SD Starting Ignition Lock Test program

South Dakota's starting a pilot program in Lincoln County next month, using ignition-locks on the vehicles of people convicted of alcohol related offenses. The locks prevent the car from being started by someone who's been drinking. KDLT reports these locks will sent real time results of the alcohol test as well as where the vehicle is at the time of the test. Those required to have the ignition locks as part of their sentence have to pay for their use. .

Events Center Information Meeting Tuesday

The City of Sioux Falls is having another informational meeting on the events center proposal ahead of the November 8th special election on the plan. It;'s Tuesday 6p.m. at the Kuehn Community Center. There'll be a presentation on the events center followed by a question and answer session. Absentee voting's already underway at the Minnehaha County Auditor's office.

SF PD Get Anti-Drunk Driving Grant

Sioux Falls Police have gotten a $289,000 federal grant through the State Office of Highway Safety to crackdown on drunk driving. A department spokesperson says they will be using the money for beefed up enforcement of traffic laws as well as what are often called 'saturation patrols' in high crash areas. The Argus Leader reports the grant will allow the department to cover overtime for saturation patrols any night of the week for the rest of the year.

Fishing Allowed at Gavins Point Dam

Shoreline anglers can once again head to the tailrace below Gavins Point Dam in southeastern South Dakota. Bank fishing in the area had been closed the past few months because of the increased flows from the dam due to Missouri River flooding. Floodwaters have receded enough to allow fishing.

Pink Fashionista

Avera Cancer Institute is hosting its 2nd Annual Pink Fashionista fashion show Saturday. Pink Fashionista raises money for the Avera Cancer Institute's Care Store Salon.

More Road Work To Cause Headaches

Starting this morning, workers begin another phase of the 57th Street project, paving the road between Louise Avenue and Technopolis Drive. Officials say this will mean an even tougher time for commuters. A step Project Manager D.J. Buthe says will increase the already high amount of congestion between Louise and the Tea Ellis Road.

Mutts in the Maze

On Sunday, October 2nd, the world’s only Yogi Bear Corn Maze will be open for one special day to our furry friends. A portion of the proceeds from the “Mutts in the Maze” admissions will be donated to the Sioux Falls Humane Society. Representatives from the humane society will be on hand to answer questions and give out information.
The “Mutts in the Maze” special event will take place from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and is located at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at the I-90 Exit 402. Admission ($8 per person; $5 ages 11 and under) is open to the general public and includes the corn maze with 2 levels of difficulty, jumping pillow, wagon rides and visits by Yogi Bear.

SD Internet Speed Tests Needed

How fast is your Internet connection? South Dakota needs to know, and you can help by going to SpeedTest.sd.gov . Communication with the world is vital for South Dakota, according to state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications Commissioner Dom Bianco. “Technology and high-speed telecommunications are essential for South Dakota’s economic success,” Bianco said. “This project helps us determine whether South Dakotans are poised to take advantage of the expanding global economy, and where further development needs to take place.”


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The Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) will use the results of speed tests from all over the state to update its broadband maps and to assist national broadband-policy decision makers.

Thune in Buffalo and Eagle Butte

Senator John Thune will be in Buffalo and Eagle Butte today to tour Harding County High School, meet with local officials, and visit the Indian Health Service.

Classes Canceled due to Fire

Classes were canceled today at Crazy Horse School in the southwestern South Dakota town of Wanblee because of an overnight fire. The fire is believed to have started in the school's boiler room. Officials say damage was not significant, but there was smoke throughout the building and several school staff members were evacuated.

Crash Victims Identified

The victims in a deadly mortorcycle crash that killed a pedestrian and her dog have been identified. the driver of the motorcycle was listed as 20-year-old Daniel J. Richards of Sioux Falls. The victim, 56-year-old Maralee Chrans. Police say Daniels was taken to the hospital after suffering a concussion and other injuries. They say he was not wearing a helmet. At this time, police say there have not been citations made toward the driver of the motorcycle.

2 Inmates Die At Prison in 2 Days

Two inmates have died in the past two days in the State Penitentiary. The South Dakota Department of Corrections reports that 66-year-old John Krogman died Monday while 39-year-old Shane Hinman died Tuesday. Krogman was serving a 30-year sentence for first degree manslaughter and a concurrent 15-year sentence for aggravated assault out of Pennington County. Hinman, who died at the minimum security unit, was paroled to the community transition program in July.

Child Predator Suggested Sleeping Pills to Help Molest Little Girls to their Mom

A Sioux Falls man is behind bars for allegedly asking a mother to send him naked pictures of her own daughters. Sioux Falls Police say Jason Jay Jorgenson is in jail on 6 counts of criminal solicitation to commit a felony. The child predator suggested that the girls' mothers use sleeping pills to subdue and molest the girls. The 6 felonies Jorgenson is charged with include solicitation to manufacture child porn, solicitation to commit rape and solicitation to commit child abuse.

Pipeline Public Hearing

Those for and against a proposed $7 billion oil pipeline that will cut through western South Dakota will be able to tell officials with the U.S. State Department what they think of it. A public hearing on the Transcanda Keystone XL pipeline will be held at the Ramkota in Pierre starting at noon today. Supporters say the project will create jobs and provide a friendly-source of oil for the U.S. Opponents say Canadian oil is the dirtiest form of energy and should be stopped.

Church Receives Recognition

A Yankton church that burned down and was subsequently rebuilt more than two years ago is receiving national recognition. St. John's Lutheran Church was honored with the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in Washington, DC. South Dakota Army National Guard Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel David Gunderson is the senior pastor of the church.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore National Memorial will change to winter hours beginning Saturday. The last evening lighting ceremony of the fall season will be held Friday evening at 8. It will be lit at dusk for one hour starting Saturday. This will continue nightly throughout the winter months.

FEMA Deadline

Flood victims in five South Dakota counties have only about a month left to file claims for disaster aid. FEMA says the last day to file for assistance is Oct. 24. That also is the final day to return applications for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Homeowners, renters and businesses in the counties of Charles Mix, Hughes, Stanley, Union and Yankton might be eligible for aid.

