Category Archives: State

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.

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.

Dakota Wesleyan University indoor track and field senior Skylar Forgey of Colome broke the school record for indoor mile set by Gail McIntyre in 2011.
Forgey was clocked in a time of 5:16.70 in a second place finish at the South Dakota State University Holiday Open.

Two persons from Winner graduated on Dec. 12 during the winter commencement at the University of South Dakota.

Ashley Curtis received a bachelor of science degree in communication science and disorders.  Gerald Witte received his specialist in education degree.

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.

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.

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.

Taylor Haley of Winner, a member of the Dakota Wesleyan University football team, has been named to the Great Plains Athletic Conference first team.
Leading the DWU rushing attack up front was Hayley, a senior offensive lineman, who was part of the line that allowed DWU to rush for 2,285 yards this season.

Rachel Shippy, Colome, has been named an academic excellence scholar at Mt. Marty College, Yankton.
The students were honored at the honors convocation on Oct. 23.