Applications for the Billie Sutton Leadership Institute programs officially opened recently for both the third class of “Sutton Leaders” and the inaugural "Rural POWER”program. In 2019, Billie Sutton - former state senator and candidate for governor of South Dakota– launched the non-partisan Sutton Leadership Institute dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of leaders to build a stronger South Dakota and more vibrant communities and workplaces through service to others.

Due to ongoing concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the SDHSAA has announced a pair of changes to the State Track & Field Championships to be held in the Black Hills. Each classification will compete both days at their own sites: all Class AA events will occur in Sturgis at Woodle Field, all Class A events will occur at Lyle Hare Stadium on the campus of Black Hills State University in Spearfish, and all Class B events will occur at O’Harra Memorial Stadium on the campus of SDSM&T in Rapid City.

The in-house Reading Olympics 2021 was held March 31, 2021 at the Gregory School Library. There were 46 students that participated this year. The students read five books and answered questions against their classmates. The students enjoyed competing again even if it had to be against each other. They received 1st, 2nd, 3rd place finishes depending on how many teams we had in each class. Holly Whitney is the Reading Olympics coach.

Last week the South Dakota Department of Health announced the statewide move to Phase 2 of South Dakotas’ COVID-19 vaccination plan beginning Monday, April 5, 2021. With this move, vaccines will be made available to any state resident, 16 years and older, in addition to any persons from Phase 1 who have not yet chosen to be vaccinated.

Fourteen thousand fourth graders in South Dakota will get a special taste of summer freedom through the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks’ (GFP) “Go Forth” program. The “Go Forth” program, presented in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health, distributes free entrance licenses for one day in any South Dakota state park or recreation area to every fourth grade student in South Dakota.

A 31-year-old Nebraska cattle rancher is recovering after doctors replaced his coronavirusdamaged lungs. The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that Jake Immink, of Fairbury, got sick around Halloweeen and wound up hospitalized on a ventilator for months.