Hub City Radio News - HubCityRadio.com

Senator Novstrup talks about property tax bill

Lawmakers in Pierre have another busy week ahead of them. Senator Al Novstrup of Aberdeen has put in a bill that makes the appeals process for property taxes easier for some…

The bill would allow a business to be represented themselves…

The bill has passed out of committee and will be coming before the Senate early this week.

Daffodils help support cancer research

Brown County residents can fight back against cancer and share hope for those facing the disease by supporting the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days. Angie Scepaniak, Community Relations staff with the American Cancer Society…

The deadline for ordering flowers is February 17^th. The flowers will be available for pickup or delivery on March 13^th.
Those interested in ordering can call 800-660-7703.

500 marijuana plants seized in Leola search

Law-enforcement agents conducting a search warrant at a Leola home found 500 marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia and firearms.
A 53-year-old man is in custody and expected to be charged with numerous felonies following the Thursday raid.
McPherson County Sheriff Dave Ackerman says the bust was a solid example of cooperative police work.
Leola Police Chief John Grabowska agrees. He says the drug bust should have a "significant impact" on the area's illegal drug activity.
The search involved McPherson County Sheriff's Office, the Leola Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff's Division of Criminal Investigation.

Woman to challenge Rep. Noem in GOP House primary

A Rapid City woman says she plans to challenge Rep. Kristi Noem in a Republican primary for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House.
Forty-six-year-old Stephanie Strong said she is collecting the 1,955 signatures she needs to put her name on the June 5 primary ballot.
Strong has owned several businesses with her husband. She says she believes government should reduce business regulations.
Strong is the only announced Republican challenger to Noem, who defeated Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in 2010. Noem recently announced she has raised more than $1.3 million for her re-election bid.
Candidates for the Democratic nomination to run for the House are Matt Varilek, a former member of U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson's staff, and Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth.

SD should ready for oil boom's pros, cons: experts

The oil boom that has brought both wealth and woes to North Dakota is on its way to South Dakota — and experts say the state would be wise to prepare itself.
A panel of oil industry, infrastructure, and economy experts who gathered in Belle Fourche late Thursday told a crowd of about 600 people that they should brace themselves for what's "coming down the pipe." South Dakota has oil wells in counties such as Butte and Harding.
Lynn Hammerstrom, a former bank president, says the meeting helped people understand the effect of development and the stress it puts on the community.
The experts acknowledge that housing workers would be an issue, as would handling an increase in traffic. But they say the oil would bring jobs and money, too.

Herried man died in two-vehicle crash

A Herreid man died Thursday in a two-vehicle crash on a Campbell County road about six miles east of Herreid.
Randall Lee Rueb, 53, was driving northbound on 312^th Avenue in a 1990 Chevrolet CC109 that failed to stop at the intersection with 108^th Street. The vehicle continued through the intersection into the path of a westbound 2011 Ford F-150 driven by Richard Beitelspacher, 67, of Bowdle, S.D. Both vehicles caught fire after the crash.
Rueb was dead at the scene. Beitelspacher was taken to a Mobridge hospital with serious, non-life threatening injuries. It is unknown at this time if the drivers were wearing seatbelts.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. Campell County Sheriff’s Office, Campbell County Ambulance, Herreid Fire Department and Walworth County coroner assisted.

Governor talks economic development funds

The state landed a major economic development with the announcement this week that Bel Brands would open a cheese processing facility in Brookings. The plant will employee three to four hundred people when it’s in full production.
Governor Dennis Daugaard pointed out at his legislative briefing this week it was possible because of state economic development funds…

A replacement development program that was passed by the legislature last year has been referred to a public vote this November. The Governor says that action puts economic development projects in danger…

The Governor says the state had to compete for Bel Brands, which he called a perfect fit for South Dakota…

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

I-90 bridge in SD closed when semi crashes into it

South Dakota's Transportation Department has closed an Interstate 90 bridge for repairs after a semitrailer crashed into it near the south central town of Murdo.
The crash happened Thursday morning. The semi driven by Gary Witzko, of Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada, was hauling an empty 30,000-gallon oil tank when it collided with the bridge running over the interstate.
Witzko was not hurt. He was cited for violating his permit to drive an oversize load, a misdemeanor.
Officials did not immediately determine how long the bridge repairs will take.

