Haakon School Board members Kelly Blair, Matt Reedy and Scott Brech began their new terms by taking the oath of office. Reedy is the new president and Bill Slovek is the vice-president for the district.

The July board meeting had been rescheduled from the 17th to the 20th because of area wildfires which affected board member's land as well as the community.

The Cottonwood Roping Club offered its savings and property as principle for scholarships to help students in local communities.

Vern Sampson, age 83, of Midland, died Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Vern Sampson was born on April 28, 1923, the son of C.J. and Rose (Rada) Sampson, on a farm eight miles south of Midland. He grew up in that area and attended Loyalty School for eight years. He did not attend high school but bought his first truck at age fourteen. Vern worked for neighbors doing odd jobs until old enough to work on the railroad. He worked off and on for the railroad for seven years, while still trucking.

Jack M. Spinsby, age 83, of Midland, died Tuesday morning, July 25, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Jack McLain Spinsby was born January 25, 1923, at South Bend, Indiana, the son of John and Isabel (Myers) Spinsby. At the age of three, the family moved to a farm-ranch south of Midland where he grew up and received his education in rural schools before graduating from Midland High School in 1941.

As a young man he worked with his parents on the farm-ranch. In 1945 he entered the United States Army and served in the Aleutian Islands during WWII.

Mary Jane Hovland, age 86, of Philip and formerly of Rapid City, died early Friday morning, July 21, 2006, at the Michael Daly ranch west of Midland.

Memorial services were held Wednesday, July 26, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.

Inurnment followed at the Nowlin Cemetery, Nowlin, SD.

Ushers were Alvin Pearson and Miles Hovland.

Alma Frances Kellogg, 95, Sturgis, SD, died Thursday, July 20, 2006 at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center.

Services were held Monday, July 24, 2006, at the First Methodist Church in Sturgis with Pastor Keith Nelson officiating. Burial followed at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

Memorial have been established to the United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Alma Frances Long was born June 18, 1911, at Kadoka, SD, to Alvin C. And Suzanna (Fitzgerald) Long.

She was the youngest of seven children.

You play football? What kind of foot? Gridiron. What?

For the people of Australia, the American version of football "is not very big yet, but they're trying to get it going, still trying to get it established," said Bo Slovek. He recently spent 10 days on a Down Under Sports Team trip operated by International Sports Specialists, Inc.

Referring to a promotional letter from Down Under Sports, Slovek said, "I thought it would be fun and I wanted to play football.

Kenzy Pinney and her South Dakota NAIG Midget Basketball team brought the gold medal back with them from Denver, CO.

Pinney, a Philip freshman and daughter of Kevin and Kim Pinney, has returned with the South Dakota Midget team from competition in the North American Indigenous Games, July 2-9.

They won all seven of their games; handily taking six by at least 20 points each, and defeating the North Dakota team in double overtime in sudden death play. Though not a starter on the 12-member team, Pinney was the first off of the bench, and played in all seven games.

Robert L. "Bob" Olson, age 74, of Rapid City, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Services were held Friday, July 21, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Rapid City, with Pastor Dave Fechner officiating.

Music was provided by Joyce Kurtz, organist. Ushers were Curt Eisenbraun and John Brick. Pallbearers were Travis Ingram, Tim Jirak, Tim Fraas, Mike Sartorius, Mick Nagel and Rev. Lowell Boettcher.

Interment with military honors by the Sturgis Honor Guard were held Friday at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Robert L.

Doris Mae Jeffries, age 79, of Quinn, SD, died Monday evening at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Services were held Friday, July 21, at the United Church of Christ in Dupree, with Pastor Fay Garreau and Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.

Ushers were Jim Jeffries, Ron Jeffries and Bob Jeffries.

Leland Krebs was born on June 3, 1935 in Quinn, SD, and died in Westminster, CO, on June 30, 2006.

Leland is survived by his five children: Cindy Mathews, Paul Krebs, Brian Krebs, Wade Krebs and Tianna Orejel, as well as 15 grandchildren: Brandon, Hannah, Devon Cardera and Tyler Mathews (Cindy's children); Milan, Kylie, Tylor Krebs and Ashley McComie (Paul's children); Krystin Patterson-Krebs (Brian's child); Avery, Cora, Isaac Krebs and Jenny, David, Brennan Johnson (Wade's children).

Leland is also survived by seven siblings, four brothers: Mervyn Krebs, Donald Krebs, Douglas