Boat Restrictions Lifted

With the continued decrease in river flows, the U. S. Coast Guard has granted Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s request to rescind the ban on boating on the lower portions of the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers.
Effective at 8 a.m. CDT, on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, the Missouri River was re-opened downstream from Ponca State Park in Nebraska to the Iowa-Nebraska border, or river mile marker 734.
In addition, the boating ban that was in effect for the Big Sioux River from the confluence of the Missouri River upstream to Military Road in North Sioux City was re-opened at 8 a.m. Monday.

Haunted Sioux Falls Tours

The Haunted Sioux Falls Tours will be held again this October on five haunted dates. The tickets are on sale now in the Old Courthouse Museum for $10 each. Tours begin October 4th and run selected dates throughout the month. Learn about Sioux Falls locations with a haunted past on the Haunted Tour- believe it or not! Space is limited, buy your tickets early!

Rivers re-opened

Both the lower portions of the Missouri River, and the Big Sioux River, have been reopened for boating. South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard asked the U.S. Coast Guard to lift the ban and it was granted, due to a continued decrease in river water flows. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks says boaters still need to be using caution when they're on the two rivers.

Sex Offender Facing New Charges

Sioux Falls Police say a convicted and registered sex offender was looking to offend again with a 15 year old boy. But what he didn't know was that the boy he thought he was communicating with online was in reality an undercover cop. KSFY reports William Bluedog faces two counts of solicitation of a minor and one count of eluding with risk of death or injury. Minnehaha County prosecutors say Bluedog was using "Craigslist", trying to find a young boy to dance for him.

Juydge Blocks Part of Consumer Protection Law

A federal judge in South Dakota's granted a bank a preliminary injunction to stop a watchdog agency from enforcing new credit card rules that limit upfront fees.
KDLT reports it blocks the part of the Credit Card Accountability and Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 that would have limited the amount companies could charge before issuing a new card to 25% of the card's credit limit.

Fed Loan Guarantee for POET

The Department of Energy's finalized a $105 million loan guarantee for Poet, which is trying to become the first the first company to produce cellulosic ethanol on a commercial scale. The Sioux Falls company got word last week that the federal government had, as expected, given final approval of the loan guarantee to help pay for the a plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. According to the Argus-Leader, the plan's for the Project Liberty plant to produce 25 million gallons of ethanol annually

Disaster Recovery Center closing

The Disaster Recovery Center in North Sioux City will close Friday. FEMA says people who still need assistance should make sure to visit the center by the end of the week. A similar center shut down in Pierre last week after seeing a drop in traffic. Progress is also being made at Dakota Dunes where the north levee has been completely removed.

Early Voting Starts Today

The debate over whether to build an events center has been one of the key issues in Sioux Falls for quite some time now, and early voting starts today. If you know you'll be out of town or not able to make it to the polls, you can contact the Minnehaha County Auditor's office to pick up an absentee ballot and cast your vote for the November 8th election. The project, if passed, would not cost more than $115 million. The special election will cost the city around $45,000.

martial Arts Studio Closes Unexpedly

Some parents are outraged after they say the Sioux Falls martial arts studio closed down with barely any notice. Parents' main concern is the kids because many were involved in an after-school program and a bus from the studio picks the kids up. A sign posted on the academy's door saying it's closed. The web site saying "closed for business" and when you call the business number, Tom Werner can be heard telling of the closure due to Master J.P. and Master Suzie deciding to abandon their students.

Beresford High School Going Digital

Beresford High School is stepping into paperless classrooms as students are now learning with I pads. It's the first school in the state to have that technology available for each student from ninth grade to twelfth grade. Teachers have integrated some apps including Flashcard, iResponse and others that have allowed them to do things they never have before, such as taking attendance with a map of the classroom by showing pictures of students where their desks are.

Legacy Electronic Speaks About SD

When California's rules and regulations began restricting Legacy Electronics' ability to grow, hire and invest after almost two decades in business, company owners decided to move to South Dakota. CEO Jason Engle said "The analysis showed South Dakota was top of the chart and the right environment for our business to succeed in. It's been a breath of fresh air working with this community." Officials recently celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its 40,000-square-foot plant on North Dakota Street, in the former Creative Memories Building.

Buffalo Roundup

Custer State Park is holding its 46th annual buffalo roundup today. The roundup began as a way to manage the buffalo in the park and has developed into a tourist event. Last year, about 14,000 people came to watch. The park each November auctions off some of the buffalo to keep the size of the herd in check. Up to 500 animals will be auctioned on November 19.

Abortion Fight Donation

Contributions to South Dakota's fund to defend abortion legislation have doubled thanks to one out-of-state donation. Joseph and Cynthia Brinck of Ohio donated $25,000 to the Life Protection Subfund this summer, bringing the money raised this year close to $50,000. The fund was created by the Legislature to cover legal expenses for a 2005 abortion measure and any other future abortion-related laws according to the Argus Leader.

Game, Fish and Parks Moratorium on Buying Land

State officials are gauging the effects of a new directive forbidding Game, Fish and Parks from buying land as bird season approaches and the state rolls out a recharged marketing campaign to draw in hunters from outside South Dakota. In a state where pheasant hunting brought in an estimated $230 million last year, the moratorium on expanding game land has raised concern among some hunting and conservation groups. Earlier this year, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who campaigned on the issue, quietly placed a two-year moratorium on land purchases by Game, Fish and Parks. Some in agriculture oppose state acquisitions in part because they take land out of production.

FVAP Grant

Leading a joint venture between South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and North Dakota, Secretary of State Jason M. Gant announced today that South Dakota has received a nearly $1 million grant from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) for electronic absentee systems for elections.
The competitive grant, which will be awarded by the Federal Voting Assistance Program in conjunction with the Department of Defense, had South Dakota competing among several other states on proposals to improve absentee voting by military servicemen and women and citizens residing overseas.

