Author Archives: Colton Hall

Gardner Honored as Principal of the Year for Region 7

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By Jeff Smith
Hill City Prevailer

 

Blake Gardner, Hill City middle school principal, motto of “make today your masterpiece” is something that he puts on newsletters and one that he hopes helps motivates people.
Like a lot of people at Hill City schools he hopes to assist in creating the narrative that Hill City is a great school district.

“We have a great staff, really awesome kids, and very supportive parents,” Gardner said. “Truly, I am just a figurehead for a great system.”

Gardner was recently recognized as the Region 7 Middle School Principal of the Year.

Gardner is former of Winner and the son of Bill and Bonnie Gardner. Blake Gardner is a graduate of Winner High School.

“I’m just humbled to be recognized as one of the seven in South Dakota. It’s a great honor and it’s very telling how great our school system is,” Gardner said.

After he was nominated the state principal committee voted on the principal that will be chosen for each region. Gardner explains that the Region 7 consists of the Black Hills region schools plus schools in Wall and Philip.

A state committee will be working to choose a state principal of the year.

Over his 12 years in the Hill City school district he has been involved in teaching students and being an administrator in all three buildings. At the middle school he has been a principal for eight years.

He has been a principal at the elementary school and a social studies teacher at the high school.

Gardner said he really loved teaching because he was able to work with students one-on-one but what he likes about being the principal is that he can still help students and then work with teachers as well as parents.

“It expands your influence,” Gardner said about being a principal.

There are times that are challenging but Gardner feels like being in education is the greatest job in the world.

He has a Master’s in Education Administration and he is currently working on a degree as a specialist in education degree. This is the step before getting a doctorate.

Gardner said he had really good teachers growing up who inspired him to want to be in education.

To him, the social aspect of middle school is just as important as the academic aspect. He tries to be a positive influence on students. He said middle school is an awesome place to be because the students are at the in-between stage of needing a lot of guidance and starting to have some more freedom.

Gardner said educators at the middle school are trying to motivate them to be independent learners.There are some growing pains, too, as Gardner said the students have lockers and they are able to be on their own for some of the day.

“It’s fun to watch them grow and be comfortable in that setting,” Gardner said.

Gardner said the middle school has been innovative by offering algebra and physical science for high school credit. The school also has a period called Ranger time that is a 25-minute block where teachers introduce students to subjects not taught in a regular class.

“One teacher does business math, one does geometry games and one does reading theater,” Gardner said.

Gardner said educators at the middle school try to focus on the joy of education.

“We have a great job and there is so much that could take away from focusing on the kids,” Gardner said.

He said he loves the Hill City schools and community.

“It’s just been a blessing for me to be here,” Gardner said.

After the current school year is over Gardner will take over as the elementary school principal. Gardner has left a strong impression on the students at the middle school. He’ll see where the future takes him.

He is excited to work with the teachers and students there. Also, when he was the principal in the past he was the best all-time quarterback at recess.

“There is never a dull moment at the elementary school,” Gardner said as he laughed.

 

12 Wrestlers Place at State AAU

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Twelve Winner AAU wrestlers placed at the state meet this weekend in Sioux Falls.

Kaden Keiser won first in cadets, Wyatt Turnquist won first in junior and Riley Shippy won first in schoolboy.

Also placing were:

Tots—Kyan Bartels, 3rd

Bantam—Apollo Willuweit, 3rd; Roukyn Robbins, 8th and Teegan Shelbourn, 3rd

Novice—Karson Keiser, 7th; Ryken Orel, 3rd

Schoolboy—Maxton Brozik, 3rd

Girls prek_2nd grade—Remmingtyn Robbins, 3rd and Ellison LaDeaux, 6th

Baseball Team Wins Season Opener

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Winner/Colome club baseball team opened the season with a 25-0 victory over Hot Springs on Saturday. The Royals won the game in five innings.

Carter Brickman, Ty Bolton, Jackson Kinzer, Riley Calhoon and Layton Thieman combined to throw a no hitter. Winner/Colome allowed no runs, no hits, 6 walks and 14 strikeouts.

“We were very pleased with the start of the season,” said coach Drew Weber. “I thought the pitchers threw really well and we showed good patience at the plate.”

At the plate, Thieman had a single, 3 walks, an RBI and 4 runs. Calhoon had a double, 2 walks, an RBI and two runs scored, Nick Lantz had 2 singles, Jeremiah Yeaman had a 2 RBI double, Carter Brickman, Oscar Pravecek, Dalton Baker and Ty Bolton all had 2 RBI singles.

“Hot Springs is a young team that struggled to throw strikes but we capitalized when they did. We haven’t had the normal amount of time to do live hitting and pitching outside in the past but I feel like we’re in a good spot for the early part of the season,” said Weber.

The junior varsity won 10-0 in five innings. Kameron Meiners, Joren Bruun, Chase Dufek, Jesse Colton and Aaron Gilchrist combined to throw a no hitter.

