A man from Chamberlain, Mitchell Old Lodge, has pleaded guilty to grand theft after stealing 45 bottles of liquor from County Fair over the course of a month. Last week, Old Lodge was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison sentence. As part of his sentence, he will serve two years of probation, spend 10 days in jail, and pay restitution of approximately $2,000 for the stolen liquor.
Mitchell man has changed his plea from not guilty to guilty in a rape charge related to a domestic incident in November 2024. Court documents show Azriel Fallis admitted to living with a minor and having sexual relations with her multiple times.
Sioux Falls has been ranked the fourth happiest city in America, according to a new study by WalletHub. The study compared 182 of the largest cities, including the 150 most populated cities and top cities from each state, based on key factors like emotional and physical wellbeing, income and employment, and community and environment. This recognition highlights Sioux Falls’ high quality of life, with the city excelling in these critical areas. Rapid City also earned a spot on the list, ranking number 33, further solidifying South Dakota’s reputation for happiness and wellbeing.
Thankfully, despite the significant damage to both vehicles, no injuries were reported, and all five children on the bus were unharmed. The crash is still being looked into as investigators work to determine the cause.
Governor Rhoden has confirmed that a wildfire on the Cheyenne River Reservation is now under control. While some hotspots remain, they are contained by burned areas, minimizing further risk. The fire has scorched approximately 38,000 acres, which is roughly the size of Rapid City. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, ensuring that any remaining threats are addressed swiftly.
Authorities have identified the man found deceased in Bon Homme County on Tuesday as 85-year-old George Verzani from Scotland, South Dakota. According to an update from the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office and the DCI, surveillance footage shows Verzani walking through downtown Scotland early Tuesday morning.
South Dakota is experiencing a record-breaking flu season, with more than 20,000 cases reported, according to the state health department. This marks the highest number of cases in the past decade, with 43 deaths attributed to the virus. Doctors note that the season peaked in mid-February and is now on the decline, aligning with typical flu trends. Health officials emphasize that fewer people are getting the flu shot this year, despite its proven effectiveness in reducing illness severity and hospitalizations. Vaccination remains strongly recommended to help protect against the flu each season.
A Minnesota man is headed to prison for his role in a plan to sell meth in South Dakota. Francisco Mendez was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
The push to bring Amtrak passenger trains to South Dakota is far from over. Republican Representative Tim Goodwin, who authored a resolution supporting the initiative, plans to reintroduce the legislation after it narrowly failed by one vote in the State Congress last week.
Local brewers are celebrating South Dakota Craft Beer Week, as the state’s craft beer scene continues to grow. With around 40 independent craft breweries, South Dakota has seen a surge in popularity and economic impact, contributing $245 million annually, according to the Brewers Association.