Hub City Radio News - HubCityRadio.com

Lyme disease presentation in Aberdeen

On Tuesday, a Lyme disease presentation will be given. Jenny Menzel is organizing the event to generate awareness…

Menzel went on to discuss a film that will be shown…

Menzel said that she will tell her story beginning at 6:30 at the Red Rooster Coffee House in Aberdeen on Tuesday evening with the film to follow.
Menzel added that she hopes area filmmakers will attend as she is hoping to shoot her own Lyme disease documentary soon.

Legislatures executive board education study committee to look at Board of Regents funding

The South Dakota Legisatures Executive Board has named the members of the higher education study committee.
Lawmakers want to look at the funding allocated to the Board of Regents, and how it’s spent.
Representative Susan Wismer of Britton is on the panel and says they don’t normally have time to look closely at the Regents…

Wismer says economics are mixed into their mission…

Wismer says the Regents have already made moves toward measuring return for dollars spent…

The committee will meet several times this summer, and have a report by the end of the year.

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

Governor asks for flags at half-staff to honor former Sen. Jim Abdnor

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard requests that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 8 a.m. until sunset in honor of former U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor.
Abdnor, who died Wednesday, was 89.
A World War II veteran, Abdnor was a four-term congressman before serving one term in the U.S. Senate and later heading the U.S. Small Business Administration for two years. He had earlier served six terms in the South Dakota Legislature and was Lieutenant Governor from 1968-1971.
A funeral service for Abdnor will be held Saturday, May 19, at 11:30 a.m. CDT at Lutheran Memorial Church, 320 East Prospect Avenue, Pierre.

Leno mocks SD tourism in 'Tonight Show' sketch

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Late-night comedian Jay Leno poked fun at South Dakota tourism, and state Tourism Secretary James Hagen was among those laughing.
In a short sketch on "The Tonight Show" on Tuesday night, Leno ran a fake advertisement for South Dakota tourism. It implored watchers to spend a week in South Dakota.
The narrator said, "Spend a week in South Dakota. On Monday, see Mount Rushmore. On Tuesday, see Mount Rushmore again. On Wednesday, visit the gift shop at Mount Rushmore. And on Thursday, relive your first experience, at Mount Rushmore."
Hagen said he loved the Leno bit and also the exposure it gave the state. He says his department is planning a humorous response to Leno pointing out other things tourists can do in South Dakota.

3 semis collide in northeastern SD; 1 driver hurt

REDFIELD, S.D. (AP) — A collision involving three semitrailers blocked traffic for about three hours near the northeastern South Dakota city of Redfield.
The Highway Patrol says a semi hauling a 131-foot-long wind turbine blade collided with another semi and sent that truck crashing into a third at the intersection of U.S. Highways 281 and 212 about midday Wednesday. Trooper Brian Korbel said that all three trucks had significant damage, and one driver was taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The wind turbine blade was on its way from an Aberdeen company to a wind farm being built in Kansas. Damage to the blade was not immediately known.

Highway 12 through Ipswich getting work done

The South Dakota Department of Transportation will begin the second phase of their Highway 12 project through the city of Ipswich today. Mark Peterson is with the DOT…

We asked Peterson how long they anticipate the project will take…

Earlier this week the DOT also began paving operations east of Roscoe on Highway 12…

Traffic is being controlled with a pilot car and flatters while the paving operation is active.

Walk MS for a cure

Amy Christopherson is in her fourth year of coordinating the Aberdeen Walk MS which will be held this Saturday. Christopherson spoke with Hub City Radio News about the walk…

Christopherson said that the walk will begin at Plymouth Congregational Church Saturday morning…

Christopherson added that walkers don’t have to raise funds, although that is their goal…

For more information or to register early click here.

SD winter wheat production forecast down

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota's winter wheat production is forecast to be down 14 percent from last year.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its May Crop Report that the forecast for 2012 is 57.2 million bushels, down from 66.8 bushels in 2011.
The 2012 winter wheat yield is forecast at 44 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from last year.
But harvested acreage is estimated at 1.3 million acres, down 290,000 acres from 2011. And planted acreage at 1.35 million acres is down 18 percent from the previous year.
Across the country, winter wheat production is forecast at 1.69 billion bushels, up 13 percent from 2011.
Quarterly milk production in South Dakota totaled 492 million pounds, up 7 percent from the same quarter last year.

Jim Abdnor, ex-US senator from South Dakota, dies

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor, the South Dakota Republican who ousted George McGovern from the Senate, has died.
His family said in a statement that Abdnor died Wednesday at the age of 89. He had been in hospice care recently.
Despite three decades in public service, Abdnor never mastered the art of public speaking. But he served on the Senate Appropriations Committee and earned a reputation for helping farmers and winning South Dakota water projects and other benefits.
Abdnor was a four-term congressman when he unseated McGovern, Democrats' 1972 presidential nominee. But he lost his seat after one term to another prominent Democrat, Tom Daschle. Abdnor was a teacher, farmer and World War II veteran before politics.

