Monthly Archives: November 2020

Officials elected to county and state offices

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Dan Forgey, Dallas, Republican Tripp County Commissioner from District 2 was re-elected in the Nov. 3 general election. Forgey will serve another four years on the county board. In the election, Forgey received 353 votes to226 for Independent Marla Liggett.

Erin Tobin of Winner was elected the new state senator from District 21. She received 2,269 votes in Tripp County and her challenger Dan Kerner Andersson, Burke, received 366 votes. Tobin earned 79 percent of the vote from District 21 with 7,627 votes. Andersson received 21 percent of the vote 2,000 votes. In a Facebook post after the election, Tobin said she is “excited for the things we well achieve with our strong voice together over the next two years.” Tobin thanked the candidates that ran this election cycle. “The fact that you stepped forward, added more to your daily to-dos, and gave it your best, is something to be proud of—win or lose.”

In the state representative race, Rocky Blare of Ideal and Caleb Finck of Tripp were elected and will serve two years in the state house. In Tripp County, Blare received 2,221 votes, Finck received 1,173 and Jessica Hegge of Platte, 486. Blare received 44 percent of the vote with from District 21 with 6,328 votes. Finck received 5,038 votes and Hegge. 2,908.

District 21 includes Bon Homme, Charles Mix, Gregory and Tripp Counties.

Mike Rounds was re-elected to the U.S. Senate. In Tripp County, Rounds received 81 percent of the vote as 2,188 votes were cast for him. His challenger was Dan Ahlers and he received 501 votes in Tripp County.

Dusty Johnson was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He received 90 percent of the vote in Tripp County. He received 2,359 votes to 267 for Randy Luallin.

The presidential race in Tripp County had a big turnout. Donald Trump received 80 percent of the vote and Joe Biden received 18 percent.

South Dakota voters took a strong stand on who they want to fill the state Public Utilities Commission position. Gary Hanson was the winner for a seat on the PUC. In Tripp County, he received 2,125 votes. Devin Saxon received 79 votes and Remi W.B. Bald Eagle received 376 votes.

In the state supreme court retention vote, votes over whelming chose to retain Justice Steve Jensen. In Tripp County, the justice received 2052 yes votes and 386 no votes. Statewide, Jensen received 81 percent of the vote.

South Dakota voters showed strong support for medical marijuana and also approved a measure to approve recreation use of marijuana. South Dakotans gave a 54 percent approval to Amendment A, which legalizes recreational use of marijuana. In Tripp County, Amendment A was defeated. The No votes were 1,651 and yes 998. However, Tripp County voters approved the medical use of marijuana which was Initiated measure 26. The yes votes were 1,471 and no 1,194. Statewide, both marijuana measures passed. They will not take effect until July 1, 2021.

Tripp County voters approved Amendment B which allows sports betting in Deadwood. This was a very narrow vote with 1,331 yes and 1,315 no.

Voter turnout was very high in Tripp County with a 74.53 percent voter turnout. There were 2,721 ballots cast. The number of registered voters in Tripp County is 6,351.Statewide voter turnout was 73.88 percent. In this election, many people voted absentee. In Tripp County, there were 1,079 absentee ballots cast.

The staff in the Tripp County Auditor’s office was finished counting ballots at 11:30p.m. on Nov. 3.

Janna Baker, age 56

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Janna Baker, age 56, of Edgerton, Minn., died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 in Mesa,Arizona.       

Visitation was held on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020 f at the Colonial Funeral Chapel in Edgerton.   

A private family committal service will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton.   

A memorial service was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020    at the American Reformed Church in Woodstock, Minn.   

Arrangements are with the Colonial FuneralChapel in Edgerton.    

Please visit www.edgertonburialassociation.com to sign an online registry and to read Janna’s life history.

Shirley Hoffer, 80

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Shirley Hoffer, 80, of Winner, SD passed away on Nov. 4, 2020 at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory, SD.    

Funeral services were held on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 at 2 p.m.    at the United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  

Shirley Joan Chambers was born Aug. 25, 1940 in the Burke Memorial Hospital to Bert and Alice (Dummer) Chambers. As a baby, her parents, and 4 siblings moved from Bonesteel, SD to a ranch north of Newport, NE then later to a ranch north of Stuart, NE. This is where she began her first grade in school. The next spring her parents purchased a ranch near Millboro, SD where she completed her grade school education at a country school.   

On June 26th, 1955 she was united in marriage to Richard Hoffer in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church south of Colome. They lived on a farm near Millboro, SD. To this union four children were born Rodney, Debra, Roger, and Scott.

