Category Archives: News

Sutton Enters Race for Governor

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billie sutton

State Senator Billie Sutton of Burke entered the governor’s race on May 31.

The Democratic senator made the announcement at his family’s ranch.

The 33-year-old said he was up for the challenge. “We rise to the occasion together. No matter what the obstacles ahead, no matter what the challenges we can work together to make South Dakota everything it can be,” he said.

Sutton shared with family and friends and fellow Democratic lawmakers the story of his rodeo accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

The investment consultant and former rodeo rider has served as a member of the state Senate since 2011 representing District 21. He would hit his term limit in the senate in 2018.

Sutton says he has the ability to work across the aisle politically and to relate to east and west river South Dakotans.

Sutton would be the first Democrat to be elected governor since former Gov. Richard Kneip. Kneip won the seat in 1974.
Sutton is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy in the gubernatorial race.

J.W. Parmley and his Quest for Good Roads

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JW Parmley Picture_28052017_171113

Long before the television show “The Amazing Race,” Joseph Parmley was making what one newspaper described as “the most remarkable run in the history of the state.”

“This is an important day in the history of the Yellowstone Trail,” read an article in the Pierre Weekly Free Press referring to an event on May 15, 1915. “At 4 o’clock this morning, J.W. Parmley, of Ipswich, president of the association, left Lemmon in a Studebaker Six for a trip across the state, which he expects to finish at Ortonville, Minn., at 8 o’clock this evening, making the 349 miles in 16 hours.”

It was a feat many considered impossible. Parmley, 1861-1940, was a driving force behind the establishment of the Yellowstone Trail Association in 1912. The association’s goal was to create a high-class transcontinental highway from Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound with the hope it would attract travelers to Yellowstone National Park and open the Northwest to tourists.

At the time, roads weren’t marked, there were few maps and mud was the usual road surface.

Parmley set out to prove that travelers from the east need not fear selecting the Yellowstone Trail as the route west by dashing off in the dawn to travel the entire distance of the Trail in South Dakota in less than a day.

A race driver from Kansas City, W.R. Payne, drove the Studebaker Six that was furnished by W.C. Nissen, the Studebaker distributor in Aberdeen. Parmley and Payne were accompanied by a mechanic and representatives of Aberdeen newspapers. Accounts of the journey were given in the Aberdeen Daily News and Aberdeen Daily American. Cheering crowds in every town along their route sped the party on its way. The racers also encountered the nemesis of travelers: muddy roads.

Despite losing track of the trail and plowing through mud hub-deep, the group arrived in Aberdeen at 2 p.m., only 10 minutes behind schedule. “Hundreds of people lined the streets to see the car arrive and at the W.C. Nissen garage a huge crowd had collected, which set up a mighty cheer as the car swept down the street and slid into the garage on high gear,” read the Aberdeen Sunday American, the Sunday edition of the Aberdeen Daily American. “The crowd swarmed up to the car in their enthusiasm and it was with difficulty that the waiting mechanicians adjusted new (mud) chains to all the tires and filled the gasoline tank.”

Good roads between Aberdeen and Ortley enabled the car to reach Ortley exactly on schedule. The party was ready for a flying trip down the grade into Big Stone City. “Upon leaving Marvin, however, they encountered the worst piece of road on the trip,” read the article in the Aberdeen Sunday American. “The road was in many places covered with water from the rains, which had assumed almost the magnitude of a cloud burst. The grade through here is rather low, necessitating the car to travel on intermediate and low speed the entire distance. As was the case along the western part of the trip, the carburetor filled with water from the road bed, necessitating a stop to drain it.” The band was playing and crowds had gathered when the mud-plastered Studebaker arrived at Ortonville at 8:15 p.m.

The vehicle failed to make the run in 16 hours, “but everybody there considered that despite this fact the car had made the most remarkable run in the history of the state, and with decent weather could have cut two hours from the running time easily.” Parmley became known as “The Father of the Yellowstone Trail,” now U.S. Highway 12. A man of vision and action, he helped bring about the International Peace Garden and advocated for many special projects such as soil conservation, diversified farming, building dams to create artificial lakes and beautifying towns by planting flowers on vacant lots. He was named to the South Dakota Highway Hall of Fame in 1972 and the South Dakota Cowboy and Western Heritage Hall of Fame in 1981. His house in Ipswich is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The J.W. Parmley Historical Home and the Parmley Western Land Office in Ipswich are maintained as museums.

This moment in South Dakota history is provided by the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Find us on the web at www.sdhsf.org. Contact us at info@sdhsf.org to submit a story idea.

