ELECTION UPDATE: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES

Pierre mayor (Steve Harding’s seat):
— Steve Harding, Caleb Gilkerson.
Hughes County Commission (Norm Weaver, Roger Inman seats):
— None.
Pierre School Board (Dan Cronin’s seat):
— None.
Fort Pierre mayor (Gloria Hanson’s seat):
— Gloria Hanson.
Fort Pierre City Council (Larry Cronin, David LaRoche, Mike Weisgram seats):
— None.
S.D. House of Representatives, District 24: (Mary Duvall, Tim Rounds seats):
— Will Mortenson (R), Mike Weisgram (R).
S.D. Senate, District 24 (Jeff Monroe seat):
— None.
U.S. Senate (Mike Rounds seat):
— Mike Rounds (R), Scyller Borglum (R), Dan Ahlers (D), Clara Hart (D).
U.S. House of Representatives (Dusty Johnson seat):
— Whitney Raver (D), Brian Wirth (D).

Fort Pierre municipal election is April 14.
Pierre municipal election and state primary election are June 2.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling—Friday-Saturday, Pierre East-West invitational, 4:00 and 9:30.
Girls basketball—Next game Jan. 31 vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
Gymnastics—Saturday, at Rapid City Central invitational, 11:00.
Boys basketball—Thursday, home vs. Douglas, 7:00; Tuesday, home vs. Aberdeen Central, 7:00.

Boys basketball: After winning their first game of the season earlier last week, the Governors went to Mitchell and became the victims of the Kernels’ first win of the year, 73-40. Grey Zabel had 11 points and six rebounds, and Lincoln Kienholz scored 10. In Gillette, Wyo., Saturday the Governors lost to Thunder Basin High, 86-56. Zabel scored 22 and Kienholz 14. Pierre stands at 1-10 and is 18th among the Class “AA” boys teams, only 16 of whom will qualify for the postseason SoDak 16 playoff games.

Gymnastics: At the Pierre invitational, postponed from Saturday to Monday, the Governors were second behind team winner Harrisburg and just a tenth of a point better than third-place Mitchell. Pierre’s Mikah Moser, who won the floor exercise and placed second on the beam and in the vault, was second in the all-around standings, and Meg Erwin placed sixth.

Wrestling: Pierre’s Friday duals against Huron and Watertown and Saturday’s Mitchell invitational were all postponed. But on Tuesday the Governors and Brandon Valley staged an exciting dual which ended with Preston Taylor pinning his opponent in one minute at heavyweight to lift the Govs from behind into a 31-29 dual win. Kahlor Hindman won by major decision, Tyson Johnson and Regan Bollweg by decisions and Hayden Shaffer, Cade Hinkle and Taylor by falls.

Girls basketball: The Pierre girls went 2-1 in the past week and are now 6-8 for the season. Pierre won over Mitchell, 52-36, holding on to a big lead of 28-16 at halftime. Remi Price scored 17 points; Caytee Williams had 13 points, five steals and three assists; Kenzie Gronlund had four assists, and Ayvrie Kaiser had four assists. Pierre lost at Thunder Basin High School in Gillette, 69-27. High scorers were Kylee Thorpe with seven and Remi Price with six points. On Tuesday the girls topped Douglas, 68-55, led by Williams’ 19 points, Price’s 18 and Thorpe’s 11.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”

— Thomas Paine

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Wrestling—Saturday, at Winner invitational.
Gymnastics—Next meet Jan. 31 at Hot Springs invitational.
Girls basketball—Thursday, at Sully Buttes; Tuesday, at Gregory.
Boys basketball—Tuesday, home vs. Sully Buttes.

Gymnastics: At the Rapid City meet the Buffaloes were fourth with a 115.100 score. Caycee Knight was 13th and Elena Heeb 14th in the all-around standings.

Wrestling: The Potter County invitational on Saturday was cancelled due to the winter storm.

Boys basketball: At the Jones County Invitational the Buffaloes lost to Kadoka Area, 71-51, in the quarterfinals, then rebounded to whip Bennett County, 67-47, in the consolation semifinals and to beat Philip, 76-31, in the fifth-place game. Nathan Cook scored 20 points, Lathan Prince 15 and Slater Tople 11 for the Buffs in the Philip game. Prince was named to the all-tournament team. SCHS now stands at 6-5.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
Boys basketball—Tuesday, at Stanley County.
Girls basketball—Thursday, home vs. Stanley County; Monday, home vs. Philip.
Wrestling—Saturday, at Winner invitational.

