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Day County is no stranger to the epidemic sweeping through the Midwest, known as Rural Flight. The county has consistently lost population for the past 90 years. But according to a 2011 estimate, the area is looking at its first increase in population since 1920. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011 population estimates Webster and Day County have increased half a percent since the 2010 national census. Read More »

Shrinking population is just one of many factors that are coming into play for the struggles of rural area churches. In addition to a smaller populace, roads, travel conditions and church attendance becoming less and less of a priority for many, rural churches are especially feeling the pinch. Read More »

Sanford Webster Medical Center was among 23 rural hospitals in South Dakota to share in $278,037 in federal funding for projects to improve patient access, reduce medication errors, reduce hospital readmissions and improve operations. Sanford will get $11,331 through the federal Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility program funding which is delegated by the state Department of Health. Read More »

The list of South Dakota lakes with high levels of mercury in fish grew again in 2012, although state environmental specialists say that doesn't mean people need to stop eating fish. Read More »

At the regular monthly meeting of the Webster Area School Board on Feb. 11, a discussion was held about the four-day week. Superintendent Jim Block put together a chart of South Dakota schools who are four-day and listed their calendar hours. Of the 38 schools in the state, Webster Area is listed as 31st for the amount of instruction time spent with students. Read More »

The two regional utility companies hoping to build a proposed 435 KV high voltage electrical transmission line between Big Stone and Ellendale, ND will be in town next week with a proposed project update. Last October, Montana Dakota Utilities and Otter Tail Power Co. held an open house in Webster where they unveiled a three-state study corridor to run a 150-175 mile line depending on the route taken. Read More »

Day County Commissioners spent part of last week’s meeting dealing with Hazard Mitgation homes. The commission approved an offer to sell for the Rick and Kathy Breske home and also signed off on a move to buy and then donate the Reuben and Helen Butler home to SD GROW after meeting with the nonprofit economic development agency. Read More »

The state High School Activities Association recently released its proposed region alignments and classifications for all sports. For local sports fans, it may mean some changes over past years. Read More »

Roslyn will celebrate its centennial in 2014 and to get the ball rolling the centennial committee is putting on an outdoor concert June 7. Kelly Hanson, co-chairman of the centennial with Danny Jensen, says this summer’s concert will headline the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and an opening act at the softball field. Read More »

On a cold winter’s day in January 1943, a woman gave birth alone to a premature baby girl. Because of the cold, the woman didn’t dare take the child outside to a doctor or a hospital. That baby not only survived despite her odds, but now calls Bristol home and is interested in sharing her story with others to offer hope. Marcia Morehouse, the miracle baby born in her mother’s apartment in St. Paul, MN, just celebrated her 70th birthday Jan. 18. Read More »