Category Archives: News

Youth runs for fallen heroes

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Zechariah Cartledge of Orlando, Fla., center, is pictured with local first responders and law enforcement. He did a one mile run in Winner on July 18 to honor fallen first responders. Pictured in front from left are Justin Day, Kray Krolikowski, Cartledge and his father, Chad Cartledge, CEO of Running 4 Heroes. In back from left are Paul Schueth, Blake Nielsen, Kyle Swedlund, Sheriff Shawn Pettit and Alicia Nelson.

By Dan Bechtold

Editor

Carrying an American flag a 14 year old Florida boy crosses the highway at McDonalds for a one mile run to honor fallen heroes in South Dakota.

Zechariah Cartledge, Orlando, Fla., is part of the Running 4 Heroes organization.

This organization started with a kid, an appreciation for first responders and a mission to raise awareness and funds for those fallen in the line of duty.

Cartledge was born with a gift of running. He was raised with an appreciation for first responders and all they do for the community. As he grew older, Cartledge decided to help the families of fallen first responders in a meaningful way.

In 2019, Runner 4 Heroes officially became a non-profit. Cartledge runs one mile for every first responder who makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. He wants to honor those who gave up their life so we may live in a better world.

He was on his way to honor a Valentine, Neb., police officer who was injured. He wanted to do a South Dakota run to honor fallen first responders in this state and chose a mile run in Winner. He ran from McDonalds to the Winner Drive-In Theater on July 18.  

He was going to Valentine to deliver a $10,000 grant to injured police officer Jasmine Hoefs.

On Dec. 16, 2022, officer Hoefs was assisting EMS getting to a patient that was having a medical episode following a four day snow storm when she was accidently run over by a front end loader. The impact caused injuries to her head and left arm.

Since the incident, Hoefs has undergone three surgeries to her face and shoulder as well as reconstructive surgery to her left arm. More surgeries are to come.

Each month the young runner gives a $10,000 donation to a first responder.

The high school freshman has been doing this run for about four years.
When explaining how he got started he said: “I have always had a great connection with first responders after learning more about what they do for our community. I wanted to help my local community.

He does the run all year long. When in school he will leave on a Friday and come back on Sunday that way he does not have to miss school.

When asked what he enjoys about the event he said he enjoys meeting new families in new communities, getting to learn their stories. These are stories I would never learn before.  And getting to run in places like Winner that I thought I would never be able to run in,” he said.

The student notes the organization has given a total of over $800,000 back to local communities.

“First responders do so much for us. I want to let them know they are appreciated,” he said.

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
Emily Sachtjen, second from left, attended a youth trooper academy in Pierre. She was sponsored by the Winner American Legion and told of her experiences at Monday’s Legion meeting. She is pictured with her parents and Steve Nies, commander of the Winner Legion. Pictured from left are Nies, Emily Sachtjen and her parents Amy and Jamie Sachtjen. Emily Sachtjen will be a senior at Winner High School.

By Bosten Morehart

Staff writer

The Youth Trooper Academy is full of great learning experiences and challenges that taught Emily Sachtjen plenty of new things.

Emily Sachtjen attended the Youth Trooper Academy from June 24 to June 26. The academy took place in Pierre at the Law Enforcement Training Center.

Sachtjen first heard about the academy when two troopers spoke at Winner High School.

“Two troopers came to Winner High School and did a presentation on the academy, then they basically gave you a form to fill out if you were interested and I filled it out, sent it in.”

After filling out the form she had an interview with the academy over the phone. She was then selected to attend and was one of the 24 selected from across the state.

Sachtjen said she is a little interested in law enforcement but also has other things planned out for the near future. “I’m starting the process of enlisting into the Air National Guard actually,” said Sachtjen.

Attending the academy was a way for her to see if she would like to be in the law enforcement field or not.

Enlisting in the National Guard is something she has thought of for a while and has always respected it. “The benefits are really nice but, I have just always had a high regard for military people. I think it would be cool to be in it,” said Sachtjen.

