The Jack and Betty Carr family of White River was honored last week  in Ft. Pierre at the 23rd annual Casey Tibbs Foundation Tribute Dinner. The Tribute Dinner, held every year since 1990, honors families, individuals, and animals in up to six categories. The Carr family was this year’s honoree in the Ranch Cowboy Family category.

“The Tribute Dinner is an opportunity for friends and families in the ranching and rodeo communities to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of South Dakota cowboys, cowgirls, families and animals” said Cindy Bahe, Director. “Their photos and biographies are added to the ever expanding Wall of Fame”.

The Carrs were introduced Saturday night with the following introduction:

“The John (Jack) Carr family has ranched for nearly 70 years west of White River, S.D. 

Jack has continued the ranching way by hitching his team to parade and wagon trains every chance he gets. The teams were part of the ranch work in the early years. 

While working with cattle in ranching with his whole family, he also has served the White River community and rodeo community in numerous leadership roles. He has been White River mayor, school board president and South Dakota High School Rodeo President, to name a few. 

Jack, his wife Betty, and four daughters, Beth, Kay, Cheri and Pam, continue the ranch lifestyle.” 

There were five other honorees at this year’s banquet. Past Rodeo Great was Ralph Maynard, four time NFR qualifier (bronc riding); Rodeo Cowboy Great was Troy Brown, three time Badlands Steer Wrestling Champion; Rodeo Promoter was Kyle Evans, 40 year performer with his band Company Cowboys; Rodeo Cowgirl Great was Lisa Lockhart, six time NFR qualifier (barrel racing); and Rodeo Animal Athlete was Walter Mitty, a bay stallion ridden by Connie Stinson to two NFRs (barrel racing) and  ridden by others to numerous State and National Championships in various events.

In addition to the Carrs, several others from the local area have been past honorees at the Casey Tibbs Tribute Dinner, included among them are: Past Rodeo Greats Earl Thode and Merlon Fairbanks; Rodeo Promoters Joe and Grace Waln and Don Hight; Cowgirl Great Dorothy Bligh; and in the Ranch Family category - the Krogman family, the Halligan family, and the Colombe family. 

By Kristan Krogman

While a number of races and issues were decided as a result of the November 6 General Election, the re-election of President Barack Obama was the most high profile.

Obama and running mate Joe Biden, carried 26 states, with the Romney/Ryan  ticket winning in 24 states. (In South Dakota, Romney/Ryan Electors bested the field with  57.89% of the vote. Obama/Biden - 39.86%, Goode/Clymer - 0.65%, Johnson/Gray - 1.59%) Obama exceeded the 270 electorates needed with victories in several of the key swing states, including Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Colorado and strong backing from minority voters and women. 

Locally, Casey Krogman was re-elected to the Mellette County Board of Commissioners. Ted E. Schmidt, unchallenged, will join the Board when the new term begins.

In the race for District 26 South Dakota State Senator, Larry Lucas defeated Kent Juhnke  in a close race 52.98% to 47.02%. Troy Heinert was the only candidate on the ballot for District 26A State Representative and received 2,331 votes.

In South Dakota, two statewide races drew the most attention. Incumbent Kristi Noem defeated challenger Matt Varilek by a wider margin than many expected. She retained her seat as a U.S. Representative 57.45%, to 42.55% for Varilek. 

The race between Kristie Fiegen and primary challenger Matt McGovern for a seat on the Public Utilities Commission was also hotly contested leading up to the election. Fiegen was ultimately re-elected with 53.92% of the vote in South Dakota. McGovern won 40.41% of the vote, while Libertarian Russell Clarke received 5.67% of the vote.

Another position was also up for election on the PUC. Chris Nelson, with 67.03% of the vote, will return as a member of the Commission with a win over Nick Nemec (32.97%).

Supreme Court Justice Glen A. Severson received enough votes to retain his position on the Supreme Court (80.18% to 19.82%).

South Dakota voters made the following decisions regarding the 2012 ballot questions:

Constitutional Amendment M: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution regarding certain provisions relating to corporations.

Yes - 96,153 - 29.60%

No - 228,638 - 70.40%

Constitutional Amendment N: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution repealing certain reimbursement restrictions for travel by legislators to and from a legislative session. Yes - 125,679 - 36.83%

No - 215,586 - 63.17%

Constitutional Amendment O: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution changing the method for distributions from the cement plant trust fund. 

