A weekend robbery rocked a local business and a Friday fire took the efforts of local fire departments and farmers working together to put out; we look back at how COVID-19 affected Garretson on its 5-year anniversary; construction season is back on with next week's resumption of 4th Street construction. Plus, 5th grade girls basketball had an amazing season and 24 wrestlers are headed to State Tournament, and more!
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First Rate Excavate plans to begin removals on Phase 2 starting on Monday, March 31st, weather permitting. This project saw Phase 1 completed last fall, and included the area west of Eastern Avenue along with the side streets on Center, Canyon and Eastern between 3rd and 4th Streets. Phase 2 will include the area east of Eastern Avenue to Oak Drive.
The first part of removals will be from the west entrance of the Palisade Healthcare Center to the west side of the Fourth Street and Oak Drive intersection. On-street parking within the project limits will not be permitted. Access to Palisades Healthcare Center and the Avera Health Clinic will be maintained throughout the project. Gravel ramps will be installed to help facilitate vehicle traffic at Sherman Avenue and the west entrance of Palisade Healthcare Center. The attached exhibit outlines temporary parking locations for healthcare staff, patients, and Fourth Street residents.
In addition, a temporary mailbox cluster will be utilized for mail delivery during the project. These mailboxes will be located at the northeast corner of Fourth Street and Eastern Avenue. Garbage-N-More will also be placing temporary dumpsters at various locations along the project. Garbage truck access will be limited so please utilize the dumpsters for garbage collection and removal.
Following the asphalt removals, First Rate Excavate plans to begin installing sanitary sewer. They will also be adjusting water service curb stops and grading topsoil within the Phase 1 project limits. Once grading is complete, Splitrock Landscaping will place seed, fertilizer and mulch on all Phase 1 disturbed areas. Please note, the roadway improvements on Sherman Avenue and Eastern Avenue will begin later this spring / summer.
To receive the biweekly project newsletter, please email Carrie at or call the office at (605) 332-7211. Thank you for your on-going patience with the project!
On Monday March 24, 2025, lane closures will be placed on westbound Interstate 90 at Brandon (exit 406) as part of the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) reconstruction project.
The traffic diversion on S.D. Highway 11 over the Exit Bridge at I-90 will remain as one lane of traffic north and one lane of traffic south from Ash Street North. This configuration will be in place until the second half of the structure is complete. Access to businesses between exit 406 and Ash Street North will remain as only right-turn in and right-turn out.
The second phase of reconstruction includes completing the remaining on and off-ramps, the eastbound lanes of I-90, the Exit Bridge, and the replacement of the eastbound I-90 bridge over the BNSF railroad. Weather dependent, all phase two construction is anticipated to begin in early April.
Last Saturday, The Treasure Chest celebrated Rachel Danielson's retirement and her 96th birthday. Danielson has been an integral part of The Treasure Chest since its inception, known as their local fashionista. She dressed mannequins and had a hand in setting up the adult clothing areas. She regularly brought clothing home to tailor and fix it during her off hours.
Danielson is also a beloved community member, known for her sweet demeanor, humility, and a willingness to strike up a conversation.
The retirement party brought in over 100 attendees in its two hours, and Danielson enjoyed the love and affection showered upon her.
"Did you know my granddaughter flew in from New York?" she asked the Gazette, happily. Her children and great-grandchildren were also in attendance.
"Rachel is just a sweetheart," said Kimberly Konda, owner of The Treasure Chest. "We are going to miss her. She asked if we could still bring clothes to her to fix."
Konda was glad so many came for the party. Art Nordstrom presented Danielson with a full bag of paper bills- money, he said, that was a gift.
Danielson was a volunteer at The Treasure Chest for twelve years, and hopes to still visit during coffee hour at the shop.
Title I Reading teacher Kim Macziewski was named the 2024-25 Teacher of the Year on Monday, as the Garretson School Board met in regular session. At the same time, the board approved a land transfer to Blue Dragon Academy and set the school calendar for next year, as well as the Drivers Education schedule.
At the end of the meeting, the board chose to renew the administrative contracts for three administrators, Technology Coordinator Matt Schrank, Business Manager Jacob Schweitzer, and Athletic Director Kevin Steckler.
After the board approved the agenda and the regular business, Board President Natasha Mendoza asked Superintendent Guy Johnson if there was anything of note in the consent agenda that he wished to discuss.
Supt. Johnson said that Kim Macziewski had announced her retirement after 41 years in education. The board thanked her for her service to the district.
“I’m very grateful to have had my last six years here,” said Macziewski. “I’ve bookended my career here in South Dakota, both beginning and end, and it’s been a good six years here that I’ve truly enjoyed.”
President Mendoza added a personal note about her own children, thanking Macziewski for her work with them.
Supt. Johnson announced that the other resignation on the consent agenda was from Tori Steineke, but this was for her coaching duties in junior high girls’ basketball and volleyball only. Steineke will continue to teach third grade.
Moving onto new business, Supt. Johnson said that he was happy to announce that Macziewski was nominated, and had been awarded, the Garretson School District Teacher of the Year.