The academy was for 17 and 18-year-olds just entering high school or those who have just graduated high school.

While there she participated in several different activities that showed those who attended what some of the training the troopers go through is like.

Some of the activities they did were EVOC Range, which is defensive driving, firearms training, classroom work, and traffic stops. Her favorite one to participate in was the EVOC Range.

During the defensive driving course, they were able to go through a track learning technique of defensive driving. “We got to drive some old, not very old patrol cars. Like I got to drive a Dodge Charger and cruise around a whole track,” said Sachtjen.

During the firearms training they were able to use some of the firearms that the state troopers use. For the traffic stops, they did not actually pull anyone over, instead they just practiced it.

The classroom section of the training was for them to learn some of the criminal laws. Sachtjen mentioned one thing that they learned is what part of the law enforcement needs to have a reason to pull you over and who does not.

They also had the chance to put on the “bite suit” and have the dogs sent after them. She was not able to participate although she wanted to, because they only allowed those who were 18 to do so.

The Highway Patrol was not the only group there teaching them about law enforcement.

“They actually had a bunch of different law enforcement groups come in, they had FBI, Army National Guard, dispatchers came in, SWAT, the sheriff’s department came in a talked to us.”

The different groups that came in all talked about the different options you have when going into the law enforcement field. That allowed for them to see that there are more options other than just the Highway Patrol.

Sachtjen said that if she was to go into law enforcement it would probably be as a state trooper for the variety of work.

“I feel like they get to go more places, like they have a bigger jurisdiction than the town policemen. Town policemen usually have to stay in town versus highway patrolmen can go into a wider area and they also get called into crash sites and they get to help with some investigation stuff.”

During the week there were six to eight mentors that were troopers who were instructing those who attended. Those mentors shared stories with the academy students on their experiences while working in the field.

Although she experienced a lot while at the academy, Sachtjen mentioned that her favorite thing was not just one activity that they did.  “My favorite thing I took away from it is, it was a challenge,” said Sachtjen.

Early mornings of physical training, days full of work, keeping everything in perfect order is the challenge she mentioned, but that only gave her confidence.

“It was all just like a big change for me because I had never done something like that before, it’s nice knowing I can do a challenge like that.”

Mid Dakota Fair, August 1st- August 5th

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The Mid Dakota Fair in Winner will open on Tuesday, Aug. 1. The fair runs through Aug. 5.

This year’s theme is: 4-H Pride County Wide.

On Aug. 1, persons will enter open class exhibits from 5-7:30 p.m. The 4-H display judge orientation will be at 5 p.m.

From 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. 4-Hers will enter and have interviews on their display exhibits.

 A consumer decision making contest will be held from 5-7 p.m.

Persons can drop off silent auction items from 5-7 p.m.

On Aug. 2 the rocket prep will be at the 4-H Center at 5 pm followed by the launch at 5:30 p.m.

The dog show check in will be at 5:45 p.m. with the dog show at 6 p.m.

Check in for rabbits and poultry will be from 6-8 p.m.

New to the fair this year is a concert on Friday night in the rodeo arena featuring Rowan Grace who was featured on The Voice and Winner’s own Emery Kaiser. The concert, sponsored by the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce, will be from 8-10:30 p.m.

There will be much more on the fair in the Aug. 2 issue of the Winner Advocate. Look at the full page ad in this week’s Winner Advocate for a full list of fair events.

The Mid Dakota Fair is a community event. In addition to supporting 4-H members by watching the animal shows, viewing their display exhibits, listening to public presentations and watching the fashion show, the fair is a place anyone can enjoy good food, compete in open class, have children play on free inflatables, compete in pedal tractor pull, attend a dance or listen to a concert, bake a pie for the pie contest or shop at the vendor show.

Tommy L. Vaughn, 71

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Tommy L. Vaughn, age 71, of Martin, South Dakota, formerly of Winner, died on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Bennett County Healthcare Center in Martin.