Yes - 186,901 - 56.77%

No - 142,348 - 43.23%

Constitutional Amendment P: An Amendment to the South Dakota Constitution adding balanced budget requirements. 

Yes - 215,577 - 64.60%

No - 118,130 - 35.40%

Initiated Measure 15: An initiated measure to increase state general sales and use taxes for additional K-12 public education and Medicaid funding. 

Yes - 151,448 - 43.28%

No - 198,509 - 56.72%

Referred Law 14: An Act to establish the Large Project Development Fund.

Yes - 139,707 - 42.37%

No - 190,054 - 57.63%

Referred Law 16: An education reform act to establish a teacher scholarship program; create a program for math and science teacher bonuses; create a program for teacher merit bonuses; mandate a uniform teacher and principal evaluation system; and eliminate state requirements for teacher tenure.  

Yes - 114,544 - 32.77%

No - 234,982 - 67.23%

State Senator - District 26

  Precincts Fully Reporting: 31/31   

  Larry J. Lucas 4,405 52.98%

   Kent Juhnke 3,909 47.02%

State Representative - District 26A

Precincts Fully Reporting: 13/13    

      Troy Heinert 2,331 100.00%

Mellette County Commissioner - District 2

  Precincts Fully Reporting: 4/4  

Alvin R. Bettelyoun Sr. 101 39.15%

   Todd A. Gullickson 38 14.73%

   Casey G. Krogman 119 46.12%

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State of South Dakota

Presidential Electors - 

Precincts Fully Reporting: 735/735       

  Obama & Biden Electors 144,980 39.86%

   Goode & Clymer Electors 2,371 0.65%

   Romney & Ryan Electors 210,536 57.89%

   Johnson & Gray Electors 5,795 1.59%

(Despite Romney's victory in South Dakota, Obama exceeded the 270 (303 to 206) electors necessary nationwide and was re-elected to the Presidency.)

United States Representative

Precincts Fully Reporting: 735/735      

  Matt Varilek 153,718 42.55%

   Kristi Noem 207,575 57.45%

Public Utilities Commissioner

Precincts Fully Reporting: 735/735      

  Matt McGovern 140,400 40.41%

   Kristie Fiegen 187,325 53.92%

   Russell Clarke 19,681 5.67%

 Public Utilities Commissioner

Precincts Fully Reporting: 735/735      

  Nick Nemec 111,405 32.97%

   Chris Nelson 226,508 67.03%

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 A Firefighter/EMT Appreciation Potluck dinner was held in White River Sunday afternoon in recognition of the many volunteer hours provided by the hardworking emergency service personnel of Mellette County. Hot, dry conditions of recent months kept the fire fighting departments of White River, Wood, and Norris especially busy this fire season and EMTs are always available, providing assistance wherever needed during emergency situations. The dinner Sunday allowed grateful individuals a chance to say thank you to these men and women who serve their communities.  

Following the meal, the Mellette County Community Foundation made a special presentation. They presented checks of $500 to each of the three volunteer fire departments of Mellette County. The Foundation raises money through projects like the Monday Night Football pool and then invests the proceeds through the South Dakota Community Foundation. Monies raised help fund various projects, often times through grants that are made available to Mellette County citizens or groups for community development/improvement projects. This year the Foundation voted to make donations to the fire departments as a way of saying thank you, not only from the Foundation itself but from everyone in Mellette County that the Foundation represents.   

Special firefighter and EMT poems were also read and presented to firefighters and EMTs, those who are available at a moments notice, helping to keep all of us safe with their time and dedication.

Foundation president Bill Adrian presented the checks to fire department representatives Kenny Osterbur of Wood and Bob Bouman of White River. Foundation board members Jerry Krogman and Dan Krogman were also on hand for the presentation.

Jim Calhoon, White River, is one of six individuals selected to become members of the Winner School Hall of Fame. Calhoon, who graduated from Winner High School, will be among the first inductees in the newly formed WS Hall of Fame. Also to be inducted in the class of 2012 are: Harvey Naasz, Bill Pistulka, Jane Nicolaisen, Larry Frank, and Sam Goodhope.

