The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) reminds farmers and ranchers that it has financing programs available to assist producers during these difficult economic times.

In response to stricter banking regulations brought on by the national financial downturn, some South Dakota producers have experienced difficulty obtaining loans. Some operators have been asked to make larger down payments and provide additional documentation to their lenders.

The SDDA has programs available that partner borrowers with local lenders to provide lower interest rates.

The recent snow storm began earlier, but struck with full power all of South Dakota and most of the nation on Wednesday, December 23, and lasted into Sunday, December 27.

The state's Emergency Operations Center officially opened at noon on Wednesday and officially closed at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Governor Mike Rounds and officials from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and South Dakota Department of Transportation held many media briefings on the status of the winter storm.

Cathy Lou (Hanrahan) Erdmann, age 58, of Philip, died Tuesday morning, December 29, 2009, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 9, 2010, at the Hardingrove Evangelical Free Church in Milesville, with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating.

Cathy Lou Hanrahan was born September 17, 1951, in Philip, SD, the daughter of Earl "Bud" and Phyllis (Elshere) Hanrahan.

She grew up in the Milesville-Philip area where she attended West Fork Country School and Philip High School, a member of the class of 1969.

Wilma Margaret Brink, 92, died Thursday, December 24, 2009, at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston.

Funeral services were held Monday, December 28, at Grace Reformed Church in Corsica with burial following in the Harrison City Cemetery in Harrison.

Wilma Margaret Brink was born May 21, 1917, to Hubert and Lena (Verrips) Kleyne near Boyden, IA. She grew up and attended country school there. She enjoyed helping her father with the horses and farm work and learned to be a good cook and seamstress.