Tommy Lewis Vaughn was born May 3, 1952, in Valentine, Neb., to Frank and Beverly (May) Vaughn. Tom attended grade school in Sidney, NE while his father worked as a ranch hand and later moved back home to South Dakota, graduating from Bennett County High School in Martin. After high school Tom attended college in Chadron, Neb., and again returned home to start working at Little Wound School in Kyle, SD. Tom loved the education world so much he continued on to Rockyford School District where he spent most of his career of over 30 years being a teachers aid in special education, a bus monitor and a librarian assistant. One of his favorite things was to read the Hank the Cowdog series which was the only books he would ever read to the kids. The kids loved listening to Tom because he would always laugh so hard reading the adventures of a silly cow dog it would turn into a rage of laughter from the whole group.

Tom had a love of dogs from a very young age. It was his first dog Brownie that actually taught him to walk. That bond instilled a life-long love for a 4 legged best friend and also lit the flame for his love of hounds and coyote hunting. Tom lived to load up a set of coyote hounds in the box of his pickup, gather a family member or friend and go out for hours on the hunt. It didn’t matter if he missed Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas with the family, coyote hunting with his dogs was always top of the priority list. The thrill of the chase brought MANY stories, laughs, jokes and wondering how far the truth was stretched.

Tom also had a love of horses and raised quality quarter horses. He had an eye for conformation and good disposition. Tom stood a couple of studs horses and to this day there are still horses with his bloodlines being used on area ranches and in local arenas. He was always proud to produce a good mount for someone.

When Tom is mentioned to family members and friends it’s always said he was a practical jokester. He loved teasing and telling stories, he loved laughing and you could always pick his giggling out of a crowd. The stories were never too far fetched with Tom around.

Tom’s last years were spent in the Winner nursing home. While there he was blessed to have met his special friend Carla. Carla would sit with Tom for hours every day keeping him company, keeping him in touch with the family and making sure everything for Tom was comfortable and in order. She was such a gift to him and we are forever thankful for her friendship to Tom.

Survivors include his sister Twila Goodman and brother Dave Nelson. Nephews Rob and Shawn Goodman, JR and Travis Nelson and niece TR Nelson and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Bev Vaughn, brother Michael “Butch” Vaughn, uncles Bud and Dan May, aunts Zona and Ramona May, and Marnie White Wolf; cousins Jerry, Tammy and Pam May, nephew Chad Nelson and special friend Carla Lebert.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Martin.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 31, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Martin, with Father Tyler Dennis officiating.

Interment will be at the Martin Community Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

School Summer Projects

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Dan Bechtold/Winner Advocate Photo
This is the new shed that was build at the Winner Elementary School. It was one of several summer projects that are underway by the school district.

By Bosten Morehart

Staff writer

The Winner School District has a busy summer going as they are working on several different projects at the high school/middle school and elementary.

At the elementary they are building a new storage shed on the South side of the school. They are also replacing the fence there on the north, south, west sides of the school.

All of the windows and a few of the doors are also being replaced there at the elementary.

Concrete by the high school and vocational building is being removed and new concrete is being poured there.

Inside the high school/middle school, there is also several different changes happening. They are installing a kitchen in the FACS room so that they are able to learn and be hands on in the same room.

The high school/middle school is also putting in a new intercom system with digital clocks in each room and in the hallways.

Being installed at the elementary also is a new air condition/heating system for the gym.

All of these projects are paid for with ESSER money, this is money the school district received for COVID 19.

4H Rodeo Results

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The Tripp County 4-H Rodeo was held on Friday, July 14.

