Broadcaster Press 11 January 31, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com District 17 Rep. Nancy Rasmussen, a Republican from Hurley, and Deb bie Pease, a Republican candidate for one of the district’s two seats in the South Dakota House, stood out a bit from other local legislative candidates at a public forum held Tuesday night at Vermillion City Hall. Rasmussen, one of four candidates seeking election to the South Dakota Legislature to represent District 17, stated that she is not in favor of abolishing the death penalty, and does not support Medicaid expansion in South Dakota. Pease supports repealing the death penalty, but is uncomfortable with the notion of expanding Medicaid. She admitted that she needs more information before making a firm decision on that issue. Tuesday’s forum was sponsored by the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company (VCDC). Julia Hellwege, a professor of political science at the University of South Dakota, served as moderator. Forum participants, besides Rasmussen, included incumbent District 17 Rep. Ray Ring, a Democrat from Vermillion, Debbie Pease, a Republican from Centerville and Mark Winegar, a Democrat from Vermillion. Candidates for District 17 State Senate also participated. They are incumbent Sen. Art Rusch, a Republican from Vermillion, and Shane Merrill, a Democrat who farms near Parker. November Mother Nature Hampers Area Farmers Mother Nature appears to be treating residents of southeast South Dakota kindly – after all, November has arrived and shirt sleeve weather with temperatures surpassing 60 degrees have been forecast all week. Weather conditions, however, have thwarted area farmers as they try to bring their crops in from the field. “We’re well behind. I would say the beans are maybe two-thirds harvested, and the corn is maybe 15 to 20 percent,” Kevin Myron of Ag Opportunities in Vermillion said Monday afternoon. “They (farmers) have really, really struggled to get the beans out. We’ve had a lot of moisture, a lot of humidity. Even things like fogs, and frost and drizzles – even though they don’t amount to much moisture-wise, it pretty much shuts things down when you’re trying to harvest soybeans.” The Vermillion area experienced a wet spring earlier this year, prompting area farmers to plant more soybeans at that time than corn. “That sort of compounds the problem,” Myron said. “Corn you can just go out and combine in almost any kind of weather, but the soybeans are very finicky. We were essentially too wet during the spring. A lot of guys were fighting the moisture and the mud trying to get the crop in. “And because of having a hard time or limited windows to get stuff planted, combined with where the prices were this spring, a lot of them just said ‘forget the corn. We’ll just plant soybeans,’ because if they plant corn first and then the soybeans, then in reverse, when they combine, they usually com- 71 YEARS IN BUSINESS vote-getters, defeating John Davidson, who received 1,882 votes and Stan Peterson, who received 1,142. December Clay County Abstract & Title 121 West Kidder Street #104 • Vermillion, SD 57069 YEARS IN BUSINESS 79 and when it’s harder for others to make that choice, you should make an effort to be the light that others you Second Annual Diwali around as acan cling to.” Friday also served homecoming Celebrates Diversity “I can’t believe I’m back in for Book. this gym. This year, the religious festival of It’s been over 10 years since I’ve Diwali began on Oct. 30 and the sat in its bleachers, and played volCenter for Diversity and Community leyball as a sport at Vermillion High (CDC) at the University of South School. I had no idea at that point Dakota marked the celebration where life would take me. I received with one of their own last Thursday, an ROTC scholarship to attend Nov. 3. Diwali is a five-day long fes- nursing school at Creighton Univertival considered the celebration of sity my senior year, but knew very light and is one of the major Hindu little about the military,” she said. “I festivals marking the beginning of did know I wanted to help people. I a new year. Jains and Sikhs also was drawn to making a difference celebrate Diwali. Like most holidays in people’s lives. My career choice across any religion, food plays a big seemed simple. I’d become a reg- Alexandra Carr,Anna Olson and Paige Krell were among a crowd role in Diwali. It is prepared for days istered nurse, and even better, an of over 100 who participated in Vermillion's candlelight vigil, held in advance and is distributed to Army nurse.” She graduated with Sunday, Dec. 4 at the Ratingen Platz in downtown Vermillion. neighbors and served to family and commission in May 2009, and was is bringing the 211 service to Clay feature the latest and greatest in friends. Another important aspect off to her first Army assignment at County. Clay County joins 15 other agricultural products and services. of this holiday is light, which are Madigan Army Medical Center in counties in South Dakota, includThe show will run Wednesday, Jan. brought into the houses to imply