Category Archives: Local

Birthplace:  Aberdeen, SD

Family:  Husband Bob. Children Ben, 20, Molly, 17, Shea, 14, Jenna, 9, and Annie, 6.

Currently reside where:  Winner, SD

Occupation:  Paraprofessional at Winner Middle/High School

The best thing about my job is:  Watching a student “get it” after they have struggled for a long time.

My favorite childhood memory:  Spending time with my Grandma & Grandpa Leach.

When growing up, I wanted to be: Singer/Actress

My most prized possession:  Double Wedding Ring and Dresdan Plate quilts that my Grandma Leach made for me.

Favorite sports teams:  Any team that is playing the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Winner Rage.

Favorite current television shows:  Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS Los Angeles, Once Upon a Time, Big Brother, American Pickers, Teen Wolf … Oh my gosh, I watch too much TV.

Favorite past television shows:  Growing Pains, Friends.

Favorite movies:  16 Candles, Breakfast Club, The Cutting Edge, Steel Magnolias (Little fact about me – I was also in the play Steel Magnolias, once in college as Ouiser and also for the Winner Community Playhouse as M’Lynn)

Favorite actors:  Dennis Quaid, Ryan Reynolds

Favorite actresses:  Sandra Bullock, Julie Roberts

Favorite musician/band:  Hootie and the Blowfish

Favorite book(s)/author(s):  I love to read but I don’t have a favorite author.

Favorite publication(s) (newspapers, magazines):   HGTV, Country Living Sampler, Food Network TV

Favorite holidays and why: Thanksgiving…family and food.

Favorite Bible verse:  Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hobbies:  Refinishing furniture, painting, scrapbooking, reading, gardening.

Three things that can always be found in my refrigerator:  Milk, eggs, and something empty that my kids just put back in the fridge instead of throwing it away.

My favorite snack:  My Mom’s chocolate chip cookies. (I sure do wish she would make me some.)

Pet peeve(s):  Loud eaters!

Someone I most admire and why: My Grandma Leach.  She was just an amazing woman.

Three words that best describe me:  Three isn’t enough.

People would be surprised to know:  I can sing and I love to sing but I don’t like to sing in front of people any more.  Freaks me out.

I’ve never been able to:  Let my hair grow.

I wish I could stop:  Wayne Hopkins from group texting.

When nobody is looking, I:  Sing and dance.

I’m better than most at:  Making cream cheese mints.

I’d like to have a dollar for:  Every time I ask Bob to spell a word for me.

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: New York City to a Broadway play.

If I won the lottery: I would have a kick-butt scrapbook room with childproof security.

My definition of a great evening is: A nice supper with my family, my favorite shows or a book, and no interruptions.

A goal I have for the future: Finish all of my kids’ scrapbooks.

The best thing about where I live:  My family and friends.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s:  If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Several public hearings were held at Monday’s meeting of the Winner City Council.

The council approved vacating a portion of Eisenhower Street and rededicating a portion to an alley for utility access. Upon the recommendation of the planning commission, the council approved the request if a curb cut and valley apron were installed and if the trees within the 20 foot area  for an alley be removed.

A variance was approved  for a  setback regulation for constructing a garage at 311 W. 5^th St. The application was filed by Larry and Lindy Harkin.

Al Ferwerda’s application for a variance of setback regulations at the southwest corner of Roosevelt and 8^th St was approved. He plans to build a two unit townhouse. Some of the neighbors who live in this area say these are two very busy streets and they were concerned about safety issues for children in the neighborhood. They said they would like to see a single house not a double unit being built. Mike Brown, the city’s zoning officer, explained the area is zoned R2 which allows for two family housing units.

The application of Ron Taggart for a variance of setback regulations at the northwest corner of 5^th and Washington St. was approved. Taggart plans to build three two unit structures.

The council approved annexation of East Addition No. 3 for six lots for the Mathis Brothers.

The council approved the transfer of the liquor license from Sargents to St. Mary’s Hall for the Kerner-Novotny wedding on Jun 13.

The date of June 1 was set for  a public hearing for the malt beverage renewals for 2015-2016.

The council approved a resolution establishing the rental rates for 2015.

The council approved cleaning out Dog Ear Creek bridge and accepting the quote of $3,500 from Northern Plains Construction of Winner.

Police chief Paul Schueth reported there were 86 inmates in jail on Monday. He said the two college interns have started work.

The council awarded a bid for hot mix. The bid of Commercial Asphalt, Mitchell, $75 per ton to be picked up at the North Star plant was accepted. The other bidder was Morris Inc., Ft. Pierre at $79 per ton and to be picked up in Ft. Pierre.

Derald Bachmann told the council the Winner Youth Fishing Day will be held May 30 at the bass pond. He asked that the deposit of $250 be waived for this event. The council agreed to waive the fee.

Bachmann explained he has been approached by some families to use memorial money to place benches at the piers of the new bass pond. Bachmann was requesting if it was OK to install the benches. He explained he has enough money for about four benches. There are eight piers at the pond.

