OUR VIEW: Week in review: the best, worst

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OUR VIEW

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CHEERS to the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Presho. This year’s party will be March 16 in the Lyman County town, and it will mark the 31st straight year the event has been held.

We love small-town celebrations, and any event that can survive for more than three decades in rural South Dakota definitely is bucking the odds.

CHEERS to efforts made recently by Gov. Dennis Daugaard and state agriculture officials, who have spent time working to increase the number of dairy cows in South Dakota.

A contingent recently attended the World Ag Expo in California, with the intent of growing this state’s dairy herd, which currently stands at about 92,000 cows.

By comparison, a single county in California may have as many as a half-million cows, and South Dakota officials are hoping to tap into that sizeable market.

We think it’s a good idea, and like the idea that South Dakota is actively recruiting this unique business to our state.

HISSES to the increase in fires in Mitchell last year.

A Daily Republic report last week noted that there were 82 fires in Mitchell in 2012, up 25 from 2011. The fires caused $1.52 million in property damage and also resulted in two deaths.

Fires aren’t a trend that necessarily can be helped, but it’s disappointing to hear that there is an increase in these tragic incidents. Let’s hope for better luck, and lower numbers, in 2013.

HISSES to what seems to be a spate of high-profile game violations lately in South Dakota.

Last week, we reported that a man has been indicted on seven counts of illegally taking bald eagles, golden eagles and migratory birds.

Also last week, we reported about the illegal killing of a whooping crane, which is a protected species.

These are needless, stupid crimes, and we hope the guilty parties are brought to justice.

CHEERS to playoff time in high school sports.

The gymnastics state tournament was held over the weekend in Rapid City, and now will be followed by state events for all winter sports.

Soon enough, the school year will be over, so we urge all athletes in the region to enjoy these times while they last.

Tags: opinion, updates, editorials