The Tea Area School Board met April 15 and heard from the Legacy student council. Members of the Legacy Elementary student council talked about what they have going on their school. For the first time in the district, they had not one, but two students selected for their artwork for a work zone billboard. They are both in the same class at Legacy. Their work will be featured at mile markers 70 and 73 for the summer.  Operations manager Wayne Larsen gave them update on the high school project. The red crane continues to set the structural steel. Rough-in plumbing, HVAC and electrical are p ..read more

On Saturday, Apr. 13 the Tea Area High School track and field team had a successful showing at the Corn Palace Relays. The team set several personal records and broke school records.  Sydney Stachlecker broke a school record in the 400 meter dash, clocking a time of 59.53 to take second place at Mitchell. She is ranked third overall in Class A this season in the event. Stahlecker was also a member of the 4x400 meter relay team that claimed first place. Team members included Jayna VanLaecken, Brooklyn Reiners, and Haidyn West along with Stahlecker. They took first with a time of 4:12.50 ..read more

U16 Team South Dakota (SD) claimed the 2024 Chipotle-USA Hockey Youth Tier II 16U 2A National Championship title, held in Dallas, TX.  The team, comprising 20 talented boys from various corners of South Dakota, clinched the title after a thrilling victory over the Alabama Thunder, sealing a remarkable 7-2 win on April 4.  Among the athletes contributing to this historic win was Tea Area High School sophomore, Jack Campbell. This was not the first big win on the ice for Campbell who also won the 14U National Championship two years ago in Kalamazoo, MI. But making this victory even mor ..read more

The Lincoln County Commission met Tuesday, April 9 in the Lincoln County Boardroom. Commissioners heard agenda items including the first reading of a public ordinance, grant requests and request for bids. The first reading for an Ordinance of Lincoln County, SD, rezoning a portion (approximately 7 acres) of the property legally described as SE1/4 including Lot 7 in SE1/4 SE1/4 (Ex. Parts Sold), Section 20-T100N-R49W Springdale Township from the A-1 (Agricultural) District to the C (Commercial) District, and amending the Official Zoning Map of the Lincoln County and the City of Sioux Falls Join ..read more

The Tea City Council met April 15 and approved numerous building plans and a conditional use permit. Planning and zoning administrator Kevin Nissen presented the site and building plans for Titan Small Engine Repair. The building plans call for a 3,600 square foot building at 101 S. Joseph Ave. This is the second building design after the first one was rejected because it did not meet commercial overlay requirements or the high quality architectural design for central business district. The plans improved the curb appeal. The council approved the plans. The council also approved the building p ..read more

Tea Area High School students are preparing to bring “Footloose” The Musical to life on April 19 and April 20. Directed by Mary Beth Sutton, this production promises to deliver an amazing performance that will have audiences tapping their feet and singing along. “I have been producing, co-directing and directing Middle School and High School plays and musicals here in Tea on and off since the Spring of 2008 starting with the show ‘Little Shop of Horrors’,” said Sutton. “As a director, you never ‘pre-cast’ a show but you have to look at the talent available and think about what shows would w ..read more

Knowing where food comes from is becoming more and more important as prices increase and quality decreases in big chain stores. Petersen Meats is looking to change the stigma of low-quality meats delivered right to your door with a farm to table experience. Growing up on a farm, brother and sister team, Jon and Brittany Petersen learned the ins and outs of raising animals and the benefits of having fresh meat growing up.  Eventually taking the reigns on a farm of his own, Jon began buying, raising, and selling meat to the industry. In 2015, an idea to offer locally sourced meat and cut th ..read more

With all members present, the Lincoln County Commissioners met Tuesday, April 2 in the Lincoln County Boardroom. Commissioners heard agenda items including a new Auditor’s office position, bridge grants and labor agreements.  Auditor, Sheri Lund was the first to present in front of the commission, she requested board action to authorize recruitment of a Finance Manager within the Auditor’s Office.  “I am coming to you today with two requests; my first request would be to add a position to my office of finance manager. The position’s primary responsibilities would be to understand and ..read more

Tea Area High School’s track team kicked off their outdoor season with an impressive showing at the Vermillion Booster Club Invite held in Vermillion on April 4. The Titans set several school records and achieved personal bests. Among the standout performances, the girls’ 4x800-meter relay team delivered an exceptional performance, clocking the second-fastest time in school history and placing third at the meet. Team members included Grace Bialas, Jayna VanLaecken, Jaycie Babb, and Haidyn West. The group clocked a time of 10:06.53. This time places them just behind the record-setting team from ..read more

The Tea Area High School softball team opened their season on Thursday, Apr. 4 and suffered a 10-6 loss at Harrisburg. The team bounced back with a big win over Elk Point Jefferson on Friday, Apr. 5, defeating the Huskies 15-7 in the home opener and defeating Tri-Valley on Monday, Apr. 8 on the road, 18-7.  In the win over EPJ, Emily Froendt drove in four runs on three hits to lead the Titans. Froendt tripled in the sixth inning, scoring two, singled in the first to score one, and hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth, also bringing home a run.  Abby Boom (pictured at right) hit a double ..read more