Army Corps Inspects Gavins Points Dam

The Army Corps of Engineers spent the Friday inspecting the spillway at Gavins Point Dam on the Missouri River in southeast South Dakota. KDLT reports they were looking for any damage done by the high water releases during the flooding last summer. The Corps gave the dam a once over above and below the water, with the focus on 250-drains that help relieve spillway pressure.

State Has $43-million in Grants and Loans for Water Projects

Gov. Daugaard's office says the state Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $43.4 million in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, storm water, watershed improvement, landfill and recycling projects. According to KSFY the bulk of the money, just over $33-million, will be for loans. All of the funds will go through the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Pot Bust plea

A Massachusetts man who authorities say was caught with nearly half a ton of marijuana in South Dakota has pleaded guilty. After officers pulled over 40-year-old Donald McCormick in January they found 947 pounds of marijuana in the back of his truck. The pot had an estimated street value of $3.9 million. The patrol says the seizure is believed to be the biggest pot bust from a traffic stop in South Dakota history.

Wendy's Runs out of Beef

Workers and customers at a Wendy's restaurant in Aberdeen found themselves literally asking, "Where's the Beef?" Workers at the fast-food chain restaurant on Thursday were forced to put up signs saying they were out of beef after a supply truck had a flat tire. The beef outage at the restaurant lasted for four hours.

Speeding Teen

A 16-year-old Sioux Falls girl has been fined $520 and has lost her license for 30 days for driving 101 mph on Interstate 90 in Mitchell with a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. The teen was arrested March 3 and pleaded guilty March 22 to drunken driving and speeding. She also was given 65 days in custody but the sentence was suspended.
She also was ordered to pay about $228 in fees. She was given the option of paying half the fines and fees and working 45 hours of community service.

Dakota Dunes

Record floods on the Missouri River last year disrupted many people's lives. Community leaders are hoping there won't be a repeat of last year. Estimates of the total cost of all the repairs in Dakota Dunes, not including private property, will top more than $15 million. FEMA is picking up 85 percent of it.

Pink Slime Meeting

Governors from across the Midwest, as well leaders in the food gathered in South Sioux City on Thursday to stop what's being called a smear campaign over pink slime.
KDLT reports that leaders including South Dakota's Lt. Governor Matt Michels, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, and Texas' Governor Rick Perry toured the BPI plant in South Sioux City; afterward they spoke out against pink slime rumors.

"The Risen Christ" Presentation

The Brandon Lutheran Church Chancel Choir will present "The Risen Christ" at 7 p.m. Friday, April 6. Created by Don Cason and Karla Worley, the production features the songs of Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. The story of Christ’s life and crucifixion is told through the characters of John the disciple, Peter, Mary Magdalene and Jesus using narrations that are adapted from scripture.

Town Hall Meeting

A Community Town Hall Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 from
7-8PM at the O’Gorman High School Performing Arts Center. This meeting is FREE and
open to the public. Town Hall Meeting 2012 will provide information and increase awareness about issues our teens face. We will identify and talk about how those issues are also a parent’s challenge. In addition to the topic of Underage Drinking, we will be talking
about Synthetic Marijuana (K2/Spice), Bath Salts and Adolescent Suicide.

Tea Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash

Sioux Falls PD have identified the man killed in a motorcycle/SUV crash last night at 37-year old Tony Johnson of Tea. Investigators tell KDLT he wasn't wearing a helmet, but don't know if that contributed to his death. Crash investigators say it's possible charges may be filed; and they say drivers should be more aware of motorcycles and scooters as the weather warms up.

Top State Officials Take Plant Tour to Support Beef Producers

Leaders from five states, including South Dakota's lieutenant governor, toured a Nebraska beef plant today where the filler nicknamed 'pink slime' is made. KELO reports the tour was to show support for the company that's been criticized for making cheap lean beef with fatty leftovers from other cuts. The Governor are concerned about the producers and the thousands of jobs in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.

Brandon PD Looking for Missing Teen

Brandon Police need your help in finding 14-year old Alisha Elznic. She's been missing since leaving home, without parental consent, Friday evening. Police think she's staying with a friend in Sioux Falls, but they don't know who that is. KDLT reports she's 5'3", about 130 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes; but friends say she told them she planed to cut and dye her hair to avoid police.

SD Man Dies in Plane Crash In Ia

A plane has crashed near Larchwood, Iowa Wednesday afternoon, killing the pilot.
The Lyon County Sheriff confirms that a small single-seat plane was attempting to land at the Zangger Airport just after 1 p.m. when it crashed. Officials say the pilot is from Sioux Falls, but authorities are not releasing his name at this time.

Watertown Cams

Police in Watertown will have an extra set of eyes working for them in the uptown area. Seven cameras have been put up over the last week in attempt to keep the city safer.
The new sets of eyes are located throughout the uptown area in Watertown, a part of the city that has a number of bars.

Cycle Crash

A motorcyclist has died after colliding with a vehicle Wednesday evening in western Sioux Falls. Authorities blocked off a section of 26th Street near Hyvee and Marion Road, just before 6 p.m. Police say an Envoy was turning left onto 26th Street when a motorcycle struck the vehicle. The motorcyclist, who was a 37-year-old man, died at the scene. The driver of the Envoy, a 44-year-old man, was not injured.

Sleepy Hollow New Fire Truck

A new fire truck is on its way to Sleepy Hollow. The Sleepy Hollow Board of Trustees unanimously awarded a $629,438 bid to Pierce Manufacturing Inc. of Firematic Supply Co. Inc. for a new pumper fire apparatus on Tuesday night. “The public should know that this decision was not made by the board overnight,” Fire Chief John Korzelius said. “We've been going back and forth with Dave and Tommy and Karin on the public safety committee for six, eight months. So it wasn't just something that was handed to us.

Blue Light Special

THE FALLS will illuminate with special blue lights on the evening of Monday, April 2 in support of Autism Speaks global 3rd Annual Light It Up Blue campaign to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Awareness Month. The Falls will join a list of nearly 2,000 iconic structures, buildings and landmarks in over 220 U.S. cities and 28 countries around the world that will shine a bright light on autism as a growing public health crisis.

Daugaard Says China Trip Should Pay Dividends

Gov. Daugaard says this week's trade mission to China should give South Dakota businesses a chance to export more products to the world's most populous nation. Daugaard, in Shanghai, says South Dakota can provide the soybeans, pork and other food products China wants. He says China also is interested in dried distiller's grain, a product of ethanol production that is used as livestock feed

SDSU Opening Masters Chem Education Program to other Western States

The South Dakota Board of Regents has approved in-state tuition for non-resident students in SDSU's master's-level chemistry education program.
KSFY reports they're joining the Western Regional Graduate Program, run by the Western Interstate Commission (WICHE). It offers students in 14-states access to quality master's and doctoral degree programs not widely available in the western region.

SD Army Nat'l Guard Unit Not Going to Afghanistan

Forty-eight members of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 730th Area Support Medical Company, won't be going to Afghanistan in July after all. According to the Argus Leader, the Vermillion based unit was notified that because of the draw down of U.S. forces, they won't be needed to provide health care support to service members overseas.

Black Hills Fire

Fire crews are at the scene of a forest fire near Johnson Siding in the Black Hills. Units responded to a report of smoke shortly after three this afternoon. After assessing the situation, two planes were called in to help battle the blaze, which is about 80-percent contained and has burned around nine acres of forest. No injuries were reported and no structures lost, but crews expect to be on scene at least through the night.

Beef Plant Tour

Governors and lieutenant governors from five states are planning to tour the lone remaining Beef Products Inc. plant currently in operation as a sign of support for the company.
Beef Products Inc. announced Monday that it was suspending operations at three of its four plants around the country amid a public outcry over concerns about the low-cost beef filler that has become known as "pink slime."

