Joseph Laprath of the Winner Area cross country team placed 21st at the state meet Saturday in Sioux Falls.
The senior placed 21st in 16:44.98 and was on the medal stand as he placed in the top 25.
Coach Jayd Schuyler said Laprath ran well at state held at Yankton Trails park. “He put himself in a position to be one of the top 25,” said Schuyler.
“It was great to see Joseph end his cross country career on the podium at the state meet,” added the coach.
Schuyler said Laprath is the third boy cross country runner to place at state since he started coaching in 2011. The other two are Coleton Schuyler (2014) and Kade Watson (2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021).
It has been a goal of Laprath to place at state and he accomplished his dream his senior year. It was a happy day for the outstanding cross country runner.
Winner High School oral interp team competed at Sioux Falls Washington on Oct. 20.
Hayden McMurtrey competed in varsity poetry, Grace Brown in varsity dramatic, Wyatt Winfield in novice poetry, Shannon Rank in novice dramatic, Brayden Woods in novice storytelling and Payton Jensen in novice humorous.
The team competed against 25 other schools.
The team traveled to Brookings on Oct. 23 for a competition.
Winner is one of 23 South Dakota communities that will have extra money to promote pheasant hunting in their area thanks to Travel South Dakota’s Rooster Rush campaign.
“Rooster Rush is designed to put a spotlight on South Dakota’s pheasant hunting—the best hunting in the world,” said Jim Hagen, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “We are proud to work with these communities and help them develop their own Rooster Rush promotions that will attract and welcome hunters.”
The Winner Area Chamber of Commerce is using the money to welcome hunters to Tripp County and Winner.
Community organizations were given the opportunity to apply for up to $500 in funding for Rooster Rush promotional materials or advertising.
Travel South Dakota provides the Rooster Rush logo and ad templates for communities to customize with localized information.
Winner and other communities chosen will have the opportunity to enter their Rooster Rush marketing efforts for a chance to win the Cacklin’ Community Award. The award is announced at the annual governor’s conference on tourism in January.
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.
By Dan Bechtold
Editor
Updates on the progress of two highway projects in Winner were provided by Doug Sherman, area engineer of the South Dakota Department of Transportation, on May 2.
On the Highway 18 project in Winner, most of the dirt work and base preparation is done from the bridge by the Country Club Motel to Iowa Street. Close behind will be work on Iowa Street to South County Road intersection.
Sherman says it is anticipated Reede Construction will start paving the north lanes around the middle of May.
Water line work will continue from South County Road east to First Fidelity Bank.
“We will see a lot more work in Phase 2 which is the area from South County Road to First Fidelity Bank.
Sherman added the overwidth detour is in place and the signage is in place. This is for local truck traffic only. Other trucks or larger vehicles are asked to work with the port authority to find an alternate route.
Sherman is stressing that people drive slow in the work zone and observe the 25 mile a your speed limit which starts at First Fidelity Bank. “If people don’t follow the speed limit and signs it will really create problems on the project,” Sherman said.
There is a large drop off due to the profile change from the old road and the new road and that is why the speed has been reduced to 25 miles per hour. “There is no room for a margin of error. Drive slow,” said Sherman.
He also talked about the progress on the project on Highway 18 from Winner to Colome.
He said the surface repair is 100 percent complete and work has moved to stage 2 which is the diamond grinding of the surface. Sherman explained this will restore a great ride.
“Persons should see a vast improvement to the ride,” he said.
Detour signs and overwidth signs on this section will be removed. The drive from Winner to Colome is basically back to normal except in work zone areas where diamond grinding is being done. This area will be controlled by a flagger and a pilot car.
On May 2, persons noticed work being done on Highway 44. Last year as part of the three year highway project in Winner temporary highway markings were placed. Now, new durable pavement markings have been laid. Sherman noted the durable markings should erase any confusion persons had driving in this area.
Construction meetings are held every Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the city council chambers.
Persons who have questions on the project can call the DOT office in Winner.
By Dan Bechtold
Editor
South Central Development Corporation has an office building for sale.
The development corporation acquired Covey Law Office from Vicki Covey. The building has been remodeled with new windows, doors, heating, cooling, new roof, new sewer and bathroom.
Mike Scott of the development corporation says this will be a nice office for someone. The building at 409 S. Main St. is for sale. Those interested in the building are to call Scott at the Winner Area Chamber of Commerce office.
Scott says the development corporation is trying to revitalize Main Street one building at a time.
Looking for new opportunities on Main Street, an architectural firm is looking at a possibility for a green space on Main Street. This would include a sitting area, maybe a stage. This is an area where there could be a farmers market, Santa visit to Winner and just a nice visual piece to Main Street.
Scott says the goal is when someone new drives through Winner and Main Street they say, “Wow, this looks neat.”
The development corporation has funding available persons who want to upgrade their buildings through a façade grant.
SCDC is involved in a lot of aspects of the community as far as having loans available and recruitment of employees. The pressing goal is the revitalization of Main Street.
Persons interested in buying this building are asked to call Mike Scott.
By Dan Bechtold
Editor
Sales tax reduction, foreign ownership of ag land were among the topics discussed by Dist. 21 legislators at a crackerbarrel in Winner Saturday afternoon at the Winner Legion.
Lawmakers attending were Rep. Rocky Blare of Ideal and Rep. Marty Overweg of New Holland.
Sen. Erin Tobin of Winner was unable to attend.
The crackerbarrel was sponsored by Winner Area Chamber of Commerce with Mike Scott, executive director of the Chamber introducing the lawmakers. Winner American Legion Auxiliary provided coffee, cookies and bars.
