Category Archives: State

The South Dakota Department of Transportation says the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 between Draper and Murdo are now open to two lanes of traffic.

Eastbound traffic in the construction zone between Draper and Murdo will remain reduced to one lane for about nine miles.

Doug Sherman, Winner area engineer said, “Getting the westbound lanes open and eliminating the two-way traffic situation before the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was a tremendous team effort by SDDOT and contractor staff.”

Knife River Construction of Sioux City, Iowa is the prime contractor on this $13.2 million project.

For complete road construction information, visit www.safetravelusa.com/sd or dial 511.

The state of South Dakota is kicking off a campaign to remind South Dakotans that “Meth Changes Everything.” The campaign, led by the Department of Social Services (DSS), is geared at educating high school students and communities across the state on the dangers of meth use.

“Meth has been affecting our state for decades, but is on the rise in some communities in South Dakota,” said Gov. Daugaard. “This campaign is a vital step forward in fighting the ongoing battle against meth use in South Dakota.” (Audio Clip)

Meth use has caused a negative impact on families and communities in South Dakota. In addition to the problems and effects meth addiction has on individuals, it can cause an increase in criminal activities and community costs related to arrest and incarceration.

“ It’s important to help South Dakotans understand the devastating consequences of meth use,” said Gov. Daugaard. “We need to get tough on meth use and strengthen prevention efforts, because meth ruins lives, devastates families, and leads to other crimes and harmful behaviors.”

South Dakotans are encouraged to take the pledge to stand against meth use by visiting the website methchangeseverything.com. The website provides information about meth use, resources for individuals seeking help and candid stories from recovering meth addicts.

This fall, prevention providers will be visiting schools and communities across the state to provide education and information to students. For more information, see the campaign’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MethChangesEverything or call the DSS Prevention Program at 605-773-3123 or toll-free at 1-855-878-6057.

DSS funds substance abuse and suicide prevention providers/coalitions in South Dakota. Prevention providers conduct evidence-based programming in schools across the state and increases awareness of the dangers of substance abuse.

Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should avoid travel to areas affected by the Zika virus, reminded a state health official today.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends that pregnant women avoid travel to Zika-affected areas,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the South Dakota Department of Health. “People who do travel to the tropics and sub-tropics where Zika is transmitted need to protect themselves from mosquitoes with pants and long-sleeved shirts, an EPA-registered insect repellent and intact window and door screens.”

For most healthy adults the infection is mild and only 20 percent of people infected will become ill. 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.

South Dakota is one of five states that has yet to report a Zika case. However, Kightlinger said the department is following one woman on CDC’s Zika Pregnancy Registry, an asymptomatic pregnant woman who previously lived in a Zika-affected area and was not ill but tested positive for Zika infection. The registry collects information about pregnancy and infant outcomes following laboratory evidence of Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Women on the registry are followed throughout pregnancy and their infants are checked at birth and at 2, 6 and 12 months of age.

Because the virus can be sexually transmitted, men who live in or have visited Zika-affected 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. CDC recommends all pregnant women who travel to Zika-affected areas be tested at 2 to 12 weeks upon their return, whether they are sick or not.

Zika is not known to be carried by the mosquitoes found in South Dakota.

The Nutrition and Physical Activity Program in the Department of Health launched a campaign to get all South Dakotans to walk more this summer.

In conjunction with the Surgeon General’s recent Call to Walk, the campaign emphasizes walking as the single most recommended form of exercise. It’s one of the easiest, least expensive and most customizable types of physical activity, according to Kiley Hump, chronic disease prevention and health promotion administrator for the Department of Health.

“Regular physical activity reduces the risk of numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, depression and even falls. Walking for just 15 or 20 minutes per day is one of the most accessible ways to stay active, reduce health risks and improve quality of life,” said Hump. “Walk with friends, family, coworkers and pets in your neighborhood, community and at work.”

The campaign includes monthly Facebook photo contests from June to September. Post a photo and use the hashtag #WalkToWinSD to enter. Winners will receive physical activity trackers or walking shoes.

“Slightly more than half of South Dakota adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans for aerobic activity,” said Hump. “The goal of this campaign is to encourage South Dakotans to add a little more physical activity to their daily routines.”

Data from the department’s behavioral risk factor survey shows walking is the most reported physical activity for 39 percent of South Dakotans and the second most-reported activity for another 10 percent.

At the request of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, Gov. Dennis Daugaard has proclaimed Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, as “Purple Heart Recognition Day,” calling on all South Dakotans to honor those men and women who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal.

“While we are grateful to all of those who have served our nation, the 7th of August is a day designated to remember and recognize the sacrifices endured by those members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal, ” said Larry Zimmerman, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. “It is fitting to set aside a day to recognize those who have been awarded the highest honor for their service.”

The Governor encourages all South Dakotans to set aside time on Aug. 7 to honor our soldiers who have been honored with the Purple Heart. “The men and women serving in our Armed Forces are tough, determined, courageous and capable of unbelievable acts of courage and sacrifice,” said Gov. Daugaard.