Bike Trail Temporary Closure

The Sioux Falls Recreation Trail at Russell Street will be temporarily closed to allow crews to conduct soil borings near the Russell Street Big Sioux River bridges. The trail will be closed from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Trail traffic will not be detoured.

Emergency Road Closure

Part of the Frontage Road on the north side of Russell Street between I-29 and Westport Avenue is closed. A sign next to the Frontage Road is failing so the Frontage Road is closed until the sign is removed and traffic can safely travel through the area again.
The Frontage Road is expected to open back up by the evening of March 28, 2012.
Motorists and pedestrians are urged to stay away from this area.

Get Ready for Construction Season

Ready or not, construction seasons about to start. KELO reports one of the first big projects to start in Sioux Falls is along Tenth Street stretching from the viaducts all the way to Interstate 229.

Bone Marrow Donation Drive at University Center

A small group of students are trying to help people with deadly blood diseases at the University Center in Sioux Falls. KDLT says the students are working with DKMS Americas, a bone marrow donation center, to raise awareness about bone marrow donations and transplants. They hope to have registered 500-people buy the time the drive ends tomorrow, at The University Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mitchell Man Facing Seriouis Time on Third DUI Charge

The man charged in the Saturday crash that killed a 9-year Iszabella Morgan, had a blood alcohol level of .206 at the time. 46-year old Michael Sedlmeier of Mitchell faces five felonies including third-offense drunken driving and a vehicular homicide charge with a maximum 15 years. Sedlmeier pleaded guilty to DUI in 2004 and 2005. There's a memorial for Morgan tonight at 8 at First and Duff in Mitchell.

Little Gitrl Killed Will Be Remembered

The town of Mitchell is mourning the loss of nine-year-old Iszabella Morgan. Morgan was killed Saturday as the result of an accused drunk driver in a high-speed chase. Authorities said Michael Sedlmeier, 46, of Mitchell was drinking and driving when he t-boned a car with six passengers inside Saturday, including little Bella. A candlelight vigil will take place at 8:00 p.m. at the corner of First and Duff in Mitchell in memory of Iszabella

Tea Party Conference

Four chairs in the Sioux Falls City Council will be up for grabs in just a few weeks.
Monday night, the Tea Party pushed their conservative values aside in order to give residents the chance to get to know the candidates; and the questions came directly from the voters. It's been what some would call a quiet race so far. The last city council election weighed heavily on hot topics like the events center project. But this year, candidates say the focus is simply on moving the city forward.

Prescription Drug Disposal in April

Brandon area residents can get rid of unused or expired prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28 at the Brandon Police Department, 304 Main Ave. The Brandon Valley Challenger reports the event is sponsored by the DEA. For more information, contact Brandon Police at 582-6125.

New Report Says SD Not A Great Place for Women

A report from iVillage, ranks South Dakota ranks as the 39th worst state for women. KDLT says the report finds South Dakota needs more women in power, both in the workplace, the state capital and in Washington. A big reason South Dakota ranks so low is abortion laws, which have the longest waiting period, 72 hours, between consultation and procedure.

SF Man Busted for Threatning Host of Party Who Kicked Him Out

A Sioux Falls man's been arrested for swinging a hammer at a woman holding a gathering over the weekend at her home in the 600 block of S. 4th Avenue. 22-year old Jess Claymore's charged with assault, burglary, and property damage. Police say Claymore was an uninvited guest who was asked to leave, returned several hours later, and threatened the unidentified woman.

Road Work

The outside eastbound lane on Sixth Street will be closed between Phillips Avenue and the Big Sioux River Bridge starting at 8 this morning.
Traffic will be maintained in the remaining eastbound lane. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in this area. Henry Carlson will be working on the Raven Building.

Helpline Center Nominations

The Helpline Center is currently taking nominations for the 2012 Spirit of Volunteerism Awards and applications for the Citi Youth Leadership Award scholarships.
Spirit of Volunteerism Awards nominations are due April 2. The awards are given to outstanding area volunteers in categories including Youth, Adult, Group and Corporate Humanitarian. Any person, non-profit organization, church, community group or business in the Sioux Empire can make a nomination and can receive the nomination form by visiting www.helplinecenter.org or dialing 2-1-1. For more information on Spirit of Volunteerism nominations or Citi scholarships, dial 211 and ask for Sara.

Baltic Bringing Back Preschool Fee

Since the legislature passed a bill with an emergency clause covering charging fees for preschool, the Argus Leader reports Baltic's Board of Education has decided to reinstate the fee it charged for preschool for the last two months of this school year. Supt. Bob Sittig says that this will allow the district to keep offering the class next year, if there's enough interest.

Road Work

Beginning at 7 a.m. , construction crews will be cleaning the sanitary sewer along the center of North A Avenue between Frontage Road and West Blackhawk Street. Crews will be located in the center of the road, which will still allow for traffic to continue in both directions. Caution and reduced speeds should be used when traveling through this area. Work is expected to be completed on North A Avenue by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Family in Plane Wreck on Way to See Daughter

Relatives say three family members on their way to Colorado to watch a high school play died when their small plane crashed near the central Minnesota community of Glencoe.
Stuart Dahlberg, his wife Ivelisse and his mother, Mae Dahlberg, all of Minnesota, died when their single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza went down in a farm field in McLeod County Wednesday. Dahlberg's brother, David, says the three were on their way to watch his sister direct a play this weekend. Last year, heather Dahlberg's mother and father flew in to see their daughter directing "The Sound of Music". While there, Heather's father died of a heart attack.

Stand Your Ground Law

The deadly shooting of an unarmed black teen by a neighborhood watch captain has Florida's so-called "stand your ground" law coming under attack. Twenty-one states, including South Dakota, have laws that allows people to use deadly force in certain situations.
South Dakota's "stand your ground" law factored into a deadly shooting at a mobile home park two years ago. 24-year-old Anthony Hennings threatened a man and woman and brought a 38-caliber gun into the couple's home. The homeowner was able to take the gun away from Hennings before shooting him at close range. Investigators determined the shooting was justified.

SF Trash Collectors Will Be Recycling More

Sioux Falls trash collectors will be required to recycle 20% of the waste they collect this year. The Argus Leader reports city officials say under an new ordinance, they recycling goal will be 25% in 2017. Mayor Huether recognized five haulers today that met 150% of that goal: Affordable Sanitation, Ace Garbage Services, D and C Solid Waste Services, Van Dyke Sanitation and Waste Management of Sioux Falls. 17 of the city's 30 licensed haulers didn't .

Black Hills Researchers Explore Sage to Treat Malaria

Black Hills State University researchers are looking into whether medicinal plants traditionally used by Native Americans could be used to fight malaria.
KELO reports they're trying to find out if an active ingredient in four sages found to have anti-malarial properties. Resistance has been growing to existing drugs, and researchers worldwide are testing new ones. The WHO says over 650,000 people died from malaria in 2010.

Time Running Out to Apply for Assessment Freeze

April 1st's the deadline to apply for property tax relief under the state's Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled. The program stops assessments from rising. Eligibility's limited to people earning less than $25,116 for a single-member household or $31, 395 for a multiple-member household. Applicants also must have owned or retained a life estate, have resided for at least 200 days in the home, and be 65 years old or disabled. Contact your local County treasurer.

All State Bands

South Dakota's most talented high school instrumental musicians will get to practice and perform under the direction of nationally recognized conductors. The 62nd annual All-State Band Saturday at the SDSU Performing Arts Center in Brookings will feature 172 students from 37 high schools. Concerts are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

No Jail Time For Father Who Hit Teen with Wood

A South Dakota man accused of hitting his teenage daughter with a piece of wood after she tried to sneak out a window bedroom will not see jail time.
Forty-five-year-old Dennis Theunissen of Mitchell has been sentenced to a year of probation and 40 hours of community service and fined $400. He also has been ordered to complete a parenting program according to KDLT.

