THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“It’s never been easier to get riled up, carried away, angered, disillusioned and distracted. It’s never been easier to lose hope in our country and/or in those we elect to represent us. But in the end each day it’s our lives we are responsible for. It’s our job to know what moves us, what makes us feel fulfilled, and what makes us feel as if we are living a life we are proud of. So, head into this week with your head held high, full of calm and peace, grounded and steady.”
— Maria Shriver

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Wrestling: home vs. Brookings, 5 p.m.
Wrestling: home vs. Brandon Valley, 7 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: home for Pierre East-West invitational, 10 a.m.
Gymnastics: at Rapid City Central invitational.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Aberdeen Central, 7 p.m.
Boys basketball: at Aberdeen Central, 7 p.m.

Athletes of the Week: Honored by the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association last week were Preston Taylor of the wrestling team and Ella Ward-Zeller of the swim team.

Boys basketball: The Governors won their third game of the season over Douglas, 69-53. After a close first half Pierre outscored the Patriots in the third quarter by 19-4 to take control of the game. Jackson Edman had 20 points and 22 rebounds, Matt Hanson 14 points, Lincoln Kienholz 11 points and James Mikkonen 10 points. Pierre’s record is 3-5.

Gymnastics: In their own invitational Saturday the Governor girls placed seventh with a 129.7 team score. Mitchell was the team champion at 143.175. Aubre Westover was Pierre’s best, placing 12th in the all-around standings with a 32.125 score.

Boys wrestling: After swamping Huron with a 62-11 dual win in which they won 11 of 14 weight classes, seven of them by pins, the Governors placed second at the Jerry Opbroek tournament in Mitchell with a 191 score, second only to Stevens at 222. Following Pierre in order were Mitchell, Watertown, Sturgis and Rapid City Central. Four Pierre men were individual champions, including Blake Judson at 126 pounds, Tyson Johnson at 145, Regan Bollweg at 220 and Preston Taylor at 285. Other Governor placers: Noah Williams, fifth at 113; Nate Williams, fourth at 120; Kahlor HIndman, third at 132; Hayden Shaffer, third at 138; Deegan Houska, sixth at 152; Trey Lewis, fourth at 152; Jayden Wiebe, fourth at 160; Lucas Chamberlin, fifth at 170; Gavin Stotts, second at 182; Jacob Larson, second at 195.

Boys wrestling: Pierre’s Regan Bollweg received the Adam Aslesen Award of Excellence, which is presented at Mitchell’s Jerry Opbroek tournament each year and which honors a wrestler’s academic and athletic achievements.

Girls wrestling: Pierre had five first-place finishes and four other placers as the Governor girls competed at Harrisburg’s girls tournament. Mulie Taylor, Mary Mehlhaff, Mary Chessmore, Ciara McFarling and Marlee Shorter all placed first. Emalee Larson, Hattie Baldwin and Sydney Uhrig placed second, and Gianna Stangeland earned a third place.

Girls basketball: The Governors have evened their season’s record at 5-5. In a 46-36 loss to Mitchell the Govs were led by Caytee Williams’ 11 points. In a 60-29 win over Douglas Tuesday, Pierre went on a 25-0 run in the second quarter to salt away the win. Remi Price scored 16 and Jessica Lutmer 12.

Postseason status: In boys basketball Pierre has moved up to 14th among the 18 “AA” schools, and the top 16 qualify for the SoDak 16 playoff round. In girls basketball the Governors are 10th among 18, and the top 16 qualify for the SoDak 16.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Sully Buttes.
— SATURDAY
Girls basketball: at Custer.
Boys basketball: home vs. Custer.
Wrestling: at Winner invitational.
— TUESDAY
Boys basketball: at Sully Buttes.
Girls basketball: home vs. Gregory.

Boys basketball: The Buffaloes earned a spot in the Jones County Invitational semifinals with a 58-38 quarterfinal win over Bennett County last Thursday afternoon. Nathan Cook had 19 points and Lathan Prince 15. The semifinal game against Lyman and the Saturday game for third place were forfeited due to COVID-19 concerns.