Adoption Award Nominees

Senator John Thune announced his nomination of Jim and Jean Mulder of Eureka for the 2011 Angels in Adoption Award presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, of which Thune is a member. The Mulders have welcomed 59 foster children into their home during 20 years as foster parents. The Mulders, along with Angels in Adoption nominees from around the country, will be invited to an awards banquet in Washington, D.C. next month.

Merger Talks

Officials with Dakotas-based Sanford Health are in merger talks with a Minnesota health organization. Sanford and Clearwater Health Services have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to merge and are now reviewing finances and other issues. That is likely to take several months.

SD Red Meat Production

Commercial red meat production for South Dakota totaled 83.2 million pounds during August, up 17 percent from July and up 2 percent over the year. The Agriculture Department says August pork production was up from one year ago, while sheep and lamb production was down.

Bull Riding Event Honors make A Wish

This Saturday Bull riders will be put to the test in order to bring awareness to an important cause. It's time for the 8th annual Northern Bull Riding Tour. Make-A-Wish children will be honored before the event, given a front row seat, and their families treated to a weekend full of fun and games. Manager of the Northern Bull Riding Tour and Make-A-Wish volunteer Paul Gropper says, "Seeing all the families and the expression on all the kids faces, it just builds you up for another year. We look forward to it every year, seeing the families come." The event starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday

Job Fair Today

Empire mall in Sioux Falls will be the scene of a job fair. The department of labor has teamed up with 70 different retailers to help them hire seasonal help for the holidays. The department of labor's Greg Johnson says it's a service to both the job seekers and the retailers looking for help. The job fair tables are located in front of Yonkers near the food court and are open from 10 to 7 today.

AVGas Under Attack With No Alternative

U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security?, and Mark Begich (D-Alaska), also a member of the Subcommittee, today led a bipartisan group of 27 Senators in sending a letter to the (EPA) and the (FAA) urging them to work together to find a safe, viable, readily available, and cost-efficient alternative to leaded avgas used by the General Aviation (GA) community before taking steps to ban the fuel.
Leaded avgas is currently used to fuel approximately 150,000 piston-engine aircraft across the nation. Despite ongoing research and testing, there is currently no safe or affordable alternative fuel to leaded avgas that can meet the needs of the GA aircraft fleet and FAA flight safety standards.

Johnson Releases List of Projects Needed Funding

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) released a list of 153 projects across South Dakota that have been delayed due to a lack of disaster relief funding. Johnson is calling for action on a bill that passed the Senate last week, which would replenish FEMA’s emergency disaster relief fund and help communities in South Dakota and across the country recover from flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Corps Names Four to Panel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has named the four members of an independent panel that will review this year's flooding on the Missouri River. The panel members include three hydrologists - Bill Lawrence of the National Weather Service, Darwin Ockerman of the U.S. Geological Survey and Cara McCarthy of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The fourth member is Neil Grigg, a professor at Colorado State University.

Robbery Suspect Denied Furlough to Attend Funeral

Twenty-six-year-old Julia Peters, the woman accusded in two Rapid City casino robbery attempts who allegedly dyed her hair to try to elude authorities, has been denied furlough to attend a funeral. Peters is accused of using a knife and a machete to try to rob the two casinos in a four-day span in early July. She was arrested later in the month and jailed on $50,000 bond.

Underaged Alcohol Sales Sting Nets Three

Twenty five off-sale alcohol establishments were targeted in a sting to see if they were selling alcohol to minors and three failed. Sioux Falls Police say The businesses where the alcohol was purchased include HyVee on East 10th Street, Kings Liquor Mart on North Cliff Avenue and Pump N Pak on North Potsdam. The clerks who sold to the minors have been issued a citation for furnishing alcohol to a person eighteen to twenty years old. Each clerk will be required to make a court appearance.

Wildfire Preperation

Mountain pine beetles have infested thousands of acres throughout the Black Hills. The millions of dead trees killed by the beetles provide an environment where catastrophic wildfires could spread rapidly, causing severe risk to life and property.
As part of the Black Hills Forest Initiative, home and business owners are reminded to make their properties more defendable in the event of a wildfire.
· Create a 100-foot area of defensible space around buildings by removing dead vegetation and other plant material
· Thin trees, remove low-hanging limbs, and prune shrubs within the 100-foot zone
· Remove leaves and rubbish from under and around structures
· Remove dead branches that extend over roofs
· Clear the area around propane tanks
· Remove pine needles or leaves from roofs and gutters
· Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of stovepipes or chimney outlets
· Remove wood piles next to buildings or other structures
· Have your home addressed with numbers at least 2 ½ inches high so they are easy to see
· Plant fire resistant plants next to buildings
· Have a disaster plan in place prior to the wildfire event
· Identify an emergency egress route that will not be compromised by a fire

State Fair Attendee Increases

The 126th annual South Dakota State Fair continued a recent trend, with improved attendance and revenue increases for the fifth consecutive year.
Attendance at the 2011 State Fair came in at 191,158 people, an 8 percent increase from last year and up nearly 27 percent from 2007.
“We posted strong numbers in 2010. Our goal was to surpass those numbers in 2011,” said State Fair Manager Jerome Hertel. It takes a lot of hard working and dedicated individuals to run the Fair, and they should be proud of their efforts.”

Man Sentenced for Manslaughter

A Sioux Falls man accused of hitting and killing a bicyclist after passing out at the wheel of his pickup truck has been sentenced to serve about three months in jail. 43-year-old David Bendt was driving under the influence of alcohol, last August when he struck 49-year-old Kevin Rogers, who died at the scene. The judge said a longer sentence for Bendt "would lead to the ruination of 2 families."

Police Search for Robbey Suspect

Police were out in a SF neighborhood looking for a suspect as residents looked on. A man held up a neighborhood bar and casino at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon. That led to an entire neighborhood being shut down for several hours as police thought they had the suspect cornered. The area was cordoned off for nearly three hours while police searched. Police describe the suspect as a white male, 6'1" to 6'3" tall. They say he was heavy set with a full, dark brown beard with hints of red in it. The man was wearing jeans and a black-hooded sweatshirt.

