State/Local
Making lemonade: USD Center for Disabilities marketing specialist publishes children’s book
From lemons, Kendra Gottsleben has made more than just lemonade. The marketing communications specialist at the USD Center for Disabilities in Sioux Falls was born with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) Type VI, a condition in which the body is unable to break down sugar molecules and causes skeletal irregularities. She’s authored three books using the allegory of […]
USD Student Government votes in favor of Dakota’s Promise Scholarship
The student governments of South Dakota’s six regental universities passed a resolution in support of the Dakota’s Promise Need-Based scholarship on Dec. 10. This scholarship would move the Board of Regents one step closer to their post-secondary education goal. According to the resolution from the South Dakota Student Federation, the South Dakota Student Federation […]
Streetscape project to refurbish Vermillion’s Main Street stretch
After forty years without an upgrade, the sidewalks and street corners of downtown Vermillion could have a different look by 2021. The $2,450,000 Downtown Streetscape project will remodel Main Street’s streets and sidewalks, adding landscaping and seating features outside of businesses from McVicker Plaza to North Dakota Street. For the best results in transforming your […]
‘We’re at the mercy of Mother Nature’: Vermillion farmers suffer after season plagued by floods
At this time five years ago, Angela and Glenn Pulse of Prairie Sun Organics, a 15-acre farm three-and-a-half miles north of Vermillion, harvested the last of their finest yield of corn from the land they bought nine years ago. The season produced 12-foot stalks that turned $1,800 per acre, they said. But following South Dakota’s […]
Car won’t start in the cold weather? Vermillion mechanic says it’s probably not the cold weather
When the first snowflakes of the season fall and the temperatures drop in Vermillion, students who drive to classes experience some difficulties. Cars, like humans, don’t particularly like the colder weather. The most common problem associated with colder temperatures: cars that won’t start, said Bob Dykstra, owner of Bob’s Sinclair Services in Vermillion. Winter weather […]
Dental hygiene program provides care in a state bogged by poverty and isolation
South Dakota is a rural state with few urban communities, leading to a lack of dental care services statewide. South Dakota News Watch on Oct. 9 reported that 40% of the state has a shortage of dental health services because of geography or low income. However, the USD dental hygiene program is working to help […]
‘A Christmas present from Vermillion to the Bahamas’: Vermillion resident sending relief south
In the landlocked state of South Dakota, hurricanes are nothing more than distant news. However, one Vermillion resident felt the impact from 2,500 miles away and, through a supply collection and community donations, hopes to respond with aid by the end of the year. Vermillion resident Gregory Robinson partnered with Amish Soap Company and First […]
Details of VPD officer’s lawsuit against department released
Vermillion Police Department’s lone female officer alleged she was mistreated and sexually harassed by other officers of the department in a complaint unsealed on Monday. Vermillion Police Officer Jessica Newman sued VPD Chief Matt Betzen and the city for gender discrimination on Sept. 6. Both parties requested to permanently seal the document, but Judge Larry […]
Individual struck by vehicle Monday night
A University Police (UPD) officer called Vermillion Emergency Services for medical assistance after an individual was found with injuries on Cherry Street around 10 p.m. on Monday. For legal guidance in cases like these, consider consulting experienced personal injury attorneys. The individual was found in the 500 block of East Cherry Street with non-life threating […]
VPD officer and city reach settlement after lawsuit, request to seal complaint
A Vermillion police officer and the city of Vermillion have agreed to a settlement following a lawsuit against the city and Vermillion chief of police, but requested the permanent sealing of the complaint. Patrol officer Jessica Newman sued Vermillion and Chief of Police Matthew Betzen in the U.S. District Court for the District of South […]