South Dakota Legislators met with District and State FFA Officers at the 2017 South Dakota FFA Legislative Breakfast and District Officer Training hosted by the South Dakota FFA Association on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19 at the AmericInn in Fort Pierre, S.D.
The purpose of the event was to promote the FFA’s mission of premier leadership, personal growth and career success by bringing together South Dakota’s governmental leaders with leaders of the South Dakota FFA.
Winner Area wrestling team took sixth place at the Lee Wolf Invitational in Aberdeen on Jan. 28.
First place went to Wyatt Turnquist at 113 pounds.
Atlas Willuweit, 120, took second place.
Kayleb Brozik and Tre Doren both took third place.
Kaden Keiser took fifth place. Also taking 5th, was Jayden Schroeder.
Trevor Peters, 126, took 7th place. Landon Debus, 138, took 7th
Riggin Shippy placed 8th
The wrestlers will compete in the Big Dakota Conference tournament on Feb. 4 in St. Pierre.
Drew DeMers scored 37 points as the Winner Warriors defeated Miller 78-66 Thursday.
In addition to DeMers, Trevor Bertram scored 12 points, Wyatt Ewing, 10 and Isaac Naasz, 7.
Leading rebounders were Naasz with 9 and Ewing, 8.
A shot by Gabby Kocer in the second overtime propelled the Winner Lady Warriors to a 77-76 victory over Miller on Jan. 23.
The game was tied at the end of regulation play and first overtime ended in a 7-7 tie. In the second overtime, Winner outscored Miller 16-15.
Kocer was the leading scorer with 20 points followed by Bella Swedlund with 17, Madyson Frazier, 16 and 9 each from Rachel Sherman and Morgan Hammerbeck.
The Lady Warriors pulled down 44 rebounds and were led by Hammerbeck with 9, Sherman and Sydney Hollenbeck with 7 each.
Frazier had 6 assists.
Ted Eugene Schmidt, 62, of rural White River SD, passed away on January 20, 2017. He passed away while doing what he loved, working with his cattle. Viewing was held at the White River Community Events Center, on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at 9:30, and the Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. The burial will follow, at the White River cemetery.
On December 30, 1954, Ted entered this world the 2nd born child to Theodore “Ted” and Jean (Reichardt) Schmidt, in Valentine NE. Ted joined an older brother, David (Sandy) Schmidt, later came his younger brother, Ray (Debra) Schmidt, and younger sister Sally Parsons.
Ted attended Mitchell Country School, in Mellette County, through the 8th grade. From there he attended White River High School and graduated in 1973. In May of 1976, Ted married Candace (Hanson) Schmidt, who unexpectedly passed away in September of 1999. To this union 4 children were born, Steve (Kim) Schmidt, Dan (Alyssa) Schmidt, Candy Kaye Schmidt, and the late Jacob Norman Schmidt. Ted worked on the family ranch with his dad until 1991, when his parents moved into town. At that time, Ted took over the family ranch on his own.
In July of 2006, Ted began another chapter in his life when he married Barb Shedeed. To this union, Ted received a step daughter, Teri (Brad) Biggins.
Ted was a friend to everyone he met. He always saw the good in everyone and enjoyed their company. He thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors which included hunting, fishing and trapping. He could often be seen coyote hunting with his dogs. In his earlier years, his hunting and trapping helped to support the family. For the past several years, he ran a guided deer hunting service and from this, gained some wonderful friends. Everyone knew when Ted was in the vicinity because of his infectious laugh. He enjoyed helping others with anything they needed, from putting out fires to helping neighbors with farm work. For the last several years Ted played on a dart league. He wasn’t proud of his dart ability but no one had more fun than he did. He was also a member of the Wood Fire Department, and a current Mellette County Commissioner.
Ted was a father figure to so many people other than his own kids. He dearly loved spending time with his grandchildren. They were the pride of his life.
Frances Elaine (Harter) Jorgensen was born Aug. 18, 1936 to Glenn and Laura Josephine (Cramlett) Harter.
Frances attended Grandview rural elementary school and Colome High School, obtaining her GED later in life.
Frances married Raymond Jorgensen in October 1953, 4 children were born to this union; Vicki, Beverly, Glen, and Dean.
Frances joined the working force when she and her sister JoAnn became cooks for the new school lunch program at the Colome School District in 1969. She was head cook for 12 years. Former students still talk about their favorites, chili and the amazing frosted cinnamon rolls.
Frances had various jobs through the years, including being a legal secretary and then a unit clerk at the Winner Regional Healthcare Center, retiring in 2011.
Frances had a love for antiques and collecting. She loved going to garage sales and attending auctions, eventually opening her own shop, The Black Cat Antiques & Collectibles.
Frances also enjoyed going to bingo with her grandkids, playing Scrabble and spending time at the Casino.
Long time Winner resident Dorothy Blomstrom, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona on Jan. 21.
Mrs. Blomstrom was born in Brainerd, Neb., on Jan. 4, 1922. She attended schools in Nebraska, and graduated from nurse’s training at St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Lincoln, Neb. She enlisted in the Army and served as a First Lieutenant in Europe during the occupation after World War II.
