Assorted local and area briefs

A collection of local and area briefs from Saturday's edition, including:

White Lake I-90 bridge to be closed next week

The bridge over Interstate 90 at the White Lake interchange will close from Monday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The bridge is closing so construction workers can pour the second phase of the bridge deck. Traffic must use an alternate route to cross over I-90.

Sioux Falls Construction is the main contractor for the project.

Square dance club to dance Monday

The Palace Promenaders Square Dance Club will dance at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, at the James Valley Community Center, Mitchell.

Parkinson’s meeting set at local hospital

A speaker from the nationally recognized Struthers Parkinson’s Center will provide an update on Parkinson’s disease symptoms, treatment and strategies for coping with common challenges at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13, in Conference Room No. 2 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, Mitchell.

Those attending are asked to use the front lobby entrance of the hospital. This is a kickoff meeting with the possibility of having a regularly scheduled support group meeting in Mitchell. Refreshments will be served.

The event is sponsored by Parkinson Association of South Dakota and Struthers Parkinson’s Center. For more information, call Eileen at 996-7914.

Benefits experts to be in Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET — Benefits specialists from the Department of Social Services’ Division of Economic Assistance will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Woonsocket itinerant office.

For more information, call Emily Currey at 773-3165.

Benefits experts to be in Plankinton

PLANKINTON — Benefits specialists from the Department of Social Services’ Division of Economic Assistance will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Plankinton itinerant office.

For more information, call Emily Currey at 773-3165.

Deadline nears for Young Artists’ Show

TYNDALL — Young artists ages 6 through high school are eligible to participate in the 11th annual Young Artists’ Show Oct. 1-29 at the Art and Antique Gallery in Tyndall.

The theme this year is “Flower Inspirations.” Entries of any medium can be used to depict any type of flower, parts of a flower or a picture related to a flower. Creativity will be judged in three age categories. There will also be a “People’s Choice” award.

Entry forms were sent to school art teachers. Forms also are available at the Art and Antique Gallery. The show is free to enter. There is one entry per student. Entries should be on a hanger or be framed.

For more information, send an e-mail to this address: dakotaprairie@hcinet.net, or call the Art and Antique Gallery at (605) 589-4050.

The deadline to enter artwork is Wednesday, Sept. 29.

Job search class planned in Mitchell

The state Department of Labor will hold a Job Search Assistance Program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, at Cornerstone Career Center, 1321 N. Main St., Mitchell.

The program is designed to assist and train job seekers on how to find and secure employment.

For more information or to register, call 995-8060.

‘Get Fit While You Sit’ planned soon

The Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center and Wellness Center are sponsoring a 30-minute “Get Fit While You Sit” class for the general public, cancer patients and their families.

The group will meet for eight weeks at 10 a.m. every Tuesday morning starting Sept. 21 through Nov. 9 in the lobby of the Caner Center.

Cindy Riddle will lead the classes with assistance from other Wellness Center instructors. The class is free

For more information, contact Charlene Berke of the Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center at 995-5756 or Riddle of the Wellness Center at 995-2445.

Poetry for All People set at local museum

Dakota Discovery Museum will host the regional Poetry for All People reading event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Three area poets will be featured: Dorianne Munce of Crooks, Gale Patzlaff of Alexandria and Tom Roberts of Sioux Falls.

There will be open microphone time for audience members.

For more information, call the museum at 996-2122.

Pet Blessing set at church next week

The annual Pet Blessing will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19, at New Home Lutheran Church, Mitchell.

Poll: Noem behind Herseth Sandlin

After leading since June, Republican challenger Kristi Noem has fallen behind incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in polling by Rasmussen Reports.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely South Dakota voters, the results of which were released Friday, shows Herseth Sandlin with 47 percent support to Noem’s 45 percent. Four percent like some other candidate in the race, and 3 percent are undecided.

A month ago, a Rasmussen Reports survey showed Noem with a 51 percent to 42 percent advantage over Herseth Sandlin, who has been a member of Congress since 2004.

Then, earlier this week, a poll released by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee showed Herseth Sandlin with a 50-41 lead over Noem, and a 50-39 lead when the independent candidate, B. Thomas Marking, was included.

Work to start on area highway soon

COLOME — Construction will start Monday on Highway 183 from Colome to the Nebraska border, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Work involves milling the old asphalt on the highway and placing a new, 2-inch thick asphalt surface.

The highway will remain open and drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

Flaggers and a pilot car will guide motorists through the work zone.

Duininck Brothers in Prinsburg, Minn., is the main contractor.

Area hospital to receive state grant

CHAMBERLAIN — One area facility will receive a grant from the South Dakota Healthcare Workforce Partnership Fund.

Sanford Mid-Dakota Hospital, Chamberlain, will receive a $10,000 grant to identify potential registered nursing program students and assist students with daycare, transportation, mentoring, tutoring and coaching.

The fund was established in conjunction with the South Dakota Community Foundation to support innovative health-care workforce projects in the state.

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