Jr Girls All Around: Harley Hams, runner up-Brandi Bachand

Jr Boys All Around: Coy Shelbourn, runner up-Hadley Peppel

Sr Girls All Around: Raylee Fagerhaug, runner-up-Athena Willuweit

Sr Boys All Around: Dalton Porch, runner-up-Payden Belkham

These contestants have qualified for the State 4H Rodeo Finals in Ft Pierre by placing in the top 4 in their respective events:

Jr Girls Barrel Racing

  1. Presley Conry          18.282
  2. Brecken Cover         18.351
  3. Kinzie Zimmerman 18.570
  4. Scout Casteel            18.860

Jr Girls Pole Bending

  1. Kendall Gillen          21.923
  2. Kinzie Zimmerman 22.400
  3. Harley Harris           23.130
  4. Kiersten Spencer     23.549

Jr Girls Goat Tying

  1. Mikena Sterkel  8.22
  2. Harley Harris           9.16
  3. Lilly Uhlir         10.70
  4. Kiersten Spencer     12.26

Jr Girls Break Away Roping

  1. Kenlee King             4.12
  2. Bradi Baschand 12.54
  3. Mikena Sterkel  15.93

Jr Girls Flag Race

  1. Harley Harris           8.905
  2. Ava Heezen       9.190
  3. Baya Dehning          9.266
  4. Riley Thompson      9.445

Jr Boys Bareback Steer Riding

  1. Haldey Peppel          53

Jr Boys Goat Tying

Hunter Cover                  11.50

Tie: Coy Shelbourn and Caden Faehnrich      13.14

       Rhyder Harris                 13.77

Jr Boys Break Away Roping

  1. Coy Shelbourn                3.15
  2. Cooper Conry                 3.19
  3. Jakob Heath                    3.40
  4. Hastin Heezen                 5.42

Jr Boys Flag Race

  1. Jakob Heath                    8.793
  2. Mason Miller                  8.853
  3. Coy Shelbourn                8.876
  4. Creighton Kuemper        8.956

Jr Boys Cattle Riding

       Hadley Peppel                              64

       Tie:  Bridger Stirling & Appolo Willuweit     59

       Tilden Thompson                         51

Jr Dally Team Roping

       Bradi Bachand and Tate Bachand             22.19

       Hunter Cover and Ryatt Knippling          27.28

Sr Girls Barrel Racing

  1. Raylee Fagerhaug           18.050
  2. Adessa Haugen        18.232
  3. Ashlyn Hoffine               18.317
  4. Athena Willuweit            18.410

Sr Girls Pole Bending

  1. Brooke Knoll                  21.575
  2. Raylee Fagerhaug           21.642
  3. Maiya Fredrickson         22.023
  4. Taylyn Cass              22.400

Sr Girls Goat Tying

  1. Kate Havlik              9.13
  2. Madelyn Klein                9.23
  3. Josette Crain                   9.75
  4. Raylee Fagerhaug           9.91

Sr Girls Ribbon Roping

  1. Athena Willuweit            11.06
  2. Raylee Fagerhaug           11.52
  3. Caysen Gran                   12.31
  4. Maree Pravecek       14.79

Sr Girls BreakAway Roping

  1. Josie Anthony                 3.15
  2. Rehme Dibbet                 5.09
  3. Tyra Stromer                   7.25
  4. Caysen Gran                   12.32

Sr Boys Saddle Bronc Riding

  1. Christopher Nelson        51

Sr Boys Steer Wrestling

  1. Rowdy Moore                 27.94

Sr Boys Tie Down Roping

  1. Dalton Porch                   12.14
  2. Payden Belkham             19.11
  3. Riggin Wimberley          28.82

Sr Boys Bull Riding

  1. Riggin Wimberley          59
  2. Aiden Schroeder             54

Sr Dally Team Roping

  1. Payden Belkham & Dalton Porch            7.40
  2. Browdy Kocer & Stetson Shelbourn        11.43
  3. Reven Moss & Ash Kaiser                 12.35
  4. Rylee McCord & Seth Heath                    16.35

West River Massage

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By Bosten Morehart

Staff writer

Mock business exercise from school ended up becoming a real business for Taylor Jacot with West River Massage.

Jacot came up with the name of her business during a mock business exercise while she was in school. While the name fits geographically that is not the only reason she chose that name.

“I wanted something professional, I didn’t want something weird, I just wanted something straight to the point.”