“Our military remains as strong as it has ever been. America’s veterans have been defined by the virtues of selfless service, sacrifice and devotion to duty,” said Zimmerman. “These men and women, who serve and have served, are the flesh and blood of American exceptionalism.”

Near record numbers of Americans are expected to head to national parks this year as the U.S. National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary. Visitation to the national parks reached an all-time high in 2015 with more than 307 million visitors, the Park Service says, and AAA reports the parks will remain busy places in the year ahead. According to a recent AAA survey, 79 percent of Americans say they are as likely (42 percent) or more likely (37 percent) to visit a national park in the next 12 months, building on the momentum of this year’s centennial celebrations.

“The demand for national parks is off the charts this year, and it’s exciting to see that Americans are poised to take even more national park vacations in the years to come,” said Bryan Shilling, managing director of AAA Travel Products and Services. “In times of global uncertainty, many are turning to domestic vacations and the variety of national parks offers something for every traveler to discover.”

Eighty-five percent of Americans have visited at least one national park, and a majority say the national parks are a “must-see” vacation destination (73 percent).

Here in South Dakota, our own Badlands National Park in the southwestern part of the state boasts the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the U. S. as well as one of the richest deposits of mammal fossils anywhere,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “The Badlands National Monument was established in 1939 and then was named a National Park in 1978. The 244,000-acre park is home now to bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, much of the 100-mile “Badlands Wall” with its dramatic spires, pinnacles and buttes – as well as a million visitors annually.”

National parks are growing in popularity among younger generations, with nearly half of Millennials (46 percent) saying that they are more likely to visit a national park in the next year, outpacing both Generation X and Baby Boomers.

“It’s not surprising to see that younger generations are particularly interested in visiting national parks,” said Shilling. “Travel is part of Millennials’ DNA, and they consistently seek experiential travel opportunities, a major draw for national park visitors.”

According to the National Park Service, the most visited national parks in 2015 were Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain. AAA’s survey revealed the national parks that top most Americans’ bucket lists for future travels include Yellowstone (33 percent), Yosemite (17 percent) and Grand Canyon (12 percent).

Travelers planning trips to national parks in 2016 can enjoy discounts on select dates in honor of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. All sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission Aug. 25-28, on Sept. 24 and on Nov. 11. The service’s actual 100th birthday is Aug. 25.

Results from the AAA survey reveal additional details about Americans’ national park vacation preferences:

The vast majority (91 percent) of visitors to national parks drive to their destination. The remainder choose to fly (18 percent), ride on trains or buses (10 percent each) or take a cruise or boat (7 percent).

The majority of Americans (66 percent) typically stay in a hotel, motel or lodge when visiting a national park. Camping (41 percent), vacation rentals or cabins (38 percent), staying with friends and family (33 percent) and bed and breakfasts (27 percent) are also popular accommodation options.

Visitors’ favorite national park activities include walking or hiking on park trails (53 percent) and sightseeing (35 percent).

To evaluate national park travel intentions, AAA contracted with a national research company to perform a telephone survey of 1,012 adults living in the continental United States. Survey results are an accurate representation of the total continental U.S. population with a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. The survey was conducted June 23-26, 2016.

South Dakota’s gas price average continues to drift lower. It’s now at $2.25 for a gallon of self-serve regular fuel, fifty-five cents lower than one year ago, according to GasPrices.AAA.com.

It’s been over two months since South Dakota’s price average was as low as it is today, AAA reports. However, the state’s low for 2016 occurred on Feb. 15 when it hit $1.64. The all-time high price for self-serve regular gasoline in South Dakota was reached on July 18, 2008 when it came in at $4.091 per gallon.
With abundant fuel supplies across the nation and declining crude oil costs, gas prices dropped in 47 states over the past week, led by double digit drops in several Midwestern states. Gas prices have dropped in 48 states during the previous month with prices down by at least 25 cents per gallon in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan. Prices are substantially lower than one year ago in every state, headlined by California, where prices are more than a dollar cheaper than this time last year.

National pump prices have fallen for 43 of the past 44 days, dropping 22 cents during this span. The national average price for regular gasoline sits at $2.21 per gallon, which is the lowest mark since April and the lowest price for this date since 2004. Today’s price is five cents less than one week ago, 15 cents less than one month ago, and 56 cents less than the same date last year.

AAA believes gas prices are likely to remain low for the remainder of the summer compared to recent years. U.S. crude oil supplies are at their highest level for this time of year in 86 years; although domestic oil production has ticked lower each of the past nine months. While oil production has slowed slightly, fuel production has continued to rise. This is supported by data from the American Petroleum Institute, which last week reported fuel deliveries for June were three percent higher than in 2015 and the highest number in nine years. Overall, domestic deliveries are 1.7 percent higher during the first half of 2016 than the same period last year, which is in line with AAA reports of travelers taking advantage of lower gas prices and hitting the roads in record numbers this year.

