Nature has a way of humbling us, of stepping into our lives with previously unthought power and reminding us what truly matters. That's how I felt these past two days while surveying storm damage across much of South Dakota.

John Joseph Ishmael, 40, Winner, SD, speedinG on a state highway, fine $39.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $28.50. Ramee Jo Hanson, 19, Burke, SD, speeding on other roadways, fine $59.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $28.50..

Please join in a critical look at the razzle-dazzle of the news about the crises facing us all. We are now learning to live with COVID so we can get on with our lives. The US has passed 1 million deaths from the virus. Those of us who are vaccinated aren’t afraid of using masks and taking precautions so we don’t have to worry. Not wearing a mask became such a symbol of defying big government regulation, and vaccination became so political in this country, I wonder what would have happened if the vaccine had been called the Trump vaccine. There are so many side effects from the pandemic and its effect on people’s lives that total recovery will take a long time. But vaccine research had given us new vaccines for the rest of the world. The shutdown in China illustrates the problem of a dictatorial government which does not have an effective vaccine, and President Xi Jinping must keep control of the virus to get his dictatorship renewed. When their economy is shut down, it affects availability and prices of things here.

Jane Kramer, one of the most admired writers for The New Yorker Magazine convinced her editor in 1977 that she wanted to write a special story on the “last cowboy”. At the time, she lived in New York with her husband and daughter and had traveled to Europe many times for her stories.

Each year, the American Legion Auxiliary hosts a week-long Girls State program for girls who were high school juniors during the 2021-22 school year. During the week, the girls will learn about flag etiquette, how government works, and have an opportunity to interact with members of active military, veterans, and families of those who serve, and learn about different patriotic practices of the United States.

The Gregory County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. after their regular meeting as County Board of Equalization. The commissioners were originally scheduled to meet at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 12, 2022, as a county board of equalization and a consolidated board of equalization, but the resignation of the director of equalization led to a delay in processing appeals. The date change gave the deputy director of equalization time to compile information with the assistance of the Department of Revenue.