Bendt Sentenced to 99 days

David Bendt, man who hit an killed a Sioux Falls bicyclist last summer, plead guilty to second degree manslaughter and one count of DWI in the death of Kevin Rogers. He'll now spend the next 99 days in jail. A judge ordered David Bendt to spend 99 days in jail for the DWI count, 60 of those days he will be allowed a work furlough which allows him to keep his job. During the remaining 30 days, Bendt will be allowed to serve time on weekends.

After Flood Rebuilding

Rebuilding Dakota Dunes after the flood could take even longer than it took for the damage to be done. Officials say hundreds of contractors will work area to rebuild homes and even entire neighborhoods. All contractors working in the state of South Dakota are required to have an Excise Tax License, which is a two percent tax on the contractors' gross receipts, and local officials will be checking to make sure residents are protected.

Seasonal Hiring Begins

Get out yor resumes and put the final touches on them as area businesses are looking to hire for seasonal and Christmas help. The holidys may not be on your mind but retailers are thinking of them. Target Human Resource Executive Team Leader, Erica Darveaux says “We're going to be looking for about 100 team members for the season,” Darveaux said new hires would be, “unloading our trucks and making sure our floor is filled appropriately for our guests in the morning.”

Shift House Groundbreaking

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held this afternoon to showcase the winning design of an affordable housing competition in Sioux Falls. The winning submission called the "Shift House" was selected from several design entries. It shifts the perception of what affordable housing can be. The home will be built in the Whittier Neighborhood.

Road Work

Starting today, Bahnson Avenue between Tenth and 11th will be closed for an inlet repair project. Access is still available to the businesses on Bahnson Avenue. Weather permitting, the project should be complete by September 26th.
On Monday work began closing Marion Road to traffic from 41st Street to 49th Street for street overlay work. Through traffic is being detoured to Terry Avenue via 41st Street and 49th Street. The project is expected to be complete by Wednesday, September 21st.

Teen Party Drug Bust

Neighbors say the people responsible for the loud parties have been arrested and they are well relieved. Officers searched the house on 14th St. police also found drugs-nearly 47 grams of marijuana, a scale, and baggies used to distribute the drug. Officers arrested Danielle Becker, Kristeen Ducheneaux, Priscilla Lorenz, and David Bradley. According to Dammer, dozens of kids scattered when officers showed up.

Gas Line Break Causes Evac

Evacuations in one Brandon neighborhood near the intersection of Keystone Drive and Splitrock Boulevard were the result of a gas line break.
Mid-American Energy says a third-party contractor hit a gas distribution line near an apartment building around 11:18 a.m. The smaller line was new and had only been in the ground for about two weeks. Firefighters are on scene and did not get any gas readings in the building, but they evacuated the eight apartments as a precaution.

South Dakota Beef Industry Council Beef Bowl football extravaganza

Beef producers from across the state will converge in Brookings Saturday, October 1, for the annual meeting of the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) and the Beef Bowl football extravaganza at South Dakota State University (SDSU). This year SDBIC will be kicking off some new activities to spread beef’s message across to the thousands attending the game. For the first time, SDBIC will sponsor a Tailgate of the Year Award given to the top three football enthusiasts for the best use of beef at the tailgate party

Legacy Electronics begins Production

Legacy Electronics, an ISO 9001:2000 certified contract manufacturer, designer and tester of high-speed, high-density memory modules, printed circuit boards, and other computer products, has begun production at its 40,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Canton, South Dakota. A ribboncutting ceremony was hosted September 19 by the Canton Chamber of Commerce, the Canton Economic Development Corporation and the Lincoln County Economic Development Association. Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels was the keynote speaker for the event.

Free Park Tours

Wind Cave National Park will offer free tours on Saturday in celebration of National Public Lands Day. The strenuous half-mile tours will be led throughout the day, with the first leaving the visitor center at 9 a.m. and the last leaving at 4:30 p.m. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Job Search Assistance Program Today

The Department of Labor and Regulation will be holding a Job Search Assistance Program (JSAP) at 504 River Dr. - City Hall. The JSAP is designed to assist and train job seekers on how to find and secure employment. Some of the topics included are job search and retention skills, networking, the hidden job market, resumes, applications, and proper interview techniques. It is provided at no charge and open to the public. Parties interested in attending should register by calling 605-242-5445. For more information, visit www.sdjobs.org

South Dakota Board of Regents Meeting

The South Dakota Board of Regents will hold a Town Meeting on South Dakota public higher education in Room 722 of Lake Area Technical Institute’s Automotive and Construction Technology (ACT) Center, at the corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street NE. The meeting, hosted by legislators in District 5, is open to the public. For more information, contact Janelle Toman, 773-3455.

Legacy Electronics Celebrtation

Lt. Gov. Matt Michels will help Legacy Electronics, a Canton manufacturer, celebrate its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1220 North Dakota Street. For more information, contact Jeff Eckhoff, Lincoln County Economic Development Association, 605-339-0103.

SF PD Drug Arrests

A man and woman are behind bars, accused of selling narcotics a few feet from a Sioux Falls day care. Public tips led police to a South Sycamore apartment, where they found pot, prescription drugs, and records of drug sales. KELO reports officers arrested 33-year old Mark Westergaard. While there, 34-year old Sara Young entered the home with a child, and officers found marijuana hidden in a baby wipes container.

Welcome Home Ceremony

The public is invited to attend a welcome home ceremony for a South Dakota Army National Guard aviation unit in Rapid City tomorrow. The ceremony for the South Dakota Army National Guard's 641st Aviation Regiment at the National Guard Range Road armory will begin at 9:00 a.m. Nine Soldiers will be returning home after conducting a year-long deployment in Iraq

Yankton Flood Meeting

The South Dakota Retailers Association, the local Economic Development offices, and the Yankton Chamber of Commerce, will host a public question-and-answer forum in Yankton next week about potential federal assistance for businesses affected by Missouri River flooding.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the City of Yankton Community Room at RTEC (1200 W. 21st Street). The meeting will feature a panel of representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as state officials from the Department of Labor and Regulation, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

fed Assistance Q and A Session Scheduled

The South Dakota Retailers Association, the North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes economic development offices, and the Dakota Valley Business Council, will host a public question-and-answer forum in North Sioux City next week about potential federal assistance for businesses affected by Missouri River flooding.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the North Sioux City Hall Council Chambers (504 River Drive).

