A healthier you: Start with the switch

As the holiday season winds down and the New Year approaches, many of us begin reflecting on the past year and thinking ahead. It’s a natural time to set resolutions – those hopeful promises to ourselves to eat better, move more, stress less or simply live healthier.

SDHP announces January checkpoints

The South Dakota Highway Patrol will hold sobriety checkpoints in 16 counties throughout the month of January. Checkpoints are planned for Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Clay, Davison, Day, Hamlin, Hanson, Hughes, Jones, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lyman, Meade, Pennington, and Spink counties.

Supreme Court upholds Corson County rapist’s convictions

The South Dakota Supreme Court has denied an appeal by a former Corson County rancher convicted last year of repeatedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter, shocking his five stepchildren with cattle prods and other electronic devices, and providing them with illegal drugs.

Bronze award

The Timber Lake School Board received recognition from the Associated School Boards of South Dakota for their time, effort, commitment, and leadership. The ALL Award was presented at the December 10 board meeting. L-R are Tyrone Kraft, Doug Lawrence, Joe Locken and Jake Kraft.

Correction

An article on page 1 of the November 27, 2025 issue of the Topic concerning Northwest Area Schools incorrectly stated that the NWAS Ed. Co-op provides “speech therapy, counseling and other services.” It should have stated that the Ed.

Sheriff’s Report

Dewey County, Sheriff Ashley ArpanChild abuse: 1 Ambulance: 5 Animal: 2 Assist other agency: 3 Attempt to locate: 1 Bond violation: 1 Citizen assist: 2 Community oriented policing activity: 2 Death investigation: 2 Domestic (non-violent): 1 Domestic (violent): 5 DUI: 1 Escort: 1 Extra patrol...

Hope, peace, joy and love

Pastor Bryce Schaffer New Hope ChurchEvery year, around December, I love watching homes light up with all sorts of decorations. From candles in the windows and wreaths on the front doors to fully lit up yards for the Christmas season.