South Dakota State News

PREVIEW: Cultural Wellness Coalition coming up with plan of action to create safe place for people of color

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:23:25 +0000

VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO) — A new student group at the University of South Dakota is taking action and continuing the conversation on topics surrounding racial injustices and creating a safe place for people of color.

The group just started in May, but members already have big plans. One event they’ve already hosted is a Justice for Black Lives March on the USD campus.

“The march was a physical stretch of our legs to show that, ‘Look at what we can do when we come together.’ Now that you know that we can come together, now let’s put things on the table and see what can we get done,” CWC President Marcus Destin said.

On tonight’s Eye on KELOLAND, Lauren Soulek will explain the action the Cultural Wellness Coalition at USD hopes to take.

Event honoring SD first responders, military personnel opens registration

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:23:04 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota Salutes is hoping local first responders and military personnel register for an upcoming shooting competition.

The event is free for local heroes and it’s held at Hunters Pointe in Humboldt. On top of the free range time, South Dakota Salutes also donates $10,000 to families who’ve lost loved ones in the line of duty.

“No charge to anybody who participates. We pick up all the expenses of targets and food and we have prizes and things like that. It’s just a way to say thank you,” Korsten said.

The 5th annual event takes place on September 28th and 29th this year.

Auditors start mailing absentee ballots to South Dakota voters

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:08:12 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It’s going to be a very busy day for election officials in South Dakota as they start sending out absentee ballots.

Friday is the first day of absentee voting in the state. In Minnehaha County, the auditor’s office already had 23,000 ballots ready to be mailed out.

Election officials across the state are preparing for a record number of absentee ballots due to the pandemic.

Two people arrested in stabbing incident in Minnehaha County

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:55:01 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A man and woman were arrested on Thursday for a reported stabbing of a victim near the intersection of 466th Avenue and South Dakota Highway 38, said Capt. Josh Phillips of the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.

Allen Smith, 24, and Krystalann Rice, 31, both of Sioux Falls, were arrested for robbery in the first degree, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Phillips said. Rice was also arrested for abuse to a minor.

Phillips said when the sheriff’s office responded to a suspicious person call at about 5 a.m., the victim said he’d been stabbed and identified the suspects. Smith and Rice were arrested after a search warrant was executed. Several items that appear to have been related to the attack were found.

Rice was driving a vehicle and the victim was a passenger when it stopped on the road. Smith got out of the trunk and he and Rice went to the passenger side of the vehicle and assaulted the victim with a knife and possibly a bat.

Phillips said the victim was fortunate to be in stable condition.

Rice and Smith were expected to be arraigned on Friday.

COVID-19 in South Dakota: 389 new positive cases; Death toll rises to 198; Active cases at 2,809

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:24:15 +0000

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — There were five more deaths and 389 new coronavirus cases in the state, according to the South Dakota Department of Health’s website.

The total deaths increased to 198 from 193 on Thursday. The deaths were: four men and one woman. The ages ranges are: 40-49; 70-79; three in the 80+ age group.

The 389 new cases is down six from the 395 new cases on Thursday. Individuals hospitalized remained the same at 138. A total of 1,246 people have been hospitalized throughout the pandemic.

The total positive case count increased to 18,075 from Thursday’s total of 17,686.

There are now 15,068 recovered cases, which is an increase of 190 from Thursday.

Active cases increased to 2,809 from 2,615.

The total number of negative tests increased to 155,629 from 153,837 on Thursday.

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LATEST STORIES

COVID-19 in South Dakota: 389 new positive cases; Death toll rises to 198; Active cases at 2,809September 18, 2020
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — There were five more deaths and 389 new coronavirus cases in the state, according to the South Dakota Department of Health’s website.
LHS seniors use ‘positive peer pressure’ to encourage masksSeptember 17, 2020
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — We often report on the dangers of peer pressure. In this case, though, some Lincoln High seniors say they have good intentions.
105 positive COVID-19 cases at women’s prison in PierreSeptember 17, 2020
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — A mass testing at the Community Work Center in Pierre revealed a COVID-19 outbreak.

Rapid City elementary schools to move to Level 1

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:50:43 +0000

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Starting Monday, Rapid City Area elementary schools will move to level one.

This means students will attend class Monday through Thursday with masks and social distancing. On Friday classes would be online. The announcement of the change was posted on the school’s Facebook page.

The Rapid City Schools District Facebook page about moving to Level 1 for some grades on Monday, Sept. 21.

Superintendent Lori Simon says after consulting with health officials and monitoring COVID-19 cases, the data supports moving elementary schools to level one.

Middle and High School students will remain at Level 2. The superintendent says most of the district’s active COVID-19 cases are at the secondary level.

What does the orange dot on my iPhone mean?

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:46:41 +0000

(NEXSTAR) — Apple unveiled several new products earlier this week and rolled out iOS 14 for existing devices. However, one new iOS 14 feature is confusing some users.

What does the orange dot mean?

A new security feature included in iOS 14 will display an orange dot at the top of your iPhone when an app is actively using your phone’s microphone. A green dot indicates an app is using your camera. The dots also display in the control center.

“An indicator appears at the top of your screen whenever an app is using your microphone or camera. And in Control Center, you can see if an app has used them recently,” according to a news release from Apple.

Users will also need to give an app permission to use the microphone or camera on the phone.

The software upgrade serves as a refresh for iPhone 6 and later models and is described by Apple CEO Tim Cook as a “huge release that will transform the core experience of iPhone.”

The new iOS includes new ways to organize apps, a new feature called App Library, and even the ability to unlock your car (at least if you own a BMW) with your iPhone.

According to CNN Business, other iOS 14 upgrades include the ability to watch videos while scrolling through other applications and a feature where incoming calls won’t take over your full device.

There are also changes to group chats in the form of pinned messages, mention notifications and group photos.

Earlier this week, Apple introduced a cheaper version of its smartwatch, its latest attempt to broaden the appeal of its trend-setting products while many consumers are forced to scrimp during the coronavirus pandemic.

The scaled-down Apple Watch follows on the heels of a budget iPhone the company released five months ago as the economy cratered and unemployment rates rose above the levels reached during the Great Recession more than a decade ago.

Apple also took the wraps off a new high-end watch model, a next-generation iPad and a couple of new subscription services during a virtual event held Tuesday. The company normally also rolls out its new iPhones at this time of year, but production problems caused by the pandemic have delayed their release until at least October.

CEO Tim Cook didn’t mention iPhones during Tuesday’s one-hour presentation recorded at the company’s massive, but now mostly empty, headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The Apple Watch has never come close to rivaling the iPhone’s popularity, but it does dominate the market for smartwatches. Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley estimates about 51 million Apple Watches will be sold this year, a 5% increase from last year. The research firm GlobalData pegs Apple’s share of the $64 billion smartwatch market at roughly 60%.

The new discount model, called the Apple Watch SE, will sell for $279 and be available beginning Friday. The price is a markdown from the $399 that Apple is asking for the next version of its higher end watch, the Series 6. Apple watches have been selling for an average of $377, based on Walkley’s calculations.

Apple added more features to help the watch monitor its owner’s health, including a sensor that can read blood oxygen levels. The feature, specific to the Series 6, could be timely, given that COVID-19 frequently attacks the lungs.

