Christopher Allen Evans, 13, of Rapid City, passed away on Saturday, July 23, 2005, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Chris’ life was cut short by a tragic accident.

Chris was born February 12, 1992, in Rapid City, to Stan and Cathy (Bowers) Evans. Chris attended Pinedale Elementary School in Rapid City, and was entering the eighth grade at West Middle School. “Chris was the best son any parent could ever ask for.” He was a good student, who loved math. In his younger years, Chris was involved in Boy Scouts and swimming. He also enjoyed basketball, baseball, track and cross-country.

They say that a really good politician can tell you exactly where to go, and you will thank him for the directions.

I guess it isn’t exactly what you say, but how you say it. For example: There was a car race which only had two entrants – one South Dakota driver and one North Dakota driver. The South Dakota headline read “S.D. driver places first – N.D. driver comes in last.” The North Dakota headline read “N.D. driver comes in second, while S.D. driver comes in second to last.”

A distraught mother finally intervened in a sibling fight.

The Philip City Council began their monthly meeting with the announcement that the grant application for a sidewalk project up Hillside Ave. has been denied. The handicapped-geared path from downtown Philip to the school area would have been a community improvement. The council conceded that the grant was a long shot.

The many new building permits are a positive sign for community improvement. For the most part, owners are applying for permits and using the one-call to check for buried utilities before they dig.

So far this year, anthrax has been confirmed in six herds in Sully, Brown and Marshall counties, all east of the Missouri River. Losses are approaching 200 head, including the deaths that officials suspect are anthrax-related, according to Dr. Sam Holland, state veterinarian and head of the South Dakota Animal Industry Board. State officials continue to test dead animals for anthrax.

Anthrax infection was first discovered this year in a herd in northwestern Sully County. About 40 head died. The rest of the herd, was treated with antibiotics and vaccinated.

The August 2nd Haakon County Commissioners’ meeting drew quite a few people as both plans for a new library and ambulance hall were discussed.

Ted Haeder of the Central Enhancement District in Pierre sought approval from the commissioners and feedback from members of the public gathered at the meeting. Among those present were members of the Midland ambulance crew, who were curious as to how the new ambulance hall in Philip was going to be funded and other clarifications.

Art Kroetch was born and raised on the family farm approximately 20 miles northwest of Philip. He has lived his life in the Philip area except for the years he spent in the military.

Eleanor (Johnson) Kroetch was born and raised on a farm in the Russell, Minn., area. She lived there until she married Art on June 30, 1954. The couple has seven children, 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The Kroetches have a very strong sense of family, church and community.

I was busy at the kitchen table when my young son quietly asked me to do something with him. He wanted my attention and time. I got a bright idea. The weather was not as hot as it had been, so I sent him out to the yard to find five different leaves for me. He spun around and ran away from me, joyfully running outside – he didn’t even slow to put on his shoes. There; he was doing something that would probably lead to other distractions, and I could continue my work. It is odd how some of my terrible plans can become lessons learned.

My son was gone for only a little while.

A fall from a horse at the original 11-Mile Corner north of Philip left 12-year-old Ruby Gabriel with traumatic cranial V1 palsy. For the past 29 years she has been totally reliant on the use of prisms and abnormal head positions to see without double vision.

Today, through the advancement of eye surgery, Gabriel has correctable 20/20 vision, and can look forward with both eyes.

In 1976, during the Labor Day Fun Day, Gabriel was riding a horse. She was wearing her cowboy hat and her glasses, which she had needed for about two years.

Myrtle Hope Warner went home to be with the Lord on July 4, 2005.

She was born in Philip, SD, in 1932. She moved with her family to Arizona in 1957.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, William Warner; three sons, Daniel, Dennis (Kathy) and Scott (Betty); also two adopted sons, Big Bill and Garland; three sisters and two brothers; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

Hope was very active at Casas Church and the sheriff’s department.

Services were held in Oro Valley, AZ, with interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Tucson, AZ.

Mary Alice Deuchar, age 83, of Philip, South Dakota, died Sunday, July 24, 2005, at the Philip Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 28, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating. Music will be provided by Marilyn Millage, pianist, and Elvera Moos, vocalist.

Ushers are Eric and Luke Neville. Pallbearers are Kenny Neville, Henry Hanson, Todd Radway, Steve Pekron, Mike Gebes and Marty Hook.

Visitation will be held 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.