Opinion | Kingsbury Journal

Fire badly damaged this apartment building in De Smet on Tuesday. The cause of the fire is unknown. There were reported injuries, but conditions are not known at this time. Several families lost personal property and are displaced. De Smet Fire and De Smet Rescue responded. Mutual aid was provided by Lake Preston Fire and Lake Preston Ambulance.

Apartment fire

6/25/25

Agriculture is king in South Dakota, plain and simple. This past week, we hosted the annual Governor’s Agricultural Summit in historic Deadwood. In my first year as governor, it was pretty special … more

By Gov. Larry Rhoden | 6/25/25

Who we are instead

De Smet recently held the annual Old Settlers Day festivities, which included an all-school reunion. I graduated from De Smet High School an alarming number of years ago, but no matter how many years … more

By Stuart Twite | 6/25/25

Cool off with tropical rum punch

I think this weekend gave a taste of what summer will be like, and I cannot say that I am too anxious about the high temperatures coming. The three days of high temperatures were enough for me and … more

By Amy Halverson | 6/25/25

Summer school

Summer school is not just for the slacker youth who seem to like school so much they want to be at it year-round. There are so many learning opportunities both this summer and throughout the year. I … more

By Justin Enfield, Pheasants Forever Biologist | 6/25/25

“On The Banks of Plum Creek”

During one of the days of the Little House on the Prairie 50th anniversary and cast reunion, my mom and I went to Walnut Grove, Minn. We visited one of the locations, where the real Laura Ingalls … more

By Aria Ingenito | 6/25/25

Maybe you can save them

The blue Ford pickup hurtled into the front yard and skidded to a stop just in front of the gate. “Dad must have had trouble.” A worried frown crossed Mom’s face as she waited for her farmer … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 6/19/25

Soil disturbance and waking the monsters

Nothing seems to elicit a tempered response more than the site of thistles in grass for many a producer, or hunter, for that matter. Not that I advocate for thistles everywhere but to go after the … more

By Justin Enfield, Pheasants Forever Biologist | 6/19/25

TADA School of Performing Arts from Virginia is in De Smet this week with students rehearsing for "The Little Mermaid, Jr." There are 37 actors and actresses who will be performing on Friday night at the De Smet Event and Wellness Center. To get tickets, call or stop by.

Practice makes perfect

6/11/25

605: A little slice of paradise

My family has ranched the same area of western South Dakota for generations. My hometown of Union Center is a very small community. In town, one will find Cammack Ranch Supply, a store that is a big … more

By Gov. Larry Rhoden | 6/11/25

A tale of six parties

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of awareness, it was the age of questioning, it was the epoch of trust, it was the epoch of doubt, it was the season of patience, … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 6/11/25

It’s a circus here! Cheesy beef & macaroni

There is never a dull moment at our house, but I have to say today was a little more chaotic than most. Let’s begin with the layout we have going on, which is a bit of a circus. We have our three … more

By Amy Halverson | 6/11/25

Representing the Lake Preston FFA, Lorick Pirlet, left, Konner Nuzum and Alivia Rhoades donated potholders to the Kingsbury County food pantry on May 20.

Food pantry donation

6/4/25

Busy life? Try quick, easy homemade chicken nuggets

I hope everyone enjoyed Memorial Day this weekend. Many had an extra-long weekend, which is always nice. Memorial Day weekend is always a good time to remember those we have lost and to appreciate … more

By Amy Halverson | 6/4/25

A tree is just a tree, right?

Planting a tree, any tree, is good, right? It is good for the environment and all that jazz. Well, the first thing we need to keep in mind in our part of the world is that this was prairie not … more

By Justin Enfield, Pheasants Forever Biologist | 6/4/25

You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything

“A little dab’ll do ya!” The cartoon guy’s hair magically morphed from shaggy to shiny. The announcer claimed that when you use it, the girls will love to run their fingers through your hair. … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 5/21/25

You who are weary and carry heavy burdens

There is a noticeable trend in my prayer life lately. For months and months, I have been asking God for clarity and His direction as I try to figure out some major life transitions involving … more

By Pastor Tia Felberg, De Smet & Iroquois Methodist Church | 5/21/25

History isn’t so far back as it seems sometimes

The Hard Winter of 1880-81 feels like it was a very long time ago, well receded into those shrouding mists of history. I was recently reminded that it was not as distant as we usually feel it is. The … more

By Cindy Wilson | 5/17/25

Garden on hold; Greek pasta salad

The time of year has arrived when everyone is planting gardens and flowers. I have been waiting months for the weather to warm up, so I could enjoy planting, working in the garden and seeing some … more

By Amy Halverson | 5/17/25

The gadget that altered the world from the living room

“No good will come of this device.” British journalist C. P. Scott is believed to have made the prediction about the initial invention of the television. Mr. Scott was referring to the etymology … more

By DeAnn (Wolkow) Kruempel | 5/17/25