State/Local
State chess organizers attempt to restart USD club
Jackson Geerts looks almost cherubic behind a chess board with his brown doe eyes and baby-fat cheeks. But when the 11-year-old smirks, his competitors know the Sioux Falls fifth-grader is one step closer to the kill — or rather checkmate. “Defense, then offense. I want to attack usually, but in tournaments, I can’t get away with it,” Geerts […]
Vermillion runners “chased” by law enforcement in second annual 5K
Alice DeCook was sweating by the time she was taken to jail Saturday morning. Her crime: loss of flag, with a $5 bail bond. DeCook, along with about 40 other citizens, ran around Vermillion with law enforcement at their heels. It was the second annual I Ran from the Cops 5K benefit run. DeCook, a junior […]
Local business hopes to share the dream
When sophomore Kaitlyn Redlegs started volunteering for the Vermillion branch of Sharing the Dream in Guatemala, she knew it wouldn’t be a typical retail experience. “It’s different from all the other stores on Main Street,” Redlegs said. Sharing the Dream in Guatemala is a non-profit organization that sells products imported from Guatemala, including coffee, jewelry and […]
VPD charges former student for rape and dorm shower videotaping
A former student was arrested Aug. 28 on charges of filming females in resident hall showers on the fourth floor of Mickelson Hall in North Complex. Five days later, he was arrested again and charged with an off-campus rape of a university student in the third degree. Daniel R. Hammer, 18, withdrew from the university either Sept. 1 or […]
USD fall enrollment declines
Fall enrollment headcount is down 1.70 percent at the University of South Dakota compared to last year. The South Dakota Board of Regents released enrollment numbers Tuesday, and USD is one of two public universities that saw a dip in their headcount. USD has 174 less people enrolled in the university than in 2013. There […]
‘I Ran from the Cops’ 5K Fun Run slated for Sept. 27
University of South Dakota students and the Vermillion community will have the chance to run from the cops with their bail bond only set at $5. The second annual “I Ran from the Cops” 5K Fun Run will be held Sept. 27 at Prentis Park. Registration, which includes a $20 fee, is set for 8:30 a.m. with the run […]
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wismer visits with students, advocates for education reform
A Democrat has not held the title of governor for 40 years in South Dakota, but Susan Wismer, D-S.D., hopes to change that. The South Dakota District 1 representative traveled to the University of South Dakota Sept. 22 to talk to students about topics ranging from education to health care. Wismer, of Britton, S.D., has served on […]
USD graduate becomes one of City Council’s youngest members
Local government is seeing a bit of youthful ambition with the summer election of a recent University of South Dakota graduate. Parker Erickson, 23, graduated from USD in May with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Four months later, he is one of the youngest council members in Vermillion’s history. Erickson grew up in the […]
Suicide awareness walk provides ‘healing’ moments
Equipped with hot chocolate, headbands and plenty of ambition, walkers and runners arrived at Prentis Park Saturday morning for the ninth annual 5K, ready to bear the less-than-average temperatures. Nikki’s Fund 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by the University of South Dakota and the Vermillion and Yankton communities, has raised more than $35,000 since the event started in […]
‘We’re just like you’: SESDAC pairs with USD, Vermillion to change disability stereotypes
In a place where the clap of high fives is as prevalent as the thud of a bowling ball, students from the University of South Dakota and community members are teaming up with people associated with SESDAC, Inc. for a bit of friendly competition while building relationships. Last Monday, practices for the Special Olympics Unified […]