The Sioux Falls Convention Center has issued a warning about a fraudulent vendor show being promoted on social media. The event, called the Small Biz Spring Fling, has been shared on local arts and vendor pages, but the convention center clarified that no bookings have been made for the event, and the venue has not been reserved for the listed dates. Officials are urging the public not to contact the email provided in the post, as they believe it to be associated with a fake account.
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.
South Dakota lawmakers have approved a 1.25% increase in education funding, as proposed by former Governor Kristi Noem in her final budget. While the increase is now official, many educators are expressing disappointment, as funding had been raised by at least 4% in each of the past three years. Advocates had hoped for a 3% increase, and now, with tighter financial conditions, some schools may face the difficult decision of making budget cuts to navigate these challenging times.
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.