Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is excited to share that Alexandria Allen was the first baby born in 2025. She was delivered at 7:46 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, to Kevin and Virginia Allen of Yankton. Alexandria weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. She joins older sisters, Izzy and Eliza. “We had an amazing medical team who helped make everything easy,” the parents said of the birthing experience. During 2024, there were 526 babies born at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. Kevin and Virginia Allen of Yankton are pictured with their daughter, Alexandria, who was the first baby born at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in 2025.
about 14 hours ago, Staff
Kevin and Virginia Allen of Yankton are pictured with their daughter, Alexandria, who was the first baby born at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in 2025.
The recent grand opening of Sam’s Club’s 50th retail outlet in China provided a platform for showcasing U.S. beef. The event featured sampling sessions, promotions, and a livestreamed demonstration of chilled U.S. beef carcass fabrication, highlighting its unmatched freshness.
4 days ago, Staff
As the new administration gears up to assume office next month, there is growing concern among the farming community about the potential enactment of new tariffs. These concerns are heightened by memories of the economic challenges faced during the two previous administrations' term, which included significant tariffs that affected many US farmers.
5 days ago, Staff
The Crofton Warriors boys’ basketball team moved to 2-7 after losing both games in the 2024 West Point-Beemer Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 28 against Archangels Catholic (32-54) and Monday, Dec. 30 against Wynot (31-54). To keep updated with Warriors' sports, stay tuned to the Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
6 days ago, Staff
Jace Panning
The Crofton Lady Warriors basketball team improved their regular-season record to 10-0 with a championship performance in the 2024 West Point-Beemer (WPB) Holiday Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 28 against the Archangels (53-43) and Monday, Dec. 30 against the home team of West Point-Beemer (53-39).
7 days ago, Staff
Jaida Allen
The St. Rose Elementary CCD Students recently held a Hat and Mitten Drive along with Kayton’s International Hat & Mittens Drive. All donations stay in the Crofton community.
13 days ago, Staff
St. Rose holds hat and mitten drive...
The Crofton Lady Warriors basketball team improved their season record to 8-0 with three victories over the past week, including one against an out-of-state opponent. The Lady Warriors took on the Cedar Catholic Trojans (62-53), the Niobrara/Verdigre Cougars (63-26), and the West Central Lady Trojans (50-40) to finish out their regular season prior to the 2024 holiday moratorium. To keep updated with the Lady Warriors, stay tuned to the Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
14 days ago, Staff
Sammie Allen
The Crofton Warriors boys’ basketball team went 1-2 over the past week to improve their regular-season record to 2-5. On Saturday, Dec. 21, the Warriors ended their week of play with a matchup against out-of-state opponent West Central, S.D., in Yankton at the Stanford Sports Complex on the University of South Dakota’s campus for the annual Vermillion Holiday Classic. Against a solid West Central squad, and in unfamiliar territory, the Warriors had their struggles offensively, while the Trojans of West Central found a groove and continued to keep their foot on the pedal throughout the contest.
15 days ago, Staff
Charlie Steffen
Crofton Board of Education member Larry Potts received a special send-off to commemorate the end of his most recent term on the School Board. Pictured with Superintendent Chris Look, Potts marked his 8th year on the Crofton School Board, serving as the President of the Board for the majority of that time.
16 days ago, Staff
Potts recieves special send-off to retirement
Crofton EMT of the Month Name: Vonda Lange Position: EMR Years of Service: 17 Family: husband, Dale; sons, Drew and Eric Hobbies/interests: Pickleball, gardening, fishing, avid reader How long have you lived in Crofton: 44 years Why did you decide to become an EMT/EMR/ETC: My son, Drew, is an EMT/firefighter and asked me to join.
17 days ago, Staff
Crofton EMT of the Month
The Sons of the American Legion final 2024 calendar drawing winners for the month of December were: Jesse Kollars was the gun winner and Miss Kinsley Guenther, daughter of Alex Guenther, owner of Signature Sewer Pumping was the Cash Drawing winner. 2025 calendars are available for sale from any Sons member.
20 days ago, Staff
December calendar winners...
The Crofton Lady Warriors remain unbeaten after defeating the opposing teams Boone Central on December 9 (56-40), Boyd County on December 12 (68-12), and Guardian Angels Central Catholic on December 14 (40-32) this pas week, making their win-loss streak to 5-0. To keep updated with the Lady Warriors, stay tuned to The Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
21 days ago, Staff
Sammie Allen attempts a three point shot.