The next action for the Royals will be at home at Leahy Bowl on Thursday, March 29, when they host Todd County. The junior varsity game will start at 5:30 p.m. followed by varsity contest.

On April 2, Winner/Colome will host Gregory County with a 5:30 p.m. junior varsity game followed by the varsity contest.

 

WHS Students Named All Conference

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Three members of the Winner Lady Warriors basketball team have been named to the Big Dakota all-conference team.

Chosen were Morgan Hammerbeck, Gabby Kocer and Madyson Frazier.

Winner won the conference with a 7-0 record.

On the boys side, Brady Fritz was named to the Big Dakota all-conference.

Brandon Volmer was named to the SESD all-conference.

WHS Track Team Preparing for Season Opener

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Winner High School track team is gearing up for the first meet of the season.

Weather has not bee in their favor as snow, ice and rain have not made for ideal conditions for practice.

The first big meet in Winner will be the Bill Pistulka Invitational which will be held on Saturday, April 7.

Last year the boys team took fourth place at the state meet. Senior gone from that team are Kayleb Brozik, Drew DeMers, Luke Engel, John Kludt, Cameron Kuil, Izak Moleterno, Isaac Naasz, Jayden Schroeder, Krockett Krolikowski.

Returning lettermen this year are: Kade Watson, Riley Calhoon, Brady Fritz, Joren Bruun, Colton Schroeder and Levi McClanahan.

The numbers are low on the boys side this year. However, there are returners who have state meet experience. Riley Calhoon is one of two seniors on the team and the other senior is Levi McClanahan. Calhoon was on relays at state and helped the 4×100 and 4×200 place at state a year ago in Sioux Falls.

“We look for Riley to run the relays and get him in some open events,” said coach Larry Aaker.

Fritz competed in the triple jump and long jump at state and was on the 4×100 team and an alternate on the 4×200.

McClanahan is a strong thrower in the shot put and discus and will be the leader in the weight department.

Nolan Sachtjen will return as a sprinter as he was out last season with a knee injury. Shea Connot is out for track this season and will throw the shot put and discus

Bruun ran on the relays at state and Watson qualified for the two mile last year.

Leading the Winner Lady Warriors team are several letterwinners including Elisabeth Duffy, Meagan Blare, Tedra Vrbka, Skyler Hansen, Alexis Richey, Sidda Schuyler, Ellie Brozik, Madison Thieman, Charlotte Shopene, Katherine Jankauskas, Saige Schuyler, Morgan Hmmerbeck, Jaynee Gregg, Kelsey Sachtjen and Aryn Meiners.

Lost from graduation are Chloe Bartels, Sam Schuyler and Kyran Meek.

The Lady Warriors have several returners who have experience at the state meet. Senior Duffy will be the leader in the hurdles as last she ran both the 100 and 300 at state.

Richey was in a couple of events and ran on some relays.

Brozik qualified in the 100 and ran relays. Saige Schuyler ran the 800 and 4×800 with Sidda Schuyler running the mile and two mile and placing in the two mile. Sidda was also on relays.

Morgan Hammerbeck was in field events with Hansen running hurdles and a couple of relays. Shopene and Sachtjen competed in relays.

Blare will run middle distance with Gregg throwing the shot put and discus and Meiners running distance races.

The assistant coaches are: Glenn Carlson, Jaime Keiser, Brett Gardner, Lindsey Foster, Robin Curtis and Jayd Schuyler.

The 2018 WHS track schedule includes:

April 5—Todd County Invitational

April 7—Bill Pistulka meet in Winner

April 10—Miller Quad

April 14—Corn Palace Relays in Mitchell

April 14—Rescheduled Gregory meet

April 17—Big Dakota Conference in Chamberlain

April 20—American Legion Relays in Pierre

April 26—Cecil Johnson Invitational in Presho

May 1—Meet of Legends in Burke

May 4-5—Howard Wood in Sioux Falls

May 8—SESD Conference in Wagner

May 17—Regional in Mission

May 25—State in Spearfish

May 26—State in Rapid City

Eight Lettermen Lead Colome Track Team

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The Colome High School track team has two returning lettermen on the boys side and six on the girls side.

The boys lettermen are Beau Bertram and Michael Supik.

The letterwinners for the girls are Saydee Heath, Kaydee Heath, Haley Krumpus, Matrix Noteboom, Abby Kortan and Jaclyn Laprath.

Also on the boys team are Rhett Bertram and Evan Cole.

Other girls out for track are Bailey Hoffine, Alice Rehnberg and Jordyn Seegers.

The outdoor season for Colome will open April 3 at the South Central Conference meet in Gregory.

On March 20, some of the Colome athletes ran at the indoor Dan Lennon Invite in Vermillion.

Charles Hosford is the head coach. Assistant coaches are Ben Connot and Mende Supik. Grace Campbell is the manager.

