Category Archives: Local

With colder weather coming, now is a good time to make sure your vehicle is up to winter’s icy test.

AAA suggests using this eight-point, do-it-yourself inspection checklist:

· Battery. Check for loose cables and corrosive buildup. Make certain your battery is fully charged. If it’s more than two years old, have it tested.
· Radiator. Fill as needed with 50/50 blend of anti-freeze and water.
· Windshield washer / wiper blades. Add no-freeze windshield-wiper fluid to the reservoir. Replace worn wiper blades.
· Belts. Make sure drive belts are tight but not cracked, glazed or frayed. Belts should not deflect more than half an inch when pushed with your finger.
· Hoses. Check for leaks, bulges and cracks. Make sure clamps are secure.
· Oil, transmission and brake fluid levels. Change oil and replace oil filter. Check your owner’s manual for the proper way to check your vehicle’s transmission and brake fluid levels.
· Air filter. Replace air filter every 7,500 miles or when dirty.
· Tires. Tire tread should be at least 1/16 of an inch on normal tires (past Lincoln’s head when inserting a penny into the tread, head first). Tires lose a pound of pressure for every drop of ten degrees Fahrenheit in the outside temperature. Inflate to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure (check owner’s manual or sticker on doorjamb).

When driving on ice or snow, remember that the trick is taking it slow and easy.

Skidding is caused by hard acceleration or braking, going too fast for conditions, and by quick, jerky movements with the steering wheel. Anticipate lane changes, turns and curves and slow down in advance. Aim high in steering, far down the road.

Allow yourself extra time – and be sure to clear all windows before starting to drive.

If your vehicle has rear-wheel drive, gain extra traction by placing heavy objects (cinder blocks, bags of sand) in the trunk of your car or in the bed of your truck. The sand can also be used to spread in front of power wheels to gain extra traction on ice. Clay-based kitty litter also works well.

Carry a winter trouble kit with you: good working flashlight with extra batteries, warm clothing (gloves, hats, scarves), blankets, jumper cables, cellular telephone and battery-charging cord, first aid kit, simple tools, ice scraper, snow brush, snacks, drinking water and paper towels.

The Johnson Strings will present a Christmas concert on Dec. 10 at the Assembly of God Church in Winner at 7 p.m.

Prior to the concert, there will be a supper from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This award winning university trained family of eight combines instrumental expertise and tight vocal harmony to create a powerful performance. Their fiery fiddling, rich depth, soulful melodies and genre-breaking style draws listeners into the musical experience.

The public is invited to come and enjoy the music.

The South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy graduated 44 officers from across the state. Kyle Swedland of the Winner Police Department was among the graduating class and is pictured with South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. All graduates of the basic course must complete a 13 week program. The basic certification course is overseen by the South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy under the Office of the Attorney General.

“Congratulations to the graduating class for receiving their law enforcement certificate. On behalf of the law enforcement community and the people of the State of South Dakota, I thank you for your dedication to public service,” said Attorney General Marty Jackley

Swier Law Firm, Prof. LLC is pleased to announce the expansion of its nationally recognized legal practice with the addition of Rebekkah Steinwand.

Rebekkah will be joining the law firm’s office in Sioux Falls as a key member of the Family Law Practice Group. Her practice is focused on adoption, divorce, custody disputes, parenting time, paternity, guardianships, and protection orders.

“We are pleased to have Rebekkah join Swier Law Firm,” said Scott Swier. “Adding Rebekkah enhances the depth of our team and demonstrates the firm’s commitment to growing the Family Law Practice Group,” added Swier.

“I am excited to join Swier Law Firm because of its focus on legal excellence,” . Steinwand said. “Swier Law Firm is a firm that is receptive to innovation and change that provides value for our clients. Its values align well with my goal of striving for the best possible outcome for our clients. I look forward to being a part of the firm at this exciting time.”

Rebekkah earned her bachelor of arts in political science from Gustavus Adolphus College where she competed in intercollegiate athletics for the Golden Gusties. She earned her law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law where she was active in the area of children’s legal issues.

Two Winner men convicted of criminal trespass were sentenced on Nov. 10 by U.S. Magistrate judge Mark Moreno.

Jeremy Schroeder and Kirby Kartak, both 37, were sentenced to jointly and severly pay the Rosebud Sioux Tribe $600 in restitution, to each pay $300 fine, to write letters of apology to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and to pay a special assessment to the federal crime victims fund in the amount of $5.

