The South Dakota Volleyball Coaches Association released its Miss Volleyball selections in all three classes. The top players are Sierra Hook of Philip in Class B, Allison Vos of Harrisburg in Class A and Stephanie Paluch of Pierre in Class AA.

Philip won the 2008 State B title, and Harrisburg and Pierre finished second in their classes.

Hook, a six-foot middle hitter for the the state champion Philip Scotties, led her team in kill efficiency and kills per game. She averaged 12.4 kills per match and 4.3 per game.

The Philip High School junior varsity wrestlers traveled to Ft. Pierre to compete in the Stanley County Wrestling Tournament on Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6.

The varsity results were reported in the last issue of the Pioneer Review.

The Philip Scotties boys' basketball team began their 2008-09 season with a home game against their rivals, the Wall Eagles.

The game was back and forth action. The score was often tied, though the end of the third quarter showed a 14 point spread. The Scotties sank the game's first basket, then dictated the pace for the first quarter, which ended with the low score of 9-6. A cautious, ball-controlling start continued, though loosened up a bit, through the second quarter.

The Philip Lady Scotties opened their 2008-09 basketball season in Wall against the Eagles.

Philip 6 14 27 48

Wall 7 25 41 54

Philip was in control during the first quarter and beginning of the second quarter. But, as halftime drew nearer, the Scotties lost momentum.

When the girls came back on the court after halftime, the sway of the game had changed. The Scotties just could not turn the tide, as the Eagles created a widening lead. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Philip struggled for a come back, but it was too late.

New officers for the Philip Chamber of Commerce have been voted in. Milo Zeeb is the president, Kent Olson is the vice president, Codi Vallery is the secretary and Matt Reedy is the treasurer. Corky Thorson will be on board as past president.

The chamber held a special meeting on Monday, December 15 to elect officers and ratify the revised by-laws. Nominations for officers were open to the general assembly, though a nominating committee also put forth names.

The board of education for the Haakon School District 27-1 held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, December 12.

The board approved a list of potential volunteer coaches that might assist with wrestling or basketball practices. Almost 40 people have been given official approval as volunteers. Some are alumni who are anticipated to join the practices during Christmas break.

The board approved the 403(b) resolution plan. Options of investment providers, as well as the South Dakota Retirement System, are now given to employees for retirement benefit plans.

The new cards for the Haakon County Public Library and its automation system arrived last week.

These are a two-part card that includes a regular credit card size library card for patrons' wallets and a much smaller card to carry on a key chain. Both sections of the card have a bar-code on the back, which is specific to the owner of the card. The library patron will also have their signature on a designated line on back of the larger card.

The library's post office box address is on the front of the larger card.

Tuesday evening through all day Wednesday will be Janell Gerberding's regular work shift at the Philip Health Services, Inc.

She has already been doing some physicians assistant work off and on for the Philip hospital and clinic for almost two years. She helped cover shifts while Physicians Assistant Terry Henrie was gone for almost a year for an emergency room training program.

"Janell has convinced the staff that she really likes working here," said Kent Olson, CEO of PHSI.

Brittany Westerberg will be one of two reporters from the South Dakota News Association covering the activities of the 2009 legislative session.

The Community News Service branch of the South Dakota News Association covers highlights and specialized district coverage during the legislative session in Pierre. The session begins January 13 and ends March 13, with veto day falling on March 30.

The reporting team of Westerberg and Joe Sneve of Dell Rapids will be supervised by CNS coordinator Tara Okeson.

Dorothy Jane Vaughn was born to George and Clara Belle Bennett in Gregory, South Dakota on March 7, 1914. She passed away in the Burke Community Memorial Hospital on December 1st, 2008 at the age of 94 years, 8 months and 25 days.

Dorothy married Dallas Vaughn on July 9, 1931 in Winner. They lived in rural Gregory and Tripp County for many years before moving to Gregory in 1952 and to Dallas in 1968. In 1998, she moved to Parkview Manor and then in April 2007, she moved to Whispering Pines Assisted Living in Burke.

Family was always the focal point of Dorothy's life.