Jerauld County deputy sheriff Jason Weber, Wessington Springs, has announced his candidacy for the office of Jerauld County Sheriff. He has circulated a petition for his name to appear as a Republican candidate on the June 1, 2010 primary ballot. Weber was hired by Jerauld County in 2005 and graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training in Pierre in 2006. He is a native of Wessington Springs and a graduate of Wessington Springs High School. His candidacy comes after current Jerauld County Sheriff Roger Thompson announced that he will not seek re-election.
Posts from ‘March, 2010’
Weber announces candidacy for Sheriff’s Office
From Daily Republic paperboy to publisher
Korrie Wenzel, an employee of the Mitchell Daily Republic newspaper for nearly 19 years and editor for the past 4½ years, was named publisher Monday. He immediately assumed the duties of the position. He is the son of Craig and Penny Wenzel, Wessington Springs, and Sherri Dennis, of Mitchell.
The appointment was announced to Daily Republic staff Monday morning by Steve McLister, a former publisher of The Daily Republic and current vice president of newspapers for Forum Communications Co., The Daily Republic’s parent company. The vacancy was created when Ross Ulrich resigned early this year.
Springs team rocketed to the top of the nation
A Wessington Springs team rocketed to the top of the nation after competing in the 1986 national bowling tournament. The Caffee Trucking team –made up of Vonna Mentzer, Ada Caffee, Mary Lu Gran, Judy Winegar and Kathy Manning– became the first South Dakota team ever to bring home a national team championship after taking first place in the Division II of the tournament in Orange County, CA.
SOUTH GULCH CREEK
TRUE DAKOTAN PHOTO/DUKE
SOUTH GULCH CREEK on the south edge of Wessington Springs started to break loose late last week.
The water is pictured at the culvert at the bottom making its way around deep snow drifts outside the normal banks of the creek.
The water flows into the Firesteel Creek three miles to the east, making its way to Lake Mitchell and eventually into the Missouri River via and James River.
Calving season begins —
Calving season begins —
Jerauld County’s beef producers are beginning their annual calving season despite inclement weather conditions. The calves will be coming –ready or not– over the next several weeks. Another photo appears on the back page of this issue.
THE FIRESTEEL CREEK
TRUE DAKOTAN PHOTO/DUKE
THE FIRESTEEL CREEK four miles east of Wessington Springs was running in full force late last weekend after a week of temperatures in the 30s. Water along the watershed that includes the Wessington Hills was starting to break loose. The creek starts north of Springs around 10 miles and flows to the James River at Mitchell. The James was reaching flood stage across the state late last week. The above picture of Firesteel Creek was taken from the bridge on old Highway 34 southeast of Springs. Two miles south of there, water was rushing over the road on Sunday.
President disaster declaration request approved
President disaster declaration request approved
Jerauld, Buffalo and Hand counties are on the list
Governor Mike Rounds announced that 29 South Dakota counties and three Indian reservations will get federal financial assistance to help recover from the crippling ice storm that struck the state in late January.
The public assistance is made available through a Presidential Disaster Declaration signed Tuesday by president Obama.
The storm caused an estimated $22.5 million in damages. Thousands of power-line poles were broken or knocked down, and several thousand people were without electricity during the storm.
High school group performs at banquet; prepares for trip to Orlando
Concert will provide sendoff for WSHS
music trip to Orlando
The WSHS Choir will be departing for Disney World in Orlando Florida on Monday, March 22. They are scheduled to perform at Downtown Disney at 11:00 AM on March 24th; and will return home Saturday, March 27. This group consists of 43 students, 2 directors and 11 chaperones.
The public is invited to join them this Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 PM for a send-off concert in the gym. Music boosters will be serving supper before the concert at 6:00.
Plenty to smile about
TRUE DAKOTAN PHOTO/CRAIG WENZEL
THESE PEOPLE HAD PLENTY TO CELEBRATE at the 2010 Wessington Springs Area Development Corporation/Chamber of Commerce awards banquet on Saturday, March 6. Weskota Manor Avera volunteer Loretta Couch (left) was presented the “Volunteer of the Year” award by the WSADC board of directors. Shown at center is Karen Fastnacht, a former school teacher with a Master’s Degree in Education, who is now a resident at the Manor. Loretta works closely with Karen, who enjoys grading elementary school papers and staying in touch with her education background. She also volunteers her time with other residents.Loretta is also a part-time employee in the activities department at the Manor. Also shown are activities employee Carol Steichen (back) and activities director Penny Wenzel (right). “I didn’t know if Karen would be able to keep her secret or not,” said her husband, Mike Fastnacht, after the banquet. “She was pretty excited for Loretta.” She did keep the award a secret and with the help of her husband, Rick, son and daughter Rich and Amanda, Loretta was pleasantly surprised.
100-year old glass negatives offer a sneek peak into the past
BY CRAIG WENZEL
A brand new automobile still draws a little attention today, but can you imagine the size of a crowd that might assemble around a sparkling new 1909 Cadillac? Marvin Mentzer, Wessington Springs, was cleaning out some things in the basement of his rural home when he ran into some old glass negative plates that give us a glimpse of life in the turn of the twentieth century.