Apple also announced a new fitness subscription service tailored for its watches for $10 per month, as well as a new option that will bundle its existing music, video, news and gaming services into a package that will cost $15 to $30 per month.

Tens of millions of people already subscribe to Apple’s various services, helping the company double its revenue during the past four years within a division that creates products for the more than 1 billion iPhones, iPads, watches and other devices that the people already use.

The services division also includes Apple’s app store, which is under regulatory scrutiny for charging a commission of up to 30% for products sold through other companies who have no other option but to use the store to reach the mostly affluent consumers who buy iPhone products.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

What does the orange dot on my iPhone mean?

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:25:56 +0000

(NEXSTAR) — Apple unveiled several new products earlier this week and rolled out iOS 14 for existing devices. However, one new iOS 14 feature is confusing some users.

What does the orange dot mean?

Users will also need to give an app permission to use the microphone or camera on the phone.

The software upgrade serves as a refresh for iPhone 6 and later models and is described by Apple CEO Tim Cook as a “huge release that will transform the core experience of iPhone.”

The new iOS includes new ways to organize apps, a new feature called App Library, and even the ability to unlock your car (at least if you own a BMW) with your iPhone.

According to CNN Business, other iOS 14 upgrades include the ability to watch videos while scrolling through other applications and a feature where incoming calls won’t take over your full device.

There are also changes to group chats in the form of pinned messages, mention notifications and group photos.

CEO Tim Cook didn’t mention iPhones during Tuesday’s one-hour presentation recorded at the company’s massive, but now mostly empty, headquarters in Cupertino, California.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rapid City elementary schools to move to Level 1

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 15:22:29 +0000

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Starting Monday, Rapid City Area elementary schools will move to level one.

The Rapid City Schools District Facebook page about moving to Level 1 for some grades on Monday, Sept. 21.

Superintendent Lori Simon says after consulting with health officials and monitoring COVID-19 cases, the data supports moving elementary schools to level one.

Middle and High School students will remain at Level 2. The superintendent says most of the district’s active COVID-19 cases are at the secondary level.

KOTG: More positive COVID-19 cases; COVID-19 changes school schedule; Harrisburg to adjust to DOE recommendation; warm, windy weather ahead

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:40:14 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — This is KELOLAND On The Go with what you need to know in news and weather to start your day!

Nearly 400 more South Dakotans have tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the third highest total the state has reported since the outbreak began.

COVID-19 in South Dakota: 395 new positive cases; Death toll rises to 193; Active cases at 2,615

COVID-19 has one of South Dakota’s largest high schools calling off classes today and postponed activities.

Pierre football team suspends practice till Monday; postpones Friday’s game against Tea Area

In a message to families, The Harrisburg School District says that all South Dakota School Districts were told by the Department of Education last week that quarantine for those who came in contact with someone known to have tested positive with COVID-19 would now be a recommendation.

The district says it will encourage close contacts to quarantine. Those who don’t will be required to wear a mask in school for the recommended time of a quarantine. Those who won’t wear a mask will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Lincoln High school Seniors, including the newly crowned homecoming king and queen, are using their influence to encourage underclassmen to wear masks.

LHS seniors use ‘positive peer pressure’ to encourage masks

Chef Lance’s is a new restaurant in downtown Sioux Falls, but they aren’t new to the city.

Chef Lance’s moves downtown

Warmer and windy weather is ahead for much of KELOLAND.

Storm Center Update- Friday AM, September 18th

Stay with KELOLAND News and KELOLAND.com for up-to-the-minute developments throughout the day!

Ex-senator pleads not guilty to making false report

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:39:30 +0000

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A former South Dakota state senator has pleaded not guilty to making a false domestic violence report against her husband.

Supreme Court upholds conviction in sexual assault case

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:03:53 +0000

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman with dementia, ruling that prosecutors didn’t have to prove whether he knew she couldn't consent to sex.

KOTG: More positive COVID-19 cases; COVID-19 changes school schedule; Harrisburg to adjust to DOE recommendation; warm, windy weather ahead

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:29:14 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — This is KELOLAND On The Go with what you need to know in news and weather to start your day!

Nearly 400 more South Dakotans have tested positive for COVID-19. It’s the third highest total the state has reported since the outbreak began.

COVID-19 in South Dakota: 395 new positive cases; Death toll rises to 193; Active cases at 2,615

COVID-19 has one of South Dakota’s largest high schools calling off classes today and postponed activities.

Pierre football team suspends practice till Monday; postpones Friday’s game against Tea Area

Lincoln High school Seniors, including the newly crowned homecoming king and queen, are using their influence to encourage underclassmen to wear masks.

LHS seniors use ‘positive peer pressure’ to encourage masks

Chef Lance’s is a new restaurant in downtown Sioux Falls, but they aren’t new to the city.

Chef Lance’s moves downtown

Warmer and windy weather is ahead for much of KELOLAND.

Storm Center Update- Friday AM, September 18th

Stay with KELOLAND News and KELOLAND.com for up-to-the-minute developments throughout the day!

Storm Center Update- Friday AM, September 18th

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:56:11 +0000

Good Morning! Hazy skies continue across KELOLAND as start the weekend. We are not alone as the smoke spreads all the way to the east coast.

Futurecast continues to show dry weather much of the weekend. There are some hints of sprinkles this weekend, but like many of the fronts this summer, this one looks starved for moisture.

South winds will be stronger tomorrow in many areas. Sioux Falls will likely have windy weather both Saturday and Sunday.

Dry weather will continue in the upcoming 10 day period as the weather pattern remains stable.

You can see the surge of above normal temperatures into next week. The dry weather goes hand in hand with the warmer numbers across KELOLAND.

Today is the last of the “cooler” days. We expect upper 60s for both Sioux Falls and Aberdeen.

Tonight will be mostly clear with lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

Tomorrow will be warmer with highs in the upper 70s east and mid and upper 80s central and west.

Sunday will be warm as well with widespread 80s expected.

There is a slim chance of rain on Monday, but little change in temperatures are forecast for several days.

Washington Pavilion Arts Night fundraiser goes virtual

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:55:54 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – We all have different ways of perceiving a piece of art. The Pavilion’s annual Artist’s Night gallery fundraiser is embracing that by taking the event online.

Artist Ceca Cooper has deep roots in the local art scene.

“This is such a wonderful treasure we have in Sioux Falls,” Cooper said.

She’s had a piece in the Washington Pavilion’s annual Artist’s Night gallery fundraiser for 15 years.

“I think this is probably the most important thing that we, as an artist community, can contribute to. We get hit up all of the time to donate works for all sorts of causes, but this one that affects us directly,” Cooper said.

She’s even entering one in this year’s event, but due to the pandemic, things are looking a bit different as it’s taken a virtual twist.

“So, instead of gathering in our Mary W. Summervold Hall on stage, people will be gathering at home. Whether they’re in their living room, gathering with their friends in their backyards, but all of that will be done virtual,” Kerrie DeGraff said.

Chief Business Development Officer Kerrie DeGraff says viewers will have the chance to see and bid on over 60 pieces from 40 local artists. The funds benefit the Pavilion, Visual Arts Center, and the artists themselves.

“The Pavilion has done a wonderful job in their progression in compensation to artists; they now get proceeds from the sale of the piece as well as some other perks,” Cooper said.

