS WATCH)

Rebecca Blue, founder and project coordinator of the Women’s Ag Network, works in Huron, S.D., on Dec. 24, 2025. Blue is leading a statewide initiative aimed at strengthening connections, leadership, and business development opportunities for women in agriculture across South Dakota. (PHOTO: KRISTI HINE/ SOUTH DAKOTA NEWS WATCH)

FROM INSTINCT TO EVIDENCE

Kristi Hine South Dakota News Watch
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
When Rebecca Blue first began asking South Dakota women in agriculture what they were missing, the answers felt familiar.Connection. Community. A sense that they weren’t navigating their careers and livelihoods alone.
Dueling Pianos Strike a Chord Again in Alpena on Feb. 7

Dueling Pianos Strike a Chord Again in Alpena on Feb. 7

Dueling Pianos Strike a Chord Again in Alpena on Feb. 7

News Staff
Monday, January 26, 2026
Get ready, Alpena: one of the most entertaining nights of the year is tuning up for its return.The Alpena Volunteer Fire Department is bringing back Dueling Pianos on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, transforming the Alpena Community Center into a high-energy hub of music, laughter and crowd-fueled fun.
Cheyenne Burg (front row, second from left) was recently named the winner of the William M. Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Endowment scholarship at the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Scholarship and Recognition Banquet. She is pictured with SD Corn Endowed Dean of the college, Joe Cassady and other endowment winners. (PHOTO COURTESY SDSU)

Cheyenne Burg (front row, second from left) was recently named the winner of the William M. Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Endowment scholarship at the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Scholarship and Recognition Banquet. She is pictured with SD Corn Endowed Dean of the college, Joe Cassady and other endowment winners. (PHOTO COURTESY SDSU)

WSHS Alumna, Cheyenne Burg awarded SDSU scholarship

News Staff
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Cheyenne Burg of Wessington Springs received the William M. Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Endowment in Agriculture at the recent South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Scholarship and Recognition Banquet in Brookings.
True Dakotan seeks February Community Calendar events

True Dakotan seeks February Community Calendar events

True Dakotan seeks February Community Calendar events

News Staff
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
The True Dakotan is now accepting submissions for its February Community Calendar. As our coverage area continues to grow, so does the calendar, which highlights events from across the region.
Artist’s Corner

Artist’s Corner

From the Halls of WSHS: Artist’s Corner

Wshs Art Instructor Alicia Roesler
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
From the halls of WSHS, we begin our Artist’s Corner for the new semester. This project was completed at the end of last semester by Advanced Art I senior, Max Klein. He chose to paint an 18”x30” canvas using oil paint as he wanted to increase his skills in blending.
Election Law Change Prompts Term Extension for Two Wessington Springs School Board Members

Election Law Change Prompts Term Extension for Two Wessington Springs School Board Members

Election Law Change Prompts Term Extension for Two Wessington Springs School Board Members

News Staff
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
At the regular January meeting held on January 12, 2026, the Wessington Springs School Board voted to extend the terms of two board members due to changes in state election law.Board members Dustin Weber and Kasie Sealy, whose terms were set to expire, will now serve through Nov. 30.
Subscribe to
 

Subscribe to the online newsletter:

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp