Category Archives: State

The South Dakota Association of Cooperatives and the South Dakota Farm Bureau are urging South Dakota voters to reject proposed Constitutional Amendment T on the November ballot. If passed, this amendment would remove 105 elected representatives from the legislative redistricting process and place it in the hands of nine unelected individuals.

“The current system of drawing legislative districts has served South Dakota well,” said Brenda Forman, executive director of the SD Association of Cooperatives. “The rules in our State and Federal Constitutions, along with various laws and court decisions, dictate what legislative districts are to look like. We think that the 105 people elected to represent us are in a far better position to do what is best for South Dakota, rather than nine people appointed by the Board of Elections, which in itself is an appointed board.”

“Having watched previous redistricting efforts by the legislature, it is clear that our elected legislators – both Republican and Democrat – have worked hard to be fair to all the voters in the State,” said Scott VanderWal, president of the SD Farm Bureau. “To place this responsibility in the hands of nine unelected individuals would diminish the idea of a representative democracy and would not serve South Dakotans.”

The two groups point out that under the current system, the 2011 redistricting maps developed by the Legislature reduced the number of divided rural counties from seven to three. “The effort to keep rural counties as whole as possible makes sense for voters and for those elected to represent us in Pierre,” said Mike Held, lobbyist for the SD Farm Bureau.

Gen. Omar Bradley led millions of U.S. soldiers in World War II, but first he led the Jackrabbits.

South Dakota State College’s (now South Dakota State University) 1921 yearbook, the Jack Rabbit, states, “We can truthfully say that this has been one of the most successful years for the military department in the history of the college … The interest the men take and the splendid work the military department is doing are due to the efforts of Major Omar N. Bradley, our commandant. Major Bradley has served in the 14th Infantry since 1915, spending over a year in active service on the border (U.S.-Mexican). He is a graduate of West Point and has taken over the work as a West Point man would.

“Not only has he organized the battalion and brought the drill to cover a larger scope of military tactics than ever before, but he has spent more time and energy in promoting the physical welfare of the students. This he has done by organizing classes in boxing and wrestling. He has also taken an active part in coaching athletics and has won a place in the esteem of every State student.” Bradley had joined the SDSC faculty in the fall of 1919. He had applied for a position as a military instructor at a college with a Reserve Officer Training Corps unit, wanting to teach in Washington or Oregon. The choice he indicated for geographic area, “Northwest,” denoted North Dakota and South Dakota, not the Pacific Northwest.

“As a result of this misunderstanding, on August 25, I was assigned to be assistant professor of military science and tactics at the South Dakota State College (of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts) in Brookings,” Bradley wrote in his autobiography, “A General’s Life.”

“Our year at Brookings was a bitterly cold one, but the work turned out to be interesting and challenging.”

After a summer at an ROTC encampment in Michigan and camping in Minnesota, Bradley and his wife, Mary, returned to Bookings in late August of 1920 prepared for another school year.

“I was soon astonished to receive a telegram ordering me to duty at West Point ‘without delay,’ as an instructor in the math department,” Bradley wrote in his autobiography. Bradley was described as a tall man, at just over 6 feet, lanky, quiet, self-confident, a tough fighter and a brilliant military tactician. During World War II, Bradley was involved in every crucial decision that determined the outcome of the war in Europe from 1943 on. He was known as “The Soldier’s General” by his troops because of his concern for the men he led. Following World War II, Bradley directed the Veterans Administration, succeeded Dwight Eisenhower as Army Chief of Staff and later became first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He died on April 8, 1981, at age 88, the nation’s last five-star general. Though Bradley’s time in South Dakota was short, he seemed to enjoy it. An article in the Brookings Daily Register the day after the general’s death stated that Bradley became chairman of the board at Bulova. At the time of the article’s publication in 1981, Bulova watches were distributed to the outstanding ROTC graduate at SDSU, and outstanding members of the freshman, sophomore and junior classes received autographed copies of Bradley’s autobiography.

A representative of Bulova said that when asked about Brookings, “He (Bradley) spoke at great length of many things, the fact that Brookings, at that time, had no paved streets, the football team he helped to coach, the boxing team that was formulated the same year, the wonderful hunting, the fine people he met, as well as the great group of reserve officers he commanded.” Bradley returned to Brookings at least once, in 1946, to hunt, according to the Register.

