PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: at Yankton, 7 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at Brookings invitational, 9 a.m.
Gymnastics: home for Pierre triangular.
Boys basketball: home vs. Yankton, 5 p.m.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Mitchell, 7 p.m.
Boys basketball: at Mitchell, 7 p.m.

Athletes of the Week: Last week the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association named Tyson Johnson of the wrestling team and Layni Stevens of the girls basketball team as their Athletes of the Week. This week the honored athletes are Marlee Shorter and Trey Lewis of the wrestling teams.

Gymnastics: At the Rapid City meet Saturday, Hot Springs was the team champion with a 133.200 score with Pierre second at 131.625. Chamberlain was third and Stanley County fourth (106.850). The two Rapid City schools had only three gymnasts each so could not compete for the team title. Neveah Karber was best of the Governors with a fourth-place finish in the all-around standings with a 33.850 score.

Wrestling: The Governors went 4-1 in five duals within 24 hours Friday night and Saturday. Pierre whipped Brookings, 58-12, then lost to Brandon Valley’s top-ranked Lynx, 36-30. In the East-West duals Saturday the Governors stormed Sturgis, 52-16; topped Stevens, 36-26, and defeated Central, 52-13. Pierre’s dual record of 10-3 puts the Governors sixth among the teams trying to qualify for the state team duals tournament. The top eight teams qualify for that event. Brandon Valley is No. 1, followed in order by Watertown, Stevens, Harrisburg, Mitchell, Pierre, Tea Area and Madison as of early this week.

Girls basketball: In their only game this past week the Governor girls lost to unbeaten No. 1 Aberdeen Central, 61-50. Caytee Williams was high scorer with 19 points, and Remi Price added 14.

Boys basketball: In their third straight win, a 68-60 victory over Douglas, Lincoln Kienholz had 22 points and Jackson Edman 20. On Tuesday Pierre lost to Aberdeen Central, 70-60. Kienholz was high with 25 points, Edman had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Jack Merkwan contributed 10 points. The boys are now 4-6.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Bennett County.
Boys basketball: home vs. Bennett County.
Wrestling: at Potter County triangular (in Hoven) with Cheyenne Eagle Butte/Dupree.
— SATURDAY
Girls basketball: at Lower Brule.
Boys basketball: at Lower Brule.
Wrestling: at Wagner invitational.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Lakota Tech.
Boys basketball: home vs. Lakota Tech.

Boys basketball: The Buffaloes lost at Custer, 57-48, but won at Sully Buttes, 65-41. In the win Nathan Cook had 22 points and 16 rebounds, Lathan Prince 16 points and Cormac Duffy 10 points. SCHS is now 5-4.

Girls basketball: The SCHS girls lost three more games this week to fall to 0-12. In a 47-35 loss to Sully Buttes Matti Duffy had 10 points and Morgan Hoffman eight points as the girls committed 25 turnovers. SCHS also lost at Custer, 65-43, and lost to Gregory, 60-36.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Hitchcock-Tulare.
Boys basketball: home vs. Hitchcock-Tulare.
Wrestling: at Potter County triangular (in Hoven) with Cheyenne-Eagle Butte/Dupree.
— SATURDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Warner.
Boys basketball: home vs. Warner.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: at Jones County.
Boys basketball: at Jones County.

Girls basketball: The Charger girls won over Stanley County, 47-35. Stevie Wittler was high scorer for SBHS with 10 points. The Chargers’ record evened out at 6-6.

Boys basketball: The Chargers’ only game this past week was a 65-41 loss at home to Stanley County on Tuesday. Marshall Wittler had 11 points. The Chargers are now 5-7.

