Monthly Archives: March 2023

Colome Fire Department Receives Grant from South Dakota Salutes

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A representative of S.D. Salutes shows the Colome Volunteer Fire Department how to use a new breathing apparatus. The Colome fire department received a grant for this piece of equipment which will protect firemen.

 Representatives from the South Dakota Salutes organization were in Colome recently to present a $5,000 check to the Colome Volunteer Fire Department.

Last Fall the Colome VFD submitted a request to fund the purchase of new SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) through an annual grant program administered by the Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota (IIASD). SCBAs are a critical piece of equipment needed to protect fire fighters from toxic gas and particulates that are often emitted from fires.

Although Colome was not chosen to receive the initial IIASD grant, a South Dakota Salutes team also reviewed their request and selected the Colome VFD to receive a $5,000 gift.

“We are pleased to provide this grant to the Colome Volunteer Fire Department,” said South Dakota Salutes representative Scott Korsten. “It is our hope that local resources will be encouraged to match these funds and enable the Colome VFD to purchase the critical equipment they need to protect their volunteer fire fighters.”

South Dakota Salutes (SDS) was originally formed in 2016 as an event to show appreciation to South Dakota first responders and military personnel. SDS also raises money and provides an immediate $10,000 cash gift to bridge the immediate financial concerns of the families of South Dakota “First Responders” who have died in the line of duty.

This $5,000 grant to the Colome VFD was given through the “third leg” of the South Dakota Salutes stool — a recently formed “special needs fund.” This fund was created through the vision of an individual donor, whose intent was to provide “seed money” that would be used to raise matching local funds, with proceeds targeted to fund unmet needs of emergency service organizations throughout South Dakota.

According to Fire Chief Glenn Sealy, the Colome VFD is continuing to raise funds to replace the department’s outdated SCBAs, with an expected total cost of more than $50,000.

Official scorekeeper retires after 30 years

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Johnyne Horstman, left, retired as official basketball scorekeeper after doing this job for 30 years. She is pictured with fellow scorers table workers Jo Striefel, center and Lisa Jankauskas. Horstman was honored at the basketball game on Friday.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

For 30 years, Johnyne Horstman has been the official scorekeeper for Winner High School home boys and girls basketball  games.

Friday, March 3 at the second round of the Region 7A boys game was her last night in her official capacity.

It is bittersweet for Horstman, a Winner 6th grade teacher, who has a love for the game and had two children play basketball.

“It is just time to quit,” she said.

Playing into this mix of emotions is the death of both of her parents, Carroll and Janet Bruun, within the past year.

“I can’t see my mom sitting in the same spot at every game and I do not get to hear my dad call after every game asking who were the high scorers,” she said.

Janet Bruun never missed a Winner home game and always sat in the “nosebleed” section of the Armory. As Horstman was keeping the book she could always see her mother sitting in that same spot.

In 1993, Harvey Naasz, who was then athletic director, asked Horstman to take over keeping book.

She was teaching fourth grade at the time and the classroom was in the Armory.

Prior to being the official scorekeeper, Horstman was taking tickets at football and basketball games.

Horstman is part of trio of women who keep things running efficiently at the scorers table. Jo Striefel runs the scoreboard and Lisa Jankauskas runs the shot clock.

Horstman said when her kids were playing it kept her focused.

When asked if she ever missed a game she said when Zach was playing at SDSU should would attend the college game and Glen Carlson would fill in with the scorebook at Winner home games.  

“It is different when you don’t have kids playing. Maybe I want to spent time with Zach’s daughter, Murphy. This way I don’t have to be so scheduled and it gives me more freedom,” she explained.

When her kids were playing basketball she did both home and away games. I would keep the away game book for Jim Drake and Larry Aaker,” she said.

Asked if there was any one game that stood out and she said the game with Platte where Zach had 11 3 pointers.

She said it has been fun working with the crew at the scorers table. Over the years, she has gotten to know the referees. “When the referee blows the whistle I better have the jump ball right and the jump ball arrow turned on.”

Horstman said she and Jo along with Lisa make a good team.

Horstman says it has been fun keeping the official book.

She got to keep book for the SoDak 16 girls game between Red Cloud and Garretson on Thursday.

“It was great doing this all these years,” she said.

Friday night when Winner boys played Lakota Tech it was her last time to make an official entry in the scorebook.

Colome Boys Basketball

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No. 4 Tripp-Delmont/Armour topped No. 5 Colome boys 49-29 in Region 5B action Feb. 28.

Eli Vobr led the scoring for Colome with 13  points. Joseph Laprath added 7 points.

Alec Thieman pulled down 5 rebounds. Vobr had 2 assists.

The Cowboys shot 24 percent from the field and TDA shot 51 percent.

At the free throw line, Colome was 2 of 6 for 33 percent. Colome ended the season with 10-11 record.

Legislators answer questions at Crackerbarrel

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
 District 21 lawmakers were in Winner on Saturday for a crackerbarrel session. Pictured from left are Mike Scott of the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce, moderator; Rep. Marty Overweg and Rep. Rocky Blare.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Sales tax reduction, foreign ownership of ag land were among the topics discussed by Dist. 21 legislators at a crackerbarrel in Winner Saturday afternoon at the Winner Legion.