Girls basketball: The Charger girls stand at 4-4. They lost to Miller, 52-39, as Allyson Wittler scored 12 and Kendra Kleven nine points. On Tuesday they won at Timber Lake, 61-56, led by Kleven’s 19 points, Ally Wittler’s 18 and Jill Hofer’s 13.

Boys basketball: Two wins this week have increased the Chargers’ record to 7-1. Sully Buttes defeated Miller, 65-41, as Nick Wittler scored 26, Jett Lamb 17 and Grant Johnson 13. On Tuesday the Chargers won in overtime, 51-47, at Timber Lake. Lamb scored 17, Wittler 12 and Johnson 11.

COUNTDOWN

3 days: Grammy awards, CBS (Jan. 26).
10 days: Super Bowl LIV (Feb. 2).
11 days: Iowa caucuses (Feb. 3).
12 days: State of the Union address (Feb. 4).
14 days: State one-act play festival, Sioux Falls (Feb. 6-8).
17 days: Oscars, ABC (Feb. 9).
19 days: New Hampshire primary (Feb. 11).
22 days: State gymnastics meet, Aberdeen (Feb. 14-15).
30 days: Nevada caucuses (Feb. 22).
35 days: State wrestling tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 27-29).
37 days: South Carolina primary (Feb. 29).
37 days: NSIC men’s/women’s basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 29-March 3).

PONDER THIS

“Beware those who claim to know the mind of God and are prepared to use force, if necessary, to make others conform. Beware those who cannot tell God’s will from their own.”

— Barbara Brown Taylor

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Augustana women’s basketball (Aislinn Duffy, Katie Bourk): The Vikings are 10-6 after two more conference wins. In a 73-44 win over Northern, Aislinn was 1-of-8 and 1-of-2 for three points with three rebounds, one assist and two steals. Augie then beat MSU-Moorhead, 63-60, as Aislinn was 3-of-11 (1-of-3 in threes) and 2-of-2 for nine points with six rebounds. Augustana goes to Concordia-St. Paul Friday and to Minnesota State-Mankato Saturday.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Racquel Wientjes): The Yellow Jackets are 10-6 after splitting two RMAC games. In a 79-62 win over UC-Colorado Springs, Racquel was 5-of-13 (4-of-8 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 18 points with five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals. In a 64-53 loss to Colorado Mines, Racquel was 4-of-14 (3-of-8) and 2-of-2 for 13 points with seven rebounds, a block and a steal. BHSU goes south to New Mexico Highlands Friday and to CSU-Pueblo Saturday.

Northern men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): The Wolves won twice on a southern road trip during the winter storm. They won at Augustana, 82-77, and won at Wayne State, 82-72. Lincoln did not get into either game. Now 14-4, Northern is home Friday vs. St. Cloud State and Saturday vs. Minnesota-Duluth.

South Dakota State wrestling (Aric Williams): The Jacks lost to Iowa State in a dual, 22-17. SDSU, now 6-4 overall in duals and 3-1 in the Big 12, hosts Oklahoma at 2 p.m. Sunday.

South Dakota State swimming (Ashley Theobald, Caleb Huizenga): The Jacks were set to resume their season after a long holiday break, but their dual at St. Cloud State was cancelled by the winter storm. SDSU hosts USD at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Black Hills State track/field (Kelsey Van Den Hemel, Frank Becker, Allan McDonnell): At Chadron State’s meet the BHSU teams won 10 events. Kelsey placed third in the 3,000-meter run in 10:46.00 and ninth in the mile in 5:42.05. Frank placed 18th in the 60-meter dash in 7.62 seconds. BHSU hosts its Dave Little meet Saturday.

S.D. Mines track/field (Theron Singleton, Erik Colman): At the Chadron State meet Erik placed seventh in the shot put at 42’7 1/2″ and fourth in the weight throw at 52’0″. The Hardrockers go to BHSU’s Dave Little meet Saturday.

South Dakota State track/field (Addy Eisenbeisz): The Jacks were weathered out of their scheduled meet last weekend. They host their Jim Emmerich invitational this Saturday.