People will also have the chance to bid on ‘experience packages’ to either sporting events or vacations. The Pavilion will also be offering to deliver food to your home so you can eat while you watch. Cooper says that this might not be how they initially pictured the event to go this year, but she says this new virtual direction could also become a permanent addition.

“Even when we go live again I could see there being a big virtual part of it,” Cooper said.

“By supporting this event, by participating, you’re helping to ensure that these programs do continue and impact the community as they always have,” DeGraff said.

The event starts Saturday, September 19th at 6:30 p.m.. If you’d like tickets and more information visit the Washington Pavilion website.

Flashback Friday: Advancements in Sports Medicine in 1993

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:41:38 +0000

High school football is in full swing here in KELOLAND. And injuries are still a possibility on the field. In this week’s Flashback Friday, we take you back to 1993, and show some of the advancements in sports medicine at the time.

Walk it off. That’s what a real man does when you get hurt on the field. Right? Well, today with advancements in sports, medicine, doctors have built a better mouse trap. There wasn’t really many techniques as far as a rehab or, or, you know, the surgeries they would usually go in, for example, on a cartilage tear and take out the whole cartilage in the knee now, whereas they just go in and take out the effected area and which makes rehab a lot easier and getting them back out in the plan.

No most of these guys, aren’t really thinking of the chances of getting hurt, but every year it crosses over a few of their minds, whether they want it to or not. Ryan quarterbacks are the most likely to get hurt. Everyone’s going after Eric Grossman, whether he passes the ball or not tackles and running backs, figure in the mix too.

Usually the first day, you don’t really have time to worry about it, but if all the stretching and all the scrimmaging still result in an injury specialists in the growing sports medicine field are usually nearby. And coach coaches say, if you want to stay injury free, do the same thing you do. If you don’t want to forget what you learned in classes last year, keep working at it over the summer.

Of course, when they come in from a long summer of leisure, if some of them didn’t do any working out over the summer, then they have a risk of injury because they’re not real good shape yet. So all you mom and dad’s out there. If your kid gets hurt, running a bad play, use the, I told you. So it was only sparingly.

And remember your kid stands a better chance of fully recovering than ever before. In Sioux falls, Michael Schwartz, Kelo land and news at 10.

Survey of bankers shows economy improving, but weak, in rural parts of Plains, Western states

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:27:32 +0000

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new monthly survey of bankers shows the economy making some improvements but remaining weak in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states.

The Rural Mainstreet Survey’s overall index remained negative at 46.9 in September, even though it improved from August’s 44.7 and marked continued improvement since March, when the index bottomed out at 35.5 as the coronavirus pandemic emerged.

Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

Milkmen win American Association championship 4-1 over Canaries

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:45:28 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls Canaries saw their season come to a close Thursday, losing game five of the American Association Finals 4-1 against Milwaukee. The Milkmen win the best-of-seven series 4-1.

Canaries pitcher Tyler Herron tallied ten strikeouts over seven solid innings. He allowed just five hits, but two home runs.

Sioux Falls didn’t collect its first hit until the eighth inning. The Birds scored their first run in the ninth, and brought the tying run to the plate, but Jabari Henry struck out to end the game.

Click the video player for Thursday’s highlights.

I-90 Speedway closes successful 2020 season

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:38:45 +0000

HARTFORD, S.D. (KELO) — I-90 Speedway crowned its champions last Saturday, closing a successful season in the face of a pandemic.

I-90 Speedway completed just five events last summer due to wet conditions. This season, the dirt track hosted more than three times that many races.

“Compared to last year, Mother Nature was real good to us. We missed the first couple races, but after that it was a green light all year, we never had a rain out all season, and that’s really unheard of, so we went from one extreme to the next,” I-90 Speedway owner Lyle Howey said.

The car count was also off the charts from the beginning of the season to the end.

“We set a record, 138 cars, early in the season, and we ended the season with 123 cars. That’s really unheard of for this area,” Howey said.

“With everyone else not really racing around us, and we’re the only ones racing, which makes a better driver out of all of us here, because you get to race with more people. It makes it a lot more fun instead of racing with five or six guys,” IMCA Racesaver 305 driver Micah Slendy said.

Howey expects those numbers to continue to climb.

“Racing has a lot of energy right now. I know guys building new cars, so I look for the numbers to go up next year,” Howey said.

The increase in drivers not only resulted in better competition, but also more fans.

“It’s always a packed house and a lot of fans out here, and that’s great to see that everyone comes out to support still, which is what we need at our local tracks to keep these places going,” Slendy said.

Howey also sees the return of Huset’s Speedway as a positive, attracting more drivers.

“Just like if you like golfing or fishing, if you can do it two or three times a week, that’s way better than once,” Howey said.

The season is over at I-90 Speedway, but the racing continues this Friday and Saturday at Huset’s Speedway, with the Power Series Nationals.

Cooler weather will be hard to come by

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:35:08 +0000

Fall officially begins next Tuesday morning, but there will be several days that definitely won’t feel like fall.

As we go deeper into the month of September, our weather pattern typically becomes a bit more fluid in nature. We’ll get our stretches of warmer weather, but they’re usually offset by pushes of progressively cooler air that gradually come along more frequently. Then the cycle repeats itself. If you’re a fan of those cooler days and nights the start of this upcoming season is not for you.

While we do start off with cooler temperatures, especially for East River locations, this simply does not last. An upper-level ridge associated with high pressure will slide eastward and set up over the central United States. This will allow well above average temperatures to move in and stick around through the start of fall. Highs should easily climb into the 80s across much of the region through the middle of next week and remain above average thanks to southerly flow aloft helping this cause along.

High pressure will also help keep our rather arid air mass in place, keeping rain chances sparse at best and available moisture in the air at a premium. This, combined with those warmer temperatures, may bring back fire weather concerns going into next week.

For those of you keeping score at home, the warmest first day of fall in Sioux Falls is 92 degrees…set back in 1935. Thankfully, that record should stay in place for another year.

Eye on KELOLAND: South Dakota tourism and COVID-19

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:23:31 +0000

Tourism in the Black Hills is essential for the state’s economy. Some seasonal businesses even rely on that revenue to hold them over through winter months.

Custer State Park is one of South Dakota’s most well-known tourist attractions. Visitor services manager, Kobee Stalder, says the first few weeks of tourism season was off to a slow start due to COVID-19.

“There was a slow period, usually we have a rush in springtime, that’s when our bison calves are born. But due to the pandemic that happened, there was a slow start for us,” Stalder said.

However, since Memorial Day, the number of people visiting the park is right back on track with last year.

“Right now, through the month of August, year-to-date, we are up about 4-percent so we’ve seen almost 1.5 million visitors. Yearly average is about 1.8, 1.9 so we are right on par with that to see that again this year. If the weather stays nice, who knows, we could see more,” Stalder said.

Stalder says while the park does get some funding from the state, that money only goes so far.

“Over 80-percent of our operating budget relies on visitation so you never know what could happen. But out here, I think we are going to be just fine heading into the next hundred years,” Stalder said.

The State Game Lodge was also hit hard when COVID-19 interfered with tourism season.

Ryan Flick, the Director of Operations for Custer State Park Resorts, says while the resorts are doing much better now, they’re still making up for some lost revenue.