Plane Crash in McLeod

A local sheriff says three adults have died in the crash of a small plane in central Minnesota's McLeod County. McLeod County Sheriff Scott Rehmann says the plane went down in a field about four miles north of Glencoe and broke apart. He says there are no survivors in the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration says the crash was reported at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday. Sheriff Rehmann, at the scene of the crash, says witnesses reported hearing a popping noise and then heard the impact of the plane crashing.

River Ramp Destruction

Mayor Mike Huether took part in taking apart the River Ramp saying quote, “This River Ramp has served its purpose well. But it’s time to move on. There's big things to come for Sioux Falls,”. Paul Hegg says “This is going to be happening over the next 90 days and then shortly after that we'll begin construction on the hotel. And the anticipated opening of the hotel would be about the 3rd quarter of 2013,”

Quarry Ride

Climb aboard the historic trolley and join the Siouxland Heritage Museums for a trip Into the Pit! We will be traveling into quarry pits owned by Concrete Materials and viewing their modern techniques in quarrying. This is a free tour guaranteed to provide payloads of interesting information. Reservations are required, so please call 367-4210 to sign up today. Only four spots per reservation please.

SFPD Investigating Storage Unit Break Ins

Sioux Falls Police are trying to figure out who's behind 11-break ins to outdoor storage units in the 200 block of N. Marion Road in the western part of the city. The Argus Leader reports the renter of one unit called police earlier today to report a theft o power tools. The padlock on the unit had been cut. The locks on ten other units were also found cut, and investigators are trying to contact the renters to see if any property's missing.

Deadwood Business Wants Sale of Synthetic Drugs Trial Moved

A judge hasn't decided if he'll grant a request from the attorney for the owners of a Deadwood business accused of selling synthetic drugs, to move their trial. Matthew Kinney says he doesn't think the owners of Pam's Purple Door can get a fair jury because of media coverage. KELO reports Kinney's asked the judge to move the trial to Watertown, Aberdeen, or even Rapid City.

Men Overharvested Walleyes

Two Aberdeen men have been stripped of their fishing privileges for three years for overharvesting walleyes from the Missouri River near Gettysburg in February. Authorities say 25-year-old Jeffrey Woolridge and 23-year-old Jordan Biever had 34 more walleye than they were legally entitled to keep. They each were given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay fines and fees.

Man Sentenced for Burglaries

A Rapid City man has been sentenced to serve 26 years in prison for his role in multiple business burglaries that authorities say he committed last summer with his brother. 34-year-old Ronald Edwards, also was ordered to pay more than $32,000 in restitution.

Suspicious Vehicle

Sioux Falls Police are looking for a black Mazda after a suspicious incident Monday.
A 14-year-old and 6-year-old were playing near the 7300 block of W. 15th St. The 14-year-old left to put something in the garage. When he came back the 6-year-old was talking to a person in a car. The car left. Officer Sam Clemens said it sounded like a teen asked if the 6-year-old wanted some candy.

Building Permits on the Increase

Sioux Falls housing numbers are making it one of the top 100 cities in the country. The information comes from the national Association of Home Builders, adding Sioux Falls to the list of 99 cities where housing markets are tied to improving economic numbers. And so far this year, those numbers in Sioux Falls are through the roof. New building permits for the year are at $8.8 million, compared to just $3.8 million last year.

Repeal Petitions Circulated for HB1234

Petitions are now being circulated to get a repeal of House Bill 1234 on the November ballot in the state. The South Dakota Education Association is sending out petitions across the state in an attempt to repeal the measure that addresses teacher tenure. The state's top teachers' union says the changes will only hurt education and it hopes voters agree.

No Parking

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2012, parking off the southbound lane on North Prairie Avenue located just south of the intersection with Russell Street will be restricted. Construction crews will be working in the area cleaning out the sanitary sewer line.
The work is anticipated to be completed by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2012.

No Parking More

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, parking off the westbound lane on West Bailey Street located just west of the intersection with North Prairie Avenue will be restricted. Construction crews will be working in the area cleaning out the sanitary sewer line. The sidewalk adjacent to construction in the area will be closed as well.
The work is anticipated to be completed by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, 2012.

State Plans to Fill Juvenile Corrections Monitor Job Soon

State Human Services Secretary Laurie Gill says they're planning to hire a new juvenile corrections monitor for a program that investigates allegations of mistreatment of juveniles in state's reform schools. KELO reports the replacement will probably be on board in a couple of months, to replace John Ellis who retired in December.

Esurance Hiring in Sioux Falls

The Esurance center in northwest Sioux Falls is growing, and looking for new people. The Sioux Falls center has hired 64 people so far this year, and a company spokesperson tells the Argus-Leader they have another 20-positions to fill. The Sioux Falls center employs 479 people, with another 151 people who work in home offices in the area.

Booze Banned at Two Areas of Black Hills National Forest

There are now signs posted banning alcohol at Dakota Point at Sheridan lake. Black Hills National Forest officials tell KDLT the signs went up in response to a deadly fall and continuing issues with litter. Dakotan Point and Pactola Lake's Jenny Gulch both have those signs and they're both popular cliff-jumping sites. A 17-year old slipped and fell off Dakota Point last summer.

United Way Update

The Sioux Empire United Way has awarded nearly $310,000 to 21 area nonprofit programs. The grants were for new or expanded programs and ranged from $3,000 to more than $33,000.
The grants will be used for a variety of programs that range from vehicle repairs for low-income households to counseling for children who are experiencing grief.

Tuition, Fees Going Up

- The South Dakota Board of Education has approved tuition and fee increases at the state's four technical schools. The board says the changes will bring the total base cost per credit hour to $126, up $8 from last year. Officials say the increases were necessary to keep pace with the rising cost of providing a high-quality education at the technical schools located in Sioux Falls, Watertown, Mitchell and Rapid City.

Ambulance involved in Weekend Crash

Authorities say no one was hurt when a pickup truck rear-ended an ambulance in northeast South Dakota over the weekend. The Highway Patrol says that the ambulance was responding to another accident and was stopped on U.S. Highway 12 about two miles west of Waubay when it was struck Saturday morning. Heavy fog in the area at the time of the two crashes may have contributed to the crashes.

DWI Arrests

The numbers are in and show that over the Saint Patrick's Day holiday, there were more officers out looking for drunken drivers. Between 8 p.m. March 17 and 4 a.m. March 18, police officials say there were 18 additional officers, five troopers and three deputies out on patrol. Officers issued 247 citations, including 20 DWI arrests.

Dispute Leads to Stabbing

A weekend stabbing over the weekend is the result of an ongonig dispute between neighbors. KDLT reports that 36-year-old Ramiro Reyna Jr. of Sioux Falls was arrested for aggravated assault resulting from the incident. Sioux Falls Police say on Sunday at around 5:30 pm the victim was playing football in his yard on the 700 block of S. 3rd Avenue when Reyna, his neighbor, started yelling and accusing him of throwing rocks.

Road Work

At 8:30 a.m. work will begin on replacing a sanitary sewer manhole on Cleveland Avenue south of 6th Street. Cleveland Avenue will be closed to thru traffic between 10th Street and 6th Street. Traffic will be detoured to Sycamore Avenue to allow travel between 10th Street and 6th Street. Manhole replacement and pavement patching operations are expected to be completed by Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 4:00 p.m.

Lawmakers Fail to Override Daugaard Concealed Carry Veto

The South Dakota House today failed to override Gov. Daugaard's veto of a bill allowing people to carry concealed handguns without permits as long as they had a driver's license and met state standards for carrying guns. KDLT reports the Governor supports the current permit process, with local law officers determine if someone is qualified to carry concealed.

