Belle Fourche News

On Jan. 27, Jacqui Graf was a happy expectant mother. By Saturday, she was a woman with an aggressive cancer diagnosis and a 1-pound, 13-ounce premature baby.

The curiosity in Belle Fourche was palpable Thursday, as hundreds gathered to discuss the potential local impact of North Dakota's oil boom.

The oil boom that has brought both wealth and woes to North Dakota is on its way to South Dakota - and experts say the state would be wise to prepare itself.

It's a small town, in high demand. "The phones are certainly ringing off the hook here," said Teresa Schanzenbach, Director of the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce.

Jodi Fox knows how to bake and prepare good old-fashioned ethnic German food. However, with a busy career as a fifth-grade teacher and wife in a two-career family, she finds herself preparing spaghetti and hamburger "help" right out of the box.

Four of the Wright brothers from Millford, Utah, are among the top 20 in the saddle bronc world standings with Jesse , two-time World Champion Cody , Jake and Spencer , the leader in the rookie standings.

Rodeo Coronation in Philip ... Outgoing queen Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2007 Lacey Cole attaches the sash to Tara Trask the new MRSD-08. Inside Philip's festively-decorated Steakhouse and Lounge Saturday night, Wall's Tara Trask accepted the crown as Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2008 from Lacey Cole, Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2007.