New officers for the Philip Chamber of Commerce have been voted in. Milo Zeeb is the president, Kent Olson is the vice president, Codi Vallery is the secretary and Matt Reedy is the treasurer. Corky Thorson will be on board as past president.

The chamber held a special meeting on Monday, December 15 to elect officers and ratify the revised by-laws. Nominations for officers were open to the general assembly, though a nominating committee also put forth names.

The board of education for the Haakon School District 27-1 held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 12.

The board approved a list of potential volunteer coaches that might assist with wrestling or basketball practices. Almost 40 people have been given official approval as volunteers. Some are alumni who are anticipated to join the practices during Christmas break.

The board approved the 403(b) resolution plan. Options of investment providers, as well as the South Dakota Retirement System, are now given to employees for retirement benefit plans.

The new cards for the Haakon County Public Library and its automation system arrived last week.

These are a two-part card that includes a regular credit card size library card for patrons' wallets and a much smaller card to carry on a key chain. Both sections of the card have a bar-code on the back, which is specific to the owner of the card. The library patron will also have their signature on a designated line on back of the larger card.

The library's post office box address is on the front of the larger card.

Tuesday evening through all day Wednesday will be Janell Gerberding's regular work shift at the Philip Health Services, Inc.

She has already been doing some physicians assistant work off and on for the Philip hospital and clinic for almost two years. She helped cover shifts while Physicians Assistant Terry Henrie was gone for almost a year for an emergency room training program.

"Janell has convinced the staff that she really likes working here," said Kent Olson, CEO of PHSI.

Brittany Westerberg will be one of two reporters from the South Dakota News Association covering the activities of the 2009 legislative session.

The Community News Service branch of the South Dakota News Association covers highlights and specialized district coverage during the legislative session in Pierre. The session begins January 13 and ends March 13, with veto day falling on March 30.

The reporting team of Westerberg and Joe Sneve of Dell Rapids will be supervised by CNS coordinator Tara Okeson.