Selma Elizabeth Darmer, age 90, of Mediapolis, IA, died Friday, March 5, 2010, at Prairie Ridge Center.

The daughter of Axle Harold and Lenna Mae (Miles) Pearson, she was born October 19, 1919, at Philip, SD.

On June 2, 1936, she married Samuel Darmer at Mobridge, SD; he died June 8, 1984.

She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martha Circle in Mediapolis; was a member of King's Daughters and the Nellie Walker Circle.

Survivors include two daughters, Bessie Marie Weak of Burlington and Roberta Stonoff of Oakville, IA; four grandch

George Thomas "Tom" Hart, age 54 of Brea, CA, formerly of Philip, SD, died Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at his home in Brea, after battling cancer for more than 22 years.

George Thomas "Tom" Hart was born September 29, 1955, the fourth of six children born to George and Ella (Fitch) Hart. Tom graduated from Philip High School in 1974 and moved to Denver, CO for 24 years and then to Brea, CA, where he has since resided.

Tom was united in marriage to Cindy Graupner and to this union were born two children, George T. "T.J." Hart III and Katie Hart.

Anna M. "Ann" Eckert, age 92, of Kadoka, SD, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at the Kadoka Nursing Home.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, March 23, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis with Chaplain Herbert Cleveland officiating.

Anna M. Prochaska, better known as Ann to her family and friends, was born May 18, 1917, on a ranch near Belvidere, the daughter of James and Marie (Cacek) Prochaska.

She grew up in the Belvidere area and graduated from Belvidere High School. As a young lady, she worked as a clerk in the Belvidere Post Office.

Butch Davis is the newest permanent employee at the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Davis, a current ranger with the National Park Service, has been selected as the new ranger at the former military installation.

Davis started March 2, as an interpretive ranger.

Flooding in eastern South Dakota could impact the water in privately owned wells.

That is according to Christopher Hay, South Dakota Cooperative Extension water management engineer, who said owners should be aware of the risks of water contamination that flooding poses.

"Floodwaters often carry hazardous or toxic materials, including bacteria, viruses, other pathogens, petroleum products, pesticides, and other chemicals," said Hay.

Get a date. Find a dress. Rent a tux to match. Order flowers. Everyone understands the essential process in which prom-goers participate, but what most are not familiar with is what goes on behind the scenes.

The date for festivities is determined well in advance according to an available time slot in accordance to all other school activities. This year, the Philip High School Prom will be held on March 27 in the Fine Arts gymnasium.

The elaborate planning process begins with the junior class, whose advisors are very involved.