South Dakota track/field (Maddy McClure): The Coyotes couldn’t make the trip to NDSU’s meet because of the winter storm. The Coyotes go this Saturday to SDSU’s Jim Emmerich meet.

Augustana track/field (Elizabeth Schaefer): The weather prevented the Vikings from competing last weekend. They will go to Brookings Friday for SDSU’s Division II meet.

Lindenwood men’s hockey (Coleman Varty): The Lions swept Robert Morris (Ill.), 5-2 and 3-1 and are now 15-5-0 for the year. Lindenwood hosts Ohio University Friday and Saturday.

Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): Idle last weekend, the Marauders host Minnesota State and St. Cloud State in NSIC duals this weekend.

Colorado Mines women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Orediggers won in overtime at South Dakota Mines, 77-75, as Liz was 4-of-11 (1-of-4 in threes) and 3-of-4 for 12 points with one rebound and one assist. In a 64-53 win at Black Hills State she was 5-of-13 (3-of-6) and 6-of-6 for 19 points with a rebound and six assists. Now 10-6, Colorado Mines is home in Golden Friday vs. Metro State and Saturday vs. Chadron State.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Bradley Dean): The Tigers are 17-3 after two more GPAC wins. They edged Dordt, 71-70, and took down Midland, 73-59. DWU hosted Hastings last night and then is off until next Wednesday at home against Jamestown.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb, Ciara Duffy): The Coyotes dominated North Dakota State, 80-36, leading at halftime by 53-11 after a 40-4 run. Ciara had 20 points with eight rebounds, three assists and two steals and later, after the USD game, was named Summit League Player of the Week. On Sunday before a crowd of 5,153 the Coyote women dealt SDSU its worst conference loss since 2009, beating the Jackrabbits, 83-48. It was 26-6 after the first quarter and 42-24 at halftime. Ciara was 7-of-13 (3-of-4 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 21 points with 11 boards, four assists and a steal. Chloe was 4-of-8 (1-of-3) and 0-of-0 for nine points with one rebound, one assist and a steal. Now 17-2, USD is home vs. Purdue-Fort Wayne at 7 p.m .Friday and against Oral Roberts at 1 p.m. Sunday on MSN2. Next Wednesday the women go to Omaha.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): The Vikings whipped MSU-Moorhead in an NSIC dual, 33-7. In his match at 149 pounds, Jebben was down by 10-4 but rallied to pin his opponent in 6:00. Augie hosts Southwest Minnesota State Friday night.

Texas A&M International women’s basketball (Nate Vogel): The Dustdevils lost at St. Mary’s (Texas), 65-56, and lost at St. Edward’s (Texas), 67-52. Now 7-10, they are home tonight vs. Eastern New Mexico and Saturday against West Texas A&M.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Lady Vols are now 15-3 after a 78-50 win over Florida and a 65-63 escape over Alabama. Tennessee is out of league play at mighty UConn Thursday at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN. The Lady Vols then host LSU Sunday.

Northern track/field (Rachel Guthmiller): In a dual with Jamestown, Rachel placed 10th in the weight throw at 37’1/4″. The NSU women won their dual, 78-34, and the NSU men won 82-42.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Jan. 23:
Jan Hartland, Peyton Zabel, Derk Campbell, Erica Flyger, Adam Johnson, Eric James, Heidi Jennings, Melissa (Moore) Flottmeyer.

Friday, Jan. 24:
Lynnsey Briese, Mary Thorson, Jeff Holcomb, Nancy Grunewaldt, Pam Brandner, Jackie Yackley, Andrew Powers.

Saturday, Jan. 25:
Tawna (Williams) Millington, Audrey Perli, Reed Ludwig, Aidan Dozark, Mary Joyce Rounds, Jonathan Kreycik, Stephen Nielson, Nate Neufeld, Stephanie Bowers, Luke LeBeau, Shawna Erickson, Seth Hipple, Irene LaFurge.

Sunday, Jan. 26:
Diana Tibbs, Dustin Ortbahn, Logan Bouchie, Solomon Erlandson, Ruth Rehn, Sandi (Ahrendt) Beckman.
— We fondly remember Luke Melius, who passed away 8 years ago today.

