State/Local
Officials urge public to ‘protect yourself’ against measles
Measles outbreaks in the United States are higher than they’ve been in recent history, and the symptoms are quite similar to other illnesses people catch during this time of the year. In 2014, 644 cases of the measles were documented by the Center for Disease Control, with 121 cases reported in 2015. The California Department of […]
Twice-daily alcohol testing ‘huge commitment’ for diversion program participants
In the pilot year of the local Underage Alcohol Diversion program, about 10 percent of offenders opted for this alternative to forgo conviction. The Vermillion Police Department reported 278 underage consumption citations last year. Twenty-seven people chose to participate in the diversion program, while 11 have successfully completed the 60-day course. “It’s pretty close to what I expected, because this […]
4-H Club In Clay, Union, Yankton Counties Has New Adviser
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota State University Extension has a new 4-H youth program adviser for Clay, Union and Yankton counties. The Yankton Daily Press and Dakotan reports ( ) Minnesota native Lauren Hollenbeck has recently taken the new role. Her position comes with various duties including coordinating youth activities and after-school programs. […]
Rapid City School Board Asked To OK $6.5M In Spending Cuts
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Rapid City school board will soon address a proposal that would lead to a salary increase for public school teachers at the expense of cutting $6.5 million from other programs. The Rapid City Journal reports ( ) superintendent Tim Mitchell devised the spending-cut plan for the 2015-2016 school year. […]
Lawmakers To Mull Minimum Wage, Nonstop Deadwood Drinking
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Lawmakers are set to consider measures on transportation, abortion, a youth minimum wage and all-hours drinking in Deadwood. Here’s a look at some of the proposals they’ll take up this week in Pierre: TRANSPORTATION The House State Affairs Committee takes up a proposal on Wednesday to raise roughly $50 million for […]
26 Mountain Lions Killed So Far In Black Hills Season
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Wildlife officials in South Dakota report that 26 mountain lions have been killed so far during the hunting season in the Black Hills Fire Protection District. A tally from the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department shows that half of the lions killed were females. Among the most recent lions […]
Police Investigating Break-ins At Sioux Falls Businesses
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Sioux Falls police are investigating after two local businesses were burglarized over the weekend. The owner of Spencer Furniture & Floors says she arrived at the business Monday morning and found cash, merchandise and a moving truck had been stolen. She says a significant amount of items were stolen, and […]
Lennox Gunman’s Family Says ‘Our World Is Upside Down’
LENNOX, S.D. (AP) — Family members of a man identified by authorities as the gunman in a fatal workplace shooting in Lennox say the incident has turned their world upside down. The Argus Leader reports ( ) Jeffrey DeZeeuw’s (dee-zee-OOZ’) sister Jackie Rippert issued a statement saying the family is “just as confused and going […]
Opponents Fear Problems From Chicken Facility Near Parker
PARKER, S.D. (AP) — Opponents of a large egg-laying operation planned near Parker say the proposed facility would be too close to town. Sioux Falls-based Sonstegard Foods hopes to put 6 million birds on a farm in Turner County, 2½ miles from Parker. Opponents turned out at a public hearing Monday night to voice their […]
No Agreement Yet On South Dakota Medicaid Expansion
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Democrats pushing an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program are working behind the scenes with the South Dakota health care industry to figure out a way to pay for it, but so far they’ve made little apparent progress on a deal with the Republicans who control state government. Sen. Bernie Hunhoff, […]