SD gets about $72,000 in Skechers USA settlement

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the state's share of a multistate settlement with the Skechers USA Inc. footwear company is nearly $72,000.
Skechers will pay $40 million in customer refunds to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission that it made unfounded claims about the benefits of its shoes. The company also will give $5 million to the states for costs associated with the multistate investigation.
The settlement was announced Wednesday. Skechers does not admit to any wrongdoing.

Two Duel County men arrested for possession and distribution of K2

Two Deuel County men have been arrested for their roles in the possession and distribution of synthetic drugs known as K2 or “bath salts.”
Arrested were 50-year-old Phillip L. Plunkett and 39-year-old Jason D. Toben, both of Goodwin. Plunkett was charged with 8 felony count and Toben 3 felony counts.
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says the men face a great deal of time behind bars…

Jackley also says the bust significant for this area…

Jackley says there has been an increase in the use and distribution of this type of synthetic drug, and the South Dakota Legislature made changes in the laws at the last session…

Along with the possible jail time, each man faces a fine of over 60-thousand-dollars.

Courtesy of KWAT Radio Watertown

5 runaway teens accused in SD armed robbery

SELBY, S.D. (AP) — Five teenagers are in custody after allegedly running away from a treatment center, stealing guns and a vehicle and holding up a gas station in the north central South Dakota town of Selby.
Authorities say the teens ran away from a Corson County treatment center on Monday, rummaged through cars and found guns in Mobridge then broke into an auto shop east of the town and stole a van.
The robbery in Selby occurred about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities say the teens pointed a shotgun and a rifle at the clerk and fled with cash and tobacco. An officer in Potter County later pulled them over. Authorities say the teens tried to flee on foot. Three were caught immediately and the other two after a search by land and air.

Johnson praises renewal of Export-Import charter

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Sen. Tim Johnson is praising the Senate's passage of legislation to renew the charter of the Export-Import Bank.
The bill reauthorizes the bank for three years and raises its lending cap from the current $100 billion to $140 billion.
Johnson, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee, says the higher lending authority will ensure the Export-Import Bank can grow to meet the future needs of American exporters.
The South Dakota senator calls the bill an important step in supporting American businesses and workers.
Johnson says a failure to reauthorize the bank would have put American exporters at a steep disadvantage to their international competitors and put at risk nearly 300,000 American jobs.

SD reservation grocery store might reopen Thursday

PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) — An attorney for the sole grocery store on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota says it might reopen Thursday after the Oglala Sioux Tribe dismissed an order to close.
The Sioux Nation Shopping Center closed Friday after the tribe sought a temporary restraining order alleging that the store was selling outdated meat.
A hearing scheduled Tuesday in tribal court was canceled. Store attorney Terry Pechota says he met with tribe Attorney General Rae Ann Red Owl, and Red Owl dismissed the restraining order on the condition the store address nearly a dozen health violations. Pechota says that's been done.
The closure forced reservation residents to shop at convenience stores or travel to grocery stores in Rapid City or the Nebraska town of Whiteclay.

592 households helped in 2011 in Brown County by NESDCAP

Larry Wattier with NESDCAP (Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program) came before the Brown County Commission yesterday with statistics from Brown County in 2011. Wattier explained some of their programs…

Overall in 2011, 592 households were served for a total of 579 people and funds of $2,866,076.

Infant mortality focus of BC Community Health

During the Brown County Commission meeting yesterday DeAnna Kyburz with the Brown County Community Health Clinic gave her quarterly report. Kyburz said most of their focus is on the Governor’s task force on infant mortality…

Kyburz added that they are also starting a new program called Cribs for Kids…

Kyburz added that they are still seeing sporadic cases of influenza.

SD ACLU director admits beating child with belt

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The director of the South Dakota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union pleaded guilty to hitting his 12-year-old stepdaughter with a belt.
Robert Doody was given a 30-day suspended sentence for disorderly conduct. He won't have to serve jail time if he undergoes counseling and avoids violent behavior for three years.
Doody made his plea Tuesday through his attorney. Doody didn't appear in court.
Doody is married to the girl's mother, and they live in Sioux Falls.
A prosecutor said that Doody hit the girl three times with a belt. The girl's father reported the incident to police in February.
Doody has been the ACLU's South Dakota director since 2008. He did not respond Tuesday to a telephone call seeking comment.