Postseason status: In boys basketball the Buffs are third among seven schools, and all seven advance to Region 6A. In girls basketball the Buffalo girls are fourth of four, and all four advance to Region 6A.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: at Stanley County.
Wrestling: at Mobridge-Pollock (with Faulkton Area).
— TUESDAY
Boys basketball: home vs. Stanley County.

Boys basketball: The Chargers defeated Miller, 73-49, as Caleb Chicoine scored 15 and Jesse Schall 11 points with 15 rebounds. The Chargers lost to Northwestern in the Redfield Classic, 55-46. On Tuesday a basket by Garrett Petersen with two seconds left lifted SBHS to a 56-54 win over Timber Lake. Petersen had 17 points and Rafe Wientjes 18. Sully Buttes’ record is 5-6.

Girls basketball: The Charger girls’ record is also 5-6. SBHS lost to Miller, 47-37, then defeated Timber Lake, 62-54. Stevie Wittler had 21 points and Lydia Hill 12 as the Chargers made 21 of 32 free throws.

Postseason status: In boys basketball SBHS stands seventh among nine schools. All nine advance to the Region 2B tournament. In girls basketball the Chargers are fourth among nine, and all nine advance to the Region 2B tournament.

COUNTDOWN

8 days: Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, Rapid City (Jan. 29-Feb. 6).
12 days: Groundhog Day (Feb. 2).
15 days: State one-act play festival, Brandon/Rapid City/SDSU (Feb. 5-6).
17 days: Super Bowl LV, Tampa (Feb. 7).
22 days: State gymnastics meet, Watertown (Feb. 12-13).
24 days: Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).
27 days: Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17).
33 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical (Feb. 23, 25).
35 days: State wrestling tournaments, Rapid City (Feb. 25-27).
36 days: Pierre Players’ “A Little Piece of Heaven” (Feb. 26-28, March 4-6).
37 days: Twins spring training opener (Feb. 27).
38 days: Golden Globe awards, NBC (Feb. 28).

PONDER THIS

“We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it, would destroy our country if it meant democracy. And this effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith, we trust. For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.”
— Amanda Gordon, national youth poet laureate,
in her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” Jan. 20, 2021

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Directions: Draw a box of 16 squares in a 4×4 format. Number the squares in your top row 1, 2, 3 and 4 from left to right. Number the squares in your left-hand row 1, 5, 6 and 7 from top to bottom.

Clues:
— ACROSS
(1) Legendary monster.
(5) Omaha’s Von —- department store.
(6) Frozen waffle.
(7) National Agricultural Statistics Service (abbr.).
— DOWN
(1) Sign of bad things to come.
(2) Inauguration performer.
(3) Floor coverings.
(4) Satellite center near Sioux Falls.

WEDDING DATES

June 18: Chris Rumrill/Katya Vakshteyn.
July 31: Jack Carpenter/Leesa Johnson.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd went 1-2 against Sioux City, winning 3-2 and losing 4-3 and 6-2. Now 8-11-1, Sioux Falls plays at Omaha Friday and Saturday.

Aberdeen Wings: Aberdeen now stands at 19-1 for the season, 9 1/2 games ahead of second-place Bismarck, after shutting out St. Cloud, 6-0 and 4-0. The Wings go to Fairbanks Friday and Saturday.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush won two of three weekend games against Tulsa, losing 4-1 but winning 3-1 and 3-2. Rapid City is home at 7:05 p.m. both Friday and Saturday vs. Utah.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild opened the NHL season with two 4-3 overtime wins at Los Angeles, then lost at Anaheim, 1-0. After another game against the Ducks last night, Minnesota plays at home against San Jose Friday and Sunday and against Los Angeles next Tuesday and Thursday.

