News

Nicole VanZuidam If one has not spent much time by the ocean, the water can be very intimidating. With its undertows, strong waves, riptides, and sea creatures, there are a lot of things to be on the lookout for.

The South Dakota State Square, Folk, and Round Dance Association, is sponsoring the Spring State Square Dance Festival in Sioux Falls, SD. The event will be held on May 3, and 4, 2024 and will be hosted by the Spares N Pairs Square Dance Club of Sioux Falls. The theme of the festival is 'Step to a Wave in Sioux Falls'. The Spring Festival activities will begin with a Trail-In Dance Friday evening, May 3, 2024, with Curt Braffet, Carlock, IL, calling and Lurita Fugier, Hermosa, SD cueing the Round dances. The dance begins at 7:30 p.m. All sessions will be held at the Center for Active Generations at 2300 West 46* Street, Sioux Falls, SD. On Saturday, May 4, 2024, there will be a Plus Dance beginning at 9:30 a.m. with Curt Braffet, calling. The Spring Festival begins at 1:30 p.m. on May 6, 2023. The South Dakota Square Dance Association callers will do the calling for the afternoon. Bob Maiden, Roseville, MN will be the afternoon Master of Ceremonies and Lurita Fugier, will be the round dance cuer. There will be business sessions before the 7:30 p.m. Grand March. Bob Maiden, Roseville, MN, will be the evening Master of Ceremonies, and the evening round dance cuer will be Lurita Fugier. The public is invited to view any and all sessions.

— The Gregory County Board of Commissioners held a public meeting Wednesday afternoon, April 3, in the courtroom of the Gregory County Courthouse regarding hand counting election ballots. Board Chair Jessy Biggins limited discussion for each side of the issue to 30 minutes with a maximum of five minutes per speaker.

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The economic development groups of Gregory County worked together to obtain a grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) for Governor Kristi Noem’s Investment Plan for Child Care.

Acting as a board of adjustment, the commissioners reviewed a variance application for Josey and Tamara Larsen to build a house on less than 40 acres at their regular meeting on Wednesday, April 3. Because Larsen is Commissioner Lance Matucha’s stepson, and because the Larsens purchased the land from him, Matucha abstained from the decision.

Gregory Economic Development Director (GED) Rachelle Bloom reported that the organization has received a $5,000 grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation for a pickleball court. GED has some money also to put toward the project.

April donors save May lives! This month, roll up your sleeves and save lives with LifeServe Blood Center. LifeServe Blood Center is calling all community members to participate in blood donation drives throughout the month of April, in your neighborhood. Each donation bolsters the blood supply for local hospitals, and LifeServe aims to emphasize the crucial role that each donor plays in supporting healthcare services within their own communities.

On April 4, 2024, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that Josey Larsen and Marty Jung, the City of Gregory public water system and the system’s certified operators, have been awarded a Drinking Water Certificate of Achievement Award.

The Sons of the American Legion will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Legion Post in Gregory. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m., and all members and potential members are encouraged to attend.