Gary Zimbelmann and Rod Hollenbeck were the winners of the Dallas 10 steer dally team roping sponsored by the Dallas Horsemen’s Club on July 3.

Second place went to Cordell Nielsen and Carl Nielsen.  Taking third were Wiley Health and Jake Cole.  Fourth place went to Jake Cole and Isaac Graesser.

The overall fast time was Jake Cole and Isaac Graesser in 5.62.  In round 2, the fast time went to Cordell Nielsen and Karl Nielsen in 6.68. In round 8, Cole and Graesser had the fast time.

Rep. Kristi Noem issued the following statement in the wake of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announcement that the Rosebud Hospital emergency department would reopen on Friday, July 15, and resume operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

“The dangerous conditions within the emergency department and the resulting diversionary status put too many lives in jeopardy. Today is a day of hope, but it is not the end of our work. So much still needs to be done. The problems that led to the grave conditions in Rosebud remain. Expansive reforms, such as giving tribes a role in running IHS facilities and reformulating how purchased-referred care dollars are allocated, must be made if we are going to see the lasting improvements tribal communities deserve.”

In June 2016, Noem introduced the Helping Ensuring Accountability, Leadership, and Trust in Tribal Healthcare (HEALTTH) Act, which among other things:
+ Gives tribes a seat at the table to encourage better, longer-term contracts by allowing for a partnership among IHS, tribal communities and healthcare stakeholders to collaborate throughout the contract negotiating process, rather than leaving those decisions solely to IHS.

+ Addresses the current recruitment problem – for both medical staff and hospital leadership – by putting provisions in place to:

· Allow for faster hiring.
· Make the existing student loan repayment program tax free, as an added incentive for high-quality employees.
· Provide incentives to attract competent and well-trained hospital administrators as well as medical staff.
+ Reforms the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) Program by, among other things:

· Requiring IHS to develop a new formula for allocating PRC dollars. Under Noem’s bill, IHS would be required to develop a formula based on need, population size, and health status to ensure those areas that have the greatest need receive a greater portion of the funding.
· Requiring IHS to negotiate Medicare-like rates for services it pays for with private providers. IHS currently pays a premium for PRC services. Noem’s proposal would bring payments in line with what Medicare pays to stretch every dollar further.
· Requiring IHS to address the backlog of PRC payments to private providers. Private hospitals in the Great Plains Area have long expressed concern because IHS has failed to pay their bills. Noem would require IHS to put a strategy in place to get these hospitals paid what they are due.
+ Restores accountability through strategies, such as:

· Require IHS to be accountable for providing timely care.
· Require the Government Accountability Office to report on the financial stability of IHS hospitals that are threatened with sanction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The legislation has been endorsed by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the National Indian Health Board, Avera, Rapid City Regional Health, Sanford Health, the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, the South Dakota State Medical Association, the South Dakota Dental Association and others.

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) issued the following statement on the reopening of the emergency department at the Rosebud Indian Health Service (IHS) hospital, which had been closed since December 2015. IHS announced today that the hospital is set to reopen tomorrow, July 15, 2016, and will resume 24-hour, 7-day-a-week care.

“The news that IHS and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services have agreed to reopen the emergency department at the Rosebud IHS hospital is a positive step toward better and timely health care for patients,” said Rounds. “Emergency room services are an essential part of any hospital. However, there is still much work to be done to make certain our tribal members are receiving adequate and timely care. The problems within the bureaucracy of IHS, along with the lack of adequate consultation with tribes, are ongoing. I still believe that an outside audit is the best first step toward making significant, systemic changes at IHS.”

Rounds sent a letter this month to the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General requesting an audit of the financial aspects of hospital and health care, medical services and overall financial management at IHS.

AAA is urging drivers not to use Pokemon Go behind the wheel because it could lead to potentially deadly consequences. This week’s crashes involving the game should serve as a wake-up call to focus on the task of driving and not to be distracted.

“Driving is among the most dangerous activities that people do on a daily basis, and the last thing we need is to increase the number of distractions in the vehicle,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “One would think playing Pokemon Go while driving is so blatantly dangerous, a warning to drivers wouldn’t be necessary. Apparently, that’s not the case.”

Distracted driving is risky driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that at least 3,000 deaths per year involve distracted driving, though the true number is likely far higher. The following statistics help put the dangers of distracted driving into context:
· Taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles your risk of a crash.
· When driving 55 miles per hour, five seconds with eyes off the road is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
· Distraction is a factor in nearly six out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes.

Not only should Pokemon Go not be played while driving but motorists also need to be aware that others playing the game might enter an intersection or cross a street at an inopportune time. “Driving requires your full attention, and putting away your phone until you reach your destination could save your life,” said Buskohl. “Pedestrians playing the game also need to stay alert so they do not cross busy intersections while distracted.”

Crashes are not the only risks affecting drivers. Drivers playing Pokemon Go also could face jail time and fines. Most states, including South Dakota, have laws against distracted driving and every state has laws to prevent reckless driving. Motorists are likely to be pulled over by law enforcement if they are a threat on the road.