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.
At the Mitchell School Board meeting on March 10, Superintendent Joe Childs announced that the district had made significant strides in reducing chronic absenteeism, achieving a 4.7% overall improvement. Mitchell Middle School saw a notable 3% drop, with Attendance Liaison Aaron Klinger playing a pivotal role in helping students stay in school, particularly at the middle school level. Other schools, such as Gertie Belle Rogers and L.B. Williams, also showed strong improvements, with absenteeism decreasing by 15% and 28%, respectively.
At their March 3 meeting, the Mitchell City Council approved $180,000 in funding from a $5.75 million list of proposed projects. The approved funds will be allocated to several initiatives, including $100,000 for an additional airport hangar, $15,000 for the soccer complex concession stand, and $65,000 for a design plan to replace the tennis courts at Hitchcock Park.
Tension is mounting in Mitchell over a $75,000 debt for golf carts and mowers that has been lingering since 2013. According to the Mitchell Daily Republic, the city loaned money to the golf course, but leadership changes led to the debt being overlooked. The issue resurfaced recently during budget discussions when city officials questioned whether the golf course had settled its debts. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the payment had been made but was not properly recorded.
Officials in Yankton County are urging locals to exercise caution amid high fire danger due to dry conditions and strong winds. With little moisture and high winds, even a small spark could lead to an uncontrollable grass fire. Although the county is not yet issuing an official burn ban, as the area remains under a moderate grass fire index, residents are still advised to refrain from any open burning over the next few days to reduce the risk of fire.
The debate over a bill addressing harmful content for children is intensifying among South Dakota lawmakers. Tensions rose earlier this week after the State Senate voted to amend House Bill 1239, which could have led to jail time for librarians, easing some concerns from educators and library professionals. However, Republican Senator Taffy Howard escalated the debate with strong remarks on the Senate floor, stating, “If somebody had knowingly given that to my children when they were little, I’d want them strung up from the nearest tree.”
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is inviting the public to provide input on a transportation plan for the Chamberlain area. An open house will be held today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chamberlain Area Community Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about proposed developments and redesign plans for portions of Highway 50 and Interstate 90. Written comments will also be accepted until March 27th, giving residents a chance to share their feedback on the project.
Governor Rhoden is taking action this week in Pierre, signing House Bill 1080 into law as part of his continued support for Second Amendment rights. On Tuesday, the Governor signed 32 bills, including this key piece of legislation, which voids covenants that prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms and ammunition.
The impact federal spending cuts will ultimately have on South Dakota is becoming clearer. The financial website WalletHub has released a report ranking South Dakota 11th overall among the most federally dependent states.
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.