“The season started slow as it did for everybody else. In May and June, we saw more cancellations than reservations during that time. We lost probably a quarter of our business during that time,” Flick said.

Right now,revenue for State Park’s resorts is still down about 17-percent compared to last year.

However, Flick believes they still have enough money to get through the winter months.

“We feel like we are in a good place in comparison to other parts of the country and just happy to be able to do what we do,” Flick said.

Flick hopes for a strong comeback next year.

Meanwhile, Visit Rapid City CEO, Julie Jensen says while tax dollars are down about 18 to 20-percent this year compared to last, tourism season went much better than expected.

“Our summer has been really quite amazing. We were not sure what to expect starting in March, April and May. But about the First of June things started changing and visitors decided that we were a good place to visit,” Jensen said.

Jensen believes most businesses will make it through the offseason. Although some have chosen to not open.

“Fingers crossed that they may change their mind come next spring. We don’t want anyone to have suffered more than anybody else during this pandemic, but if we can get through it with only a 20-percent reduction in income and in revenue, I think we’ll survive,” Jensen said.

Both Custer State Park and Visit Rapid City are cautiously optimistic that this next month will make a positive impact on the tourism season.

You can visit Custer State Park year-round. The park’s resorts are open from May to October.

Reach Literacy in need of children’s books

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:09:04 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Throughout the pandemic, you may have found yourself looking for activities to do– one of those may have included reading. At Reach Literacy, they’ve been giving out thousands of books, now they need your help.

You’ll find just about any genre of book you can imagine at Reach Literacy.

But right now, they’re running low on one of the most popular genres.

“Anytime you come into our store you can get five free kids books,” Executive Director Reach Literacy Paige Carda said. “This summer because of all the COVID stuff we’ve really pushed a lot of books out the door. We had a special summer program where we gave out 8,500 books, so we are a little low. But it’s been great, we love all the books you’re donating but we need some more.”

Paige Carda says these bins are usually full.

She says they will accept any books in good, quality condition.

“We take Dolly Parton books, easy readers, baby books, board books, chapter books for kids, all that is really impactful because we have such a huge need, we have people that come in on a regular basis looking for those books particularly,” Carda said.

“You get so many books, maybe there’s some where you didn’t realize you had two copies of that, because that happens all the time, so anything that you would be willing to part with,” book store manager, Mary Kool said.

That’s why with your donations, they will be able to keep making a difference one book at a time.

“Access to books in your home is a paramount reason for being able to learn to read. That’s probably the number one predictor of success is having somebody read to you at home and having books in the home. So if we have that opportunity to be able to give books back to kids, that’s just a huge win for us,” Carda said.

If you are interested in donating books, all you have to do is stop by when they’re open, or you can use their dropbox.

Thursday night scoreboard – September 17th

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:07:52 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Here are Thursday’s results from across KELOLAND.

Boys Soccer
Huron 8 vs. Harrisburg 1
Rapid City Central 3 vs. St. Thomas More 2

Girls Soccer
Harrisburg 10 vs. Huron 0
Rapid City Central 8 vs. St. Thomas More 0
Brandon Valley 1 vs. Lincoln 0
Sioux Falls Christian 0 vs. Mitchell 0

High School Volleyball
Baltic def. Flandreau, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16

Bridgewater-Emery def. Viborg-Hurley, 25-4, 25-5, 25-16

Chester Area def. Howard, 25-10, 25-9, 25-16

Colman-Egan def. Lake Preston, 25-8, 25-7, 25-11

Dakota Valley def. Canton, 25-10, 25-17, 25-9

Deubrook Area def. Dell Rapids St. Mary, 14-25, 25-13, 25-9, 25-22

Elkton-Lake Benton def. DeSmet, 25-16, 25-13, 25-17

Estelline/Hendricks def. Oldham-Ramona/Rutland, 25-15, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17

Freeman def. Tripp-Delmont/Armour, 25-21, 24-26, 25-14, 25-18

Hamlin def. Milbank, 25-19, 25-15, 25-16

Highmore-Harrold def. Hitchcock-Tulare, 25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-8

Huron def. Brookings, 25-13, 25-23, 25-13

Madison def. Vermillion, 25-8, 25-10, 25-14

McCook Central/Montrose def. Beresford, 25-19, 25-10, 25-21

Mobridge-Pollock def. Groton Area, 25-19, 25-14, 25-16

Northwestern def. Ipswich, 25-13, 25-12, 25-17

Rapid City Christian def. White River, 25-14, 25-14, 25-20

Sioux Falls Christian def. Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 25-19, 25-19, 25-27, 25-17

Sioux Falls Lincoln def. Mitchell, 13-25, 25-27, 25-18, 25-17, 15-10

Sioux Falls O’Gorman def. Brandon Valley, 25-21, 25-10, 25-15

Tea Area def. Elk Point-Jefferson, 25-16, 25-13, 25-17

Tri-Valley def. Dell Rapids, 25-21, 25-16, 25-22

Freeman Academy/Marion Triangular

Centerville def. Freeman Academy/Marion, 25-17, 16-25, 25-21, 25-17

Gayville-Volin def. Centerville, 25-16, 25-12, 25-23

Minnehaha County ready to mail out record number of absentee ballots

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 03:03:37 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — A record number of absentee ballots are set to wind up in mailboxes across Minnehaha County in the coming days. Workers with the auditor’s office have prepared 23,000 absentee ballots that will be bound for the post office Friday, the official start of early voting in South Dakota.

Many voters don’t want to risk voting in-person because of COVID-19. But you may not want to be as generous applying hand sanitizer while you’re filling out your absentee ballots.

Getting thousands of absentee ballots ready for the mail is a painstaking process at the Minnehaha County auditor’s office.

“It’s a simple job, but it has to be done right,” mail-in ballot worker Rick Pesek said.

A lot of the work involves sorting the ballots alphabetically, as Friday’s deadline looms.

“We’ve been working hard at it this week and we are nearing the end and so it’s kind of a relief, but it’s been fun working with everyone here,” Pesek said.

Voters should start receiving the ballots in the mail next week. The auditor hopes voters will fill them out and return them quickly, to avoid another surge of late-arriving ballots.

“Some people argue, well, I don’t know everything about all the candidates, well, we need you to return that ballot so we don’t have a big issue come Election Day,” Minnehaha County Auditor Bob Litz said.

It’s a sign of the times for democracy during the pandemic: hand sanitizer on some of the absentee ballots would somehow stop the counting machines during the June primary.

“What happened was, it would loosen-up the ink and the ink would stick to the rollers and create a coating on there,” Litz said.

Litz says he doesn’t want to discourage voters from using sanitizer. So, he says his office will deal with any mechanical problems that might arise from sticky ballots on election night.

If you want to save on postage, the auditor’s office will have an absentee ballot drop-box set up at the Minnehaha County Administration Building, as well as at the Election Center, across the street, starting October first.

Friday is also the first day of in-person absentee voting. You can cast your ballot at the Election Center.

The auditor’s office will also be running tests on its vote-counting machines Friday.

White Sox beat Twins 4-3 to clinch playoff spot

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 02:12:11 +0000

CHICAGO (AP) – The White Sox clinched their first postseason berth since 2008, rallying to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 as Eloy Jiménez hit a tiebreaking double that capped a two-run rally in the seventh inning.