South Dakota’s Pump Price Average is Holding Steady

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GAS

Nationally, the price of a gallon of gasoline increased one cent to $2.38 from last week; however, the price at the pump in 30 states has fallen as much as four cents. The moderate decline in gasoline prices is typical following a long holiday weekend.

South Dakota’s statewide average today is $2.369, the same week over week and four cents higher than one year ago. Prices over the last month have only fluctuated by one or two cents.

“As you’re heading out for that great American road trip this summer, it’s good to know what gas prices are doing in the states you’ll be traveling in and through,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “You’ll get up to date price averages for each state by checking GasPrices.AAA.com.”

Current Price Averages per Gallon of Regular Gasoline

Sioux Falls – $2.23, down 2 cents from one month ago … up 1 cent from 6/5/16
Rapid City – $2.42, down 1 cent from one month ago … up 14 cents from 6/5/16
South Dakota – $2.36, down 2 cents from one month ago … up 4 cents from 6/5/16
U.S. – $2.38, up 2 cents from one month ago … up 2 cents from 6/5/16

The Avenue of Flags

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flags at cemetery

In the early 1960s in a small rural community of Winner, an idea came to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4674 Commander.  His idea was to line the “streets” of the Winner Cemetery with flags on Memorial Day.  His idea became a reality when 16 casket flags flew on the streets of the cemetery.  The reason 16 flags were flown was to honor the memory of those from the community who had paid the ultimate price in combat.  For an unknown reason, the number was much higher than 16, but that was all they were aware of at that time. This number of flags continued to be flown for several years on Memorial Day.

In the 1990s the three veteran’s organizations in town met and decided they would form an organization called “The Avenue of Flags Foundation”.  Members from the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, all from the Winner community, met and laid out the bylaws and purpose of the organization. About 430 flags were being flown by 1996.

The need for more man power was readily identified, followed by more flag poles, wagons to hold the poles, cement holes, bigger cedar lined chests to hold the flags and funds to purchase the needed items.  The call went out to the community along with the needs list.  Many hours were donated during the weeks before Memorial Day to perform those tasks that make up such a huge project. The people responded; men, women and children all came at 5 am to help put the flags up and again a 5 pm to take them down.   The sight is breath-taking with the flags flying so majestically in the morning breeze.  Each flag pole has the name of a veteran on a plaque.  By 1999, a metal building was built to house the materials used for Memorial Day.

This year, over 850 flags will fly on Memorial Day at the Winner cemetery in a visual honor of those who bravely served. The cemetery, which is kept well-manicured by the city workers throughout the year, is the final resting place for so many who have served with pride and have now gone to their heavenly home.  See these beautiful flags wave with pride as you join fellow community members in remembering these men and women, at the annual Memorial Day service which begins at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29.

Long Term Care Residents Enjoy Prom

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nursing home prom king and queen

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Marian Burtz never attended a prom in high school.  The resident of the Winner Regional Longterm Care Center attended her first prom on May 18.  The staff came up with the idea of hosting prom for the residents.  Burtz was dressed in formal and was all smiles when she was introduced at the grand march.  Burtz could not sleep the night before the prom because she was so excited.

DeeAnn Woods, activities coordinator at Winner Regional, said the event was phenomenal.  The activities room was decorated in pastel colors to go with the spring prom theme. There were lots of lights. The dining room and chapel were also decorated.

Ryan Kindt, a CNA at Winner Regional, mentioned to Woods that it would be nice for all the residents to get dressed up. Kindt made the comment shortly after the Winner High School prom.  Woods said it just clicked and she went into a planning mode and had lots of help from the staff.

Prom dresses were donated by Once Upon a Story boutique of Sheridan, Wyo. The sister of a Winner regional employee owns the business.  So, 50 prom dresses were given to the center and Woods was surprised to learn they did not have to be returned.

The men wore button down shirts and ties. Each man had a boutinar and the women had a corsage.  For the women, staff went room to room with makeup. Woods explained she fixed a lot of hair that day.

Bob Vrbsky provided the music for the dance.

There was a king and queen chosen. Bob Hansen was the king and Emma McKee was the queen.  Woods noted the special care unit had its own king and queen with Bill Brodrecht as the king and Mae Arcoren as the queen.

Woods said there was excitement all week leading up to prom.  “The best thing was the smiles,” said Wood. “You could see how happy they were,” she added.  Woods said the prom was so successful that it will be done next year.