Man arrested in random SD highway shooting

Authorities have arrested a Box Elder man who allegedly shot at a vehicle on U.S. Highway 16 in southwest South Dakota.
Rapid City police and the Pennington County Sheriff's Office say the 19-year-old man is accused of randomly shooting at a car Wednesday night. Authorities say they seized a handgun when they arrested the man late Thursday afternoon.
Authorities say the three people inside the rental car heard something hit it as they were driving by the Reptile Gardens tourist attraction. They later discovered that a bullet had gone through a passenger-side door and lodged in the center console. No one was hurt.

Aberdeen hears State of City message from Mayor

Aberdeen Mayor Mike Levsen was the guest speaker at yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting. Levsen’s message focused on the State of the City and its changes in the past 8-10 years…

Mayor Levsen also highlighted many of the changes the city has seen, including the new YMCA, Central High School, recreation trails and public safety building.
The availability of jobs was also a topic. Levsen stressed the importance of getting the right people for the right jobs, especially in the open Athletic Director positions at NSU and PC…

Levsen added that Aberdeen is fortunate to have great leaders in positions of responsibility at local businesses and community institutions.

Brown County Highway Department getting spring/summer projects lined up

As spring and summer get closer, the Brown County Highway Department is getting their projects lined up. Highway Superintendent Jan Weismantel said that they have four bridges they will work on…

Weismantel said that they are also going to be doing maintenance on roads, but they haven’t mapped their route yet…

One road they do hope to tackle is about nine miles of Country Road 16. The section is to be bid in March. Weismantel said that they have $2 million sitting in their STIP fund through the state, but she is not sure how bids will come in.

Wells Fargo Auto Finance gives notice to 66 employees of layoffs

This past November, Wells Fargo Auto Finance announced that they would be evaluating staffing needs at their Aberdeen facility. Today, layoff notices were given to 66 employees. Staci Schiller with Wells Fargo Regional Banking Communications told Hub City Radio News why they decision was made to eliminate these 66 positions…

Schiller said that those receiving the notices were given a 60-day working notice. After the 60 days are up they will receive a severance package based on years of service. They are also working with the group to identify openings inside Wells Fargo…

Schiller added that around 300 employees nationwide have also been let go.
There will be approximately 80 employees that will remain full-time at the Aberdeen Auto Finance Center.

Daugaard says law suspension harms development

Gov. Dennis Daugaard says the suspension of a new business incentive law could harm South Dakota's efforts to recruit new businesses and help existing companies expand.
Current South Dakota law gives tax refunds to large construction projects, but that law expires at the end of this year. The Legislature last year passed a replacement program that would put 22 percent of the contractor's excise into a fund that a state board could use to give grants to large construction projects.
But the South Dakota Democratic Party collected enough petition signatures to bring the new grant law to a public vote in the November election. Daugaard says the referral of the law to a public vote could hamper economic development efforts because companies won't know what incentives they might get.

Food-related illnesses strike Pierre school

South Dakota's Health Department is investigating the source of food that is suspected of sickening several students and others in the Pierre School District.
Department spokeswoman Barb Buhler said that at least 50 people got sick. Officials don't think anyone became seriously ill.
School Superintendent Kelly Glodt says the source of the illness might be a taco fundraiser sponsored by a school group during a Tuesday night basketball game between Pierre and Mitchell. He says there were no immediate reports of people from Mitchell becoming ill.

SD inmate tells judge he deserves death penalty

A South Dakota inmate who has acknowledged killing a penitentiary guard during a failed escape attempt has asked to be and told a judge that he deserves to be sentenced to death.
Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Berget has pleaded guilty to killing Ronald Johnson on April 12 — Johnson's 63rd birthday — during a failed prison escape with fellow inmate Eric Robert.
Berget told Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell on Thursday that he took away a husband, father and grandfather and should be sentenced to death.
Zell is weighing whether Berget should be sentenced to death for the crime.
Prosecutors say Berget and Robert bashed Johnson with a pipe, covered his mouth with plastic wrap and wore the dead man's uniform in the escape attempt.
Robert was sentenced to death in October.