Pine Beetle Help

Help is available for landowners in the Black Hills who have trees infested with mountain pine beetles. They can receive assistance from the state to treat affected trees.
As part of the Black Hills Forest Initiative, landowners can receive direct financial assistance to treat beetle-infested trees on their property. Funding is limited, so landowners are encouraged to contact the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) at 800-275-4954 (from within South Dakota) or 605-394-2395.

Johnso Statement

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) released astatement following Senate passage of emergency disaster relief funding to help communities recover from flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. "This year, we have seen historic flooding in South Dakota and other areas have been damaged by earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires. South Dakotans know that when natural disasters strike, we need to provide assistance to help communities recover."

Huether Not Offering Much Info on City Clerk Firing

Sioux Falls Mayor Mayor Mike Huether's not talking about the city council vote yesterday to fire city clerk Debra Owen. Huether tells KDLT this was a personnel issue and he won't offer any comment on what led the council to their action. Huether did say he was asked by council member Sue Aguilar to arrange the special executive session where Owen was given the heave ho.

Prison Smuggling Arrests

Two Sioux Falls women have been accused of trying to smuggle contraband, including synthetic marijuana, to prisoners in the South Dakota State Penitentiary. KELO reports 28-year old Nicole Lindner and 18-year old JoDean Unzelman are charged with a class 6 felony, which has a maximum penalty of 2-years in state prison, a $4,000 fine or both. Five inmates at the Penitentiary ended up in the Disciplinary Segregation Unit during the investigation.

Mexico Consul General to Appear

The Consul General of Mexico for the upper Midwest will hold a presentation about U.S.-Mexico relations at South Dakota State University Sept. 26. Ana Luisa Fajer will talk about trade relationships, economic development opportunities, immigration, border security and tourism during the presentation. The 7 p.m. presentation is free to the public.

Hyperion Decision

A decision could come today on whether to approve a Texas company's request to extend the deadline for starting construction of a $10 billion oil refinery planned for southeastern South Dakota. Hyperion's original permit called for construction to begin by February of this year. The company wants the permit changed to give it until 18 months from now to start construction.

Free Legal clinics today

The Unified Judicial System and State Bar of South Dakota will host two free clinics in Canton and Sioux Falls today for people who wish to file legal forms without the help of a lawyer. Attendees are asked to bring two copies of the form they intend to file. One will be used as a working copy, the other will be filed with the clerk of courts at the end of the session. The Canton session begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse while the session in Sioux Falls starts at 1 p.m. at the Minnehaha County Courthouse

Clemens Sentenced to 15 years

A judge yesterday sentenced 30-year-old Christina Clemens to 15 years for an accident that killed 44-year-old Tammy Sanner in Parker. Clemens initially pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while under the influence and leaving the scene of a crash. Clemens believes it wasn't entirely her fault. She claims when she was discharged from the hospital nurses helped her into her car instead of telling her she shouldn't drive.

Brandon Valley Hardwood Challenge Nov. 18-19

The fourth annual Brandon Valley Hardwood Challenge Basketball Tournament will be held Nov. 18-19 in Brandon. Boys and girls teams from third through eighth grade are invited to play in the tournament, which will be held at gyms in the Brandon Valley High and Middle Schools and Robert Bennis and Fred Assam Elementary Schools. The event is now accepting tournament entries.

City Clerk Debra Owen Fired

Sioux Falls suffered a major shake up last night. City council members have voted to fire City Clerk Debra Owen. This decision was made after Mayor Mike Huether called a special executive session Wednesday afternoon. Debra Owen says she's still shell-shocked over the decision. She says while the city council has the power to eliminate her position at any moment, she says she really wasn't given a specific reason as to why she was being fired. The vote passed 5-3.

NWS Issues Frezze Warning

Things are going to be a lot colder than normal for this time of year overnight. The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning, with temps dropping into the upper 20's and low 30's overnight. Counties covered by the warning include Minnehaha, McCook, Moody, and Turner, and the cities of Rock Rapids, Sioux Center, Flandreau, Canistota, Viborg, Hurley, Canton, and Tea.

Freeeze Warning Ovenight

Things are going to be a lot colder than normal for this time of year overnight. The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Warning, with temps dropping into the upper 20's and low 30's overnight. Counties covered by the warning include Minnehaha, McCook, Moody, and Turner, and the cities of Rock Rapids, Sioux Center, Flandreau, Canistota, Viborg, Hurley, Canton, and Tea.

Weekend Slashing Suspect Arrested

Sioux Falls Police have arrested 41-year old Theresa Johnson for alleged slashing another woman with a box cutter Sunday night. Investigators tell KELO this happened at Johnson's apartment. The victim was picked up by a man near 14th Street and 4th Avenue and taken to the hospital. He condition's been upgraded from life threatening to critical.

Free Legal Clinics Tomnorrow in Sioux Falls and Canton

The Unified Judicial System and the South Dakota State Bar are hosting two free clinics tomorrow in Canton and Sioux Falls for people who want to file legal forms without having to hire a lawyer. The Argus Leader reports the Canton session starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Lincoln County Courthouse, and the Sioux Falls session's at 1p.m. at Minnehaha County Courthouse.

New Spider Species

Not good news for arachnophobics. A Dakota Wesleyan University professor and his intern have discovered three new species of spider. A Biology professor and his summer intern discovered the new spiders while performing research at the Fort Pierre National Grasslands this summer. All three spiders are about 1 millimeter in length.

Service for Donors

The University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences and the Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota will host a memorial service this week to honor the people who have donated their bodies to the school for the study of medicine. The service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the atrium of the Andrew E. Lee Memorial Medical and Science Building.