“There is no standard against which to compare Bradley as an army group commander. During the fighting in Europe, his calm and effective presence was important in times of crisis, as was his deft touch in handling subordinates,” stated an online article courtesy of the United States Army Center for Military History. This moment in South Dakota history is provided by the South Dakota Historical Society Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Find us on the web at www.sdhsf.org. Contact us at info@sdhsf.org to submit a story idea.

Attorney General Marty Jackley is encouraging South Dakotans to participate and follow National Heroin and Opiate Awareness Week. The Attorney General’s Office encourages everyone to learn more about the dangers that accompany this abuse. Knowing and recognizing the signs of opiate abuse can help prevent some from falling victim to this addiction.

“The national heroin and opiate epidemic is impacting South Dakota and having a devastating effect on families and communities,” said Jackley. “We have been proactive in South Dakota by equipping our first responders with Narcan, building an effective prescription drug monitoring program, and holding joint law enforcement and medical training. But there is more to be done- this week presents an important opportunity to educate yourself and loved ones about the early signs of addiction.”

The addiction to heroin commonly begins with prescription opiate abuse. Both heroin and opiate addiction impacts the lives of so many individuals. Every single economic level is at risk, and it does not target a particular gender or specific age group. South Dakota suffered 49 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2015, several of which heroin and opiates were contributing factors.

In August 2016, the Attorney General’s Office hosted an Opioid Abuse Training targeting attorneys, healthcare professionals, policy makers, law enforcement and service providers with the latest education and tools to help combat the problems that arise from opioid abuse.

In addition, September 2016 marked the roll-out of the anti-meth campaign contest created for college students. The Attorney General’s Office along with the South Dakota Chiefs and Sheriff’s Associations, South Dakota Department of Public Safety, United States Attorney’s Office and the South Dakota States Attorneys Association are partnering together to help assist the students in creating an innovative message. Phase I of the competition focuses on the statewide meth problem, with plans to implement the heroin addiction in future phases of the competition. 1302 E. Hwy 14, Suite 1  Pierre, SD 57501  605-773-3215 http://atg.sd.gov/

The Attorney General’s Office sponsored legislation in 2015 that would enable all first responders to carry naloxone, a medicine to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. Having naloxone available is a cost-effective way to save lives especially to our rural first responders. The Attorney General’s Office has authorized the use of available drug control funds to assist units of local government and first responders with the purchase of the Narcan agent.

The South Dakota Prescription Drug Monitoring Program provides physicians and pharmacists the opportunity to voluntarily access the prescription repository in order to have available additional medical history. At the request of the Attorney General, the PDMP was passed into law during the 2010 legislative session. The purpose of this program was to improve patient care by providing physicians and pharmacists with a controlled substance dispensing history for their patients.

By Katie Hunhoff

The garden behind our South Dakota Magazine office becomes an overgrown jungle by the time September arrives. We are still picking tomatoes and zucchini every day. We used to make the usual zucchini jokes as the squash multiplied and began to pile up on our conference room table. But a few years ago we had a zucchini cook-off in the office and the recipes were a hit, especially the desserts. Now our backyard zucchini gets more respect.

Zucchini’s reputation seems to have spiked not just in our office but everywhere. Part of the resurgence is surely linked to zoodles — zucchini as noodles — a healthy replacement for high-carb pasta. But decades before zoodles, South Dakotans were making casseroles, soups, desserts, baked goods, jellies, jams and countless side dishes out of the abundant garden fruit. (It’s not a vegetable because it has seeds.)

The plant does well anywhere — so well that gardeners spin variations of the same joke: we don’t lock our car doors here except in August and September when the neighbors are likely to fill the back seat with zucchini. Farm humorists joke that zucchini — like Canada thistle and cedar trees — will probably grow and prosper so long as it doesn’t make the Chicago Board of Trade. But try planting a few acres with the notion of making a dollar and the vines will shrivel and die.

Zucchini, a member of the squash family, was first used as food in the Americas. Archaeologists found evidence of the dark green fruit in Mexico as early as 7000 B.C. Eventually it made its way to Italy (zucchini is an Italian word meaning little squash) and France, where it was called courgette. It probably made its way to the United States via Italian immigrants.

Although zucchini can grow to giant proportions overnight, it’s best to pick (or buy) when the fruit is immature. Full-grown zucchini (which can be over three feet long) is called marrow and is tougher and less delicate in flavor.

