The Tea Area School Board met July 13 and recognized Kristen Daggett for her 12 years of service to the board. Superintendent Tonia Warzecka noted that serving on a school board is an act of love and service. She thanked Daggett for her service to the district. Daggett reflected on her time on the board and thanked the community for helping be the village to help her raise her children. She thinks about how the district has expanded and built new buildings and put on addition

The Tea Chamber for Development will kick off the third season of its popular Saturday in the Park community market this Saturday, July 18, at Tea City Park. The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature local vendors, food trucks, live music and family-friendly activities designed to bring the community together while supporting local businesses. Visitors can browse a variety of vendors offering handmade goods, boutique items, fresh produce, baked goods,

Customers take a look at their plans at 2320 Enterprise Ave #2 in Tea. Alex J. Drey, owner of Walk Your Plans Sioux Falls, is setting out to fill the gap between design and development by opening an immersive, full-scale visualization studio at the end of February. Drey’s journey to bringing his business to the area is unique, with nearly 15 years at Sanford Health with roles ranging from marketing consumer insights, competitive intelligence, and product development. “My ca

The Tea City Council met July 6 and held a public hearing on a variance. Community development director Albert Schmidt presented information for a variance at 1601 E. 1st Street for temporary approval for a non-hard surface for the parking area along East 1st Street. He said the area would help them move product across their property without going on 1st Street. The council approved the variance. Vicki Pick spoke to the council during public comment about the Tea Community Ha

Three members of Tea’s Scout Troop 99 were recently recognized for their quick thinking and lifesaving actions after coming to the aid of an injured man during the troop’s return trip from summer camp last year. The Scouts were honored during the troop’s Court of Honor in May of this year for their actions on June 28, 2025, at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. According to troop leaders, the awards are among Scouting’s highest recognitions

Tea Area High School student Jaxon Johanneson (pictured at right) was among 130 young men selected from across South Dakota to participate in the 83rd Annual South Dakota Boys State, held May 25-29 on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen. Sponsored by the South Dakota American Legion, Boys State is a premier leadership and citizenship program designed to give high school students firsthand experience in the workings of local and state government. This year’s pr

Longtime Tea resident Larry Bendt was honored Saturday, June 27, as a member of the inaugural Lennox American Legion Brethost Burma Post 174 Baseball Hall of Fame class, recognizing his decades of dedication to American Legion Baseball. Bendt, who now resides in Sioux Falls, was among six honorees recognized during a ceremony held between games of a Legion Baseball doubleheader. The Hall of Fame was established to recognize the individuals and teams whose dedication, leadersh

A locally based boutique with more than 1 million online followers is winding down its operations. Lauriebelles plans to close its storefront in Tea next month while launching a final collection online. Owner Laurie Karlson started her women’s clothing boutique online in August 2013, working out of her basement, as a way to be able to spend more time with her two young sons. “I feel like I’ve kind of entered a new season in life,” she said. “I’m retiring, and I use that term

The Tea Pot Dayz Summer Open golf tournament, hosted by the Tea Area Titans Sports Boosters, was held Friday, June 19, at Lenkota Country Club in Lennox as part of the annual Teapot Days celebration. Golfers from across the area gathered for a day of friendly competition, community involvement, and support for Tea Area student activities. The tournament serves as one of several events to help raise funds for the Tea Area Titans Sports Boosters and its programs. Claiming top h

Residents and visitors enjoyed four days of summer fun as Teapot Days 2026 brought the community together June 17-20 for one of Tea’s most anticipated annual celebrations. The festivities began Wednesday evening with the CommuniTEA Picnic, setting the tone for a fun-filled week. A large crowd attended the picnic, sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church. Despite a rain shower that necessitated moving the event indoors, approximately 600 people were served. Entertainment was provi