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: The girls were outscored 22-1 in two weekend games. In a 9-1 loss to Mitchell the lone goal was scored by Olivia Swenson in the third period after Mitchell had compiled a 9-0 lead. The Capitals then lost to unbeaten Aberdeen, 13-0, as they were outshot by a 52-7 count. Sophia Peschong had 39 saves in goal for the Caps. The girls will be home at 8 p.m. Friday vs. Brookings and 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Watertown, then go to Sioux Falls for an 11:45 a.m. faceoff Sunday.

SDAHA girls varsity standings (wins-losses-ties-OT losses=points): (1) Aberdeen 12-0-0-0 24. (2) Sioux Falls 10-1-0-0 20. (3) Brookings 7-3-0-0 14. (4) Sioux Center 5-5-0-0 10. (5) Mitchell 4-7-0-1 9. (6) Watertown 3-7-0-0 6. (6) Huron 3-7-0-0 6. (8) Oahe 1-6-0-1 3. (9) Yankton 0-7-0-0 0.

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Caps continued to roll with two more league wins. In a 7-1 triumph over Mitchell, Elliot Leif accomplished a hat trick, and Raef Briggs and Andrew Gordon had two goals each. Carter Schulz made 16 saves in the nets. The game was 0-0 after a period before the Capitals roared out to a 4-0 lead in the second stanza. On Sunday the boys won over Aberdeen, 8-1, as Keenan Howard and Jaden Flor each scored two goals and Leif, Ashton Griese, Briggs and Gordon had one goal each. Kieran Duffy was goalkeeper and made 21 saves. The boys have one game this weekend—at home at 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Watertown.

SDAHA boys varsity standings (wins-losses-ties-OT losses=points): (1) Sioux Falls #2 11-2-0-0 22. (2) Rushmore 9-2-0-0 18. (3) Oahe 8-0-0-0 16 (3) Brookings 8-0-0-0 16. (5) Sioux Center 6-4-0-0 12. (6) Yankton 3-6-0-1 7. (7) Watertown 3-5-0-0 6. (7) Huron 2-9-0-2 6. (9) Sioux Falls #1 2-5-0-0 4. (10) Aberdeen 1-8-0-0 2. (11) Mitchell 0-9-0-0 0.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Pierre Trappers: Added to the 2021 season roster this week were:
— Patrick Connor, infielder at Central Missouri, from O’Fallon, Mo.
— Anthony Masetti, infielder at Menlo College, from Redwood City, Calif.
— Zach Boyer, right-handed pitcher at Bossier Parish Community College, from Carencro, La.
— Jared Shelton, right-handed pitcher at University of Cumberlands, from Fishers, Ind.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Midco Sports Network TV games this week:
— FRIDAY
Women’s basketball: UND at SDSU, 5 p.m.
Men’s basketball: UND at SDSU, 7:30 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Women’s basketball: Denver at NDSU, 5 p.m. (MSN2).
Men’s hockey: Colorado College at UND, 6 p.m.
Men’s basketball: Denver at NDSU, 7:30 p.m. (MSN2).
— SUNDAY
Men’s hockey: Colorado College at UND, 6 p.m.

Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves had one Memphis game postponed due to COVID-19 positives but got in two games—a 118-107 loss to Memphis and a 108-97 loss to Atlanta. After hosting Orlando last night, the Wolves are home vs. Houston Friday and New Orleans Saturday, then go to Golden State for Monday and Wednesday games.

WORDS TO REMEMBER

“When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
— Amanda Gorman, national youth poet laureate
in her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” Jan. 20, 2021

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): The Champions Tour finally resumes its schedule this weekend after a long holiday layoff. The players are in Hawaii for the Mitsubishi Classic today through Saturday.

FOOTBALL CONTEST #25

This will be our last contest of the year. Everyone is welcome to enter. Both games correct = 10 points. One game correct = 6 points. Send your two winners to parkerhome16@hotmail.com by Sunday morning.

