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The December 22nd Wagner Rotary began its meeting with a loud bell ring and a cheery “Merry Christmas” from its President Bryan Slaba. Rotarian Laurie Kidd began with a prayer of Thanksgiving for our fine meal and the hands that prepared it. She asked all Rotarians to be moved by their love for all those less fortunate as we near the end of our Advent preparation.
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Work continues at Wagner Community School as construction crews are building an addition of 23,912 sq. ft which will hold 14 classrooms for elementary, middle school and special education, a school board meeting room and three counseling office areas. They are also adding six restrooms to the east elementary room for kindergarten relocation and are remodeling and expanding the middle school restrooms. Photo by Jenna Hemenway
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After a devastating fire on December 20th, the Native American Women's Health Education Resource Center in Lake Andes, the heart and hub of their operations for the Yankton Sioux community, begins the task of rebuilding. The fire resulted in the loss of their physical office, equipment, documents, their community radio studio and the food pantry, as well as the archival photographs and taped interviews with tribal elders. The board wrote on their GoFundMe page that the meaningful memories that have been built there over the past 36 years remain intact. They are resolved to rebuild and will continue to provide nonstop services as much as possible. Temporary offices are being set up at the Women's Lodge Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter and at the old school building owned by the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Their hopes are to have the community radio station back up and running in early 2022. The shelter shared that they do have good insurance, but they are sure the costs will go beyond that coverage. They do not have business interruption insurance to pay employee salaries in the event of a disaster and construction costs and cost to replace contents of the building will exceed what insurance will pay. Over the next six months, they anticipate $250,000 in unexpected expenses to keep their doors open and to plan and undertake the next phase. The board would greatly appreciate any donation at any level at this time. Donations can be made on their Go Fund Me page or you may mail checks to: Native American Community Board, PO Box 572, Lake Andes, SD 57356. Donavon Sully of Lake Andes has been arrested and is being charged with first-degree arson, reckless burning and intentional damage to property. Photos by Carla Pesicka
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The December 22nd Wagner Rotary began its meeting with a loud bell ring and a cheery “Merry Christmas” from its President Bryan Slaba. Rotarian Laurie Kidd began with a prayer of Thanksgiving for our fine meal and the hands that prepared it. She asked all Rotarians to be moved by their love for all those less fortunate as we near the end of our Advent preparation.
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Andrea Tjeerdsma, wife of of Matt Tjeerdsma, is excited to welcome all customers from the surrounding areas to her new business on Main Street in Wagner.
Read moreDiane Ewing of Sioux Falls and Jon Stather spent Tuesday together at the Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell while their sister and wife, Lynn Stather had left hip replacement surgery.
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Sara Elizabeth Soukup, age 44 of Lake Geneva, WI and formerly of Wagner passed away Thursday, December 02 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, December 17 at St. Vincent Catholic Church, Springfield with Rev. Joe Forcelle officiating. Burial followed at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Wagner. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton assisted with the service details. Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.
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Thomas James Kafka was born on November 21, 1961 in Wagner. He died Monday, December 13 at the Avera Queen of Peace Hospital Mitchell.
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