Category Archives: News

Crime in South Dakota 2016 Publication Released

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Crime

Local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies have continued to cooperate and strengthen efforts to fight crime in South Dakota.

“The crime statistics reflect that, overall, South Dakota remains a safe place to live as a result of strong community involvement and law enforcement efforts. Many categories of crime, including murder, rape, and sexual offenses were down in 2016. However, the national drug epidemic continues to impact overall crime in South Dakota, with drug offense alone increasing 12.5% in 2016,” reported Attorney General Marty Jackley.

“Law enforcement agencies are aggressively fighting crime in South Dakota,” said Jackley. “Local, county and state agencies in our state have added over three hundred more certified officers since 2007, which has also resulted in more arrests to keep our neighborhoods and cities safe.”

South Dakota law enforcement agencies reported a total of 42,200 arrests involving 75,778 offenses in 2016. The more serious crimes included a total of 19,577 arrests and involve the following: Murder (1st and 2nd Degree)-21, sex offenses-96, assault-4,791, larceny/theft-2,918, fraud-557, drug/narcotic-7,671, prostitution-19, kidnapping-51, robbery-61, arson-13, burglary-362, motor vehicle theft-273, counterfeiting-98, embezzlement-40, stolen property-154, destruction of property-488, pornography/obscene material-24, solicitation of a minor-44 and weapon law violations-248. Less serious crimes totaled 22,623 arrests, involving the following, but not limited to DUI-6,606, liquor law violations-2,636 and disorderly conduct-2,286.

The crime report is compiled by the Attorney General’s Criminal Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) and is the most accurate and comprehensive compilation of South Dakota criminal statistics as it reflects the actual arrest and reporting information by South Dakota law enforcement. Criminal statistics help identify trends in criminal activity that assists in crime prevention and enforcement efforts across South Dakota.

Some examples of the South Dakota numbers included an increase in arrests for drug offenses from 6,818 in 2015 to 7,671 reported in 2016 and thefts totaling more than $30 million worth of property crime lost reported.

Climate Update Predicts Wetter Than Average April

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Wet Weather

April is more likely to be wetter than average, according to a climate outlook released March 16, 2017 by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center.

“Of anywhere in the United States, the highest likelihood of wetter conditions is in our area,” said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. “There is a bulls-eye in eastern South Dakota that is projected to have wetter conditions than average in April.”

Edwards explained that this spring outlook is consistent with the long term trend in the region.

“The long term trends in eastern South Dakota over the last several decades has shown more precipitation in the spring and falls seasons,” she said. “The good news is that there is no concern about drought development in the spring season for farmers and gardeners.”

Edwards added that April precipitation has proven to be critical for pasture, forage and hay production throughout the state.

“Abundant moisture would benefit grasslands and hay for livestock feed this summer,” she said.

Due to the above-freezing temperatures throughout February and early March, the soils are now able to absorb some more moisture.

Even though many of the state’s eastern counties had a refreeze, with colder temperatures that started around March 10, Edwards said soils will warm up quickly after the new snow melts.

No substantial flood risks

No regions in South Dakota are at risk for substantial flooding at this time. “According to the NOAA Flood Outlook released March 16, only the far eastern areas in the Minnesota River basin have any risk of even minor flooding,” Edwards said.

The temperature outlook for April shows warmer than average conditions favored to our south and eastern portions of the U.S. but Edwards said it less clear for South Dakota.

“There is some uncertainty on what lies ahead for spring temperatures, with equal chances of warmer or cooler than average in the next three months,” she said.

Area Students Awarded Scholarships

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Scholarships

More than 100 high school students were awarded academic scholarships at Dakota Wesleyan University Scholarship Day.

Drew DeMers of Winner was awarded the trustee academic/athletic scholarship.

Callie Heath of Colome received a presidential academic/athletic scholarship.

Holden Thieman received a presidential leadership academic/athletic/Christian leadership scholarship. Thieman plans to major in business-agriculture.

To compete for a presidential leadership scholarship, students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and an 18/860 ACT/SAT score and meet certain leadership/service qualifications. The award may reach up to $17,000 and is renewable for up to 10 semesters if the student remains in good standing.

State 4-H Leaders Conference

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4-H

Winner will be host to the South Dakota 4-H Leaders Association Conference on April 1.

