Wednesday, November 14, 2012 Volume 112 • Number 32 95¢ 308 S. Main, Box 950 • Freeman, SD 57029 INSIDE: www.freemansd.com Babes in Toyland twitter@freemancourier Freeman Academy to present its 2012 musical this week n p 3 31 Freeman instrumentalists named to Region 1 Honor Band n p 3 What ‘local’ means Community must get behind effort; an opinion n p 4 County Officials want more vigilance about right-of-way laws n p 8 Lang FHS senior named to Cornbelt’s All-Conference First Team n p 11 Charges filed in knife scare Halloween night by Jeremy Waltner Alex Flores, an 18-year-old from Freeman, has been charged with simple assault in a Halloween night incident in which he reportedly chased teenagers with a knife in Freeman city limits. Hutchinson County State’s At- torney informed the Courier of the charges Monday, Nov. 12 and said the charge was a Class 1 misde- meanor. The charges come less than a week after a report from Freeman Police Chief Eric Seitz was filed with the state’s attorney and two weeks after the suspect was ap- prehended by Freeman Police, the Hutchinson County Sheriff’s Of- fice and the South Dakota Highway Patrol late Oct. 31. Freeman Police were informed of a man with a knife by fright- ened teenagers around 8:15 p.m. Halloween night. Law enforce- ment made contact with the victims shortly thereafter and spent close to three hours looking for the suspect The Women of The Music Man before locating him at Pine Tree A group of women from River City rehearses an eccentric dance for the ice cream social to the formation of a boys band, only to leave the people short-changed. FHS’s The Music Man Apartments on Sixth Street. open the second act of The Music Man, presented by Freeman High School Monday and Tues- saw participation from more than 80 students who worked on stage and behind the scenes, day, Nov. 12 and 13. The ladies, portrayed by (from left) Jasmine Blue, Grace Gering, Shelby and was under the direction of Sheila Wipf and Kaye Waltner. The production was of high Postseason arrives Bauer, Lexi Graber and Dina Soulek, were among a host of men and women whose lives were quality and included colorful costumes, entertaining choreography, well-designed sets and for Freeman impacted by the arrival of Harold Hill, the traveling swindler who promises the towns he visits solid acting. For more photos from the show, see the back page. PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER oral interp students by Jeremy Waltner A dozen students from Free- Council man Academy and Freeman High School were scheduled to compete in the Region 2B oral interpretation competition at Dakota Wesleyan prepares University in Mitchell Tuesday, Nov. 13. Those advancing through the region will compete at the state Ambassadors festival at Yankton High School for snow Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. by Tim L. Waltner Competing at Tuesday’s region competition from Freeman Acad- Anticipating the potentially imminent ar- emy were: rival of winter, the Freeman City Council last n Lizzie Davis - serious prose P P week voted to purchase a new snowblower for n Oliva Boese and Brooklyn city workers to clear vs. All-Stars sidewalks and areas Ries - duet CITY n Boese, Ries, Polly Carlson P around city property. and Bethany Wollman – reader’s SATURDAY, NOV. 17, 7 P.M. FREEMAN HIGH SCHOOL GYM The action came af- COUNCIL theater ter a protracted discus- “This is a good opportunity for everybody late 1920s — is the Ambassadors’ trademark. sion at the council’s Those from Freeman High by Jeremy Waltner School were: to get together and have a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun and great for the whole regular monthly meeting held Nov. 5, that fo- n Dana Kaufman - oratory Aaaaaand now, taking the court for an eve- “There’s going to be huge interaction between family,” says Andria Simons, director of me- cused on whether to purchase new equipment or n Jasmine Blue - plays ning of basketball action and entertainment, the youth (in the audience), the adults that dia relations with the Harlem Ambassadors. repair the city’s riding lawnmower/snowblower n Grant Preheim - humorous all the way from Fort Collins, Colo., the Har- are part of the team and the Harlem Ambas- “It’s age appropriate for kids and for kids at now in use. In the end — although divided on n Megan Eisenbeis and Pre- lem Ambassadors! sadors.” heart.” the issue — the council voted to do both. heim - duet (Cheers and applause) That interaction — similar in nature to what Simons said the level of entertainment, The city’s John Deere F925 mower is seven n Blue, Kaufman, Grace Ger- Save some of that enthusiasm, folks, be- the Harlem Globetrotters have done since the both