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When you think of South Dakota, you might think about rolling fields of corn and soybeans and hills full of cattle, the Black Hills, or Mount Rushmore. You probably don’t think of the Chinese Communist Party.

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.