Category Archives: Local

WALL, SD – Golden West Telecommunications will expand its fiber network in the portion of the Clearfield exchange that is in Tripp County. Fiber allows for greater bandwidth and speed and offers a more reliable and secure connection to the world for all telecommunications services including phone and internet in the town of Clearfield.

The Fiber to the Home (FTTH) project will convert homes and businesses from copper cable to long, thin strands of glass called optical fibers. These fibers use pulses of light to transmit data and are immune to environmental factors such as electrical currents and water.

“Fiber is one of the best investments Golden West can make on behalf of its members,” Golden West General Manager and CEO Denny Law said. “Strong and secure broadband internet connections are a necessity these days. Fiber optic technology will provide residents and businesses in Clearfield with a seamless online experience and new opportunities in the coming years.”

The cooperative is working to upgrade its entire service territory to fiber within the next five or six years. In addition to Clearfield, Golden West will also complete fiber projects this year in rural Bonesteel, Bridgewater, Corsica, rural Enning, and the town of Mission, including the communities of Antelope and White Horse.

Three contractors will complete the project in Clearfield on behalf of Golden West. These include Travis Electric taking care of wiring at homes and businesses, Ripley’s handling construction, and RVW, Inc. covering easements, permits, and inspections. Golden West will take care of customer service.

FTTH is a multi-stage project that can take up to a year to complete depending on factors such as weather. Current customers will be transitioned to the new fiber optic technology after construction is done late in 2022 or early in 2023. At that time, customers will be able to subscribe to the fastest internet speeds Golden West offers.

Visit goldenwest.com/FTTH for an overview of the project, to submit questions, and fill out a form for a chance to win valuable prizes. Please contact Golden West with any additional questions, concerns or comments by calling 1-855-888-7777 (option 3) and asking for the Engineering Department.

Since 1916, Golden West has been providing telecommunications services across the state of South Dakota. A member-owned cooperative, Golden West provides business and residential customers with advanced broadband internet, phone, and cable TV solutions. We strive to exceed the expectations of our members so they can live, work, and play in the place they choose to call home. Golden West is proud to be an equal opportunity provider and employer. Learn more at www.goldenwest.com.

The South Dakota Department of Health reported on Monday there were three new cases of COVID-19 in Tripp County.

There are 140 active cases.

Here is the weekly summary for Tripp County.

On Feb. 1, there were 9 new cases reported and one new death was reported. This brings the number of deaths in Tripp County to 22 since COVID started.

On Feb. 2 there were 5 new cases reported and 183 active.

On Feb. 3, there were 3 new cases reported with 157 active.

On Feb. 4, there were 6 new cases and 152 active.

There were five new COVID-19 cases reported in Tripp County on Jan. 31. Results also show five probable cases.

There are 209 active cases in Tripp County.

Here is a look at last week’s COVID numbers for Tripp County.

On Jan. 26, a total of five new cases were reported with 213 active.

On Jan. 27, the new cases climbed to 12 with 212 active.

There was a decrease of two cases on Friday with new cases totaling 10 and 211 active.

Persons are asked to continue to follow CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Cheril Meiners has seen the back side of every stage curtain owned by the Winner Community Playhouse.

The faithful prompter of community plays was honored Thursday night  with the outstanding member award presented by the Winner Community Playhouse.

The award was presented by Chuck and Norma Keiser, last year’s recipients.

A prompter is a very important part of any play. If an actor misses a line or forgets one they now the prompter has their back and will get them back on track.

Meiners has spent countless hours of chair warming with a script on a music stand. It is illuminated only enough to read the lines.

Meiners has rearranged her life to fit with rehearsals and performances because she enjoys the job of prompting.

Prompting is one of the most difficult duties because no actor steps on stage without needing a cue at sometime.

Being in front of the main curtain, an actor or actress has a warm comfort in knowing the prompter has their back.

At one time,  Meiners took a small role on stage wearing butterfly wings and pushing a cart.

Meiners is a member of the board of directors of the playhouse.

This year the Winner Community Playhouse began its 48^th year.

A  spring show is planned for March 18,19 and March 24, 25 and 26.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Big changes are coming to Community Connections.

The organization has purchased Schramm Furniture building on the highway. The furniture store will be remodeled to serve the needs of Community Connections.

The remodeling work is to start sometime in February and plans call for it to be finished in the later part of 2022.

Tom and Jeff Schramm sold the store and are glad Community Connections can make use of the property.

In addition, Community Connections sold the two buildings on North Main St. to Mid Dakota Meats. In turn, Mid Dakota Meats is leasing these two buildings to Community Connections until their main project in finished.

Puetz Construction and Design of Mitchell is the main contractor.

Blueprints are already completed. Melony Bertram, executive director, explained the main entrance facing the highway will remain the same.

There will be a reception area as you step inside. On the east side will be a large, new community inclusion room. “We will have all kinds of different activities from crafts, painting, dancing. We will be inviting community members to come in and participate with the people that we support,” explained Bertram.

 There will be 14 offices in the building with the possibility of expanding to 18 offices. There will be six bathrooms with a large conference room.

In the administration area, there will be a smaller conference room, a health care room for the nurse, training room, large kitchen and large dining room.

Bertram noted future plans call for cooking classes in which the community will be invited to participate.

The back area of the business will provide space to store exercise equipment, a large area to do the monthly Feeding South Dakota program.

Community Connections serves 40 individuals and has a staff of 56.

Bertram pointed out all of the day services will come to this new location. Currently, they are in several locations around town.

“We ran out of office space and so we started looking for property. We were not able to find any. That is when Tom Schramm called Bertram and told her of Schramm brothers plans to retire and sell the furniture store.

“Initially, we thought it was too much space. Then we starting talking to the board and looking at what we had all over town. We decided we could combine some spaces and sell other property. That is why we decided on the Schramm Furniture property.”

The executive director of CCI thinks it will help to have a centralized location. “It will be better for us communication wise and being able to have a large staff together Monday through Friday.

Bertram added new federal guidelines also helped the made a decision on where to move. The new guidelines are that day programs cannot be provided in a residential setting. It has to be a business section where community members can have easy access. “That was another reason this is  a good deal,” explained Bertram.

Chuck Keiser, chairman of the board of CCI is excited for the future. “Putting things in one spot is great. We also have the room to expand when needed.”

Schramm Furniture served he Winner community for 75 years. Tom Schamm said “This was a great place to make a living and very pleased that Community Connections will be able to continue on with the wonderful use of this building.”

The building on the highway was built in 1971 and the north addition in 1998.

Jeff Schramm added: “We feel they are going to make great use of the building and that is important to us. We feel good about this. It is hard when you sell a building you have owned for 75 years,” he said.

Just not recently, but over the decades Schramm Furniture and Community Connections have had a great partnership.

Bertram along with her entire staff are looking forward to the day they can move into  their new home.