Category Archives: Local

Glenn Carlson will be inducted into the Winner School Hall of Fame at the quarterback club track meet on Friday, May 15.

Carlson began teaching in Winner in 1973 and continued through 2006. During his tenure, he taught mainly math classes along with some science and PE classes.

Carlson has touched the lives of countless students who still hold him in high regard.

Carlson was a four time All-American athlete at South Dakota State University  and held the high hurdle record for over 30 years and was a member of record setting relay teams in college. He brought his knowledge with him to Winner and continued to share his expertise with the Winner athletes for close to 40 years. He helped coach track, football, basketball and cross country during his career and has continued to be an assistant coach for the high school football and track teams.

Coach Carlson is a hands on coach that can be found on the field with the kids at a meet getting them ready for an event, cheering them on and offering kinds words and encouragement after the race.

There have also been many awards given to Carlson including twice named teacher of the year, twice named homecoming parade marshal, Spirit of Howard Schramm award, Bill Pistulka award and the first recipient of the Winner Quarterback Club volunteer of the year award.

Carlson is married to Rebecca and together they have two daughters, Lisa Jankauskas and Carrie Kuil. Glenn and Becca have five grandchildren.

By Dan Bechtold, Editor 

Tripp County Commissioners heard an update on the Keystone XL pipeline from Bud Andersen, an independent contractor working for TransCanada.  Andersen spoke at the April 28 meeting.

He told the commissioners the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has postponed its public input session on the pipeline which had been set for May 4.

TransCanada is applying for recertification to build the pipeline across western South Dakota. If approved, the pipeline will cross a portion of  Tripp County.

Andersen told the commissioners he through the hearing before the PUC would be on July 27.

TransCanada received its original permit from the PUC for the  South Dakota segment of the project in 2010.

But because construction did not start within the four year window allowed the company must certify all the permit conditions will still be met.

Andersen also explained he has been meeting with west river counties on road issues. Roads that will be used by the company will be repaired once the project is completed.

However, there has been no final approval from the president on the project.

The commissioners approved a change in the day the recycling center is open. The new days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month they are open from 9 a.m. to noon.

The commissioners will advertise to lease five trucks to be used by the highway departments. The bids will be opened at the June 23 meeting.

Robin Carlson of Eddie’s Truck Sales of Ft. Pierre told the commissioners she could help with pricing for the trucks and help with the bid process.

Carlson explained there are several options for leasing a vehicle.

John Calhoon of Brosz Engineering presented the Mathis addition plat for approval. The county board approved the plat.

Tripp County highway superintendent Roger Sund reported new weight limit signs will be needed for all bridges.

The county will advertise for a secretary in the treasurer’s office.

Tripp County ambulance director Bev Vaughn met with the board.

Expenses were authorized for state’s attorney Alvin Pahlke to attend the South Dakota state’s attorney conference May 7-8 in Deadwood.

The council set the date for its surplus sale for May 23 at the county shop yard.

The next meeting of the commissioners will be at 10 a.m. on May 12.

Sam Naasz will receive his Eagle scout award in a Boy Scout court of honor Sunday, May 10 at the Holiday Inn Express. The ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m.

Naasz, a senior at Winner High School, is the son of Brian and Sharon Naasz. He is a member of Troop 100 and has been in scouts for 12 years.

His Eagle scout project was landscaping the elementary school sign and planting grass after construction. All of this is located at the north entrance of the school.

Several other Boy Scouts awards will be presented at the court of honor.

In time for planting season, Modern Woodman of America with Vicki Condon, financial representative and Winner Ladies Auxiliary VFW #4674 delivered planters to Rose Manor of Colome, Golden Prairie Manor and Elder Inn both of Winner.  The  project was completed in conjunction with the Good Neighbor program.  The planters built by veteran Ken Van Kekerix are designed to resemble “feed bunks”.  The dirt and plants were also provided to the facilities. Residents of the facilities should be able to work in the garden without having to get down on their knees.  A wheelchair or chair will facilitate their planting, weeding, harvesting and anything else that needs done to a flower or vegetable garden.

The public is encouraged to drive by and look at their beautiful garden in late July or August.  One resident stated, “I can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt and watch the flowers grow.”