(1) NFC: Tampa Bay at Green Bay
(2) AFC: Buffalo at Kansas City

FOOTBALL UPDATE

NFL football on TV this weekend:
— Sunday: NFC championship, Tampa Bay at Green Bay, 2:05 p.m., Fox.
— Sunday: AFC championship, Buffalo at Kansas City, 5:40 p.m., CBS.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• Governor Noem and a lot of other South Dakotans will consider this another triumph, but when a group’s big event is called FreedomFest and when it moves from Las Vegas to Rapid City, there is something scary about that. Are we going to become the go-to place for these gatherings? Called “the world’s largest conference featuring prominent speakers in the pro-freedom and liberty movement,” Freedom Fest 2021 and the Anthem Film Festival will be held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and the Elks Theatre in July. They’re heading our way, of course, because in South Dakota WE ARE FREE! And nobody can host super-spreader events like South Dakota!
• The Denny Sanford Premier Center won’t be its usual sea of blue for the Summit League basketball tournaments in March. In fact, the tournaments won’t even be held there! The league moved its women’s and men’s tournaments to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, and no fans will be admitted. The games are all to be televised on Midco Sports Network as usual with the championship games on ESPNU and ESPN2.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Jan. 21:
Parker Parsons, Becky Thompson, Mary (Jordre) Jensen, Daniall Deis, Isaac Heymans, Pam Steece, Justin Artz, Monte Pullman, Doug Paxton, Nathanial Sprenkle, Jean Hertel (#90).
— 18th anniversary, Jesse/Whitney (Palmer) Flottmeyer.

Friday, Jan. 22:
Burkelee Kenefick-Asthoff, Maddox Dokken, Jason Sulzle, James Watson, Tracy Roberts, Brian Thompson, Bob Joachim, Jon Boer, Matt Boyer, Mike Schuh, Jameson Bollinger, Charis (Fouts) Blanchette, Mark Sweetman, Dustin Boes, Mark Venner, Paula Adam-Burchill.
— 11th anniversary, Rob/Angela Miller.

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

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

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

Tuesday, Jan. 26:
Ruth Rehn, Solomon Erlandson, Sandi (Ahrendt) Beckman, Logan Bouchie, Dustin Ortbahn, Diana Tibbs.

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

Thursday, Jan. 28:
Josh Dehne, John Culberson, Cindy Jaeger, Zachary Deal, Katie Schultz, Kathy (Dalton) Smith.
— 37th anniversary, Rick/Deb LaBrie.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“Through struggle, sacrifice and setbacks our better angels have always prevailed. In each of these moments enough of us, enough of us have come together to carry all of us forward, and we can do that now. History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.”
— President Biden, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 2021

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): Idle last week for their bye week in the Summit League schedule, the Coyotes play at Western Illinois Friday and Saturday.

Summit League men’s basketball standings: USD 4-0, SDSU 2-0, NDSU 5-1, ORU 5-1, UND 3-3, UMKC 1-3, WIU 0-4, UNO 0-4, DU 0-4.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Coyote women resume their Summit League calendar at Western Illinois Friday and Saturday after a bye week last weekend.

Summit League women’s basketball standings: USD 4-0, SDSU 4-0, NDSU 5-1, ORU 3-1, UMKC 2-3, WIU 2-4, DU 1-3, UNO 1-4, UND 0-5.

Texas A&M-International women’s basketball: The Dustdevil women, whose coach is Nate Vogel (husband of Pierre native Tracie Seyfer), are off to an 8-1 start this season, the best in program history. Their 69-59 win over St. Edward’s in Austin Saturday extended the team’s winning streak to seven. Their next games are two at Lubbock Christian this weekend.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Bradley Dean, Nick Wittler): The Tigers lost to Northwestern last Wednesday, 86-73. They beat Mount Marty on Sunday, 69-58, and Bradley got in for three minutes but missed his only field-goal attempt. Now 14-3 overall and 10-2 in the GPAC, DWU was at Jamestown last night and then is idle until going to Briar Cliff next Wednesday.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Lady Vols lost to Georgia, 67-66, but rebounded with a 82-56 drubbing of Alabama. Tennessee hosts Connecticut tonight, then goes to Vanderbilt Sunday.

