Category Archives: State

BankWest has joined the American Bankers Association (ABA) and banks across the U.S. for the #BanksNeverAskThat Anti-Phishing Campaign, a coordinated, industry-wide effort to protect consumers during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Throughout the month, BankWest will put forth a concerted effort to educate consumers about the persistent threat of phishing scams. The organization will share tips and videos via social media channels to help consumers identify fake bank communications asking for sensitive information like their passwords and social security numbers. BankWest also held several Fraud Talk events across the state in August, educating customers about the latest scams.

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that consumers lost $5.8 billion to phishing and other fraud in 2021, an increase of more than 70% compared to 2020.

“Phishing attempts are at an all-time high and scammers are targeting consumers from every direction—by text, phone and email,” said Jody Engel, Winner BankWest Branch Manager. “Education and awareness are key to helping customers spot a scam, so we hope to help them stay one step ahead of the scammers.”

Here are a few tips to protect yourself from phishing attempts:

Never change a password, issue a payment or perform other sensitive tasks based on an unsolicited request.

Never give out personal information such as account numbers, usernames, one time access codes, passwords or Social Security numbers.

Beware of messages or calls requesting any sort of urgent response. Do not respond to pressure to take any sort of immediate action.

If you do receive a phone call, email or text message requesting sensitive information, hang up and call the party back to verify whether the request is legitimate. Use a phone number from a trusted source or directory rather than caller ID to verify you are calling a legitimate source.

For more information about phishing scams and how to stop fraudsters in their tracks, visit www.BanksNeverAskThat.com.

Jorgensen Ranches, Ideal, ranked as largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in South Dakota with the American Angus Association® during fiscal year 2022, which ended Sept. 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer.

Angus breeders across the nation in 2022 registered 304,822 head of Angus cattle. “Our association members lead the industry in adopting new technology and breeding the most problem-free cattle for their customers,” McCully said. “Cattlemen across the country continue to find registered Angus seedstock are the most profitable option for their herd.”

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. The association provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers. Raven Angus, Colome, ranked as fourth largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in South Dakota with the American Angus Association® during fiscal year 2022, which ended Sept. 30, according to Mark McCully, association chief executive officer.

Doug Sherman, area engineer for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, spoke at the Winner Rotary meeting on Thursday.

He provided an update on the three highway projects in the Winner area.

The biggest is Highway 44 from Subway to one mile east. The main contractor is Reede Construction, Aberdeen.

Sherman said by the end of this week he hopes to have new base material on Highway 44. The process involves removal of about one foot of dirt. This dirt is then blended with crushed concrete and replaced back on the road as select subgrade topping. “The crushed concrete can really help stabilize dirt that is very wet and hard to stabilize by normal means, which is what exists in this area of Highway 44,” said Sherman.

Once the new dirt/crushed concrete is placed and is stable, a separator fabric is placed before the base material is put down. “This is done to ensure that over the years clays don’t get saturated and pump back into the good base material,” explained Sherman.

Once the new dirt is placed and stable, a separator fabric is place on it before the base material is laid.

Once the fabric is down, then six inches of good high quality base material is laid. Once that is down and compacted the next step is to place a geogrid on top of the six inches of base material and then placing another 11 inches of good high quality base material on top of the geogrid. Northern Plains Construction of Winner is doing this work.

Sherman added grading work on ditches will continue until mid-November. This includes removal of the old walk path as the new walk path is now in place. This work is also being done by Northern Plains.

Muth Electric is installing conduit for new lights.

It is hoped during the week of Sept. 13 Reede Construction will be on site to start some concrete paving. Paving will continue till late September or early October. There will be flaggers and pilot cars during the construction.

Once concrete paving is done, work will begin to create the new shoulders which mostly will consist of gravel and asphalt.

Lighting and final landscaping will also take place.

Sherman says the DOT hopes to have all work completed by early November.

Next phase of the project will be the reconstruction of Highway 18 from the bridge near Country Club Motel to First Fidelity Bank/Caseys. Most of this work will be done in 2023.