While she mentioned wanting it to be straight to the point and professional, she also mentioned it being easy to remember.

Jacot started her massage therapist career at day spa Mystique Edge in Rapid City. She worked there for a year right out of school.

While working there, she learned from massage therapists who have been in the business for a while before she went out on her own. “I didn’t want to go on my own right away. I was kind of nervous to do it but then after a year of massaging I felt confident enough, so I wanted to start my own thing,” said Jacot.

On May 22 of this year, she opened shop in Burke where she rents out part of the Deep Healing Salon. So far, business has been going well and she even has some customers who come in once each week to once a month.

She is not where she would like to be for the number of massages each week, but she Is happy with where she’s at. “I’ve been averaging about 10 to 13. So, for just starting out and I am new to Gregory, so no one knows me. It’s a slow start, but I’m pretty happy with how it’s going,” said Jacot.

The challenges she has with being new to the area is not being known but is very happy with how she has been treated. “So, just kind of being unfamiliar with the people, other than that, everyone’s been pretty welcoming, and everything has been going pretty smoothly,” said Jacot.

Some of the types of massages Jacot offers are regular full body, therapeutic, relaxation, deep tissue, she is also just starting to offer two new forms of massage.

“I also offer cupping now; I can do just an area of cupping, or I can do a full body with cupping. I can also do hot bamboo full body or just an area.”

One of Jacot’s goals is to reach 20 massages a week but her other goal comes from motivation of the owner of Deep Healing Salon, Darcy Duerfeldt.

“She’s one of the few that does really deep tissue and really therapeutic and she really knows her stuff. That’s kind of what I’m trying to aim at I kind of want to do the things that she’s doing.”

Jacot’s favorite thing about her job is being able to help people and give them the treatment that they need. “If they come in and they are in pain, I like them leaving better and also progress. If I can actually help fix their issue after a period of time that’s what makes me satisfied with what I do,” said Jacot.

Even though she wants to keep her business on the smaller, simpler side of things, she wants to keep doing education so she can provide more services to clients.

West River Massage is located at 637 Main in Burke. It is located in the Deep Healing Salon which shares the building with the senior center.

You can contact Taylor Jacot by text or call at 1 (605) 517-5030 or email at Taylor.Jacot.lmt@gmail.com.

Denice Novotny, 50 years Animal Clinic

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By Bosten Morehart

Staff writer

The variety in the job makes it easy to stay at your job for 50 years, along with those who you work with.

Denice Novotny has worked at the Animal Clinic for 50 years and has been working there ever since she was in high school.  She started working there in 1973 as a DECA student in high school.

When she signed up to be a DECA student the job was offered to her and that is how she began working at the Animal Clinic. She is the office manager and has several different responsibilities with that.

Before working there, she had no experience with office work nor working at an animal clinic. The only experience she had with animals was living on the farm and being around cattle, not so much working with them but being around them.

The main responsibility of Novotny as the office manager is doing all of the bookkeeping. She also works with customers, does some scheduling, answers phone calls.

What has kept her working there so long is “the variety,” as she says there is something different every day. Even though there is not a lot of variety within the bookkeeping, she mentioned that the variety in the customers, learning about and seeing different pets, makes it easy to keep working there.

Her favorite part of working at the Animal Clinic is all of the people from the customers to her co-workers. Her favorite memory she has made working there is being around and working with all of the different people during the time she has worked there.

She has worked with 40 different people and 12 different veterinarians. She has worked with several different doctors in her time from the start until now.

When she started there, she was working with Dr. Pravecek and Dr. Hausmann. The next set of doctors she worked with were Dr. Voegeli, Dr. Owen, Dr. Heath. She is now currently working with Dr. Covey, Dr. Rawlings, Dr. Swift, Dr. Jorgensen.

From when she started up until 1988 Novotny did all of her bookwork by hand until they switched to computers in 1988. She worked in the old clinic until 2010 when they moved to the new clinic.

She does not plan to work anywhere else and plans to work at the Animal Clinic until retiring.