A Boy Scout has asked Bachmann if he can build a sign for the bass pond for an Eagle scout project. The council asked that a drawing of sign and specifications be presented to the city. The council will have the parks committee look at the plan.

Also discussed was a sign to placed at the bass pond listing the donors who gave money to help build the facility.

Jim Vaughn who lives at 870 Pine Street told the council he would like to buy a portion of lot next to his and put a garage on this lot. He wants to put a bathroom in the garage but the current ordinance says he cannot do this. Vaughn explained he would like to see the ordinance changed. The council’s ordinance committee will meet this week and take a look at this ordinance.

Tom Kauer of South Central Development Corporation told the council the Tripp County Office of Development has been moved to the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce office and that Karla Brozik, executive director of the Chamber is the interim development director.

Kauer explained about a year ago he asked if a sidewalk could be placed at 316st St to the highway near McDonald’s. Mayor Jess Keesis explained the state will be redoing the highway through Winner in 2020 and some changes could be made that intersection at that time.

The council will advertise for drainage project in the alley east of Main Street.

The city will get quotes for the replacement of the sewer main in the alley between 10^th and 11^th Street.

Mayor Keesis presented a $1,000 Missouri River Energy Service scholarship to Tawny Sherman. MRES supplies electricity to the city of Winner.

The council met in executive session to discuss personnel.

By Dan Merritt, Advocate Reporter

Were tractors floating at the Kevin and Lori Wagner place northwest of Winner?  After all, the first full week of May and into the weekend brought close to three inches of rain there.

But it came gently.

“It was truly a blessing,” Kevin Wagner reported early last week when contacted in a random phone survey of farmers by the Winner Advocate.

The rain soaked into parched topsoil. “We were needing rain pretty bad,” Wagner said, “There was kind of adequate subsoil moisture but it was going to need some moisture to get things going.

“The alfalfa has been the (main) one that’s been struggling. It just hasn’t been growing a lot. But boy this should perk it up,” he said.

The amount of rainfall was no problem for thirsty ground which lapped it up.

By Dan Merritt, Advocate Reporter

U2 band sings a song about a place  “Where the Streets Have No Name.”

Well, South County Road in Winner has a name but there’s a building along the roadway without an identifying moniker.

“It’s called the No Name Baptist Church,” laughed Pastor Bruce Miller at his office in the new structure, “We have a lot of work yet to do. We haven’t got a sign up yet.”

The AWANA children and youth program is a big part of the church’s ministry held for years at the building on Lamro Street.

But there have been some AWANA activities lately held in the new building. Which has prompted some of the youth who attend, to label it the “new AWANA church,” Miller noted.

Actually, it’s the First Baptist Church of Winner.   And beyond that, it bears the name of “miracle,” Miller continued.

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

The burn ban that has been in place for several months was lifted by the Tripp County Commissioners at the May 12 meeting.

Tripp County received over an inch of rain last week  and after consulting with the area fire departments the commissioners decided to lift the burn ban.

Commissioners discussed the next phase of courthouse electrical wiring.  This phase of the work will feature outlets in offices in the first and second floor for data and communication in addition to providing cooling for the building.  The commissioners looked at a room just off the commissioners room that will be used  as a data hub. A wall will be built and half of the room will be used for the data hub and the rest will be used for storage.

Sheriff Shawn Pettit requested a part-time certified officer be hired to help with  weekend calls and special events. He said the person hired would work between 20 to 30 hours a week and would be paid $13 per hour.  This part-time person would work as needed at the discretion of the sheriff.

Three members of the Winner Volunteer Fire Department discussed options for purchasing new fire trucks.  Nelson explained they would like to replace the 1980 tanker and then purchase a chasis to build a grass rig as they have done in the past.

Bids were opened for gravel crushing and dirt work.

There were 57 project in this year’s Winner Science Fair held May 13.

The projects were judged and medals awards.

Winner best of show in the freshmen division were Matthew Hartley and a project by Samantha Marts and Brekkny Nagel.

Best of show in the 10^th grade division went to a project by Liz Jankaskas and Chet Bryan and one by Sydney Hollenbeck.

Other freshmen placers were: Mason Schuyler/Ian Tunnissen, gold; Carter Brickman/Justus Gregg, silver; Meredith Calhoon sliver; Daesha Klein/Kayla Bachmann, silver; Ronae Klein/Lexie Nedved, silver; Hanna LaCompte/Madyson Frazier, silver; Riley Calhoon, silver.

The 9^th grade Bronze medal winners are: Tanner Moeller, Alex Schaeffer/Aiden Bachamnn, Taylor Watzel/Charlie Novak, Lauren Norrid/Macy Olson, Ty Bolton/Matthew Smither, Dalton Baker/Zac Lapsley, Trace Larson and Nathan Erickson.

The sophomore best of show went to Liz Jankauskas/Chet Bryan and Sydney Hollenbeck.

