Around Town
Vermillion works to retain USD students
The Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) is working on three ways to retain University of South Dakota students in Vermillion after graduation. With the addition of Eagle Creek Software Services, residential property Bliss Pointe and the Prentis Park master plan, the VCDC and Vermillion City Council are making improvements to make Vermillion an […]
Vermillion Middle School students study Asian Carp, win SD Samsung STEM contest
Students from Natasha Gault’s Vermillion Middle School eighth grade science class spoke to the Vermillion City Council about how the possible intrusion of Asian Carp in the Missouri River could be detrimental to the ecosystem that flows through the area. Because of their efforts, the class won $20,000 worth of technology from Samsung for their […]
Constructing a strong connection
Mary Berglin, 25-year director of the Vermillion food pantry, is thankful University of South Dakota students make the choice to volunteer on a weekly basis, and said she would have to schedule twice as many adults to perform the tasks if they were not willing to help. Some students help out merely because they want […]
Vermillion protesters rally against Keystone XL pipeline
University of South Dakota students and Vermilion community members rallied Monday night at the intersection of Main and Market Streets against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. More than a dozen people with posters and candles gathered at 6 p.m. as part of a national activism campaign aimed to urge President Obama to reject the Keystone […]
Fire chief looking to hire inspector
Education is a key factor in making sure businesses are up to code in regard to fire safety said Richard Draper, Vermillion fire chief. By inspecting Vermillion businesses for fire safety issues, Draper hopes to educate the business owners of potential fire hazards. Improvement though, is something Draper said he is seeking. The Vermillion Fire […]
Vermtown Bash attracts students, community
The threat of rain didn’t defer students from attending the Vermtown Bash Wednesday evening in Prentis Park. Bouncy castles, slides, a laser tag obstacle course, inflatable basketball court and a mechanical bull were brought in for the event, which attracted both young children and students. For the price of a donated can, students could use […]
Shortage in light fixture causes fire at Coyote Convenience store
An electrical shortage was the cause of a structure fire at the local Valero gas station on the corner of Dakota and Cherry streets Friday afternoon, officials said. Vermillion Fire Chief Shannon Draper said a shortage in one of the structure’s lights caused part of the building’s roof membrane to begin smoldering and it is better to […]
Thirteen businesses fail compliance check
In part two of this three-week series about alcohol consumption, The Volante focuses on businesses contributing to underage drinking at the University of South Dakota. Out of the 42 local bars and alcohol vendors in Vermillion inspected last year by the Vermillion Police Department, 13 of them failed compliance checks. Hilary Wells, a senior at […]
Vermillion residents, students clear debris from banks of Missouri
University of South Dakota students and Vermillion community members were lending a helping hand Saturday at the Missouri River cleanup, hosted by the National Park Service. The river cleanup has been going on for nearly 10 years in Yankton, but this was the first time it was brought to Vermillion, said Kevin O’Kelley, director of […]
Unofficial partnership benefits county EMS, university students
Merritt Groh is one of eight students from the University of South Dakota volunteering for the Vermillion-Clay County Ambulance Department. Vermillion’s ambulance department responds to approximately 800 calls per year, and is staffed 24 hours a day with two ambulances on duty at all times. About half of the roster is made up of university […]