COUNTDOWN

1 day: Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, Rapid City (Jan. 29-Feb. 6).
8 days: State one-act play festival, Brandon/Rapid City/SDSU (Feb. 5-6).
10 days: Super Bowl LV, Tampa (Feb. 7).
15 days: State gymnastics meet, Watertown (Feb. 12-13).
17 days: Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14).
20 days: Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17).
26 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical (Feb. 23, 25).
28 days: State wrestling tournaments, Rapid City (Feb. 25-27).
30 days: Twins spring training opener (Feb. 27).
31 days: Golden Globe awards, NBC-TV (Feb. 28).
34 days: NAIA indoor track/field national meet, Yankton (March 3-6).
36 days: State JV boys hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 5-7).
36 days: State girls hockey tournament, Watertown (March 5-7).
37 days: Summit League basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 6-9).
42 days: State girls basketball tournaments, B Huron, A Watertown, AA Sioux Falls (March 11-13).
43 days: State boys hockey tournament, Sioux Falls (March 12-14).
45 days: Daylight Saving Time begins (March 14).
45 days: Grammy Awards, CBS-TV (March 14).
49 days: State boys basketball tournaments, B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls, AA Rapid City (March 18-20).
49 days: NCAA Division I wrestling national championships, St. Louis (March 18-20).

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) Tom Brady’s team.
(5) Gem stone of Nevada.
(6) Slang for COVID-19.
(7) To have clear perception of.
— DOWN
(1) Rejected Supreme Court nominee in 1987.
(2) Aboard.
(3) Suspended Mets player.
(4) Shredded cabbage.

Puzzle answer at the bottom.

WEDDING DATES

June 18: Chris Rumrill/Katya Vakshteyn.
July 31: Jack Carpenter/Leesa Johnson.
Oct. 2: Jordan Lamb/Abbey Fjeldheim.

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

Augustana women’s basketball (Aislinn Duffy, Katie Bourk): The Vikings won a nail-biter, 81-79, at Winona State. Aislinn was 5-of-10 (1-of-1 in threes) and 2-of-2 for 13 points with 10 rebounds, seven assists and a steal. The Saturday game in the weekend series was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns at Winona and will not be rescheduled. Now 4-3, Augustana is home this weekend for two against Upper Iowa.

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Bradley Dean, Nick Wittler): The Tigers lost at Jamestown, 74-66, in a game in which Bradley did not play. Now 14-4 overall and 10-3 in the GPAC, DWU after a game at Briar Cliff last night, goes to Hastings Saturday, then hosts Morningside next Wednesday.

North Dakota State football (Grey Zabel): The revised schedule for the Bison begins on Sunday, Feb. 21, with a 2:30 p.m. home game vs. Youngstown State.

South Dakota State track-field (Addison Eisenbeisz): SDSU hosted its Jim Emmerich meet for five schools, and the Jackrabbit women finished second in team standings behind NDSU and ahead of UND, Northern and Augustana. Addy placed third in the high jump with a leap of 5’4 1/4″. SDSU competes this Saturday at UND’s Open in Grand Forks.

Morningside bowling (Alex Badger): At their own Mustang Open in Sioux City, the Morningside men placed eighth among nine schools. Alex placed 21st individually, second-best on the Morningside team. They bowl this weekend at the Hastings Invitational in Nebraska.

Colorado Mines women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Orediggers won both games on a western trip. In a 58-50 win at Colorado-Mesa, Liz was 3-of-8 (1-of-4 in three-pointers) and 3-of-4 for 10 points with nine rebounds, an assist and three steals. In a 56-51 win over Westminster in Salt Lake City, Liz was 0-for-6 and 2-for-2 for two points with three boards and a steal. Now 9-2 overall and 8-2 in the RMAC, Mines is home Friday vs. CSU-Pueblo and Saturday vs. Adams State.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Coyotes swept their weekend pair at Western Illinois. Chloe was the star of the game Friday in a 73-56 win as she was 9-of-16 (5-of-9 in threes) and 2-of-2 for 25 points with five rebounds, three steals and a block. In a 61-56 Saturday win she was 2-of-6 (1-of-2 in threes) and 4-of-4 for nine points with five rebounds, two steals and three assists. USD, now 10-3 overall and 6-0 in the Summit, has had this coming weekend’s two games at home vs. Omaha canceled due to a COVID-19 test on the Omaha team, so the Coyote women are off until two games at SDSU Feb. 5-6.

