Winter storm

Many plan to snuggle up inside this weekend and ring in the new year at home. Meteorologists say this winter storm is dumping six inches or so, and grocery stores have seen folks stocking up to stay in.

Holidays bright for many local residents

It was a successful holiday season for two Brandon non-profits. The Brandon Valley Optimists and the Brandon Outreach Office of the Volunteers of America have filled holiday wishes for 32 members from 11 different families through their Community Christmas program.

Drunk driving can cost you

Ever wondered how much a drunken driving arrest can cost you? There's the cost to tow your vehicle, the bail amount to leave police custody, attorney fees, jail costs and fines, and if you lose your license you might lose your job. Not counting the potential job loss, police say all of that can set you back anywhere from $5000 to $50,000 or more depending on how many offenses you've had and if there were any accident-related injuries. Have that designated driver for your New Year's Eve celebration. Police also suggest if you're partying at someone's house, just sleep there.

Police Ramping up for New Years Eve

Police around the area are gearing up for New Year's Eve, and adding to their concerns' bad weather heading in for the holiday weekend. On top of extra patrols, most local, state and county law enforcement agencies will be running checkpoints, although they say more people appear to be opting for cabs and designated drivers on New Year's Eve.

Baseball cancellation for the U of Sioux Falls

Because of the collapse of the Metrodome in Minneapolis, February baseball games for the University of Sioux Falls and Augustana have been cancelled. The roof of the Metrodome won't be fixed until at least March, and hundreds of games have been called off.

Possiblity of budget cuts looming

School districts are bracing themselves for budget cuts. Brandon Valley School district would lose about $800,000 in state funding if Gov. Mike Rounds' proposed 5 percent cut to K-12 state aid comes about. The proposed cut would mean about a $318,000 shortfall for West Central Public Schools.

Meat Labels

Nutrition labels on meat will soon be commonplace begining January first. The package labels will list nutrition information for 40 popular cuts of beef, pork, poultry and lamb. Federal officials say they hope the labels will help consumers make healthier food choices. Glenn Muller, executive director of the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, said the labeling requirement is only natural because people demand more information about what's in their food.

New Minnehaha Council Members Ready to Work

Two long-time members of the Minnehaha County Commission are retiring after a combined 28 years on the board, and their newly-elected replacements, who will be sworn in next week, are ready to get to work. Gerald Beninga ran for county commission after his last term as a Sioux Falls City Council member ended this spring.
Cindy Heiberger got her first taste of public service as a member of the Tri-Valley School Board and has been at every county commission meeting this year.

Tipsy Tow

AAA South Dakota's helping drivers on the road for the holidays with Tipsy Tow, a program that provides a free, confidential ride home and tow to anyone who may have had too much to drink and feels unsafe behind the wheel. KSFY reports Tipsy Tow runs through midnight Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011 in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen and Mitchell. The service is free to AAA members and non-members alike.

County Fair Fun Co. Changes

There’s new fun to be had at County Fair Fun Company in Brandon. Brandononline.com reports the indoor amusement park and arcade's traded in about half of its 80 games to make room for two large inflatables, a play dome and bumper cars. The change in amusement offerings coincides with new ownership. Esch Corp took over ownership this month and decided on the changes.

Police looking for the driver after a morning accident

A van hit a light pole after a collision with a car at 18th Street and Dakota Avenue in Sioux Falls this morning. The driver fled the scene. A city crew was called out to check on the pole, but it appears to still have power.

South Dakota could do better with animals

The Humane Society says South Dakota is lagging behind when it comes to the treatment of animals. A new report released yesterday ranked the states in terms of their animal protection laws, and South Dakota was dead last. California was number one. The report included considerations like animal fighting laws, puppy mills, trapping and animal testing.

Brinkley receives award

A Sioux Falls woman was recently honored by the South Dakota Department of Health. Patricia Brinkley received the Excellence in the Workplace award at the department's 2010 Secretary's Awards Program. She is a health facilities surveyor in Sioux Falls.

