THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Never cut down a tree in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.
— Robert H. Schuller

STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENTS

Class “A” team duals tournament: The quarterfinals will be in the ice arena in Rapid City at 3:30 p.m. MST next Thursday, followed by the semifinal duals at 5:30 p.m. The championship and third-place duals will be at 5 p.m. MST Friday. Quarterfinal pairings: #1 Brandon Valley vs. #8 Tea Area; #4 Mitchell vs. #5 Pierre; #2 Rapid City Stevens vs. #7 Chamberlain; #3 Watertown vs. #6 Harrisburg.

Class “B” team duals tournament: The same schedule prevails as in the “A” tournament mentioned just above except that the “B” tournament duals will be held in Barnett Arena. Quarterfinal pairings: #1 Winner Area vs. #8 Lyman; #4 McCook Central/Montrose vs. #5 Redfield Area; #2 Canton vs. #7 Howard; #3 Kimball-White Lake/Platte-Geddes vs. #6 Wessington Springs/Woonsocket/Wolsey-Wessington.

Girls state tournaments: The first-ever girls state wrestling tournament in Rapid City next week will have 47 girls wrestling in seven Class “A” classifications and 41 girls wrestling in six Class “B” classes.

PIERRE GOVERNORS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— FRIDAY
Girls basketball: at Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 7 p.m.
Boys basketball: home vs. Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 7 p.m.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at regional tournament, Chamberlain, 10 a.m.
Girls basketball: at Sioux Falls Lincoln, 5 p.m.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: home vs. Brookings, 7 p.m.
Boys basketball: at Brookings, 7 p.m.

Athletes of the Week: Last week the Pierre Athletic Coaches Association designated Lexy Petersen of the gymnastics team and Daniel Tafoya of the wrestling team as Athletes of the Week. This week’s honored students are Remi Price of girls basketball and Ray Crow of boys basketball.

Gymnastics: In the state Class “AA” team competition the Pierre girls finished ninth of nine teams with a 132.800 team total. Individual places:
— Vault: Aubre Westover, 31st, 8.550; Emmy Loe, tie-36th, 8.400.
— Bars: Lexy Petersen, 14th, 8.750; Nevaeh Karber, 31st, 7.975
— Beam: Nevaeh Karber, 26th, 8.500; Marissa Mathews, tie-28th, 8.400; Lexy Petersen, 35th, 8.100; Isabel Jirsa, 36th, 8.075.
— Floor exercise: Lexy Petersen, tie-37th, 8.875.

Boys basketball: The Winner home game was scheduled after games vs. Bismarck and Gillette Thunder Basin were canceled. The Govs lost to Winner, 65-62. Lincoln Kienholz was high scorer with 22 points. Winner’s All-Stater, Brady Fritz, scored 34.

Wrestling: The dual season ended for Pierre with a 14-4 record as the Govs defeated Harrisburg, 46-20, and lost to ESD champion Mitchell, 32-22.

Girls basketball: The Governors lost to 15-2 Winner, 51-44, as Caytee Williams had 13 points and Remi Price 10. In a 58-48 win over Lakota Tech, Price scored 23 points—20 of them in the first half—while Williams scored 13. Pierre stands at 7-10.

STANLEY COUNTY BUFFALOES SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: at Mobridge-Pollock.
— FRIDAY
Boys basketball: at Langford.
— SATURDAY
Wrestling: at Region 4B tournament, Rapid City.
— MONDAY
Boys basketball: home vs. Miller.
— DATE TO BE DETERMINED
Girls basketball: at regional tournament semifinal.

Gymnastics: At the state Class “A” individual competition in Watertown, these were the SCHS places:
— Bars: Sumar Petersen, 25th, 7.425; Caycee Knight, 31st, 7.150.
— Floor exercise: Aleeyah Schilling, tie-34th, 8.175; Keeley Rothschadl, 37th, 7.825; Allison Schlomer, 40th, 7.750.

Girls basketball: The Buffaloes lost to Wall, 44-24, and lost to Kadoka Area, 69-28, to drop to a record of 1-17.

Boys basketball: The Buffalo boys went 1-2 this past week. In an 80-42 loss to White River, Nathan Cook had 12 points and nine rebounds while Cormac Duffy scored 10. SCHS defeated Wall, 68-43, and lost to regional rival Mobridge-Pollock, 52-48. SCHS stands at 8-8.

SULLY BUTTES CHARGERS SPORTS ROUNDUP

This week’s schedules:
— THURSDAY
Girls basketball: at Faulkton Area.
Boys basketball: at Faulkton Area.
— SATURDAY
Boys basketball: vs. Lower Brule (at Warner).
Wrestling: at Region 1B tournament, Groton.
— TUESDAY
Girls basketball: at Region 2B tournament quarterfinal.