South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): The Coyote men won both of their games at Western Illinois to stay perfect at 6-0 in Summit League play. USD won 65-60 and 84-74. The Coyotes are still scheduled to be at home Friday and Saturday vs. Omaha.

Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): The Marauders’ conference dual against MSU-Moorhead scheduled for Sunday was canceled. Mary is scheduled to host Minot State Thursday.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): The Vikings lost to St. Cloud State (as everyone does), 25-9, and now stand 1-2 in NSIC duals. There was one rather noteworthy match—Augie’s sophomore Hunter Barnett at 149 pounds won 4-2 over the nation’s #1-ranked Jake Barzowski. Augie wrestles at Southwest Minnesota State Thursday.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Lady Vols lost to UConn, 67-61, and defeated Kentucky, 70-53. Now 10-3 overall and 4-1 in the SEC, Tennessee hosts Mississippi Thursday and Florida Sunday (1 p.m. on ESPNU).

Mount Marty men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): The Lancer men lost in overtime to Hastings, 96-92. Lincoln got into the game for two minutes and went 0-for-2 in free throws. MMC then lost to Jamestown, 93-66. Mount Marty at 7-14 overall and 4-12 in the GPAC played Midland last night, hosts Morningside Saturday and goes down to Hastings next Wednesday.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Racquel Wientjes): The BHSU women lost to Colorado Mines, 66-50, but Racquel surpassed 1,000 points for her career. She was 8-of-20 (3-of-7) and 3-of-4 for 22 points with four rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. In a 65-52 win over Chadron State Tuesday, Racquel was 5-of-14 (0-for-3) and 5-of-6 for 15 points with seven rebounds, one assist, two steals and a block. Now 6-4, BHSU will be home Friday vs. Metro State and Saturday vs. Colorado Christian.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

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

Friday, Jan. 29:
Hazel Baumberger (#105), Jim Ulmen, Alex Beckwith, Tyson Nafus, Howard Grinager, Chuck Bartlett, Ramona Lomheim.

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

Sunday, Jan. 31:
Jane Stewart, Brandon Hendrickson, Jeff Pierce, Kevin Stiles, Tony Bevers, Levi Reiprich, Elsie Vogel, Darin Newcomb, Don Hoepfer, Wendy Ramler, William Tousley, Tracy Berg, Blake Freidel.

Monday, Feb. 1:
Jeremiah Oltmann, Colin Brown, Mary (Junkman) Hoover, Jim Severson, Carl Hawkinson, Ed Jacobson, Andy Gerlach, Katrina Hewlett, Blake Norman, Kaylee Kampfe, Tracy (Shangreaux) Boom, Cole Severson, Nicholas Edwards, Kallie (Dresbach) Hall, Lygia Garrett-Davis Libel.

Tuesday, Feb. 2:
Joy Erlenbusch, Stevie Brockhouse, Becky (Markley) Wosick, Jordan Reiss, Nate Chicoine, Cody Coppess, Jeff Stewart, Carla Madden, Darline Zimmerman, Josh Lamb.

Wednesday, Feb. 3:
Peggy Johnson, Victor Scharnweber, Mike Owens, Daisha (Seyfer) Finke, Mike Baker, Bill Witte, Deni (Lohman) Hollingsworth, Parker Knox, James Vollmer, Brad Shoup, Matt McGovern, Kathy (Fette) Paul, Gianna Harty, Joshua Kachelmyer, Jason LIndberg, James Kachelmyer.
— 25th anniversary, Jack/Dawn Magee.
— We fondly remember Jack Unkenholz on his birthday.
— We likewise remember Donna Fjelstad, who passed away 10 years ago today.