Tattoo total keeps climbing

It's tattoo number 19 and number 20 now for some brave Sunny listeners. The idea for Sunny radio logo tattoos came during an on-air conversation between John and Heidi Small back in November, and listeners responded right away. Now twenty volunteers have been inked all together. The tattoos are being done by Skin N Bones Tattoos in Sioux Falls. The Smalls are also working with Alien and Company Tattoos.

Could Lower Air Fares Be on Sioux Falls' Horizon?

The proposed merger of Southwest and AirTran may help get more flights into Sioux Falls. A Sioux Falls Air Service Committee is being formed to make sure we get a place at the table by putting a proposal before Frontier, one of the merged airline's few low-cost competitors that remain. The committee plans to get started on their air fare task next month.

Deer Hunt Success

Sioux Falls' first city-limit bow hunt has slowed, but officials still deem it a success. Twenty does have been harvested with less than a week left in the season that began Sept. 29. The special hunt was organized to thin out an estimated 300 to 400 deer in an area from Interstate 229 to the eastern edge of Sioux Falls. The rate of car deer accidents in that area is especially high.

Early morning accident investigated

About 3:30 this morning a white Toyota Corolla struck a light pole at 2nd Avenue and 38th Street in Sioux Falls and then the driver took off on foot. Police are looking for the driver and are investigating the accident.

New ice rink almost ready

The new ice skating rink just east of McHardy Park in Brandon should be up and running soon. It's 80 feet by 120 feet. That’s about the same size as the old rink, which was on the Brandon Valley High School property. The city park department has been spraying water on the rink twice a day to build up layers of ice.

Sidewalks a work in progress in Brandon

A resolution to waive required sidewalks on the west side of South Country Club Avenue failed to receive support from the Brandon City Council earlier this month. But the council did agree to work with property owners in planning their sidewalk construction to coincide with a future bike path along the north side of Aspen Boulevard.

Fire Damages Home

A fire yesterday damaged a home on South Grange Avenue in central Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue responded to the fire. A woman who was the only person in the home was unharmed, according to Battalion Chief Jeff Holm.
The fire started in a bedroom, Holm said. The likely cause is a space heater. Some damage was reported to the bedroom area and was likely caused by the hearter being to close to the drapes

Shopping

Shoppers were out in force last night hoping that the snow would hold off long enough for them to get the last minute items on their list. Many stores have extended their hours to make sure everyone gets what they need in time for the holidays. And it's a good thing to, because as you can see there are many people out taking advantage of that.
In case you still need to get out and shop tonight, some Sioux Falls area stores have extended their hours.
Target and Kohl’s are both open until midnight tonight; Toys R Us closed at 9:00, but will reopen at midnight. Walmart is open 24 hours, JC Penny won't close until midnight, and Sears will be open until 11:00.

Christmas Tree Drop Off

The Christmas Tree Drop-Off Site opens Sunday in Sioux Falls. Christmas trees will be accepted at 301 North Lyon Boulevard, as well as the landfill west of Sioux Falls on 41st Street. The landfill and 301 North Lyon Boulevard are the only locations accepting Christmas trees. It opens December 26, at noon, depending on weather conditions, and will be open through January 8. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. Residential loads are free.

Brandon Ice Rink

Brandon’s new ice rink may be ready for use by the holiday school break. Brandoninfo.com reports the new rink, just east of McHardy Park, is 80 feet by 120 feet, about the same size as the old one, which was at Brandon Valley High School. The city had a long-term lease with the school district for that rink, but the lease expires in August of next year and district's decided not to renew it.

Mayor Looking for Special Projects Manager

A special projects manager position posted this week will report to Mayor Mike Huether but won't fill the role of chief of staff, the mayor says.
The individual will be responsible for coordinating and executing major city projects such as the events center, railroad relocation and the river greenway. The Argus Leader reports Some city councilors, who were unaware of the opening until it was posted Sunday, had mixed reactions about the new position, though overall, they thought it would be helpful to the mayor.

Bike event coming up

Spoke-N-Sport is set to host its 24th New Year's Day Bike Ride. The ride starts at 1 p.m. Jan. 1 at Spoke-N-Sport, 313 W. 37th St., and returns to Sioux Falls Lutheran School for chili from Wendy’s and hot chocolate. Participation is free.