Girls basketball: The Chargers won twice this week, beating Wilmot, 42-30, at the Warner Classic, and overwhelming Sunshine Bible, 69-17. SBHS stands at 10-9.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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

Clues:
— ACROSS
(1) Pierre arts group (abbr.).
(5) —- Bryant, Riggs ’97.
(6) Purple flower.
(7) —- syndrome, genetic brain disorder.
— DOWN
(1) To mix with a spoon.
(2) Former vice president and Nobel Prize winner.
(3) Not much (2 words).
(4) Pocket of tissue on the skin.

COUNTDOWN

5 days: Georgia Morse Middle School musical (Feb. 23, 25).
7 days: State wrestling tournaments, Rapid City (Feb. 25-27).
7 days: NSIC basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (Feb. 25-28).
10 days: Twins spring training opener (Feb. 28).
10 days: Golden Globes awards, NBC (Feb. 28).
11 days: Zesto of Pierre opens (March 1).
13 days: NAIA indoor track/field national meet, Yankton (March 3-6).
15 days: State JV boys hockey tournament, Expo Center (March 5-7).
15 days: State girls hockey tournament, Watertown (March 5-7).
16 days: Summit League basketball tournaments, Sioux Falls (March 6-9).
17 days: Critics’ Choice awards, CW network (March 7).
21 days: State girls basketball tournaments, B Huron, A Watertown, AA Sioux Falls (March 11-13).
22 days: State boys hockey tournament, Sioux Falls (March 12-14).
24 days: Daylight Saving Time begins (March 14).
24 days: Grammy awards, CBS (March 14).
28 days: State boys basketball tournaments, B Aberdeen, A Sioux Falls, AA Rapid City (March 18-20).
28 days: NCAA Division I wrestling national championships, St. Louis (March 18-20).
42 days: Twins season opener vs. Milwaukee (April 1).
43 days: NCAA women’s basketball Final Four, San Antonio (April 2, 4).
44 days: NCAA men’s basketball Final Four, Indianapolis (April 3, 5).
44 days: Major League Soccer season begins (April 3).
45 days: Easter Sunday (April 4).
45 days: Screen Actors Guild awards, TBS (April 4).
49 days: Masters golf tournament, Augusta, Ga. (April 8-11).
49 days: NCAA Division I men’s hockey Frozen Four, Pittsburgh (April 8, 10).

COLLEGE SPORTS ROUNDUP

South Dakota State baseball (Landon Badger, Garrett Stout, Brady Hawkins): The Jacks’ season is supposed to open with four games at Kansas Friday through Monday. What do you think are the chances the series will be played?

Mary wrestling (Lincoln Turman): The Marauders lost a conference dual at unbeaten Northern, 26-6, and finished the regular season with a 2-3 dual record, 1-1 in the NSIC. Some Mary wrestlers will return to Aberdeen for the Super Region V meet Feb. 27.

North Dakota State football (Grey Zabel): The Bison open the Missouri Valley Football Conference season at home Sunday at 2:30 p.m. vs. Youngstown State.

Colorado Mines women’s basketball (Liz Holter): The Orediggers swept their RMAC weekend opponents. In an 81-64 win at Fort Lewis in Durango, Liz went 1-of-6 (0-for-3 in threes) and 0-for-0 for two points with four rebounds, five assists and a steal. In a 63-59 win over Western Colorado in Gunnison, Liz was 2-of-6 (0-for-2) and 2-of-3 for six points with five boards, two assists and two steals. Now 13-2 overall and 12-2 in the league, Mines is home Friday vs. Westminster and Saturday vs. Colorado-Mesa.

Iowa Western baseball (Peyton Zabel): The Reivers’ season openers are Feb. 27-28 with four games at Crowder College in Missouri.

Morningside bowling (Alex Badger): The Mustangs’ next meet is at Coe College in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 27.

Augustana women’s basketball (Aislinn Duffy, Katie Bourk): As Coach Dave Krauth won the 1,000th game of his high school/college coaching career, Augie defeated USF, 76-68. Aislinn was 4-of-10 (1-of-2 in threes) and 4-of-4 for 13 points with four rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Vikings completed the weekend sweep of their next-door rivals, 80-74, as Aislinn was 2-of-6 (0-for-2) and 0-of-0 for four points with five boards, four assists and a steal. Now 9-4 overall and 8-3 in the NSIC, Augustana goes to Wayne State Friday and Saturday.

South Dakota State track-field (Addison Eisenbeisz): In SDSU’s meet Addy won the high jump at 5’6 1/4″. This weekend the Jacks stay home again for SDSU’s last-chance meet.