Thursday, Feb. 4:
Jamie McQuistion, Anne Eichstadt, Eric Paxton, Sheila Ring, Jaremy Joy, Alec Espeland, Tom Valentine, Chelsey (Roberts) Renemans, Charlene (Hyde) Bietz, John Barber, Blake Deal, Avery Burger, JoAnne Hipple, Jake Miller, Tom Gerken, Ethan Highty.
— 32nd anniversary, Randy/Jodi Hartmann.
— 48th anniversary, Steve/Peggy Stout.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Caps blew out Watertown in a 12-1 home win Saturday. Kieran Duffy made 25 saves in goal, but he had plenty of offensive support from his team. The Capitals had a 7-goal first period in racing out to a 7-1 lead, then added three goals in the second period and two more in the third. It’s not often that a team has three players with hat tricks in one game, but Raef Briggs, Elliot Leif and Ashton Griese all accomplished that feat. Andrew Gordon scored twice and Dre Berndt once. Still unbeaten in league play, the Capitals go to Brookings for a 1:45 p.m. faceoff Sunday.

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: The girls lost twice and tied once in weekend play. In a 6-1 loss to Brookings Brylee Kafka got the Oahe goal, and Sophia Peschong made 31 saves. The girls tied Watertown, 2-2, as Adisyn Gray and Alyssa Stahl scored third-period goals to tie the game. Abigail Stewart Fromm had 18 saves and Peschong four saves. On Sunday the Capital girls lost to Sioux Falls, 12-0, as Stewart Fromm made 18 saves and Peschong two saves. The girls play at Watertown at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Herd split with Omaha, losing 2-1 and winning 4-1. Now 9-12-1-0, the Stampede plays at Lincoln Friday and at Sioux City Saturday and Sunday.

Aberdeen Wings: Aberdeen shut out Fairbanks in Marshall, Minn., by 2-0 and 8-0 scores to improve to 21-1-0-0 for the season. After a home game vs. Minot last night, the Wings are home Friday and Saturday vs. Minnesota Wilderness.

Rapid City Rush: The Rush split at home against the Utah Grizzlies, losing 3-2 but winning 5-4 in overtime. Rapid City plays at Wichita Friday, Saturday and Sunday and continues its long road trip during the stock show on its home ice with a Tuesday game at Kansas City.

Minnesota Wild: Minnesota completed its four-game season-opening western tripi with a 3-2 win at Anaheim. Back home the Wild split with San Jose, winning 4-1 and losing 5-3, then lost to Los Angeles 2-1. The Wild hosts Los Angeles again Thursday and Colorado Saturday and Sunday before going to Denver Tuesday.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Midco Sports Network live games on TV this weekend:
— Friday, 5 p.m., women’s basketball, Omaha at USD. — canceled
— Friday, 5 p.m., women’s basketball, Western Illinois at UND (MSN2).
— Friday, 7:30 p.m., men’s basketball, Western Illinois at UND.
— Friday, 8 p.m., men’s basketball, Omaha at USD.
— Saturday, 4 p.m., women’s basketball, Omaha at USD. — canceled
— Saturday, 5 p.m., women’s basketball, Western Illinois at UND (MSN2).
— Saturday, 7 p.m., men’s basketball, Omaha at USD.
— Saturday, 7:30 p.m., men’s basketball, Western Illinois at UND (MSN2).
— Sunday, 1:30 p.m., volleyball, Creighton at USD.

Minnesota Timberwolves: This week the Wolves lost three of four games, losing to Orlando 97-96, losing to Houston 116-98, beating New Orleans 120-110 and losing to Golden State 130-108. After playing the Warriors again last night, Minnesota is home vs. Philadelphia Friday and Cleveland Sunday, then goes to Cleveland Monday.