Next Monday's the Deadline to Register for SF April 10th Elections

Sioux Falls residents who want to vote in the April 10th city and school board election have until Monday to register. KELO reports among the places you can register are Minnehaha or Lincoln County Auditor's Offices, and the Secretary of State's Office. To find out if you are already registered, check the Secretary of State's Voter Information Portal or call the Minnehaha County Auditor's Office at 367-4220 or the Lincoln County Auditor's Office at 764-2581

Daugaard Billboard Law Veto Stands

The South Dakota Legislature's upheld Gov. Daugaard's veto of a bill to bar cities from banning digital billboards. KDLT reports Rapid City voters last year passed an initiated ordinance banning new digital billboards. In his veto, the governor said the Legislature shouldn't pass a new law while a lawsuit is pending over the Rapid City ordinance.

Higher Ed conference

More than 900 people are expected to take part in a four-day Native American higher education conference hosted by the South Dakota Tribal Colleges beginning Saturday. The 31st annual conference of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium will be at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel Saturday through Tuesday.

Base Inspection Canceled

An inspection aimed at determining whether members of the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base are ready for action has been canceled because of the wing's strong performances during several recent deployments and exercises. Wing commander Col. Mark Weatherington says the airmen have shown their ability to deploy "wherever and whenever needed."

Conceal Carry Veto

Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Friday vetoed a bill that would have allowed any resident 18 and older with a valid state drivers' license to carry a concealed handgun without having to obtain a permit. In his veto address of House Bill 1248, Daugaard said the state's permitting laws are already "fair and reasonable."

Lincoln High School Marching Band to March Tourney of Roses Again

The 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association President, Sally Bixby, arrived in Sioux Falls Sunday night. She's in town to formally welcome the Lincoln High School Marching Band to march in the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade. President Bixby was welcomed by Lincoln High School Band members with music and red roses. This will be the 4th time the Patriots have marched in the big parade.

SD Man Dies in Crash

The South Dakota Highway Patrol says a 59-year-old Custer man was killed in a one-vehicle rollover crash near Wind Cave National Park. Trooper say Michael C. Mahutga was traveling south on U.S. Highway 385 about 10 miles north of Hot Springs when his vehicle drifted off the road Saturday morning. Mahutga was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle.

Aberdeen PD Cars Crash

A crash between two Aberdeen PD patrol cars caused injuries to three people Sunday morning. 28-year-old Alejandro Reyes was traveling on South Washington Street near 7th abvenue when he was called to assist another officer with a fleeing suspect according to the police report. They say 27-year-old Matt Miller, also responding to the chase, was traveling east on 7th Avenue crossing Washinton street when the two vehicles collided. All three were taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Road Work

Sanitary sewer pipe lining work will begin tonight at the intersection of Western Avenue and 10th Street. Work is expected to begin at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to be completed by Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. At the intersection of 10th Street and Western Avenue., 10th Street will be closed to westbound traffic west of Western Avenue. Also, eastbound traffic west of Western Avenue will not have access to Western Avenue and should consider an alternate route. Along Western Avenue, northbound and southbound traffic will be maintained but motorists should expect reduced speeds in this area as traffic is diverged around the work area.

McKennan Hospital

In December of 1911, McKennan Hospital opened to provide medical care to the citizens of Sioux Falls. Now over 100 years old, the hospital remains one of the largest medical facilities in the region. Dr. Margaret Preston, author of Avera McKennan Hospital's First Century of Caring, will discuss the early history of Avera McKennan Hospital using interviews, letters and other archival materials from current and former employees. This presentation will offer an understanding of the history of the Presentation Order in South Dakota, Helen McKennan, and McKennan Hospital's interesting history over the past century. Admission is free.

Daugaard Vetoes Wind Project Tax Refund Bill

Gov. Daugaard's vetoed a bill that would have refunded close to half the construction taxes for large wind energy projects and an environmental upgrade at Big Stone Power Plant. According to KDLT, Daugaard says the Legislature should wait to see whether voters in November approve or reject a more comprehensive incentive plan for construction projects; and the bill discriminates against smaller wind energy projects.

Redfield Man's Drunken Night Leads to Prison Time

A judge's sentenced a Redfield man to 5-years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. Prosecutors say 37-year old Jamie Binger was accused of pulling a knife and waiving it a people in a bar. According to KELO, Binger will have to pay a $150 fine and undergo mental health and chemical dependency evaluations. Spink County state's attorney Vic Fischbach says Binger grabbed a knife from the kitchen and was drunk at the time.

Boating Restrictons

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to maintain some of the boating restrictions below Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota that were put in place during last year's Missouri River flooding.
The restrictions close additional space below the dam when the corps runs water through the spillway. Officials cite boater safety as the reason. Opponents say the restrictions are no longer needed, will take away prime fishing spots and will hurt the regional economy.

PA Man faces drug charges

Bond has been set at $10,000 for a Pennsylvania man who authorities say was caught with 54 pounds of marijuana in South Dakota. 31-year-old Robert Howells allegedly had the drugs in three duffel bags packed inside a rooftop carrier on the van he was driving when he was stopped for speeding and erratic driving on Interstate 90 in Brule County on Tuesday.

Fire Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity for western South Dakota through Friday evening, saying conditions are conducive for large wildfire growth. Forecasters say temperatures continue to be 15-30 degrees above average with relative humidity falling to 10 to 20 percent.
The gusty winds and warm dry atmosphere are producing critical fire weather conditions across the area. Officials in Pennington County advise against outdoor burning and say cigarette butts should be placed only in approved receptacles.

Hole Swallows Truck

It was a scarey situation for one SF resident after a water main break near 24th Street and Van Eps Avenue caused problems Thursday. Matt Schultz says a police officer knocked on his door around 2:30 am, saying there was a problem in the street. Unfortunately, Schultz's truck was parked on the street, where a water main had ruptured. He found his truck literally falling into the hole it had created. Officials with Sioux Falls Public Works say the connection from someone's home to the water main broke free and pulled a portion of the pipe out, causing the hole

Suspected Molestor In Jail

Ruben Peter Padilla, 66, was indicted last week on seven counts of sexual contact with a child younger than 16 and one count of sexual contact with a victim incapable of consent for a series of sexual interactions with three boys. The Brandon goat farmer reportedly molested three young boys on multiple occasions between 2005-2011, and “groomed” his victims and built up trust with the boys’ parents, police say. Padilla has been in jail on a $250,000 cash-only bond since March 1.

Roads Work

Sunday evening will see work start on sanitary sewer pipe lining on Western Avenue from 12th Street to 10th Street. Work is expected to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening and is expected to be completed by Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. Left turn lanes will be closed in all directions at the intersection of 12th Street and Western Avenue. Also, northbound and southbound traffic along Western Avenue will be limited to a right turn only at 12th Street.

Court to SD Police--Get Warrant to Use GPS on Suspects

The South Dakota Supreme Court's followed the lead of the U.S. Supreme Court and ruled that police must get a warrant before using GPS technology to track someone. According to KELO the decision overturns Elmer Zahn's convictions for marijuana possession with intent to distribute. Aberdeen found the pot in a storage locker they tracked Zahn to with GPS.

SF St. Patricks's Parade Saturday

A warm weekend could mean larger than normal crowds Saturday for Sioux Falls St. Patrick's Day Parade. KELO reports the marchers start at 2p.m., and with the parade in downtown, you can expect street closures. The parade starts at 5th Street and Main Avenue, down Maine to 13th, down 13th to Phillips, and ending at Phillips and 5th Street.

SD Gaurd Unit Deploying to Kuwait

A Sioux Falls based South Dakota Army National Guard unit's being deployed to the Middle East. According to KDLT, the 927th Survey and Design Team's been mobilized for a tour in Kuwait. 14-Soldiers will be making the trip and they'll be spending some time training at Fort Bliss in Texas before heading to Kuwait. Their job will be helping with engineering projects.

Spearfish Co Closing

A Spearfish company that makes three-wheeled motorcycles has closed its doors. Lehman Trikes laid off some workers late last year while the business looked for an investor. President and CEO Ken Hines says in a statement that the company has not been successful and there is no guarantee it will find the money to reopen. The business moved to Spearfish in 2004. Founder John Lehman died this past January.

