In years to come, Philip's west entrance, adding historical interest, will be highlighted by a tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of our country.

The living memorial was the dream of retired main street shopkeeper, Hans E. Hanson, who said, "I just wanted to give something back to my town."

It will take many hands to nurture the trees, but the work of Greg Weber, who waters the plantings and helped in other ways, should be an inspiration. Greg is a former bank president who's not afraid to get his hands dirty.

Bronze medal winner of the Disney Wrestling Duels Tournament, Lincoln Smith, Philip, returned home with a record of seven wins and two losses.

Smith was the 189 pounder for the South Dakota Class "B" team at the Disney Wrestling Duels Tournament.

Members of the two South Dakota teams met at Beresford, on Thursday, June 21, for two days of training with the four South Dakota coaches. The South Dakota "A" team was coached by Brian Moser of Rapid City Stevens and Jeremy Tostenson of Milbank.

Arthur A. "Art" Kroetch, age 80, of Philip, died Tuesday, July 3, 2007, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Arthur Albert "Art" Kroetch was born August 18, 1926 in Hilland, South Dakota, the son of Fredrick and Pearl (Boyce) Kroetch. He grew up on his parents' homestead and received his education at the Elbon Rural School.

As a young man he worked with his family and various ranchers in that area. In 1948, he owned and operated a custom haying business.

Art was united in marriage to Eleanor May Johnson on June 30, 1950 in Cottonwood, SD.

The Philip City Council met for a relatively quiet meeting Monday, July 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the Haakon County Courthouse. One of the more important notes on the agenda was that water restrictions are in effect immediately. At June's meeting, the council decided to wait until West River/Lyman-Jones decided that water restrictions were necessary before implimenting them, though they had a plan ready to put in place.

The Haakon County Board of Commissioners received proposed budgets from all county offices at their July 3 meeting.

At their August 2007 meeting the board will decide if there is a budget shortfall and if major cuts in the budgets will need to be made.

Most of the submitted office and program budgets saw small increases for pay raises, postage rates and mileage costs.

Auditor Patsy Freeman informed the board that she would like to increase the deputy position in her office to full time status.

Hazel Schwalm, 73, was missing for almost 21 hours, over half that time partially encased in a mudhole, before she was found by volunteer rescuers.

At around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, Schwalm and her husband, Calvin, were rounding up cattle which had gotten out of a pasture. The ranch land is about nine miles north of Midland and the cattle were roughly two miles northeast of the house.

Hazel stayed on foot to gather a few straggling, slower cattle while Calvin drove the main group ahead with the pickup.