FOOTBALL UPDATE

Missouri Valley Football Conference: After Indiana State opted out of competing in the MVFC’s spring season, the schedules of the remaining schools were revised so that each team plays eight of the other nine schools. Here are the REVISED schedules for the Coyotes and the Jackrabbits:
— SOUTH DAKOTA
Feb. 19 (Friday): home vs. Western Illinois.
Feb. 27 (Saturday): at Illinois State.
March 4 (Thursday): at North Dakota.
March 13 (Saturday): home vs. Missouri State.
March 20 (Saturday): at Youngstown State.
March 27 (Saturday): home vs. North Dakota State.
April 2 (Friday): home vs. Northern Iowa.
April 10 (Saturday): at South Dakota State.
(The Coyotes do not play Southern Illinois.)
— SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Feb. 19 (Friday): at Northern Iowa.
Feb. 27 (Saturday): at North Dakota.
March 6 (Saturday): home vs. Western Illinois.
March 13 (Saturday): home vs. Youngstown State.
March 20 (Saturday): at Southern Illinois.
March 27 (Saturday): home vs. Illinois State.
April 3 (Saturday): at North Dakota State.
April 10 (Saturday): home vs. South Dakota.
(The Jackrabbits do not play Missouri State.)

Football Contest: In our season of 25 weekly contests Jon Boer emerged as the champion with an average of 8.454 points per week. In our contests the most points a person can earn each week is 10. Following Jon in order were (2) David Ludwig 7.476, (3) Nathan Vetter 7.454, (4) Lauren Gilsrud 7.36, (5) Randy Pool 7.2, (6) Levi Neuharth 6.48, (7) Thomas Voeltz 6.4.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): The 2020-21 Champions Tour schedule resumed with the Mitsubishi tournament in Hawaii. Tom did not play there. This weekend the tour goes halfway around the world to the Morocco Champions tournament in Marrakech.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Pierre Trappers: This week’s additions to the 2021 Trappers roster for the Expedition League season:
— Tyler Skelton, infielder from Georgia Southwestern, from McDonough, Ga.
— Ron Franklin Jr., utility player from Bossier Parish Community College, from Gretna, La.
— Reed Tarlton, catcher/right-handed pitcher from Point University, from Monroe, Ga.
— Jon Baker, right-handed pitcher from South Dakota State, from Cloquet, Minn.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

— I’ve always considered Tom Brokaw a contemporary of mine and for good reason. We graduated from high school in South Dakota at the same time, he from Yankton High School where he was, among other things, governor of Boys State. Last week he announced that after 55 years with NBC News he is retiring. His career started on the radio in Yankton, and his television career took him to NBC stations in Sioux City, Omaha and Los Angeles. When my wife and I went to southern California in 1972 the week after the Rapid City flood, I remember seeing him as the local news anchor on KNBC-TV, the NBC station there. From that job NBC made him a White House correspondent, and within 10 years he was anchoring “NBC Nightly News,” taking over from the legendary Chet Huntley and David Brinkley. He was a host of the “Today” show with Jane Pauley for many years, too. His cancer has been in remission for a few years, and Brokaw says he plans to continue as an author. His most prominent book detailed “The Greatest Generation,” the Americans who won World War II.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Long-time western Sully County resident Hazel Baumberger, who has lived in Pierre for the past few years, will celebrate her 105th birthday on Friday, Jan. 29. Friends—and anybody else!—can send her greetings, belated or otherwise, at ParkWood Apts., 400 ParkWood Dr., Pierre SD 57501.

Stanley County High placed third at the regional one-act play contest in Winner this week. Four members of the cast—Jayda Boxley, Shantay Waldron, Cormac Duffy and Andruw Fredericksen—earned Outstanding Actor awards. Other members of the cast of “At the Bottom of Lake Missoula” were Dustin Waldron, Abby Wyly, Daysen Titze, Sophie Meligan, Madison Serbousek, Kaylie Rathbun and Eva Fredericksen. The play was directed by Jennifer Milliken and Shirley Swanson.

Our sympathy to Pierre resident Mark Leiferman and all of his family. Mark’s sister, Karla Grosz, died at Hospice House in Rapid City on Jan. 20 at the age of 58. She graduated from Chamberlain High School in 1981 and from Northern in 1985. She is survived by her husband Evan Grosz; two sons and two stepsons; her mother, two brothers and seven grandchildren.

Riggs High senior Devin Hemmelman has been selected as one of 4,500 candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Six hundred semifinalists will be named in April. (News courtesy of “Today’s KCCR News.”)

