Warm Weather Means Return Of Mosquitoes, West Nile Virus Risk

July through September might be the peak transmission for West Nile virus (WNV) in South Dakota but cases have also occurred in June, said a state health official today. o ignored

“West Nile is a serious, sometimes fatal illness and South Dakota has a disproportionately high number of cases,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “That’ why it’s so important we get in the habit of protecting ourselves with mosquito repellent and doing what we can to get rid of the standing water that give mosquitoes a place to breed.”

Prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of WNV with the following precautions:

Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535) to clothes and exposed skin. Limit exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves in the evening.

Limit time outdoors from dusk to midnight when Culex mosquitoes are most active. Culex are the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota.

Get rid of standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed. Regularly change water in bird baths, outside pet dishes, and drain water from other flower pots and garden containers.

Support local mosquito control efforts.

Personal precautions are especially important for those at high risk for WNV – people over 50, pregnant women, transplant patients, individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure, and those with a history of alcohol abuse. People with severe or unusual headaches should see their physicians.

Since its first human WNV case in 2002, the state has reported 2,168 human cases, including 677 hospitalizations and 32 deaths. Every county has reported cases.

Visit the department’s website at westnile.sd.gov for more information about WNV.

Cultural Heritage Center offering program on Basin League baseball June 20

The Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre is hosting a program about the former Basin League of baseball teams from South Dakota on Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m.

Reid Riner and the Minnilusa Historical Association will present “Hit ‘Em Where They Ain’t: A Brief History of the Basin League,” in conjunction with the new exhibit  “Play Ball! The National Pastime in South Dakota” at the Cultural Heritage Center. Riner is the executive director of the Minnilusa Historical Association and operates the Pioneer Museum at the Journey Museum in Rapid City.

There is no fee to attend the program but there will be an admission fee to visit the baseball exhibit and museum galleries.

Winner was one of the cities that hosted a Basin League team with Jim Palmer playing ball here in Winner. The last coach of the Basin League team was Harry Wise of Colorado.

From 1953 to 1973, 11 cities in South Dakota hosted baseball teams from the Basin League. An amateur league, most players were college stars, although all teams had some journeymen Major League players. Future stars that played in the league included Bob Gibson, Jim Palmer, Frank Howard and Don Sutton.

“We are especially excited to bring Reid Riner to the Cultural Heritage Center to talk about the Basin League,” said Jay Smith, museum director. “The Basin League played a major role in the history of baseball in South Dakota, and many of our patrons may remember attending Basin League games as youth.”

A Look at You… Jack Frantz

jack frantz look at you

Name: Jack Frantz

Birthplace: Winner, SD

Family: Wife, Marlene; Children, Lori  & Christopher; Grandchildren, Alex & Marlee Schaeffer.

Currently reside where: Winner, SD

Occupation: Retired

My favorite childhood memory: Branding calves with my grandfather,  dad,  brothers, uncle, and cousins.

When growing up, I wanted to be: Thinner

My most prized possession: My Lord Jesus, My Family, and My Grandfather’s  1913 12-gauge shotgun.

Favorite sports teams: Winner Warriors, Lady Warriors, and the Broncos.

Favorite current television show: NCIS, Blue Bloods.

Favorite past television shows: Gunsmoke and Mash.

Favorite movies (Mini-Series): Lonesome Dove

Favorite actors:  Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Selleck.

Favorite musicians/bands: George Strait, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.

Favorite holiday and why: Easter, because all things are made new.

Favorite Bible verse: John 3:16,17,18

Hobbies: Gardening

Three things that can always be found in my refrigerator: Eggs, Butter, Ketchup.

In my freezer: Hamburger

Someone I most admire and why: My Grandfather, because he never said anything bad about anyone.

I’ve never been able to: Play a musical instrument.

I wish I could stop: Judging others.

When nobody is looking, I: Sing with the radio.

I’m better than most at: Procrastination

The best time of my life: When my children were living at home.

I’d like to have a dollar for: For every mile I have driven on a gravel road.

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: Ireland

If I won the lottery: I’d give most of it to my family and to the school district for teachers pay.

My definition of a great evening is:  Watching it rain.

The best thing about where I live:  The generous, caring people.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s: There’s one constant in our lives — change.

Commissioners Award Supply Bids

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Tripp County Commissioners awarded highway supply bids at the May 26 meeting.

Bids had been opened the bids at a meeting two weeks ago and tabled them.

Atteberry Construction of Winner received the bid for gravel crushing. Their bid was $3.74 per ton at the Turnquist pit and $3.36 at all other pits.

The gravel hauling went to T & J  Trucking of Mission at 21.4 cents per ton mile.

Derald Bachmann Construction of Winner received the bid for dirt work and track hoe at $145 per hour.

Nagel Construction of Winner was awarded the bid for work in unorganized townships.

Opperman Inc., Gregory, had the previous bid on gravel crushing and had submitted a bid this  year.

 

The commissioners interviewed six persons for the position of secretary in the treasurer’s office. The board hired Katie Radke as the full time secretary at $11 an hour with six months probation.

The commissioners also hired Rachel Steskal as the full-time deputy in the treasurer’s office at $11 an hour and six months probation. Both will start work in the early part of June.

Megan Peterson, 4-H youth advisor, submitted her resignation effective June 23. She has taking a position with University of Nebraska of Lincoln extension as a 4-H youth development extension educator in Harlan County.

Organizations Seek Funding from City

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Four  organizations seeking funding made presentations to the Winner City Council Monday night.

