By Jodi Schwan Culver’s is coming to Tea. The fast-casual restaurant chain is building at a site in the Bakker Landing development next to the Casey’s off 271st Street. Franchisee Kyle Henning, who lives in Tea, encouraged his franchise group to consider the community. “I think a Culver’s in Tea would be great … and now we’re moving forward,” he said. “I am in love with Tea. My kids go to Tea, and I think it’s a great opportunity for us and for the city to grow. I think Tea h

The 18th Annual Sioux Falls Jingle Bell Run will take place Friday, Nov. 28 at Fawick Park, and for Tea Area High School graduate Taylor Van Emmerik, the event remains deeply personal. Van Emmerik, a 2022 Tea Area graduate and now a first-year graduate student at Indiana University studying Public Affairs, has been involved with the event for five years. He is hoping to rally local support once again — both for the race and for his personal fundraising challenge. This year’s

The Tea Area School Board met Nov. 10 and approved the land purchase for a future middle school. Operations manager Wayne Larsen updated the board on the land purchase of 21.5 acres for a future middle school. Leading up to the board meeting, they worked with First Dakota Title and the owner’s realtor, met with the city of Sioux Falls to find out that they feel they can provide services within the next 6-10 years and worked with Koch Hazard to make sure they have enough groun

A new vet has joined the team at the Tea Vet Clinic bringing with her knowledge of both large and small animals.  Dr. Robin Gades (pictured at right) stepped into her new role as Veterinarian for the Tea Vet Clinic. Dr. Gades has previously worked in Belle Fourche and has experience in both large and small animal care. Dr. Gades is a Hartford native who loves the area and the people in it.  “Staying close to family has always been important to me. After graduating from Hartfo

Tea Area School District will be well represented at the 2026 Midwestern Region ACDA Honor Choirs held in Milwaukee, WI, Feb. 25-28. Students were selected from the 10-state region via recorded auditions which included singing scales, a prepared solo, and an excerpt of the honor choir repertoire.  Students were prepared and auditions submitted by their directors, Mrs. Ellie Whitehead (Middle School) and Mrs. Janice Gilbert (High School).  Pictured above are members of the Hig

Quality Telecommunications & Tech Services, a second-generation family business, is expanding its operational presence in the Sioux Falls region with the relocation to a larger, upgraded facility in Tea, SD to better support the growing needs of area businesses and organizations. Having already served the Tea & Sioux Falls community for years with security technology, business phone systems, and IT services, this expansion reflects both rising demand and the company’s long-te

The Tea City Council met Nov. 3 and held a first reading on an ordinance on animals. Community development director Albert Schmidt presented a first reading on ordinance 320. The ordinance specifically addresses the keeping of chickens within city limits. The proposed updates include a maximum of six total animals of chickens, quails or rabbits. Roosters are prohibited. Waterfowl would need a conditional use permit. The second reading on the ordinance will be at the Nov. 17 c

Alexandria, VA—Jay M. Swatek, principal of Venture Elementary School, has been named as one of 43 exemplary elementary and middle-level principals from across the nation to receive the award of 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principal (NDP) by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The pre-K-8 principals traveled to the nation’s capital from Oct. 23 – 24, to participate in two days of events that culminate in an awards banquet to honor their acco

Tea’s food pantry made the move to a new location on Main Avenue and opened to the public on Oct. 21. After around 20 years in Trinity Lutheran Church, the Tea Food Pantry moved into its own space at 125 S. Main Avenue with a new name - Tea Area Cupboard. Board member Amanda McKnelly noted that Ruth Anderson was a huge part of the pantry for all of those years and expressed her thankfulness. About a year and a half ago, a group of people started talking about needing to servi

The Tea Area Community Scholarship Fund (TACSF) recently concluded its Touchdown Campaign Fundraiser, successfully raising $1,265 with the support of local residents and businesses. While the organization has been awarding scholarships to Tea High School seniors since 2005, its visibility within the community has decreased in recent years, making it possible that many might not be familiar with its mission. The TACSF understands the financial burden of college expenses, and i