Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

Julie Willams, 61

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Public graveside services for Dr. Julie A. Williams, 61, of Chamberlain, SD will be 1:30 pm Friday, April 3, 2020 at the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain, SD.

In lieu of flowers a memorial scholarship will be established in Julie’s name for student’s pursuing a degree in veterinary sciences.

Julie Ann Williams was born May 13, 1958 in Winner to Ruth (Thiede) and James Williams. She attended Riverside #32 Country School and later attended Winner High School in Winner where she graduated with honors in 1976.

After high school she attended Kansas State University for her undergraduate degree and then to Iowa State University for her Veterinary Degree graduating in 1982.

She moved to Chamberlain and began working with Dr. Dorwart at Chamberlain Veterinary Supply.

In 1983, Julie opened her own clinic, Mid River Veterinary, which she operated until 2012.

At a young age, Julie had a horse named Sugar and a cat Maxine which was probably the start of her love of animals.

On June 14, 1986, Julie was united in marriage to Larry Wagner at Pukwana, SD.

Around 1990, Julie initiated and was instrumental in establishing the BBL (Brule Buffalo Lyman County) Bootstraps. She was a member with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition helping with the management of grasslands and many of their other activities.

Julie was on the South Dakota Animal Industry Board for 30 years and a member of the Prime Cowbelles.

Julie enjoyed horses going on horseback rides and adventures on pack rides into the mountains.

Some of her hobbies included singing, cooking, and sewing.

Julie passed away on March 27, 2020 at the Platte Care Center in Platte, SD at the age of 61 years.

Gratefully sharing her life are her husband Larry Wagner of Chamberlain; her mother Ruth Williams of White Lake, SD; and her brother Gary Williams and wife Ya of Toney, AL; and aunt and cousins.

Preceding her in death was her father James Williams.

School remains closed, instruction plan set in place

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By Dan Bechtold
Editor

There will be no on-campus instruction at the Winner School District until further notice due to the coronavirus.

Students in grades begindergarten through grade 5 will pick up learning packets each Monday at the elementary school front entry from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This started on March 23.

These learning packets will also be available online at the district website.

For students in grade 6-12 staff will be using Google Classroom to deliver coursework to the students.

Students picked up computers and books on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students who do not have computer access at home will be able to get a hard copy of lesson plans by stopping at the school.

Google Classroom is a free collaboration tool for teachers and students. Teachers can create an online classroom.

For the rest of the story, pick up this week’s edition of the Winner Advocate or subscribe to the Winner Advocate at 1-605-842-1481!

Colome Boys Basketball Team for 2019/2020 Season

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Prairie Portraits Photo
Colome boys basketball team in front are Cash Hemming, Jordyn Harter, Joseph Laprath, Jordan Musser, and Shae Monroe. Middle row from left are Hayden Thieman, Billy Looking Cloud, Alec Thieman, Taylor Nelsen, Brayden Seegers, Caden Monroe, Kash Heath, and Kaden Pechota. Back row from left are coach Willie Beckers, Nathaniel Hansen, Michael Supik, Jacob Beckers, Tate Luedke, Rhet Bertram, and assistant coach Jake Luse.

Colome High School Girls Basketball Team 2019/2020 Season

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Prairie Portraits Photo
Colome girls basketball team in front from left are Landi Krumpus, Shaleena Kingsley, Devan Dougherty Katja Stocker, Sierra McCall, Evie Foss, Sophie Hofeldt, Kasie Leighton, Maura Luedke, Toree Ringing Shield, Emma Vandenbark, Jordyn Ring. In back from left are coach Kory Foss, Katie Welker, Libbie Petersek, Saydee Heath, Madison Gill, Cheyenne Dougherty, Makayla Shippy, Carleen Burger, Clarissa Ringing Shield, Baylie Hoffine, Lanie Bolton, Elizabeth Yeaman, assistant coach Katie Gubbels.

Ambassadors added to chamber

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate
New Winner Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are in front from left Penny Heenan, and Kim Hanson. In back from left are Austin Hamilton, Jeff Gregg, Doug Long, Jamie Sachtjen, and Mike Tisone. Not pictured is Mary Sprenkle.

By Dan Bechtold
Editor

A group of eight community members have been selected as Winner Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

Mike Scott, Chamber executive director, said the eight chosen for the ambassador team are: Penny Heenan, Doug Long, Jeff Gregg, Kim Hanson, Austin Hamilton Mary Sprenkle, Mick Tisone and Jamie Sachtjen.

The ambassadors will serve as a special arm for the Chamber.

They will be present to welcome new Chamber members and for ribbon cuttings.

“We want them to help us welcome new members,” said Scott.

The Chamber director explained this is something that several Chambers across the nation have to help with events.

For the rest of the story, pick up this week’s edition of the Winner Advocate or subscribe to the Winner Advocate at 1-605-842-1481!

Help during COVID-19 crisis

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By U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the world, many are concerned about access to healthcare. Fortunately, tele-health services have become more common and are especially helpful for people living in rural areas, where a clinic or hospital may be many miles away.

As we seek to limit the COVID-19 outbreak by encouraging keeping your distance from others, video chats or phones calls with medical professionals have become easy and helpful ways to receive care, all from the comfort of our homes.

The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 is to avoid potential exposure. This means not going to busy restaurants or events where there are large groups of people.

It also means that if you feel ill, you should call, email or video chat with your doctor before going to their office to minimize the chance of spreading any illness to others.

Tele-health services allow patients to receive quality medical care without traveling to a doctor’s office or hospital, where they could get others sick.

As we know, seniors are especially susceptible to COVID-19. Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced that Medicare would immediately expand coverage to tele-health services across the nation.

This will allow seniors with health problems to stay home and avoid additional risk of exposure to coronavirus.

This is a win-win for patients and health care providers during this time of crisis.

Since South Dakota is a large, rural state where families can live a hundred miles or more from a healthcare facility, expanding tele-health services has been a priority of mine.

I’m a cosponsor of the CONNECT for Health Act, which would allow for permanent expanded tele-health services for Americans who utilize Medicare.

Our bipartisan bill would allow for certain current geographic restrictions and service restrictions to be waived, and would allow rural health clinics to provide tele-health services so that tele-health is accessible to even more individuals.

Earlier this month, the Senate passed legislation aimed at providing resources to state and local governments in their efforts to combat the coronavirus.

This legislation, which passed with bipartisan support, included language that waived certain federal restrictions preventing Americans from receiving tele-health care from some facilities. Now a number of options are available for South Dakotans wanting to connect with a doctor via video chat or phone call.

Both Avera and Sanford Health offer tele-health services to their patients. Monument Health in Rapid City is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. Providers at Monument are able to participate in e-consultations with providers at the Mayo Clinic to come up with the best treatment plans for their patients in Rapid City.

The VA also offers tele-health services for veterans.

Avera recently opened the Helmsley Telehealth Education Center in Sioux Falls which will offer a national telehealth certification program so medical staff can learn the best methods for providing tele-health care.

As we continue to deal with COVID-19 and keep our distance from others, tele-health appointments are a good way for patients to seek medical attention without physically visiting a medical facility.

They’re also more affordable than a visit to the hospital.

We’ll continue working on legislation that makes it easier to access health care when you need it, no matter if you’re located in a rural or urban area.

It’s important that we all take care of our health during this COVID-19 outbreak, and tele-health appointments can help more people receive quality care.