Category Archives: News

Brett Gardner, Winner High School boys basketball coach, has been named the Region 8 head coach of the year.

Gardner, in his first year of coaching in Winner, coached the Winner Warriors to a third place finish in the State A basketball tournament.

Named as the Region 7 head coach of the year is Jeff Determan of Gregory and the Region 7 assistant coach of the year is Lonnie Klundt of Gregory.

The South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association makes the announcement of the region coaches.

Two Hamill college students were honored during the all-university honors convocation April 12 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Receiving honors were Lexie Heinle and Jordyn Heinle, both of Hamill.

Students were recognized for their cumulative academic achievement.

Name:  Mike Calhoon

Birthplace:  Winner,  SD

Family:  Wife: Susan.  Children:  Megan (22), Sarah (20), Meredith (15), Shannon (13), Spencer (10), Matthew (7).

Currently reside where:  Ideal, SD

Occupation:  Rancher/Farmer

The best thing about my job is:  Being outdoors and watching new calves and crops grow.

My favorite childhood memory:  Going fishing with my Grandfather Leon.

When growing up, I wanted to be:  A Rancher/Farmer.

My most prized possession:  My family.

Favorite sports team(s):  Winner Warriors, Clearfield Sandburs,  SDSU Jackrabbits.

Favorite current television show: ESPN Sportscenter.

Favorite past television shows:  Cheers

Favorite movie:  The Longest Day

Favorite actor:  John Wayne

Favorite musician/band:  Merle Haggard

Favorite book(s)/author(s):  Max Brand, Louis  L’Amour.

Favorite publication (newspapers, magazines): Winner Advocate

Hobbies:  Woodworking,  coaching, or watching kid’s activities.

Three things that can always be found in my refrigerator: Cheese,  eggs, and milk. 

My favorite snack:  Dark chocolate chips.

Pet peeve:  People who talk negatively about our community and way of life.

Someone I most admire and why:  My wife Susan for being such a great mom.

Three words that best describe me: Honest, hard-working, reliable.

People would be surprised to know:  That I have had at least one child in the Winner School District for 31 consecutive years.

I’ve never been able to:  Snap my fingers.

I wish I could stop:  Worrying about the weather.

When nobody is looking, I:  Sing along to the radio.

I’m better than most at:  Calving out cows.

The best times of my life:  The births of my children.

My most embarrassing moment was:   Not saying.

If I could go anywhere in the world, I’d go to:  Europe

If I won the lottery:  Take my family on a trip to Europe.

My definition of a great evening is:  Spending it at home with my family.

A goal I have for the future:  Live to see all six of my children happily married with children of their own.

The best thing about where I live:  The great people that also live here.

If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s:  Never stop learning and challenging myself.

Sand County Foundation, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition announce the finalists for the 2015 Leopold Conservation Award^®, which honors South Dakota landowner achievement in voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources.

Among the finalists is Jorgensen Land and Cattle Partnership of Ideal. This is a fourth generation farm, including diversified crops, livestock and hunting. It is owned by Bryan and Brenda Jorgensen, Cody and Abby Jorgensen, Greg and Deb Jorgensen, Martin and Mary Jorgensen and Nicholas Jorgensen. Their farm has been no-till since 1991 and contains 10,000 acres of non-irrigated crops, 850 registered Angus females and a 22 room hunting lodge.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Leopold Conservation Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. It inspires other landowners through these examples and provides a visible forum where farmers, ranchers and other private landowners are recognized as conservation leaders. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.”

Award applicants are judged based on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, outreach and multiple use benefits.

“Our South Dakota finalists work to enhance the landscape through their commitment to stewardship of natural resources and to sharing what they’ve learned with the broader community,” said Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President.

The 2015 award recipient, who will receive $10,000 and a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold, will be announced later this month and recognized at the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention in December.

Blizzards, tornadoes and floods are a few of the natural hazards that strike this part of the country. Events like this have the potential of causing thousands of dollars annually in damage to property. To lessen the impact of these disasters in the future, Tripp County is beginning the process of updating its current disaster mitigation plan.

A series of public meetings will be held this year to obtain input as the plan is developed. These meetings are open to everyone.

“If you have an idea about what can be done to prepare for future disaster events occurring in Tripp County, you are urged to attend the meetings,” said Jon Burdette, Tripp County emergency manager.

The first meeting will be held April 29 at noon in the courthouse community room. Agenda items for the initial meeting include why the plan is being updated and identifying and profiling the hazards that impact the county. Burdette said there will be a review the county’s current disaster mitigation plan.

Additional information about the meeting can be obtained by contacting Burdette at the Tripp County Emergency Office at 842-1890. Persons can also call John Clem at 800-952-3562 or email him at john.   clem@districtiii.org.

“This is an excellent opportunity for your voice to be heard,” said Burdette.

South Dakota State University student Carson Covey, a music education major from Winner, will present his senior recital project April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Peterson Recital Hall.

A pianist, Covey will perform pieces written by Brahms, Chopin, Mozart and Schubert. Piano instructor Mary Ermel Walker will assist Covey on a set of duets by Claude Debussy.

While at State, Covey has accompanied both instrumental and vocal students, as well as ensembles such as the Statesmen, Women’s Choir and the annual opera workshop. Covey has also studied voice and is a member of the concert choir. He is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association and Music Teachers National Association.