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

For 20 years, the Tea Vet Clinic has been a trusted name for pet owners in the Tea area as Dr. Thomas Rentschler and his team have built a reputation on compassionate care and connection with pet owners. Dr. Rentschler and his team are celebrating the milestone with a remodel and expansion designed to meet the growing needs of his clients. Dr. Rentschler started his path to veterinary medicine at Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, where he graduated with a degree in biol

The annual Teapot Days celebration is underway in Tea and continues through Saturday, June 20, with three days of carnival rides, live music, food vendors, sporting events, a community parade and fireworks. Festivities resume Thursday, June 18, as the Mighty Thomas Carnival opens from 5-10 p.m. on Brian Street near Tea City Park. Baseball fans can also catch the Tea Steam taking on the Renner Rangers, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Tea Athletic Complex. Friday’s

LENNOX, S.D. – First- and second-graders in Lincoln County experienced the excitement of hatching chicks in their classroom this spring. Two hundred thirty-nine first grade students at Harrisburg Adventure Elementary and Tea Area Venture Elementary, along with second-graders from Harrisburg Endeavor Elementary, Lennox Elementary, Canton Lawrence Elementary and Beresford Elementary got to experience the process of embryology throughout March and April. Teachers across district