Weather today

Triple A says 92.3 million in the US are traveling for the holiday weekend, and in South Dakota it's likely you'll encounter snowfall at some point along the way. In Sioux Falls, a winter weather advisory is in effect from noon today to 6 a.m. Friday. The National Weather Service says spotty areas of light snowfall will become more widespread this afternoon and evening. It will taper off late tonight. Temperatures will fall throughout the weekend.

Fire Destroys Salem Body Shop

An early morning fire destroyed a body shop in Salem yesterday.
It took 3 fire departments more than 45 minutes to extinguish the flames.
Salem Body Shop owner Chad Krempges has owned the shop for the past ten years.
Gas and oil inside sparked several explosions. "Material things are just replaceable. It will all turn around. To stay positive is probably the most important thing."Krempges says. The building is a total loss

State theater renewal

Construction workers demolished the old concession-stand wall at the State Theater last week, thus beginning the interior restoration at the historic downtown venue.
It's the first interior restoration leading up to a goal of showing first-run and art movies at the downtown theater by 2012.

Discrimination Lawsuit Settled

A Sioux Falls property owner who paid $30,000 to settle a lawsuit's claim that his employees discriminated against three families at one of his apartment complexes said he did it only to avoid a costly jury trial.
Manager of the Lakeport Village Apartments, Ann Wagner, and the maintenance manager, Corey Anderson, reportedly made racially charged comments and threats against a black family and the two white families who stuck up for them.

Census results

South Dakota has added 59,336 people in ten years, according to the new Census figures released this week. The nation's growth rate is 9.7 percent, and South Dakota was slightly below that at 7.9 percent. In all, South Dakota has just over 814 thousand residents. California has the nation's largest population at 37 million, and Wyoming the smallest at 536 thousand.

Brandon's water rates

Brandon's biggest water users get a six month break, but Brandon City council told them to adjust for a rate increase next June. After the October water and sewer bills came out, several local business owners asked city officials to take a look at the rates. Some of those bills were nearly double the September's amount, and the percentages worked out to a 23 to 43 percent increase approved by city council. The rates have been lowered for now, but that's a temporary fix.

Sewer Fine for Sioux Falls

The City of Sioux Falls will pay a $10,877 penalty and may face future fines if it falls out of compliance with the State DNR. It's over the discharge of raw sewage into the Big Sioux River, which happened several times this year after heavy rainfall. A city spokesperson tells the Argus Leader this is the first penalty of this size the city's ever had to pay because of sanitary sewer issues.

Fire damage

Fire damaged a home late last night. It happened on N Minnesota Avenue. The fire appears to have started in the attic and fire crews were able to put it out in about 30 minutes. It was determined that overloaded electrical wires caused the fire, which caused extensive smoke and fire damage to the second floor and roof. Fire officials have said the winter months are the most dangerous for fires.

Juvenile Detention Options

Researchers working on options for detention in Minnehaha County say most of the young people in the Juvenile Detention Center are nonviolent offenses or have violated probation. A nonprofit Foundation says South Dakota locks up more juveniles per capita than any other state. Several studies show jailed nonviolent offenders are more likely to return to crime. Alternatives being considered: house arrest, foster placement or night check-ins.

Stolen Property Proposal

To improve their chances of finding stolen property, Sioux Falls Police want to expand a city ordinance requiring a hold on the resale of purchsed items to include precious metal and gem dealers, licensed 2nd-hand stores and licensed gun dealers. The Argusleader reports right now, Pawnshops are the only ones with a 10-day hold on the resale of purchased items.

Busy holiday season

There are reports that the Empire Mall was completely packed over the weekend as shoppers wrapped up the gift buying. As you head to the Post Office today to send those last minute cards and packages, be prepared for a line. Today is the busiest day of the year for the USPS. The Postal Service said it is prepared to handle an estimated 800 million pieces of mail today, 40% more than on an average day.

South Dakota's Survivor connection

A South Dakota woman was the final person voted off on last night's Survivor: Nicaragua. Holly Hoffman of Eureka was one of 20 people who competed in the show. She lasted 38 days.

