Richard "Dick" Vosberg, age 74, of Midland, S.D., died Sunday, September 5, 2010, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Richard "Dick" Vosberg was born April 30, 1936, the only child of Harry and Asenith "Pat" Vosberg, in the upstairs apartment at Jack's Cafe in Bridgewater, S.D. He graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1954 as an outstanding athlete. He attended Dakota Wesleyan University for one year and graduated from Augustana College in 1958.

The election held to determine if a taxation opt out would be accepted for the Philip Fire District resulted in a no vote.

The voter turn out Tuesday, August 31, was 332 out of a possible 745 voters. That is a 45 percent ratio. The yes side of the ballot to increasing taxes received 123 votes. The no side received 200 votes.

"We called for an ethical and moral renewal," said Pastor Frezil Westerlund, the pastor of four local Lutheran churches.

Congregations of First Lutheran Church in Philip, Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Long Valley, and Deep Creek Lutheran Church of Midland/Hayes have voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

"When the ELCA bishop visited us before our final vote, I think that he was a bit surprised to find out we didn't want to talk about homosexuals," said Westerlund.

A drastic increase in the number of bills for the support of the poor and mentally ill have caused the Haakon County Board of Commissioners to delve deeply into their contingency budget.

The Haakon County Commission was hit with several more bills for the support of the poor and the mentally ill at their Tuesday, September 3, meeting at the courthouse in Philip.

The commission has been receiving bills almost monthly for the two categories. By August they had already spent the budgeted $5,000 for the support of the poor and had to transfer another $2,500 in to the fund.

People in western South Dakota awoke Thursday morning, August 26, with some not even realizing that their cell phones were not working.

The Alltel telephone capability was off-line. People who use mostly land lines or e-mail had no difficulties. People who use texting as their main form of electronic communications had little problem. People who prefer the quieter life were not bothered at all.

Starting at approximately 3:00 a.m., Alltel cell phone use was affected by a technical situation.

Since its beginning in 1915, Haakon County has been watched over by a number of dedicated sheriffs. Prior to the November 1914 election that divided Stanley County, the sheriff traveled from Pierre when needed.

Fred Root was elected the first sheriff of Haakon County in 1914 and was sheriff until 1917. Root was voted county sheriff again in 1922, and served until 1923. He was originally from Keystone, but moved to the area in the early 1900s. Root started out ranching near Powell. He was the director and manager of the State Farmers Union Oil Company in Philip for several years.

by Del Bartels

In some ways it was as I expected, but," said Terry Henrie, "Haiti is possibly the poorest country in the world. Seeing true poverty is like cold water in the face.

by Del Bartels

In some ways it was as I expected, but," said Terry Henrie, "Haiti is possibly the poorest country in the world. Seeing true poverty is like cold water in the face.

Without a doubt the hottest day of 2010, and the Philip Scottie cross country team traveled to Ellsworth Air Force Base to compete in the Douglas High School Invitational for the first time in seven years.

The race is called the Earlybird with that nearly every team west of the Missouri River gathered to test their off-season training for the first time.

Ernest C. Clarin, age 94, of Apple Valley, Minn., passed away on August 25, 2010.

He grew up in the Philip and Quinn area.

Ernest is preceded in death by his wife, Jean; son, Stanley; and 12 brother and sisters.

He is survived by his two daughters, Sandy (Bob) Nelson and Annette Raymond; seven grandchildren, Kent (Stephanie), John (Charles), Todd (Sherry), Melissa, Keith (Lori), Kellie (Tim) and Richard (Heidi); 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Hilbert (Ardy); nieces, nephews and friends.