Category Archives: State

The South Dakota Bankers Association (SDBA), the professional and trade association for South Dakota’s financial services industry since 1884, recently held elections for two of the nine seats on its Board of Directors.

Elected to serve on the SDBA Board of Directors were:
· Kristina Schaefer, General Counsel & Director of Risk Management, First Bank & Trust, Sioux Falls
· David D. Nelson, Sr. Vice President & Branch Manager, First Fidelity Bank, Platte

Nelson is formerly of Winner.

Schaefer and Nelson began their three-year directorships on May 1. This is their first term on the SDBA Board of Directors

A state health official is warning South Dakotans to be aware of tick-borne illness as they head outdoors this spring.

“Every year we see cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and other tick-borne diseases in South Dakota. Last year was a particularly bad year for tularemia with 25 total cases when we typically see seven cases a year,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “The best way to protect yourself when you’re outdoors is to check for ticks often and remove them right away. Tucking pants into your socks and spraying clothes and exposed skin with repellent can also reduce your risk.”

The department investigated two cases of Lyme disease and two of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in addition to the 25 cases of tularemia in 2015, the most tularemia cases in over 30 years. Kightlinger said most areas of South Dakota are not suitable habitat for the Ioxdes deer tick that carries Lyme disease, as it prefers more heavily forested areas such as those in Wisconsin and Minnesota. South Dakota Lyme disease cases have typically had deer tick bites out of state.

A tick bite is a small, painless red bump with a bright red halo. If a tick is attached, remove it with tweezers or tissue, pulling slowly and steadily, being careful not to crush it. Then apply antiseptic to prevent infection. If you use bare hands wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water and avoid touching your eyes before washing.

Symptoms of tick-borne illness include sudden onset of a moderate-to-high fever, stiff neck, deep muscle pain, arthritis, fatigue, severe headache, chills, a rash on the arms and legs or around the site of the bite, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck. If you develop any of these symptoms after a tick bite, see your doctor.

Other precautions include:
Check small children thoroughly for ticks when they’ve been outside or had contact with pets or livestock that may have ticks.
Use insecticides and collars to protect pets from ticks and limit the number they carry into the home. Apply insecticides and tick repellents to pet bedding.
Check your animals frequently for ticks. Remove ticks from animals using forceps or tweezers to apply constant traction. If you must use your fingers, wear disposable gloves then wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

PIERRE, S.D –The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds the public that political campaign and ballot-issue signs cannot be placed on state highway rights of way.

“With the primary election coming up in June, election signs are showing up along the state’s roadways,” says Jason Humphrey, construction engineer for the DOT. “We’re asking everyone to pay attention to where they put the signs and make sure they are outside of the rights of way and in locations that will not create safety hazards or distract motorists.”

The use of right of way is reserved for official highway signage. All signs in the right of way that are not required for traffic control, as authorized by law (SDCL 31-28-14), are prohibited and will be removed. That includes both candidate and ballot-issue signs.

Municipal ordinances regulating placement and removal of campaign signs within towns and cities do not have precedence over state jurisdiction and supervision of state highway rights of way within municipalities.

Following the footsteps of Class AA and Class A, Class B boys and girls basketball will implement a 35 second shot clock for all games starting in the 2017-18 season.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association board of control passed the motion at its meeting April 19 in Pierre.

The proposal passed the basketball advisory committee with a 7-0 vote and was approved by the Class B athletic directors with a 41-28 vote.

Attorney General Marty Jackley announced April 21 that the South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the second-degree murder and aggravated assault convictions of Braiden McCahren. A Tripp County jury convicted McCahren of second-degree murder for the shooting death of Dalton Williams, as well as aggravated assault committed against Tyus Youngberg. McCahren was sentenced to 25 years in the state penitentiary, with 15 years suspended, for the murder conviction. He received a 15- year penitentiary sentence for the aggravated assault conviction, which is being served at the same time as the sentence for murder.

The trial was moved to Winner following a change of venue.