Lottery theft

A 61-year-old Sioux Falls woman accused of taking thousands of dollars worth of lottery scratch tickets from the convenience store she managed. She is suspected of stealing more than $500,000 worth of the tickets in the past decade. Mary Ann Centra has been indicted on two counts of grand theft by embezzlement. She denies the allegations.

Downtown events this weekend

There are plenty of fun events to check out this weekend...

Jennifer Schmippower with Downtown Sioux Falls






And it's the last Saturday for Santa at Schreiber's square. There are also horse drawn wagon rides downtown this weekend.

SF a Safe Place to live

Sioux Falls has has been added to another list of places to live. This time, an insurance company names the city as one of the most secure places to live.
Mayor Mike Huether is happy to hear the news and says that is is a product of the effort to make SF a safe place to live.

Fake Drug Trading

Some Souix Falls middle school kids are in some trouble after they traded what turned out to be fake drugs. Now the Sioux Falls School District is stepping in to make sure those students' fake drugs don't someday turn into the real thing. Eight seventh and eighth grade students were found sharing what at first appeared to be illegal drugs. It turns out the drugs were actually ibuproifin nd other legal medicines and a substance that looked like marijuana.

Bike trail

Members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization are creating a plan for a recreational trail between Sioux Falls and Brandon, and an open house last week gave cyclists and landowners the chance to speak up. Cyclists seemed to agree with planners that the trail should take advantage of public rights of way even at the expense of speed or scenery. The trail between Brandon and Sioux Falls is just part of a larger trail corridor that would connect Tea and Harrisburg to the Sioux Falls trail system as well.

New Homless Shelter

At a groungbreaking ceremony for a new homless shelter yesterday, Minnehaha County commissioners donned hard hats and shovels as they kicked off the consdtruction phase of the project. The building at 3rd Street and Minnesota Avenue will house 32 people who would normally be on the streets of Sioux Falls. It already costs the city and the county more than 30 thousand dollars a year per person to care for some of the chronically homeless.

Team

Minnehaha County could have a mobile crisis team in place by next summer to better help those who have threatened to harm themselves or others.


The county commission Tuesday saw an Adult Crisis Safety Net System proposal developed by a group of social agencies led by Southeastern Behavioral Health. Others involved include Avera Behavioral Health, Lutheran Social Services, Caroll Institute and National Alliance on Mental Illness.


The proposal is for a six-month pilot program to determine whether a person in crisis has mental health or substance abuse issues, or both. The program also will be evaluated on whether it saves the county money by placing people in crisis in more appropriate care.

House fire this morning

Fire crews were dispatched early this morning to a house fire on South Covell Avenue in Sioux Falls. Fire officials say the house was engulfed in flames when they arrived and appears completely destroyed. Two firefighters were hurt battling the blaze, but not because of the flames. They slipped on ice and are dealing with strains and sprains according to Fire Dept Battalion Chief Joe Sieverding. The cause of the fire hasn't been identified.

VA Nursing Home possible in Brandon

South Dakota's next Dept of Veterans Affairs nursing home could be on its way to Brandon. A task force of about two dozen local leaders is putting together a proposal due Friday to the South Dakota Dept of Military and Veterans Affairs. The proposal will include design plans, financing options, projected costs, staffing requirements and letters of support from local veterans organizations, the city and the Chamber of Commerce.

Fire Destroys Sioux falls Home

Flames were shooting from a home in south Sioux Falls early this morning. The fire started just after midnight. When Sioux Falls police and fire arrived on scene, the home was already fully engulfed in flames. About five minutes after crews arrived, the roof collapsed. No one was home -- the resident was in a nursing home. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Downtown less festive

The 40 foot spruce tree decorated outside the Federal Courthouse at 12th and Phillips in Sioux Falls blew over during the snowstorm on Saturday. They say the tree was anchored to 6,000 pounds of concrete, but even that wasn't enough to hold it. The metal tree stand was damaged in the fall, so the tree probably won't be put back up this year.

Book sale

The Brandon Historical Society will hold its Holiday Book Sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brandon Area Museum, and it will include more than 50 boxes of books. The Brandon area history book will be on sale for 30 dollars. Book sale proceeds go to the Brandon Area Museum fund.

