In their largest mission trip yet, 41 youth group members from Tea Trinity Lutheran Church traveled from Tea to Belle, West Virgina, where students repaired homes, built relationships, and reflected on what it means to serve. Andrew Tuohino has taken over the official role of Youth Coordinator, but he is not new to the work. “While I just graduated college, I have been working as the youth pastor for a full year. I was honored when they asked me to chaperone the youth group

The Tea Area School Board met Aug. 10 and approved policy amendments. Superintendent Tonia Warzecha said that with new legislation they needed to update some of their policies. As a result, they approved the new policy for Assignment to Alternative Setting and designated the superintendent to have authority to assign students to alternative settings through SDCL 13-28-19.3. The board approved amendments to the Tea Area Policy Manual for the following policy areas: Wellness, E

The Tea Chamber for Development will host another full day of community activities this Saturday, Aug. 15, with Saturday in the Park returning to Tea City Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the inaugural Bites, Brews & Bands celebration from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday in the Park continues its third season of bringing together local businesses, artisans and families for a free community market. Visitors can shop a wide variety of vendors offering handmade goods, boutique item

By Seth Tupper South Dakota Searchlight South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden won the Republican Party’s nomination for governor Tuesday, July 28 in a runoff election, earning the chance to seek his own four years in office after filling out the remainder of former Gov. Kristi Noem’s last term. The Associated Press called the race at 8:08 p.m. central time. Complete returns several hours later showed Rhoden with 71% of the votes and a 42-point win over Aberdeen businessman Toby Doed

Construction is underway on a new pickleball complex at Prairie Trails Park following a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by the City of Tea on Monday, July 20. LT Companies has begun work on the three-court facility, which is being built in the southwest corner of the park. The project is expected to be completed by October 2026. The new facility will include three pickleball courts, fencing, lighting, a small shade structure and a concrete walkway providing access to the court

Members of the Tea Fire Department’s Wildland Crew are currently deployed in northeastern Wyoming, where they are helping battle the Newton Fire burning near Devils Tower National Monument. The Tea firefighters assigned to the deployment include James Madsen, Parker Wilson, Jaikob Week and Steve Oberle. The four are working alongside crews from across the region to help contain the wildfire. The Newton Fire, which was discovered around 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, has burned nearly

Titans Tavern has announced it will close its doors this weekend, bringing an end to the locally owned restaurant and bar after a little more than a year in business. In a social media post shared Monday, the owners said Saturday, Aug. 1, will be the tavern’s final day of operation. Titans Tavern opened in May 2024 with the goal of creating a gathering place for the Tea community where friends, families and neighbors could enjoy a meal, celebrate special occasions and spend t

By Molly Wetsch SD News Watch Gov. Larry Rhoden took a 71% to 29% lead early and maintained it over Toby Doeden. Gov. Larry Rhoden handily defeated Toby Doeden Tuesday in a runoff election to decide the Republican Party’s candidate for governor. Rhoden maintained a lead of roughly 71% to 29% over the Aberdeen businessman as results came in and that was the final outcome. “This has been a lot more fun than other election nights,” Rhoden said to a roomful of supporters in Siou

After enduring a hot and humid day, residents across the Tea area were met with destructive severe weather Saturday evening as powerful thunderstorms swept through the community, leaving behind extensive damage to homes, businesses, schools and trees. According to the National Weather Service, wind gusts reached 92 mph in Tea at approximately 8:50 p.m. Saturday, toppling large trees, ripping roofing materials from buildings and leaving a significant cleanup effort in their wa

The Tea City Council met July 20 and heard more about the proposed Hammerhead Development. Steve Van Buskirk and Mike Poppens updated the council on the proposed Hammerhead Development that would include a golf course, homes and commercial property. Van Buskirk said the biggest thing they are working on right now is the financial plan. They have an analyst working on that project. The financial plan will be determined by how many houses can be built and how fast it can move a