State/Local
Nurses give record number of vaccines to faculty
With a total of 642 people vaccinated, the semiannual flu immunization clinic at the Lee Medical Building had its highest turnout in years, according to Jill Munger. Munger, a state-employed community health nurse, was one of six nurses who administered shots to University of South Dakota staff Oct. 16. She said there were two reasons for the record turnout. First, anyone in healthcare […]
USD women’s group says ‘No More’ to Clery report findings
Junior Emily Grode, president of the Association for the Advancement of Women’s Rights, is saying “No More” to sexual violence and the underreporting of such crimes. This is why her organization is tabling for the NOMORE campaign, which raises awareness to prevent domestic violence and sexual assault, Thursday and Friday in the Muenster University Center from […]
Young Gardeners Club teaches healthy-living to children
Children in Vermillion are learning more about gardening and healthy living through the Young Gardeners Club. Supported by the Parks and Recreation Department, it was started in 2013 by parks technician Jessica Kennedy. The program runs for about three months, from the end of May until mid-August. Kennedy said the program encourages children to explore the unknown. “The […]
Proposed amendment would raise minimum wage
Proposed measures on this November’s election ballot could change the economic landscape of South Dakota. Initiated Measure 18 would amend state law to raise the state’s hourly minimum wage for non-tipped workers from $7.25 to $8.50 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Every year, the minimum wage would be adjusted if there is an increase in […]
Local medical professionals prepare for Ebola outbreak
In the largest Ebola epidemic in history, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports the mortality number to be more than 3,400, the majority stemming from multiple countries in West Africa. On Sept. 30, the CDC confirmed the first travel-associated case, Thomas Eric Duncan, to be diagnosed in the United States. Several patients have […]
Habitat for Humanity volunteers give hope in community
University of South Dakota students are bettering their community by spreading kindness and fighting poverty through Habitat for Humanity, transitioning into a new partnership with the Yankton HFH-SD branch. There are 12 official branches in South Dakota. In the 14 years it has been active, HFH-SD has built 435 homes — 26 in 2012 alone. Habitat for Humanity […]
City officials seek $3.1 million bond for park project
City officials and parks and recreation committees are lobbying for community and University of South Dakota student support in the Nov. 4 election in an effort to make Prentis Park renovations possible by passing a measure that would allow the city to take out a $3.1 million bond for the project. Since 2011, the city has been accumulating ideas […]
Honors students plan Zombie Crawl charity walk
While 31 weeks pregnant, 28-year-old Katie Tipton was diagnosed with a brain tumor after experiencing weakness and numbness on the left side of her body. Sept. 23, a few weeks before her baby girl Autumn was due, Tipton had a C-section — the same day as her husband’s, Travis Tipton, birthday. One week after that, Tipton was […]
Vermillion sidewalks undergo facelift to become bike-friendly
City officials are continuing efforts to make walkways and bike paths around town more safe and convenient for public use. Vermillion’s Sidewalk Inspection Program, which began in 2010, divides Vermillion into four quadrants. Each year, the city selects one quadrant and evaluates its footpaths and notifies the property owner about needed repairs. This year, the city […]
Local band releases first EP at downtown show
As balloons whizzed above a crowd of University of South Dakota students and other locals from the area in the basement of The Varsity on Saturday night, Mike Helland was surprised to see the amount of enthusiasm the crowd radiated as they pressed against the stage he and fellow band members Drew Hellend and Brandon […]