Pierre Players has canceled its production of “A Little Piece of Heaven,” which was to have been presented at the end of February. Too few people auditioned because of the pandemic, so the show could not be properly cast. The theater group plans to perform the show at a later date.

Long-time Pierre teacher Shirley Eisnach passed away at the age of 84 at home Jan. 22, just five days after her husband, Dennis, passed away. The family planned a private family service but will hold a celebration of their parents’ lives at some point later this year. Mrs. Eisnach grew up at Estelline and graduated from high school there in 1954. After a year at General Beadle State Teachers College she taught in a rural school. After one more year of college she taught at Hector, Minn. She and fellow Estelline native Dennis Eisnach were married in 1958. After a year in California they came back to South Dakota to Rapid City as Dennis began his career with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Shirley taught at Canyon Lake and Meadowbrook elementary schools in Rapid City. The family moved to Pierre in 1970, and Shirley and her girls spent one summer in Spearfish so she could finish her degree at Black Hills Teachers College in 1974. In Pierre she was a sixth-grade teacher at McKinley, Lincoln and Washington elementary schools. She finished her career in 1995 as an eighth-grade English teacher at the junior high school. Over the years, both before and after retirement, Shirley was an active part of countless local and state organizations, serving many of them as an officer. As a grandmother she and Dennis hosted Cousins Camp for more than 20 years, and they rejoiced in the interactions of their grandchildren from three different families—both their eight biological grandchildren and six international young people adopted by their daughters and sons-in-law. Mrs. Eisnach is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, 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-grandchild, and a brother, Einar Salmonson of Estelline. Everyone who knew Shirley and who studied under her teaching will appreciate a sentence at the end of her obituary, which reads, “This obituary was written and corrected by the beloved English teacher, Mrs. Eisnach.” A scholarship fund in Mrs. Eisnach’s memory is being established at Riggs High School, but the family also welcomes contributions to the scholarship fund of P.E.O. Chapter CS in Pierre. Checks can be written to Denette Becker, and condolences can be sent to the Beckers’ home at 1800 Grandview St., Pierre SD 57501.

Dawnita Forell was flown to Sioux Falls early last week and underwent heart surgery at the Avera Heart Hospital. For the past week she has been back home in Pierre recuperating there.

Debra Knodel, an employee at the Governor’s Inn motel in Pierre, was honored at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Hospitality and Customer Service Award.

Glenn Marrington, 86, Pierre, died Jan. 23. Services will be held at a later date. He attended elementary schools in Pierre until the family moved to Rapid City where he finished school. Glenn served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Coral Sea from 1953 to 1957. He and Rose Hanson were married in 1959. After several trucking and transportation jobs, Glenn began work at the Department of Transportation where he spent 33 years. After retiring, Glenn worked part-time at the golf course and Downs Marina. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Rose Marrington; their son, Todd Marrington and his wife Becky of Cincinnati; a granddaughter, Audrey, and two brothers-in-law.

The fall semester Dean’s List at the University of South Dakota included these area students: Alexandria Allison, Carter Karst, Jack Maher, Devan Kleven, Chloe Lamb, Paul Adam, Phil Adam, Miles Amende, Cassandra Axtell, Katie Bartlett, Emma Barton, Hannah Booth, Taylor Davis, Halli Drewes, Shaina Farris, Jaid Freestone, Tyler Gere, Carlie Hanson, Amanda Jandt, Hallie Jerome, Hanna Jerome, Chloe Kaiser, Morgan Leiferman, Caleb Lusk, Emily Mikkelsen, Cassidy Miller, Brooke Miller, Dawson Puepke, Macahl Raske, Caitlin Reimers, Ellie Richards, Molly Stulken, Brooke Wiest, Casey Williams, Janaina Zanin, Joana Zanin. The Academic Honors List of part-time USD students includes these area students: Shannon Aston, Annelle Becker, Abigail Foster, Kyle KLusman, Isabelle Lehmanm, Robin Masteller, Peyton Pietz.