Chicago (33-17) opened a three-game lead over the second-place Twins (31-21) in the AL Central. The White Sox are assured of no worse than a wild-card berth. José Abreu homered and drove in two runs and Edwin Encarnación also homered for Chicago, which won three of four in the series

Claims of ICE detention center hysterectomies spark investigations

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 01:11:00 +0000

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Investigations are underway into claims that an Immigration and Customs detention facility in Georgia performed unnecessary and involuntary hysterectomies on immigrant women.

The whistleblower complaint from an ICE detention center nurse alleges the hysterectomies were performed at the Irwin County Detention Center.

“This has raised the alarm at the highest levels,” said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX).

Escobar said to discover the truth, House Democrats launched investigations and are racing to conduct hearings.

“Complainants, whether they are victims or whether they are witnesses, get deported pretty quickly,” Escobar said.

The Congresswoman said she’s expecting push-back from the Department of Human Services.

“They’ve been resistant, absolutely resistant to Congressional oversight,” she said.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal tweeted there may be a minimum of 17 women who were subjected to unnecessary procedures with the clear intention of sterilization.

“Often these abuses occur at for-profit facilities,” said Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). “I think that that system needs to end.”

Merkley and other lawmakers also want an inspector general investigation into whether the Trump administration ordered the sterilizations.

“Horrific things have happened because of the attitude of the administration of treating immigrants in an un-human, un-humanitarian fashion,” Merkley said.

ICE disputed the claims in a statement, saying that since 2018 only two individuals have had hysterectomies at the Irwin County Detention Center.

COVID-19 outbreak reported at South Dakota women's prison

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:51:57 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — More than 100 inmates have tested positive at a minimum-security women's prison in Pierre, according to the Department of Corrections.

Sanford Health launches the Monarch Platform

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 23:23:18 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sanford Health is now the 42nd hospital in the nation to offer advanced technology that is expected to make a big difference for patients with lung disorders.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Dr. Paul Berger III says the introduction of the Monarch Platform at Sanford Health has the potential to give local patients better outcomes.

“What this will allow is for us to provide our patients with enhanced early staging or an enhanced early diagnosis of a lung cancer or any lung pathology,” Dr. Berger said.

Before the Monarch Platform arrived at Sanford he says diagnoses were obtained through testing including following nodules with CT scanning and other limited technologies– something he says comes with limitations.

“The diagnostics that we have currently outside of the robotics, we can make a diagnosis, unfortunately, a concrete diagnosis, unfortunately later in the ballgame. Which means that those are already late stage cancer that we’re identifying. And so at that point, there may be limitations to what form of treatments patients may be offered,” Berger said.

Now, with the Monarch Platform on hand, doctors will have more accuracy and precision when diagnosing lung cancer, allowing patients to receive minimally invasive diagnostics earlier.

“So hopefully now what we’re able to do is we’re going to be able to shift that, that diagnostic paradigm to a point where we can provide patients earlier treatments, earlier therapies. So we can improve their five year mortality outcome,” Berger said.

The robotic technology launched just last week at Sanford Health, and Dr. Berger is looking forward to utilizing it.

“This is huge. This is amazing. And, for Sanford, Sioux falls, Sanford Health system, to provide this technology, this is going to be game changing,” Berger said.

To learn more about the Monarch Platform, click here.

Chef Lance’s moves downtown

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 23:12:42 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Despite the pandemic, a new restaurant has moved into downtown Sioux Falls and it’s ready to serve food in a few different ways.

Chef Lance’s may be new to Phillips Avenue, but they aren’t new to Sioux Falls.

“My wife and I were kind of looking for a new spot to do our cooking out of and our catering and basically one thing led to another about six weeks later and our restaurant was open,” Lance White, owner of Chef Lance’s said.

Chef Lance’s used to be a cafe out of Signature Flight Support at the Joe Foss Field Airport. White says that prior to COVID-19, they had five ways of selling food.

“We did cafe, catering, airline catering, cooking class and then also our family meal delivery. COVID hit and kaboshed four out of the five,” White said.

They were left with only family meal deliveries — but the demand for that food service increased.

“Not everyone is ready to go out to eat and we totally understand that, but we also have meals where we can feed you in the comfort of your own home,” White said.

People can order meals online and schedule to either pick them or have them delivered. With its new location, Chef Lance’s now has a full restaurant for guests to eat at too.

“Obviously some would call me insane of opening a restaurant with the current climate. However, we really believe that there’s a good, safe and healthy way to have a restaurant right now,” White said.

The workers at Chef Lance’s wear masks, there are hand sanitizers all around the restaurant and tables are spaced out. White says he wants the restaurant to be more than just a place for people to feed their bellies — he wants to plant hope for everyone too.

“You know, when I lost all of my business, I didn’t have much hope. I thought that I was maybe going to have to go drive an Uber, you know, I thought I was going to have to go do something else. Because Sioux Falls is so amazing, they actually continue to support me, buying gift cards, things like that. It really gave me hope. So when we opened this, we wanted to somehow try to give that hope back to people,” White.

Which is why White created a Hope Tree, inviting everyone who stops in to share a message of positivity.

Chef Lance’s had its grand opening last Friday. You can make reservations online, but they are not mandatory.

Victim’s family says beware of scams

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 23:09:46 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The family of the victim in last weekend’s deadly crash involving South Dakota’s Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg says be on the lookout for scams.

They say because Ravnsborg is a high profile politician, Joe Boever’s death has received a lot of national media attention and scammers are circling like vultures.

Joe Boever’s cousin Nick Nemec recently posted this on Facebook.

He says a GoFundMe page that says it was setup for Boever’s family is a scam and is in no way authorized by the family.

“It was still up when I looked at it and it had between $150-$200 had been collected and I put it on Facebook that this was a scam I googled the lady, she’s somebody from California and we don’t know her,” Nemec said.

Nemec says he reported it immediately.

“We were pretty disgusted, maybe they had good intentions to give that money to the family but we don’t know that we didn’t authorize it,” Nemec said.

Nemec says he hasn’t seen any other gofundme sites for the Boevers at this time, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be more.

Don: But you want people to be aware if there’s anything else out there?

Nick: Yeah, if there’s anything else out there let us know.

Meanwhile the investigation into the incident continues. Authorities say Boever was struck and killed by Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg Saturday night along Highway 14 near Highmore.

As we reported earlier this week, the South Dakota Highway Patrol is leading the investigation along with help from the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Agencies in Minnesota and Wyoming are also helping with the investigation.

“This is a case we would typically ask our South Dakota Division Criminal of Investigation to assist us with and of course since they work for the Attorney General we thought it was in the best interest to ask an independent out of state investigative agency that has a ton of credibility in North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist us with this process,” Secretary of Public Safety Craig Price said last Tuesday.

“I think it’s a wise move by the state of South Dakota to get an outside organization to investigate just to eliminate a potential conflict of interest,” Nemec said.

The family reported the scam and the site has since been taken down.

COVID-19 cluster at Women’s Prison work center

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 23:05:58 +0000

There’s a COVID-19 cluster at a Department of Corrections facility in South Dakota.

According to the DOC’s website, since the pandemic began, 105 inmates at the Pierre Community Work Center, which is a part of the Women’s Prison, have tested positive for the virus.