Augustana wrestling (Jebben Keyes): In the last regular-season NSIC dual the Vikings defeated MSU-Moorhead, 33-6. Jebben won his 149-pound match by a 5-0 score. Next up for the Augie wrestlers is the Super Region 5 tournament at Aberdeen Feb. 27.

Northern baseball (Spencer Sarringar): The Wolves have a long wait till their season openers March 20-21 at Wayne State.

South Dakota women’s basketball (Chloe Lamb): The Coyote women, two games down to SDSU in the Summit League standings going on (actually three considering the tie-breaker), could afford no stumble at Grand Forks. On Saturday they won a 72-63 cliff-hanger, then on Sunday won in a 64-47 blowout. In the first game Chloe was 5-of-10 (3-of-4 in three-pointers) and 2-of-2 for 15 points with five rebounds, five steals, two assists and a blocked shot. On Sunday Chloe was 5-of-11 (1-of-4) and 2-of-2 for 13 points with six rebounds, six more steals and two assists. For the Coyote women it was the seventh and eighth straight road games. Now 12-5 overall and 8-2 in the Summit, they finally get to play at home this weekend against Oral Roberts. The Saturday game starts at 1 p.m., and the Sunday game starts at noon on Midco Sports Network.

Summit League women’s basketball standings (top 8 teams qualify for postseason tournament): SDSU 10-0, USD 8-2, NDSU 9-3, Kansas City 6-5, Western Illinois 6-8, Oral Roberts 4-6, Denver 3-7, UND 2-11, Omaha 1-7.

South Dakota men’s basketball (Max Burchill): The Coyotes’ grip on first place was lost in Grand Forks when USD was swept by the Hawks, 85-76 and 85-81. UND hit 14 three-pointers in the Saturday game, then took a big lead before holding off the Coyotes in the Sunday game. Now 11-9 overall and 9-3 in the Summit, USD is home vs. Oral Roberts at 3:30 Saturday and 2:30 Sunday. The Sunday game will be on Midco Sports Network.

Summit League men’s basketball standings (top 8 teams qualify for postseason tournament): USD 9-3, NDSU 9-3, SDSU 6-2, Oral Roberts 8-4, UND 7-7, Kansas City 5-5, Western Illinois 5-7, Denver 1-9, Omaha 0-10. (NOTE: The regular-season champion will be determined by best percentage since SDSU, because of COVID-19, did not have to make road trips to Denver and Kansas City, missing four games that will not be rescheduled. As of today, SDSU, USD and NDSU all have a .750 percentage. The top four teams play each other this weekend—SDSU two games at NDSU and Oral Roberts at USD two games.)

Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball (Bradley Dean, Nick Wittler): The Tigers lost to Dordt College, 64-59, losing their sixth in their last nine games after starting the season with a 13-1 mark. On Sunday DWU edged Midland, 82-81, on Nick Harden’s three-point field goal with 22 seconds left. Now 17-7 overall and 13-6 in the GPAC, DWU is home vs. Jamestown Saturday in the regular-season finale.

South Dakota Mines track-field (Theron Singleton, Erick Colman): Theron placed ninth in the 3,000-meter run at the Yellow Jacket Open at BHSU in a time of 9:28.91. This weekend the Hardrockers go back to BHSU for the Stinger Open.

Black Hills State track-field (Kelsey Van Den Hemel, Frank Becker): At the BHSU Yellow Jacket Open the men’s 4×400 relay team on which Frank runs placed first in their race in 3:34.32. Frank also placed eighth in the 400-meter run in :54.25. The Yellow Jackets stay home this coming weekend for their own Stinger Open.

Black Hills State women’s basketball (Racquel Wientjes): The Yellowjacket women take a 12-5 record into a home game vs. the School of Mines Thursday night. (The men’s game has been postponed, but as of last night, the women’s game was still on.) In a 68-63 win over UC-Colorado Springs Racquel went 6-of-14 (1-of-3) and 2-of-2 for 15 points with nine rebounds and two steals. After the New Mexico Highlands game was canceled, the women beat Chadron State, 59-39, as Racquel was 1-of-8 (1-of-6) and 8-of-8 for 11 points with four rebounds, four assists, a block and three steals.

Tennessee women’s basketball (Caleb Currier): The Lady Vols lost to Kentucky, 71-56; lost to Texas A&M, 70-60, and had the Mississippi State game postponed. Now 12-5 overall and 6-3 in the SEC, Tennessee is home vs. #2 South Carolina Thursday and goes to Georgia Sunday.

Mount Marty men’s basketball (Lincoln Jordre): The Lancers have been idle for two weeks. They will be the #8 seed in the GPAC postseason tournament and go to #1 Morningside next Wednesday for their quarterfinal game.

