Dwayne "Sonny" Newman, age 73 of Philip, died Saturday, August 13, 2011, at his home west of Philip.

Dwayne Eugene Newman, better known as "Sonny" to his family and friends, was born September 12, 1937, on his parents' homestead eight miles west of Philip, the son of Harry and June Elizabeth (Carstensen) Newman.

He grew up on the homestead and attended grade school in Philip for two years before attending grade school in Quinn for one year, then returning back to Philip, where he graduated from Philip High School in 1956.

Blanche P. Parsons, age 90, of Rapid City, S.D., formerly of Philip, died Sunday, August 14, 2011, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Blanche Patricia King was born March 17, 1921, in Pierre, the daughter of William A. and Lena (Erickson) King, of Milesville. She grew up on a farm-ranch east of Milesville. Blanche attended rural school, of which five years of school was held in her father's living room. She attended Philip High School graduating in 1938.

Leo Stangle, age 70, of Scenic, S.D., died Saturday, August 13, 2011, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Leo Albert Stangle was born November 24, 1940, in New Underwood, the son of Frank and Delphine (Jobgen) Stangle. At the age of one, the family moved from Creston to Folsom where he started school. He later went to school at Scenic before he attended high school in New Underwood, graduating in 1959. After graduation, he attended Black Hills State College.

Surpassing the competition at the 30th annual Texaco Country Showdown North and South Dakota State Final, Kianna Knutson proved worthy of the state title and $1,000.

On August 5, Spirit of the West in Beach, N.D., showcased acts which had won at local contest sponsored by radio stations throughout the state. These previous contests enabled each winner to perform at the state level competition of America's largest country music talent search.

Kianna Knutson, Philip, representing radio station KZZI of Spearfish, triumphed at the state level event.

The 38th annual South Dakota High School Honor Choir, held in Vermillion at the University of South Dakota, performed its closing concert July 29, 2011.

Kianna Knutson, an alto vocalist from Philip High School, was a part of the South Dakota Honor Choir. Knutson had to compete against other students from across the state to earn the chance to participate in the Honors Choir.

Rita Merrill, age 69 of Philip, S.D., died Sunday, August 7, 2011, at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Rita M. Patton was born July 26, 1942, in Pierre, the daughter of William B. and Olga (Grotto) Patton. She grew up on a farm-ranch southeast of Milesville and attended rural school in that area. She then attended Philip High School, graduating in 1960. As a young girl she worked at First National Bank until 1962.

Rita was united in marriage to Norman Merrill on July 28, 1962, in Philip, and to this union were born two children, Colleen and John.

Harold Stotts, age 85 of Okaton, S.D., died Friday, August 5, 2011, at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre, with his wife, Flavia, of 65 years, at his side.

Harold Eugene Stotts was born October 29, 1925, the son of Roy Ray and Mary Adline (Marshall) Stotts on their homestead west of Okaton, shortly after their move from Lance Creek, Wyo., by horse and wagon. Harold was the eldest of his nine siblings.

Harold and Flavia (Hampton) were married on May 27, 1946. Harold and Flavia spent those years farming the homestead and raising their five children.

The Haakon School District 27-1 Board of Education met Wednesday, August 3, before a concerned audience.

The special session was to discuss the 2011-2012 enrollment of the Cheyenne School. For years, it has been a board policy to try to keep a country school open as long as there are at least four students in normal attendance. The anticipated 2011-2012 attendance of the Cheyenne School had been four students.

Money issues continue to plague the Haakon County Commission as they were $3,000 short in the general fund just to pay August's bills.

Haakon County Auditor Patricia Freeman informed the board that bills for July were over $64,000 and there was just over $61,000 in the general fund to pay them. The board knew late last year that some months in 2011 could have this scenario. To meet the amount, the board instructed Freeman to use monies from another fund for this month and replace the money when able. "We can't skim along month to month," said Chairman Gary Snook.

The annual Northern Bull Riding Tour performance was Saturday, August 6, at the Philip Roping Arena.

Out of the 20 competitors, the long go was won by Jeff Bertus, Avon. The other top three riders were Clay Hindman, Belvidere, Jay Dunford, Menoken N.D., and Jake Waring, Ree Heights. To round out six riders for the short go, two riders were brought up on time, Abe Dillman, Grassy Butte, and T.R. Stirling, Newell.

The short go ending with Bertus taking the top spot, and Dillman claiming second place. Bertus won the $1,500 added purse plus fees.