Schroeder and Kartak were indicted by a federal grand jury on April 13. Both pled guilty to a joint plea and sentence

The convictions stem from an incident that occurred on Dec. 2, 2014. Schroeder and Kartak, drove heavy equipment into the Oyate Whacanku spirit camp near Rosebud and removed approximately 30 large hay bales which were being utilized to form a windbreak at the camp. Schroeder claimed to have an ownership interest in the hay, which was harvested on a separate tract of land owned by the tribe. Schroeder had previously leased the land on which the hay was harvested.

The spirit camp was designed as a cultural and spiritual camp for activities associated with tribal opposition to the construction of the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline. Several tipis and a sweat lodge were erected at the camp and the camp was blessed by tribal spiritual leaders.

With the first snow of the season, city residents are reminded to slow down when driving and be careful when driving on ice.

The Winner Police Department reminds drivers to clear the winds before hitting the road in winter weather. Also clear snow from headlights and back brake lights.

After a snow fall, the city will issue a snow alert and persons are reminded to listen to the radio or watch for notices on TV. During a snow alert, vehicles need to be removed from the street until the street is plowed curb to curb.

Persons can also sign up at the city office to get notices of alerts on their smart phones.

Persons are also reminded when a storm is approaching to get campers and trailers off the street so roads can be plowed.

Shirley Daughters Hamill won two awards at the SDHCA Dakota Masterworks art show Nov. 3-4 in Sioux Falls.

The show features art created by artists age 60 and older who are South Dakota residents.

This year’s show included more than 190 entries, making it one of the largest Dakota MasterWorks ever.

Daughters won third place for her drawing of an old stone house and she received an honorable mention for a drawing of her mother and her brother, Larry. The title of the honorable mention piece was “An apple shared.”

The Hamill artist has won numerous awards at this art show. In past years, she has also been the people’s choice winner at this show.

“The SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks art show is about highlighting the remarkable artistic accomplishments by older South Dakotans,” said LuAnn Severson, art show coordinator.

“Aging does not mean giving up our creativity, inspiration and talent.”

Categories included watercolor painting, oil painting, acrylic painting, drawing/pastels, photography, sculpture and wood carving.
First, second and third, best of show and people’s choice will be on exhibit at the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre during the SDHCA legislative reception on Jan. 24, 2017.

Dakota State University student Sharee Galbraith is student teaching during the fall semester in Harrisburg. Galbraith is an elementary education/special education major from Winner.

To be accepted into the teacher education program, students must maintain a 2.6 cumulative grade point average and a 2.7 in their major. They must successfully pass the Praxis Pre-Professional Skills Test and the Praxis content exam in their area of preparation, and successfully complete all coursework and field experiences.  Candidates work in multi-cultural settings, special education classrooms, regular education classrooms, and volunteer settings with K-12 children prior to acceptance into student teaching.

The majority of student teachers are placed in districts within a 60-mile radius of Madison.

Winner High School FFA took 27 students to the district leadership development event with 16 advancing to the state contest which will be held in Pierre Dec. 4-5.

The district event was held in Mitchell on Nov. 14.

In individual events, the district sends the top 3 and in team events the district sends the top 2 teams to state.

Winner individuals advancing to state are:
Ag broadcasing—John Kludt, 1st
Creed speaking—Abigail Pajl, 2nd
Extemporaneous speaking—Matthew Hartley, 2nd
Prepared public speaking—Katy Lantz, 3rd

Teams advancing to state are: Senior parliamentary procedure, 2nd, Alex Schaeffer, Matt Hartley, Luke Hennebold, Kayleb Brozik, Nick Blare Casey Stickland and Elijah Blare

Ag issues, 2nd, Daesha Klein Ronae Klein, Kayla Bachmann, Luke Hennebold, Sam Marts, Avery Gilchrist and Payton Antoine.

The alternate team was the junior parli procedure team made up of Abigail Pajl, Ryder Mortenson, Heather Rowe, Dawson Phillips, Phillip Jorgensen, Joren Bruun and Loren Moeller.

Elected District IV treasurer was Luke Hennebold.

It is time to start thinking about entering a float in the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights. 
The annual holiday event will be held Saturday, Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street.

Persons are asked to call the Chamber by Nov. 23 with their entry. First place will win $300, second place $200, 3rd place, $100 and people’s choice, $100.

Prior to the start of the parade, there will be events all afternoon. There will be photos with Santa, face painting, minnow races, wine tasting, Moon Lake Ranch Reindeer, free movie at the Pix Theater and horse and wagon rides.