MIDCO SPORTS NETWORK THIS WEEKEND

Friday, 5 p.m.: Women’s basketball, SDSU at NDSU (MSN2 channel).
Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball, SDSU at NDSU (MSN2 channel).
Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Men’s hockey, Omaha at UND.
————- (NOTE: Friday’s SDSU-Northern Iowa football game can be seen East River on MyUTV and West River on the CW at 7 p.m. CST.)
Saturday, noon: Football, Southern Illinois at UND.
Saturday, 5 p.m.: Women’s basketball, SDSU at NDSU (MSN2 channel).
Saturday, 6 p.m.: Men’s hockey, Omaha at UND.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball, SDSU at NDSU (MSN2 channel).
Sunday, noon: Women’s basketball, Oral Roberts at USD.
Sunday, 2:30 p.m.: Men’s basketball, Oral Roberts at USD.
Sunday, 7 p.m.: Volleyball, NDSU at USD.

WEDDING DAYS

May 1: Dan Nielsen/Kim Borbely.
June 18: Chris Rumrill/Katya Vakshteyn.
July 31: Jack Carpenter/Leesa Johnson.
Oct. 2: Jordan Lamb/Abbey Fjeldheim.

HOCKEY UPDATE

Oahe Capitals girls varsity: Idle last weekend, the Capital girls are off until hosting Sioux Center Feb. 27 and 28.

SDAHA girls varsity standings (wins-losses-ties-OT losses=points):
1) Aberdeen 14 – 0 – 0 – 0 … 28
2) Sioux Falls 13 – 2 – 0 – 0 … 26
3) Mitchell 8 – 7 – 0 – 1 … 17
4) Brookings 8 – 4 – 0 – 0 … 16
5) Sioux Center 7 – 6 – 0 – 0 … 14
6) Watertown 5 – 8 – 1 – 0 … 11
7) Huron 4 – 10 – 0 – 0 … 8
8) Oahe 3 – 9 – 1 – 1 … 8
9) Yankton 0 – 14 – 0 – 0 … 0

Oahe Capitals boys varsity: The Capitals had a glorious three-win weekend on home ice, beating Aberdeen 7-3 and sweeping Sioux Center 3-2 in overtime and 8-0. The Caps found themselves in a 3-0 hole against Aberdeen but rallied with seven straight goals. Elliot Leif had a hat trick, and Andrew Gordon, Raef Briggs, Ashton Griese and Isaac Polak each scored once. Carter Schultz made 31 saves in goal. Saturday’s Sioux Center game was a thriller. Briggs and Leif had goals in regulation time, and in O.T. Dre Berndt put home the winner off Griese’s assist. Kieran Duffy made 29 saves. Sunday’s shutout by Schultz saw him perfect in making 21 saves. Leif had his second hat trick of the weekend, Gordon scored two, and Briggs, Keenan Howard and Berndt each scored once. The opposition is tough this weekend as the Caps play at Rushmore at 6 p.m. MST Saturday, then come home to face Brookings at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Expo Center.

SDAHA boys varsity standings: This is a huge weekend in the boys varsity league. The Oahe Capitals moved into first place with two wins last weekend and now are one point up on Brookings and three ahead of Rushmore. Those are the two teams the Caps play this weekend—Rushmore in Rapid City on Saturday night and Brookings at the Expo Center Sunday afternoon. The current standings (wins-losses-ties-OT losses=points):
1) Oahe 14 – 0 – 0 – 1 … 29
2) Brookings 14 – 1 – 0 – 0 … 28
3) Rushmore 13 – 3 – 0 – 0 … 26
4) Sioux Falls #2 12 – 3 – 0 – 0 … 24
5) Sioux Falls #1 9 – 7 – 0 – 0 … 18
5) Sioux Center 9 – 7 – 0 – 0 … 18
7) Huron 4 – 12 – 0 – 2 … 10
8) Watertown 4 – 12 – 0 – 0 … 8
9) Aberdeen 3 – 11 – 0 – 1 … 7
9) Yankton 3 – 12 – 0 – 1 … 7
11) Mitchell 2 – 14 – 0 – 0 … 4

Rapid City Rush: After 5-3 and 5-1 losses, the Rush won the last game of a Tulsa series, 2-0. Rapid City plays three at Utah Friday through Sunday.

Sioux Falls Stampede: The Stampede beat Sioux City, 4-3, then lost to Sioux City, 4-2, and to Lincoln, 6-2. Sioux Falls plays at Des Moines Friday and at Tri-City (Kearney) Saturday and Sunday.

Aberdeen Wings: The Wings swept Austin by back-to-back 3-1 scores. Now 25-1-0-1, Aberdeen is home Friday and Saturday vs. Minot.