Blare said the biggest issue this past week in the House was passing HB1137 which will reduce the state sales tax rates in South Dakota from 4.5 percent to 4.2 percent. This will reduce the tax burden for citizens by $100 million, the largest tax decrease in S.D. history.
There were two bills regarding the foreign ownership of agriculture land.
The governor’s farmland protection bill, SB185 was defeated in the senate explained Overweg.
If enacted, it would create a seven member board modeled after the federal agency tasked to reviewing foreign purchases that could impact national security.
The committee would review any transfer of agricultural land involving a foreign entity, offering a recommendation to the governor.
Overweg said all ag groups were opposed to SB185 and Overweg said he was also against it.
Blare explained an ag bill that has survived is HB1189 which would be a ban of foreign ownership of over 160 acres. The bill will help close a loophole by requiring disclosure by a foreign owned corporation as to whether they hold any interest in South Dakota ag land.
Pam
Haukaas of the Colome Consolidated School Board asked the legislators to
consider an increase of 8 percent for school districts. She said students are
leaving the state for higher paying jobs in neighboring states. Haukaas said
the average teacher pay in South Dakota is $49,547. She said the closest
regional competitor, Montana, is more than $3,500 ahead of South Dakota.
Haukaas said the state has the money for an 8 percent increase. She said the
current proposed increase of 5 percent costs the state $24 million and if the
total increase was raised to 8 percent it would require only about $14 million
more for a total increase in new funding for public schools.
Robert Tate asked several questions about voting machines and told the legislators he cannot find out who owns the voting machines.
Blare explained there are several bills in the legislature this year dealing with election integrity. In his column this week in the Winner Advocate Blare lists the election bills.
A question was asked about the brand board. Blare said the House passed a brand board bill that would change the make up of the board from appointed to elected members from seven districts.
A discussion was held on what the legislators will do to regulate medical marijuana.
A bill dealing with pop up medical marijuana clinics died in the Senate.
Prior to meeting in Winner, the lawmakers held a crackerbarrel in Burke.
The South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA) is pleased to announce that Trent Kubik has been elected as Secretary/Treasurer of the SDCGA for 2023. Trent and his wife Shannon, and two brothers, Troy and Bruce, started their own farm and ranch, where they operate a corn, soybean, small grains, alfalfa and cow-calf operation in Hamill. Kubik and his wife Shannon have two sons. In his spare time he enjoys cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits and the Green Bay Packers, as well as traveling with his family.The following board members were also elected to serve for 2023:
President Dave Ellens, District 5
Dave Ellens has been elected President of the SDCGA for 2023. Dave and his family raise corn and soybeans in Madison. As owner of Lakeco Crop Services, he also is a third-generation Pioneer dealer.
Vice President Taylor Sumption, District 5
Taylor Sumption manages his family’s farm in partnership with his four brothers and parents in Frederick. They produce corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and oats in combination with operating a cow/calf operation and feedlot.
In addition, the following individuals were elected or approved to join the SDCGA board for 2023.
District 4 – Travis Strasser
District 6 – Mike Cronin
District 7 – Jeff Burg
District 8 – Scott Stahl
District 9 – Trent Kubik
At-Large – Kelsey Geraets
Industry Director – Jennifer Feistner
Industry Director – Kendall Jones
Industry Director – Rebecca Wellenstein
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership in Ideal was selected as one of seven regional winners of the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The ranch was recognized during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans.
“Farming and ranching families across the country continue to incorporate practices that protect and preserve land and water resources for future generations,” said NCBA President Don Schiefelbein. “These regional winners represent the cattle industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. The regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be presented during NCBA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April 24-27, 2023. The 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program Regional Winners are:
Region I: Lamb Farms, Inc., Oakfield, New York
Region II: Carter Cattle Company, LLC, Pintlala, Alabama
Region III: Huth Polled Herefords and S&H Livestock Enterprises, LLC, Oakfield, Wisconsin
Region IV: Parks Ranch, Goliad County, Texas
Region V: Mannix Brothers Ranch, Helmville, Montana
Region VI: Fulstone Ranches, Smith, Nevada
Region VII: Jorgensen Land & Cattle Partnership, Ideal, South Dakota
“The Jorgensen family depicts all aspects of the award ideals while working to improve their operation each year since 1909,” said Cindy Zenk, coordinator of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition. “The love of cattle and the land, a passion that continues to be handed down through generations is vividly evident with the fourth generation now managing the operation.”
Soil and animal health are the primary drivers for practices implemented at Jorgensen Land & Cattle. Grazing rotations are developed based on the impacts to soil health, livestock feed demands, and the wildlife benefit created from good cover and plant diversity. Rotational grazing has increased grazing efficiency and improved the productivity of the grassland. The ranch practices diverse crop rotations, integrates livestock grazing on both grassland and cropland, and adds as few external inputs to the cropping or pasture systems as possible. In addition to the cattle operation, Jorgensen grows 12,000 non-irrigated acres of crops every year using no-till, which has helped improve soil structure and nutrient efficiency.
“We strive to learn from Mother Nature by studying the native prairies,” said Cody Jorgensen, chief livestock officer at Jorgensen Land & Cattle. “Based on what we learn, we develop cropping rotations that are intended to mimic the ecosystem we live in.”
ESAP is generously sponsored by companies and federal agencies who share the cattle industry’s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources. Sponsors including U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Corteva Agriscience, McDonald’s, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partner with NCBA to promote environmental stewardship throughout the beef supply chain. For more information, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.
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