The DOC says four staff at the center also have tested positive.

Three of those inmates and one of the staff members have recovered.

The South Dakota Department of Corrections couldn’t do an interview Thursday, but in a statement to KELOLAND News the DOC said it held a mass-testing event at the Pierre Community Work Center on September 14th.

Those who are positive have been put into isolation.

On Thursday, South Dakota Epidemiologist Joshua Clayton spoke to whether or not this cluster could cause increased cases outside the prison.

“We have not seen any additional increases that we’ve been able to–that we would consider associated with the South Dakota women’s prison, but we continue to monitor the situation as we’ve seen other clusters in the past,” State Epidemiologist Joshua Clayton said.

The DOC says inmates in Pierre are not being allowed to go out into the community for work release or community service.

Visitation, programming, and contact with volunteers is suspended.

The DOC says all inmates are required to wear masks, and staff are putting an extra emphasis on proper hygiene, cleaning, and hand washing.

Staff at the Pierre Community Work Center are wearing personal protective equipment.

No deaths have been reported at any DOC facility as a result of the virus.

Click here to see the full breakdown of COVID-19 cases among DOC facilities.

You can read the Department of Corrections’ full statement here:

“The Department of Corrections conducted a mass-testing event at the Pierre Community Work Center under the Department of Health’s guidance. Following the results of that testing, we were able to identify a number of cases and get those individuals into isolation. All inmates are required to wear masks, and DOC staff is placing an extra emphasis on proper hygiene, cleaning, and hand washing.”
SD Department of Corrections

Inside look at the new Monument Health facility

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:27:28 +0000

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Monument Health’s most expensive construction project is just about finished.

This new space will be open to the public on Monday. Dave Ellenbecker is the Vice President of Facilities Management and Plant Operations. He says the entire Monument Health Campus has been transformed.

“Taking our public entrance from the north side of the campus on our Fairmont entrance and switching it on Monday to the 5th Street, on the south side of our campus. So we are completely changing the direction that we want the public to come in,” Ellenbecker said.

This four-year construction project cost a total of $220 million, Monument Health’s largest and most expensive project in its history.

“When they walk in our new 5th Street entrance next week, they’re going to feel like they’re walking into a world-class organization. This is a whole new feel for us here in the Rapid City Hospital, we’re really excited to share this with the community,” Ellenbecker said.

Parul Bisla is the Director of Operations for the Heart and Vascular Institute at Monument Health. She says the old Heart and Vascular facility was located about a mile south of the hospital. Now it’s under the same roof.

“We are the only cardiology practice in the western part of the state so it’s a huge opportunity for us to improve access and a major step towards growth and expansion,” Bisla said.

Bisla says this new space will offer better access and more room for both medical staff and patients.

“Here we have so many more exam rooms and so much more spacious areas that we can take care of our patients and that includes a better flow movement for patients,” Bisla said.

And as you can see, the new “M” logo has now officially been placed on the hospital tower to showcase Monument Health.

On the new Monument Health Campus, there will be over 1,200 new parking spaces for patients and staff.

Football Friday: September 18

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:17:41 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — High school football players are taking to the field this Friday for another week of matchups.

Here’s a look at the games KELOLAND Sports and KELOLAND.com will be covering:

11AAA #1 Roosevelt @ Rapid City Stevens

11AAA #5 O’Gorman @ #4 Lincoln

11AAA Rapid City Central @ #2 Brandon Valley

11AA #4 Mitchell @ 11A #2 Dell Rapids

11A #3 Madison @ 11AA #2 Brookings

11A Dakota Valley @ #4 Sioux Falls Christian

11B #3 McCook Central/Montrose @ #2 Bridgewater/Emery-Ethan

9A #1 Howard @ Chester Area

IOWA Unity Christian @ West Lyon

IOWA Western Christian @ West Sioux

Watch for highlights from those matchups on the KELOLAND SportsZone following KELOLAND News at 10 p.m. on Friday.

You can watch two full games on KELOLAND.com. At 5 p.m., 11AAA #5 O’Gorman takes on #4 Lincoln in the KELOLAND Game of the Week. KELOLAND’s Grant Sweeter will have play-by-play of the action.

At 7 p.m. CT, watch 11A #3 Madison play #2 Brookings with play-by-play from Noah Clair on KCountry 102.3.

We want to see your view of the game. Share your pictures and videos with us by emailing uShare@keloland.com; submitting a photo using the KELOLAND News App; or use #KELOSports when you post on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

SDN Communications lays off 16 employees

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:07:31 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Several employees of SDN Communications found themselves out of jobs today.

The company confirms it laid off 16 workers. A spokesperson tells KELOLAND News most of the layoffs were in the frontline call center.

This is part of condensing the department, which has seen fewer calls. Those calls will now go right to the SDN technicians who will solve any network issues.

LHS seniors use ‘positive peer pressure’ to encourage masks

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:04:42 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — We often report on the dangers of peer pressure. In this case, though, some Lincoln High seniors say they have good intentions. It’s homecoming week at LHS. The newly crowned king and queen are using their platforms to tackle COVID-19 and influence underclassmen to do the same.

It feels good to be king and queen.

“It felt amazing. Amazing to have all my friends there, cheering me on,” Nicholas Jensen, homecoming king, said.

“It was exciting. It was a fun night and a pretty memorable for everyone,” Elizabeth Jerstad, homecoming queen, said.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, or, in this case, mask. Jensen and Queen Elizabeth Jerstad say with great power comes great responsibility.

“At football games, we’ll say, underclassmen, put on your masks,” Jensen said.

These two are just some of the seniors using their influence to encourage their younger peers to wear masks at school, to help keep others from getting sick.

“It’s peer pressure, but it’s positive peer pressure to do the right thing,” Jerstad said.

Though wearing masks has become highly politicized, the CDC still recommends them to slow the spread of the COVID-19.

“I don’t like it. I’ve gotten used to it, but obviously it’s not only to protect our loved ones, but to keep the school year going,” Jensen said.

Jerstad says nobody is forcing her to do this.

“It’s a choice I made consciously and I do it to respect others. I do it to respect myself,” Jerstad said.

It appears to be working. Sophomore Samantha Zeeck estimates about 95-percent of students wear them. She says it helps to see older students set an example.

“I think it’s really good because a lot of people follow others, so if they see everyone wearing a mask, then they’re thinking I should wear one, too,” Zeeck said.

Starting the school year as king and queen feels good. Jensen and Jerstad say doing what they can to keep others safe, and make it to the end of their senior year, will be the real crowning achievement.

“As a senior, I can’t force that. You know, it’s not my place to tell people what they can and cannot do, but I would really encourage people to wear masks,” Jerstad said.

We want to note Nicholas Jensen happens to be the son of KELOLAND Media Group’s news director, Beth Jensen. Though the School District expects students to wear masks, it does not require them to do so. A spokesperson says the district doesn’t punish students who make the choice to not wear masks.

COVID-19 prompts city to provide money for marketing Sioux Falls as safe place for events during pandemic

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 21:55:29 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Sioux Falls City Council voted to provide $225,000 to Experience Sioux Falls, formerly the Sioux Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, to market the city as a safe place to host events during the pandemic this fall and winter.