Minnesota Wild: In their first game in 14 days the Wild lost to Los Angeles on Tuesday, 4-2. Minnesota stays west for games at Anaheim Thursday and Saturday, at San Jose Monday and at Colorado next Wednesday.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

Thursday, Feb. 18:
Katie Kelly, Robyn Starks Holcomb, Gale Harkless, Hatta Stoeser, Matthew Beckwith, Jeff Eckhoff, Dana (Garry) Reiprich, Debbie (Heckel) Blackledge, Mary Lehecka Nelson, Rachel Engbrecht, Caelie Williams, Michael Lusk, Katelynn (Lamb) Pottorff.
— 10th anniversary, Dustin/Therese (Blake) Schutz.
— 4th anniversary, Todd/Cora Pfister.
— We fondly remember Shane Cronin on his birthday.

Friday, Feb. 19:
Tony Rislov, Madelyn Hove, Kathy Christenson, Ern Moehring, Josh Breske, T.J. Iaquinta, Hatta (Clark) Barnes, Sarah (Nystrom) Duncan, Coral Assam, Pam Roberts, Chase Campbell, Amanda Slama, Michael Pangburn, Penelope Sampson, Charlie Meyer, Sandy Krom, Caleb Stoltenburg.
— 16th anniversary, Daniel/Sara (Lakner) Almarez.

Saturday, Feb. 20:
Lisa Hylle, Mazen Garrett, Carol Howard, Rodd Bauck, Kyle Nuzum, Laura Schmidt, Dan Gilmore, Chaz Williams, Matt Anderson, Amanda Fanger, Marileen Tilberg, Lawson Fravel, Elyse Miller, Ellen Erlenbusch, Matt Dayton, Callie (Buechler) Morris, Jesse Gosselin, John Gosselin.
— 6th anniversary, Jayme/Bobby (Krell) Howard.

Sunday, Feb. 21:
Felicity Cronin, Lynn Senftner, Mallori (Barnett) Johnson, John Weeldreyer, Nancy McCahren, Cade Larson, Larry Cass, Pat Brown, Day Breitag, Anne Rasmussen, Teddy Jackson, Jolie Smith, Megan Wellner, Alissa (Harter) Schumacher.

Monday, Feb. 22:
Kevin Kalil, A.J. Rounds, Steve Radabaugh, Bob Stalley, Ted Massey, Kathryn Hardwick, Memphis Murphy, Amy (Robinson) Ryan, Ben Jensen, Britt Palmer, Stu Larson, Luke Schuetzle, Travis Scharnweber, Jackie Decker, Karly Harris.
— 7th anniversary, Brennan/Amber (Russell) Priest.

Tuesday, Feb. 23:
Anniston Lowery, Cash Anderson, Arlo Beck, Darren Larson, Renee Knapp, Nathan Bradley, Mary Carter, Dave Bonde, Megan (Vockrodt) Bauck, Sarah (Linn) Hyde, Kayla (Pochop) Riswold, Mick Hofer.
— 11th anniversary, Garrett/Adrienne James.

Wednesday, Feb. 24:
Zach Frisby, Rob Stoeser, Phoenix Malone, Karin (Porter) Bartell, Piper Dooley, Jane Cass, Andrea Spaid, Brian Pope, Everett Miller, Chris Peterson, Dave Potter, Michael Authier, Heidi Nelson, Loryn (Schuetzle) Lichty, Joe Wilson, Hope David, Jayne (Knox) Kraemer, Michael Knudson.

Thursday, Feb. 25:
Max Hunsley, Tom Gerken, Chandra (Lesmeister) Miller, Caitlyn McKay, Patsy Handcock, Steve Thompson, Marvin Massey, Christy (Sobolik) Luskey, Willie Gloe, Len Cooper, Julie Smith, Glynnes Sargent, Clara (Stoeser) Kinzie, Greg Campbell, Troy Buschbom.

BASEBALL UPDATE

Pierre Trappers: New additions to the 2021 roster in the past week include:
— Nick Hamel, first-baseman/right-handed pitcher from McMurry University; hometown Schartz, Texas.
— Thomas McKenna, catcher/utility player from Spokane Falls Community College; hometown Mead, Wash.

Expedition League: The league announced that in 2022 a 13th team in Grand Forks, N.D., will be joining. This coming summer a 12-team league with two six-team divisions will start a 64-game schedule on May 25.