Mount Marty men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): The Lancers lost to Concordia, 86-76, then lost at Dakota Wesleyan, 69-58. In the latter game Lincoln was 2-of-4 at the stripe for two points with three rebounds and one assist. Mount Marty took a 7-12 overall record (4-10 in the GPAC) into a game last night vs. Hastings. The Lancers go up to Jamestown Saturday, then go to Midland next Wednesday.

Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): The Marauders’ dual against Southwest Minnesota State was canceled. They did defeat Minot State, 20-13, in a conference dual. In the JV matches against Minot, Lincoln won by fall in 1:59 in his 141-pound match. Mary wrestles at home tonight (Thursday) against Minnesota State-Moorhead.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): The Vikings lost a conference dual to Minnesota State-Mankato, 25-13. Augie wrestles at home tonight (Thursday) vs. St. Cloud State.

South Dakota State track-field (Addison Eisenbeisz): At USD’s meet Addy placed second in the high jump at 5’3 3/4″. In the women’s meet USD was first at 188.5, then SDSU 134, Drake 60, Omaha 58.5. In the men’s meet USD had 136 points, SDSU 80 and Drake 46. The Jackrabbits stay home for the Jim Emmerich meet this Saturday against UND, NDSU, Mary and Omaha.

Augustana women’s basketball (Aislinn Duffy, Katie Bourk): The Viking women split with Concordia-St. Paul. In a 74-60 loss Aislinn was 3-of-8 (0-for-3) and 3-of-3 for nine points with five rebounds, one assist and a block. In an 80-70 win Aislinn went 4-for-11 (0-for-1) and 8-of-8 for 16 points with eight boards and a steal. Augustana plays two this weekend at Winona State.

Morningside bowling (Alex Badger): After a six-week layoff the Morningside bowlers had hoped to go to Addison, Ill., for the Midwest College Classic, but the event was canceled. Morningside stays home to bowl this Saturday in their own Mustang Open.

Augustana track-field (Elizabeth Schaefer): Elizabeth didn’t compete when the Vikings went to Wayne State’s meet. Next on the Augie schedule is the Northern invitational in Aberdeen Jan. 31.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Racquel Wientjes): The Yellowjackets lost to Western Colorado, 70-61, as Racquel was 7-of-20 (1-of-7 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 19 points with eight rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals. Tuesday’s scheduled game at Chadron State Tuesday was postponed. Now 6-3, BHSU plays at South Dakota Mines this Saturday.

Colorado Mines women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Orediggers won twice this week. In a 66-52 win over South Dakota Mines in Rapid City, Liz was 3-of-8 and 3-of-3 for nine points with seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. On Monday back home the Orediggers stormed UC-Colorado Springs, 80-47, as Liz went 6-of-10 (1-of-3 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 17 points with six boards and four assists. Now 7-2 overall and 6-2 in RMAC play, Mines goes west to Colorado-Mesa Friday and Westminster Saturday.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

South Dakota’s COVID-19 scoreboard:
— Death toll as of last Wednesday, Jan. 13: 1604.
— Death toll through yesterday, Jan. 20: 1667.
— As of Jan. 13, the five hardest-hit states included South Dakota at #4 with 186 people dead per 100,000 residents, behind only New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. But hey! Most of them were those old people.
— As of Jan. 14 the number of South Dakota dead in nursing homes was 653.
— As of Jan. 15 the number of recoveries was 98,576.
— As of Jan. 16 South Dakota had vaccinated 6.5% of its population, one of the highest rates in the country.
— The U.S. lost nearly 3,000 people per day since Christmas.
— As of Tuesday the number of active cases in the state was down to 4,232, the lowest number since early October.
— The number of people hospitalized in South Dakota (195) as of Wednesday fell below 200 for the first time since Sept. 25.