Absentee voting for registered South Dakota voters began on April 22 for the June 7 primary election. This is 46 days prior to the primary election.

Travis Swartz, Rapid City, formerly of Winner, was named the Region 4 assistant basketball coach of the year.  Swartz coaches at Rapid City Stevens High School where he is the assistant girls basketball coach.  Swartz is a graduate of Winner High School.

The Dakota Wesleyan University Tiger-of-the-Week is senior baseball outfielder Austin Calhoon, it was announced by the DWU athletic department on Wednesday.

After starting the season with seven straight losses, DWU has won 13 of 16 heading into Great Plains Athletic Conference play and the bat of Calhoon has played a large role in the recent success. His week was highlighted by a two-home-run, five-RBI performance in a win over rival Dakota State University to preserve a split with the Trojans on March 22.

In a nonconference doubleheader with Northwestern College March 25, Calhoon added two more hits and two RBIs to help DWU sweep the Red Raiders. He even took the mound for four innings in game one against Northwestern, marking the first pitching appearance of the season for the slugger. Calhoon allowed two runs on four hits, while striking out three, keeping the Tigers in the game and allowing a late-inning rally for DWU.

Calhoon is batting .355 with a .437 on-base percentage, while slugging a career-best .592 in 2016. He has 27 hits, four doubles, four triples and 22 RBIs to go along with 10 walks and two stolen bases.

Attorney General Marty Jackley announced March 31 that the South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the Attorney General ballot explanation for Initiated Measure 21, which sets a limit of 36% as the maximum that certain money lenders are permitted to charge on loans. Erin Ageton, a member of the payday loan industry, brought a lawsuit challenging the ballot explanation written by the Attorney General. She claimed the explanation and should have stated that the purpose and effect of Initiated Measure 21 was to put payday lenders out of business. Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Trandahl rejected Ageton’s claims and the Supreme Court agreed with that ruling.

“Pursuant to South Dakota law, I have worked to provide a fair, clear, and simple summary of the proposed measure in order to assist our voters. I am pleased the Court has reaffirmed the fairness of my Attorney General Explanation,” said Jackley. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court held that Jackley’s ballot explanation complied with his statutory duties. The Court stated the language Ageton wanted in the ballot explanation was more appropriate for political dispute and advocacy. The Court upheld Jackley’s ballot explanation as written.

In April 2015, sponsors submitted the measure to the Attorney General’s Office so a ballot explanation could be prepared for inclusion on the initiative petition prior to its circulation. Under South Dakota law, the Attorney General is responsible for preparing explanations for proposed initiated measures, referred laws, and South Dakota constitutional amendments. The explanation is to be an objective, clear and simple summary of the purpose and effect of the proposed measure and a description of the legal consequences.

Nationwide, April has been designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) encourages all South Dakotans to work together to keep children safe and secure, and offer the support families need to stay together.

“It is the right of every child to feel safe and secure in their home,” said State Department of Social Services Secretary Lynne Valenti.

Individuals can be part of the prevention effort by:
· Learning about the signs of child abuse and neglect. Educate yourself and be prepared to recognize the signs. Learn more about the common signs of abuse and neglect at http://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/signs.aspx.
· Asking for help. As a caregiver, there are many resources available to provide support. Common Sense Parenting classes are held throughout the state and cover topics ranging from reducing family stress to enriching relationships with young children. For more information on this program, visit http://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/parentingprogram.aspx.
· Offering a helping hand to friends and neighbors. Let parents know you are available and willing to talk, or offer to give parents a rest by taking care of their children. Volunteer your time at local community programs providing support for families, such as after-school programs, athletic or church activities.
· Reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. If you have reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected, report it by calling 1-877-244-0864, or contacting your local law enforcement after-hours.
· Wearing a blue ribbon. Throughout the month, citizens are asked to wear blue ribbons or tie them to their vehicle antennas to spread the message of child-abuse prevention.

“DSS is committed to the families of South Dakota and providing resources when needed to help keep children safe and with their family,” said Secretary Valenti.