The Riggs High School drama department will present its two one-act plays for the public at 7 p.m. Friday and Monday this weekend (Jan. 29 and Feb. 1). One of the two plays will be Pierre’s entry in the state one-act play festival at Brandon at the end of next week.

Life-long Pierre resident Mike Kelley passed away Jan. 21 at the age of 72. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Mike grew up in Pierre and graduated from Riggs High School in 1966. He attended Northern State College, then returned home to work for his father at Kelley Construction. Mike worked for a time in Texas for Howard Hughes’ Hughes Tool Company, then came back home where he eventually owned the family business with his brother, Joe. Mike retired in 2013. He and the former Laurie Flaagan were married in 1976. Mike was active in many community organizations and his sons’ activities. He is survived by his wife, Laurie; his sons, Ryan Kelley and his wife Melanie, Jeremy Kelley and his wife Kelly, Matt Kelley and his wife Amber, Dustin Bonnett and Tyler Bonnett; his daughter, Cheri (Flaagan) Guptill and her husband Bob; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and his siblings, Joe Kelley, Dave Kelley and Diann Smith.

Charlie Anderson, who graduated from USD in December, is coming home to be based in Pierre as the gift-planning officer for Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota. Charlie graduated from Riggs High in 2015 and is the youngest son of Pierre dentists Drs. Chuck and Kathy Anderson. He is engaged to Murdo native Carol Drayer, who works for the Department of Human Services.

Pat Jolley, who grew up in Blunt and graduated from Sully Buttes High School in 1974, earned his 400th career coaching victory Monday night when his Canistota Hawks won over Ethan, 54-46. His team was ranked fourth in Class “B” with a 10-1 record through Monday, the only loss coming at the hands of No. 1 De Smet. After that loss a week ago Saturday, Pat’s team won over Freeman Academy-Marion, White River, Hanson in overtime and Ethan to reach the magic 400 number of career wins. The Hawks are currently the No. 1 seed in Region 5B. When he was a high school senior, Pat played on Sully Buttes’ team that reached the state “B” tournament and won the consolation championship there. He is the son of the late Bob and Donarae Jolley. Among the teams ahead on Canistota’s schedule are Howard, No. 1 in Region 4B, and Viborg-Hurley, No. 2 in Region 5B. On Tuesday the Hawks won at Chester Area and now stand at 11-1.

When St. Thomas More Catholic School in Brookings has its annual winter gala and auction on Feb. 6, it will be a virtual event this year for COVID-19 reasons. The master of ceremonies will be Riggs High alumnus Alan Hess.

South Dakota’s COVID-19 scoreboard:
— Death toll as of last Wednesday: 1,667.
— Thursday: 6 deaths.
— Friday: 11 deaths.
— Saturday: 12 deaths.
— Sunday: 9 deaths.
— Monday: 0 deaths.
— Tuesday: 0 deaths.
— Wednesday: 34 deaths; state total now 1,739.
— On Monday the 32 new cases was the lowest new case count since July 13. However, the next day there were 202 new cases, and on Wednesday there were 228.

Shawn and Whitney (Stoeser) Schnabel became parents on Jan. 26. Their son, Owen Richard Schnabel, weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces, and measured 19 inches. The Schnabels live in St. Louis where Shawn is an assistant football coach at Missouri Baptist University. His team postponed its season to the spring, and they will open Feb. 13 against Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.).

Joann (Linn) Ellis, 95, Pierre, died Jan. 23 at Edgewood Senior Living. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The daughter of Bernard and Marie Linn grew up in Sturgis and Pierre. She worked for the Department of Game, Fish & Parks in Pierre and the U.S. Navy Department in Washington, D.C. She and Horace Ellis were married in 1947. They took over ownership of his family’s Modern Cleaners until selling the business in 1992. Meanwhile, Joann had returned to Game, Fish & Parks and spent 45 years there, retiring in 1990. She is survived by her son, Robert Fackler, a foster child whom Joann and Horace raised as their son. Other survivors include two granddaughters; three great-grandchildren, and her nephews, Jim and J.J. Linn, and their families.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWER

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