Sherman, Schueth Talk to Government Class

val sherman in govt class

By Dan Bechtold, Editor

Val Sherman, a member of the Winner City Council and police chief Paul Schueth spoke to the government classes at Winner High School last Wednesday morning.

This is a part of an ongoing series where state and local officials come into the school to speak to the students.

Sherman has been on the city council for 16 years and has decided not to run for re-election.

Sherman asked the seniors if they knew what ward they lived in and also presented them with forms used when a person is seeking office.

The member of the council passed out copies of  April 6 city council agenda and a map of the city wards.

Students had a chance to look at the official minute book and a book that contains all the codes and ordinances.

During her 16 years, Sherman has worked with four mayors and five finance officers.

During her tenure, some of the big projects she has worked on are airport runway extension, jail, fire hall, walking trail, South County Road, new swimming pool and bass pond.

Sherman told the student’s the city budget is over $11 million.

She explained the important work council committees do.

Sherman noted she ran for office to serve the people.

Schueth explained the workings of the jail and the 911 center. He said on an average day there will be between 80 to 90 inmates in jail in addition to U.S. marshal personnel.

The police chief said 21 jailers work at the law enforcement center which holds prisoners for nine different counties.

The police chief explained the 24/7 program and noted that Winner was one of the pilot cities when it started in 2005.

“I have seen how this program can change lives,” said Schueth.
In South Dakota, since the program started there have been 7.6 million tests done. Persons on the 24/7 program are required to report twice a day.

In South Dakota, there have been 36,790 persons on the program.

Due to the program, law enforcement officials have seen a decrease in DWI arrests and deaths due to a drunk driver.

Schueth explained it is not just older people who are required to be on this program. He noted it also includes  lot of young persons.

With prom and graduation coming up, the police chief said law enforcement wants to make sure young people stay safe. “You are important to us and we want to make sure you are safe,” he said.

Battling Violent Wounds Could be her Job as Surgeon

Weidner

By Dan Merritt, Advocate reporter

Battling bullet, knife, and other types of violent wounds to get victims stabilized and out of danger could be Tiffany Weidner’s full-time job someday.

“It’s exciting,” she said of surgical efforts in trauma operating rooms.

“It’s never the same operation over and over. Every operation is different because every knife or bullet enters in a little bit different spot (doing damage differently).

“That’s the thing that I love about it the most, is that it’s always something new.”

Though mortality can be close to half of the patients being worked with. “But, you’re doing what you can to try to save a life. You can’t always.”

That’s why trauma surgery has a high burn-out rate of those who do it, Weidner added. Plus, “it’s always bad hours and it’s hard work.

“But if that’s what you love, that’s what you have to do.”

Or heart transplant surgery could be her occupation, eventually. She’ll be deciding about surgical fellowships for further trauma or heart transplant training as the year 2020 approaches.

That will be when her general surgical residency is over at the Mayo Clinic Hospital of Scottsdale, Ariz. (One of three Mayo Clinic facilities in the nation, including the original in Rochester, Minn.)

Weidner goes there after graduating next month (May 16) as a medical doctor from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark.

Her pre-med undergrad years, majoring in psychology, took place at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion. She graduated from there in 2011.

She’s a 2007 Colome High School graduate; her parents, Fred and Deena Weidner, somewhat semi-retired now, ranch and farm in the Clearfield area.

Patricia Nelson, 76

pat nelson obit

Patricia Nelson, 76 of Sioux Falls, SD formerly of Winner, passed away on Tuesday, April 7th, 2015 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, April 11,  at  2 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner.  Burial will follow at a later date.

Patricia L. Nelson (nee Ogle) known to her family and friends as Pat or Patsy of Sioux Falls,  arrived August 14, 1938 on her mother’s 27th birthday in Ashland, WI and departed peacefully April 7, 2015 with her family by her side at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, aged 76 years.

Pat was born and raised on the shores of Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, WI, the daughter of Richard and Mary (Kovachevich) Ogle where she spent the long summers days of an idyllic youth on the beaches of Lake Superior with her siblings and friends.