Mailing Drugs Lands Rapid City Man In Jail

A 60-year-old Rapid City man admitted hiding painkillers in a box of Valentine's candy he mailed to a prospective buyer after the package was intercepted by authorities. Clement Shaw Jr. pleaded guilty Monday to distribution of a controlled substance. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Prosecutors say Shaw received $400 via a Western Union wire in exchange for hydrocodone pills.

Car Crashes into Homes

One Souix Falls residedent says he;s lucky to be alive after a car crashed into his house yesterday. It happened just before 3 p.m. when 66-year-old Sandra Morgan of Hendricks, Minnesota, lost control of her car as she traveled on Cliff Avenue near 6th Street. The car hit a wall and a house before finally landing in another house. Police say Morgan and her passenger were both taken to the hospital.

Brandon Will Be Overnight Stop for Tour De Kota

Brandon will be an overnight stop for the Tour De Kota next time around. Coordinator Owen Hotvet has announced that Brandon is one of five communities chosen. Hundreds of registered riders in the 2012 Argus Leader Tour de Kota will be staying in Brandon and will pitch their tents at McHardy Park and use the locker rooms at Brandon Valley High School. The city buses will transport riders from the park to local businesses and back to the park. Brandon served as a breakfast stop this past summer

Daycare operator gives up the fight

A former day care provider in Sioux Falls won't be getting her license returned. The appeal by Connie Edwards has been dropped. Her license was revoked last month as part of an investigation into the death of an infant in her care. A reinstatement hearing had been scheduled for today in Sioux Falls.

Deer Hunt

Thee Game Fish and Parks and City of Sioux Falls have decided to host another special deer hunt. Officials say some 300 deer living between Brandon and Sioux Falls are posing a threat to drivers along Rice Street as the area has one of the highest deer/car accident numbers in the state. The season starts September 28 with seven, two-week hunting periods.

Man Pleads Guilty to Hiding Drugs

A 60-year-old Rapid City man has admitted hiding painkillers in a box of Valentine's candy he mailed to a prospective buyer. Clement Shaw Jr. pleaded guilty Monday to distribution of a controlled substance. Prosecutors say Shaw received $400 via a Western Union wire in exchange for hydrocodone pills. The package was intercepted in the mail.

Huether Outlines Plans of Events Center to the City Council

Mayor Huether says if the events center project passes, construction would begin in August of 2012 with a target date to open the doors in the fall of 2014. The assertions were made during his address to the city council members. Mayor Huether says this update on the proposed project addresses questions that residents have continued to ask. City officials have been doing what they can to get citizens up to speed on the events center project before they go to the polls in November.

Broadwind Energy Sale of Plant Possible

Broadwind Energy may sell a vacant plant in South Dakota according to company officials. John Segvich, the company's director of marketing communications told the Argus Leader, quopte, "I can confirm that we are contemplating the sale of our Brandon, S.D., idle tower facility to reduce our manufacturing footprint," Broadwind operates a wind tower manufacturing site in Abilene as well as a facility in Wisconsin.

Girl Dies From Hunting Accident

A young girl has died from injuried she received in a hunting accident. 13-year-old Charity Anne Lacquey, of Ellsworth Air Force Base, died Friday when the shotgun she was carrying went off after she tripped. Meade County Sheriff Ron Merwin says that the victim was hunting doves with her father and brother near New Underwood.

Schools May See More Money Next Budget

Gov. Daugaard says there are signs South Dakota schools could see a funding increase in the next session of the legislature. While it's early, Daugaard told a meeting of the Downtown Rotary in Sioux Falls today that the state's ahead of projects on revenue by $9-million. State agencies will be taking the wraps of their preliminary fiscal 2012 year budget numbers in December.

Appeals Court Upholds State Shutdown of SDchool for the Deaf

A federal appeals court's ruled South Dakota officials had state constitutional authority to shut down the School for the Deaf in Sioux Falls. The state opted instead for programs that provided education for hearing impaired students in local school districts. KELO reports a lower court found the legislature had given the state Board of Regents the authority to run the School for the Deaf the it decided would best serve the hearing impaired.

SD Woman Sentenced for Embezzlement

A 20-year-old South Dakota woman was sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling money from the bank where she worked. Kristen Traversie pleaded guilty in June to embezzling and misapplying more than $1,000 in customer deposits and funds at the Wells Fargo Bank in Mission between Jan. 3 and Feb. 23.

Thune Asks Obama to Loosen Job Killing Regs

Following President Barack Obama's joint address to Congress last week, Senator John Thune today sent a letter to the president calling on him to issue an immediate moratorium on overreaching regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are hampering job creation and economic growth.
With 14 million Americans currently unemployed, Thune is calling on the president to delay implementation of over 40 major regulatory actions proposed by the EPA until the economy improves and the national unemployment rate falls.

Daugaard Speaks in SF Today

Gov. Dennis Daugaard will speak to the Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary Club, Holiday Inn City Center, 8th Street and Phillips Ave. today then moves on to a news conference at the Rosenbauer America plant (100 Third Street) to showcase Simulation in Motion – South Dakota, a new mobile training program for South Dakota’s rural emergency medical providers.

Local First Responders Remember 9/11

Sioux Falls Police and Sioux Falls Fire Rescue will observe a moment of silence Sunday to honor the memory of those killed 10-years ago in the 9/11 attacks. KDLT reports crews at Sioux Falls fire stations will pull their trucks out of the stations and will stand with police officers near their equipment in a moment of silence at noon on Sunday. 343 American flags will be in front of Sioux Falls Fire Headquarters to pay tribute to the emergency responders who died on Sept. 11.

SD Woman Gets Federal Prison Time for Reservation Drug Conspiracy

A South Dakota woman who plead guilty to a drug conspiracy charge, has been sentenced to 3-years in federal prison. Federal prosecutors tell KELO 22-year old Arlene Siers helped distribute methamphetamine on the Rosebud reservation, that was brought in twice a month by two men from Nebraska. The conspiracy reportedly operated from February of 209 to April of last year. Siers will be on supervised probation for three years when she finishes her prison term.

