UPDATED: Former USD student found not guilty of second degree rape

Following his trial early Tuesday afternoon, former USD football player Dale Williamson was found not guilty of attempted second-degree rape charges from an incident that occurred in October 2017. The Volante will post updates to the story as they become available.  ——————————————————————————————————————————————————— Former USD student Dale Williamson pleaded not guilty to a charge of one count […]

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Seven liquor license holders fail compliance checks with VPD

Seven local alcohol license holders failed compliance checks with Vermillion police on March 22. Underage confidential informants attempted to purchase alcohol at 10 locations in town. Three businesses — Bunyan’s, Main Street Pub and Cherry Pit Stop — all passed the compliance checks. Each of the employees who sold alcohol at the seven failing businesses […]

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Danny Rambo Jr. pleads guilty in sexual assault case

A former USD football player arrested last fall on rape charges has pleaded guilty. Danny Rambo Jr. pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 with a class one misdemeanor for sexual content without consent with a person incapable of consenting. Rambo was originally charged with one count of second-degree rape. Rambo will serve 10 days in jail starting Nov. […]

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Cherry Street sees new emergency stoplight technology

Stoplights on Vermillion’s Cherry Street have been fitted with new technology to trigger emergency lights which will help emergency vehicles proceed without accidents. Opticom, the new technology, is activated when the emergency vehicles are approaching an intersection with its emergency lights and sirens on. The Opticom technology will change the lights from two to three […]

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ICARE explained: Strategic plan approved, subcommittees move forward

The ICARE strategic plan, a $300,000 sexual assault prevention and education grant the university received in 2016, was approved on Oct. 20. ICARE stands for Inclusive, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Engagement. It’s “committed to preventing and responding to sexual assault in the University of South Dakota community through programming and advocacy,” according to the mission […]

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USD football player arrested on new rape charge

Sophomore football player Dale Williamson has been charged with one count of second-degree rape in addition to the previous charge of attempted second-degree rape levied against him in October. Williamson turned himself in to Clay County Sheriff’s Office following a Nov. 21 warrant for his arrest. According to the Argus Leader, documents say the new […]

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Updated: Sexual assault education grant approved, progress yet to be seen by students

Though USD received a $300,000 grant in October of 2016 to educate students on sexual assault, progress with training and programming has yet to be seen by students. Marisa Cummings, ICARE program coordinator, was hired last February to oversee the grant’s day-to-day operations. She submitted the strategic plan for ICARE (Inclusion, Compassion, Advocacy, Respect and Engagement) on […]

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Update: Jail escapee now in custody, ‘satisfactory conclusion’ reached

10:30 p.m. A fugitive who escaped from Charles Mix County Jail Thursday evening was taken into custody at about 8:30 p.m. He’s now in custody at the Clay County Jail after a seven-hour standoff. The residence where 19-year-old Jubal Grant was located, at 1005 Clark St., was barricaded shortly after 5 p.m. A press conference was held by […]

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Donations from annual blood drive expected to save up to 300 lives

The annual “Heroes Behind the Badges” blood drive saw a record-high turnout Monday. Hosted by the Vermillion Fire Department, Vermillion Police Department and Sanford Health, the event creates a friendly competition between the Vermillion firefighters and police officers. VFD took the win this year, continuing their ongoing victory since 2014. “This year, there was a phenomenal turnout,” […]

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Sexual assault update: No continued threat suspected

Though Matt Betzen, Chief of the Vermillion Police Department, couldn’t provide any more details regarding the investigation of a reported sexual assault that happened on-campus last week, he was able to confirm that there is no ongoing threat to the community. “The investigators have no reason to believe there’s a continuing danger to the public,” […]

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