Monthly Archives: January 2022

COVID numbers increase

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C OVID numbers increase

The COVID-19 cases in Tripp County are showing no sign of decreasing. In fact, they are climbing each day.

The following is figures from the South Dakota Department of Health for Tripp County from Jan. 11 to Jan. 14.

As the newspaper’s deadline on Monday, there were no figures for the weekend. You must also take into account there as a Monday holiday.

 On Jan. 11, Tripp County reported 27 new cases.

On Jan. 12 , there were 12 new cases and 7 probable with 160 actives cases.

On Jan. 13. There were 18 new cases with 2 probable. The active cases climbed to 179.

Tripp County had 18 new cases on Jan. 14. There were 191 active cases.

The test positivity rate for the past seven days was 45.7 percent.

On Jan. 14, South Dakota reported 1,9990 new cases with 26,835 active.

As the Omicron variant gets its grip on South Dakota, persons are reminded to take precautions to remain healthy. That means wearing a mask in public places, washing your hands, STAYING HOME when you are sick  and social distancing.

Warriors win thriller

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Blake Volmer’s go ahead basket with eight seconds left lifted No. 3 Winner boys to a 46-43 win over Class AA Pierre on Jan. 11.

It was a thrilling victory for the Warriors who remain undefeated at  10-0. It was an also an amazing comeback for the team that was down early in the game.

At the end of the first quarter, Pierre led 14-7. Winner made up some ground with a 13-9 second quarter.

The Warriors fought back in the fourth quarter and out-scored Pierre 13-9.

With two minute left in the game, Winner tied the score at 38-38.

With  22 seconds left in the game, Barfuss put up a layup and was fouled sending him to the free throw line.

With 1.9 seconds left in the game, Elijah Peterson made two free throws to seal the game.

“We had a fun and exciting game in a packed house against Pierre,” said coach Brett Gardner.

Both Blake Volmer and Aiden Barfuss led the scoring with 11 points,  followed by Slade Cournoyer, 8; Ethan Bartels, 6 and Shawn Hammerbeck, 5.

The Warriors shot 30 percent from the field and were 11-22 for 50 percent from the free throw line.

Volmer pulled down 12 rebounds, Hammerbeck, 8; Cournoyer and Jackson Vesely, 5 each; Ethan Bartels, 4 and Elijah Peterson , 3.

Volmer had 5 assists and Cournoyer, 3.

Bartels had 6 steals and Cournoyer, 4.

“We overcame a slow start and a poor shooting night by defending and rebounding. We were able to hold a Class AA school to 43 points,” said the coach.

Gardner added: “We are so proud of our guys for showing resiliency and continuing to work hard the entire 32 minutes. Aiden Barfuss and Elijah Peterson were able to make free throws in the final minute and Blake Volmer hit the tough go-ahead lay up with 8.2 seconds to go,” said Gardner.

The next action for Winner is Jan. 20 when the Warriors host Tri Valley.

Winner Pharmacy named business of the year

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Winner Pharmacy was named the business of the year by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce. Pictured in front from left are Carol Hight and Ruth Osborne. In back from left are Sayna Gregg, Shawn Tuttle, Kara Zeigler, Kaela Novotny, Janet Steffen and Dan Fiebelkorn.

Winner Pharmacy has been named the business of the year by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce.

The pharmacy was presented with a plaque at the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce ban      quet on Jan. 13.

Winner Pharmacy perennially goes above and beyond with their service. They have taken steps to accommodate everyone in town but especially those living with disabilities.

Winner Pharmacy is a significant and lasting partner for Community Connections.

“They are continually assisting our participants with their medications even in the most inconvenient of times, “ said Keenan Knutelski of Community Connections who presented the award.

“Their dedication to ensuring the health and well being of such a vulnerable population is remarkable, “ said Knutelski.

Over the past few years CCI has received new federal guidance on medication laws. Dan Fiebelkorn (owner of Winner Pharmacy) was an invaluable tool in understanding ad  implementing these laws.  He provided his guidance and expertise without an expectations of compensation or reward. The staff at Winner Pharmcy are involved in CCI committees and provide useful input on mediation and medication safety. The commitment of Winner Pharmacy to ensure compliance, safety, efficiency and care to all people is the reason they are deserving of this award.

“Take Five”, Winner High School One Act Play

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By Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
“Take Five” is the Winner High School contest one act play. It will be presented along with two other one acts in a night of one act plays Jan. 20, 21 and 22 at the Winner Community Playhouse starting at 7:30 p.m. The contest play is directed by Sarah Taggart. Cast in front from left are Justin Hausmann, Leah Wiechelman, Faith Covey, Tessa Mann and Hayden McMurtrey. Not pictured is Madaline Watzel.