ANother Arson Fire

Auhorities in Sioux Falls are investigating a fifth case of arson this week. Police say a fire inside an unattached garage Wednesday afternoon was deliberately set. Authorities don't yet know if the fire is connected to four others late Monday and early Tuesday. Those fires damaged a garage, a shed, a Dumpster and a utility trailer. Police have no suspects in any of the fires.

Nat'l Guard Team Deployed

A seven-person South Dakota National Guard firefighting team is being activated this weekend for a year of duty in Afghanistan. The activation ceremony for members of the 451st Engineer Detachment is set for Saturday afternoon at the armory in Sturgis.

Free Screening

Early childhood developmental screening for children birth to age 5 is scheduled 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Brandon. The free screening will be held at Brandon Elementary, 501 Holly Blvd.

Back Pack Check

70 additional Sioux Falls area schoolchildren will receive backpacks this year thanks to a 10 thousand dollar check written tothe sponsors of a backpack program. a backpack program. Organizers of Feeding South Dakota saw an earlier article on how the program was hurting and decided to give to the program. Matt Gassen, executive director of the agency, said a check from an individual arrived this week by U.S. mail.

Robberies Near record

The robbery rate in Soiuix Falls is nearing the record. Within the past two weeks, police have arrested four suspects thought to be responsible for at least eight of this year's 35 commercial robberies. That number almost has doubled since June 5, drawing additional attention to the crime from the Sioux Falls Police Department, according to Police Chief Doug Barthel.

911 Fee for Emergency Services Too Low

A new fee to help pay for 9 1 1 services may be in the works. Backers of increasing the fee that phone customers pay for emergency service have new ammunition that shows the monthly cost should be more than double what is charged.That 2009 data, which says the surcharge on 911 calls should be at least $1.54 a month - and up to $1.98, according to one consultant - is resurrecting the fee hike issue.

Bar Association Pushing to Get Attorney's Out to Rural Areas

South Dakota's State Bar Association's launching a drive to get more lawyers located in the state's rural areas. Bar President Pat Goetzinger tells the Argus Leader right now, 65% of the practicing attorney's in South Dakota live in one of four cities, meaning more people than ever are forced to travel several hundred miles from home when they need legal representation.

State Gets Big Tax Gift From Banks

The state picked up almost $11 million more than it expected in taxes last month, and the Argus Leader says most it was $9.5-million from credit card banks paying the quarterly estimates on bank franchise tax. The state had been expecting to collect nothing at all. That surprise puts the state almost $9-million ahead of revenue projections for the first two months of the new budget year.

Man Shot was a Marine

A man shot and killed by a Highway Patrol officer Tuesday after allegedly going on a rampage with a pickup truck and a handgun in Custer was a Marine who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Family members say 22-year-old Cody Engen joined the Marines in 2007 the day after he graduated high school. Engen will be buried Monday in Black Hills National Cemetery.

Southeast Research Fall Crop Livestock Tour

Southeast Research Farm's 50th annual Fall Crop and Livestock Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at 29974 University Road, six miles west and three miles south of Beresford. There'll be information available on herbicide resistant weeds, soybean aphids, calibrating manure spreaders and determining the value of livestock manure. Certified crop adviser credits will be available For more information, call 605-663-2989 or send an e-mail to se.farms@sdstate.edu.

State Funding Choices Cripple SD School Budget Planning

The days when South Dakota school districts could plan their budgets several years in advance are over. Last year, for the first time in 15-years, the state decided to spend less on public education than outlined by the school funding law. The Argus Leader reports school districts used to be able to count on per-student annual funding hikes of 3% from the state. Last year, they got no increase at all, and this year they lost funding.

Tribe Receives HUD Grant

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded nearly $1 million in grant money to a tribal community in South Dakota to help improve affordable housing and spur economic development. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe will receive $900,000 as part HUD's Indian Community Development Block Grant Program.

Former Navy SEAL to Talk

Former Navy SEAL David Rutherford is giving a talk at the Sioux Falls Convention Center this evening. The event sponsored by Colorado Technical University gets underway at six.

Onida Man Pleas No Contest

An Onida man has pleaded no contest to punching a female South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper three times in the face during a traffic stop north of Pierre about a year ago. 77-year-old Chester Strickland was accused of assaulting a law officer and possessing a concealed weapon without a permit. He could face up to three years behind bars when he is sentenced on Nov. 14.

Suspicious Fires

Three fires in Souix Falls are being called suspicious. The three fires broke out within two hours of each other in a small area. A car on fire scorched the inside of a garage off of North Dakota Avenue around eleven PM Monday. Fire fighters were then sent to West 12th Street where a shed was destroyed and crews attempted to save a neighboring garage. The Sioux Falls police department says it's rare to see structures intentionally burned in the city.

Squaredance Classes Offered

Git yer square dance on with a class being offered by The South Dakota Square Dance Association. The classes are being offered through the Brandon Community Education Program at Fred Assam Elementary School, 7700 Willowwood St., Sioux Falls. One class and two blast sessions are being offered:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting Sept. 15, Friday, Sept. 23 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a potluck lunch
and Friday, Sept. 30 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a potluck lunch Cost is $75 per person or $150 per family. Participants may attend any part of or all sessions offered. Pre-register at brandonvalley.k12.sd.us

Bark Beetle Included in Grants for Forestry

Gov. Dennis Daugaard and the U.S. Forest Service today announced $3 million in cooperative federal grants for community assistance, bark beetle, and forest health needs in South Dakota.
The grants complement Gov. Daugaard's recently announced Black Hills Forest Initiative, which includes a commitment of $1 million annually in state funds for the next three years to implement bark beetle control efforts. The additional federal funding will help address the significant fire and forest health threats arising from dead and dying bark beetle-infested trees across South Dakota.

Fewer Govenment Workers

The number of people working full time for state or local government in South Dakota's coming down. KDLT reports that number according to a new report out last week is 12,133, down from 12,574 a year ago. That's expected to come down even more after the Governor and state lawmakers cut $127 million from the budget. The cuts led to some layoffs, though most losses are coming through attrition.