FTC Warns of Advertising by Car Dealers

In a first-of-its-kind case, the Federal Trade Commission targeted five car dealers in four states that regulators say deceived consumers by promising to pay off their loans, no matter what was owed on the cars. The balance, the FTC said, was usually rolled right into the new car loan. Wednesday's announcement from the commission named Billion Auto in Sioux Falls. The FTC has brought cases against auto dealers before, but not for this kind of advertising.

Home Values Down

property values of existing homes are going down despite new homes being built in Minnehaha county. Some values went up or stayed the same, but this is the first time the values have gone down after remaining steady over the last few years. Most home values went down an average of four to eight percent.

Smoke from Fires Closes Part of I 29

Interstate 29 north of Sioux falls was shut down on Wednesday as crews battled a large grass fire. It was one of several reported. It happened around noon near the Crooks/Renner exit. The smoke got so thick, drivers had a hard time seeing. One fire truck was even run into by another car causing authorities to shut down the southbound lane of the interstate.

Sioux Falls Ceili Band

The Sioux Falls Ceili Band will host Irish music and dancing programs at the Old Courthouse Museum on Thursday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) is an Irish social dance. The dances are done in lines or circles and are similar to a square or barn dance. All of the dances will be taught and the moves will be called out. Beginners are welcome. Dress in layers, Ceili dancing is energetic!

Works Underway on Lewis and Clark Regional Water System

Repair work's started along the Missouri River damaged by water releases last summer. That's when the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System's river bank stabilization was breached. KELO reports crews are now working to fix over 500 feet of revetment that was destroyed and more that 300 feet that was damaged. The purpose of the revetment north of the Vermillion-Newcastle Bridge is to protect Lewis and Clark's primary well field from erosion.

I-29 Reopened

The stretch of I-29 closed earlier this afternoon due to smoke from brush fire, has been reopened. KDLT reports Crews from Dell Rapids, Renner, Crooks, and Baltic remain in the area, working to put out several grass fires that are still burning. Crews were also called to fires near I-90 and Marion Road in western Sioux Falls and to a grass fire that got close to a building east of Sioux Falls.

Three Busted for Get-N-Go Rob Try

Three men have been busted by Sioux Falls Police for this mornings attempted robbery at a Get-N-Go convenience store. According to KDLT, police say two of the trio assaulted the clerk in trying to get the cash register open, with the third man outside as a lookout. All three, from Sioux Fall,s have been charged with robbery and assault.

Noem Won't Make Endorsement

Congresswoman Kristi Noem says she has no plans to endorse any of the Republican presidential candidates. The South Dakota Republican says she plans to keep her personal opinions of Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, New Gingrich and Ron Paul to herself. Republican U.S. Sen. John Thune has endorsed Romney.

Car in Pond

A car drove off an embankment early this morning and landed in Old Creamery Pond near Luverne. Two people fled the scene and were later caught and are currently in custody. Crews removed the car from the pond. No one was injured.

Kidnap Rapist Charged

A Pierre man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old Pierre woman. Police Captain Elton Blemaster says that 47-year-old Antoine LaDeaux, Jr. has been charged with second-degree rape and second-degree kidnapping.

Teacher Bonus Bill

Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed HB1234, legislation he offered to reward teachers for excellence and attract more talented young people into teaching disciplines in critical areas of education. The Governor announced his “South Dakota Investing in Teachers” initiative in his Jan. 10 State of the State address.

34th Street Work

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2012, construction crews will be working in the eastbound lane of 34th Street between Shirley Avenue and Louise Avenue. Crews will be working on rehabilitating three (3) sanitary sewer manholes. One of the manholes is located at the intersection of Shirley Avenue and West 34th Street in the southbound lane. Eastbound traffic from Shirley Avenue onto West 34th Street will need to take an alternate route during the construction hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cliff Avenue Bridge Work

Beginning on Thursday, March 15, 2012, construction crews will begin tree and debris removal work near the Cliff Avenue bridge over the Big Sioux River between 12th Street and 14th Street. Intermittent lane closures between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. are possible throughout the course of the work. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. The work at this location is expected to be completed by March 20, 2012. Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution when driving in this area. The overall maintenance project is expected to be complete by the end of June.

KEN YANCEY, NATIONAL CEO OF SCORE

The Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to have KEN YANCEY, NATIONAL CEO OF SCORE as the keynote speaker at the Annual Banquet on March 22nd. W. Kenneth Yancey, Jr. currently serves as CEO of the SCORE Association, a position he has held since 1993. Prior to joining SCORE, Yancey served as Executive Director for the National Business Association.

SF Picks Firm for Events Center Bond Sale

Sioux Falls has picked Robert Baird and Co. to but $102-million in bonds to pay for the planned Events Center. City Finance Director Tracy Turbak tells KDLT Baird offered the best bid, with a 3.21% interest rate. The city's next step is to see how much cash can be raised from a naming rights sale that will contribute to construction costs. Depending on much is raised in naming rights, there could be a smaller bond sale later this year.

Daugaard Signs Education Reform Bill

Gov. Daugaard's signed into law his plan to use scholarships to recruit teachers in critical subjects and provide $5,000 annual bonuses to the top 20% of teachers. KDLT reports it'll eventually cost the state $15-million a year. The union representing South Dakota teachers says it will try to get the law on the ballot for a public referendum vote, and defeat it.

Body Found in Car

Authorities are trying to determine the identity of a body that was found in a burned car near the northeastern South Dakota town of Ferney over the weekend. Brown County Sheriff Mark Milbrandt said that it appears the car went into the ditch and caught fire. A passer-by reported the wreck on Saturday morning. The body was taken to Grand Forks for an autopsy.

Bond Sale for SF Events Center

A bonds sale will take place this week to raise most of the funding for the Sioux Falls events center. The city expects to sell approximately 90 percent of the available bonds to one or two brokerage houses or investment firms, generating $102 million of the total budget by the end of today. Next, a sale of naming rights to the center will help generate remaining dollars, as will a contract with a food and drinks provider.

City Attorney Under Fire

Some members of the Sioux Falls City Council say city attorney David Pfeifle gave them bad information on the firing of City Clerk Debra Owen and are suggesting he should be removed from his job.
City council member Vernon Brown was visibly upset during the council session, Monday, openly questioning city attorney David Pfeifle for his recommendation to keep details of Debra Owen's dismissal private.
I am considering an April 2nd resolution for a vote of no confidence. Legally that doesn't fire David. We don't have the authority to do that either," Brown said.

Van Spotted Casing Schoolgirls

Three girls between the ages of 10 and 12 said they saw a red van drive by them four times in about five minutes on Sunday between one and two p.m. at Cassady Park in Valley Springs. The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department said this incident coincides with the previous incidents that the Sioux Falls Police Department have been working on dealing with suspicious subjects near schools. Police said the man in the red van is also described as a white male with a thin build and short black hair.

Road Work

Beginning on Wednesday, construction crews will begin erosion repair work near the North Drive bridge over the Big Sioux River diversion channel near the State Penitentiary. Intermittent lane closures between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. are possible. When lane closures occur, traffic will be controlled with flaggers. The work at this location is expected to be completed by March 15. This work is part of a City-wide maintenance program that will focus on repairing erosion damage and removing trees, debris, and sediment from various drainage structures around the City.

SF Early Voting Starts Tomorrow

Absentee voting begin at 8 a.m. o tomorrow for the April 10 city of Sioux Falls municipal and school board election at the Minnehaha County Auditor’s Office, 415 N. Dakota Ave. Residents can also vote from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Absentee voting will end at 3 p.m. on Election Day.

SD Joins States Challenging California Fuel Law

South Dakota's one of seven states pulling together to battle California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard regulation. A regulation already tossed as unconstitutional by a federal judge, for violating the commerce clause of the constitution by discriminating against ethanol. The other states involved include North Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Michigan. KSFY reports California's appealed and asked to be allowed to enforce the rule while the appeal's pending.