The 2018 track schedule includes:

April 3—South Central Conference at Gregory

April 7—Bill Pistulka meet in Winner

April 10—Gregory Junior High meet

April 12—Menno Relays

April 14—Gregory meet

April 19—Flyer Invite in Freeman

April 19—Platte JH meet

April 23—Great Plains Conference junior high meet in Centerville

April 24—Great Plains Conference in Burke

April 28—Platte Relays

May 1—Meet of Legends in Burke

May 3—Lyman JH meet

May 4-5—Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls

May 8—Ft. Randall Invite, Avon

May 17—Regional in Scotland

May 25-26—State meet in Rapid City

Governor Signs Micro-Brewing Legislation; Additional Alcohol Bills

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Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed Senate Bill 173, which removes barriers for microbreweries by increasing the production limit to 30,000 barrels of beer per year and allowing microbreweries to self-distribute their product.

“This is an economic development win that will help our homegrown craft breweries grow and thrive,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Previously, South Dakota law capped microbreweries at 5,000 barrels of beer per year and prohibited an in-state microbrewery from selling its product directly to a retailer. The changes will allow us to better compete with our surrounding states which allow self-distribution and have higher distribution caps.”

Gov. Daugaard also signed five additional alcohol-related bills below today:

· HB 1313 – an Act to revise certain provisions regarding the licensing of certain alcoholic beverage manufacturers.
· HB 1146 – an Act to revise certain provisions regarding the consumption of alcoholic beverages by passengers aboard vehicles operated by licensed carriers.
· SB 178 – an Act to provide certain exceptions from alcoholic beverage provisions regarding events conducted by certain civic, charitable, educational, fraternal, or veterans organizations.
· SB 187 – an Act to establish certain provisions regarding the licensing of wine manufacturers.
· HB 1067 – an Act to revise certain provisions regarding the licensing of wineries.

Gov. Daugaard added, “South Dakota’s alcohol laws were written over 80 years ago, after prohibition ended, and they have been amended many times. I thank legislators for passing these bills which streamline and modernize our statutes, so that they make sense for a 21st Century economy.”

Attorney General Jackley’s Legislation to Combat Meth and Opioids Signed into Law

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Attorney General Marty Jackley extends his appreciation to the South Dakota Legislature and Governor Dennis Daugaard for signing SB 63 and SB 65 into law that will strengthen enforcement for distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and distribution of opioids in South Dakota.

“America is living a meth and opioid epidemic and it is directly affecting South Dakota families and communities. This legislation will give our men and women in law enforcement the tools they need to protect our communities and send the right message to drug dealers that South Dakota is off-limits,” said Jackley.

Senate Bill 63

• Increases the penalty for the distribution and manufacturing of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine that includes to minors.

• Provides for a mandatory state penitentiary sentence for the distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine or distribution of opioids. Current law provides for mandatory sentences that are not consistently applied.

• A court would have discretion to go below the mandatory sentence if the court makes written findings that a defendant meets the following criteria that are designed to protect communities and to assist law enforcement in stopping drug distribution:

(1) the defendant does not have a prior violent felony

(2) the defendant did not use violence or credible threats of violence or possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon

(3) the defendant did not induce another participant to use violence or credible threats of violence or possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon in connection with the offense;

(4) the defendant was not an organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor of others in the offense; and

(5) the defendant has truthfully provided to the State all information and evidence the defendant has concerning illegal drugs;

(6) the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury to any person.

Senate Bill 65

• Enhance penalties for persons who distribute and manufacture controlled substances when a person dies as direct result of using that substance  any person who for consideration intentionally and unlawfully distributes or manufactures a controlled substance and another person dies as a direct result of using that substance would have their sentence of the principal felony enhanced by two levels.

Bids Opened for County Highway Shop Building

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By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Bids were opened for a proposed highway shop at the March 13 meeting of the Tripp County Commissioners.

Four bids were received and representatives from the companies attended the bid opening.

The base bids include: Summit Construction, Platte, $1,856,000; Puetz Inc., Mitchell, $1,799,000; Sharpe Inc., Ft. Pierre, $1,858,000 and First Dakota Enterprises, Ft. Pierre, $2,070,000.

Each company bid several add ons such as shop cooling, infloor tubing and compressors.

The commissioners tabled all the bids.

Also attending the meeting was Loren Schaeffer of Brosz Engineer.

Janiece Weber, the new director of equalization, told the commissioners she will be sending out improvement forms so persons can list additions to farms or new additions to buildings in town.

Weber received permission to attend a conference in Rapid City May 22-25.

Laura Kahler, 4-H advisor, told the board persons have been selected for the summer assistant.

Brooke Schroeder was hired at 480 hours for the summer and Sydney Peters for 80 hours. Commissioner Chip Schroeder abstained from voting as Brooke Schroeder is his daughter.

Permission was given to purchase a new gator for the Tripp County ambulance service. Paul Schueth of the ambulance service said TransCanada has given a $5,000 grant toward the purchase of a new gator.

Kathie Cole, co-ambulance director, said the new ambulance has arrived and it was on display outside the courthouse.

The next meeting of the commissioners will be March 27 at 10 a.m.

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