Tacoma, Washington. “Speaking of ing Yankton, Minnehaha, Lincoln 4, and Thursday, Jan. 5, from 9 Familiar Faces the exiting of darkness and wel- all this is just wild to me. It doesn’t and Turner counties that offer the a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Friday, Chosen By Local coming the new era in light. “Par- seem that far away when it all start- 211 service. “211 is an easy to Jan. 6, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Adticularly, all the ladies do a ceremo- ed, and here I am in front of you remember three-digit telephone Voters Tuesday mission is free. “This year’s show Voters in Clay County decided Tues- nial thing called Pooja where they with eight years of service behind number assigned by the Federal features more than 290 exhibitors, worship the goddess Lakshmi,” said me. This Veterans Day will be my Communications Commission for day to return some familiar faces to along with the addition of educacounty and legislative offices, while Sudarshan Paul, the graduated as- last as an active-duty soldier,” Book the purpose of providing quick tional seminars in the new Sanford sistant for the CDC and a computer said. “I woke up some mornings not and easy access to information adding a couple new faces to the Coyote Sports Center,” said Show mix of winning candidates. In the science graduate student at USD. always wanting to put the uniform about health and human ser- Manager Penny Swank. “Admission two-person race for District 17 state “In the evening they bring fireworks on. There were good days and bad vices,” said Kelsey Collier-Wise, and parking is free, and attendees senator, incumbent Republican Art home and light the fireworks and days, like any career in this world, executive director of United Way of can once-again enjoy a sit down Rusch of Vermillion defeated chal- they also arrange lights in a row be- but today, with my countdown to of- Vermillion. “Professional Informa- lunch for a reasonable price. It’s a lenger Shane Merrill of Parker. cause that’s what Diwali is, it’s like a ficially being out of the Army at 19 tion and Referral Specialists work great way for area farmers to see Throughout District 17, Rusch row of lights. The significance of it is days, I couldn’t wait to put on the with callers to assess their needs, the latest in agriculture and socialreceived 5,023 votes, and Mer- to get rid of the darkness and light uniform this morning.” determine their options and pro- ize with other area farmers.” rill received 3,965. In Clay County, the soul, and also their houses.” The vide appropriate programs and Board, Lawmakers Rusch garnered 2,923 votes, com- CDC began USD’s Diwali celebraservices, give support, intervene tion last year as a way to educate Discuss New pared to Merrill’s 1,991.In the race in crisis situations and advocate Promoting Unity for two District 17 House seats, the students across the campus about for the caller as needed.” Having Conflict Rules By Candlelight two incumbents, Republican Nancy the festival. Members of the Indianthe 211 system in Clay County will During a recent meeting between Rasmussen of Hurley and Demo- American community from around The organizers of a candlelight vigil make life easier for residents, said members of the Vermillion School crat Ray Ring of Vermillion, were the area joined the USD community planned for Sunday evening in Ver- Collier-Wise. Board and District 17 state legisre-elected with 4,668 votes and for Indian food, a classical dance million knew from the beginning ‘Great Things’ Planned lators, Sen. Art Rusch wondered aloud if a recent policy adopted by 4,183 votes respectively. Challeng- performance, a performance by that they would be battling DecemWith Grant Award the board would actually accomers Debbie Pease, a Republican the USD dance team and videos ber’s cold temperatures. They’re hoping that those who choose to The Vermillion School District plish what it was intended to do, from Centerville received 3,736 explaining the meaning of Diwali. votes, followed by Mark Winegar, Book: Be The Light That participate in the event, officially has been named a recipient of a and in fact, if it was even necessary. known as “Vermillion Candlelight $99,000 Classroom Innovation “I read the story in the newspaper a Democrat from Vermillion, who Others Can Cling To received 3,357 votes. Among Clay Captain Brittany (Weydert) Book, a Vigil” on social media, will be Grant. The announcement came today about the changes that the County voters, Ring received 2,858 Vermillion native and a 2005 grad- bathed in the warmth of security from Pierre Monday morning, and school board had made,” he told members of the school board votes, followed by Winegar with uate of Vermillion High School, put and love. The event is set to begin at the Vermillion School Board during a noon meeting held Dec. at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Ratingen meeting held that night, Superin2,404, Rasmussen with 1,981 and the wraps on a productive military 16 in RED Steakhouse in VermilPease with 1,555. Incumbent Clay career by addressing Friday’s Veter- Platz