Brandon Valley Journal

Photo courtesy of Flock Safety 

Flock Safety license plate readers are typically mounted on tall poles, with a camera and solar panel on top.

Submitted photo 

Dell Rapids resident Dan Ahlers is the Democratic gubernatorial candidate

Photo courtesy South Dakota Grasslands Coalition

Prairie Fest’s hands-on activities, expert presentations and exhibits will provide visitors of all ages with opportunities to discover the prairie’s plants and wildlife and learn why protecting and restoring this endangered ecosystem matters.

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal 

This goal by Claire Minion in the first half against Sioux Falls Jefferson on Friday, Aug. 14, was waived off for an accidental clipping call on the run-up to the shot.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Amelia Murphy, who begins her kindergarten year at Burkman Valley Elementary, had the privilege of cutting the celebratory ribbon at Monday’s combined ribbon cutting and open house of the Brandon Valley School District’s new school. She was assisted with the big scissors by her mother, Julie Murphy. Enrollment at the new school is estimated at 270, and as Superintendent Dr. Jarod Larson explained, the new school was built with room to grow. And grow it surely will. The new housing developments on the city’s eastside – Aspen Ridge and Chestnut Ridge, plus a third that’s currently in the paperwork stages, Split Rock Reserve –  it won’t be long before all of the classrooms are filled with young learners.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Twenty-six boys will represent Brandon Valley on the links in varsity and junior varsity action this season. Members of the 2026 team are, from left, row one: Teddy Krivarchka, Nash Anderson, Quinn Wackel, Tate Hartzell, Briggs Nelson, Berkley Hunsaid, Anders Kolseth, Will VandeKieft, Miles Hoiland, Carson Thompson, Matthew Ims and Elliot Ellig; row two: Assistant Coach Jeff Fode, Nash Nelson, Grayson Henrich, Ryan Thompson, Kalen Pudwill, Lincoln McInerney, Sawyer Timmermans, Miles McClure, Will Lockner, Cooper Shuman, Jack Pulford, Mason Fischer, Wyatt Shively, Kroix Larson and Head Coach Cody Linneweber. Not pictured is Max Vincelli. The Lynx opened their 2026 season Monday at Tuesday at the two-day Lynx-Warrior Invitational. See next week’s Brandon Valley Journal for those results.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

Brandon Valley competitive cheer team returns to the mat with only one senior, but she will be joined by a crew of underclassmen who was part of the program last season. Members of the squad are from left, row one: Zoe Meyer, Addy Lienke, Evelun Tucker, Jailyn Chau, Remi Aikens and Halle Altmann; row two: Manager Leah Preheim, Ayla Beck, Noraa Wipf, Brooke Bangasser, Maddie Kopp and Brooklyn Fousek. Not pictured are Abby Ludens and Miranda Kessler. Addy Lienke (below) is the lone senior on the 2026 Brandon Valley competitive cheer team roster.

Submitted photo

Four seniors will be the guiding force for the Lady Lynx soccer team in their 2026 season. The senior leaders are, from left, Brooklyn Goetzinger, Sam Stemwedel, Mara Kaiser and Brenna Haas. Brandon Valley’s home opener is this Thursday at 5 p.m., when the Lynx welcome the Harrisburg Tigers to the turf.

Jill Meier/BV Journal 

There are four seniors on the 2026 Brandon Valley girls’ cross country roster this season. They are (in no particular order) Annika Henson, Elizabeth Holmquist, Kendall Clayton, Tyann Balsdan and Kamryn Santi. The girls will get their first test of the season at the O’Gorman Invite on Aug. 27 at Pasley Park in Sioux Falls