The day long event will be held at Winner High School.   Registration will be from 9 to 9:30 a.m.

The welcome and address will be from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The speaker will be Amber Letcher, 4-H youth development specialist, talking on “Conflict management: dealing with difficult people.”

There will be three workshop sessions for the leaders to attend and persons will have a choice of nine workshops.
The workshops will include: “Stayin’ Alive” persons will learn the basics of CPR; “To Learn, to Do, To make” encouraging youth to tinker, create and engineer while utilizing the structure of junk drawer robotics; 4-H on line and fair entries—ins and outs—learn 4-H on line and fair entry; intergenerational opportunities in rural communities—SDSU extension will discuss an innovative program called TeachSD; BQA—giving safe vaccinations; time for crafts—Winner artist Ruth Novotny, owner of the Hobby Shoppe, will help persons create a fun craft project in time for Easter; Gardening, local master gardeners will present information; First aid for 4-H and youth enrichment presented by the South Dakota Cattlewomen.

There will be a lunch from 12:20 to 1 p.m. followed by speakers Peter Nielson, 4-H youth program director and Donna Bittiker, 4-H field operations associate.

There will be a leaders meeting from 3-4 p.m.

Goodhope Named to Hall of Fame

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Goodhope

Sam Goodhope, Sioux Falls, formerly of Winner, has been inducted into the South Dakota Amateur Basketball Association Hall of Fame.
The ceremony was held recently at the state tournament in Presho.
Goodhope began his basketball career as a standout player at Winner High School where he received multiple accolades as a senior in 1986 including first team all-state, Argus Leader First Five, South Dakota Mr. Basketball and South Dakota Player of the year.
Goodhope continued his basketball career at the University of South Dakota where he was named a member of the all-academic, all-NCC tournament and all-regional tournament teams in 1990.
From 1990 to 2007, Goodhope played on amateur teams from Vermillion, Sioux Falls, Miller, Baltic and Harrisburg winning championships with Miller and Harrisburg teams.
Goodhope received many awards during his amateur career and thanks his teammate Rick Dunlap for dragging him out to play. Goodhope lists his greatest award as just the enjoyment of playing with and against the many great basketball players in South Dakota.
Goodhope lists his favorite memories from amateur basketball as all the players, officials and fans who become lifelong friends and particularly recalls the times playing with Cooper Garnos on his college and amateur teams.
Goodhope works as an attorney with the firm Kading, Kunstle and Goodhope and lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Laura (Schramm) and their daughters, Chloe, Anna, Sadie Mae and Charlotte.

Tripp County 4H Shooting Sports: Match 1 Results

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shooting-sports

Match 1 is the first of two matches the shooters can qualify for state match. South Dakota Shooting Sports State Match is April 28th, 29th and 30th at the Expo Center in Ft. Pierre. There are nearly 3000 competitors at State.

Archery: Scores based on possible 150 points, decimal is number of bull’s-eyes out of 30 shots. Compound Bow With Sights and Release: Faith Covey 147.12, Luke Hennebold 140.11, Spencer Calhoon 138.08, Lexi Klein 137.05, Bailey Fairbanks 132.04, Ashton Klein 131.04, Melanie Brozik 127.03, Ava Craven 126.08, Sully Shippy 125.04, Jack Anderson 124.08, Parker Baker 124.04, Madison Weidner 123.02, Hunter Osborn 121.01, Jayd Whitley 120.06, Matt Brozik 119.01, Tane Pravecek 117.06, Browdy Kocer 115.02, Megan Brozik 114.06, Alexis Love 114.03. Compound Bow with Sights and No Release: Tessa Mann 98.00, Rylee Schroeder 95.00. Compound Bow without Sights: Selah Harris 84.00, Lilly Nelson 82.01.

Recurve archery Open Class George Clark 127.09. Compound Open Class: Wade McClanahan 150.28, George Clark 150.21. Recurve bow without sights Parker Baker 75.01.