in downtown Vermillion. Those tendent Mark Froke said it was fit- lion. “I know a lot of this has been attending will be provided candles. ting for Jason Gault, the Vermillion County State’s Attorney Teddi Gerts- ans Day ceremony in the Vermillion brought about by concerns about ma, a Democrat from Vermillion, High School gymnasium. Her eight “This candlelight vigil is designed to School District’s technology direc- what happened down in Platte, but be a celebration of love and accep- tor, to describe how the funding I don’t know that a conflict of interlost her bid for re-election to Alexis years of active duty service with Tracy, a Republican from Vermillion. the U.S. Army, which began in June tance,” said Teri Bellis, a University will be used because he and his est rule would have prevented that Clay County voters cast 2,576 bal- 2009, will end in December 2016. of South Dakota professor who is wife, Natasha, who teaches eighth from happening, either. “Clearly, it lots for Tracy, and 2,264 for Gerts- She encouraged her audience to helping to plan Sunday’s event. “We grade science at Vermillion Middle should have, but their (Mid-Central ma. In a five-person race for three work be a positive force in the world really want to show that Vermillion School, helped with the grant ap- Educational Cooperative in Platte) at-large Clay County Commission around them. “Every day, we have a is a shining city on the bluff that plication. “I’ve asked him to step board of directors had to know the seats, incumbents Leo Powell, Tra- choice to be happy or unhappy, and boldly embraces the concepts of into my area here because Jason conflicts of interest that were govis Mockler and newcomer Richard ultimately, no matter we choose, love, peace and tolerance.” A simi- and his wife, Natasha, worked on ing on and ignored them,” Rusch Hammond garnered the most votes our decisions affect others,” Book lar gesture was made Nov. 21 when this project, and we’re very thank- said. Members of the Vermillion with 2,864, 2,702 and 2,167 re- said. “You get to make a choice, the Vermillion City Council approved ful for their time and effort,” Froke School Board learned last July a proclamation declaring the city to said. “This is really exciting; there’s that the years-long Mid-Central spectively to win. They were the top be a community of tolerance and going to be some great things tak- Educational Cooperative financial peace. The peaceful expressions ing place as a result of this grant.” scandal would affect the way they come following a divisive U.S. “As many of you know, this has conduct business at school board presidential campaign and an elec- been a work in progress since meetings from now on. At its regution outcome on Nov. 8 that worry last summer, as Dr. Froke said, lar meeting Dec. 12, the board held the first reading of a new not only segments of the national involving myself, and along the policy that addresses actions that population but also members of way, a true collaboration of build- board members must take at the the Vermillion community. ing administrators, expert STEM beginning of each meeting should 211 Service Coming (Science, Technology, Engineer- there be pending action on the ing, Math) people in the field, and meeting’s agenda that would have To County some amazing teachers at Jolley them facing a conflict of interest. Beginning in February, 2017, Ver- Elementary,” Gault said. “We’ve Insurance Solution million area residents will be able come together and put together a to dial “211” to access informa- plan.” During the last session of the Will Restore tion about a wide variety of South Dakota Legislature, state Budget Cuts issues, including government ser- lawmakers provided approximately A solution arrived at in November vices, health and mental health $1 million to be used by teach- between the City of Vermillion and resources, employment support ers and administrators to imple- its health insurance provider means Captain Brittany Book, a Vermillion native and a 2005 graduate of and more. United Way of Vermillion ment unique ideas in classrooms deep cuts that the Vermillion City Vermillion High School, was keynote speaker at Friday's Veterans throughout the state. The purpose Council had made in the city’s Day ceremony held in the VHS gymnasium. of the grant program is to provide 2017 budget won’t be needed. City funding for developing teacher Manager John Prescott discussed training and classroom access to Monday what could be restored to the city budget during the aldervirtual education and customized man’s noon informational meetlearning tools. Eighteen projects ing in City Hall. The city’s health were funded in the first round of insurance carrier is Sanford Health shared services grants last sum- insurance through Great Plains mer. The Vermillion School District Brokerage, Prescott said in a news 605-624-2068 • contact@claycountytitle.com learned this week that is among report last August. The number of the second-round grant recipients. participating city members varies “We were fortunate enough to be each month, but generally the city selected, and we were awarded covers about 100 employees with about $99,000,” Gault said. The around 135 participants on the Tuxedo Rentals classroom innovation grant pro- plan. “(Sanford Health) proposed vides funding for the implementa- a very large increase in the health our for all your tion of a pioneering STREAM lab insurance premium for calendar special occasions and curriculum at Jolley Elemen- 2017,” Prescott said back then. He 124 E. Main Street • Vermillion, SD 57069 • (605) 624-2645 tary in Vermillion. STREAM is an explained that the “City has expehealth acronym for Science, Technology, rienced some significant second insurance claims in the Reading/writing, Engineering, Art half of 2015 that continued into and Mathematics. 