Area students were honored at the Dakota Wesleyan University  honors banquet on April 24.

Michael Rohde, Colome, received the Harriet Houk scholarship; Anthony Husher, Winner, St. Joseph Hospital endowed scholarship; Austin Calhoon, Winner, Education Learning Through Service scholars; Lindsey Calhoon, GBHEM United Methodist scholarship; Anthony Husher and Michael Rohde, Phi Kappa Phi; Tyler Vavra, Pi Gamma Mu, a national social science fraternity intended to stimulate achievement by students in the social sciences; Husher, Rohde, Austin Schroeder, Sigma Zeta—science and mathematics; Emily Richey and Tyler Vavra, F. Dwain Randall scholarships; Anthony Husher, Michael Rohde, Tyler Vavra, Sara Husher, honor scholarships; scholar-athlete awards—Anthony Husher; NAIA-Daktronics All America scholar athletes—Rohde, football.

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Frank Finney was elected the president of the Winner City Council as the new term for city officials started Monday night.

Elected as vice president was Dave Baker.

The oath of office was given to three persons who are beginning to serve a two year term. Finney will serve another term in Ward One. New to the council this year and taking their seats were Jody Brozik in Ward Two and John Meyer in Ward Three.

Plaques were presented to Val Sherman for her 16 years on the council and Zach Anderson for his four years on the council.

Mayor Jess Keesis made several appointments. Paul Jensen was named city attorney and Sandy Steffen was named assistant city attorney.

Paul Schueth was appointed police chief and Rhonda Augspurger was appointed finance officer.

Appointed as city engineer was the firm of SPN of Mitchell.

Re-appointed to the city planning commission were Kay Berg and Joe Hockett.

Council committees for 2015-2016 include:

Police commission—Jess Keesis, Frank Finney and Jena Littau

Cemetery, parks and recreation—Jena Littau, Dave Baker and Jody Brozik

Utilities/streets/drainage—Frank Finney, Brad Schramm and Jody Brozik

Finance and ordinance—Frank Finney, Jena Littau and John Meyer

Insurance/administration building and fire hall—Littau, Brozik and Schramm

Union committee—Keesis, Finney, Augspurger and Paul Jensen

Administrative policy/personnel—Finney, Baker and Meyer

Emergency management/airport—Finney, Schramm and Baker

Third District planning/ Chamber of Commerce/economic development—Keesis

Housing/county relations—Keesis

Senior citizens—Frank Finney

The mayor and city council members signed an ethics pledge which is  part of city ordinance 830.

Name:  Karla Brozik

Birthplace:  Mitchell, SD

Family:  3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 daughters, 1 son.

Currently reside where:  Winner, SD

Occupation:  Executive Director of the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce.

The best thing about my job is:  Networking with the members.

My most prized possession:  My children.

Favorite musician(s)/band(s):  Toby Keith, Blake Shelton.

Favorite holiday and why:  Independence Day – usually a fun and relaxing day.

Hobbies:  Coach softball, listening to music, scrapbooking.

My favorite snack:  Fruit smoothies.

If I won the lottery:  I probably won’t because I don’t play. But if I did, I would probably save the majority of the money and give to organizations that need it.

My definition of a great evening is:  Hanging out with friends.

The best thing about where I live:  We live in a caring community.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s:  Be yourself.  Count your blessings.  Actions speak louder than words.

By Dan Merritt, Advocate reporter

They decided someone needed to clean-up this town and they were right.

A cleaning business begun in winter 2014 is flourishing in Winner — and the area, as well — to the point of possibly hiring more workers, says Mardi Pederson.

“It’s going really well. Really well. We’re really busy. Better than I could have hoped.”

After several months of consideration, she and her mother Kaye Eckerman launched SPARKLE Cleaning Company, LLC on Feb. 14, 2014.

They have a crew busy every day cleaning homes, some businesses, and plenty of automobiles, as well.

(Yes, they will take-on that messy inside and muddy exterior car of yours and make that dirty ride all clean and shiny inside and out.)

Appointments for cars need to be made at which time costs for the service can be discussed, Pederson added.