Modern Woodmen presented the Crofton Knights of Columbus with the Home Town Hero award/plague on Dec, 11, 2024. The Knights were treated to sandwiches, chips and dessert. Modern Woodmen Representative Tammy Matuska thanked the group for the volunteer work done to support individuals, families in need and the local schools. The Knights of Columbus host The Annual Hoop Shoot, Benefit BreakFast and Grill Fest annually and donate to those in need. Modern Woodmen shall offer a $100 donation to a charity in Honor of the Knights of Columbus.
22 days ago, Staff
Pictured are front row (l to r): Ron Sandvig, Keith Goeden, Dean Wieseler, Chad Reifenrath and Steve Kuehler; and back row (l to r): Ken Thoene, Duane Schieffer, Dan McFarland, Jeff Steffen and John Van Heek.
On Sunday night Crofton Community Club held their Holiday Lighting Contest, with the judges choosing winners for both in town and out of town. In town winner: Greg & Bethany Wortmann Out of town winner: Keith and Shorty Buschkamp Honorable mentions: Michael & Michelle Kuchta, Randy & Nancy Steffen, and Derek & Nicole Van Heek.
25 days ago, Staff
Greg & Bethany Wortmann
Keith and Shorty Buschkamp
To kick off the new season, the Lady Warriors are now 3-0, winning their first three games of the season against Tri-County on Thursday, Dec. 5 (86-9), LCC on Friday, Dec. 6 (86-39), and Boyd County on Thursday, Dec. 12 (70-12). To keep updated with Warriors' events, stay tuned to The Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
26 days ago, Staff
Senior Sammie Allen drives to the hoop for a shot.
The Crofton-Bloomfield Girls Wrestling Team earned six total medals at the O’Neill wrestling meet on December 7. Freshman Bethany Arens came in first place at the wrestling team’s first meet of the season. Senior Annabelle Poppe came in third place, freshman Rylie Doerr placed sixth, along with junior Linkin Rahn. Sophomores Elizabeth DeRoos and Chelbi Ramponi came in seventh and eighth, respectively. Overall the team scored 86 total points and came in eighth place. To keep updated with Warriors' events, stay tuned to The Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
27 days ago, Staff
Lorelei Duffy attempts to make an escape against her opponent
We're hiring! Community lovers - historians - genealogists - writers - sports writers - photographers - graphic designers - all positions, multiple locations. If you love your community, you're a good fit. Computer knowledge is helpful, inquisitive minds required, willingness to adapt is handy. Competitive wage based off production and/or experience - very flexible schedule - get paid to be "newsy" and keep up on your community! Get paid to be a part of your community! Prefer living in the community covered - IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITIES in Albion, Wakefield and Verdigre - other options: Plainview, Petersburg, Niobrara, Crofton. Contact Brook by cell/text/email at 402-851-0009 or plainviewnews@nyecom.net
27 days ago, Brook Curtiss
The Crofton High School One Act team made a strong impression at the District One Act competition performing Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion, ultimately bringing home the Runner-Up trophy. The team faced an unexpected challenge when they arrived at West Point: the stage at the competition had an unusually low ceiling. The Crofton team quickly realized they needed to make adjustments to their set, which was originally built with a taller frame. In a true display of quick thinking, the crew used the school’s shop tools to cut 14 inches off the base of the set to fit the space on stage. The work was completed in time, and Crofton’s performance proceeded without any further hiccups. To read more about Crofton's One Act, check out this week's the Crofton Journal! https://www.croftonjournal.com/o/the-crofton-journal/page/subscriptions
28 days ago, Staff
Recipients of an Outstanding Actor Award: Elizabeth DeRoos, Katherine Neuharth, Grant Schieffer, Morgan Stevens, Jackson Lynde, Wyatt Tramp, Payden Anderson, Kaden Arens, Fred Dennis, Hunter Tarr, Madelyn Loecker, Jack Schieffer, Darin Babcock, and Pamela Dennis
The Crofton Community Club has been busy the last few weeks tearing down, and installing new Welcome to Crofton signs at the entrances to the community. There was a grant that assisted with the costs of the three new signs, in addition to the CCC’s fundraising efforts, and Club representatives said that the old signs were starting to look dated and old, and it was time for an update.
29 days ago, Staff
New signs welcome Crofton visitors
Recently the players named to Mid-States All Conference were announced. The Lady Warriors had 3 named All-Conference with another two players runner up. Those named All-Conference for the 2024 season are Cassie Allen, Sammie Allen, and Jaisie Janssen. Honorable mentions are Jaida Allen and Lexi Wiebelhaus.
about 1 month ago, Staff
Cassie Allen
Sammie Allen
Jaisie Janssen