Donna E. Hansen, age 71, of Philip, South Dakota, died Thursday, September 29, 2011, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her family.

Donna E. Waldron was born November 22, 1939, in Presho, South Dakota, the daughter of Jess and Mabel (Harmon) Waldron. She grew up in Presho before the family moved to the White Thunder Ranch on the Cheyenne River in 1949. Donna attended rural school in that area before attending Philip High School, graduating in 1957.

The Philip Lady Scotties volleyball team journeyed to Faith to go against the Lady Longhorns. Tuesday, September 20.

Philip fell 0-3, with game scores of 19-25, 13-25 and 25-27. Philip's season record stands at 6-6.

Serving: Philip - 52 of 60 (4 aces). Leaders: Misty Johnson - 8 of 9 (3 aces), Kaci Olivier - 5 of 6, (1 ace), Sayde Slovek - 10 of 10.

Receiving: Philip - 53 of 67. Leaders: Krista Wells - 25 of 31, Josie Guptill - 15 of 17, Slovek - 10 of 15.

Setting: Philip - 63 of 70 (14 assists).

The Rapid City Invitational cross country meet was AA, A and B division, with teams from South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. It was held Friday, September 23, on the Elks Golf Course and had a total count of runners that exceeded 870.

For the Philip Scotties this was the second race in the last 54 hours. Combined with temperatures over 90 degrees and more quality competition than they will face at any other race this season, they had to dig deep to find what it takes to remain competitive.

Junior Holly Iwan was one of over 130 starters in the girls' varsity race.

The Scotties traveled to Wall, Wednesday, September 21, to compete for highly valued conference honors.

This was a small but highly competitive meet with many of South Dakota's finest runners entered. Individually, several Scotties had a good day.

Boys' varsity ran at 9:30 a.m. with temperatures in the 60s and a light breeze.

The Philip Lady Scotties volleyball team hosted the Harding County Ranchers, Thursday, September 22.

The varsity started slow, losing the first game 13-25, but came back with a second game win of 25-17. The third game could not have been any closer, ending 24-26. Philip again rebounded with a 25-21 win. Standing tied, the teams battled the final game. Philip edged Harding County 15-13 for a match score of 3-2.

Serving: Philip - 98 of 106 (4 aces).

The Philip Lady Scotties traveled to Belle Fourche, Saturday, September 24, to compete in the annual Belle Fourche Volleyball Tournament.

The Scotties began the tournament with a season record of 7-6. They ended with 10-7.

Philip vs. Moorcroft, Wyo.

25-22, 25-16

Serving: Philip - 41 of 48 (4 aces). Leaders: Kelsie Kroetch - 9 of 10 (1 ace), Krista Wells - 7 of 7 (1 ace), Sam Johnson - 4 of 5 (2 aces).

Receiving: Philip - 37 of 38. Leaders: Wells - 12 of 12, Kaci Olivier - 8 of 8, Josie Guptill - 6 of 6.

Setting: Philip - 69 of 70 (7 assists).

The Philip Scotties football team traveled to Deadwood, Saturday, September 24, to compete in the 20th annual Prospector Bowl at Ferguson Field. The Scotties challenged the Harding County Ranchers.

The beginning of the game saw a valiant drive by the Scotties, but to no avail. Their wall against the Ranchers held until the last minute of the first quarter. A Harding County rusher broke free and carried the ball 30 yards for the first touchdown of the game. The extra point attempt failed.

The Ranchers' ball carrying lived solely off of break-free runs.

For many small, rural South Dakota towns their local post office has been the mainstay of their area, even after all the other business have left.

Recent announcements and meetings by the United States Postal Service have left many western South Dakota residents feeling angry and frustrated about the closing of their post offices. Towns can be spaced a fair distance apart in western South Dakota with a jaunt of 15, 20 or more miles just to get to the closest post office.

by Del Bartels

Father Kevin Achbach, high school senior Josie Guptill and college sophomore Danielle Piroutek attended the World Youth Day (WYD) program August 16-21 in Madrid, Spain.

"There is only one word to describe the pilgrimage to Spain, unbelievable," said Josie Guptill. "We all experience challenges in our everyday lives, but this pilgrimage allowed me to see more clearly the good that can come for those challenges."

World Youth Day, a Catholic event held in different countries usually every third year, focuses on youth.

As of Monday, September 26, Haakon County has a new deputy sheriff. Derek Droz left a position with the Walworth County jail system to work with Haakon County Sheriff Mel Smith.

Though Droz has some experience in law enforcement, he will be taking the basic officer certification course offered at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center in Pierre. The course is free to South Dakota counties and the officials taking the course.

Droz became interested in law enforcement when he was a student at Stanley County High School.