Deb Snook, mathematics and physics instructor at Philip High School, is one of three state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

The three state finalists will give presentations at the South Dakota State Conference for Science and Mathematics Teachers, February 2-4, 2012, in Huron. They will be guests of honor at the conference's banquet and will receive certificates and plaques.

"Hope you never have to use it," was the first comment by Midwest Cooperative's Philip site manager Jay Baxter in presenting a new self contained breathing apparatus (CSBA) unit to the Philip Volunteer Fire Department.

The $5,425 unit was supplemented by another unit purchased by the PVFD.

Trimming the budget through insurance and liquor license requests stymied the Haakon County  Commission at their meeting Tuesday, September 6.

Bart and Marcy Ramsey, owners of South Fork Ranch, a pheasant preserve and hunting location west of Philip, submitted an application for a county liquor license. Auditor Patsy Freeman said the county can have four liquor licenses based on the county's rural population. At present, three of the licenses are used.

The Philip High School Scotties volleyball team traveled to Kadoka, Thursday, September 1, for their first match of the 2011 season. They defeated the Kadoka Area Kougars 3-1.

The Lady Scotties varsity team won their match with scores of 25-13, 25-15, 17-25 and 25-23. According to coach Kim Bouman, the team is a young one, with 14 freshmen players out of a total of 24.

The Philip High School Scotties football team competed in its first game of the 2011 season, Friday, September 2. Before a home crowd, their first test ended as a defeat by the Jones County Coyotes 0-20.

The Coyotes kicked off the game with a short wobbler that put the Scotties mid-field. Philip began a charge that entailed three first-downs, but were stopped at their one-foot line with loss of possession. Jones County's return charge was stymied, and ended with a punt. Philip came back to the two-foot mark, but first-game fouls pushed them back.

The Philip Scotties were back in action at the Ryan Day Memorial Cross Country Meet at Durkee Lade, south of Faith, Friday, September 2.

Though the season is young, ending week 2 of the season, these smaller local meets give us a good sense of how the Scotties stack up with our conference and regional competition.

With lake side temps in the 60s and a light southerly breeze, the day's conditions helped bring out quality performances from many of the day's competitors.

The first races of the day were elementary one-mile runs for boys and girls, grades one through six.

According to the South Dakoka Highway Patrol report, a 2009 Honda all terrain vehicle, driven by Irvel N. Morford, age 71, Philip, was traveling northbound on South Dakota Highway 73 just south of Philip, at 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 2, 2011.

Two deer entered the roadway and one of the deer struck Morford, who was thrown from the ATV. Morford was not wearing a helmet. He was transported to the Philip hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Clayton W. Nelson, Pierre, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2011, after a long, courageous battle with leukemia, at the age of 86.

He was born December 26, 1924, on his grandfather's ranch near Midland, S.D., in a partial log house. Clayton was the son of Oliver and Edrie (Faubel) Nelson.

He attended Pleasant View #63 until he completed the eighth grade, and then went on to Midland High School where he graduated in 1943.

Clayton was drafted into the U.S. Navy on October 23, 1943, in Philip.

Noel F. Judd, age 72 of Wall, S.D., died Friday, September 2, 2011, at his home in Wall.

Noel F. Judd was born on October 21, 1938, at Murdo, the son of Edward J. and Dorothy (Herbaugh) Judd.

He graduated from Murdo High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1959-1965. After his honorable discharge, he went to St. Louis and worked for Boeing and then moved to North Carolina and worked there for many years before returning to South Dakota. He then moved to Arizona and worked for Alcoa until an injury forced him to retire.

Irvel Neil "Irv" Morford, age 71 of Philip, S.D., died Friday, September 2, 2011, as a result of an accident near Philip.

Irvel Neil Morford was born on January 28, 1940, in Highmore to Newton and Dorothy (Reisner) Morford. He grew up on the family farm north of Highmore and attended rural school in Washington Township, having the same male teacher all eight years of grade school. He attended Highmore High School, graduating in 1958. In 1959, he moved to Pierre and worked for Al's Construction, driving truck and delivering ready-mix concrete.