After graduating from DePadua High School she was employed by Wisconsin Bell for 11 years.  She married Tom Falencik of Ashland and they started their family before moving from Ashland to Winner, SD, where they owned and operated restaurants for many years. Although Pat adopted South Dakota as her home she traveled often to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. She was employed at Fullerton Lumber in Winner until marrying Wayne Nelson, then her focus became Nelson Farms.  Wayne’s many leadership positions and their great sense of adventure took them to Washington, DC and around the world.  Always grateful to have traveled to many cities and places on six continents and meeting interesting people, she especially cherished time with family and friends, tending her gardens, baking and canning and summers at the lake house in Minnesota.

Pat and her family are grateful for the compassionate care she received at Avera McKennan and Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls during the challenges that presented with an AML diagnosis nearly 3 years ago and especially, with heart-felt gratitude,  Dr. Aref Al-Kali of The Mayo Clinic who’s unfailing optimism, compassionate care and accomplished direction he provided during an experimental drug therapy she received at The Mayo Clinic.Patricia Nelson2

Marvin Lee Brandis, 59

brandis obit

Marvin Lee Brandis, 59, of Winner, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at his home in Winner.

Funeral services were held on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Winner-Ideal Community Hall.  Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Marvin was born at home on June 1, 1955, in Winner, to Melvin, Sr. and Alice (High Rock) Brandis.  He went to school in Winner and Mission.  After completing his GED he attended Sinte Gleska University.  He received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.  He also received a master of education from Sinte Gleska University.

He enlisted in the Navy and was honorably discharged in 1976. He met and married Arlene in 1980.  They had four children:  Toby Clairmont from a previous marriage, Alicia, Derek, and Wade.

Marvin enjoyed bowling with friends and family at the Winner Bowling Center. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.  His favorite singer was Elvis.  He liked to watch and read ghost stories and SyFy movies.  He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed all holidays, especially Christmas, and birthday celebrations.  He enjoyed selling fireworks during the 4th of July to the surrounding families and children in the area.  He always wanted to make sure that the children had a good holiday.

Marvin worked as a middle school teacher in Winner, Lower Brule, He Dog School and was employed at Sinte Gleska University.

Maynard D. Jensen, 82

maynard jensen obit

 

Maynard Duane Jensen was born May 2, 1932 at Egan, SD to Robert W. and Doris I. (Fulton) Jensen.   He attended country school near Egan and Hartford High School at Hartford.  After high school, he began farming with his father and brother.  On September 5, 1953, Maynard was united in marriage to Marcella Wiese at Sioux Falls.  To this union two daughters were born Kae and Kim.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954. In I956 he was discharged and returned to the farm and served in the Army Reserves until 1961.  In 1960, Maynard, Marcella and their family moved to Chamberlain to ranch.  Maynard attended Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, MT graduating in 1965. In 1971 Maynard began work full time as an Auctioneer.  He began auctioneering at the Chamberlain Livestock Auction and also in Pierre and Kimball.  He auctioneered the first cattle sale at the Sioux Falls Stockyards in 1973.

Maynard quit auctioneering at the stockyards and began working in real estate under Burton Anderson while getting his real estate license.  He received his Broker License in 1971 at which time he opened Jensen Auction and Realty.  Later, he took on partner Ed Houska in the business forming Jensen-Houska Auction and Realty. He retired from the real estate business around 2010 but continued to do auctions as this was his childhood dream and he was proud to be an auctioneer.

Maynard was especially proud of his family and loved to have his children and grandchildren come visit.

Maynard enjoyed hunting, collecting tractors, woodworking, reading, and watching western TV shows and movies.  He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and also served a term as church treasurer.  He was a member of the American Legion and the Winner Elks Club

Maynard passed away on April 6, 2015 at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain at the age of 82 years.  Gratefully sharing his life are his wife Marcella of Chamberlain; two daughters Kae Peterson of Seattle, WA and Kim (Clint) Vanneman of Ideal, SD; five grandchildren Kimberly Peterson, Ambur (Mike) Hinrichs, Wayne Peterson, Ashley (Cody) Kartak, Justin (Tasha Hauf) Vanneman; two great grandchildren Claire and Emma Hinrichs.  Preceding him in death were his parents, his brother Bob Jensen, and sister-in-law Gloria Miller.