If you’re a gardener or a South Dakotan who doesn’t lock your doors in late summer then, like me, you’re probably looking for creative ways to dispose of zucchini. Here are two recipes I loved and still use from our office cook-off:

Savory Zucchini Pie

2 tablespoons butter 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini 1 cup finely chopped onions 2 tablespoons parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano 2 eggs 2 cups mozzarella or Muenster cheese 1 can crescent dinner rolls 2 teaspoons yellow mustard

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and onions; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Stir in parsley flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil and oregano.

2. In large bowl, mix eggs and cheese. Add cooked vegetable mixture; stir gently to mix.

3. Separate dough into 8 triangles. Place in ungreased 10-inch glass pie plate, 12×8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish or 11-inch quiche pan; press over bottom and up sides to form crust. Firmly press perforations to seal. Spread crust with mustard. Pour egg mixture evenly into crust-lined pie plate.

4. Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until fork inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. (Recipe submitted by Bernie Hunhoff, former editor)

Zucchini Chili

27 ounce can chili beans 15 ounce can black beans, drained 16 ounce can kidney beans, drained 1 pound burger cooked and drained 2 cups grated zucchini 1 quart canned tomatoes with juice or 28 ounce can 1 cup canned tomato juice 2 bell peppers, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons chili powder 2.5 tablespoons cumin 2.5 tablespoons dried cilantro 2 teaspoons paprika

Add all ingredients to a 6-quart Dutch oven and cook over medium heat for 40-45 minutes. (Submitted by Jana Lane, former circulation manager)

South Dakota Magazine editor Katie Hunhoff is seeking more zucchini recipes and cooking tips from readers across the country. Please send to editor@southdakotamagazine.com or mail to SD Magazine, Katie Hunhoff, 410 E. 3rd Street, Yankton, SD 57078.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation and Department of Tourism continue to seek public comments on a proposed plan to update and revitalize the state’s interstate rest areas.

Earlier this year, a task force visited each of the state’s rest areas to study the condition, functionality and accessibility of the facilities and have proposed a three to five year improvement plan, which is available on the SDDOT website at http://www.sddot.com/resources/reports/InterstateRestAreaFinalReport.pdf.

The committee has made the following summarized recommendations:
· Closing the rest areas at Tilford on I-90 near Sturgis and at Hidewood on I-29 near Watertown on Oct. 31, leaving the parking areas functional.
· Reconstructing the rest areas at the I-90 Minnesota/South Dakota border (Valley Springs) and the I-29 Iowa/South Dakota border (Homestead) as Welcome Centers.
· Adding additional space to the I-29 rest area near the North Dakota border (Wilmot) to include a Welcome Center.
· Remodeling or upgrading the rest areas at Wasta, Belvidere, Presho, White Lake and Salem on I-90 and Ward Road and Glacial Lakes on I-29. Upgrades will address ADA accessibility needs as well as an updated security camera system.
· When the Welcome Centers at the interstate borders become operational, the staffed information centers at other rest areas will be closed.

Written comments should be submitted by Sept. 30, and can be sent via email to dotgeneralinfo@state.sd.us or mailed to:

Darin Bergquist, Secretary
South Dakota Department of Transportation
700 East Broadway Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501-2586

Christopher Brockhoft, son of Mike and Kris Brockhoft of Winner and grandson of June Nelson of Winner and Jo Brockhoft of Sioux Falls, was recently awarded the Center for Architecture Design Scholarship by the American Institute of Architects. This scholarship is awarded to one architecture student in the United States each year; selection is based on the student’s academic record, an architecture portfolio of the student’s work, and recommendations from professors and the college’s dean.

Brockhoft lives in New York City and is currently pursuing his Master of Architecture at Columbia University and completed his Bachelor of Science in Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

During his studies at Columbia University, Brockhoft has completed public housing research in Berlin, Germany, and worked on the design of hospitals and medical campuses in the United Arab Emirates. Most recently, Brockhoft designed proposals for a research institute in Atlantic City, NJ, and a mixed-income housing complex in New York City. Brockhoft will complete his graduate studies at Columbia in May of 2017.

For the efforts of those who work closely with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed the week of Sept. 11-17, Direct Support Professionals (DSP) week in South Dakota.

DSPs are the primary providers of publicly funded long-term supports and services for individuals with disabilities. The supports and services provided by DSPs allow South Dakotans with disabilities to live and work as independently as possible. DSPs also help keep individuals with disabilities connected to their families, friends and communities.

Department of Human Services (DHS) Cabinet Secretary Gloria Pearson said, “Direct support professionals form the backbone of South Dakota’s community supports and services.” Pearson added, “It’s important for South Dakota to be able to recruit, train and retain a highly qualified DSP workforce and to recognize the skilled and compassionate supports they provide.”