Monday, Jan. 27:
Maxwell Fergen, Josh Schwartzkopf, Matt Jensen, Rory (Groseclose) Mennenger, Karen (Fossen) Cudmore, Megan (Linn) Bertsch, Aidan Javurek, Matt Kelley, Peggy (Huebner) Urquhart, Andy Woster, Tanya (Hoagland) Hardiman, Karen Wyly, Shana (Holsteen) Read.

Tuesday, Jan. 28:
Kathy (Dalton) Smith, Katie Schultz, Josh Dehne, Zachary Deal, Cindy Jaeger, John Culberson.

Wednesday, Jan. 29:
Ramona Lomheim, Jim Ulmen, Alex Beckwith, Tyson Nafus, Howard Grinager, Chuck Bartlett.

Thursday, Jan. 30:
Rebecca Gruba, Cory Holmes, Isaac Stoeser, Weston Williams, Randy Pool, Julie Osnes, Laura Hofer, Kelly Neiles-Brindza, Michele Hoscheid.

THOUGHT FOR THESE TIMES

“Nations do not die from invasion. They die from internal rottenness.”

— Abraham Lincoln

HOCKEY ROUNDUP

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Stampede split a series against Sioux City, losing 4-1 but winning 3-2 in overtime. Sioux Falls plays Friday and Saturday at Madison, Wis.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush defeated Wichita, 8-2; won at Indiana, 5-3, and lost twice at Cincinnati, 6-3 and 3-1. The team is home Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon against Wichita for the last home games until Feb. 12 because their arena will be in use for the stock show.

North Dakota: The Fighting Hawks tied Miami (Ohio), 4-4, Friday but won in a shootout, then won outright Saturday by a 5-3 count. Now 18-2-3, UND plays at Minnesota-Duluth against the defending national champions Friday on CBSSN and Saturday on Midco Sports Network.

Aberdeen Wings: The Wings just keep winning, taking St. Cloud 4-1 and 6-2 last weekend. The same teams play twice this weekend at St. Cloud.

Minnesota Wild: After a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay and a 7-0 trouncing of Dallas to climax Hockey Day Minnesota, the Wild let one get away Monday when Florida tied the game with three minutes left and scored the 5-4 winning goal with five seconds left. Minnesota played Detroit last night and now is off for the all-star break until a Feb. 1 game vs. Boston.

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: After Saturday’s Mitchell game was weathered out, the girls lost to Sioux Falls, 10-0. Abigail Stewart-Fromm made 35 saves. The girls host Brookings at 8:30 p.m. Friday and play at Huron at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Caps outscored Mitchell, 10-4, as eight different men found the net. Raef Briggs and Elliot Leif had two goals each while Spencer Wedin, Andrew Gordon, Ryan Wedin, Ashton Griese, Caden Davis and Turner Starr each scored one goal. Kieran Duffy made 41 saves. The Caps’ next league game will be at home Feb. 1 vs. Watertown.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Sioux Falls Skyforce: The Force split in Flagstaff against Northern Arizona, losing 123-114 but winning 120-109. The team is home Friday and Saturday vs. Rio Grande Valley and goes to Agua Caliente next Tuesday.

Minnesota Timberwolves: The losing continued for the Wolves this week as they fell at the hands of Indiana twice, 104-99 and 116-114; to Toronto, 122-112, and to Denver, 107-100. After playing Chicago last night, the Wolves are home Friday vs. Houston, Saturday vs. Oklahoma City and Monday vs. Sacramento.

MIDCO SPORTS NETWORK LIVE GAMES THIS WEEK

Thursday, 7 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Denver at UND.
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Purdue-Fort Wayne at USD (MSN2).
Friday, 7 p.m.: Women’s basketball, NDSU at SDSU.
Friday, 7 p.m.: Women’s basketball, Denver at UND (MSN2).
Saturday, 2 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Denvber at NDSU.
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Oral Roberts at USD (MSN2).
Saturday, 7 p.m.: Men’s hockey, UND at Minnesota-Duluth.
Sunday, 1 p.m.: Women’s basketball, Oral Roberts at USD.
Sunday, 2 p.m.: Women’s basketball, Denver at NDSU (MSN2).
Tuesday, 5:45 p.m.: Girls basketball, Bismarck Legacy at Mandan.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Boys basketball, Bismarck Legacy at Mandan.
Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Women’s basketball, USD at Omaha.