Eagle Butte Man Sentenced

An Eagle Butte man has been sentenced to 10 months for stealing two pieces of art and a box of blankets from a Cheyenne River Sioux government building. 42-year-old Delon Holy Bear
and an accomplice broke into the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Government Building in June and stole two Native American art pieces and a box of blankets. They later sold the items.

No Walmart

Walmart is looking to open a third Sioux Falls store, this one on the city's southeast side. In mid-February, representatives from the super chain unveiled their plans. Since then, the neighborhood surrounding the proposed 69th and Cliff location has been sounding off. Neighbors gathered to sign a petition stating: big commercial business isn't wanted here. 69th Street and Cliff Avenue is where Walmart would like to build its third Sioux Falls location. Right now the area is largely residential.

Morew Construction

Beginning on Monday, construction crews will begin tree and debris removal near the 60th Street North bridge over the Big Sioux River approximately ½ mile west of Minnesota Avenue. Intermittent lane closures between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. are possible throughout the course of the work. When lane closures occur, traffic will be controlled with flaggers. The work at this location is expected to be completed by March 16. Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution when driving in this area.

Construction

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. the northbound lane on North Lake Avenue, in the vicinity of Stewart School of Hairstyling, will be closed due to construction activities. Traffic in this area will still be maintained but will need to take precautions when traveling thru. Access to local businesses will not be affected. The construction cones will remain from 7a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. Outside of these hours the construction cones will be removed and traffic to both lanes will be reinstated. Parking along the northbound lane will also be restricted in the area of construction.

Traffic Delays

Beginning at 8:00 a.m. construction crews will be working along the east side of the north bound lane of Carolyn Avenue between Swenson Drive and 38th Street. Crews will be working on rehabilitating three (3) sanitary sewer manholes. East bound traffic from Carolyn Avenue onto 34th Street will need to take an alternate route, during construction hours of 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Outside of working hours, construction cones will be removed and traffic to the entire roadway will be allowed. Traffic along Carolyn Avenue will be maintained. The work is anticipated to be completed by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 16, 2012.

National History Day Regional Competition

The Old Courthouse Museum will host the National History Day Regional Competition for Southeast, South Dakota on Wednesday, March 14th from 9 a.m. to noon. The theme for 2012 is Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in History.

SF Teen Says Man in SUV Asked her for Sex

An 18-year-old girl was approached last night by a man in an SUV who asked for sex. Sioux Falls Police tell KDLT the teen was near 14th Street and Spring Avenue around 7, when a white SUV pulled up next to her and a man offered her money in exchange for oral sex. Police say the teen refused and the man got out of the car, but got back in and drove away when she pulled out her cell phone. Police say the man had white hair and had an accent.

Brandon Farmer Indicted for Sexual Contact with Boys

Brandon farmer Ruben Padilla's been indicted on 7-counts of sexual contact with a child under 16, as well as with a victim incapable of consent for a string of sexual contacts with three boys. The incidents happened between 2005 and 2011, and police got involved last August when one of the victims came forward to report one of the incidents. Padilla's been in the Minnehaha County Jail since March 1st.

Three injured after police chase

Three people are listed in serious condition after a police chase in South Dakota's Moody County that ended with a crash. Officers tried to pull over an SUV Thursday night after reports of the SUV driving erratically and speeding on Interstate 29. Authorities say the driver fled, turned off the interstate and eventually lost control about two miles south of Trent. The SUV rolled and hit a tree.

Biologist Fired

- The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department has fired a biologist who waited almost a day to report a mountain lion kill that would have ended the hunting season. The lion shot by Lowell Schmitz of Rapid City last Friday would have been the 70th of the season had he checked it in that day, prompting an automatic season closure. Schmitz waited until the next day to report the kill, and three more lions were killed March 1.

2012 Sioux Empire Sportsmen's Show

Around 200 exhibits including a big variety of new model boats, Rvs of all sizes, motors, docks, marine electronics, fishing gear, hunting and camping equipment, lodges, resorts, outfitters and campgrounds will be at 2012 Sioux Empire Sportsmen's Show. Daily seminars by fishing hunting pros will also be offered. Organizers say this is a fun family-friendly event. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $2.50 for kids 6-12, and kids five and under are free. The show is being held at the Sioux Falls Arena and Convention Center. Friday: Noon - 9:00pm Saturday: 10:00am - 9:00pm Sunday: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Airport Security Upgrades

Standard security at the Sioux Falls Regional Airport changed on Thursday. A new advanced imaging body scanner was installed last week, but screening of passengers using the new technology started on Thursday. Airport officials say the new image technology upgrade is an important addition to stop potential metallic and non-metallic threats.

SF City Council Under Fire

Last year, the Sioux Falls City Council gave City Clerk Debra Owen an ultimatum: resign or be fired. But the manner in which the council made that decision is under fire. The Argus Leader filed a complaint to the open meetings commission. It was heard by the open meetings commission on Thursday. The Argus Leader's attorney Jon Arneson argued a vote isn't allowed in a closed door session and Owen's name should have been mentioned in the motion made in public.

Kids Learn about Dairy and Pork Farming

A dairy and pork farmer will be visiting all four of the Brandon School District 4th grade Elementary classrooms next week and will talk to the students about what they do on their farms, and how the products produced on the farm end up on pizza. Fred Assam/Valley Springs at Fred Assam – Tuesday, March 13th at 1pm
Brandon Elementary – Wednesday March 14th at 12:35pm
Robert Bennis – Friday, March 16th at 1pm

SF Police Looking for Missing Teen Girl

Sioux Falls Police need your help finding 17-year-old girl Katelyn Nicole Cronin. She was reported missing February 22nd, and according to KDLT, police say they've got reason to believe she's in Sioux Falls. Cronin's white, 5'3", 120 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. If you know where Katelyn Cronin is, call Sioux Falls Police at 367-7000.

Five Indicted for Selling Liquor on Indian Reservation

A federal grand jury's indicted five people for possessing and selling liquor on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. KDLT reports all five pleaded not guilty, and separate trials are scheduled for May 1. If convicted, the five face a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Corps Accepting Bids for Causeway

The Army Corps of Engineers is accepting bids for a project to rebuild a flood-damaged causeway that connects the city of Pierre to LaFromboise Island on the Missouri River. The corps says the causeway will be restored to how it was before last summer's flooding that damaged the 1,400-foot-long causeway and washed away a 500-foot section. Bids are due by March 23

Patrols Stepped Up

Sioux Falls Police are keeping a close eye on elementary schools after another report of a suspicious man trying to lure kids into his vehicle. This is the third similar incident within a week; all have been near elementary schools. Police are asking parents to have the stranger danger talk with their kids. The description of the latest man is a white male 50-60 years old with gray hair. This time he was in a white SUV. The other two incidents the man was driving a black car one time and a white vehicle the second time.

River South Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Work

The City of Sioux Falls Public Works Department is lining the Sioux River South Sanitary Sewer Interceptor in the area between 41st Street and 57th Street along the Bike Trail. Construction activity will require the Bike Trail to be closed along the west side of the Big Sioux River for approximately one day, Wednesday, March 7th beginning at 7:00 AM. There will be no thru pedestrian or bike traffic allowed on the Bike Trail between 41st Street and 57th Street on the west side of river during the closure.
Bike Trail traffic will be routed to the east side of the river during closures. Routing signs will be in place.

Sioux Empire Community Theatre presents How I Became a Pirate Musical

“How I Became a Pirate,” March 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater. Brandi Gruis, volunteer for The Sioux Empire Community Theater says this is a musical the entire family will enjoy. Tickets are just $5. Tickets can be purchased at the SECT Box Office located in the Orpheum Theater at 315 N. Phillips Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, online at www.SiouxFallsTheater.com or by phone at 605-360-4800. Recommended for ages three and up.