WHS Honor Roll

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HONOR ROLL

WHS 4th quarter Honor Roll

Seniors
Honor – Chloe Bartels, Sidney Bohnet, Drew DeMers, Shannon Duffy, Luke Engel, Wyatt Ewing, Brea Heth, Sydney Hollenbeck, Mackenzie Irick, Skyler Jermolenko, Chase Kingsbury, John Kludt, Krockett Krolikowski, Cameron Kuil, Abigail Leyden, Kyran Meek, Isaac Naasz, Sam Schuyler, Molly Sperlich, Jacob Woods
Merit – Trevor Bertram, Nick Blare, Kayleb Brozik, Nathan Erickson, Avery Gilchrist, Bailey Harter, Liz Jankauskas, Kaycee Konvalin, Trace Larson, Alex Meiners, Rhys Middlesworth, Hannah Peterson, Jayden Schroeder, Rachel Sherman, Ryan Sherman, Jordan Turgeon, Jace Voegeli, Tristan Watzel
Juniors
Honor – Meredith Calhoon, Riley Calhoon, Madyson Frazier, Madelyn Hanson, Ronae Klein, Zachary Lapsley, Samantha Marts, Levi McClanahan, Brekkyn Nagel, Lauren Norrid, Charles Novak, Macy Olson, Ian Tunnissen
Merit – Aidan Bachamann, Michaela Bachmann, Dalton Baker, Carter Brickman, Elisabeth Duffy, Macie Ferwerda, Justus Gregg, Hannah Hanson, Matthew Hartley, Daesha Klein, Hanna LaCompte, Nick Lantz, Lexie Nedved, Destiny Ruden, Alex Schaeffer, Mason Schuyler, Matthew Smither, Nathan Smither, Riley Sund, Savannah Vogel
Sophomores
Honor – Bayli Beehler, Sierra Hansen, Gabriel Kocer, Sophia Lewis, Gracie Littau, Abigail Marts, Makenna Petersen, Alexis Richey, Casey Stickland, Andrew Taylor, Madison Thieman, Logan Tunnissen, Brandon Volmer, Tyson Westendorf, Sadie Woods
Merit – Taylor Audiss, Brielle Bachmann, Elijah Blare, Shea Connot, Jeanette Cook, Kassandra Cox, Jeslyn Felix, Liliann Jelinek, George Kraft, Katy Lantz, Tyler Olson, Nolan Sachtjen, Hunter Shopene, Wyatt Turnquist, Tedra Vrbka
Freshman
Honor – Austin Bicek, Jacob Clay, Kiersten Durrin, Kara Ewing, Morgan Hammerbeck, Emmarie Kaiser, Isabelle Leyden, Ryder Mortenson, Ethan Niehus, Jayce Palmer, Trevor Peters, Addy Root, Heather Rowe, Saige Schuyler, Charlotte Shopene, Alicia Stands, Kenndal Turnquist
Merit – Joren Bruun, Jaynee Gregg, Phillip Jorgensen, RaeLynn Kemp, Zane Mandl, Riley McClanahan, Kameron Meiners, Loren Moeller, Nathan Monk, Austin Olson, Abigail Pajl, Shaelyn Peneaux, Marlee Schaeffer, Isaac Schramm, Ethan Vesely, Gage Watson
Eighth Grade
Honor – Meagan Blare, Bailey Brown, Megan Brozik, Shannon Calhoon, Evan Farner, Brady Fritz, Hayley Hanson, Katherine Jankauskas, Maggie LaCompte, Mackenzie Levi, Steven Lin, Delanie Nelson, Preston Norrid, Landon Thieman
Merit – Brennan Bachmann, Zach Bohnet, Taya Burleson, Kady Cable, Jesse Colson, Owen Duffy, Jackson Hansen, Taylor Headrick, Dawsyn Kahler, Arista Kaiser, Mercedes Klein, Allie Lapsley, Aissa Long Crow, Aryn Meiners, Kayla Natoli, Gennefier Schuppan, Marlie Schuyler, Shelby Scott
Seventh Grade
Honor – Finn Bartels, Ellie Brozik, Jenna Hammerbeck, Hattie Hespe, Emma Jorgensen, Kaden Keiser, Adrienne Lewis, Elvis Lin, Marissa Meiners, Michael Olson, Kaleb Osborn, Kolbie Osborn, Elijah Peterson, Charley Pravecek, Kelsey Sachtjen, Keyleigh Stands, Bella Swedlund
Merit – Parker Baker, Shayla Bice, Adam Bohnet, Alex Bohnet, Torre Buus, Joey Cole, Taralynn Cordier, Katie Dreyer, Shelby Guerue, Raelen Heinzman, Hailey Hollenbeck, Hannah Kaiser, Ashton Klein, Gilon Kraft, Kylar Meek, Aaron Monk, Owen Monk, Alani Old Lodge, Sidda Schuyler, Ryan Sell, Caylin Swift Eagle, Jackson Vesely, Trinity Vrbka, Madaline Watzel, Achilles Willuweit
Sixth Grade
Honor – Kendyl Bachmann, Brindy Bolander, Melanie Brozik, Faith Covey, Maggie DeMers, Justin Hausmann, Ainsley Henderson, Cam Irick, Tessa Mann, Kelbi Meiners, Aleya Miller, Pierce Nelson, Dalton Petersen, Rylee Root, Blake Volmer
Merit – Ethan Bartels, Mali Beehler, Kaden Bennett, Luke Boerner, Penelope Chasing Hawk, Silas Chasing Hawk, Illyanna Crabb, Shayne Day, Kiley Felix, Joselin Kludt, Tayden Mathis, Rowdy Moore, Riley Orel, Hunter Osborn, Jack Peters, Sutton Schweigert, Clay Sell, Mallory Thayer, Leah Wiechelman