As the city gets ready to start its budget process, they sent letters to organizations asking them to make a presentation to the city council and also submit a financial statement.

Jackie Scott, transit director of ROCS Transit of Lake Andes, asked for funding for the Winner Transit.

She  said the cost to ride the transit is $2 per ride and matching funds are required for them to receive their federal grants.

Councilman Frank Finney made a presentation on behalf of the senior citizens meal program. He explained that meals are served five days a week at the senior citizens center and the average attendance is 30 persons a day. The center would like to see the average attendance increase.

This program also delivers meals on wheels.

Shana Flakus, executive director of Winner Resource Center, explained the program started in Winner in 1998 and has since expanded to Gregory and Lyman counties.

She gave an overview of the program and explained last year the office served 145 victims. She explained her office is seeing younger women who are victims in domestic abuse.

Liz Farley coordinator of the RSVP program explained there are 85 volunteers and last year they donated 14,812 hours of service.

Members of the Winner County Club directors attended the meeting and expressed concerns about not being able to pump out of the golf course dam for 30 days.

Danny Ayers of the water department explained due to work being done at the water tank the restriction had to put in place. The city said they would work with the golf course to make sure their dam does not run too low. Ayers said he would know by this weekend if some of the restrictions on the golf course can be eased.

Casey Berndt, president of the country club board, said 30 days is a long time for them not to be able to pump. The golf course is concerned this will make it hard for the dams to recover later in the summer.

Winner Native Earns Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) Degree From Midwestern University

McCready OKU

Zachary R. McCready, D.M.D., of Winner, has completed the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree at the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) at Midwestern University. An official graduation ceremony and conferring of degrees took place on the Midwestern University campus in Downers Grove, Illinois on Wednesday, May 20.

Dr. Zachary R. McCready is the son of Winner residents Ron and Judy McCready. He was a South Dakota Boys Stater, graduated from Winner High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University. Following college and prior to attending dental school, he worked as a Research Assistant and Training/Quality Control Coordinator for the National Children’s Study research project in Brookings.

While attending dental school, Dr. McCready was 1 of 45 healthcare profession students in the United States to be named a Paul Ambrose Scholar. In conjunction with Dr. Bruno Jham, DDS, MS, PhD, he published two journal articles related to their combined research on oral cancer education. Additionally, Dr. McCready was inducted into the dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon. OKU membership is by election of existing members and limited to those dental students and faculty members who have distinguished themselves by excellence in scholarship, while demonstrating exemplary traits of character and potential qualities for future professional growth and attainments. Membership is restricted to no more than 12% of graduating dentists.

The Doctor of Dental Medicine program at CDMI is an integrated educational program utilizing state-of-the-art resources and practices and is committed to preparing dentists to provide patient-centered, comprehensive oral care founded on the principles of ethical practice, scientific research, and evidence-based decision making.

After graduation, Dr. McCready and his wife Kelli, also from Winner, plan to practice dental medicine in Chamberlain, at Chamberlain Family Dentistry, in the office formerly occupied by Dr. Dan Monson.

Sheer Intensity Salon in Winner has Changed Ownership.

sheer intensity salon

Michelle Deaver opened the business in 2006 at 428 W. 2nd St. She has sold the business to Carrie Hanson of Winner.  Deaver will be moving to Minnesota and wants to let her customers know she has appreciated their business.

Hanson says the business will be open evenings and on weekends as he will continue to work at Farm Service Agency during the day. Persons can call 842-9943 or 842-6925 for an appointment.

Hanson has 27 years of experience as a hair stylist.

She graduated from Stewarts School of Hairstyling, Sioux Falls, in 1988. For about 10 years, she worked at the Styling Hut of Winner and was a co-owner.

Hanson says the name of the business will not change.

Peters Receives Scholarship

sydnie peters fccla

Agriculture education teachers/FFA advisors make a world of difference for the students they teach.  This spring students put into words, as part of an FFA Advisor Tribute Scholarship application, how their ag teachers/FFA advisors have impacted their lives.  Ten outstanding examples of amazing teachers impacting their students have been chosen and submitting students will each receive scholarships to attend a SD FFA Leadership Retreat this summer.

Among the winners of a scholarship to attend a summer retreat is Sydnie Peters of Winner.

The ten students wrote essays about how their FFA advisors have made an impact on their lives. •

Sydnie Peters, Winner FFA senior expresses her gratitude, “Mr. Wyatt DeJong has influenced my life greatly by always being there, opening doors to new experiences, and encouraging me to do and be the best I can be.  He is always there if I need help or advice.  We attended numerous events throughout the year that were all new to me and gave me wonderful lessons and memories … with him as my advisor I have realized just how much I love the agricultural field and want to make a career of it.”

Scholarships are made possible through the SD FFA Foundation by West River Electric Association, Sioux Valley Energy, and the Walt Johnson Memorial Fund; in memory of two past FFA advisors: Leonard DeBoer and Walt Johnson.

Rutten Wins Steer Wrestling

Reid Rutten, Colome, won the steer wrestling, in the White River high school practice rodeo on May 22.The Colome High School graduate’s time was :15.12.

Wiley Heath of Colome placed in the White River high school practice rodeo.

Heath was fourth in cutting with a score of 69.

He placed second in dally team roping in :11.64. His partner was Myles Kenzy of Gregory High School.

There were 61 contestants in the rodeo sponsored by the Michael Glynn Memorial Coalition.