St. Patrick’s Day at the Old Courthouse Museum

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Old Courthouse Museum with the St. Patrick’s Celebration of Traditional Irish Music beginning at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 17th. The event will begin with the Sioux Fall Ceili Band performing selections of Irish dance music from 3:00-4:30 and Dakota District Pipes and Drums performing traditional Irish pipe tunes from 4:30-5:00. Food will be available to purchase from A Taste of Country and drinks by Dakota Beverage. Admission is free.

Thune's Mother Passes

U.S. Senator John Thune today announced that his mother, Yvonne Patricia “Pat” Thune, 90, passed away yesterday morning. Memorial arrangements are pending.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of my mother,” said Thune. “She was a devoted and loving mother and encouraged my siblings and me to work hard and always strive to do our best. I am grateful for the love and grace she shared with us, and I am comforted by the thought that my mother has been lifted up to her eternal home with our Savior.”

Teachwers Union Supports School Reform Law Referendum Vote

The South Dakota Education Association's backing a drive to refer HB 1234 to the November ballot. KDLT reports the union has a number of concerns over the education reform bill, saying the major changes the legislature made to Gov. Daugaard's original proposal were rushed, and the plan won't do much to help students.

Minnehaha 24/7 Program Gets New Sheriff's Position

The Minnehaha County Commission's voted to hire a new sheriff's deputy to oversee the 24/7 sobriety program. 400-plus report to the County Jail daily to prove they're staying sober, taking a breathalyzer twice a day, and over 100 are on constant monitoring bracelets. Money from the state's 24/7 budget will pay for the new position and its related expenses, but Commissioner say if the state money goes away, so should the new position.

SF Street Musician Applications Available

Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc. is accepting applications for the downtown Street Musician program through March 31. Street Musicians play at various locations throughout downtown on Friday and Saturday nights during the months of June, July and August. For more information and an application, please visit www.dtsf.com.

Heuther Listening and Learning Session Saturday

Mayor Mike Huether’s next Listening and Learning Session's Saturday morning from 9 to 10:30 at Whisk and Chop, at 108 South Minnesota Avenue,
The Mayor and Human Resources Director Bill O’Toole will be there to talk about the hiring process for the City of Sioux Falls, including the Police Department and Fire Rescue, and answer your questions about those and any other issues affecting the city.

Suspicious Fires

Authorities are investigating three suspicious grass fires in South Dakota's Stanley County in the last month. Fort Pierre Fire Chief Rick Cronin says that two of the fires were in the Oahe Dam area and the third was south of Fort Pierre. The latest blaze burned two acres of grassland and some trees Tuesday near the dam. No buildings were threatened.

Gun, Drug Chargesa

A Sioux Falls Storm defensive back faces gun and drug possession charges.
At about 2:30 a.m. Sunday, a person heard a gunshot outside their home. When he looked outside he saw a vehicle with one person inside it. Two people were in the vehicle when officers arrived. 26-year-old Donta Moore is charged with not having a concealed weapon permit, reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

Pot at School

School officials at Edison Middle School found over a pound of marijuana was found in a 13-year-old boy’s backpack at school Monday. A 14-year-old girl allegedly showed another classmate some pot. Police say teachers linked where she got the drugs to the 13-year-old boy. Now, some parents and grandparents are left concerned about what's going on in schools.

Water Main Breaks

An apparent water main break slowed traffic near the empire mall Tuesday night in Sioux Falls. The water was bubbling up from the parking lot near the Burger King and running onto Louise Avenue. City crews had the water shut off and were looking at the best way to fix the problem.

Kids Activity Day

The Old Courthouse Museum will host Kids Activity Day on Thursday, March 15th. The theme for March is Wee Bit o’ Fun! Children will be given the opportunity to make a craft while learning about history. The program has two sessions; the morning session is from 9 to 11:30 a.m., afternoon sessions from 1-2:30 p.m., and creative learning programs run every 15 minutes throughout the sessions. Kids Activity Day is a make and take craft program offered year around on the third Thursday of every month at the Old Courthouse Museum. Children preschool through 3rd grade are invited to participate. Please register by calling (605) 367-4210 ext. 0.

Clerk Named

The city of Sioux Falls makes a major announcement on Tuesday. Officials say they will be adding a new staff member to their team after the city council makes a decision to appoint a new city clerk. Lorie Hogstad will now be taking over the position. Hogstad has 20 years of experience working as the Assistant City Clerk and council members say that’s what ultimately helped her stand out.

First Events Center Bond Sale Next Week

The City of Sioux Falls will issue bonds for the events center project next Tuesday, but Finance Director Tracy Turbak says they'll be doing two bond sales. The reason for the two bond issues is the city may get more money than expected from naming rights. Turback says sponsorships and private naming rights will pay for ongoing operating costs, but they want to see how much money they get before doing a second bond issue.

Another Child Reports Being Approached by Stranger Near School

Sioux Falls Police say a third public school student's reported being approached by a suspicious man outside a school. KDLT reports a 9-year old says he was a man pulled up next to him in a car and told him to get in while he was heading home from Lowell Elementary yesterday. Detectives say this suspect doesn't match the description in two incidents reported last week. Yesterday's suspects a white male in his 20's with a beard.

High Speed Chase Teen "Troubled"

A Sioux Falls man who led police on a high-speed chase last week and caused a fatal traffic accident has been charged with first-degree manslaughter. According to police, 19-year-old Kyle Lee Jones stole the vehicle he was driving, but according to court documents, Jones says he was trying to run away from a troubled family situation.

School Kid Suspended, Drug Charges Pending, Over Fish Oil Pill

A Sioux Falls student has been kicked out of school for an over-the-counter vitamin. The pill that landed 15-year-old Nic Sutton in trouble at school is a common over the counter suppliment of fish oil. The Sioux Falls School District originally told the Memorial Middle School student he would face a drug charge, be given a 15 day suspension and have to endure drug counseling. They've altered the sentence some, suspending him for 10 days or 5 days if he undergoes the counseling.

First West Nile Victim Dies

South Dakota’s first victim of the West Nile Virus has died. Jim Welti survived his bout with the mosquito born illness in 2002, but passed away Thursday, March 1 at a hospice in Sioux Falls. KDLT reports that the Carthage resident was the first South Dakotan to officially be diagnosed with West Nile Virus.

Bike Trail Closure

The Sioux Falls Bike Trail at Russell Street will be temporarily closed to allow crews to conduct soil borings near the Russell Street Big Sioux River bridges. The trail will be closed from 12 noon on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2012. Trail traffic will not be detoured.

Bond Press Conference

At 10:30 this morning, Tracy Turbak, Director of Finance, will conduct a press conference to announce the planned sale of bonds to finance the Events Center Project. An update to the project financing plan will be provided. The press conference will be held in the Commission Room at City Hall, 224 West Ninth Street. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend

Charges Filed in Deadly SF Car Crash

The man Sioux Falls Police say caused Thursday night's fatal car crash after allegedly stealing a vehicle and leading police on a high-speed chase, has been charged with counts of first and second degree manslaughter, grand theft and other charges. KDLT reports 19-year old Kyle Jones of Sioux Falls faces a maximum life in prison on the first degree manslaughter charge.

Motorcycle Club Fight PutsTwo Behind Bars

Two Hells Angels involved in a 2011 stabbing during a fight with Mongols Motorcycle Club members in Sturgis will do time. 48-year old Mark Duclos of Alaska, was sentenced to six years in the state pen, with four suspended for aggravated assault. 58-year old George Caruso Massachusetts., was charged with one count of simple assault, and sentenced to a year in the Meade County Jail.; and have to pay $4,000 in fines and restitution.

Details Tomorrow on Events Center Bond Sale

Tracy Turbak, Sioux Falls Finance Director has a news conference tomorrow morning to talk about the planned bond sale to raise money to pay for the Events Center. Part of the news conference, in the City Hall Commission Room, will be an update on the financing plan for the Events Center. It starts at 10:30.