They bought a farm near Clearfield, SD where she was always busy with a large garden. Shirley loved her flowers, raising chickens, milking cows, and working in the fields. She also loved being outdoors. Later she worked various jobs in Winner. Due to her failing health they moved to Winner in 2003. In 2018 she moved to the Platte Care Center until January 2020 when she moved to the Gregory Health Care Center.   

She leaves to mourn her husband of 65 years, daughter Debra Shreeve, son Scott (Deb) Hoffer. Grandkids; Tisha Jons, Angy (Jim) Murphy, Russell (Sarah) Hoffer, Craig (Kelly) Hoffer, Sarah (Tim) Novotny. Nikki (Shannon) Whitten, & Marie (Nathan) Lapsley. Great Grandkids; Isabella, Isaiah, Lijah, & Harley Jons; Baylor and Blayke Murphy. Tayshaun, Sadie, & Oakley Hoffer. Nancy Novotny & Scarlett Hoffer. Tyler & Emma Berg, Ava Lapsley, Shaylin & Pryce Whitten. Sisters Fern Kramer and Leora Emme and many nieces and nephews.   

She was preceded in death by her 2 sons Roger and Rodney, her parents, 2 brothers Wayne and Clyde. Son-in-law Roy Shreeve, brother-in-law Bill Emme and Maurice Kramer and nephew Tom Kramer.

Lamars Manke, 50

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Graveside services for Lamars Manke, 50, Sebring, Fla., were held Nov. 7 at the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory.    

Lemars Lee Manke was welcomed into his heavenly home too soon on Oct. 27 2020 at the young age of 50 near his home in Florida.    

His adventurous life began on April 9, 1970, to his loving parents Larry Lee Manke and Marvelyn Jean (Glynn) Manke.   

Lemars grew up in Pierre, South Dakota and spent some years being raised in McCook, Nebraska. He was surrounded and cherished by family all around. With the adventurous heart he always had, he made life for him and those whom he surrounded a spontaneous thrill. Through many challenges and uphill battles Lemars’ kindred spirit always won by shining through.

He was a survivor who never met a stranger because to him everyone was a friend. Lemars was so full of ways to uplift those around him by constantly seeing the good in anything, he wouldn’t accept it otherwise. Lemars had such a beautiful way of evolving any situation into something worthwhile. His free spirit allowed him to walk into any situation with an open heart never judging those around him – something the world could use more of.    

One of his passions consisted of cooking, which is how he was able to build his life traveling the states. No matter where he traveled he shared the consistency of being an exemplary employee as a cook. On any summer or winter day you would never see him without his dogs, he had so much love for them and that love was mutual.

Lemars also loved being outdoors by spending time fishing, nature hiking and exploring which led to his traveling wherever the wind took him. Even though Lemars may not be walking the Earth next to us anymore, we all know he is just on his next adventure that we will someday be able to join. 

Lemars is survived by his father Larry Manke of Pierre, SD; siblings: Kerry (Bobbi) Odenbach of Florida, Carmen Cox and Lavonne Smith of Texas; nieces: Cory Manke, Shawndraya Ferro, Chantel Vincent, Kylie Smith and Kandy Harrell; nephews: Chase Smith, Kaiden Smith, TJ Harrell, and Shayne Clements; uncles: StanKlug of Burwell, NE, and Donnie Manke of Gregory, SD; aunts: Betty Vaughn of Gregory, SD; Beverly Keegan of Gregory, SD; Sandy Baker (Gene) of O’Neill, NE; daughter Bethany Waldman and grandson Victor Gustine of Rochester, MN; cousins: Rhonda (Tom) Waterbury, Justin (Jennifer) Keegan, Chauncey Keegan, Jessica (Dusty) Jones, William (Mary) Baker, Randy(Kamaha) Baker, Arlita Hamling, and Craig Klug.   

Lemars was preceded in death by his mother Marvelyn Jean Manke, grandparents William and Mary Manke and Vernal and Flerida Glynn, Aunt Carol Klug, Uncle Paul Vaughn, Uncle Jim Keegan and Cousin Jay Keegan.

“Mask Up South Dakota”

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A group of organizations in South Dakota have joined to recommend and promote masking as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge throughout the state and wider region.   

Behind a simple message of “Mask Up South Dakota” and a hash tag of #MaskUpSoDak, these organizations include the South Dakota State Medical Association (SDSMA), Monument Health based in Rapid City, Avera Health and Sanford Health based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota Nurses Association (SDNA), South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO), South Dakota Municipal League, South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, Associated School Boards of South Dakota, and School Administrators of South Dakota and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board.    

This group supports keeping South Dakota open, and the safest way to do that is to practice good hygiene, social distancing and wearing masks. This group is not seeking a mask mandate from government, but rather is calling on South Dakotans to help manage health care resources and workforce so our state’s health systems can help those who need to be hospitalized.    

