The Tea City Council met April 6 and approved a variance for a church sign. The sign for Living Hope Church blew down and asked the council for a variance to erect a new sign. The council approved the size at 45 square feet, 13 feet wide and 7 feet tall. They approved the second reading of ordinance 336, recodification of the city of Tea municipal code of ordinances. The code of ordinances will be posted on the city website. City administrator Justin Weiland said the city bud

Members of the Tea Area High School debate and individual events team wrapped up their competitive season at the South Dakota State Debate and Individual Events Tournament, held March 6-7 at Aberdeen Central High School. Representing Tea Area at the State Meet were Kylia Voigt, Trista Smith, June Hitzemann, Jaxon Johanneson, Adam Waldner and Brody Miller. Leading the Titans at State, was June Hitzemann who earned fourth place in A-Division Original Oratory. In Original Orator

Purple Crayon Daycare owner, Mary Konvalin is sharing her kid approved take and bake meals with her new business, Table Time.  Mary Konvalin is best known for her gentle touch and caring heart through her work as owner of the Purple Crayon Daycare. Creating meals children adored, Konvalin is using the skills she learned through Purple Crayon to bring family dinners to each and every table in Tea. Growing up in Watertown, Mary Konvalin grew up cooking, cleaning, and taking car

As the District nears the end of the school year, the Tea Area School District is proud to partner with the Tea Area Parent Teacher Organization (TAPTO) to recognize and celebrate the incredible teachers who serve the District’s students each day. Tea Area School District teachers impact lives in countless ways, forming strong relationships, lifting students’ confidence, and helping shape who they become. The Teacher of the Year program provides an opportunity for students, f

Two Tea Area High School seniors recently had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in state government while serving as legislative pages in the South Dakota House of Representatives during the 2026 legislative session. Melanie Roemen and Zoe Kreidler served during the same session, assisting representatives while observing the legislative process at the South Dakota State Capitol. Roemen, daughter of Dan and Clarissa Roemen, served as a page for Tim Goodwin. She plan

The Tea City Council met March 16 first as a board of equalization and then for their regular council meeting. The board reviewed two appeals as a board of equalization where they adjourned at 6:23 p.m. Then they opened their regular council meeting at 6:24 p.m. Police Chief Jessica Quigley presented her annual report to the council. She reported calls for service were up over last year at 6,252. They did not have any homicides in 2025. Substance abuse was all up over last ye

The Tea Area School Board met March 9. Business manager Chris Esping presented information on the Reliabank line of credit for emergencies. She noted they have never had to use it in the past. The board tabled the five-year capital outlay plan until a special meeting on March 23. The board approved the membership agreement with the LTTW Co-op of South Dakota food buying group for foodservice. The board approved the resignations of Samantha Smith from the autism program at Ven

The Tea Area Community Foundation (TACF) is accepting grant applications now until March 27th from Tea area non-profit organizations. Up to $15,000 is available and grants will be awarded in April.   This is the 21st year the TACF, an endowment fund of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, is able to provide grants to non-profit organizations with plans for projects that will benefit and enhance the quality of life for residents of the Tea area community.  Projects must

The Tea Area High School Educators Rising Chapter delivered a record-setting performance at the annual state conference held Feb. 22-23 at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. Educators Rising is a state Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) that provides students interested in entering the education field with opportunities to explore teaching careers. South Dakota Educators Rising is affiliated with the National Educators Rising organization. Each year, the

The Tea City Council met March 2 and approved two ordinances. The council held two public hearings on ordinances. No one from the public was present to comment. City community development director Albert Schmidt said they did not have any changes from the first reading on ordinance 335, zoning ordinance. They approved the ordinance 335. In R-1, the ordinance updates it to have permitted special uses already in the ordinance rather than people having to come in for conditional