In 1949 she married Paul Blomstrom and moved to Winner, where she lived for 32 years. After the passing of her husband, Paul Blomstrom in 1980, she moved to Scottsdale, Arizona.
South Dakota’s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $2.33 on Jan. 23 and is the lowest since Jan. 9, according to AAA South Dakota.
“Today’s Sioux Falls price average of $2.29 is actually the lowest it’s been since Dec. 28th of last year,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “Rapid City’s price average of $2.24 is the same as one week ago.”
Current Price Averages per Gallon of Regular Gasoline
Sioux Falls – $2.29, down 4 cents since 1/17/17 … up 69 cents since 1/23/16
Rapid City – $2.24, same as 1/17/17 … up 19 cents since 1/23/16
South Dakota – $2.33, down 2 cents since 1/17/17 … up 49 cents since 1/23/16
U.S. – $2.31, down 6 cents since 1/7/17 … up 47 cents since 1/23/16
The national average price of gas continues to decline as U.S. oil production increases. Today’s average price of $2.31 per gallon represents a decrease of three cents per gallon on the week, four cents per gallon on the month, and prices have moved lower for 14 of the past 15 days. Despite this recent trend lower, retail averages are up by 46 cents per gallon as compared to one year ago.
PIERRE – Plans for a new state park in the Spearfish Canyon don’t look good according to legislative leaders in the Republican Party.
They made their remarks to about 25 editors and publishers as part of Newspaper Day, an event sponsored by the South Dakota Newspaper Association.
There is a proposal to transfer 1,600 acres from federal ownership to the state for the creation of a new state park in Spearfish Canyon.
It has met with some resistance in the Black Hills.
Assistant Majority Leader Ryan Maher of Isabel said the emails he’s received from constituents have all been against the proposal.
They aren’t in support of it, Maher said. I think Spearfish Canyon is in jeopardy of not coming to fruition this session.
Senate Majority Leader Blake Curd of Sioux Falls said the only proponent of the project that he’s heard from is the governor’s office.
The west side (of the state) is becoming very vocal, said House Majority Leader Lee Qualm of Platte. I don’t see that happening.
The GOP leaders also defended this week’s actions in the Legislature as HB1069, a measure to repeal IM22, has made a fast trip through the legislative process. IM22, an anti-corruption ballot initiative, earned 52 percent of the vote in November. Its implementation has been halted by a lawsuit brought by 24 legislators contending that the measure is unconstitutional.
Curd said the overwhelming body of opinion in the Legislature is that IM22 is unconstitutional.
It would be difficult, if not impossible, for this law to stand, Curd said, defending the Legislature’s moves to repeal the measure without replacement laws in place.
We think that starting with a fresh slate is imperative, Curd said.
The Legislature is doing anything but rejecting what the voters said.
Republicans will concentrate on laws dealing with campaign finance reform, accountability and a lobbyist gift ban according to Assistant Majority Leader Kent Peterson of Salem.
A lot of it mirrors the intent of IM22, Peterson said.
As the third week of the 92nd Legislative Session wrapped up, we once again find controversy plaguing the legislature. As most have heard on local and national news, South Dakota is at the forefront with the repeal process affecting Initiated Measure 22. This measure passed by a majority vote of electors. This measure, was passed in response to the citizens’ call for urgency in accountability, ethics and campaign finance reform.
While I do agree that the measure was not properly written, I do believe that the intent of the voters is clear – we want transparency and accountability in our government – federal, state and local.
My deepest concerns with HB 1069, the bill to repeal IM 22, is the fast track it has been placed on, and in my opinion, without cause to do so. Judge Mark Barnett has placed an injunction on the measure, thereby, making it impossible for it to take effect until further court action is taken. I believe we have the cart before the horse – we need to pass legislation that will answer the concerns of the voters, in all areas that IM 22 addressed, and then perhaps take action on a full repeal. This measure has an emergency clause attached to it, which if passed and signed by the Governor, will not allow the bill to be referred to a vote of the people. Clearly a misguided attempt to shut down the voice of the people. HB 1069 passed the House overwhelmingly and is not in the hands of the Senate. In a few short days, we will know the impact of HB 1069 and the fate of IM 22.
On a brighter side, we continue to move bills through the committees. House State Affairs has been working through bills from the Secretary of State regarding enhancements to the election statutes, clearly because of challenges to petitions filed in the 2016 election. I am supportive of the Secretary’s attempts to make sure that all procedures are proper and transparent for all in the election process. The final day to drop bills is rapidly approaching – Thursday, February 2nd. We are certainly down in the number of bills filed, which is to be expected with a new class of legislators, but every bill is important and deserves it’s hearing and vetting in this process.
This column is rather short, but I guarantee as the process picks up pace, there will be much more to report. As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve and represent the good folks of District 21. Please feel free to contact me at Julie.bartling@sdlegislature.gov or call me cell at 605-222-3378. I appreciate so very much hearing from all on issues of concern. Thanks and have a great week. Rep. Julie Bartling District 21
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