COVID-19 UPDATE

• The Department of Health announced this week that, starting next Monday, people 65 and older can get their first COVID-19 vaccinations starting next Monday.
• In the Legislature Senate Bill 124 would allow local governments to close churches only if similar restrictions were placed on secular activities. Conservatives and some religious groups are, of course, in favor.
• Not everyone in the nation is flocking to restrictions-free, liberty-loving South Dakota. The concert in Deadwood by rock band Foreigner scheduled for April 13 has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
• Due to only 19 active COVID-19 cases, the state of Victoria in Australia went into an immediate five-day lockdown. Fans were immediately prohibited from attending the Australian Open tennis tournament, which had already begun.
• Holy what-about-my-rights!!! Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, went into a three-day lockdown Sunday because in the entire city three unexplained virus cases were discovered.
• In the state House of Representatives as of Monday night there were eight positive coronavirus cases. The speaker has now given legislators the option of working remotely this week. The situation was caused by the original lack of social distancing and mask encouragement.
• As of Monday 15% of the state’s population had been given one dose of vaccine, and 7% had received first and second doses.
• The Black Hills Symphony Orchestra has canceled its scheduled spring concert on March 6 and will change it to a Facebook live event.
• Monument Health said Monday that 28,000 people are on its waiting list to receive vaccine.
• The people planning the Stanley County/Fort Pierre all-school reunion, which had been rescheduled for this summer, have decided to hold off for one more year. The reunion will be held in late June 2022.
• In the Arizona legislator a bill has been approved in committee that would allow businesses to not enforce a mask mandate. The Republican who introduced the bill says the measure “protects the freedom of the people.”
• In Tampa the city’s annual Gasparilla Parade of Pirates, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people, was canceled for this year. Apparently health and safety are considered more important than tourist traffic there.
• In Atlanta the mayor has urged fans not to come to her city for the NBA’s all-star game and events.
• The Indoor Football League, of which the Sioux Falls Storm is a member team, announced it is delaying the start of its spring season from March to the weekend of May 14-18.
• In Rapid City the Youth & Family Services organization, which depends on the Kids Fair as its major fund-raiser each spring, has canceled the April event for the second straight year due to the unpredictability of the pandemic.
• Nebraska’s football team was scheduled to play Illinois in Dublin, Ireland, in the season opener on Aug. 28, but now, due to the ongoing pandemic, the game has been switched back to Champaign, Ill.
• Our COVID-19 death toll scoreboard:
  — Through last Wednesday: 1,815.
  — Thursday, 14 deaths, 1829.
  — Friday, 2 deaths, 1831.
  — Saturday, 7 deaths, 1838.
  — Sunday, 6 deaths, 1844.
  — Monday, 0 deaths, 1844.
  — Tuesday, 0 deaths, 1844.
  — Wednesday, 0 deaths, 1844.

BASKETBALL UPDATE

Minnesota Timberwolves: After a 119-112 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and a 120-114 loss to Charlotte, the Wolves beat Toronto, 116-112, then lost to the Lakers, 112-104. Minnesota led Indiana throughout the game last night but found a way to lose, 134-128, after overtime. The Wolves host Toronto Friday, then go to New York, Milwaukee and Chicago Sunday through Wednesday.

GOLF UPDATE

PGA Champions Tour (Tom Byrum): Last week we mistakenly wrote that the Champions Tour would have a tournament this past weekend. The next stop on that tour is the Cologuard Classic at Tucson, Ariz., next week Feb. 25-28 with coverage on Golf Channel.

PARKER’S PERSONAL NOTES

• In a desperate attempt to suppress the large number of voters in South Dakota in last November’s election so that we don’t have so many people voting, the Republican legislature has come up with House Bill 1126, which passed the House last week by a vote of 56-12. The bill would stop the secretary of state from mailing absentee ballot applications to all registered voters. Actual official ballots were mailed only to voters who applied for them.
• The scariest quote of the past week: “Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to make America great again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey to achieve American greatness for all of our people.” — Former president Donald J. Trump.
• A good friend of mine from my Vermillion years who lives now in Maryland said this week he perks up whenever he sees a post of mine on Facebook. He says it seems to him it’s “Parker against the whole state of South Dakota.” Not quite but almost.
• The fate of two bills which were in Senate committees yesterday regarding transparency in state air travel for personal and political purposes and security costs for the governor was predictable, and the Republican majority quickly killed both bills.

NEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson will be commencement speaker at his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, at spring graduation May 8.

Alivia Pautz, whose grandparents are Onida natives Frank and Kathy (Hoover) Pautz of Spearfish, reached the 1,000-point mark in her basketball career on Feb. 11 when her high school team, Notre Dame Prep of Scottsdale, Ariz., played Saguaro. Alivia, a senior, has signed to play college ball at Black Hills State in Spearfish where her parents grew up. Her sister, Ava, is also a starter on the Notre Dame Prep varsity.

Riggs High senior wrestler Tyson Johnson has decided he will attend Dakota Wesleyan University and participate in wrestling there.

