Editorial: Week in Review

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CHEERS to Don Everson, a detective with the Mitchell Police Division who has been named to the Crime Stoppers USA board. Everson was notified last week that he has been selected to the panel and will represent Region 12, a geographic area that includes the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming. Crime Stoppers, a national organization that has an affiliate in Mitchell, works to solve crimes through anonymous tips. tips lead to an arrest or resolution of a crime are paid but do not need to identify themselves. Everson is a dedicated, longtime member of the Mitchell board and his election to the national board will be good for Mitchell as he learns how other communities conduct their own Crime Stopper business. And by the way, anyone who has information about a crime in Mitchell can leave a tip by calling 996-1700. Your anonymous call may result in a cash payout.

HISSES to the condition of Minnesota Street in Mitchell. The street has become a talking point in the city, thanks to delays in renovation, a rough winter that created numerous potholes on its surface and now the patches that have resulted from construction that began this summer. The good news is that the city of Mitchell is working to fix the street and the process is nearing the halfway point. The 20-block project will bring great improvements to the street, one of the city’s main traffic arteries.

HISSES to the beetles that continue to ravage America’s western forests. Last week, the U.S. Forest Service announced plans to cut some 14,000 acres of trees as it deals with the epidemic, which is killing trees in South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and other places. The federal government is putting $40 million toward the battle, with some of that money coming to western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Not only are these beetles killing our scenic forests, but they are contributing fuel to future wildfires, which no doubt will eventually result in much property loss.

CHEERS to news that Gregory will be part of the Capital for a Day tour. On Oct. 6, Gov. Mike Rounds and members of his staff will set up shop in the Gregory Auditorium, although a complete agenda has not yet been released. Rounds said the event “will give those who are unable to travel to Pierre on a regular basis an opportunity to discuss their issues with the different agencies.”

CHEERS to those who spent part of the weekend remembering the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against America. Whether it was a local luncheon that honored firefighters, an uptown dance, flags placed in memory or another type of event, we appreciate all efforts to remember that terrible, terrible day. We hope and pray that nothing like that will ever happen again in America, although we’re not optimistic it won’t.

HISSES to South Dakotans for not eating their vegetables. A study released last week showed that most Americans don’t eat vegetables enough and that fruit consumption is dropping. And what state was at the bottom of the national survey for vegetable consumption? South Dakota. Our moms are not impressed.

Tags: week in review, opinion, editorial