Mac B. Houston, age 69, of Wanblee, died Sunday, December 4, 2005, at Meadowbrook Manor in Rapid City.

Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Mac Bryan Houston was born April 21, 1937, in Baldwin, MS, the son of Milton and Annabelle (Miller) Houston. He grew up in Moro, AR, where he received his education.

As a young man, he served in the United States Army National Guard for a year and a half before enlisting in the United States Army.

Mary G. Williams, age 90, of Philip, died Tuesday morning, December 6, 2005, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Visitation was Sunday, Dec. 11, with a rosary at 7:00 p.m., all at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian burial was Monday, Dec. 12, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.

Music was provided by JoAnne Stilwell, organist, and Maureen Palecek, vocalist. Pallbearers were Jack, Tom, Don, Mike, Bruce and Galo Williams. Ushers were Jasper Williams, Chase Sanftner and Cory Williams.

Mary G.

Kenneth Willert, 61, of Miller, passed away Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, at Hand County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Dec. 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Miller, with Rev. George Wieland presiding.

Burial was Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, SD, directed by Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

Visitations was held Tuesday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with a service of comfort.

Ken Willert was born December 27, 1943, the youngest son of Emil and Etta (Griswold) Willert.

Remember the Johnny Carson lead-in jokes that started “It was so cold ...” and someone would ask “How cold was it?”

Well, sometimes in Western South Dakota those aren’t jokes.

I personally remember, as a child, opening my parents’ front door and facing a level sheet of snow piled higher than the doorknob. While in college, I remember my roommate’s can of beer sitting by the window pane and blowing up because it had frozen solid.

Haakon County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Foley and Philip City Police Officer David Butler have completed the 12 weeks of the Law Enforcement Basic Training Academy in Pierre.

The 123rd session of the academy began on August 29 and graduation was November 18. These, and all officers, are encouraged to continue their education.

Both local men had the same classes. Academy training consisted of 520 hours of instruction spread over the twelve weeks. Testing for each week was on Friday.

The state covered the cost of the training – instruction, lodging, food, etc.

It was a basic meeting for the Haakon County Commissioners at their December 6, 2005 meeting.

Kenny Neville, Haakon County highway superintendent up-dated the commissioners on the bid let for the McDaniel bridge project. The bid came in under $22,000 from the engineer’s estimate. The commissioners accepted the bid for the two double box culverts and other work that will replace the bridge.

Neville also asked for their approval to reinstate two work projects that will replace two bridges in the county. One is scheduled for 2008 and the other in 2009.

With a very humble heart and an acknowledgement of responsibility, Mayor John Hart announced that the proposed sale of the city’s geothermal well will have to be handled in a different manner.

The sale of the well to MinKota Fisheries for the future development of a 35-job business in Philip was enthusiastic, but premature. MinKota has been made aware of the situation and “we are on the same page,” said Hart. Legal stipulations dictated by state law regulate the method of selling public property, even with the ownership-reversion clause that was to be an important part of the sale.

The Jones County/Midland Rebels headed into the Class B state volleyball tournament as the underdogs, especially in their first round match against the Northwestern Area Wildcats.

The Wildcats (30-2) came into the tournament having won last year's Class B title, but were the No. 2 seed behind Hurley.

JC/M Head Coach Sharon Freier said, "I was really happy that we were rated seventh."

The Coyotes already ran into the Wildcats at the Sully Buttes Invitational earlier this season.

Anita Schofield has moved her Flowers of Fortune business into what used to be the old Dakota Bar at 102 N. Center Avenue next to the Gem Theater.

“I like this place. It’s fitting for a flower shop – homey and cozy,” said Schofield from in front of the hand-polished antique bar and full-length mirror.

For the open house on Wednesday, November 16, coffee and cider were served. Future offerings will include fountain sodas. “We’ve had a great turn-out,” said Schofield as she welcomed the constant flow of visitors.

Initial meetings in September showed that the Cub Scout program had a strong potential for restarting in Philip. These meetings also showed that there is solid support in the Philip community for the Cub Scout program.

Years ago, the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs began fading as other activities and organizations simply took too many boys and volunteers from the program.

Now, “Pack 37 is looking for volunteers and more boys,” said Cub Master David Butler.