Around Town
Sheriff warns of Missouri River’s dangers after student drowning
A memorial service honoring the life of a University of South Dakota student who drowned a week before the school year began will be held soon. Dean of Students Kim Grieve said she is coordinating the planning of a service honoring Brant Blaha, 19, with his friends and family, and said an official date for […]
USD senior opens boutique in Vermillion
University of South Dakota students will soon be able to buy clothing at a new boutique in Vermillion managed by a fellow Coyote. Fia Rose, located at 918 E. Cherry St., opened over the summer and is now managed by USD senior Carly Holmstrom. Holmstrom is involved in cross country and is majoring in strategic communication […]
FrogWatch USA training aims to save frogs
By Natalie Keller and Megan Card A way to remember the sound of an American bullfrog: imagine the pulsating buzz of a “lightsaber.” This may seem to be an unusual comparison, but for Jake Kerby, it is a way to turn the young and old into “FrogWatch Citizen Scientists.” Kerby, a biology professor at the […]
Locals grow all-natural produce for community
As the spring season continues to bring new life into trees and flowers on campus, local farmers are hoping the warm weather draws students from their dorms out to the farm. Mitchel Morse and Sam Heikes, both longtime residents of Vermillion, are in the farming business. They have a particular interest in providing the community […]
Golden Key hosts 5K March of Dimes walk/run
Sophomore Miranda Ruiter was born about a month early and, as a result, has a Ventricular Septal Defect which left her with a hole in her heart between her ventricles. That’s why she’s an advocate for the March of Dimes mission — to improve the health of babies. “This is something that I feel strongly […]
VIDEO: VFD investigating cause of fire extinguisher incident in Coyote Village
A fire extinguisher set off early Sunday morning prompted an evacuation of all four floors in Coyote Village. At around 2 a.m., first responders from the Vermillion Fire Department, Clay County Emergency Medical Services and the University of South Dakota Police Department were called to Coyote Village after being alerted of heavy smoke on the fourth floor. Shannon […]
VPD utilizes confidential informants to bust businesses for selling alcohol to minors
One of eight businesses involved in an alcohol compliance check April 2 failed after selling alcohol to a minor. Speedee Mart, located at 802 E. Cherry St., failed its check after an underage confidential informant for the Vermillion Police Department purchased alcohol from the convenience store. “You really have to almost make an effort, or […]
VIDEO: Athletes celebrate ‘million minute’ reward with elementary students
Junior Tia Hemiller has gone up against some of the best defensive rebounders in the country on the basketball court. But on March 31, the 5’8’’ starting point guard for the University of South Dakota took on a swarm of pint-sized opponents. Hemiller was all in for a schoolyard-style game of knockout in the DakotaDome […]
Students, community address litter concerns as summer months approach
As temperatures begin to rise with the warming spring season, so does the amount of litter on Burbank Beach. Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe said traffic to the beach has increased in the past two years as university students have discovered its existence. Howe said the road to Burbank Beach is currently closed because it […]
University parking passes could lead to secondary citation
University of South Dakota parking passes must be displayed to park on campus, but displaying the parking passes on the rearview mirror could lead to secondary road violations. “Secondary enforcement laws only allow an officer to pull over drivers for a separate violation — speeding, headlight out, etc. — and then ticket them if there […]