SD Official Happy with VA Judge's Heath Care Ruling

South Dakota's Attorney General, Marty Jackley, is pleased with yesterday's ruling by a Virginia judge striking down one of the key components of the Obama health care plan. The ruling that the government cannot force individuals to buy insurance shows that SOuth Dakota and other states that are suing the feds over health care reform are on track, says Jackley,

New Ordinance Aimed at Stolen Property Planned

Sioux Falls law enforcement officials say they are working on expanding the reach of a city ordinance to include precious metal and gem dealers, licensed secondhand stores and licensed gun dealers, in an effort to crack down on stolen items. Officials say they want to develop a revised ordinance, to make businesses that purchase property for re-sale subject to the same holding period before re-selling it.

Boys Arrested

Three Sioux Falls juvenile boys were arrested last week in connection to the recent rash of car windows busted with a BB gun. The boys also are allegedly connected with a stolen vehicle that was recovered.
The boys were arrested around 3:30 p.m. Thursday after a tip gave police their identities.
Two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old were charged with juvenile delinquency, possession of stolen property, grand theft and intention to damage property, Lt. Dan Kaiser said. The boys were reported as runaways.

Farmers Can Win

In the season of giving, South Dakota farmers can get into the holiday spirit by registering to win $2,500 for their favorite nonprofit organizations through the America’s Farmers Grow CommunitiesSM program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. One farmer in each of South Dakota’s 46 participating counties will win. Farmers can apply online at www.growcommunities.com

Santa Coming to Tea

Santa is coming to the Tea Library on Saturday the 18th. Good Ol St Nick will be reading two stories for the kids from 10 am until he is done. Rumor has it that Mrs. Clause will be ther as well. You are encouraged to bring along a camera for pictures with Santa.

ball

Sioux Falls adult coed volleyball league starts Jan. 2





Registration is due Dec. 17 for the city’s coed volleyball league, which starts Jan. 2.


The league is open to all players and teams and all levels, from recreational to classic. The season runs for 10 weeks, followed by a weekend tournament.


Players must be at least 18 years old and not be attending high school. Men cannot outnumber women on the court.


Cost is $120 per team. Register online at www.siouxfallsparks.org, or pick up a registration form at one of the five community centers. Registration and payment need to be turned in to the Parks and Recreation Office, 100 E. Sixth St., or completed online, by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. No team will be accepted without payment.


For more information regarding this and other programs, please contact the Park Office at 367-8222, refer to the current Activities Guide, or log on to www.siouxfallsparks.org.

Three boys in trouble

Three Sioux Falls juvenile boys were arrested last week in connection with cases where car windows were broken with BB guns. The boys also are allegedly connected with a stolen vehicle that was recovered. Two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old were charged with juvenile delinquency, possession of stolen property, grand theft and intention to damage property, according to police. They were reported as runaways.

Snow removal update

Snow removal continues at 1am Tuesday for zone 1 which is most of the downtown Sioux Falls area. This means vehicles parked in Zone 1 will be subject to ticketing and towing between the hours 1am and 6am. Contact the City of Sioux Falls Street Department if you have questions about your zone.
Property owners should keep sidewalks clean from snow and ice within 48 hours after the end of any snowstorm this season.

Drug

Braasch Biotech LLC today announced that the company has been awarded over $244,000 in grants under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program. The program was highly competitive with nearly seven thousand applicants vying for funding. The maximum grants requested were awarded for Braasch’s “Treatment of Human Obesity by a Therapeutic Vaccination Approach.”

Sioux Falls Loses Video Lottery Fight

The city of Sioux Falls lost a court fight to decide placement of video lottery machines. A 2001 city ordinance blocked new machines from being installed in beer or wine bars, within 2,000 feet of a school, city park or existing lottery machine. In 2008, the ordinance was expanded to include bars with on-sale liquor licenses. a judge ruled the 2008 changes went too far. with the exception of beer and wine bars, where the machines go is up to the South Dakota Lottery.