Joe Marshall, 81, Blunt, the last surviving child of the eight offspring of the late Joseph and Margaret (July) Marshall, died at home Feb. 8. Services were held Tuesday at Feigum Funeral Home. Joe went to rural school, then attended school in Blunt where he met Shirley Stuart. They were married in 1959, and they were together for 61 years until his passing. Joe farmed for different employers most of his career. He retired after 11 years doing road grading for Sully County. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Marshall; his son, Dan Marshall and his wife Roxy; his daughter, Julie Stickler and her husband Todd; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Taylor and Bethany Brock are the parents of a daughter, Mackenzie Michael, who was born Feb. 11. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 21 inches. She joins a brother, Tracen, 9, in the Brock family.

Riggs High alumnus Nate White and his wife, Megan, who live in Toledo, Ohio, became parents for the first time Feb. 10. Their daughter, Darcy Ann White, weighed 8 pounds, 5.7 ounces. Nate is technical director and lecturer for the Department of Theater and Film at the University of Toledo. Megan is a forensic toxicology technician for the Lucas County coroner’s office’s forensic toxicology lab. Nate’s parents, former Pierre residents Steve and Laura White, who managed KCCR Radio while they were here, live in Windom, Minn., where they now are sole owners of KDOM-AM and FM. Darcy Ann is their third grandchild. The other two belong to Drew and April White, who live in Ralston, Neb. April is an elementary music teacher in the school system there, and Drew is in private practice in pediatric psychology in Lincoln. Their sons are Henry, 3, and James, who will be 1 in July.

Melissa Yackley, whose husband John grew up in Onida and played Post 8 baseball in Pierre as a teen-ager, has been named to the annual “40 Under 40” honor group in the Billings Gazette. Each year the newspaper recognizes 40 such people under the age of 40 who are contributing mightily to that city, its economy and its way of life. Melissa, a native of Rapelje, Mont., is vice president/branch manager/commercial lender for Stockman Bank. She earned her college degree at the University of North Dakota.

Mickey Porter, who reached the age of 100 in late January, passed away Feb. 9 at Mesa, Ariz. Raised in Huron, she married Chuck Porter in 1944. They owned Porter Sales Agency and CAP Office Systems in Pierre for many years. They retired to Mesa in 1977. She is survived by three sons, Gary Porter and his wife Sandee of Avondale, Ariz., John Porter and his wife Penny of Sioux Falls, and Brent Porter and his wife June of Mesa; three grandchildren, including Valerie Kelly of Pierre; eight great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren. Private services will be held later.

At Texas A&M International in Laredo where Nate Vogel (husband of the former Tracie Seyfer) is the head women’s coach, his team now stands at 8-4 overall and 4-4 in Lone Star Conference play. The Dustdevils went three weeks without a game during a stretch of five COVID-related postponements. They finally returned to the court last Saturday and lost by four points to Texas Woman’s in their return.

All-State Band this year will be divided into four separate bands, each with its own director. Riggs High will be represented by two musicians. Senior Blake Jones (second chair bass clarinet) and senior Sophia New (fifth chair E-flat clarinet) will both play in Dr. Haley Armstrong’s band, and their concert will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27. Sully Buttes High has one All-State Band member—junior Collin Bradberry (fourth chair trumpet) will play in Dr. Rolf Olson’s band, and their concert will be at 7 p.m. March 26. Tom Jennewein, Vermillion junior who is grandson of Darell and Marileen Tilberg of Onida, is sixth-chair clarinetist in the Olson band.

Ambrose Lemieux, 78, Pierre, died Feb. 8 at Avera Maryhouse. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. this (Thursday) morning at Scotty Philip Cemetery. Ambrose grew up on a homestead near Van Metre. He worked for Kelley Construction from the age of 17 until he was 65. He was also a pit crew member for many years, then worked for Oahe Speedway until it closed. He is survived by his daughter, Becky Feist and her husband Leon of Rapid City; four sons, Jeff Lemieux Sr. of Pierre, Greg Lemieux and his wife Michelle of Tempe, Ariz., Mike Lemieux and his wife Shelly of Bismarck, N.D., and David Lemieux and his wife Angie of Pierre; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Margret Dayton of Bokeelia, Fla., and Cecelia Newsom of Murdo.

Jordan Youngberg of Madison, a former state senator, has declared his candidacy for state Commissioner of School and Public Lands in the 2022 elections. The current commissioner, Ryan Brunner, is term-limited from seeking another term. A day after Youngberg’s announcement, Rep. Brock Greenfield, legislator from Clark, announced that he too will seek the School and Public Lands position.

The Stanley County/Fort Pierre High School all-class reunion has been postponed again, this time until June 24-26, 2022.

Stuart and Heather Stofferahn of Lincoln, Neb., have a new granddaughter. Harlow Renee Schossow, born Feb. 15 and weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces, is the daughter of their son, Heath Schossow, and his fiance, Briana Beck.

Cancer patient Chad Downs, who lives now in Spearfish with his wife, Sonia, finished his first outpatient chemotherapy treatment in Denver yesterday.