The sophomore gold medal winners were: Sidney Bohnet, Brea Heth/Chantelle Brill, Wyatt Ewing/Chase Kingsbury and Chloe Bartels.

Silver medal winner were: Nathan Ducheneaux/Cody Amidon, Jordon Turgeon/ Rhys Middlesworth/Krockett Krolikowski, Kayleb Brozik, Kenzie Irick/Payton Antoine, Shannon Duffy, Abi Leyden.

The sophomore bronze medal winners were: Hannah Peterson, Cameron Kuil/Luke Engel, Sam Schuyler/Kyran Meek, Jayden Schroeder, Isaac Naasz, Drew DeMers, Brickdania Ferguson, John Kludt, Ryan Sherman and Jacob Woods.

 Brady Fritz, a Winner 6^th grader, won second place in the state Elks Americanism essay contest. Fritz won first place in the local contest sponsored by the Winner Elks Lodge.

“What the pledge of allegiance means to me” was the topic of his essay.

By Dan Merritt, Winner Advocate

No leukemia in his bone marrow is a great test result from early last week for Eli Kortan of Colome, 13.

But it’s considered a “false remission,” according to his mother Shannon Kortan.

Though it would seem it’s an indication that cancer-fighting medicine is making progress towards curing the Pre B Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) her son was diagnosed with last January.

Last week, Shannon and Eli were at “the Castle” — Sanford Children’s Hospital of Sioux Falls — which looks like a castle.

They weren’t supposed to be there as of Friday (May 8) when Shannon was contacted by phone, but it was taking longer to flush high-potency cancer medicine from Eli than expected.

He received the medicine on Monday to begin what was supposed to be a three-day treatment.

It was just one of many rounds of treatments for him that were expected to last three years from the time of his January 2015 diagnosis.

Ethan Engel’s journey hasn’t always been easy.

As graduation day nears for Ethan, he looks back on his time at BHSU, and reflects on how he’s grown over the past four years.

“It was a challenge for me as a freshman. I have a learning disability, autism, which is a complex disorder that deals with verbal communication and social interaction,” Ethan said. “For me to be out of my comfort zone and away from home, my family and my friends, it was a challenge to experience the new surroundings at BHSU and make new friends.”

Through his involvement in the art department at BHSU, Ethan’s confidence and leadership skills have grown over the years, earning him the respect of his fellow students and professors. Ethan has been the president of the BHSU Art Club for two years, helping organize art displays on campus and in the community. He also has taken the reins in his classes, such as gallery management, organizing an art show in the library and the recent BHSU Art Walk on campus.

Name: Frank Finney

Birthplace: At home on the family ranch near Seneca, Neb.

Family: Wife: Jeriann; Sons: Jon, Jeff, Joel, and their families.

Currently reside where: Winner, SD

Occupation: Retired school administrator.

Some civic/religious/other board(s) on which you serve or group(s)/organization(s) you belong to: Winner city council president; chairman of the Rural Office of Economic Development (located at Lake Andes); Winner Senior Citizens board of directors member; Methodist Church board, SPR committee.

The best thing about my current life circumstances: Enjoying my retirement and having time to serve on the city council, church boards, and pheasant guiding.

My favorite childhood memory: Growing up on a small sandhill ranch with my five brothers and four sisters.

When growing up, I wanted to be: A teacher

My most prized possession: My family

Favorite sports team(s): Big Red and the Denver Broncos.

Favorite current television show: The Big Bang Theory

Favorite past television show: In the Heat of the Night

Favorite movie(s): Lonesome Dove, Broken Trail

Favorite actor: Robert Duvall

Favorite actress: Sandra Bullock

Favorite musician(s)/band(s): Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks.

Favorite book(s)/author(s): James Michener, Centennial, and The Source.

Favorite publication(s) (newspapers, magazines): Winner Advocate, The Daily Republic, South Dakota Magazine.

Favorite holiday and why:  Christmas. Time with family.

Favorite Bible verse: John 3:16

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, woodworking, and watching sports events.

Three things that can always be found in my refrigerator: Cheese, milk, meat.

My favorite snack: Homemade cookies.

Pet peeve: People who are not honest.

Someone I most admire and why: My wife. She is the light of my life.

Three words that best describe me: Kind, caring, willing to help.

People would be surprised to know: That I’m as old as I am.

I’ve never been able to: Ski or dance.

I wish I could stop: Wasting time.

When nobody is looking, I: I eat snacks.

I’m better than most at: Putting things off that need to be done.

The best time of my life: Right now.

My most embarrassing moment was: There are too many to list.

I’d like to have a dollar for: Every book I’ve read and for every time I’ve said, “Yes, Dear.”

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to: Straubing, Germany, where I was stationed in the Army. And also I’d visit Ireland.

If I won the lottery: I’d share it with my family and church.

My definition of a great evening is: Doing something with my wife and family.

A goal I have for the future: Grow old with my loved ones.

The best thing about where I live: Good friends and community.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s: Change will always happen.