It was a lucky day for Wessington Springs when Richard and Roberta decided to retire here a couple of decades ago.

The couple had been living and working in Florida when they decided to return to Wessington Springs because of the hot, humid weather there.

“We’re one of the few people who retire from Florida to South Dakota,” Roberta says… “to God’s country.”

 HURON, SD,- The Obama Administration today announced the individuals who will serve on the South Dakota Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee.

The individuals appointed to serve on this committee included Wessington Springs mayor Jim Burg as chairperson.

Burg, from Wessington Springs, South Dakota, served as the South Dakota State Public Utilities Commissioner from 1986 to 2003. Prior to that, he served in South Dakota’s State Senate as Assistant Minority Leader. From 1975 to 1986, he was a South Dakota State Representative. Burg has been a farmer since 1967 and has a B.S degree in Animal Science from South Dakota State University.

Weskota Manor Avera volunteer helps former teacher stay in touch with students

FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER KAREN (HEEZEN) FASTNACHT (center) is back in the education business, thanks to the generous assistance of a Weskota Manor Avera activity volunteer. When Karen’s teaching career ended due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident on August 14, 2007, she eventually became a resident at the local nursing home. Manor activity volunteer Loretta Couch (right) helped devise a project where the former school teacher corrects papers from the local elementary school. Corrected papers are completed with a sticker. When school is in session a “Mrs. Fastnacht’s Room” (front/left) completes the theme. When she is not doing volunteer work at the Manor, Loretta also works part time in the activities department. Also shown in the photo are Karen’s daughter, Michaela (left) and her husband Mike Fastnacht. Loretta and her husband, Rick Couch, a Springs-area native, moved here in 2008.