Eileen Kusser, 88, died Feb. 8 at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Highmore. Among her survivors are her children, including Sheila Kusser of Highmore, Jan Talley of Pierre, John Kusser of Highmore, Trish Wendte and her husband Jim of Pierre, Marilyn Ring and her husband Mike of Highmore, and Dan Kusser of Highmore; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

The following Riggs High School teams and activities earned the South Dakota High School Activities Association’s academic achievement award for their cumulative grade-point averages for the fall season: boys cross country, boys golf, boys soccer, competitive cheer, competitive dance, football cheerleaders, football team, girls cross country, girls soccer, girls tennis, oral interpretation, volleyball. At Sully Buttes High School that award was earned by the boys cross country team, the football cheerleaders and the volleyball team.

When electric cooperatives and power companies urgently asked consumers to lessen electricity use this week due to the nationwide cold spell, one of the people South Dakota Public Broadcasting interviewed for their reaction was Sarah Carlson, daughter of Alberta (Flansburg) Olson and the late Julian Olson, formerly of Blunt. Sarah lives at Canton with her husband and their two sons. Sarah said the family did simple things like turning off lights and heat in rooms they weren’t using and wearing extra layers of clothing and blankets to keep warm. She said it has been a good lesson for her children. “It might bother us for a couple of hours or for the overnight, but if it saves a nursing home from having to turn off their heat and electricity or a hospital having to share electricity, I wouldn’t want to be the person that overused my electricity to someone else’s detriment.”

Dave Klein, 75, died at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Feb. 12. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Lutheran Memorial Church. A graduate of Winner High School in 1964, Dave married Linda Anderson in 1965. They and their three daughters moved to Pierre in 1970. For six years he was a member of the medical unit of the South Dakota National Guard. He owned Klein Construction, building and remodeling homes and businesses. He was a member of the Pierre Fire Departments for 15 years. Survivors include his wife, Linda; his daughters, Kimberly Smith and her husband Doug of Sioux Falls, Nicole Klein and her partner, Randy Brown, of Pierre, and Kara Mohn and her husband Troy of Raymore, Mo.; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; his brother, Dale Klein of Arizona City, Ariz.; and his sisters, Jo Dooley of Oacoma, Jan Klein of Zumbrota, Minn., and Debby Bico of Ideal.

Austin Hillestad, whose dad is Pierre native Jed Hillestad, has been home on leave in Rapid City. He leaves today to return to his current U.S. Air Force duty station, Hill Air Force Base near Salt Lake City.

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PARKER’S COLUMN

“It’s time to vote off the weakest link!”

One of my favorite TV shows this winter—what now seems like a long, cold winter even though it hasn’t been—has been NBC’s “The Weakest Link” with Jane Lynch as the perfect hostess. If you’re not aware, “The Weakest Link” starts with eight contestants who try to work together to pile up a jackpot but who at the end of each round of trivia questions have to vote off one of their own, hopefully the one who gave the fewest, poorest answers or, in a bit of strategy, the opponent the remaining contestants would least want to face later on.

Just before that voting begins in each round, Jane states, “It’s time to vote off the weakest link.” Then she jumps in with a pair of one-liners, my favorite part of the show. Last week as the temperature continued to drop and my car refused to start, I binge-watched all 13 episodes of this first season of “The Weakest Link” and wrote down some of my favorites among Jane Lynch’s zingers directed at the dullest contestants, just before they were sent packing. Here are a few dozen of the best:

* Who couldn’t pass the village idiot’s test?

* Whose exit is about to raise the average IQ in the room?

* Who didn’t need ice cream to have brain freeze?

* Who needs a designated thinker?

* Who has a song in their heart and nothing in their head?

* Whose high school nickname was not Einstein?

* Whose parents think they brought home the wrong baby?

* Who is one fry short of a Happy Meal?

* Whose brain filed for divorce?

* Who is here just to make everyone else look smart?

* Who thinks Dr. Pepper is their primary care physician?

* Who thinks Quentin Tarantino is an entrée at Olive Garden?

* Whose brain box is full of junk mail?

* Who was indecisive but now they’re not so sure?

* Who tried to give somebody a piece of their mind only to find out they were all out?

* Whose brain never quite made it to its upright and locked position?

* Who is in no danger of ever being arrested by the Thought Police?

* Who got the short end of the smart stick?

* Whose IQ test came back negative?

* Whose last intelligent thought died of loneliness?

* Who swims in the shallow end of the gene pool?

No, folks. These questions don’t directly refer to the millions of Trump cult followers still clinging to the twice-impeached former President (although they indirectly do apply to a lot of those people). They’re simply shots at trivia show contestants who failed on live television. And I love every one of them!