Last fall, the Bonesteel, Burke, and Gregory economic groups were awarded a grant to study childcare issues across Gregory County. After many weeks of work with local providers, parents, and educators, experts in early and school age childcare have produced a final report with several important findings and proposed solutions.

One day's news could fill my monthly article, so I will try to build this article around the news of last weekend. I want to first commend the new 'trade skills' school in St. Francis, education in needed workforce skills is the way forward for today's young people. We all must be aware of the pitfalls in that future put forward by climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers, election deniers and for democracies worldwide. I also commend Rep. Rocky Blare for his eight years of service in the SD Legislature.

For about the last six months, I have been making an extensive search of maps, documents, diaries, books, and letters which tell the story of the development of the Missouri River from Nebraska to Fort Pierre. Eventually, I will put together a series of columns on the historic sites and events which will tell the history of our area in detail.

The Commissioner Room and hallway outside were full of concerned citizens Wednesday morning, March 20, as the Gregory County Board of Commissioners met for their regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. Both sides of the proposal to hand count election ballots were on hand to present their arguments for and against the resolution as voted on at the previous meeting.

Jim Halverson recently announced that he is running for State Representative in District 21, which covers the counties of Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, and Tripp. Halverson has been a resident of the Winner area for nearly 40 years, and currently works as an electrician at H&O Electric in Winner, and coaches the Winner High School boys and girls golf teams.

Rick Weible of Midwest Swamp Watch conducted a ballot handcounting demonstration/training in the community room at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Before starting the demonstration, however, Weible presented a case for why the tabulating machines, such as the one Gregory County uses, is not trustworthy.