SD teenagers arrested for waving toy pistols

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Four South Dakota teenagers were arrested for waving and pointing a toy pistol at bystanders while they were driving around Sioux Falls.
Police responded to the report Monday night with real guns drawn. The four 18-year-old boys were ordered out of their vehicle. They were charged with disorderly conduct.
Police found two airsoft pistols in the vehicle. Airsoft guns resemble real firearms, but they use compressed gas or air to shoot plastic pellets.

Sole Pine Ridge grocery store remains closed

PINE RIDGE, S.D. (AP) — The only grocery store on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation remains shut down Tuesday because of food safety concerns.
The Oglala Sioux tribe got a court order against the Sioux Nation Shopping Center. The tribe claims the store was selling outdated meat.
Tribal President John Yellow Bird Steele says he expects the order to be lifted Tuesday. A store spokesman couldn't be reached for comment.
The store's closing means reservation residents have to go about two miles off the reservation to Whiteclay, Neb., to shop for groceries. Another option is to make a two-hour trip to Rapid City, S.D.

Chamberlain planning $1.7 million community center

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. (AP) — The city of Chamberlain plans to demolish its vacant City Hall and build a $1.7 million community center to replace it.
The city will apply for $500,000 in state grant money to complete the funding and begin construction.
The old three-story City Hall dates to the 1920s. The building is not accessible to the handicapped and has had issues with mold and asbestos. City offices were moved to a new building in 2004.
The city hopes to have the community center finished by June 2013. About 2,400 people live in Chamberlain.

SD school official won't resign after party bust

HARRISBURG, S.D. (AP) — The chairwoman of the school board in the South Dakota city of Harrisburg says she will not step down in the wake of a party bust at her home.
Michelle Schirado says she has no intention of vacating her board position in the city south of Sioux Falls.
Schirado has not been charged in the weekend party at her home in which authorities say 25 teenagers were cited for underage drinking. Schirado says she didn't know the 17- and 18-year-olds were consuming alcohol at the backyard bonfire. She also says she doesn't condone underage drinking.
The school board met Monday night but did not take up the matter during its public session. A "student issue" was listed as a topic during a closed executive session.

SD lawmakers loosen travel policy slightly

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota legislative panel has decided to let more lawmakers travel to out-of-state meetings beginning in July.
Because of state government's budget problems last year, hardly any legislators got to travel out of state.
But the Legislature's Executive Board decided Monday that the state's improved financial condition will allow the travel policy to be loosened a bit.
Any lawmaker who is a member of a committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures or the Council of State Governments will be allowed one state-financed trip a year to attend meetings of those organizations.
Lawmakers who are retiring at the end of this year or lose a primary election will not be reimbursed for any travel.

Almost 60 pounds of prescription drugs collected during take back event

Just over two weeks ago, the Aberdeen Police Department held a Prescription Drug Take Back Day for people to drop off their unused or expired prescription drugs for safe disposal. Amanda Buck with the APD told us how much was collected…

Buck added that they have a bin available for drop off throughout the year to make it more convenient to dispose of the drugs…

Democratic voting numbers down

As South Dakota democrats close in on a June Congressional primary, totals from the Secretary of State’s office show voter registration declining.
As of May first, democrats had just over one hundred eighty six thousand registered voters, down twenty from April first. Republicans totaled just under two hundred thirty five thousand, up some six hundred since April first.
Democratic party Chairman Ben Nesselhuf says those numbers don’t really bother him…

The Congressional campaign being waged between Jeff Barth and Matt Varilek has been low key, with no debates scheduled between the two. Nesselhuf says each side has made strategic political decisions…

This primary will be the first that independent voters will be able to vote. Nesselhuf says they will be involved in pushing that message…

As of May first, there were just over eighty seven thousand registered independent voters in the state.

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

Gov. Daugaard directs flags at half-staff on May 15

PIERRE, S.D. – President Barack Obama has proclaimed Tuesday, May 15, 2012, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the period of May 13 through May 19, 2012, as Police Week.
The President calls on Governors of the United States to request flags at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day from 8 a.m. until sunset Tuesday in honor of peace officers’ contributions and sacrifices.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard encourages all South Dakotans to display flags at half-staff from their homes, offices and businesses Tuesday.

Body found in burned home near Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the death of a 20 year old man whose body was found in a burned home north of Aberdeen.
The victim has been identified as 20 year old Evan Odde, the grandson of the home owners Greg and Nancy Odde. It is not known if the death was the result of the Sunday night fire or if the death occured by other means. Greg Odde, the owner of the Aberdeen Wings Hockey Team said his grandson may have taken his own life and that process then may have led to the fire.
Rural Fire Chief Derwin Kampa says the cause of the fire has not yet been determined and Sheriff Mark Milbrandt says his office and the DCI are investigating the death.