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has affirmed that wearing masks can help communities slow the spread of COVID-19 when worn consistently and correctly by a majority of people in public settings. Masks are most effective when used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting.

According to South Dakota Department of Health data, the number of active cases, hospitalizations and deaths are increasing across the state and wider region. There are currently over 350 hospitalizations in South Dakota and over 11,000 active cases. To date, there have been 375 deaths due to the virus.    Increased cases and hospitalizations place a greater burden on health care facilities and health care workers, and is taking a toll on individuals, families and work places.

This group is asking South Dakota residents for a renewed and greater commitment to follow a list of preventive practices recommended by the CDC: 

• Wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose when around others.   

• Practice social distancing – put six feet of space (two arm lengths) between yourself and people who don’t live in your household. 

  • Practice good hand hygiene – wash hands often and use hand sanitizer.   

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. 

  • Stay home when you’re sick or have been exposed to the virus (except to get medical care).   

• Cover your cough and sneezes. 

• Monitor your health daily and watch for symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

A different look for Vets Day program

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The traditional Veterans Day program in Winner will not be the same this year. Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the area, the Winner Student Council has decided to close the program to the public.

However, there will be a small program at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the Armory. This will be only for high school and middle school students.

The program will be aired live on Winner Warriors Live so veterans and others can watch it.

There will be a welcome by Shannon Calhoon, student council president and Brennan Bachmann, student council vice president.

The Winner Middle School Council will lead the students in the pledge of allegiance. The high school and middle school choir will sing “God Bless America.”

Winning Voice of Democracy speeches will be given.

The WHS band will play “America the Beautiful” and “Marches of the Armed Forces.” The choir will sing “We Honor You.” Marlie Schuyler and Sidda Schuyler will give a presentation called “The Best on Earth.”

Aryn Meiners will play taps and principal Gerald Witte will give the thank you. Again, this Veterans Day program is closed to the public due to COVID-19

Winner Regional Health Foundation Virtual Auction

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The Winner Regional Health and Wellness Foundation would like to announce its virtual auction fundraiser in lieu of its annual Holiday Festival.     

This decision was not made easily as this event is one of few large community fundraising events in Winner. As a medical organization the wellbeing of our community is of utmost importance. With the uncertainty of the pandemic the Foundation Board believes this plan of action is the best option.   

The virtual auction will take place on Dec.3 at 12pm through Dec. 5 at 5 pm. Auction items can be viewed prior to Dec. 3. The website URL will be released at a later date.     

The Winner Regional Health and Wellness Foundation is grateful for the support of the community and is looking forward to the online auction of 2020 with hopes of the traditional festival returning in 2021.

Cong. Johnson speaks to government class

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Congressman Dusty Johnson spoke to the Winner High School government class
Monday morning via Zoom.

By Dan Bechtold/ Editor

Congressman Dusty Johnson, who is running for re-election this year, spoke to the Winner High School government class via Zoom Monday morning. Johnson was asked what he sees as far as change in Congress after the Nov. 3 election.

He thinks there will be a lot of change. He thinks there maybe 60 to 70 turnovers in the House and 10 in the U.S. Senate. “There is a lot of dynamic energy in our system and that is good,” he told the students.

Johnson is a freshman legislator as he was elected in the last general election. He was asked what it is like to be a freshman in Congress. He said it is better than he thought. He noted the bipartisanship has made his freshman experience rewarding. Johnson was asked how COVID-19 has affected his job. “It makes everything harder and everything more complicated. I don’t like it and you can put me down as being anti-COVID. It has made the experience serving in Congress less rewarding,” he said.

Now with COVID Johnson is doing more work in his hometown of Mitchell. Prior to COVID, he spent half of his time in South Dakota and half of the time in Washington, D.C. Now, it is three-fourths of his time in South Dakota.

The Congressman admitted it makes it harder to get things done.

Two weeks ago, Johnson served as a substitute teacher in Mitchell. He wanted to see what it was like in the year of COVID. “The students who were in class it was so much easier to engage them compared to the ones who are home doing e-learning.” Johnson added: “I feel badly we have not risen to the challenge quite as effectively as I know Americans can. When America is united and working together there is nothing that can beat us. It seems in the last few months Americans are more divided and when that is the case we are beating ourselves. That is really unfortunate.”

A student asked who his running mate was in the Nov. 3 election. He said it is Randy “Uriah” Luallin, Hot Springs, of the Libertarian Party. Johnson said this is the first time in the history of single House seat in South Dakota that the Democrats have not put up a candidate.

When asked to predict who will win on Tuesday, Johnson explained the polls show Joe Biden is leading President Trump. “But who knows, millions of Americans have yet to vote and we will not know the outcome till all the ballots are counted,” he said