Carol (Laundreaux) Merrill, 78, Sturgis, formerly of Pierre, died Jan. 16 at Monument Health in Rapid City. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday with a prayer service at 7 at Isburg Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Faith Lutheran Church. Carol grew up at Agar and graduated from high school there in 1960. She and Larry Merrill were married that fall. In 1962 they moved to Pierre. Carol worked for the Department of Transportation, the South Dakota Banking Commission, for the Bunkhouse Café as a hostess and waitress and for the federal court system as a clerk of courts. In 1994 the Merrills moved to Rapid City and in 1996 to Sturgis. Carol is survived by her husband, Larry Merrill of Sturgis; her children, Kevin Merrill and his wife Tami of Pierre, Kerwin Merrill of Rapid City, Brian Merrill of Pierre and Tamara Merrill of Box Elder; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald Laundreaux, and a sister, Tina Hyde.

Jean Hertel, long-time Onida and Sully County resident who now lives at Edgewood, is observing her 90th birthday today (Thursday). Friends and acquaintances can still send her greetings by mail to 1950 E. 4th St., Pierre SD 57501. Or call her at 605/295-1028. Jean is the mother of Suzanne Stahl.

In response to the fear that protests of some sort might take place in each of the 50 state capitals, the Pierre post office closed its lobby where post office boxes are located at noon Saturday and temporarily removed three of the blue collection boxes—the one at Capitol and Pierre Street across from the courthouse, one on the 200 block of East Capitol Avenue, and one on East Wells and Capitol Avenue in front of the state office building across from Capitol Lake.

The protest against the Biden election at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre saw about 20 people walk around the building, led by a bagpiper. They recited the rosary and prayed for what one man called “free and fair elections.” The march permit was granted to a group called Jericho March. Fortunately no major incidents were reported from any of the 50 state capital cities.

Fire was the story in South Dakota last Thursday, starting with a wind-driven grass fire north of Oahe Dam and west of Highway 1804 in the Peoria Flats area. No buildings were lost, but much cropland and grassland were destroyed among the 400 to 450 acres burned. Several area fire departments responded to the call. The winds that gusted all day Thursday made fighting a huge fire at one of the Edgewater Apartments on the west side of Pierre a miserable experience for the Pierre firefighters. The blaze was reported by a neighbor, and by the time the fire was controlled hours later the building was a total loss. Thirty-five of the apartments in the building were occupied, but the building was immediately evacuated once the fire was reported. One fireman sustained minor injuries. The WAPA powerlines that cross above the building were de-energized during the fire as a precaution. The Pierre community responded immediately with countless offers of money, food, clothing, supplies, housing and comfort for the many who lost everything. At the same time as that fire was burning, in far northwestern South Dakota a grass fire that started in Adams County in North Dakota crossed the state line just west of Lemmon and burned more than 20,000 acres before it was controlled near the Grand River. The burned area was 20 miles long and 4 to 5 miles wide. Wind gusts up to 70 MPH and sustained winds in the neighborhood of 40 and 50 MPH powered the fire that was fought by 20 area fire departments. Two firemen were injured. The fire was reignited by winds Friday morning. No residences were lost, but several farms and ranches were evacuated ahead of the fire as a precaution.