Authorities search for missing South Dakota inmate

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Authorities are searching for an inmate who failed to return to a halfway house in Sioux Falls.
Twenty-seven-year-old Shayla Little Bear is serving four years in prison for a drug crime conviction in Minnehaha County. The Department of Corrections says she was participating in outpatient treatment and work release.
Little Bear left the halfway house with permission but failed to return on Sunday night.

New benefits available to some jobless SD veterans

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Labor Secretary Pam Roberts says unemployed veterans may qualify for additional education, vocational rehabilitation and other benefits under a federal law passed last year.
Roberts says the federal law expands education and training opportunities for veterans and provides tax credits to employers who hire veterans with service-connected disabilities.
She says one program offers some jobless veterans 12 months of training for occupations in high demand.
The labor secretary also says veterans who previously completed a vocational rehabilitation program and have used the initial 26 weeks of unemployment benefits may qualify for an additional 12 months of vocational rehabilitation benefits.

Avera offering babysitting clinic

Each year as school year winds down, the Avera St. Luke’s Education Department holds a babysitting clinic for boys and girls going into fifth, sixth or seventh grades. Nancy Schuring with Avera said that they cover babysitting basics…

The clinic is held May 23, 24 and 25^th. Attendees only need to attend one day. Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling 622-5588.

Delta Dental awarded federal grant

Delta Dental of South Dakota has been awarded a federal grant to help improve oral health care for Native American mothers, their children and those with diabetes.
Connie Halvorson with Delta Dental in Pierre wrote the grant request…

Halvorson says dental health often doesn’t get the attention it needs…

With transportation an issue on many state reservations, Halvorson says they will take much of the care on the road…

Halvorson says the grant from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid specify that they begin to deliver services in six months.

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

NorthWestern Energy plans outage in Westport and Barnard for house move

NorthWestern Energy has scheduled a power outage for the towns of Westport and Barnard, S.D., and some surrounding areas to accommodate the moving of a house. The outage will occur Monday, May 14, 2012, at approximately 12:30 p.m., and could last about 45 minutes.
“We understand this is an inconvenience for customers, and we thank you for your patience,” said Randy Otto – Aberdeen Area Engineer. “This brief outage will ensure that the house is clear of any overhead power lines while it is being moved through the area.”
State law requires utilities to provide safe clearance for scheduled building and other large structure moves taking place where overhead lines could be a danger.
If weather prevents the move, the outage will be rescheduled.
Customers with questions may call the Contact Center at (800) 245-6977.

State Poker Championship starts Friday in Deadwood

DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) — Officials in Deadwood hope South Dakota's second annual State Poker Championship will bring a winning hand for the community.
The event kicks off Friday at the Silverado. It's expected to draw thousands of people as they compete for a top prize of $100,000.
Charles Turbiville with the Deadwood Development Corp. said that the three-day event is expected to generate $500,000 to $750,000 for Deadwood.
Gamblers say it's the hospitality that draws them to Deadwood. Lawrence Quennell says he has replaced trips to the Las Vegas strip with jaunts to the western South Dakota town.
He says, "You gamble, hope you make a little bit and if you don't, that's OK, too, because you're treated so well."

Frederick area residents leaving garbage in unwanted area

Dumping garbage is becoming a bit of a problem in Frederick. Georgia Smith, with the community group Frederick Forward, spoke with Hub City Radio News about how it started…

Smith added that instead they are encouraging residents to take their items to the Brown County Landfill as the free spring residential cleanup is going on through Saturday…

The city of Frederick does have a landfill site; however it only accepts burnable items.

Gov. Daugaard says continued talks with China important

The visit by a group of Chinese investors to the University of South Dakota is the latest in a recent flurry of state contacts with China.
Governor Dennis Daugaard, who led his first trade trip to China last month, says more individual contacts are vital to doing business…

Daugaard says the group of businessmen were doing more than just looking around…

The Governor says some deals have already been made, with more possibly in the near future.

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

SD woman sentenced to 35 years for killing husband

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota woman who admitted killing her husband has been sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Forty-nine-year-old Connie Hirsch of Blunt pleaded guilty in March to first-degree manslaughter in the May 2010 shooting death of her 65-year-old husband, Jerold Hirsch. In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped a murder charge and agreed to seek a prison term of no more than 20 years.
Judge Mark Barnett imposed a harsher penalty, calling Hirsch's actions "cold-blooded murder."
Barnett gave Hirsch credit for time served, essentially reducing her sentence to 33 years. She will be eligible for parole after serving half the sentence.
Thursday's hearing in Pierre lasted more than an hour.

Hub City Radio News

Hub City Radio has one of the best news departments around. You can tune in to 930 KSDN 7 days a week for live and local, news, sports and information. Of course we also bring you the important breaking news when it comes about on all six of our great stations plus daily news breaks in the mornings. Keep up with the news online right here at HubCityRadio.com with daily highlights of the news.