Opinion

Farm ers were required to cultivate part of the land they received under the Homestead Act. In order to do this, they first had to “break the sod.” Sod was grasscovered soil that was held together by matted roots.

My point today is that the economic plight of small livestock producers perfectly illustrates the danger of mixing religion and democratic politics. The voting compact made several decades ago between the religion-based Rightto- Life organization, of which substantial numbers of small livestock producers are supporters, and the Republican Party has negatively impacted American democracy in at least three ways.

Dear Editor and Readers, Can you believe it? Right-to-Life folks, which includes your scribe, are being blamed by certain liberals for government inaction against meat packers who are monopolizing American livestock markets and crowding out independent stockmen. This, because pro-life people tend to vote for pro-life politicians, usually Republicans, and, allegedly, Repubs won't go after the meat-packers. The remedy suggested is - vote for Democrats, not Republicans, at the state and national levels.

Dear Editor, With Thanksgiving this week, I want to share my thankfulness and gratitude for: - an overwhelming number of personal things - America for the freedoms, protections, and opportunities given in our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Amendments - the extremely brave men, women, children who boarded the Niña, Pinta, Santa Maria bound for the new world, setting sail into the unknown to escape taxation without representation, oppression, and cruelty of Great Britain and exercise freedom of religion (what they dealt with onboard-spoiled food, sickness, hygiene, storms, fear) - I’m very grateful to them, for their toughness, surviving, planning- sometimes we forget they were real people not decorations, not figurines/salt & pepper shakers in period dress, they suffered, they thought, they endured, they established towns and farms - the first Thanksgiving, which was a meal shared amid fear, nervousness, anticipation, fluctuating trust between the Wampanoag and pilgrims - at the first Thanksgiving in 1621...for what do you think these pilgrims gave thanks - America’s forefathers, young and old, they argued with one another of how America should be established, trying to cover everyone and every issue for the time and the future...what a heavy weight and daunting task - our Minutemen who were outnumbered, out armed, they were volunteers who provided their own weapons/munitions, faced severe weather conditions, left their loved ones and farms/businesses to fight a formidable enemy - American farmers, ranchers, laborers, businessmen, military, law enforcement, firefighters, medical, teachers/students, and everyone who makes America strong - Americans who love and appreciate America.

Breanna Vanden Bos, 43, Gregory, SD, simple assault attempt to cause bodily injury, suspended imposition of sentence, fine $200.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $46.50, jail 100 days, suspended 100 days; simple assault attempt to cause bodily injury, suspended imposition of sentence, fine $200.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $46.50, jail 100 days, suspended 100 days; jail time is suspended based on the following conditions: pay the fine and costs and court appointed attorney fees; law abiding citizen; no violations of the law for 1 year; neither consume nor possess any alcohol, controlled substances or marijuana, unless pursuant to a valid South Dakota medical card, nor frequent any bars or establishments where alcohol is the main scope of business; submit to random PBT’s by law enforcement for 1 year; no contact with the following victim(s) or co-defendant(s): MV or KJ for a period of 1 year; no contact means no personal contact, telephone calls, or electronic communication including texting, emailing, or posting on social networks; and no third party contact; obtain a chemical dependency evaluation; attend and successfully complete the recommended treatment; appear in court for a review hearing on 1-28-2026 at 10:00 a.m. at which time the defendant will be required to provide proof of obtaining the evaluation and completing the recommended treatment unless filed with the clerk; permitted to retain and use state issued medical cannabis card.

Memorial service to be held for Brian Giedd A memorial service for Brian Giedd, age 41, of Kearney, NE, will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. Isidore Catholic Church, in Colome, SD. There is a prayer service on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the church with visitation from 6 to 7 p.m. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gregory County Courthouse N ews Jentry Gregg, 21, Carter, SD, possess controlled weapon, fine $1000.00, court costs $170.00, surcharges $66.50, penitentiary 2 years, suspended 2 years, credit 1 day, probation 2 years; possession controlled substance in schedules I or II, disposition: dismissed-motion by prosecutor, no plea entered; use or possession of drug paraphernalia, disposition: dismissed-motion by prosecutor, no plea entered; possession controlled substance in schedules I or II, disposition: recharged-by indictment, no plea entered; possess controlled weapon, disposition: recharged-by indictment, no plea entered; use or possession of drug paraphernalia, disposition: recharged-by indictment, no plea entered; purchase/possession/ consumption of alcohol by minor, disposition: recharged-by indictment, no plea entered; conditions: pay to the clerk of courts all ordered fines and costs pursuant to a payment plan; shall be supervised by the court services department for the term of probation and shall abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the court services department for probation; shall comply with all conditions of adult probation, which are set forth in the conditions of adult probation document signed by the defendant and which are incorporated into the judgment; obey all federal, state and tribal laws and municipal ordinances.

Thanksgiving is a special time for family, traditions, and good food – but it is also a time for reflection. When the Pilgrims first celebrated Thanksgiving in 1621, they had a lot to reflect on.

When we think of modern den t i s t ry, we picture a sparkling office, adv anced tools, and pain free procedures. Ho w e ve r, dental care in the 1800s was far from what we experience today. It was an era of primitive tools and a whole lot of trial and error.

On Nov. 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order modifying his Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, that imposed a trade-rebalancing 10% reciprocal tariff on imported products, including beef and lamb, from all trading partners. Exceptions to the reciprocal tariff requirement included beef, cattle, sheep and lamb from Canada and Mexico, as those products continued receiving preferential treatment provided they originated under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).