Colome Honor Roll

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HONOR ROLL

Colome students have been named to the fourth quarter honor roll at Colome High School and junior high.   Students with perfect attendance are also listed.

The honor roll for fourth quarter includes:
SUPERIOR (ALL A’s) SENIORS: Wiley Heath, Noah Hermsen, Isaac Kortan, Nathan Krumpus, Adrianna Larson, Jordan Shippy JUNIORS: Zane Rohde, Caleb Vandenbark SOPHOMORES: Jaclyn Laprath FRESHMEN: None 8th GRADE: Baylie Hoffine, Abby Kortan 7TH GRADE: Riley Shippy, Maya Vandenbark, Elizabeth Yeaman 6th GRADE: Landi Krumpus, Taylor Nelsen, Alec Thieman EXCELLENT (All A’s & B’s – NO C’s): SENIORS: Will Cahoy, Anette Flores, Callie Heath, Garrett Salonen, Megan Seegers JUNIORS: Jeremiah Yeaman SOPHOMORES: Beau Bertram, Grace Campbell, Taylor Chasing Hawk, Rayne Hermsen, Alexa McKenzie, Abby Pechota, Hanna Rowe FRESHMEN: Eli Kortan, Julianna Larson 8TH GRADE: Casey Assman, Rhet Bertram, Lanie Bolton, Luke Bolton, Saydee Heath, Makayla Shippy, Michael Supik 7TH GRADE: Aaron Campbell, Abby Eliason, Drew Musilek, Katie Welker 6th GRADE: Devan Dougherty, Kash Heath, Aidan Muller, Paige Paulson, Kaden Pechota, Libbie Petersek, Jordyn Ring, Toree Ringing Shield, Sully Shippy “B” AVERAGE – NO D’s: SENIORS: Matt Campbell, Dakota Dougherty, Darcy Maier, Kelly O’Bryan, Chastity Paulson JUNIORS: Lynn Baker, Samantha Hauk, Maggie McCarty SOPHOMORES: Wyatt Cahoy, Chase Dufek, Kaydee Heath, Jackson Kinzer, Jaikob Week, Matrix Noteboom,,Riggin Shippy FRESHMEN: Jacob Beckers, Carleen Burger, Megan Charles, Haley Krumpus, Sara O’Bryan, Jordyn Seegers 8TH GRADE: Isaac Beltman, Allan McKenzie, Hailey Thieman 7TH GRADE: AJ Davis, Tanea Potter, Brayden Seegers 6TH GRADE: Sophie Hofeldt, Ashlyn Hoffine