Guns: Possible score 300. 22 Rifle: Parker Baker 269.01, Wade McClanahan 263.04, George Clark 257.03, Cody Amidon 256.04, Spencer Calhoon 253.01, Madison Weidner 253.01, Luke Hennebold 252.02, Megan Brozik 249.05, Tane Pravecek 243.02, Katie Welker 224.00, Julianna Larson 206.00 Browdy Kocer 195.02, Selah Harris 175.01. Air Rifle: Clay Sell 211.00, Spencer Calhoon 184.00. Air Pistol: Clay Sell 139.00, Parker Baker 128.00, Joey Anderson 123.00, Derek Fenenga 118.00. BB gun: Parker Baker 337.00. Precision 22 Rifle: Wade McClanahan 228.00. 22 Pistol: Parker Baker 258.02.

Donald James Phillips, 85

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don phillips obit

Donald was born on June 24, 1931 to Myrtle (Wolf) and Clifford Phillips in Winner, SD. Donald attended Banner Grade School in northern Tripp County until the fourth grade. He then attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Winner High School in 1949.

His parents moved from Banner Township to Todd County in 1949. Donald lived with his parents in Todd County until 1951 when he joined the army. He served for two years. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Todd County and became partners with his father on the family’s ranch.

He married Mary Lou Dougherty in 1955. To this union six sons were born. In 1962 they moved to the Ideal community. They made their home on the Bill Wohlleber place. Don liked cattle, but his heart was in farming. Don milked cows for over 40 years on the farm that he loved. He was a substitute mail carrier for 20 years.

Don is remembered as a quiet, loving and attentive husband, father, and grandfather. Even though he suffered a life-altering medical event at the age of 65, Don remained a vital part of his family and is dearly loved.

Patrick Doom, 45

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Patrick Charles Doom was born November 1, 1971, to Charles and Ingrid (Hage) Doom in Pipestone, MN. Patrick lived in Currie, MN through his elementary years when his family then moved to Winner, SD where he attended and graduated from Winner High School. He attended Southwest State University in Marshall, MN.

Patrick was united in marriage to Leah Dykstra on October 4, 1997 in Sioux Falls, SD where they lived until the time of his death. Their marriage was blessed with the birth of two children, Kyle Austin and Karly Elizabeth.

Patrick worked at Wells Fargo EFS for over fourteen years where he developed many lifelong friendships. His sense of humor, contagious smile, and positive work attitude were an inspiration to many.

Patrick’s life was forever changed in March 2015 with the diagnosis of cancer. His motto was that he would fight until the doctors told him there was nothing else they could do and he did just that. Patrick’s Caring Bridge became an outlet for him to express his faith and allowed him to demonstrate his gift of writing in being an inspiration to all who read it.

Patrick Doom, 45, was received into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at his home in Sioux Falls, surrounded by family.

Merle Elliott, 87

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merle elliott obit

Merle James Elliott was born July 14, 1929 on the family farm east of Colome. His parents were Chauncey and Mary (McElroy) Elliott. Merle attended rural Saathoff School and graduated from Colome High School in 1947. He then attended college. In 1948 Merle met his future wife, DeEtte Stenson, and they married on Oct. 8, 1950.

Merle entered the Army in 1951 and was stationed in Korea with the 25th Infantry Division. He also served with the 1st Marine Division and the Turkish Brigade. He spent eighteen months in Korea, returning to the States in 1953.

Merle and DeEtte purchased a service station in Colome which they operated for three years. Merle then returned to college at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. When he finished with his studies there he and DeEtte moved their family to California where he graduated from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science with a degree in Mortuary Science. The family then moved to Santa Cruz, CA where he became associated with a mortuary there. After ten years, he sold his interest in the mortuary and having an Associate Degree in real estate appraising, he became a real estate appraiser until his retirement in 1991. Upon his retirement he and DeEtte traveled extensively for a year before moving to the Colome area where they built their retirement home.

Merle enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling. While in California he and his fishing buddies would dive for abalone and fish for steelhead and salmon.

Merle and DeEtte had a family of four children, Kathleen, Lance, Kevin, and Colleen. He was the happy grandpa of three grandchildren, Mollie (Jason) Donner, Mitchell Elliott, and Alec Nickolls, and four great grandchildren, Marissa, Jacob, Madelyn, and Jack Donner.

Merle was a lifetime member of the Catholic Church having been baptized, confirmed, and married in St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Colome. He was a lifetime member of the Colome American Legion and served on the Colome Township Board for many years. Merle was a member of the California Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association and a member of the American Institute of Appraisers.