The country vocal duo Big and Rich will add their voices to the September dedication of South Dakota's Vietnam War Memorial in Pierre. The ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m on September 16.

Big and Rich co-wrote their current hit "8th of November" as a tribute to their friend Niles Harris, a Deadwood resident and Vietnam War veteran.

"They have a very special story to tell," Governor Mike Rounds said.

The annual Badlands District Fire School will this year be held in Kadoka on Sunday, September 24. The training is highly recommended for all area fire fighters, and firefighters from other districts are welcome.

Registration will be from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. There is a department and individual cost, but often the fire departments pay for their volunteers to attend. Morning classes will be from 8:00 to 11:00. Lunch and the annual business meeting will be from 11:00 to 12:30.

Crushing gravel later this year was discussed, as well as other funding issues, at the Tuesday, September 5, Haakon County Commissioners meeting.

Budget concerns, along with the need to crush gravel for use in the Midland area, were brought to the commissioners attention by Highway Superintendent, Kenny Neville. With spending cuts in the highway department's budget this year Neville had not proposed any gravel crushing. A possible cash surplus of $40,000 could be added to the $50,000 proposed for next year's crushing.

Art Kroetch, the founder and former chairman of the board of Philip's largest industry, started as a businessman 50 years ago by buying a salvage yard.

This coming October 5th, Scotchman Industry is celebrating 40 years of ironworker production and Art Kroetch's 50th year in business. An open house is planned at the Scotchman offices and manufacturing plant. On that Thursday, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., guided tours of Scotchman Industries will be offered to the public. At 1:00 p.m. a special ceremony will include a few comments from the man of honor, Art Kroetch.