Mike Sweeney, 83

sweeney obit

 

Mike was born April 19, 1931 in Presho, South Dakota to Sylvester and Veronica Sweeney. He grew up in Presho where he attended school.

He was united in marriage to Wanda Lee Roberts on February 13, 1954 in Presho, SD. Mike worked as an Auto Mechanic and as Bus Manager. He enjoyed riding ATV and during his retirement years in Arizona he enjoyed collecting cans for charity. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and Christ the King Catholic Church in Presho.

Mike is survived by his wife Wanda Lee of Presho; his children: Kathy and Jerry Styles, Lynn and Lyle Reynolds, Jim and Donna Sweeney, Mark Sweeney and Mary Jo and Marlon Hopper; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jerry Sweeney and Leroy Sweeney and sister Marsha Blake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Syl, Paul and Lawrence Sweeney and two sisters: Pat Konzem and Delores Plueger.

Patrolman Likes 80-mph, but It’s Not for Everyone

By Dan Merritt, Advocate reporter

Driving 80-mph, South Dakota Highway Patrol captain Alan Welsh of the Sioux Falls area was glad he could be moving a bit faster toward the city where his office is located.

In mainly rural South Dakota with its wide open country, it’s a speed limit that makes sense, he said. For him, anyway, because he’s comfortable moving at that speed.

But some people aren’t, he acknowledged. In fact, it seems many aren’t.

“A lot of people are just driving 75-mph,” he stated while he was traveling I-90 on April 10 headed to Sioux Falls.

“Most of the traffic I clock (check) is between 75- and 80-mph. I’m out here on the interstate running radar right now.”

He continued: “I encourage (people) to stay in their comfort area (speed wise). I don’t want anybody to go faster than what they’re comfortable with.”

He disputed claims that if the state officially moved up to 80 mph on the interstate highways (which took effect April 1), motorists would be going 85- to 90-mph.

“When it was 75-mph, we’d get a few going 85 or 90. And we still get a few going 85, 90. But I don’t see more.

I’m not seeing more that think they can push it.

“In fact, I’ve seen a lot of people that are compliant with the speed limit. And that’s because I think they think it’s fast enough.”

It is plenty fast agreed local law enforcement at Winner.

Police chief Paul Schueth cautioned that drivers moving along at 80 mph need to be aware of the big rigs on the road around them, especially in front of them.

Most semis won’t be going any faster than 65- to 75-mph, like they have been. Drivers in other vehicles going faster now than they have been, need to take that into account, he advised.

“The closing rate is going to be a lot faster now at 80-mph coming up behind a semi on the interstate than what it was before.

“Hopefully nobody runs into them.”

Semis generally are restricted by their owner companies as to how fast they can rumble down a roadway, Schueth pointed-out. That’s between 65 and 70 for the most part.

And semi truck tires in general aren’t rated to go beyond 75-mph, he noted.

Both city police chief Schueth and Tripp County sheriff Shawn Pettit didn’t think local drivers on county or city roads were going to take license to driver faster just because the state has upped the legal speed on the interstates.

Pettit said he’ll be looking at reports about interstate accidents about six months down the line. ‘I’m waiting to see how that comes out,” he stated.

Particularly, he’s wondering if there may possibly be more mishaps or more severe ones.

That’s because vehicles will be traveling farther at such a high rate of speed in the time it takes for drivers to react to road/traffic circumstances around them.

That is, motorists will need more length of roadway in which to react and that length may not be enough to avoid a crash going 80 as opposed to 75 or 70, he indicated.

But patrolman captain Welsh said he doesn’t expect to see crash data jump with the new legal 80-mph speed limit.

“When we went from 65 to 75, everybody thought there was going to be a lot of crashes. But it hasn’t.

“Technology with vehicles being safer, handling better, airbags. We haven’t had issues, we haven’t had more crashes, we haven’t had more injuries.