Dennis Eisnach, former superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol and former mayor of Pierre, died peacefully at home Jan. 16. The family will be holding private services now with a public service and a celebration of life at a later date this summer or fall. Mr. Eisnach graduated from high school at Estelline in 1954 and attended the School of Mines. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959, during which time he and the former Shirley Salmonson were married in 1958. As a member of the Rapid City Police Department, he was hired by the South Dakota Highway Patrol. He was transferred to Pierre in 1970 and became superintendent of the SDHP in 1974, serving until retiring in 1980. After his retirement he worked for the Department of Public Safety in Watertown, the Swift Bird Prison, a private detective agency, Pierre Economic Development Corporation and Montana-Dakota Utilities. He was elected to a six-year term on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and was elected to a six-year term as mayor. Throughout his life he served on numerous boards and commissions locally and participated in many organizations. He and his wife were honored for their civic work. Mr. Eisnach is survived by his wife, Shirley; their three daughters and sons-in-law, Danna and Stan Nesler of Shorewood, Wis., Denette and Dave Becker of Pierre, and Darla and Keith Wrage of Mankato, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, and a sister, Diana Kidder of Bloomington, Minn. Former colleagues of Mr. Eisnach, friends of his daughters, and Shirley’s former students can send condolences to 1800 Grandview St., Pierre SD 57501.

Sully Buttes alumnus Pat Jolley is within three victories of reaching the 400-win mark in his boys basketball coaching career. His Canistota Hawks are 7-1 this season, and Jolley secured his 397th career win Tuesday when the Hawks won over Freeman Academy/Marion. Jolley could reach 400 in the next week, but the schedule is daunting. Canistota plays White River at the Hanson Classic Saturday, plays Ethan on Monday and plays at Chester Area Tuesday.

Phyllis Hoisington, 88, Onida, died Jan. 16 at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre. A graveside service will be held in Gettysburg this spring. Phyllis grew up in Gettysburg and graduated from high school at McIntosh. She married Claire Hoisington in 1950, and they divorced in 1962. Phyllis and her children moved to Onida in 1966. She worked in day care and foster care and was a noted seamstress. From 1973 to 2003 she spent 30 years anchoring the Sully County Extension Service office as its secretary. Phyllis survived by six of her eight children, including Susan Watts and her husband Steve of Harrisburg, Pa., Geneva Barkley of Pierre, Robert Hoisington and his wife Christine of Stillwell, Kan., Nina Ripley and her husband Jim of Onida, Katherine Hoisington of Onida, and Carry Wallace of Brookings; her sister, Mable Ellis of Katy, Tex.; her brother, James Harvey of Rapid City; 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Among those who preceded her in death were two children, Sidney Hoisington and Trish Miles; her parents; her sister, Elsie Berg, and her brother, Edwin Harvey.

The Fort Pierre city council heard a most unusual request at its meeting Tuesday night. The council approved a request for use of fireworks downtown in a gender reveal. (News courtesy of “Today’s KCCR News.”)

Lorrain Waack, 83, Pierre, died Jan. 19 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital. A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday at Isburg Funeral Chapel with burial at Norris, S.D., at 2 p.m. Lorrain attended school at Kadoka and married Edgar Waack in 1956. They moved to Pierre in 1983. Lorrain worked at Maryhouse as a nursing aide and in the laundry department at the hospital. She is survived by her children, Larry Waack and his wife Lynn of Chapman, Kan., Gary Waack and his wife Laura of Pierre, Carol Peterson of Pierre, Glen Waack and his wife Brenda of Goose Creek, S.C., Debra Peterson of Pierre, and Donna Sanborn and her husband Dale of Pierre; her brothers, Leland Baldwin of Pierre and Loren Baldwin of Sturgis; her sister, Alice Ostboe of Spokane, Wash.; 21 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

The Keystone oil pipeline would have crossed West River, but now that President Biden has indicated he will revoke the permit for construction of the pipeline, the Canadian firm that is building it has stopped construction. South Dakota’s three members of Congress wrote to Biden urging him not to stop the pipeline work.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWER

O G R E
M A U R
E G G O
N A S S

THE SAD TRUTH . . . . .

“The fact that more than 81 million of us have to be terrified of our neighbors right now when we should be simply joyful is a sad indictment of the people who voted for this defeated fraud and of the nation we have become under him.”
— John Pavlovitz

. . . . . BUT A HOPEFUL LOOK AHEAD

“We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts, if we show a little tolerance and humility and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes—as my mom would say, ‘Just for a moment, stand in their shoes.'”
— President Biden, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 2021