In a memo to council members, finance director Shawn Pritchett said several council members reached out to him about the opportunity for the city to capitalize on promoting itself as a safe place to host events when many communities are closed or not allowing events in any way.

Council member Curt Soehl said during the Sept. 15 meeting that the city could use (CARES Act) money to stimulate the economy.

Earlier this month, Gov. Kristi Noem’s administration announced it would spend $5 million in CARES Act money on tourism advertising.

The $225,000 would help ensure a viable city partner can continue to operate effectively during the pandemic, Pritchett said during the Sept. 15 council meeting.

Visitors to Sioux Falls created an economic impact of about $455,700,000 in 2019, Experience Sioux Falls executive director Teri Schmidt said in an Aug. 25 presentation to the city. The city drew nearly 2 million visitors last year, Schmidt said.

Experience Sioux Falls graphic on visitor impact in 2019. Graphic was presented at an Aug. 25 city meeting.

Pritchett’s Sep. 14 memo to the council cites several council members who pointed out many communities are closed or not allowing events in any way.

Mayor Paul Ten Haken has stressed that the number of hospitalizations in the city are low, which is good as the pandemic continues. Ten Haken said in an Aug. 17 news conference that if hospitalization numbers reached 40 each at Avera and Sanford or if hospitalizations increased at the rate of the percent positive rate for cases, it could cause the city to consider a mask mandate.

The Sioux Falls area had 55 people in the hospital, 705 active cases, a weekly percent positive rate of 14% and 272 active cases per 100,000 people as of Sept. 17.

The July financial report for the city of Sioux Falls shows the changes in taxable sales by industry. Lodging was down 45% in June transactions.

June transactions in several industries generating sales tax for the July financial report. City of Sioux Falls table.

“We are in a crisis in health care but were in a crisis somewhat of economics as well,” Pritchett said on Sept. 15.

COVID-19 has hit the hospitality industry, which includes bars, restaurants, hotels and similar businesses but “…lodging is certainly the worst of all of them,” he said.

Pritchett compared the hotel industry to other critical infrastructure such as the wastewater system and roads. Hotels help ensure that Sioux Falls is an attractive place to visit, which improves the economy and the city for its residents, Pritchett said.

Pritchett said this is a key time to be marketing Sioux Falls to visitors but a cut to the Experience Sioux Falls budget has “effectively curtailed” marketing.

Experience Sioux Falls executive director Teri Schmidt said in an Aug. 25 presentation to the city that her organization has cut 35% from next year’s budget to help compensate for losses caused by the pandemic. The cut is about $800,000. Some of that cut means a reduction in marketing, she said.

Hotels help to fund Experience Sioux Falls through a $2 tax assessed to each room per night in the city, Schmidt said at an Aug. 25 presentation to the city. The $2 Business Improvement District tax was established by the local hotels, Schmidt said. Another 1% tax on visitors is collected for the organization.

When occupancy rates are down, the BID revenue is also down, Schmidt said.

July occupancy rates in Sioux Falls were down 43.7% and down 32.3% year to date, Schmidt said on Aug. 25.

The city has about 5,387 hotel rooms in 61 hotels, Schmidt said. When the Hyatt Place opens in September, it will add 112 total rooms for a total of 5,499 rooms in 62 hotels.

The pandemic struggles follow a robust year for visitors in Sioux Falls and the region.

Schmidt said 2019 was the first year visitor spending in the southeast South Dakota region was higher than the Black Hills Region. In 2019, the region had $1.6 billion, or 40%, of the all the state’s visitor spending.

Minnehaha County had 74% of all visitor spending and 29% came from Sioux Falls in 2019, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said about 1.8 million visitors from at least 50 miles away came to Sioux Falls in 2019.

Some of the potential visitors interested in South Dakota include residents of the Denver area, Pritchett said as an example of who and what areas could be targets for marketing this fall and winter.

CVB Proposal September 15 CA Pdf (PDF)CVB Proposal September 15 CA Pdf (Text)

Winston Groom, ‘Forrest Gump’ author, Point Clear native dies

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 21:35:28 +0000

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WKRG) — Winston Groom, the famed author of “Forrest Gump” and Point Clear native, has died.

Fairhope Mayor Karin Wilson posted on Facebook Thursday about his passing.

“It is with great sadness that I share the passing of our dear friend Winston Groom. The City of Fairhope has lost an iconic author today. Please keep his friends and family in your thoughts and prayers,” Wilson wrote on Facebook.

Groom wrote the novel “Forrest Gump” in 1986, and it was adapted into the blockbuster movie that released in 1994 starring Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise and Robin Wright.

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Sioux Falls approves TIF to be ready for more industry in Foundation Park

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 21:30:39 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — People plan for weddings and people will prepare to entertain guests.

The city of Sioux Falls is preparing for additional industrial growth with the approval of its latest Tax Increment Finance District, said Jeff Eckhoff, director of planning and development services in Sioux Falls.

“The intent of the site is to handle really big projects that might be 100 acres at a time,” Eckhoff said.

While there is interest from industry in Sioux Falls, Bob Mundt, president and chief executive officer of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation said the TIF was not established for any specific industry. Instead, the TIF is to prepare for any potential industry that may want a Sioux Falls location, he said.

KELOLAND News reported on Aug. 4 and Aug. 31 about Amazon’s plans to build a distribution center in Foundation Park. No city officials or officials from the Sioux Falls Economic Foundation have confirmed the Amazon project.

The north portion of the park, where the TIF district was created has no infrastructure. The south portion does.

The new district is TIF District 23. The 539.25 acre TIF was approved by the Sioux Falls City Council at the Monday, Sept. 15, meeting. The TIF is for development of Foundation Park North. The area is north of Interstate 90 and west of Interstate 29.

The new TIF District in the city of Sioux Falls. City graphic.

The other 12 TIF districts in the city are established with a private developer.

This TIF District wasn’t established with a private developer but with the South Falls Development Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit entity that works on economic development in the city.

The foundation will install roads, water, and sewer in the TIF District so that the property is ready if an industry wants to move in.

Under a TIF District, the developer continues to pay the existing base valuation property taxes. New taxes beyond the base created by improvements are deferred increments. The new taxes are paid but placed in a fund. The developer is reimbursed for the costs of installing infrastructure from that fund.

The foundation will use the reimbursement to pay the debt on bonds it will take out to pay for the installation of water, sewer, and roads, Mundt said. Although the foundation has successfully invested in other development, Mundt said it does not have the cash available to pay for infrastructure development. The TIF will allow it to borrow money through a bond and pay it back through the TIF increment taxes, he said.

The council approved the TIF District but the plan, which includes the details of the cost and new valuations still needs to be approved at a future meeting.

2020 TIF 23 District Boundary Doc (PDF)2020 TIF 23 District Boundary Doc (Text)

Having “shovel ready” sites makes Sioux Falls more attractive to industries, Eckhoff and Mundt said.

Other states already, including Iowa, already have property ready for building.

Some counties and other cities in South Dakota have developed TIF Districts with local economic development entities, Eckhoff said. Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties, Lennox and Brandon all have such TIFs, Eckhoff said.

“It levels the playing field for us,” Mundt said.

Industries are increasingly looking for property that already has infrastructure because they need to build more quickly in today’s economy.