Huron police investigating unusual vandalism

Huron police are investigating the unusual vandalizing of a video lottery machine on Tuesday. Public Information Officer Cory Borg says officers responded to Lazer's Bar on Dakota Avenue just before 2 p.m…

Borg did not have an estimate as to how much damage was done to the video lottery machine or if the suspect was injured. Police also do not know why the suspect punched the machine. An entry in the Huron police press log indicates that someone put a fist through the machine.

Courtesy of Performance Radio Huron

Senator Thune introduces bill to end bonuses for mortgage company

South Dakota Senator John Thune says he is introducing a bill to end bonuses for top executives at a national mortgage company…

Thune says in light of the performance of the two companies, there were no grounds for any bonuses…

Thune says it’s not just a symbolic bill…

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

Memorial service planned for slain Madison man

Residents in Madison are somberly preparing for a memorial service for shooting victim and retired English teacher Norman Johnson.
The service is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, where the 72-year-old Johnson and his wife Barbara were members. On Wednesday night, about 60 people gathered at the church for a candlelight prayer service.
Pastor Dirk Hagmaier says that the congregation is heartbroken over the Tuesday night slaying. Johnson had been a teacher and track coach at Madison High School. In his retirement, Johnson worked at a hardware store.
Authorities announced Wednesday evening that they arrested 73-year-old Carl V. Ericsson of Watertown in connection with the shooting. They did not immediately provide details of the arrest or discuss a possible motive.

January temps above average

Last year in January of 2011, the average temperature in Aberdeen was just under six degrees. Dave Hintz, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Aberdeen, told us how this year’s January ended up…

The Hub City received 7.2 inches of snow in January.
We asked Hintz how February’s temperatures look…

Hintz added forecast models for the next couple of months continue to change…

Avera 'Heart and Soul'

February is National Heart Month and to help celebrate Avera St. Luke’s Hospital hosting an inspirational speaker, Donna Hartley. Patty Kirkpatrick with Avera’s Marketing and Public Relations Department told us about Hartley’s message…

The heart healthy event will be held this coming Monday and includes a full sit-down dinner, video of local residents who have survived heart issues and Hartley’s speech. The deadline to purchase tickets is tomorrow. Those can be purchased at the Avera St. Luke’s Hospital Administration office.

NSU student welcomed to Johnson's staff

Washington, DC—Earlier this week, U.S. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson welcomed Sarah Michlitsch of Webster, to the Senate Banking Committee staff in Washington, DC. A graduate of Webster High School, Michlitsch is the daughter of Candyce Michlitsch of Webster and the granddaughter of Harry Michlitsch of Webster. Michlitsch is a senior at Northern State University in Aberdeen with majors in Banking and Financial Services and Accounting.
“An internship with the Senate Banking Committee is a great opportunity for students like Sarah to be exposed to all aspects of the Committee’s priorities on Capitol Hill. Committee interns are at the forefront of current political and policy debates in the housing and financial industry,” Johnson said. “I’m glad that Sarah has the opportunity to join us this spring and I know she will make the most of her experience.”
“Ultimately, I want to work in the regulation department for a bank back home and interning with the Senate Banking Committee will provide me with some real world knowledge and experience. Chairman Johnson does a good job as the head of the Committee and I’m happy to be working on issues that are important to South Dakota,” said Michlitsch.
Michlitsch was selected as part of an intern partnership between the Banking Committee and Northern State University. One NSU student each summer, fall and spring will be selected to travel to Washington D.C. to work alongside the Banking Committee staff. Senator Johnson visited NSU last year to discuss issues facing the Committee and to kick off the new partnership.