COLOME HIGH SCHOOL
HONOR ROLL FOR 2nd SEMESTER

SUPERIOR (ALL A’s) SENIORS: Wiley Heath, Adrianna Larson, Jordan Shippy, Holden Thieman JUNIORS: Zane Rohde, Caleb Vandenbark, Jeremiah Yeaman SOPHOMORES: None FRESHMEN: None EXCELLENT (All A’s & B’s – NO C’s): SENIORS: Will Cahoy, Anette Flores, Callie Heath, Noah Hermsen, Isaac Kortan, Nathan Krumpus, Darcy Maier, Kelly O’Bryn, Megan Seegers JUNIORS: Samantha Hauk, Maggie McCarty SOPHOMORES: Beau Bertram, Grace Campbell, Taylor Chasing Hawk, Rayne Hermsen, Jaclyn Laprath, Alexa McKenzie, Abby Pechota, Hanna Rowe FRESHMEN: Eli Kortan, Julianna Larson “B” AVERAGE – NO D’s: SENIORS: Matt Campbell, Dakota Dougherty, Chastity Paulson, Garrett Salonen JUNIORS: Lynn Baker, Becca Marso, Kolton Salonen SOPHOMORES: Wyatt Cahoy, Chase Dufek, Kaydee Heath, Jackson Kinzer, Jaikob Week, Matrix Noteboom,,Riggin Shippy. Layton Thieman FRESHMEN: Jacob Beckers, Megan Charles, Haley Krumpus, Sara O’Bryan, Jordyn Seegers

PERFECT ATTENDANCE 2016-2017 YEAR:

Junior: Jeremiah Yeaman
Sophomores: Jackson Kinzer, Alexa McKenzie
8th Grade: Baylie Hoffine
7th Grade: Katelyn Welker
6th Grade: Taylor Nelson, Toree Ringing Shield

Dean’s List

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DEANS LIST

USD Deans List

Area students have been named to the spring semester dean’s list at the University of South Dakota.

Named to the list are: Josey Blare, Carter; Mariah Kinzer and Sarah Shippy, both of Colome; Michelle Novak, Tracy Routh, Cohl Turnquist, Colby Curtis, Bailey Volmer, all of Winner and Dacey Kocer, Wood.

Two students were named to the academic honors list. This is for students who are part-time with fewer than 12 hours. The Winner students on the list are Becky Brown and Sissy Orel.

SDSU Deans List

Winner area students have been named to the spring semester dean’s list at South Dakota State University, Brookings.

Named to the list are: Kamber Hossle, Nick Hossle, Eleanor Moleterno, 4.0 GPA, all of Hamill; Jayce Assman, Colton Best, Nathan Farley, Hayley Halverson, 4.0, Kylie Horstman, Trace Meyer, 4.0, Sydnie Peters, 4.0, and Coleton Schuyler, all of Winner.

Wood residents named to the dean’s list are Allie Kingsbury and Haley Sherwood.

Lake Area Presidents List

Two Winner students have been named to the president’s list at Lake Area Technical Institute.
Named to the list are Cameron Biggins and Michael Massa.

Mitchell Tech President List

Area students have been named to the spring president’s list at Mitchell Technical Institute.
Included on the list are Forrest Cerv, Cody Heath, Chase Hrabanek, Taylor Hrabanek.

Winner boys place 4th at state track meet

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state track kuil winning 400

The Winner High School boys track took fourth place at the state track meet this weekend and senior Cameron Kuil was named the MVP of the meet.

Kuil won the 400, 200 and took second in the 100. He also ran on a relay.  Kuil was the gold medal winner in the 400, which means he had the top time in all three classes. Kuil won the 400 in :48.52 which was close to a state record.
He won the 200 in :22.26 and was second in the 100 in :11.08.

“It has been a fun day,” Kuil said. “I was really looking forward to this last state meet. It is the last time of putting on the Winner jersey and it means a lot.”

The Winner senior was one one-hundredth of a second from being a triple winner as he was second in the 100. Jake Aanderud of St. Thomas More won the 100 in :11.07   Kuil said that was a tight race and he knows Jake. “I wouldn’t have wanted to give up the 100 title to anyone but him.”

Kuil said at the state meet he just did what he usually does. “I knew if I just did me, it would work out and it turned out pretty good.”  When asked what was his best race, Kuil said the 400.

Winner track coach Larry Aaker said he is so proud of the team. “Friday was a good day. Jayden Schroeder placing in the shot put was big for us and the boys 4×100 relay making finals was also a boost,” said Aaker.  The coach added he is super proud of Cameron.  He noted that everyone ran well from top to bottom.

Aaker explained there were some athletes who just missed placing like Brady Fritz in the triple jump and Schroeder in the discus.

The Warriors took third in the 4×200 in 21:3l.21 setting another school record and eighth in the 4×100 in :45.16.

In the 800, Kayleb Brozik took fifth in 2:03.04.

In the shot put, Schroeder had throw of 48-03.25.

On the girls side, Sidda Schuyler took sixth in the 2 mile run in a time of 11:48.14. In the mile run on Saturday, Sidda Schuyler was 13th in 5:28.64.

Samantha Schuyler was 8th in the 400 in 1:01.90.

On Friday in Tea, the Lady Warriors ran the preliminaries of several relays.