A March 20 story published online by Expansion Solutions Magazine said having a shovel ready site is one piece of the plan to attract industry.

A March 24 story posted on Morning Consult, a global, privately-held data intelligence company established in 2014, encouraged U.S. lawmakers to consider shovel ready infrastructure projects as part of coronavirus relief packages.

“The time it takes to get to market (from construction) is becoming more and more important,” Mundt said.

Mundt has seen changes in how industries approach new construction and a new site in his 35 years in economic development. Industries used to long range plan for three to five years but now, it’s 18 to 24 months.

The turnaround from industries looking at property to construction once they choose may be shorter than several years ago but that doesn’t mean a new industry is already ready to move into the TIF District.

“We have prospects but it could be two or three years (away),” Mundt said. The TIF District is not being developed because the foundation already has an industry partner, Mundt said.

As the industry moves into a location in Sioux Falls, other commercial development and residential development typically follows.

New industry “will help the retail development around Walmart,” Eckhoff said as an example of the ripple effect created with industrial development.

The city was willing to create a TIF District because of the importance of having a site ready for an industry and because of increased interest from companies, Eckhoff said.

New industry means more jobs. More jobs means more employees who may live or shop in Sioux Falls, Eckhoff said.

A new industry will use electricity and other supplies which will boost utility revenue and sales tax, Eckhoff said.

The TIF can also capitalize on increased business interest in the state.

“When the (U.S.) economy is tight, South Dakota’s (profile rises),” Eckhoff said.

The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has already successfully developed about 1,700 acres in the city, Eckhoff said.

The eight development parks created by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

Some of the development is in the south portion of the Foundation Park.

A map of Sioux Falls Development Foundation parks. From the Sioux Falls Development Foundation’s website.

“This is a great partnership…,” Eckhoff said.

Mundt said construction on the infrastructure is expected to start in the spring. Construction is expected to be in phases through several years, he said.

A May 2017 article posted online by Site Selection Magazine says “The ultimate test of shovel-readiness is how many prospects go from consideration of your site to a full commitment in the form of job creation and commerce.”

Planning work should start this winter after the TIF plan is approved.

First@4: COVID-19 outbreak at women’s prison; Noem on President Trump’s campaign trail

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:58:48 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Here’s a look at today’s top stories:

A mass testing at the women’s prison in Pierre revealed a COVID-19 outbreak.

As of Thursday, 105 persons (inmates and staff) have tested positive. There have been three recoveries. Cases for the prison are being counted as apart of Hughes County because for inmates that is their temporary residence.

In a statement, Department of Corrections officials say every inmate is required to wear a mask and all of the people who tested positive are now in isolation.

105 positive COVID-19 cases at women’s prison in Pierre

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is back on the campaign trail for President Donald Trump.

Noem, who has made campaign stops for President Trump in Pennsylvania and Ohio, is in Michigan for a “Workers for Trump event.” The event started today at 10:30 a.m. in Shelby, Michigan.

Gov. Noem spokesman Ian Fury added that she was returning to South Dakota after the event.

Gov. Noem in Michigan for campaign event for President Trump Thursday

Fourth ranked Sioux Falls Lincoln will host fifth ranked O’Gorman on Friday and the game will be streamed on KELOLAND.com.

After posting an impressive 43 points in a win over Rapid City Stevens, the O’Gorman offense has struggled. The Knights posted just 14 points in a loss at Brandon Valley, two weeks ago and then were shutout by Roosevelt last week.

O’Gorman finds themselves ranked fifth in the latest South Dakota High School Football Prep Media poll, despite owning just a 1-2 record.

Lincoln hosts O’Gorman Friday in 11 ‘AAA’ top five clash

The Pierre Governors have canceled all of their sporting events for the remainder of the week, due to a “COVID increase”.

The post came from the Pierre Athletic Booster Club and gave information from athletic director Brian Moser.

Several smaller schools have battled COVID-19 delays, but Pierre is the largest school to postpone sporting events.

Pierre high school cancels sporting events due to COVID-19 increase

The death toll from COVID-19 in South Dakota increased by one, bringing the state’s total to 193, according to the South Dakota Department of Health’s latest update on Thursday.

395 new coronavirus cases were announced, bringing the state’s total positive case count since the pandemic started to 17,686. Active cases increased to 2,615. People currently hospitalized from COVID-19 are now at 138, down one from Wednesday.

COVID-19 in South Dakota: 395 new positive cases; Death toll rises to 193; Active cases at 2,615

Pierre High School cancels classes due to new COVID-19 cases

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:56:41 +0000

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — One of South Dakota's largest school high schools has called off classes for Friday and postponed activities because of an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Storm Center PM Update – Thursday, September 17: Cool day tomorrow before the weekend warmup

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:30:47 +0000

We have light smoke with partly cloudy skies in eastern KELOLAND, while the wildfire smoke remains thick in western South Dakota. Temperatures are below normal, in the 60s to low 70s.

Tonight will be another cool night, under mostly cloudy skies. Low will be in the low 40s in northern South Dakota to the upper 40s in the south, with just a very light easterly breeze.

Tomorrow will be partly to mostly sunny. We had been carrying a chance for light showers in the morning, but have pulled them due to a lack of moisture in the atmosphere. Tomorrow afternoon will still be cool, with highs in the upper 60s, while we’ll have mid 70s West River despite the persistent smoke.

Saturday looks a little breezy, and combined with mostly sunny skies we will see temperatures rebound above-normal, to the upper 70s East River and the mid 80s West River. The breeze will be from the south or a southeasterly direction.

Sunday looks as windy or even a little windier. But with partly cloudy skies it will be even warmer, with the low to mid 80s across KELOLAND. It will be a nice, warm end to the final weekend of official summer.

On Monday, there could be some morning showers East River, but again they will be moisture starved and very light if they occur at all. Highs will be in the low to mid 80s.

Autumn officially begins Tuesday at 8:30 am CT. The rest of Tuesday will be partly cloudy and very warm – more than ten degrees above normal. We expect to reach the mid 80s East River and the upper 80s West River.

Our best chance of showers – and they will probably be very light – comes on Wednesday as we cool slightly, to the upper 70s East River to the mid 80s West River.

Thursday looks to be a little cooler, though it still looks like temperatures will be a little above normal for the end of next week through the following weekend (September 26-27) before cooling for the last few days of September.

US judge blocks Postal Service changes that slowed mail

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:25:53 +0000

SEATTLE (AP) – A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide.

The judge called them “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Washington, said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction as sought by 14 states that sued the Trump administration and the U.S. Postal Service.

The states challenged the Postal Service’s so-called “leave mail behind” policy, by which trucks have been leaving postal facilities on time whether or not there is more mail to load. They also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as First Class mail.

FBI investigating fatal stabbing on Yankton reservation

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:09:33 +0000

WAGNER, S.D. (AP) – The FBI says it’s investigating a stabbing death on the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation.

The agency says a suspect has been arrested in Tuesday evening’s stabbing in Wagner. The victim is identified as 54-year-old Isaac Primeaux.

FBI agents continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing with the assistance of state and tribal law enforcement officers. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the US Attorney’s Office in South Dakota for any charging decision.

Sioux Falls approves TIF to be ready for more industry in Foundation Park

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 19:42:25 +0000