An estimated 23.9 million acres out of 28 million of eligible CRP contracts are expected to be re-enrolled. An estimated 4.1 million acres in CRP contracts will exit CRP between 2007 and 2010. Of the 4.1 million acres, approximately 1.4 million are located in major corn producing states.

"The percentage of landowners choosing to remain in CRP is consistent with what we have seen in the past, despite speculation that re-enrollment would drop significantly due to high corn prices," said Johanns.

The protest was submitted by Vickie Petersen regarding a mobile home her family owns. Rita Merrill, director of equalization, noted she had the home assessed at $11,347.00. She stated that Petersen wanted the home assessed at the purchase price of $10,000. The difference would be just under $23.00 per year in total taxes.

The commissioners opted to have Merrill leave her assessment at her current figure.

Bielmaier has been with Golden West for 11 years in the customer service and accounting department, and a Wall School District teacher before that. "I deal with the happy and the unhappy," said Bielmaier.

She discussed the short term and long range plans of Golden West. It has purchased 10 more cable TV systems in South Dakota, from Custer to Parkston. The new and previous areas are headed toward "bundling". "Bundling is really the new way for the communications businesses," said Bielmaier.

Kari Fruechte, Horizons Project Director and Dan Oedekoven, Horizons Community Coordinator, aided with directing the findings of the Study Circles' culmination. Since the project is to train leaders and help a community continue its own improvement, "You can keep on organizing study circles forever.

Joseph One Skunk is eight-years-old. He is in third grade at the Milesville Rural Attendance Center where Carmen One Skunk and Theresa Deuchar teach. Sam One Skunk is the press manager at Ravellette Publications, Inc.

"He's here and we love him," said Carmen and Sam.

Joseph has already adapted to friends and activities in the Philip area. One of the first things he did was participate in the elementary science fair.

Services for Charles Jacobsen, 91, of Pierre, SD, formerly of Hayes, were held Wednesday, April 4, at the Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre with Pastor Dallas McKinley officiating. Burial was in Sansarc Cemetery near Hayes.

Charles Fredrick Jacobsen was born on April 7, 1915, to Fredrick Charles Jacobsen and Myrtle (Muhs) Jacobsen in Davenport, IA.

David Schlotte, 66, of Webster died on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at Sanford Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Burial will be in the Webster Cemetery.

David Paul Schlotte was born on Saturday, February 15, 1941, to Carl and Gertrude (Nelson) Schlotte at Peabody Memorial Hospital in Webster. The family lived on a farm in Rusk Township, Day County, south of Webster. He was baptized and confirmed at American Lutheran Church in Webster.

The Haakon County Board of Commissioners discussed three issues with Sheriff Larry Hanes, Deputy Tom Jeans and States Attorney Ralph Kemnitz at their April 3, 2007 meeting.

The issues emerged at the March 2007 commissioners meeting and included roaming charges on his cell phone in the amount of $236, the increase in mileage and gas used by the department and the status of the 911 signs.

Hanes noted the roaming charges were incurred when he traveled to Texas to help his son move.

One of the first items addressed at the Philip City Council meeting on Monday, April 2, was approval of the Centennial Committee's application for a Special Events License.

Ray Smith, representing the committee during this meeting, accepted Mayor John Hart's compliment, "The Chamber really did a nice job.

"It just wasn't self-supporting anymore," said Mike Moses, owner of the Moses Building Center in Philip, of the lumber yard in Kadoka.

Three years ago, as of the first of March, Moses had purchased the Kadoka Lumber and Supply business from Jim Kujawa.