in terms of basketball skill and comedy, years old and has been used for both mowing ing, MeKayla Pravecek, Preheim cause you’ll also want to give is second to none because of the grass in summer and blowing snow in winter. and Derek Scherschligt – read- it up for the men and women quality of players. City officials said while it has about 2,000 hours er’s theater you know and love — your very “These are men and women of use, both the lawnmower/tractor unit and the All advanced to the region com- own Dakota All-Stars! from across the country,” she snowblower attachment are in need of signifi- petition by finishing at or near the (More cheers and applause) says. “They’re great comics and cant repairs. The city sought quotes from both top at the District 3B competition So grab some popcorn, sit great basketball players, they’ve Fred Haar Co., Inc., Freeman, and Noteboom in Mitchell Nov. 6. back and enjoy the game. It’s won awards, been VIPs, have Implement, Parkston. Estimates for repairs by FHS’s oral interpretation team going to be a wild one! college degrees and they’ve all Fred Haar Co., Inc., were more than $3,000 won first place in the district for the played at the college level.” for the tractor (excluding the mower deck) and second year in a row. In addition to You may or may not hear Like audiences around the more than $2,000 for the snowblower. both Freeman schools, District 3B something along those lines as country, those in Freeman can Councilor Charly Waltner recommended includes Avon, Bridgewater-Em- the Harlem Ambassadors get expect competitive basketball, keeping and repairing the existing lawnmower/ ery, Hanson, Menno, Scotland and ready to face off against the Da- showmanship, ball tricks, inter- tractor — a 2004 John Deere F925 to blow snow Tripp-Delmont. kota All-Stars at the Freeman action with the youngsters in the and purchasing a new snowblower attachment High School Gym Saturday crowd, banter with the referees — but to also purchase a new lawnmower. Walt- Freeman Lions to evening, Nov. 17. But the con- and skits. After the 90-minute ner suggested using the old one for snow, since test — a fundraiser for the Free- game has finished up, the players continued on page 13: City host Pancake Day man Community Center — will will sign autographs. assuredly be a popcorn-worthy “Everybody will have a chance this Friday affair. Who wouldn’t want to to meet the Ambassadors,” Si- The Freeman Lions Club will enjoy themselves with a bag of mons says. hold its annual Pancake Day on Fri- kernels while watching mem- Best of all, she says, profits Voters give nod day, Nov. 16 at the Senior Citizen bers of the larger community do from the event go to the event or- Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The their best against a high-flying ganizer; in this case the Freeman to Van Gerpen, menu includes all the pancakes you and fancy team that does come- Community Center fundraising can eat, one or two sausage patties, dy as well as it does basketball? committee. “They benefit directly,” she pie and a drink. The Freeman Community Cen- Certified referees Nathan Walter (left) and John Schultz, along with Schoenfish, Nelson ter fundraising committee, for says. “The money raised stays in Freewill donations will be taken Brian Weber of Bridgewater, will be officiating Saturday’s game. Tick- by Erik Kaufman and the proceeds will be designated one, is banking on a big crowd. the community.” to the Freeman Summer Recre- “We’re hoping for 1,100 ets will be available at the door. PHOTO BY JEREMY WALTNER That’s the deal the Ambas- Voters in District 19 chose three Republicans ational Program and to other local people,” said Carroll Vizecky, sadors have been making with to represent them in Pierre when they selected youth projects. fundraising committee chair, organizations around the world Bill Van Gerpen to serve in the South Dakota explaining that would cover the since first taking the court 15 Senate and Kyle expenses of Saturday night’s Meet the Dakota All-Stars years ago. They play 250 games Schoenfish and Stace Coach: Bob Pidde, Freeman 2012 INSIDE - 14 PAGES event. Beyond the revenue from during their September-through- Nelson to serve in the the admission, Vizecky said the Players: Russell Becker, Freeman; Queena Getskow, Parker; Jill May season, have visited all 50 South Dakota House ELECTION Agriculture .....................................................p. 5 committee is hoping for ad- Haberman, Olivet; Gerald (Jerry) Hofer, Marion; Kerry Hofer, Freeman; states and 20 countries and ben- of Representatives. Adam Lee, Freeman; Christie Mehlhaf, Menno; Patti Mehlhaf, Area News ......................................................p.