Despite the uncomfortable weather conditions, people and businesses from all over Sanborn County joined in the fun in helping Sanborn Central senior Brady Larson put together a beautiful parade of lights for his senior project. There were 38 entries total, and they were all very different from each other. Some had inflatables, others had ropes of lights, and some built signs or wired-up walls to hang lights on. The parade was a string of creative creations roaming the streets of Letcher. It was a sight to be seen.

There were a large number of spectators along the streets to see what everyone came up with for entries. Some entries threw candy, and some had people walk along their float to hand out treats. The parade entries were judged, and the winners were announced at the baked potato and nacho feed at the Letcher Community Center following the parade. The winners were LZ Livestock in third place, JABR Towing in second place, and Dakota Pro Air claimed first place honors. The feed was a free-will offering, and it raised $1,800 for the Letcher Hawks Teener Baseball team. It all came together for a great project and a wonderful night for the whole community.

…See many pictures of the parade in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

SIOUX FALLS (KELO) — The KELOLAND weather team has been a four-person staff for over twenty years.

But with their new hour-long show at four o’clock and their long-standing commitment to weather coverage, they’ve hired a new meteorologist — Meghan Chada.

Meghan Chada grew up in Letcher. Her dad is in the construction business and her mom is a teacher, but it’s her grandpa’s farm that caused her interest in weather to take root.

“Because I grew up in the farming community I always heard, it’s a drought, the crops aren’t good or it’s too wet,” said Chada. “It definitely impacts everybody’s lives around here.”

Meghan grew up watching Jay Trobec, Brian Karstens and Scot Mundt, but says she didn’t really need the weather team to seek shelter from severe storms.

“I was usually in the basement before it came to that. I used to be terrified of storms,” said Chada.

Meghan went to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City. Now that she’s a meteorologist, she hopes to bring a calming presence when severe weather hits.

“I kind of want to do that for the next generation and help any little kid or anybody that’s scared of storms, like ok, it’s ok,” said Chada.

Meghan is getting used to life in a big city, but people in Letcher will keep her grounded she says because they pay close attention to the forecast.

“Now they all yell at me when it’s wrong,” said Chada.

Chada is the daughter of Mark Chada of Letcher and Amanda Sonne of Mitchell and the granddaughter of Myron and Nancy Sonne of rural Letcher.

Chada will be seen primarily on Saturdays and the 4 p.m. show weekdays.

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!