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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.The Thursday ruling marks a blow to President Donald Trump’s administration as it continues to take significant strides to try to crack down on...
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.

CRST Tribal Council rejects effort to overturn ban on recording devices

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council last week rejected an effort to rescind a measure passed in April that prohibits all unauthorized recordings or broadcasts of Tribal Council meetings.Council members voted 10-3 last Tuesday, Aug. 5, against overturning the recording ban after a measure to do...
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.
Sunflowers face East to catch the early morning rays of sun on a hillside west of Timber Lake on Monday. Reports from area ag producers indicate this year’s sunflower and corn crops are above average, however, wheat fields across the region are not producing as well as it was hoped they would. Photo by Jon Flatland

Sunflowers face East to catch the early morning rays of sun on a hillside west of Timber Lake on Monday. Reports from area ag producers indicate this year’s sunflower and corn crops are above average, however, wheat fields across the region are not producing as well as it was hoped they would. Photo by Jon Flatland

Golden Slope

Avery Usselman of Wilton, ND, gives her entry into the Corson County Fair Turtle Races a pep talk prior to the start of racing on Sunday, Aug. 10, in McIntosh. Photo by Jon Flatland

Avery Usselman of Wilton, ND, gives her entry into the Corson County Fair Turtle Races a pep talk prior to the start of racing on Sunday, Aug. 10, in McIntosh. Photo by Jon Flatland

In-custody death at Walter Miner Law Enforcement Facility

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Police Chief Charles Red Crow issued a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 12, confirming the death of a prisoner at the Walter Miner Law Enforcement Facility in Eagle Butte.Miner said detention staff responded to a report of an unresponsive male inside a cell at 7:11 a.m. on...