Architect chosen

The city of Sioux Falls is another step closer to an events center. Officials have selected the architect, choosing Sink Combs Dethlefs and Koch Hazard Architects for the architectural and engineering design services. Sink Combs has built stadiums, sports facilities and other buildings around the world. Koch Hazard has done many local projects. Before construction would begin on a new events center, the issue will go to a citywide vote.

School enrollment

Enrollment is up in South Dakota's public schools by a little over one percent. The state Education department said the state's 152 school districts have 23,629 students, up by 1,574 students. Enrollment in private schools sits at 16,040. The five districts with the largest enrollment are Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown and Brandon Valley.

Tour of homes this weekend

The Christmas tour of homes happening now in Brandon used to be presented by the local Chamber of Commerce. It has been revived this year by members of the Beaver Valley Luteran Church who want to raise funds for their upcoming missions trip to Jamaica. The tour is from 1 to 4 p.m. this Sunday and tickets are $10 each. You can get them at the church, from members of the Jamaica Mission team, the Stylin’ Bahr, Oakridge Nursery and Landscaping, The Perfect Cup and 1948 Trading Co.

The Minnehaha County Historical Society will hold a Christmas banquet at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Old Courthouse Museum, 200 W. Sixth St.





David Kemp, historian, researcher and archivist, will present the program “The History of Sports Facilities of Sioux Falls” at the banquet, which starts with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 dinner and program.


The cost for the dinner is $12.75. To make reservations, call Jim Carlson at 339-1771 by Tuesday.


Garretson Food Service will provide the food, consisting of roast beef, chicken, vegetable, coleslaw and dessert. Door prizes will also be a part of the banquet.

State Supreme Court Sets School Funding Date

The Supreme Court has set aside extra time next month to hear oral arguments on the 2006 school funding lawsuit. At the end of a trial in Pierre, Circuit Judge Lori Wilbur ruled last year that the way South Dakota pays for education doesn't violate the state constitution. The Argus Leader reports plaintiffs, a group of students and their parents, appealed. The oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 11 in Pierre, which is also the first day the 2011 Legislature convenes.

10-year old hero

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is giving a10 year old girl a "Citizen Hero Award" this afternoon. Kaetlyn Kramer's father suffered a medical emergency September 16th while driving the family's van. The van went out of control down the Cliff Avenue hill, but Kaetlyn was able to steer the van away from oncoming traffic and the Big Sioux River. The van rolled, but everyone survived the crash. Kaetlyn gets her award today at the 37th and Minnesota station.

Sports complex coming to Hartford

Hartford is getting ready to put together a sports complex on 75 acres. Clay Wilford with the Economic Development Council.






Tonight at 7pm at City Hall there will be a meeting for input from parents, teens, or anyone interested in the new sports complex. They'll talk layout and design and field questions from the public.

Sherif's Office Contracts with Small Towns Include Small Price Hikes

The small communities in Minnehaha County will pay slightly more for law enforcement coverage by the sheriff's office than they have been paying this year. The County Commission yesterday year's law enforcement contracts with rural towns, which include a price hike from $27 an hour to $28.35. The county sheriff's office will patrol and enforce the laws of Baltic, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Hartford, Humboldt and Valley Springs. Brandon and Sioux Falls have their own police departments.

Drive

A local toy drive is in need of donations and volunteers.





The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, a toy drive facilitated by the Sioux Falls Jaycees, has more than 1,400 children from Minnehaha and Lincoln counties signed up to receive a Christmas present this year.


Families have until Thursday to apply. There are no income limits, and children infant to 18 are eligible. The number of children served is expected to surpass last year’s total of 1,500 children.


Toys for Tots will accept new, unwrapped toys and items for children up to age 18, as well as donations of cash.


Volunteers also are needed to help sort, wrap and deliver toys through Dec. 19. For more information about donating or volunteering, call 359-1717 or visit http://sioux-falls-sd.toysfortots.org.

Knife incident results in charges

A Sioux Falls man who saw two men break into his van Sunday night ended up being threatened with a knife. Thomas Philip Lucero Jr. of Sioux Falls was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, criminal entry of a motor vehicle and underage consumption. Carlos Jacmichael Janis also of Sioux Falls is charged with criminal entry of a motor vehicle and underage consumption.

