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TRAIL CITY NEWS

The Trail City students who attend school in Timber Lake began classes on Monday.Jim and Jackie Keller spent the weekend in Whitewood visiting John and Betty Hughes, as well as Ron and Brenda Panchacek.
Timber Lake School librarian LeAnn Thompson was ready for students on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 18. Here she tells Kindergarteners that they can check out books to take home and introduces them to the rules on how to care for books. Photo by Kathy Nelson

Timber Lake School librarian LeAnn Thompson was ready for students on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 18. Here she tells Kindergarteners that they can check out books to take home and introduces them to the rules on how to care for books. Photo by Kathy Nelson

S.D. Hall of Fame aims to expand education, modernize exhibits

Situated just off I-90 on the banks of the Missouri River, with an unmistakable Army helicopter perched out front, is the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

Coal Springs Threshing Bee to feature horses and mules

Plans are well underway for the 27th Annual Coal Springs Threshing Bee which will be held Sept. 26-28 at the showgrounds just south of the Meadow corner on SD Highway 73.Instead of featuring a particular make of tractor, this year the event will feature equipment related to horses and mules.
Timber Lake Post Office employee Amy Bridges paints the front window of the Post Office with a welcome back to school for students. The 2025-26 school year got underway Monday, Aug. 18. Photo by Jon Flatland

Timber Lake Post Office employee Amy Bridges paints the front window of the Post Office with a welcome back to school for students. The 2025-26 school year got underway Monday, Aug. 18. Photo by Jon Flatland

Timber Lake Post Office employee Amy Bridges

Members of Marcella LeBeau’s family gather for a photo under the front entrance to Marcellaa LeBeau Elementary School in Sioux Falls after a dedication and naming ceremony for the new school last week. LeBeau wss a respected elder and matriarch of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Submitted photo

Members of Marcella LeBeau’s family gather for a photo under the front entrance to Marcellaa LeBeau Elementary School in Sioux Falls after a dedication and naming ceremony for the new school last week. LeBeau wss a respected elder and matriarch of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Submitted photo

Trump’s DEI ban in K-12 schools, higher ed ruled ‘unlawful’ by federal judge

A federal judge in Maryland has struck down the U.S. Education Department’s attempts to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools.
Before Timber Lake had a post office, mail was distributed at the First State Bank and Waterbury Hardware. A young Wenzel Leff is pictured (left of center), reading a letter.

Before Timber Lake had a post office, mail was distributed at the First State Bank and Waterbury Hardware. A young Wenzel Leff is pictured (left of center), reading a letter.

John Leff’s dad was one of Timber Lake founders in 1910

A number of Mobridge business people can trace their historical roots to the West River Timber Lake area, which was a launch pad for entrepreneurs who have contributed to both communities.Wenzel Leff was one such entrepreneur.

Budget, bids, and radio tower on county board agenda

The Dewey County Commissioners agreed to add $5500 for the Dewey County Conservation District to the proposed 2026 county budget when they met on August 7. That is the same amount the county contributed for 2025.
A volunteer optometrist gives an eye exam during a free vision clinic held in Eagle Butte last week. A total of 987 people were served. The event was sponsored by the Cheyenne River Youth Project. Photo by CRYP

A volunteer optometrist gives an eye exam during a free vision clinic held in Eagle Butte last week. A total of 987 people were served. The event was sponsored by the Cheyenne River Youth Project. Photo by CRYP

Free vision clinic served nearly 1,000 people from area

Nearly 1,000 people received free vision care during a five-day clinic hosted by the Cheyenne River Youth Project, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Sunglass Hut last week, Aug. 4-8.The clinic, set up in Eagle Butte, served 987 people ages 5 and up.