DSPs work at the 19 Community Support Provider agencies throughout the state as well as at the South Dakota Developmental Center in Redfield.

Various programs, activities and ceremonies will take place across South Dakota to honor the state’s long-term supports and services workforce.

DSP week in South Dakota coincides with National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week to celebrate DSPs across the country and also begins on Sept. 11.

The South Dakota Retailers Association invites customers, vendors and civic organizations to nominate their favorite retail store, grocery store or restaurant for the South Dakota Retailer of the Year Award.

Each year, the Association presents the award to a business owner or manager who is committed to running an excellent business and who plays a positive role in their community.

“Every community has those business people who stand out because they go the extra mile in taking care of their customers, they are supportive of their employees, and they give back to their community in meaningful ways,” says Shawn Lyons, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA). “Those are the people who help to make a city or town a better place to live, and we want to hear about them.”

Individual business owners and managers are eligible for the award, as are partners and families who run a business as a team.

Previous recipients of the Retailer of the Year Award include hardware stores, restaurants, grocery stores, clothing stores, flower shops, appliance stores, gift shops, pharmacies, implement dealers, book stores, and other businesses that play a vital role in the daily life of communities across the state.

Nominations may be mailed, emailed or faxed by Nov. 1, 2016. Nomination forms and instructions are available online at www.sdra.org/EducationEvents/RetailerofYear. Nominations may also be submitted by letter to SDRA at PO Box 638, Pierre, SD 57501, by fax at 605.224.2059 or by email at donna@sdra.org.

A committee of retailers will select the recipient, who will be honored at the SDRA Awards Banquet in Pierre in January. The event is attended by legislators and state officials, as well as by business people from across the state.

Nominees who are finalists for the award will receive a Certificate of Distinguished Service by mail.

For more information, contact the South Dakota Retailers Association in Pierre at 800-658-5545, visit the association’s website at www.sdra.org or email donna@sdra.org.

At the request of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, as Veterans Day at the South Dakota State Fair, calling on all South Dakotans to honor those men and women who fought bravely for our freedoms.

At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, the South Dakota State Fair will host a “Salute to Veterans” program. The program will be held on the Northwest Energy Freedom Stage (Recreation Avenue). Brad Richardson, superintendent of the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home, will be one of the speakers and will share the story of the construction of our new State Veterans Home.

“Whether in peace or at war, the important role of our veterans cannot be denied. They are men and women from all walks of life that have one thing in common — a love for this great country,” said Larry Zimmerman, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. “No matter where or when veterans have served, they’ve always served with distinction and their service to this country is a bridge that was built on courage, dedication and patriotism.”

Representatives from the Veterans Service Organizations, the Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans Home, as well as county veterans service officers will have an informational booth in the Veterans Building on Flag Avenue. Veterans are encouraged to stop by the booth and learn more about benefits and programs available to them as well.

To show appreciation for their service, the Fair will give all veterans and active military personnel free gate admission on Sept. 1.

South Dakota’s Fallen Heroes Banner exhibit will be displayed in the Midway Corners throughout the duration of the Fair.

South Dakota has its first Zika virus infection, a woman who traveled to a country where Zika virus is currently transmitted and later developed symptoms, the Department of Health said today. The infection was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This is a good reminder for anyone who travels to Zika-affected areas that it’s important to protect themselves from mosquito bites,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the department.

Zika is a tropical mosquito-borne infection. The virus is not known to be carried by the mosquitoes found in South Dakota.

For most healthy adults the infection is mild and only one in five people who are infected will become ill. Symptoms typically occur two to seven days after a bite and include fever, muscle or eye pain and a rash. However, pregnant women who are infected run the risk of delivering babies born with the birth defect microcephaly. Babies with the defect have heads smaller than expected and often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly.

Pregnant women should avoid traveling to countries with active transmission of Zika, including Miami-Dade County in Florida. Men who live in or have visited Zika transmission areas should abstain from unprotected sex. Individuals who do travel to a Zika-affected area and become ill within two weeks should see their doctor. Pregnant women who travel to Zika transmission areas should be tested two to 12 weeks after their return, whether they are sick or not.

There are no vaccines or treatment for the virus. To avoid infection travelers to Zika-affected areas, particularly pregnant women, should follow strict mosquito control precautions – wear pants and long-sleeved shirts, use an EPA-registered insect repellent and ensure that windows and doors have intact screens.