Calhoon, longtime boys and girls basketball coach, will be honored December 18 at the Winner versus Chamberlain boys basketball game.

By Kristan Krogman

An exciting Tiger football season came to an end Monday night with a second round playoff loss to Clark-Willow Lake. 

Clark-Willow Lake, who had the advantage of hosting, scored first. They led 7-0 after one quarter of play.

White River made it to the end zone just fifteen seconds into quarter two on a 15 yard touchdown pass to Tre Iyotte. The Tiger defense forced a pair of turnovers in quarter two, a fumble recovery by Bill Chauncey and an interception by Wyatt Krogman. The interception led to an 8 yard scoring run by Nic Waln, and the Tigers took their first lead, 14-7, with less than a minute and a half to go in the first half.

The Cyclones found the end zone again early in quarter three, but the Tigers maintained a 14-13 lead. Minutes later, a Tiger drive featuring runs by Waln, Krogman, and Cory Rogers went the distance, culminating in a 17 yard TD pass to Chauncey. Clark-Willow Lake  quickly answered. They tied the game at 20 with 2:35 to go in the period. 

A Tiger scoring opportunity late in quarter three was erased with a costly penalty and before long, the Cyclones had regained the lead. Their  first touchdown of the fourth quarter, a 54 yard pass completion, came two minutes in and put them on top 28-20. The Tigers cut the lead to two less than a minute later on a 2 yard run by Krogman that was set up with a 77 yard pass completion to Waln. Both teams found success through the air, and it was another pass by the Cyclones, a 40 yarder to the end zone with 8:26 remaining in the game, that put the Tigers in a deep hole. The Tigers fought to the finish, but were unable to put the points on the board. The final score was 26-36. 

The Tiger season came to an end with a record of 8-2. 

The White River Country Pride Coop hosted Customer Appreciation Day last Wednesday, October 24. 

Store manager Walt Wade reported a great turnout at the event,  both local  customers and visitors just travelling through. Hot dogs, chili, and chips were served with many folks sitting down for lunch and visiting with friends and neighbors. “Others grabbed a to go plate due to projects needing their attention before the incoming weather caught up to us that evening,” said Wade.

Customers were able to visit with Coop staff, including feed consultant/salesman Mark Kruger who was on hand for feed booking. Tom Mayes also visited with customers about their various agronomy needs. Anyone making purchases Wednesday was invited to draw a tab from the discount bucket, making it fun for all to see how much money customers would save.

Door prizes were awarded throughout the 10:30 to 2 p.m. event. Grace Gesinger was the winner of the grand prize, a barbeque grill. Patrons were also able to sign up for the $1,000 give-away coming up later in November. For those who have yet to sign up, there is still time. Entries will be accepted until November 16.

“We will continue to have these type of get-togethers throughout the year,” said Wade. “Some customers were busy this time, (we) hope to see you over at Country Pride Coop for the next one,  maybe around January”. 

School board member Bill Hutchinson was recently recognized for his years of service as School Board  President. He served as President from 2004-2012. Above, Hutchinson is presented with an engraved gavel from White River School District Superintendent Tom Cameron.

The General Election is coming up November 6.

Individuals will be elected in a number of races, including: President, US Representative, Public Utilities Commissioner, District 26 State Senator, District 26 Representative, and District 2 Mellette County Commissioner.

The retention of Supreme Court Justice Glen A. Severson will also be determined. Additionally, on the ballot this year are four Constitutional Amendments, one Initiated Measure and two Referred Laws. An explanation of these ballot questions was printed in the October 10 edition of the Mellette County News. A sample ballot will appear in next week’s edition.

Registered voters who are unable to attend their polling place on Election Day or wish to vote early may vote by absentee ballot. In order to submit an absentee ballot, you must contact your County Election Official. Auditor Jerry Schwarting is the election official in Mellette County. More than 36,700 absentee ballots have already been cast in South Dakota. 

Voter registration numbers in South Dakota as of Oct. 17 break down as follows:

Republican             240,927

Democrat               187,990

Independent             92,113

Libertarian                 1,090

Constitution                  344

Americans Elect                2

Other                            708

  Total                     523,174

Secretary of State Jason Gant announced last week a net gain of 16,300 people to the voter registration list since the beginning of the year.

Visit the Secretary’s website at www.sdsos.gov for more information about the November 6 election.