Christmas Comes Early at the Pump for U.S. Drivers – Gas Hits $1.99

AAA reports the average U.S. gas price dropped below $2 per gallon this morning for the first time since March 25, 2009. Today’s national average price is $1.998 per gallon. AAA estimates that cheaper gas prices have saved Americans more than $115 billion on gasoline so far this year, which works out to more than $550 per licensed driver.

More than 91 million Americans plan to take advantage of cheaper gas prices to drive 50 miles or more during the upcoming holiday period. Travel by all modes of transportation should be a record, topping 100 million.

“It’s all pretty simple,” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “Gas prices have dropped because there is more than enough oil and gasoline supplies around the world to meet current demand. In addition, gas prices generally fall through early winter because people drive and use less fuel this time of year.”

Gas prices already are much cheaper than $2 per gallon in most parts of the country. The lowest one percent of U.S. stations is selling gas for an average of $1.59 per gallon, and more than 13,000 stations are selling gas for less than $1.75 per gallon. The states with the cheapest averages today include: Missouri ($1.77), Oklahoma ($1.78), South Carolina ($1.78), Tennessee ($1.79) and Kansas ($1.79). Average state and metro prices can be found on AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report website, updated daily: FuelGaugeReport.AAA.com.

AAA predicts gas prices likely will remain low through January, and could drop even further if the cost of crude oil remains weak. By late winter, gas prices may rise 50 cents per gallon or more as refineries conduct maintenance in advance of the busy summer driving season.

Americans are on track this year to drive a record number of miles, largely due to lower gas prices and a stronger economy, based on early estimates by the Federal Highway Administration. Through October, which is the most recent data available, Americans have driven more than 2.63 trillion miles for the year, which is a 3.4 percent increase over the same period in 2014.

SOUTH DAKOTA SNOWMOBILE SEASON OFFICIALLY OPENS

Snowmobile trails in South Dakota are now open.

“The Black Hills has seen minimal snowfall so far this season,” said Black Hills Trails district supervisor, Shannon Percy. “Grooming operations will be limited until we see additional accumulation.”
Percy would like to remind riders that some obstacles exist throughout the 350-mile Black Hills Trails system due to the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic.
“Snowmobilers should be aware that trees, broken tree tops and dangling branches can fall at any time while riding on and off-trail,” said Percy. “Please be aware of your surroundings as trees and debris may cause obstructions.”
Eastern South Dakota saw significant accumulations in November, but most of that snow has since melted. Current projections have snow accumulations adding up in some parts of central and eastern South Dakota.

GFP COMMISSION PROPOSES HUNTING ALLOWANCE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission adopted a proposal at their December meeting that would provide a terminally ill South Dakota resident the opportunity to hunt big game.

The Secretary may authorize a resident who has been diagnosed by a licensed doctor of medicine to have a terminal illness which is medically expected to significantly shorten their life expectency to hunt deer, antelope and turkey. The proposed rule would also authorize the Secretary to provide allowances for persons 25 and under who are fighting cancer, other terminal illnesses or a disease which will significantly reduce their life expectancy. The proposed rule would allow hunting only during established hunting seasons, and would allow the hunter to take no more than one deer, antelope and turkey.

The proposal also allows that certain restrictions may be waived or additional terms or conditions may be imposed necessary to facilitate participation for the person receiving authorization.

El Nino Drives Warmer Temperatures Through Spring 2016

BROOKINGS, S.D. – A near-record strong El Nino has brought warmer than average temperatures to South Dakota throughout December. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Dec. 17, 2015 Climate Outlook, the trend is forecast to continue until spring 2016, said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist.

“Several records have already been tied or broken this month, with high minimum temperatures across the region,” Edwards said.

Statewide approximately 59 new daily records were set between December 9 and 13, 2015. “On December 10 alone, 35 new records were set for high minimum temperatures all across the state, from Pactola Dam to Sisseton,” Edwards said.

She added that three stations tied their all-time minimum temperature for all Decembers on record: Vermilion with 49 degrees on Dec. 8; Roscoe with 35 on Dec. 9; and Selby with 36 on Dec. 9.

“The outlook for January and the next three months shows a continued trend of warmer than average temperatures across the northern states,” said Dennis Todey, South Dakota State Climatologist & SDSU Extension Climate Specialist. “Despite a cool-down over the next couple of days in South Dakota, the region is forecast to warm up again by the end of the month. Even these cooler days are just a little below average.”

For precipitation, there are some increased chances of moisture to pass through our area in the next couple of weeks. “Most of the lower 48 states are favored to be slightly wetter than average, with the eastern states in the Ohio River and Tennessee Valley areas with the highest likelihood of wetter conditions,” Todey said.

Looking further ahead, the climate outlook shows drier conditions favored over the northern Rockies and the Great Lakes. “South Dakota again straddles a region to the north that is forecast to be drier than average, and a region to the south that is favored to be wetter than average in Nebraska and across the southern Plains,” Todey said.

Edwards added that the main agricultural impacts the team is watching currently include winter wheat condition and the muddy conditions for feedlot cattle. “With continued warm temperatures and wetter soils, there are muddy conditions causing some feedlot difficulties. Winter wheat is being monitored because inconsistent snow cover could expose this year’s crop to frost damage if snow is not present,” Edwards said.