One dead in Madison shooting

MADISON, S.D. (AP) — Dakota State University is holding classes as police continue to search a man involved in a fatal shooting near campus.
The university was locked down following the shooting Tuesday night. But a school official says police have indicated there's "no foreseeable threat" to the campus.
Madison residents have been urged to keep their doors locked while police look for the shooter.
Many of the 6,500 residents kept their porch lights on overnight.
Police have not yet identified the person who was killed or provided details of what happened a block from the Dakota State campus.
They're looking for a man described as being in his 50s, wearing glasses and a ball cap. He may be driving a maroon, four-door sedan.

SD House panel rejects texting ban for drivers

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A measure to ban texting while driving has been rejected by a South Dakota House panel.
The State Affairs Committee voted 10-3 to kill a measure that would have prohibited the use of cell phones and other handheld devices to write, send or read text-based communications while driving. It would not have banned the use of hands-free devices for texting.
The measure's main sponsor, Rep. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, says it's time to ban texting by drivers because it leads to traffic accidents.
No one spoke against the measure during Wednesday's committee hearing, but committee members say they doubt law enforcement officers would be able to enforce a ban on texting while driving.
A similar bill passed the Senate last year but was defeated by the House.

Hearing in SD guard killing continues Wednesday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Defense lawyers for an inmate accused of killing a South Dakota prison guard are expected to begin calling witnesses during the third day of his pre-sentence hearing Wednesday.
Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Berget has pleaded guilty to killing Ronald Johnson on April 12 — Johnson's 63rd birthday — during a failed prison escape with fellow inmate Eric Robert.
Berget has said he wants a judge, not a jury, to decide whether he should live or die for the crime.
His defense lawyers are expected to call three witnesses Wednesday and a fourth witness Thursday.
Zell earlier sentenced 49-year-old Robert to death for his part in the killing.
A third inmate, 47-year-old Michael Nordman, has also been charged in the slaying and is awaiting trial.

SD One-Act Festival comes to Hub City

Many of South Dakota’s finest high school actors will gather in the Aberdeen for the 56^th Annual State High School One-Act Play Festival that begins tomorrow and runs through Saturday at the Johnson Fine Arts Center on the campus of NSU. James Weaver, Assistant Executive Director with the High School Activities Association, said that schools from across the state will be represented…

The first performance of the State Festival begins at 11 a.m. tomorrow with new performances beginning approximately every forty-five minutes through each day. The One-Act Festival is free to the public.

January license plate renewal period extended

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakotans whose last names begin with the letters “A” or “B” and those who have a temporary plate permit with a Jan. 31 expiration date will have until Friday, Feb.10, to renew their license plates and permits.
State Motor Vehicles Division Director Debra Hillmer says technical issues have disrupted the service of online renewals through SDcars.org as well as the motor-vehicle-registration renewal self-service terminals.
County offices were also unable to complete license plate renewals at this time. The disruption has prevented vehicle owners throughout South Dakota from completing their registration renewals before today’s January deadline.
In response to that situation, individuals whose vehicle license plates or temporary plate permits were up for renewal by yesterday will have 10 more days to renew.
“The options to renew through SDcars.org and the county offices were restored by mid-afternoon today,” said Hillmer. “The self-service terminals will be out of service for an indefinite period of time in order to address some processing issues. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Individuals taking advantage of the 10-day extension period are reminded to take the necessary documents to their county treasurer’s office at the time of renewal.

Landfill waives fee for new housing opportunity

Brian Sampson, Aberdeen Housing Authority Deputy Director, came before the Brown County Commission yesterday along with Mike Scott, Landfill Manager, about an upcoming project through the Housing Authority that they hope to get landfill fees waived for their use of the landfill during construction…

The apartment complex will consist of 19 one-bedroom, 15 two-bedroom and 7 three-bedroom units.
Commissioners agreed to waive their fee and count it as an in-kind donation to the project.

Quarterly update from Brown County Health

DeAnna Kyburz with Brown County Community Health Clinic presented the Brown County Commissioners with their quarterly report at their meeting yesterday…

Kyburz added that they are also working to lower the infant mortality rate…

Brown County Fair announces more acts

The Brown County Fair Board announced more of the musical acts that will hit the stage at the fair August 16^th-18^th. Conald Burgard is the Fair Board President…

Tickets will go on sale June 15^th.