SF Fires Connected?

No one was hurt in three fires that hit the same area of Sioux Falls overnight. The first fire at 11 last night in a garage at 631 S. Dakota Ave. About 90-minutes later another fire in a garage at 810 W 12th Street. And around 1 this morning a dumpster fire at 738 W 10th Street. Investigators tell KELO they're looking into whether the fires were connected.

SF Casino Robberies Arrest

A 49-year-old man's been arrested as Sheriff's continue looking into a string of armed casino robberies in Sioux Falls. Terrance Davenport was detained taken into custody on a parole detainer in Omaha at the end of August, and returned to Minnehaha County where he was served with an arrest for the armed robberies Friday. KELO reports he's still being held in the county jail.

Police Step Up Patrols On Road to Grand Falls Casino

Since the Grand Falls Casino opened a couple of months ago, Highway 42, between Sioux Falls and the Casino's been a different road. Minnehaha County Sheriff's deputies have been busy keeping an eye out for impaired drivers, and there have been several arrests for the last few weekends. There's one particular stretch of road they patrol, in Rowena, where the speed limit on 42 drops from 65 to 30.

Talking Circles for Diabetes

Creighton University has been awarded a $207,000 grant to study whether traditional Talking Circles help American Indians on Nebraska and South Dakota reservations address their diabetes. American Indians have the highest diabetes death rate of any ethnic group in Nebraska and South Dakota. A total of 40 tribe members will be included in the two-year study.

LA SWAT Helps Train Local Law Enforcers

Sioux Falls Police and Minnehaha County Sheriff's deputies were put through their paces during SWAT drills this morning at a Duluth Avenue Apartment complex. The drill was led by instructors from the LAPD SWAT team. According to KSFY the two departments SWAT units have been working with LAPD for almost a dozen years. SWAT calls are only made when the situation has become as bad as it possible can get and SFPD says these drills can ensure officers are prepared.

Crooks Auto Auction Site Battle Goes to Court

Neighbors against a proposed auto auction site near Crooks want a judge to decide if the Minnehaha County Commission went too far in granting a conditional use permit for the business last week. They've filed suit in County court, over allowing Interstate Auto Auction to move its wholesale savage business from Tea to a 17-acre plot of southeast of Crooks off I-29. The Argus Leader reports opponents of the plan say it'll be a salvage yard.

Tax Petition Drive

The secretary of state says a group working to put a measure to increase taxes for schools and Medicaid on the November 2012 ballot in South Dakota can begin circulating petitions. Nearly 16,000 signatures are needed by Nov. 1 to put the item on next fall's ballot.

Drive Safely

Gov. Dennis Daugaard is urging motorists to drive with extra care over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Four people died and 78 others were injured on state roads during the last two Labor Day weekends. The state Highway Patrol and Office of Highway Safety are teaming up with more than 60 local law enforcement agencies on a "high visibility" program over the weekend.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard on yesterday's unanimous South Dakota Supreme Court ruling

A statement from Gov. Dennis Daugaard on yesterday's unanimous South Dakota Supreme Court ruling that the state system of funding school districts is constitutional reads, quote, “I'm pleased with this opinion because the appropriate place to determine school funding is the Legislature, not the courts. I believe we should focus on student achievement, not spending, as the best measure of educational success. That approach is very consistent with the Supreme Court's decision.”

Sales Tax Increase Petition

Secretary of State Jason M. Gant announced today that “Officials from the South Dakota Education Association and the South Dakota Association of Health Care Organizations submitted their proposed petition language for an initiated measure to permanently increase South Dakota’s sales taxes by one percent, with the new funds being divided between health care and education.“

Water Pipeline Grant Money

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced today that the Mni Waste Water Company in Eagle Butte will receive just over 15 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The funding, two grants totaling $12,025,000 and a loan of $3,342,000, will be used to install approximately 12.25 miles of treated water pipeline.

Holiday Driving

Gov. Dennis Daugaard is asking motorists to drive with extra care on South Dakota highways during the long Labor Day travel weekend.
Four people died and 78 others were injured on South Dakota roads during the last two Labor Day weekends. Two of the four fatal crashes were alcohol-related.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol and Office of Highway Safety are participating with more than 60 local law enforcement agencies in a high-visibility enforcement program during the Labor Day weekend. The goal isn’t to make arrests but to raise awareness of the need for safe travel habits.

Thune at Fair Today

Senator John Thune will be in Huron today to attend the South Dakota State Fair.

Diocese of SF Reaches Settlement

The Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls has reached a settlement with the federal government over Medicare and Medicaid billing errors by its Catholic Family Services counseling program.
The program admitted no wrongdoing but agreed to forfeit $90,000 to the government, which will give $15,000 to whistleblower Diane Cogley of Sioux Falls.

No Wake Zone

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has implemented a temporary "no wake" zone for boats on a small section of the upper reaches of Lake Sharpe below Oahe Dam, effective today. The move was made at the request of homeowners dealing with Missouri River flooding. Wakes from boats can create waves and damage shoreline and property.

Region's Economic Survey

An economist says an August economic survey in nine Midwest and Plains states suggests slow to no growth in the region, but not a return to recession. The survey report says the Business Conditions Index dropped to 52 in August from 54.1 in July. The states are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

State Fair

Labor Day weekend each year brings the South Dakota State Fair to Huron. The State Fair has had its ups and downs, but has been a constant fixture in South Dakota for 126 years. It is a true reflection of our state – the Fair’s barns feature the accomplishments of our agricultural youth, its stages and grandstand bring in more entertainment than any other celebration in our state, and its booths display our unique products. the State Fair, Sept. 1-5. It is a celebration of who we are

Dauugaard Visits

Starting this month, Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Lt. Gov. Matt Michels are going on the road to learn what the state can do to help South Dakota businesses grow.
Over the next several months, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will travel across the state to visit nearly 40 of South Dakota’s largest employers as part of a major business retention and expansion campaign. The visits by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are part of a larger business retention and expansion initiative involving GOED staffers, who will conduct an additional 400 business visits.