Category Archives: Local

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) says that work is expected to begin on the reconstruction of S.D. Highway 44 in Winner in mid-May. The project includes reconstruction of both S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 18 in Winner.

Work during the 2022 construction season will primarily focus on Highway 44 and begins where the previous 2021 project ended near Plum Street in Winner. The Highway 44 construction project extends east .9 miles to mile marker 254. The project also includes reconstruction of Highway 18 between mile markers 250 and 252; the west city limits of Winner near the Country Club Motel to just east of Van Buren Street. Work on the Highway 18 segment is expected to begin in 2023, however it is possible that may change as the 2022 construction season progresses.

Work on the project for Highway 18 and Highway 44 includes grading, storm sewer, curb and gutter, sidewalk lighting, utility placement, and new concrete pavement.

When finished, this segment of Highway 44 will consist of a three-lane concrete surface extending east of Sale Barn Road in Winner with a turn lane constructed at Sale Barn Road. During construction, operations may reduce traffic to one lane with use of flaggers and a pilot car. For the duration of the work on Highway 44, an over-width detour and a truck detour will be utilized on S.D. Highway 49 between the junction of Highway 44 and Highway 18 in Colome. Local traffic including non-over-width trucks that provide services and deliveries to local businesses adjacent to the work zone along Highway 44 will be allowed to access the construction area. Sale Barn Road will be used as an inclement weather detour as needed.

Reede Construction, the prime contractor for the project, has created a Facebook Page that the public can follow to get updates on the work. Search for “Winner Highway Construction 2022-2023” on Facebook to find the page. Once there, click “follow” and set the page as a favorite to ensure updates are visible in a timely manner.

Beginning Tuesday, May 31 Reede Construction and the SDDOT will hold weekly meetings at 11 a.m. in the Winner City Council Chambers. The public is welcome to attend the meetings to ask project questions or share concerns. The meetings will also be livestreamed utilizing the City of Winner’s Facebook Page. Questions can be submitted through the chat function if anyone wishes to ask a question virtually.  

Reede Construction from Aberdeen is the prime contractor on this $20.9 million construction project. This project includes a two-year contract due to its large size and amount of work involved. The project completion date for Highway 44 is Nov. 18, 2022, and Nov. 17, 2023 for Highway 18.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Bringing happiness one cup at a time is the mission of Mighty Mo Jo Coffee Co. which opened its first stand alone business in Winner.

The first day of business in its new facility was April 22. It is located on the highway in the former Frosty Boy building.

The business is owned by Dan and Trisha Cahoy of the Bonesteel area.

The business will be open seven days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They have owned a coffee truck for a year which travels around the area and has been in Winner on several Mondays.

In addition to regular coffee they offer expressos, frappes, latte, smoothies made with 100 percent fruit, plus other drinks. They also have loose leaf teas which can either be hot or cold.

Also part of the menu are cinnamon rolls, mo jo energy balls, check mix and cookies.

The menu can be found on their Facebook page.

For every cup of coffee they donate 10 cents to a local organization or nonprofit.

“That is part of bringing that happiness. I just want to spread the love,” said Cahoy.

The Cahoys are the owners of Cahoy’s General Store which is a family owned grocery store with four locations in South Dakota and Nebraska. They are located in Bonesteel, Lake Andes, Tyndall and Spencer, Neb.

It has been a year since the coffee truck has been in operation. But Trisha had the idea several years ago. She and here husband were visiting at Black Hills State University and the lady they were visiting said it was coffee truck day. “I never heard of that and I enjoyed the experience of seeing people come to the truck. I thought that would be awesome to start. The idea never left my head. I wanted to bring a big town thing to a small area,” she said.

The couple brought a coffee truck from Minnesota and refurbished the outside.

When asked how they came up with the name for the business she said that was a little tricky. She wanted something to name this large beast of a truck. She started out with Mo and then it turned into Mo Jo with the Missouri River in mind. She said there are a lot of fishermen in Lake Andes who like their coffee.

“We are trying to offer coffee that persons get in a bigger city and something that Starbucks would serve but use our own recipes,” Cahoy said.

She and her husband went to coffee school in Texas to get on the right track with making expresso and other coffees. In January, Cahoy took some of managers back to this school to get some barista training.

Cahoy likes making coffee and especially likes the expresso. Even thought she did not grow up drinking coffee it is her new thing. “I love coffee and being able to teach other people,” she noted.

So you are off to work in the morning and need that coffee to get the day going. Just swing through Mighty Mo Jo Coffee and get your fix for the day. Ah, morning coffee, I am ready to take on the day.

“Midnight Moonlight” will be the theme of the Winner High School prom which will be held April 30 in the Winner Armory.

The grand march will be at 6:30 p.m. with the doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $2 at the door and $1 in advance at the high school office.

This year the prom servers are Saylor Schuyler, Leila Balsiger, Ellison Kaiser, Kendall Dice, Cici Watson, Karlee Brozik, Maxton Brozik, Stratton Morehart, Garret Phillips, Rylee Schroeder, Aiden Barfuss and Browdy Kocer.

Lynnelle Anderson will be the MC for the grand march.

The king and queen of prom will be crowned after the grand march.

A banquet and dance will be held in the auxiliary gym.

Prom advisors are Karyl Clay and Val Ewing.

Following the dance there will be an after prom party in the Armory.

The after prom party lasts all night and is a fun and safe evening for all who attend.

There will be several inflatables and other games. Some of the games will be black light dodge ball, Whip Out, 9 square, which was super popular last year and a sumo suit.

There will be card games, bean bag contest and canvas painting.

There will be lots of food and a coffee bar.

The feature event will be a hypnotist which is always entertaining.

Prizes will be given out throughout the evening. The bigger prizes will be given out at the end of the party.

Parents will be called if their student leaves the after prom party before it has concluded. Also, if a student who has signed up does not arrive by midnight their parents will be called.

Members of the committee say that businesses have been very generous.