Burn ban lifted in Brown County

The Brown County Commission approved the removal of the burn ban that they had put in place late in 2011.
The request came on behalf of the Brown County Emergency Management office.

Aberdeen Taco John's raise over $1,700 for CMN

From December 1^st through the 24^th, both Aberdeen Taco John’s locations raised funds for Children’s Miracle Network by donating a portion of each Nachos Navidad sold. Today, Becca Monson, Manager of the Lakewood Mall store, presented CMN with a check for $1,778.87…

Taco John’s locations in Watertown, Brandon, Brookings, Canton, Chamberlain, Huron, Madison, Milbank, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Worthington and Yankton also took part in donating funds. The total raised by all locations was $12,097.

SD universities worry about college affordability

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The president of the South Dakota Board of Regents says declining state support and rising tuition and fees could put college out of the reach of many students in the future.
Kathryn Johnson is head of the appointed board that runs the six state-run universities. She says students now can afford to attend the schools and repay student loans. But she says university officials are worried that rising tuition and fees could reach the point where graduates will not earn enough to pay off those loans.
Johnson and other university officials on Tuesday met with the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee, which is putting together the state budget for next year.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard's budget proposal would spend a total of nearly $800 million next year on higher education.

AARP members head to Pierre

More than one hundred fifty AARP members from all over the state will be in Pierre today to lobby legislators on key issues.
Dennis Eisnach volunteer state president of AARP says they want to talk about home based medical care…

Eisnach says they also want to talk about tax credits for the elderly…

Eisnach, a former Mayor of Pierre, and PUC Commissioner, says public involvement with the legislature can make a difference…

Courtesy of WNAX Radio Yankton

Slain SD baby's mother pleads not guilty to rape

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Rapid City woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to sex crime charges.
Twenty-eight-year-old April Solles faces three counts of rape and two counts of sexual contact with a child under 16. She could face up to 75 years in prison if convicted. A judge on Monday refused to lower her $100,000 bond.
The 1-year-old daughter of Solles was killed in December. Authorities have charged a 14-year-old boy with murder in the death. They haven't identified him because he's charged in juvenile court.

SD man gets 7 years for hit-and-run Sturgis death

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Rapid City man accused in a hit-and-run death at least year's Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in western South Dakota has been sentenced to serve seven years in prison.
Thirty-four-year-old Robert Pittman late last year pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the death of 44-year-old Brian Bye, of Lincoln, Neb. Authorities say Pittman plowed into the back of Bye's motorcycle on state Highway 79 near Bear Butte on Aug. 10 and fled. He was arrested two days later.
Pittman also has been ordered to pay more than $4,500 in restitution to Bye's family.

Mobridge siblings claim $40,553 lottery jackpot

MOBRIDGE, S.D. (AP) — Three siblings from Mobridge have claimed a $40,553 lottery jackpot.
South Dakota lottery officials say Robert and Arlo Maisch and their sister, Connie Lutz, had a pact to evenly divide any jackpot any of them won. The siblings are dividing the jackpot won in the Jan. 25 Dakota Cash drawing. Officials did not say which of the three bought the winning ticket.
The Gas 'N Goodies store in Mobridge is getting a bonus of about $2,000 for selling the ticket.
Dakota Cash is played only in South Dakota. The jackpot sits at $20,000 for the drawing on Wednesday. The odds of winning it are one in about 325,000.

Judge weighing death penalty in SD guard killing

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Testimony is set to resume Tuesday in the pre-sentencing hearing of a South Dakota inmate who has acknowledged killing a prison guard in a failed escape attempt.
Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Berget has pleaded guilty to attacking 63-year-old Ronald Johnson with fellow inmate Eric Robert. Berget has said he wants a judge, not a jury, to decide whether he should spend life in prison or be put to death for the killing.
Second Circuit Judge Bradley Zell will hear testimony from prosecutors and defense lawyers before deciding Berget's fate.
Zell earlier sentenced Robert to death for his part in the crime after he pleaded guilty.
A third inmate has been charged with providing the materials used to kill Johnson.
Berget's pre-sentencing hearing is expected to last all week.

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.