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.