GOLF ROUNDUP

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): Tom didn’t play at the Mitsubishi tournament in Hawaii. Next stop on the Champions Tour is in far-off Africa at the Morocco Champions event at Marrakech Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

FOOTBALL CONTEST #26

In our final contest, which covered last Sunday’s two championship games, these people went 2-0 and earned 10 points each—Andrew Schneider, David Ludwig, MIkal Kern, Kyie Richards, Michael Voeltz, Levi Neuharth, Brad Cruse, Nathan Vetter, Jeff Adel, Debra Bollinger, Seb Axtman, Laurie Johnson, Brian Hunhoff, Jason Noyes. Going 1-1 and earning six points each—Dianne Nielsen, Eric James, Laura Schmidt, Billy Beesley, Jon Boer, Chuck Libby, Dawn Magee.

Our final standings among the 15 contestants who entered 23 or more times in our 26 contests:
(1) Brian Hunhoff—8.76 avg. points per week (219 points in 25 entries).
(2) Jason Noyes—8.33 (200 points in 24 entries).
(3) Greg Dean—7.86 (181, 23).
(4) Nathan Vetter—7.40 (185, 25).
(5) Jon Boer—6.92 (180, 26).
(6) David Ludwig—6.78 (156, 23).
(7) Kyle Richards—6.54 (170, 26).
(8) Levi Neuharth—6.42 (167, 26).
(9) Eric James—6.40 (160, 25).
(10) Randy Pool—6.35 (165, 26).
(11) Debra Bollinger—5.87 (135, 23).
(12) Mikal Kern—5.73 (149, 26).
(13) Beth Rinehart—5.08 (122, 24).
(14) Dawn Magee—4.35 (100, 23).
(15) Laurie Johnson—3.43 (79, 23).

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

— When one’s own team is playing Matthew Mors and the Yankton Bucks, it’s not a pleasant thought, but if you want to watch the future Wisconsin Badger in action when the Governors are not involved, go over to Parkview Gym this Saturday, Jan. 25. Yankton will be playing Sturgis in a girls/boys quadrupleheader. The girls varsity game is at 4:30 and the boys varsity game at 6 p.m.

— Imagine my surprise when I read in Dakota Radio Group’s “My Daily News” that Parker Knox was named NSIC basketball Player of the Week. Quite an achievement considering I never played basketball, especially for Northern. Whoever had me on his mind when he typed that sentence recovered in time to change Knox to Fox in subsequent sentences.

— Comments that made me squirm uncomfortably this week:

• On the Minnesota Gophers radio broadcast: “The officials must have saw something we didn’t see.”
• An analyst on Fox Sports Radio: “We don’t know what he had did to himself during the break.”
• An ongoing commercial on local sports radio: “Me and my team are ready to help.”
• A line in a TV movie: “. . . tension between she and Colin.”

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Emily Hughes of the art department was named Pierre Fine Arts Performer of the Week last week.

Pierre native Chris Gage will receive the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

David Gilkerson, chief justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, delivered the State of the Judiciary speech to the Legislature for the 19th time last week. It will be his last time since the longest-serving chief justice in state history will be leaving his position next January.

Parker and Maddy (Keeler) McKittrick are expecting to become first-time parents not once but twice in July. They revealed on Facebook this week that they are expecting twins.

The same is true of Clay and Katelynn (Lamb) Pottorff of Belle Fourche, who are expecting twin boys later this year to join their daughters, Harper and Hallie, in the family.

John Morris, president of Morris Inc., received the Mark Knight Leadership Award at the state convention of the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota in Deadwood last week. The award recognizes a construction leader under the age of 39 who demonstrates great leadership, experience and professionalism in their field of work and who is involved in his community and/or gives back to the AGC.

Fort Pierre mayor Gloria Hanson announced she will be seeking re-election to the mayor’s seat she has held since 2014. She was unopposed in 2018.

Chris and Emily (Stout) Kelley of Tulsa, Okla., are the parents of a son, Alvin Major Kelley, who was born Jan. 16. He weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces, and measured 20 inches. He joins brother Ian, 11, and sister Olivia, 2, in the Kelley family. The new baby was named for his late great-grandfather, Alvin “Timer” Allison. Grandparents include Steve and Peggy Stout of Pierre.

Named Athlete of the Week last week by the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association were Jack Van Camp of the wrestling team and Emerie Stephens of the gymnastics team.

