Author Archives: Rita Pravecek

PIERRE – The COVID-19 pandemic has brought uncertainty to individuals and families across South Dakota including financial hardships and the Department of Social Services (DSS) reminds the public it has programs to help.

“The mission of the Department of Social Services is to create strong families,” said DSS Cabinet Secretary Laurie Gill. “When families are struggling, there are options to help support and strengthen them.”

For families dealing with financial stress, there are economic assistance programs available through DSS that may help.

Programs include assistance with nutrition, home heating, and healthcare expenses, as well as temporary financial assistance for very low-income families with children who are deprived of parental support.

Eligibility varies by program. To apply, go online to dss.sd.gov and click on the Economic Assistance tab or call your local DSS office. Contact information for offices across South Dakota is available by clicking on the

Find Your Local Office link at dss.sd.gov.

Childcare assistance is also available to families who meet income guidelines and minimum work and/or school requirements.

Additional information including application forms are available by clicking on the Child Care tab at dss.sd.gov.

“These are difficult times and the Department of Social Services is committed to helping support families through them,” Gill said.

“If an individual lost their job or a family had wages significantly reduced, that can add a lot of stress to an already difficult situation. We are here to help when families need it.”

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), St. Louis Field Office, are warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists trying to use the COVID-19 economic impact payments as cover for schemes to steal personal information and money.

Ron Parsons, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, and Karl A. Stiften, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), St. Louis Field Office, made the announcement today in an effort to prevent taxpayers from falling victim to criminals using the recently approved economic impact payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.

Automatic COVID-19 economic impact payments started being deposited into taxpayers’ accounts on April 11. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account.

For the unbanked, retirees or other groups who have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payment in this manner as well.

Scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them or use this as an opportunity to get you to “verify” your filing information in order to receive your money, and then use your personal information at a later date to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme.

Because of this, everyone receiving a COVID-19 related economic impact payment from the government is at risk.

Karl A. Stiften, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS-CI St. Louis Field Office warned “The existence of a deadly national pandemic will not stop criminals seeking to capitalize on the fears and difficulties faced by the public as they try to line their own pockets by stealing your money or your personal information.”

“All of us need to vigilant in these times to protect ourselves and our loved ones from being defrauded,” said U.S. Attorney Parsons. “You should report any suspicious activity to federal law enforcement immediately. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19 or stimulus relief, you can contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866- 720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov.”

Special Agent in Charge Stiften offers the following information and tips to spot a scam and understand how the COVID-19 related economic impact payments will be issued.

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Kaden Keiser of the Winner Area wrestling team is one of the nominees for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader sports awards in wrestling.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year’s event will be an online broadcast with national celebrities that will air June 18 at 6 p.m.

The Argus Leader Sports awards are an annual event that honors high school athletes, coaches, teams and community members for their achievements during the 2919-2020 school year, culminating with the unveiling of boys and girls athletes of the year.

Keiser is a four-time state placer. As a 7th grader he took 6th place and as an 8th grader he was runner-up.

Keiser is a two-time state champion his freshman and sophomore years.

“Kaden is very deserving of this award,” said Winner wrestling coach Spencer Novotny. “He has a great work ethic and is never satisfied. He has goals and he does what he has to do to accomplish them.

Not only is he a four-time placer he broke Jason Orel’s (2003 season) takedown record this year as a sophomore. Kaden is one of those guys that leads by example and pushes his teammates. He is al all around good kid.

He is sitting at 183 wins after his 10th grade season,” said Novotny.

The sports show will feature more than 20 professional athletes as hosts and presenters as part of the annual tradition of honoring high school athletes for their hard work and dedication during the past school year.

In addition to Keiser, Nash Hutmacher of Chamberlain is nominated for this honor. Hutmacher won last year.