Lawmakers attending were Rep. Rocky Blare of Ideal and Rep. Marty Overweg of New Holland.

Sen. Erin Tobin of Winner was unable to attend.

The crackerbarrel was sponsored by Winner Area Chamber of Commerce with Mike Scott, executive director of the Chamber introducing the lawmakers. Winner American Legion Auxiliary provided coffee, cookies and bars.

Blare said the biggest issue this past week in the House was passing HB1137 which will reduce the state sales tax rates in South Dakota from 4.5 percent to 4.2 percent. This will reduce the tax burden for citizens by $100 million, the largest tax decrease in S.D. history.

There were two bills regarding the foreign ownership of agriculture land.

The governor’s farmland protection bill, SB185 was defeated in the senate explained Overweg.

If enacted, it would create a seven member board modeled after the federal agency tasked to reviewing foreign purchases that could impact national security.

The committee would review any transfer of agricultural land involving a foreign entity, offering a recommendation to the governor.

Overweg said all ag groups were opposed to SB185 and Overweg said he was also against it.

Blare explained an ag bill that has survived is HB1189 which would be a ban of foreign ownership of over 160 acres. The bill will help close a loophole by requiring disclosure by a foreign owned corporation as to whether they hold any interest in South Dakota ag land.

Pam Haukaas of the Colome Consolidated School Board asked the legislators to consider an increase of 8 percent for school districts. She said students are leaving the state for higher paying jobs in neighboring states. Haukaas said the average teacher pay in South Dakota is $49,547. She said the closest regional competitor, Montana, is more than $3,500 ahead of South Dakota.
Haukaas said the state has the money for an 8 percent increase. She said the current proposed increase of 5 percent costs the state $24 million and if the total increase was raised to 8 percent it would require only about $14 million more for a total increase in new funding for public schools.

Robert Tate asked several questions about voting machines and told the legislators he cannot find out who owns the voting machines.

Blare explained there are several bills in the legislature this year dealing with election integrity. In his column this week in the Winner Advocate Blare lists the election bills.

A question was asked about the brand board. Blare said the House passed a brand board bill that would change the make up of the board from appointed to elected members from seven districts.

A discussion was held on what the legislators will do to regulate medical marijuana.

A bill dealing with pop up medical marijuana clinics died in the Senate.

Prior to meeting in Winner, the lawmakers held a crackerbarrel in Burke.

Blood drive is march 22-23

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The next Winner community blood drive will be March 22 and March 23 at the city building at 325 S. Monroe St.

The blood drive on March 22 will be  from 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The blood drive on March 23 will be from noon to 5:30 p.m. To make an appointment call 800-287-4903. Persons can also visit lifeservebloodcenter.org

Special foods contest winners

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Lydia Wonnenberg, left and Ellika Hamiel were two of the participants in the special foods contest. Judges in back are Marie Condon, Laura Kahler and Donna Kubik.

Brenna Cole, Avery Antelope and Elizabeth Wonnenberg all received purples at the special food contest Feb. 17 at the Tripp County 4-H Center.

Tessa Cole, Ellika Hamiel and Lydia Wonnenberg received a blue.

The grand champion beginner is Brenna Cole. The grand champion junior was Avery Antelope with Elizabeth Wonnenberg as the reserve champion junior.

April Stoddard, 53

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April Stoddard, 53, of White River, SD passed away on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023 at her home in White River.

Funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at 10 a.m.  at the Swift Bear Community Building in White River, SD.  Burial followed in the St. Paul Episcopal Cemetery near Norris, SD.  Wake service was held on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 at 7 p.m. at the Swift Bear Community Building in White River, SD.

April is survived by her children: Justin Stoddard, Aaron (Tiffany) Stoddard, Jamie Black Bear and Zack Black Bear, grandchildren: Trey, Keon, Josslyn, Addyson, Karlie, Aubrie Lou, Aarilynn, Grayson and Mckayla, siblings Shirley Wilcox-Carlson, Earl (Valerie) Wilcox, Janet Marie Wilcox and Joe & Keith Stoddard Jr.

April is preceded in death by her parents Hazel Amiotte-Wilcox, Harold Stoddard Sr., brother; Peter Wilcox, sisters; Mary Wilcox-Stone, Janice Amiotte, Louise Wilcox-Wright, grandson Karson Hunter Black Bear, nephews: Anthony Clairmont, Stoney Larvie, Robert Waln, Eric Crow Dog and niece Tera Bettelyoun.

Turnquist qualifies for nationals

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Wyatt Turnquist of Winner was one of three Northern State University wrestlers to qualify for the NCAA national championships in March.

Turnquist took third at the super regionals held in Aberdeen. This will be the second straight season Turnquist has made it to nationals.

Turnquist fell in the semifinals but battled back and earned a third place finish at 149 pounds.

The Winner High School graduate opened his day in a dramatic fashion, defeating Ethen Doty of Upper Iowa by technical fall, 16-0.

Turnquist faced off against No. 6 Jaden Spuhler of Wisconsin Parkside in the semifinals. The match went to a tie breaker round with Spuhler recording a 3-2 victory.

Turnquist needed two wins to punch his ticket to national.

He handily defeated Kelby Armstrong of Minot State in consolation semifinals with a score of 13-3. Then, the Winner wrestler won 4-3 over Caleb Meunier.