“So, raising the speed limit did not result in more crashes. Certainly that’s our hope and expectation for this increase.”

Welsh said 80-mph is plenty fast enough to be motoring along and that those who plan to go faster had better be prepared to get pulled-over by SD highway patrolmen.

“We are enforcing it strictly. The speed limit’s 80 and we enforce the speed limit.”

Sure there will be discretion used by individual troopers. “Are we going to pull over every single person going 82 or 83, probably not. There’s enough to keep us busy stopping people at higher speeds.

“But could you get pulled-over at 83 and get a citation? Absolutely.”

Every South Dakota Town Needs a Big Idea

by Katie Hunhoff

Every South Dakota town we visit is looking for ways to attract new families. Well, there was that one mayor in the town of Cottonwood (pop. 12) on Highway 14 that didn’t necessarily want people poking around, thinking it was a ghost town. But generally every other town is trying something — from painting storefronts to offering free lots or building event centers — to rejuvenate their communities.

My hometown of Yankton is trying something different. We are holding a 100-day search for a big idea that has the potential to change Yankton for generations. The person with the winning idea will receive $10,000. But the hope is that everyone in Yankton will be a winner if we can have a conversation about Yankton’s future, and also find a project the whole community can rally behind. The search is dubbed Onward Yankton and you can follow along or submit ideas on their website, www.OnwardYankton.com. The Onward Yankton group hopes they get submissions from not just Yankton but also across the state and country.

Larry Ness, a local banker and a founder of Onward Yankton, says the old river city is just one of many places struggling in today’s fast-changing world. “We think a community-wide exercise to decide Yankton’s next step will have a lot of value in itself. But once we select an idea, a bunch of us are committed to seeing if we can’t make it happen.”

Carmen Schramm, the executive director of the Yankton Chamber, says Yankton has always been a town of big ideas — starting with its designation as the territorial capitol in 1861. “As a city, we’ve started colleges, built one of the first bridges across the Missouri and our residents even built a dam and a lake in the 1950s — not to mention schools, hospitals and serving as an agricultural center.”

“We’re proud of all we’ve accomplished,” she said. “But cities our size can’t rest on their laurels. We have to keep adapting and looking for the next challenge that will keep us as an exciting place where young people want to live and work.”

The May/June issue of South Dakota Magazine includes a feature article that talks directly to young South Dakotans, specifically to May graduates. Yes, they already receive advice from parents, teachers and mentors. But we found 18 interesting (and wise) South Dakotans to provide a unique and heartfelt perspective. One of my favorite submissions came from our poet laureate, retired SDSU Professor David Allan Evans. He begins with an anecdote from about 20 years ago when he was very earnestly and carefully teaching a writing class at SDSU. He finished the class feeling pleased with himself. But then a student came up to him and told him he had a leaf on his head. The young professor became embarrassed and agitated, and he felt it had ruined his entire lecture. Now, the story has become a lesson for him on humility and how not to take himself too seriously — “Something that all of us need to learn as we mature with time,” he writes.

I’d like to think the citizens of Yankton are following his advice by with our Big Idea contest. We’re not saying we know all the answers — that’s why we are asking for your ideas. And we’re not taking ourselves too seriously. We look forward to a lot of silly and fun discussion over which idea to pick. But we are serious about the future of our town and the futures of our youth. I encourage you visit the Onward Yankton website to learn more, and also to read our letters to youth in the May/June issue. Who knows, the letters might spark an idea worth $10,000. Even better, the project might provide Yankton and other rural communities some ideas on how to grow and prosper.

Katie Hunhoff is the editor of South Dakota Magazine, a bi-monthly print publication that discusses the people and places of our great state. Visit www.SouthDakotaMagazine.com for more information.

Some Advice For New Parents

A column by First Lady Linda Daugaard

Much has changed for Dennis and me in the last five years. Moving from Dell Rapids to Pierre to serve as governor and first lady has been quite the adventure. But there are other titles we’ve recently acquired that we value even more: grandpa and grandma.

Becoming a grandma has reminded me how much new parents have to decide in nine short months. What color to paint baby’s bedroom, which stroller to buy, whether to know the gender ahead of time – the list of questions can be endless for first-time parents.