Haley Ketteler, Montana State senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in mechatronics, was the subject of a news release from the university in Bozeman last week. Haley has been active in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a nonprofit organization which inspires interest in science, technology, engineering and math among K-12 students. Last Saturday she was a volunteer at Montana’s first Lego League robotics competition. Back in her Pierre years, Haley first became interested in robotics at a 4-H workshop. Then at Riggs High she and her all-girl Lego League team formed the first team in South Dakota to compete in FIRST’s Tech Challenge. At Montana State Haley has served on the Women in Engineering STudent Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Bridger Solar Team, a student club engaged in a multi-year project to design and build a car that can reach speeds of 60 MPH or more using only electricity generated by onboard solar panels. (News courtesy of Montana’s State University News Service)

Former Pierre resident Jamie Damon of Sioux Falls has a new grandson. Her son, Joe McNulty (Riggs ’96), and his girlfriend, Amie Krause, who live in Otis Orchards, Wash., are the parents of a baby boy, Turok Maximus McNulty, who was born Jan. 15 in Spokane. Jamie’s other son, Drew McNulty, and his wife have four children, the youngest of whom is 9. They live in Midlothian, Va.

A fund-raiser for the Governors high school baseball team will be held at Pizza Ranch from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. Part of the proceeds from dine-in, delivery and carry-out orders will go to support high school baseball.

The Onida High School Class of 1970, which was the last class to graduate from OHS before it became Sully Buttes High the following fall, is planning a 50-year reunion on Friday night, Aug. 7, in Pierre and the following day in Onida. Times and sites of reunion events will be announced later. Class members can reach the reunion contact person at debbynb1970@gmail.com.

Amanda and Lucas Jeanotte are the parents of a daughter, Emersyn Rose, who was born Jan. 20. She weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 19 3/4 inches.

The annual St. Joseph Elementary School carnival will be held at the school from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Jan. 25.

The Dean’s List for the fall semester at Augustana University includes these students: Caitlyn Hemmelman, Layne Hohn, Jebben Keyes, Arden Koenecke, Jonathon Liudahl, Nolan Ortbahn, Peter Sanchez, Riggs Sanchez, Elizabeth Schaefer, Gabrielle Vizcarra.

Eric Stasch is retiring from 34 years spent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thirty-three of those years were spent at Oahe Dam.

“Grommet,” the one-act play which Riggs High School will enter in the state one-act play festival at O’Gorman High School two weekends from now, will be performed at home in the Riggs theater at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31. The admission price will be $5 for adults and $3 for students, but activity tickets will be accepted.

I’m not sure how many Morrises were at the School of Mines and Black Hills State Friday and Saturday nights, but 24 of them squeezed in for the family photo that showed up on Facebook this week. The occasion was Liz Holter (daughter of Julie Morris-Holter) playing basketball there with her Colorado Mines team.

Rebecca (Becky) Yackley, 85, passed away Jan. 15 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. Funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 18 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Onida. Becky and her twin sister, Regina, were born to Frank and Katie Sack in Kansas in July 1934. The family moved to Onida during her junior high years, and Becky graduated from Onida High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, Jerome “Bud” Yackley, in 1953. They lived in Onida all of their married life until late 2017 and early 2018 when they moved to Edgewood, an assisted living facility in Pierre. After Becky’s children were out of school, she worked at various places in the community, including the grocery store, the school kitchen, The Onida Bank, and the Sully County Soil Conservation District. Among her many survivors are her husband, Bud Yackley, now of Pierre; their eight children, Fran McQuirk and her husband Mark of Onida, Reed Yackley and his wife Barb of Sioux Center, Iowa, Nola LaRosh and her husband Tom of Onida, Joe Yackley and his wife Mary Pat of Clermont, Fla., Greg Yackley and his wife Julene of Onida, Kirk Yackley and his wife Jackie of Onida, Beth Rinehart and her husband Dave of Onida, and Scott Yackley and his wife Christine of Bullhead City, Ariz.; 30 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren, and her sister, Coletta Stewart of Sioux Falls.

The Capital Area Counseling Service board of directors has appointed Amy Iversen-Pollreisz as CEO, replacing the retiring Dennis Pfrimmer. Pfrimmer has spent 30 years with CACS, 18 of them as CEO. Amy has been deputy cabinet secretary in the Department of Social Services since 2011. (News courtesy of “Today’s KCCR News.”)