Junior Achievement touches the lives of a large percentage for the students in the Tea Area School District. In 2025 they were one of the recipients of a grant from the Tea Area Community Foundation. They are pictured above receiving their grant. If you are affiliated with a 501(c)3, school or government agency and have a project that needs funding, please apply on line at sfacf.org/tea between February 2, 2026 - March 27, 2026. If you would like to donate to the endowed

The Tea community is gearing up for an evening full of holiday cheer, festive lights, and family fun as the 2nd Annual Tea Parade of Lights returns on Friday, Nov. 29. Events will run from 2 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., offering activities for all ages and plenty of opportunities to embrace the spirit of the season. Festivities will take place at the Tea American Legion, with the parade route beginning at Tea High School. Floats will travel east along Brian Street before turning south

Pastor Tanner Sutcliffe and his wife, Caelin Pastor Tanner Sutcliffe has taken over pastoral duties at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, bringing with him a fresh perspective of God’s word and a strong urge to build a better community together. Since the age of 13, Pastor Tanner Sutcliffe of Risen Savior Lutheran Church has known he wanted to spend his life in ministry. “This came, I think, from my first solo walk through the Scriptures, when I began to really consider for myse

As temperatures drop, one Tea business is once again stepping up to bring warmth and hope to families facing difficult circumstances. J&R Mechanical, owned by Josh Chapman, has announced the return of its annual Free Furnace Giveaway, a community-driven effort to help a household in need stay safe and warm this winter. Chapman said the tradition has become one of the most meaningful parts of the company’s work. “Every year, we are blessed to meet incredible families in our co

Tea Area High School senior Jaycie Babb has officially signed to continue her cross country and track & field career at Augustana University. Babb is pictured above with her family. Babb prepares to leave Tea Area as one of the most decorated distance runners in school history. She was recently named to the SDTFCCA All-State Cross Country Team and earned NHSTFCCCA All-American honors for the second consecutive year—receiving both distinctions in back-to-back seasons. Her nam

Tyler Woodring is pictured (center) with his High School coaches and parents. Tea Area High School senior Tyler Woodring made his college plans official Wednesday, Nov. 12, signing his letter of intent to wrestle for Augustana University. Woodring, one of South Dakota’s top lower-weight wrestlers, will join a strong incoming 2025–26 class announced by Augustana head wrestling coach Jason Reitmeier. Reitmeier shared high praise for the group of 10 athletes the program is addin

The South Dakota Jr. Football 5th/6th Grade American Fence team capped off a hard-fought season with an impressive playoff run. After qualifying for the Flight IV bracket, the team battled through three consecutive wins to claim the Flight IV Championship. The team is pictured at right with their championship rings. Throughout the season, these young athletes showed steady improvement, and their hard work was evident when playoff time arrived. Their accomplishment is anoth

The Lincoln County Commissioners met Thursday, Nov. 13 in the Lincoln County Boardroom. Commissioners heard agenda items, including the first reading of zoning ordinances, an update on the food drive, and discussions on rules and procedures. Chairwoman Tiffani Landeen started the meeting with the first reading for an ordinance of Lincoln County, SD, amending the code of ordinances of the county by changing the zone of the property described as lot 2 of tract 3 of Huizenga Far

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