Category Archives: Local

David Burger, a Pioneer sales representative, has donated $1,000 to the Winner School District to be used in the form of a scholarship.  This year’s scholarship recipient is Lesley Soles. Soles is a senior at Winner High School and plans to attend South Dakota State University this fall.

Burger was awarded this contribution money by DuPont Pioneer for his dedication to customer-focused activities throughout the year.  DuPont Pioneer is the world’s leading developer and supplier of advanced plant genetics, providing high–quality seeds to farmers in more than 90 countries.  Pioneer provides agronomic support and services to help increase farmer productivity and profitability and strives to develop sustainable agricultural systems for people everywhere.

DuPont has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802.   The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, BGO’s and thought leaders, we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.  For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit  HYPERLINK “http://www.dupont.com” www.dupont.com

Bryce Hauf of Colome graduated from Northern State University, Aberdeen, on May 9.

His degrees are in  environmental science, biology, medical laboratory science

By Dan Bechtold, Editor 

Winner School Board Monday night agreed to enter into contract negotiations with the architectural firm Upper Deck of Rapid City to design an auxiliary gym.

On May 6, a school committee interviewed three architectural firms. Supt. Bruce Carrier recommended the board approve Upper Deck.

The Winner Quarterback Club presented its outstanding member award to Scott Schramm Friday night. The honor was presented at the annual Winner QB Club athletic awards night.

Scott is the son of Jeff and Sharon Schramm of Winner and a 1990 graduate of Winner High School. He participated in football, basketball and track during his high school years.

It was also at that time, in 1987, that he started working part-time as a DJ on local radio station KWYR.

After high school graduation, he attended the University of South Dakota majoring in mass communications. After graduation, Scott pursued his career on the eastern side of the state in Sioux Falls and Vermillion and on the western end of the state in the Rapid City radio market.

In 1996 he make the major decision to commit to local radio by purchasing KWYR.

Winner and the surrounding area are fortunate to have a local connection broadcasting games, sponsoring “Coaches Corner” and posting results and schedules for various events around south central South Dakota and north central Nebraska.

Scott’s commitment to the Winner School District was evident in 2009 when he opened the phone lines of his radio station to a radiothon to help the district raise the necessary funds to keep working at its current level of competency. Over $40,000 was raised during that one day event.

Austin Calhoon of Winner who plays baseball for Dakota Wesleyan University came up with the game winning RB I single as DWU won 7-6 over Midland University to win the Great Plains Conference Athletic Conference.

Calhoon’s biggest moment came in the seventh inning. After junior Cole Wenande led off the bottom of the inning with a single and advanced to third on a bunt and Midland error, Calhoon poked the game winning hit.

“We’ve been preaching on good at bats and one inning at a time,” Calhoon told the Mitchell Daily Republic. “I was just looking for my pitch and whenever I find it, I’m looking to swing.”

The junior outfieldier hit a bloop single in left field that put DWU up 7-6 and it later proved to be the difference in deciding the GPAC championship.

“He’s been a spark all year long,” said DWU coach John Greicar. “He’s really settled into his approach and knows what he has to do. It’s been his role to provide leadership, whether it’s a walk or a huge hit. He’s capable of a lot of things and we count on him to have strong at-bats.”

Calhoon finished the game 2-2 with two runs and an RBI enroute to helping the Tigers claim their fourth GPAC title since 2009.

Calhoon was named to the GPAC all-conference honorable mention list.

“It feels great after we came up short last year,” said Calhoon. “It feels amazing to come back and get the job done.”

Calhoon, the son of John and Jodi Calhoon, has played in 29 games  and has a batting average of .392.

DWU played Missouri Baptist in the first round of the NAIA baseball tournament on Tuesday, May, 12, in Oklahoma City, Okla.

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.”