SD Science Olympiad Tournament

More than 20 middle schools and high schools will head to Vermillion later this month to compete in the 28th annual South Dakota Science Olympiad State Tournament. The March 31 event at the University of South Dakota will involve more than 250 middle school and high school students competing in several science events. The top teams from each division will be invited to the 2012 National Science Olympiad Tournament in May.

State Gets Money to Fix Track

The state is receiving nearly $2 million to relocate a section of railroad near the border of South Dakota and Iowa. The $1.8 million Sioux Valley Railroad Relocation project will go toward moving a section of rail along the side of a hill near the Big Sioux River. Transportation officials say the relocation will eliminate frequent service interruptions that are required to maintain the existing track.

Bridal Show

Soon-to-be brides filled the Ramkota Exhibit Hall Sunday to check out elaborate cakes, dinner displays and the latest in-style gowns.One bride-to-be, Amber Smithers, said she loves her fiancé for a number of reasons."I just love that he's patient, caring, he's kind and he's chill," said Smithers. Smithers wedding is in the fall and she said she’s been busy planning.

2012 Sturgis motorcycle

As organizers gear up for the 2012 Sturgis motorcycle rally, the final tally is in on the 2011 edition.The city of Sturgis netted nearly $240,000 for last year's rally. The income was $1.4 million, while expenses were about $900,000. Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie say the city donated $40,000 to local rally charities, meaning about $200,000 was put into the city's general fund.

Public Works Environmental Division

The City of Sioux Falls Public Works Environmental Division will unveil a citywide Sustainability Master Plan at a public open house on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, from 6–7:30 p.m. with a short presentation on the plan to be given at 6:15. The open house will be held at the Oak View Branch Library, 3700 East Third Street. Members of the public
will learn about the Sustainability Master Plan and have an opportunity to provide feedback before the plan is finalized

Fight for Air Walk

Walkers and teams are needed for the American Lung Association in South Dakota’s Fight for Air Walk in The Empire Mall, Saturday, April 21, 2012. You can register now online at www.fightforairwalk.org and help the organization meet its goal of raising $25,000, enjoy a morning of walking and learning more about the American Lung Association’s fight for healthy lungs and healthy air. Funds raised support eduation, research and advocacy to improve the lives of those with lung disease and prevent lung
disease in the future. Our Very own John Small will act as EmCee

Mixed Chemicals Force Evacuation of Avera McKennan Hospital Campus

Fumes from cleaning chemicals accidentally mixed together led to this mornings evacuation of the Avera McKennan Hospital campus in Sioux Falls. . KDLT reports officials blocked off the street outside the Center Inn to and vent the fumes. The Center Inn is a hotel for patients' families. One person was treated for respiratory problems. Fire officials say maintenance workers mixed bleach and acid in a laundry room.

SF Car Crash Kills One Injures Three

A Sioux Falls man was killed and three others hurt in a car accident at Cliff Avenue North and 60th Street North last night. 33-year old Jade Thie was killed when his van was hit head on by an SUV, The Brandon Challenger reports the SUV was stolen and had been stopped by Sioux Falls Police a few minutes before the crash, but the driver took off, and they pursued, but stopped before the crash. Two of the three injured suffered life threatening injuries.

Frogger Skills

Siouxland Libraries will celebrate Teen Tech Week, March 4-10, 2012, with Frogger Frenzy at the Oak View Branch Library on Monday, March 5, at 4 p.m., and at the Main Library on Saturday, March 10, at 3 p.m. Middle school and high school students are invited to test their skills playing Frogger, the classic video game for the Nintendo
Wii so all you eighties babies should hop on down and show your skills.

Possible Repeal of Concealed Weapons Permit Process

South Dakota lawmakers have passed a bill that's about to do away with concealed weapons permits for handguns. All it needs now is Governor Dennis Daugaard's signature. The new bill would eliminate that permit, allowing state residents, 18-years and older, with a valid drivers license, to carry concealed. Folks would still need to meet the same requirements of the current permit, like no felony convictions, but there'd be no need to go through an application process and get a background check by a county sheriff.

Home Show

The Home Show kicks off today at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. More than 210 exhibits will be on hand highlighting new products and services for both newly constructed homes and remodeling projects. The show runs today and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. It's $7.00 for adults, but you can get a $1.00 off coupon online. Children 12 and under are free.

Gov Vetoes Tax Break For Livestock Bedding

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has vetoed a measure that seeks to exempt straw and other livestock bedding from the state sales tax.
The Legislature passed the bill, which says the sales tax cannot be collected on the sale of straw or bedding made from corn or bean plants. In his veto message, the governor says such tax exemptions hurt state revenue.

American Indian tribe VP Suing

The vice president of an American Indian tribe suing some of the world's largest beer makers was arrested and jailed for what police say was an alcohol-related incident.
Thomas Poor Bear of the Oglala Sioux Tribe says Thursday the arrest was racially motivated and unrelated to alcohol, and he expects the charges to be dropped at a preliminary hearing this month.

SF Switchyard--What's Next?

What's next for the proposal for a new $40-million railroad switchyard in Sioux Falls? After two days of public meetings it's clear Brandon residents don't like the proposal to move the yard their way. KSFY reports Mayor Mike Heuther says there will be a lot of reviews of options, and it will be several months before a final decision is made. Since there's federal funding involved, there will be a strict review process.

Legislature Approves StateWorker Bonus Bill

The legislature's passed its' own version of Gov. Daugaard's plan to give state workers a one-time bonus. The bill also comes up with more money for school districts and medical services for the poor. The Gov. wanted bonuses for state workers at 5% of their annual salary for 3 years with no raise. Lawmaker set the bonus at a minimum $2300 and a maximum of $7500, and a one time $8.7-million for schools.

State Jobless Rate Down in January

South Dakota jobless rate in January dropped to 4.2% from 4.3% in December. According to KDLT, State Labor and Regulation Secretary Pam Roberts says the industries adding the most nonfarm workers include manufacturing, retail trade, professional and business services, and education and health services.

Sunflower Seed Company

State regulators are moving to take over a sunflower seed company that may have left North Dakota farmers with more than $1.4 million in unpaid bills. That state's Public Service Commission is asking a judge to declare Anderson Seed insolvent. It wants a court order giving it control of the company's North Dakota assets. The South Dakota PUC suspended the company's South Dakota grain buying license last month.

Weather Crashes

Winter weather experienced throughout the Sioux Empire prompted dozens of accidents on icy and wet roads in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls police say they were called to 31 accidents Tuesday between 7 a.m. and 10:15 p.m. Officers responded to nine accidents Wednesday between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Some were listed as injury accidents, but officials say none were serious.

Controversial Body Scanners Coming to SF Airport

A controversial new full body scanner will join the TSA's arsenal, along side the x-ray machines and metal detectors at Sioux Falls Regional Airport. These scanners have worried passengers in the past about an invasion of privacy and excessive radiation. While the process of boarding a plane has changed over the past decade, new technology in Sioux Falls will have security agents taking a closer look at passengers before taking off.

Federal Grants and Loans Available

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today reminded South Dakota farmers, ranchers and businesses about the availability of federal grants and loan guarantees that help cut their energy costs. The funding, available under the USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), can be used for a variety of energy efficiency projects. According to USDA Rural Development, REAP funding is often used to install energy-efficient grain drying systems and other projects such as lighting, insulation or purchase of more energy-efficient replacement equipment. Other projects include installing ventilation systems, pumps, coolers, or heating and cooling systems

Starlab Inflatable Planetarium

The Old Courthouse Museum will host Starlab Inflatable Planetarium on Sunday, March 4th at 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Starlab is a portable planetarium which allows indoor simulation of stars and constellations in the night sky. Program is for children over the age of 5 only, children attending should be comfortable in the dark. Please register groups of 8 or more by calling 367-4210 ext.0. Starlab begins promptly at the beginning of the hour, please arrive 10-15 before the hour to purchase tickets.