2016 and have the potential to Cops And Kids Event remain throughout 2017. This has led the incumbent health insurCelebrates The ance company to propose a very 1410 E. Cherry St., Vermillion Season high renewal rate. To accommodate www.clayunionelectric.coop Area law enforcement were walk- this increase in health insurance ing through the aisles of the Ver- premiums, city staff has recommillion Wal-Mart donning elf hats mended some changes to the Saturday morning The Fraternal budget to save funds to cover this Order of Police put on its annual expenditure.” Those changes came Cops and Kids event that gives to light Monday as Prescott disunder privileged children a chance cussed how the city council could to spend time with local cops and reverse course and undo some of the budget trimming that had been Since 1934 walk through the store to pick out planned. items of their choosing as holiday Superintendent gifts. “When we do it, we just open it up and say this is totally up to Search Steps you to spend the money however Approved SERVING Vermillion, Yankton, you want to. It’s a really fun event,” The 10 days since Vermillion said Clay County Deputy Sheriff Superintendent Mark Froke anSioux City & Everywhere Michael Smith, an event organizer. nounced Dec. 12 that he plans to In Between The children who participate in retire shortly after the end of this the event are mostly residents of school year have been a busy time kalinsindoor.com 605.624.5618 • 605.665.4348 • 712.252.2000 Vermillion, but some come from for the Vermillion School Board. In Union County and live in Elk Point, that time period, the board met Jefferson and the Dakota Val- with a number of consulting firms ley area. The ages of the children and decided to hire Ray and Astypically range from kindergarten sociates, Inc. of Cedar Rapids, through sixth or seventh grade. Iowa to help with the search for “We served about 40 children Dr. Froke’s replacement. Ray and 113 W Main • Vermillion from under privileged homes,” Associates, Inc. specializes in Smith said. “What we do is we educational executive leadership get a list from teachers and from searches. The company recruits other members of the community traditional and non-traditional public Award-Winning News Coverage for children that they believe would candidates forand higherschools, private schools educabe most deserving for a donation tion institutions and organizations. Since 1884! for this event.” Tuesday night, in a special public 201 W. Cherry • Vermillion Thousands Expected meeting, the board met with Dick Phone: 605-624-2694 At Annual Farm Show Christie and John Pedersen, two representative of the Iowa firm, to www.plaintalk.net Here establish a timeline and discuss Next week, expect to see a lot of methods for conducting the superintendent search. A portion of pick-up trucks in Vermillion as the 34th annual Dakota Farm Show the night’s discussion dealt with happens at the USD DakotaDome. determining an input process that More than 25,000 farmers are helps in developing a profile of the expected to come to Vermillion for qualities desired in the new superintendent that can be used in the the three-day event, which will upcoming interview process. bine the soybeans first and then go to the corn,” he said. Moisture has served to be unwelcome bookends marking both the beginning and the end of the growing season in the area. It was too wet at planting time, and too much moisture is again a problem at harvest. “The beans coming out are a lot wetter than what we’re used to dealing with. They get docked at 13 percent (moisture). That’s generally the level you kind of need soybeans to be in order to be able to store them without too much risk,” Myron said, “and the last handful of years, typically the beans having been coming out between 9 and 11 percent whereas this year, we’re getting a lot coming out at above 13 with some at 15 and 15-and-a-half (percent moisture). That’s creating some issues as well.” UNIVERSITY CLEANERS & Formal Wear 81 YEARS SERVING ITS MEMBERS 82 YEARS IN BUSINESS OVER 95 YEARS IN BUSINESS 106 YEARS IN BUSINESS 132 YEARS IN BUSINESS 136 YEARS IN BUSINESS 605-624-2673 bp BROADCASTER PRESS 201 W. Cherry • Vermillion • Phone: 605-624-4429 Broadcaster Press www.broadcasteronline.com 605-624-2655 5 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion • 605.624.4444