Gas prices are up

Drivers are now paying $0.30 more per gallon than this time last year with gas at around 3 dollars per gallon in Sioux Falls. Mark Madeja with Triple A says he is surprised by the recent spike too. Crude is trading at around 90 dollars a barrel, which is the highest since 2008 and that's why gas prices have been driven up. Triple A doesn't expect prices to shoot up much more.

Small businesses is big business

Small businesses are taking off in rural South Dakota. Mike McCurry of South Dakota State University just released study results that show the number of self-employed in South Dakota is increasing faster than those in hired positions.

Tagged dear stolen

Sioux Falls Police want to know who stole a tagged deer from the back of a pickup truck Friday night. A Sioux Falls man parked a truck with a tagged deer in the back in the lot at Tinner's Bar and Grill near 69th Street and Minnesota Avenue that night, and when he returned a few hours later, the deer was gone. He reported the theft Saturday morning. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers.

Safety training

Safety training can save big bucks. Brandon saved $7,000 on insurance premiums last year because of safety training. Now more towns in Minnehaha and Lincoln counties are joining Brandon in looking at ways to make their city work safer by covering topics like CPR, chain saw safety, defensive driving and winter survival. Training helps reduce insurance costs and lets each town catch a glimpse into what the others are doing.

College

Presentation College is searching for its next president.

The Catholic college has launched a search committee to find a replacement for Lorraine Hale, who will
retire next year. The committee formed this past week will be led by Aberdeen Catholic Schools President Stacy Levson. It'll meet again Jan. 13.

Presentation College's website says it has campuses in Aberdeen, Eagle Butte and Fairmont, Minn. Classes are also offered in Sioux Falls and Fargo, N.D. The school specializes in health science degrees.

Jaws of life needed

Emergency crews extricated a woman Friday morning after two cars collided on 41st Street between Hawthorne Avenue and Western Avenue in Sioux Falls. Crews used the jaws of life to free the woman trapped under the dash of her Honda, after a head-on crash between the Honda and a sports utility vehicle. The accident is being investigated.

Alcohol sold to minors

On Thursday, Sioux Falls Police conducted a compliance check of 22 locations to see if they were selling alcohol to minors. Six of the 22 locations did. The clerks who sold to a minor were issued a citation for furnishing alcohol to a person 18-20 years old and they'll have to make a court appearance.

Brandon Survey results

A recent community survey in Brandon shows residents want improvements to the swimming pool. The city will create a committee to look into it, but contruction isn't expected to start anytime soon. Folks in Brandon also favored building a community center. The survey was conducted by the University of South Dakota Government Research Bureau and sponsored by the city and the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brandon happenings this weekend

Kim Cerwick with the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce spoke with Sunny's John Small today about some holiday events coming up this weekend






And two other changes to catch the holiday spirit.






In addition to all the fun, the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to shop locally this holiday season.

Operation Christmas Child

Over 16,400 shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and other items were dropped off at churches and other facilities around Sioux Falls last week as part of National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child. Those gifts are now being shipped around the world.

2 Open Houses to Discuss Bike Trail Proposals

The public can view and comment on proposed bike trail routes at two Dec. 8 open houses.
The first open house will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Tea City Hall with a short presentation at 5:30 p.m. The second open house will be from 7 to 8 p.m. at Brandon city council chambers, 308 Main St., with a short presentation at 7:15 p.m.

Spanish Forum

Juan Bonilla, president of the Spanish Speaking Association of Sioux Falls, will speak at the Minnehaha County Democratic Forum on Friday. The Forum meeting begins at noon at the Sioux Falls VFW Club, 3601 S. Minnesota Ave.
Bonilla will discuss the growth of the Latino community in South Dakota and the importance of Latinos in the U.S. in the next 20 years.

New Store Opens Today

A new grocery store is opening in Sioux Falls today.
The Pomegranate Market, located in the Beakon Centre at 57th Street and Louise Avenue, will be the newest addition to the health foods market in Sioux Falls. It's focus will be on providing residents as many locally grown products as possible.