Donald Kahler, 49

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Memorial services for Donald Kahler age 49 of Gregory, SD will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 3:30 pm at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home, Gregory, SD. Burial will follow in Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD.

Donald Gordon Kahler was born March 14, 1972, in Burke, SD, to Harold and Evelyn (Marts) Kahler. Donald was the fifth of six children. Don grew up in Brookings, SD. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1990.

During his high school years Don was a member of the BB Gun Club and was a state champion. He was also a member of the Youth Archery team and was a state champion.

After graduation, Don started a career as a CNC machinist in Brookings that led him to working in Fargo, ND, building huge sugar beet harvesters. He then landed one of his dream jobs building guns in Sturgis, SD. His passion for guns followed him his entire life. He then worked as a welder for his uncle Jerry Marts. He also bartended for a while at Gregory Lanes where he met a man who built log homes. This led Don, his brother Dale, and nephew Tom, traveling all over the US building homes and other structures.  While in Wyoming, Don’s love for horses led him to videoing the chariot races for the fans and jockeys enjoyment. Due to a poor economy, he then went to owning and driving semi trucks mainly in North Dakota during the oil boom.

Donald passed away at his home in Gregory on Jan. 3, 2022, at the age of 49 years.

Donald is survived by four brothers: Dwight (Pam), Douglas, Daryl (Donna), and Dale all of Brookings, SD, and one sister Kathleen of Dallas, SD; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

August “Gus” Massa, 94

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August “Gus” Massa, 94, of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at the Avera Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Yankton, SD. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Immaclate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.   Burial will follow in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to mass.

August “Gus” Martin Massa, was born in Spring Valley, IL on Oct. 30, 1927 to John and Antoinette Massa (Chiado).  He served as a Radioman Third Class in the U.S. Navy.  He attended the University of Illinois and received a degree in architecture.

Gus married Nancy M. Schwartz on June 24, 1972 in Chicago.  They moved to Sturgis, SD where Gus worked as an instructor at Area 5 VoTech.  When the school merged with Western Dakota Tech they moved to Rapid City, SD.

Gus worked extensively with Bill and Ted Hustead to design many parts of Wall Drug.

Gus and Nancy moved to the family farm near Carter, SD in 1996 where he enjoyed gardening and taking care of his sheep, chickens, and dogs.

Gus suffered a stroke in 2016 and spent his remaining years as a resident of the Elder Inn.  Gus was a very kind, gentle and thoughtful person. Gus is survived by his brothers; John Massa and Jim (Lois) Massa and numerous nephews and nieces.  Gus is preceded in death by his parents and wife Nancy

Lawrence E. Friestad, 75

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Lawrence E. Friestad, age 75, of McCook, Neb., passed away at his home on Jan. 11, 2022. 

 He was born in Ottawa, Illinois, on Sept. 22, 1946, to Joseph M. and Hazel I. (Foreman) Friestad. Lawrence attended College View Academy in Lincoln, Neb., graduating in 1964. He attended Union College in Lincoln and obtained his nursing degree in 1971.  He worked in Hinsdale, Ill.  for three years before moving to Seattle, Wash.,  to attend Group Health’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program, graduating as a CRNA in 1976. Lawrence moved to Winner, South Dakota to begin his career.

Lawrence married Rosalea “Tillie” Betts in Nevada, Iowa on Aug. 4, 1968.  The couple lived on “Rock Hill” a 20-acre plot in Winner, South Dakota. They moved to Southwest Nebraska 25 years ago while Lawrence worked in hospitals in McCook, Oberlin, Cambridge and Benkelman until he retired. Tillie preceded him in death on December 16, 2019.

Lawrence was an accomplished pianist and organist. He and Tillie donated the Trumpet Pipes for the pipe organ at the College View Church in Lincoln, Neb.  He enjoyed wild boar hunts, and prairie dog hunting. He was a collector of many things, but really enjoyed collecting old and antique tools. Lawrence would meet friends for coffee and buy lunch and have an intelligent conversation and a laugh. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Hazel; wife, Rosalea “Tillie.”

Lawrence is survived by his brother, Lloyd, of Seattle, WA; sister, Lorraine Friestad, of Shawnee, KS; niece, Jean Friestad, of Nevada, IA; and a host of friends and relatives.

Graveside services were  held at the College View Cemetery in Lincoln, Neb. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2021, at 1 p.m. with Rev. Ray Daniels officiating. Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorials may be left in Lawrence’s name to Union College in Lincoln, Neb. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.