More College Graduates Remain in State to Work

South Dakota’s public universities retain nearly three-quarters of their home-grown graduates in state, according to the latest Board of Regents’ placement study. The report was delivered to the regents at a meeting this week in Spearfish.

An analysis found that 73.7 percent of in-state public university students were placed in South Dakota the year following college graduation, either to work or to pursue additional postsecondary education. For out-of-state students completing degrees at South Dakota public universities, the percentage that remained was just over 33 percent.
“Clearly, the public university system must take the lead in working to meet the state’s skilled workforce needs,” said Mike Rush, the regents’ executive director and CEO. “Our universities already are hard at work to build the state’s supply of human capital.” As a starting point, Rush said the regents decided earlier this year to look at a statewide attainment goal of 65 percent of South Dakotans, ages 25 to 34, holding some type postsecondary credential by 2025.
Rush noted that the in-state graduate placement rate has climbed steadily, as more students complete their studies, graduate from the state’s public universities, and make a choice to remain here. Data indicate that nearly 1,000 additional graduates were placed in 2012-13 compared to the number placed seven years earlier.

The top-two industries where graduates found employment in South Dakota were health care (29.1 percent) and educational services (20.7 percent). Several of the highest-ranked employment sectors that South Dakota graduates entered also correspond to industries projected by the state labor department to be in high demand for employment through 2022.

For those college graduates who continued on for post-graduation education, nearly 70 percent enrolled in a South Dakota institution, according to the study.

The placement study examined data sets from the Board of Regents, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, and the National Student Clearinghouse to determine the extent to which public university degree completers were retained in state after graduation.

Barry to Receive Torchbearer Award

windsor barry farmers union

The highest award the organization bestows upon youth, these teens are recognized for their commitment to community and leadership skills.

Torchbearers have completed all levels of the Famers Union youth achievement awards.
Windsor Barry of Carter is one of the youths receiving this honor

“These youth have exhibited leadership and given back to their communities and the industry of agriculture through participation in Farmers Union leadership training, camps and volunteering their time for community development,” explains Bonnie Geyer, South Dakota Farmers Union Education Director.

Torchbearers will be recognized during the Thursday, Dec. 10 South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention luncheon which begins at 11:45 a.m. in Huron at the Crossroads Convention Center

Windsor Darrel Barry is the son of Wade and Cleo Barry, Carter. He is a third-generation Farmers Union member and the fifth in his family to receive the award ­ three of his siblings and his dad, Wade. After graduation he plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in Environmental Science.

In his own words: Farmers Union, and the people within the organization have impacted my life tremendously. For that, I say, ‘thank you.’ Thank you for helping not only me, but everyone within the youth program.

When I first attended State Camp as a seventh grader, I was surprised by how accepting people can be, and discovered that being myself is completely fine.

Through Farmers Union Youth Programming I also learned about how cooperatives work and how they benefit rural communities.

I consider many of the friends I’ve made and people I’ve met through Farmers Union as my second family because no matter how hard our life may get, or what gets thrown our way, I can always count on the people within Farmers Union.

I would like to thank my grandmother, Viola Barry. Without her love and support I would not be in this great program, which I have come to love.

Gregory County Man Sentenced in 2nd Degree Manslaughter Case

PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Nov. 24 that Herris Gene Lambley, 77, Herrick, was sentenced for second degree manslaughter for charges stemming from an incident that involved a vehicle crash that resulted in the death of Steven Wheeler on May 26, 2015.

He was granted a suspended imposition of sentence and placed on 5 years of probation. As a part of Lambley’s probation, he is required to complete 100 hours of community service, write an apology letter to the victim’s family, pay fine in the amount of $5,000, pay court cost in the amount of $104 and $17,149.70 in restitution.

This case was investigated by Gregory County Sheriff’s Office and South Dakota Highway Patrol was prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Illegally Dumped Snow Causing Problems

snow in bushes

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds the public and commercial snow removal operators that it is illegal to place or dump excess snow on highway right of way, which includes driving surfaces, shoulders and ditches.

“The recent snowstorm across South Dakota has deposited a large amount of snow already this year and we are seeing an increase in violators,” said Rod Gall, Yankton area engineer. ”The space within the right of way needs to be reserved for future snow that may fall on the road. If the department’s plow operators do not have a place to put that snow, it severely hampers their ability to clear roadways.”

Violation of the anti-dumping law is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one year in jail, $2,000 in fines, or both. It is the policy of the SDDOT to remove snow that has been illegally piled within the highway right of way that may be a safety hazard. In addition, violators will be billed for the costs of removing illegally dumped snow.

“Piling snow in the state highway right of way can also be very dangerous,” says Gall. “Snow piles can restrict sight distance, as well as present an extreme hazard if a vehicle leaves the roadway. Snow piles that remain adjacent to the road may cause additional drifting and visibility problems posing more safety hazards to travelers, as well as additional expenses for manpower and equipment to remove the illegally dumped snow.”

Property owners and access users are reminded it is their responsibility to remove snow from the ends of driveways and around their own mailboxes.

The department asks landowners and commercial snow-removal operators to keep excess snow on private property or haul it to legal dumping sites.