Brandon Valley Journal

Jill Meier/BV Journal

If you need a reason to smile, 2-year-old Mac Willman may just be all the motivation needed. Mac was caught with a tennis ball in hand at a recent high school boys’ tennis match in Brandon. He’s the son of Walker and Hannah (McIllravy) Willman, who is a guidance counselor at Brandon Valley High School, where she also graduated from in 2014.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 2:32pm

Ball boy

Submitted photo

Mikah Peters sports a happy smile and gives a thumbs-up to his school record setting performance in the 1600-meter run.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 2:29pm

Peters takes over BV boys’ 1600M record on Mitchell track

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 2:13pm

Lady Lynx ‘tee off’ 2025 season at Harrisburg Invite, home triangular

Jill Meier/BV Journal

Brandon Valley High School freshman Ellie Sershen, cast as Peter Pan, in the school’s spring musical, is one of more than 80 students who will bring the famed children’s tale to life this week on the Performing Arts Center stage.Also pictured are Logan Torgrude (left, as Toodles), Trey Skibsted (as John Darling) and Tara Ackerman (as Slightly). For more on the spring show, see page 7.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 1:25pm

I won’t grow up!

Submitted photos

Robert Bennis Elementary students show off their purple bracelets as part of Epilepsy Awareness Day on March 26. (Below) Robert Bennis Elementary fourth-grade teacher Jena Storm (left) with Aaron Leber.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 11:27am

RBE fourth-grader celebrated on Epilepsy Awareness Day

Jill Meier/BV Journal

Brandon Valley’s Sanders Anshutz takes flight to return a shot in flight 3 doubles on Monday against the Pierre Governors.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 11:06am

Kings of their home courts

Jill Meier/BV Journal

Captain Hook, played by BVHS senior Isaac Fode, and Peter Pan, played by freshman Ellie Sershen, rehearse a scene from the spring musical that takes the stage this week. (Below) Tiger Lily (Ella McCarthy) and Peter Pan lead a song and dance number.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:47am

BVHS spring musical, Peter Pan, guaranteed to bring out the kid in all of us this week

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal

Brandon Valley second baseman Grady Gindorff (above) prepares for a groundball against Sioux Falls Washington at Harmodon Park on Tuesday, April 15. Ryland Carroll (at left) delivers a pitch against the Warriors.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:30am

BV bats get hot as Lynx go on four-game win streak

Jill Meier/BV Journal

Ryley McKeown returns the ball during recent boys’ tennis action.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:26am

Lynx tennis racks up 9-0 sweep of RC Central

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal

Brandon Valley’s Briley Laber (above, left) gets a lead off of third base against Harrisburg on Tuesday, April 15 at Aspen Park. Lady Lynx shortstop Peyton Amdahl prepares to field a grounder in the Harrisburg game.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:16am

Runs keep coming, Lady Lynx softball improves to 4-2

Jill Meier/BV Journal

DJ Schoby signed to play for Midland University.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:15am

A scholar of the game - Schoby signs with Midland University

Submitted photo

Brandon Valley Baseball Association and the Brandon community will host the 12-day State Amateur Baseball Tournament at First National Bank Field in August. The tournament has the potential to bring 20,000 visitors to the city.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 9:56am

BVBA continues prepping for state tourney

An assortment of children’s bikes will be given away following Brandon’s 59th annual Loyalty Day Parade on May 4.

Jill Meier/BV Journal

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 9:38am

Bike give away to benefit food pantry

Jill Meier/BV Journal

A total of 739 ballots were cast in total in Brandon. Voter turnout hit 8.66 percent. There are 8,534 registered voters in the city.

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:57pm

Brandon voters opt for Ironwood St. extension; Comeau elected to Valley Springs Commission

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:53pm

Easter hams for all

Jen McKeown/For the Journal

Fifteen senior members of Brandon Valley’s band program were recognized with year-end awards on Monday evening. In no particular order, the following students were presented a variety of scholarships. Leaders in Excellence: Tabitha Choate, Isaac Fode, Karlee Jones, Will McCarthy, Dante Tooley and Sadee Webster. Lynx Spirit: Logan Brakke, Olivia Odenbrett, Trygg Petersen, Kaeden Siemonsma, Keith Travis and Alexavia Waysman. Jake Meeker Scholarship: Isaac Fode. Del Hubers Scholarships: Tara Ackerman, Tabitha Choate, Lillian Dirksen, Isaac Fode and Zariah Sittig.

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:50pm

‘Noteworthy’ honors for BV’s senior band students

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:48pm

BVHS arts students garner state awards

Tom A. Savage/BV Journal

Rep. Dave Kull talks Saturday at the post-Legislative Coffee

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:24pm

Legislators address actions in Pierre post-session

Jill Meier/BV Journal

Things are typically clean and tidy outside Brandon Lumber. Aiden Zwach had the honor of sweeping the gutters outside the front of the longtime Brandon business.

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 1:05pm

Saturday morning cleaning

Photos courtesy of Tom Wilford

One of the two smaller scale trucks lost in Saturday evening’s blaze is pictured at left. (Above) Firefighters from four agencies work to tame the heavy clouds of black smoke from inside the building that houses eight of the company’s trucks.

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 12:24pm

Truck engine fire summons 4 departments to Marv’s