Highway 53

The next project is Highway 53 from Highway 18 south for 16 miles. The contractor is Asphalt Paving & Materials Company, Huron.

Cold milling of the existing surface started on Sept. 6. It is hope this work will be done by early next week. One inch of the existing surface was taken of and replaced it with two inches of brand new asphalt.

Plans are to begin placement of the new asphalt hot mix on Sept. 12. The work will last about three weeks and the all 16 miles will have a new surface. All work is expected to be done by mid-October.

Highway 49

The third project is Highway 49 from S.D. Highway 47 south to S.D. Highway 44.

The contractor is Knife River Construction, Sioux City, Iowa.

Sherman said the pipe work tied to this project is to be completed in the next 30 days.

He said spot grading of bump/frost heave areas is completed and the ride has been restored to those areas.

Deep excavation of bridge ends is completed as well as guardrail widening areas, so bridges are all ready for new asphalt to bed placed.

Cold milling of the entire area is completed. Sherman said the construction crew is taking one inch of the existing surface off and replace it with two inches of new asphalt.

Sherman said the replacement of new asphalt surfacing is well underway and should be completed by early October.

A youth league baseball player gives his first home run ball to his grandfather in a heartwarming video that made it all the way to ESPN.

The clip featured Bruce Carrier, former superintendent of the Winner School District and his grandson.

The story of Carrier and his grandson even made the New York Post in New York City.

In the video clip, Carrier’s grandson approaches his grandfather, who now lives in Sioux Falls, gushing about smacking two homers, one of which was a grand slam.

“I signed the ball for you,” the boy says “and it says, Papa, I love you.”

Carrier, who got emotional, asked his grandson why he did that and the boy said, “You taught me everything about baseball,” he said with tears rolling down is face.

“That’s so sweet,” said Carrier.

Moments like there are what baseball is all about.

Here are some of the responses from New Yorkers and others to the Post story:

This is so much more than baseball..love it.

He was my coach in jr and sr high school. Great man and I will never forget him.

I hope this kid goes places whether major league ball or whatever path he chooses. Kid done great for his grandpa. Young man not all heroes wear capes.

That’s the best thing ever.

Grandpa is the man

Winner Area girls golf team placed 4^th in the Class A tournament at Bakkers Crossing in Sioux Falls June 6-7.

Devan Dougherty was the team’s only medal placer as she tied for 23^rd with a score of 186.

Rylee Root placed 28^th with a 189, Gracie Root, tied for 29^th with a 190, Kelbi Meiners tied for 49^th with a 203 and Leila Balsiger tied for 54^th with a 206.

Coach Jim Halverson said the first day would have to be described as rugged as the girls hit the ball well until it was time to putt. “The greens were faster, more undulating and intimidating. We had a lot of three and four putt greens and their scores showed it,” said Halverson.

After the first day the girls were in 6^th place. The coach said the team had a two hour putting practice at the hotel.

“On Tuesday, the girls came out firing. They hit the ball well most of the time. The putting was a lot better,” said Halverson.

The coach said he was proud of the girls as they did battle.

Voters in Tripp County will be going to the polls on June 7^th for the state primary election.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Republican primary.
Locally there are just two county commissioner races.

In district one the two candidates are Mark Winter and Larry Wilcox. Winter is the incumbent.

In district 5, the candidates are Chip Schroeder and Cody Jorgensen. Schroeder is the incumbent.

In Colome Consolidated running for precinct committeeman are Dan Forgey and Brian Beck.

There will be a primary for governor. Governor Kristi Noem is being challenged by Steven Haugaard.

Congressman Dusty Johnson is being challenged by Taffy Howard.

U.S. Senator John Thune is being challenged by Bruce Whalen and Mark Mowry.

Also on the ballot will be Constitutional Amendment C. This requires three-fifths vote for approval of ballot measures imposing taxes or fees or obligating over $10 million. Everyone is eligible to vote on the amendment.