The 2009 National High School Finals Rodeo are being held July 19 through July 25 in Farmington, NM.

Three local cowboys will be competing. Clint Nelson will be in the saddle bronc event, and Jade Nelson and Tucker McDaniel will be in team roping.

Along with required safety seminars, the rodeo queen competition and the National High School Finals Rodeo trade show will be going on throughout the week.

The 2009 National High School Finals Rodeo are being held July 19 through July 25 in Farmington, NM.

Three local cowboys will be competing. Clint Nelson will be in the saddle bronc event, and Jade Nelson and Tucker McDaniel will be in team roping.

Along with required safety seminars, the rodeo queen competition and the National High School Finals Rodeo trade show will be going on throughout the week.

Robert Raymond, 82 of Ft. Pierre died Monday, July 13, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre

Services were held Friday, July 17, at the First United Methodist Church with burial in Scotty Philip Cemetery, Ft. Pierre.

Robert Russell Raymond "Rainbow" was born on August 7, 1926, to Casmir and Agnes (Helgerson) Raymond in Geddes, SD.

Bob married Mildred (Millie) Tatum on December 16, 1948, in Lake Andes, SD. They lived in Lake Andes where Bob worked on the Ft. Randall Dam. In December of 1950, Bob joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Riley.

Kathleen "Kay" Naescher, age 81 of Wall, SD, died July 14, 2009, at the Hospice of the Hills in Rapid City.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, July 17, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wall, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.

Music was provided by Marianne Frein. Lector was Lloyd Frein. Altar servers were Monica and Katy Bielmaier.

Ushers were Dave Curtis and Charles Deutscher. Pallbearers were Brian, Darin, Gregory, Chris, Gary and Justin Naescher, Steve and Katie Cozine and Shonna Riggs.

Wilma Lynch, age 81 of Quinn, SD, died July 17, 2009, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Funeral services were held Monday, July 20, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall with Reverend Curtis Garland officiating.

Music was provided by Rhonda Mettler, organist. Ushers were Dick Johnson and Darwin Haerer.

It all started in 1909 when Edgar and Alice Brown moved from Pierce, NE, to the Badlands and filed a claim for a homestead.

They lived on their claim for 18 months, and through the Homestead Act, paid 50 cents an acre and received a patent on the 160 acres. The Brown's built a sod house before the winter would set in, this is now known as the Prairie Homestead.

In 1910, Ed and Lucy Crew and their son Leslie, homesteaded next to Edgar and Alice Brown, as well as many others who homesteaded in the area.

Edgar Brown passed away at the sod house in April, 1920.

The Monday, July 20, meeting for the Haakon School District 27-1 Board of Education began with the swearing in of newly-elected board members R. Mark Radway and Kelly Blair.

Bill Slovek was voted in again as the board president and Anita Peterson as the vice president. Slovek then initiated the "housekeeping that must be done at the beginning of each new year." First National Bank in Philip is the official depository for school district funds.