Though it can all be overwhelming, the decisions that really matter are those that affect a baby’s health. When Dennis was first elected, he was shocked to learn how many infants were not reaching their first birthday, and that South Dakota’s infant mortality rate was higher than the rates in surrounding states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska.

This unsettling truth led him to ask me to lead a task force on infant mortality in South Dakota. I worked with a group of doctors, nurses, tribal health care workers, midwives, social workers and Department of Health officials to understand the causes of the problem. In our research, we found that deciding against early elective deliveries (EEDs), abstaining from tobacco, learning safe sleep practices and receiving prenatal care are critical to an infant’s wellbeing.

Inducing early for non-medical reasons can be dangerous. There are no known health benefits for EEDs, and there are significant health risks for baby – low birthweight, respiratory syndrome, pneumonia and even death. I’m very pleased that 20 of South Dakota’s birthing hospitals have signed pledges to work with us to reduce EEDs.

The infant mortality rate for infants of mothers who smoke is almost twice as high as it is for infants born of non-smokers. Last year, about 15 percent of pregnant women smoked. Though that is an improvement from 2011 when the task force began its work, South Dakota still has one of the highest rates of mothers smoking during pregnancy.

Along with abstaining from tobacco products, it’s critically important for expectant mothers to seek the care they need during the first trimester. In South Dakota, 72 percent of women received prenatal care in the first trimester last year. I’ve heard stories from women who have been told to wait until they are 12 weeks along to schedule prenatal care visits. That’s not good advice. Those who seek that care early on are less likely to lose their child within the first year.

Also before baby is born, expectant parents should learn about safe sleep practices. Infants need to sleep on a firm surface covered by a fitted sheet. Pillows, blankets, toys and crib bumpers should not be in the crib. Babies need to be placed on their back and it’s best for them to sleep in light clothing. Family members and other caregivers also need to know about these important practices.

The good news is that the infant mortality rate is declining in South Dakota. According to the Department of Health, the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births is down from 2013’s rate of 6.5 to 5.9 in 2014. Last year’s rate is also below 2011’s 20-year low of 6.3. It’s important we keep working to increase prenatal care, promote safe sleep practices, and decrease tobacco use and EEDs to make sure that decline continues.

I know from experience there’s no way to fully prepare yourself for parenthood. Don’t sweat the small stuff. No parent is perfect. Know that by concerning yourself primarily with your baby’s health and safety, you’ll be just what your little one needs.

Fewer South Dakota Babies Die In 2014

PIERRE, S.D. – For the second year, South Dakota saw a decline in the number of babies dying before their first birthdays. New data released by the Department of Health today shows 73 infant deaths in 2014 for a rate of 5.9 deaths per 1,000 live births. That’s down from 2013’s rate of 6.5 and below the previous 20-year lows of 6.3 in 2011 and 6.4 in 2007. o ignored

“It’s so encouraging to see the number of infant deaths down for the second straight year,” said First Lady Linda Daugaard. “All the work to promote safe sleep practices, encourage early prenatal care and help pregnant women stop smoking is having an impact.” o ignored

Early prenatal care, decreased tobacco use in pregnancy and safe sleep practices were some of the strategies recommended by the 2011 Governor’s Task Force on Infant Mortality. That group was chaired by First Lady Linda Daugaard and its members have worked since then to implement the recommendations to reduce infant mortality and improve birth outcomes for South Dakota babies. o ignored

The 2014 data also showed 72.2 percent of pregnant women in South Dakota received prenatal care in the first trimester as recommended. The percentage of women who smoked during pregnancy was 14.8 percent, essentially unchanged from 15 percent the year before. There were five deaths from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2014, compared to nine in 2013. o ignored

“While we’re pleased with this progress, there is still more work to be done,” said Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Secretary of Health. “We recognize the commitment of health care providers to assuring healthy birth outcomes for more South Dakota families and we’re pleased to be part of that effort as well.” o ignored

South Dakotans can learn more about healthy pregnancies at the department’s www.ForBabySakeSD.org website.