“Her career has spanned working in small schools, big schools and everywhere in between,” Supt. Johnson said. “When she came to us six years ago, we asked her to revamp our Title I program. Every year we’ve made small changes to make things better and when I say we, I mean mostly she. Kim has made a huge difference with our students who need a little bit of extra help. As she’s done her work, the care and concern she has for her students comes through and she presents a positive and calm manner and we see her encouragement not only with the kids but their parents and also other staff members. She has a true passion for helping kids to be the best they can, and we see that daily through her work in the classroom as well the hours that she spends working on school plays, and the hours and challenges it takes to make a student production successful.”
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UPDATE 3/20/25: In the March 13 issue of the Gazette the dates and times for Driver's Ed were incorrect in the meeting packet distributed by the school and in the board meeting. This has been corrected.
The saying is, "In like a lion, out like a lamb," and that remained true for last week's weather when, on Tuesday, March 3, winds gusted to over 50 mph with sustained winds over 30 mph. The highest recorded wind gust was 54 mph at 7:54 p.m. on Tuesday.
Very little tree damage was reported, but one incidence of roof damage was found. Mike and Yvette Jacobson lost part of their roof (see photo), but thankfully were not injured.
While March can get gusty, it was April 2022 that was the windiest month ever recorded in Sioux Falls.
Near 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Garretson lost power for approximately an hour and a half. Initial reports from Xcel Energy had estimated a 2-hour or longer outage.
The temperature had dropped throughout the day, with its high of 47 degrees measured at 1:56 a.m.
Much needed precipitation came down on Tuesday and Thursday last week. While Garretson didn't get as much snow as places to the south or east, earlier warmth made for a heavy, wet snow. Since January, the area has only recorded .78" of precipitation and very little to no snowpack. Seventy-two percent of South Dakota is currently at a moderate drought level, according to the National Weather Service, and the rest of the state is in a severe to extreme drought.
Temperatures are higher than normal and are all over the place, as Monday recorded a high of 71 and dropped back down into the 20's overnight, then recorded a high in the mid-40's on Tuesday. Mid-week temps were on the rise again with mid-to-high 60's yesterday and today (Thursday), but another system is predicted for Friday and Saturday that could bring both rain and snow. Next week's temps should be more like normal in the 30's, 40's, and even mid-50's.
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The last conversation we had with Eddie Edmundson we hinted about his hot-rodding days, so we decided to talk next with him about that time and some of his favorite cars.
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Congratulations to Cheryl Swenson, Garretson SD Post 23 EMT of the Year. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding Emergency Medical Technicians, including paramedics, for their service and dedication to the health, safety and well-being of our citizens. Recipients may be volunteers or paid members of a municipal (city) or County Medical emergency agency. Below, Congratulations to the Garretson Auxiliary Unit 23 Member of the year Denise Schmidt!
The American Legion Auxiliary met on March 6 with a salad supper followed by the 8:00 meeting which was convened by President, Cheryl. Chaplain, Sue, led us in prayer.
Roll call indicated that one officer was absent. The secretary’s report was read, approved and placed on file and the treasurer’s report was also read, approved and placed on file for audit. Membership is now at 200 with more to come in. Bingo was served at Palisade Healthcare in February with 18 residents participating and 6 volunteers. Communications were read and there was one bill to be approved. It was moved by Kathy to approve, seconded by Denise and the motion passed.
Mary Ann Swenson was present to make a monetary donation to our auxiliary and a donation was given by Wilma Scheurs also. Our thanks to these contributors!
We are sending four local girls to Girls’ State. Cheryl and Kathy commented on the very good “Be the One” training that was given at the Midwinter Conference in Oacoma. The emphasis nation-wide for the Legion and Auxiliary is suicide prevention and promoting good mental health for our Veterans.
Our District 7 meeting is here on March 30. We will be providing the food for the noon meal. About 80 people are expected. Social hour begins at 11:00, meal at 12:00 and meetings at 1:00.
April 6, Sunday, is the Legion pancake breakfast. We will be supplying an Easter Bunny to greet the kids and two bikes will be given away.
Our unit member of the year is Denise Schmit. She has been a great contributor to our auxiliary, serving as sergeant of arms as well as chairman of our poems and essays committee . She has also made many other generous contributions. She will be present at our district meeting here on March 30.
For our slate of officers for the upcoming year, a new chaplain will be needed. We thank Sue Jensen for her continuous years of service. The unit scholarship is posted on line and applications are being accepted.
March 12 is Palisades Healthcare bingo and volunteers are being contacted. April 3 is Legion steak night with the meal at 6:30 and meetings to follow.
Chaplain, Sue, closed our meeting with prayer and the door prize was won by Liz.
-Ethel Kurtz, Secretary
by Gracie Fiegen,
GHS Blue Ink
There are many career exploration opportunities for Garretson High School students. One of these is being a South Dakotan Political Page. Eliza Potter took advantage of this chance applying for a position. She ventured to the South Dakota State Capitol building in Pierre over two weeks. Pages can be placed in the House or the Senate side of the legislature. Potter was placed in the Senate.
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from Blue Dragon Youth Wrestling and staff reports
The Garretson Youth Wrestling team began their post-season by sending 31 wrestlers to Flandreau on March 8th to compete at the South Dakota Youth Wrestling District Tournament.
To qualify for the Region Tournament, each wrestler needed to place in the Top 8 of their respective age and weight class.
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