Articles

OUR VIEW: GF&P numbers don’t add up to anything sinister

We had suspected that the drought would play a role in the state’s hunting season, and it apparently did.

• OUR VIEW

OPINION: Johnson will leave office as one of state’s big winners

He never lost an election at all during his political career, despite serving one of the nation’s most conservative states — a feat that surely required a healthy dose of support every election cycle from South Dakota Republicans.

OUR VIEW: Sioux Falls sets blueprint for downtown revitalization

During the next 12 to 18 months, city officials, downtown representatives and the general public will be asked to weigh in on the future of Sioux Falls’ downtown business district.

• OUR VIEW

OUR VIEW: Tree disputes show residents love their city

Here at The Daily Republic, few subjects raise the ire of readers as much as the removal of trees.

• OUR VIEW

OUR VIEW: Have patience with fundraising efforts

It seems many people are working the streets of Mitchell lately, fundraising for various facilities and activities, or considering options to raise public money for high-dollar projects.

• OUR VIEW

OPINION: Thank you, Sen. Johnson

While there still will be almost two years before Johnson leaves his Senate post, today it’s appropriate to thank him for his generosity of time, knowledge, commitment and grace to a state that benefited from his work.

OUR VIEW: SD DOC needs to move social media investigations out of ‘infancy’

If anybody with a computer and a Facebook account could learn so much about Davidson in so little time, there’s no reason the DOC shouldn’t be doing the same.

• OUR VIEW

OPINION: Bipartisan effort by Congress misguided

Just because Republicans and Democrats agree on a particular policy doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good one.

OUR VIEW: Week in review: the best, worst

A look back at the week that was, from "Adopt a Farmer" to SDSU basketball to poverty.

• OUR VIEW

OUR VIEW: Time for Obama to approve Keystone XL pipeline

The world will burn that tar-sand oil no matter how it is shipped to markets. It just as well pass through a pipe.

• OUR VIEW

Columns

Editorial: Week in review

CHEERS to the recent inductees into the South Dakota Basketball Hall of Fame. A handful of former players from the Mitchell area were among the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011, including Alan Miller of Mitchell (formerly of Stickney), longtime Dakota Wesleyan coach Gordon Fosness, Terry Slattery of Salem St. Mary’s and Jerry Wingen of Canova. All were honored at an event last month in Madison.

Editorial: Abortion law runs counter to state’s message of frugality

The tough new abortion law passed by the South Dakota Legislature and recently signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard has ignited debate across the country. The 72-hour wait for an abortion in South Dakota, along with mandatory counseling at a state-approved anti-abortion center, make this law one of the strictest in the nation.

Editorial: Without law, decrease in texting while driving may never happen

We were sorely disappointed earlier this year when the South Dakota Legislature considered, but failed to pass, a ban on texting while driving.
We said then it was a bad decision to reject the bill, and it looks even worse now.
Wednesday, Justin Iburg, 21, of Fulton, was convicted of reckless driving for his role in the September death of Jon Christensen, 44, of Mitchell.

Editorial: New co-ops long time coming, but necessary

More high schools in the region are considering forming cooperative agreements for athletics, some of which may have seemed entirely unlikely a generation — or even a decade — ago.
Lately, there have been many talks between schools in the region.

Editorial: Surprised by recent labor stats

We were surprised to read that Mitchell’s February unemployment rate rose to 5.2 percent, the highest mark since March 2010.
And we agree with Bryan Hisel, head of the Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce and Mitchell Area Development Corporation, who said that 5.2 percent seems high. After all, anecdotal evidence seems to point toward economic recovery in Mitchell.

Editorial: Week in review

HISSES to the news that Mitchell’s unemployment rate rose in February for the third straight month, to 5.2 percent. The state Department of Labor said employment fluctuations can be a normal part of recovery from a recession. We hope that’s the case, and that Mitchell’s rising unemployment is not a sign of negative forces at work in the economy.

Editorial: After current crisis passes, seek permanent flood fixes

With a record snowfall of 74 inches and counting, spring flooding in Watertown and the surrounding area seems inevitable. Flood watches have been issued for parts of the James River and Big Sioux River and Gov. Dennis Daugaard has already requested an emergency flood declaration from the federal government.

Editorial: Call center right to admit its mistake, take action

An already sad story from Menno has taken a sadder twist after a 911 call center worker admitted that his mistake cost emergency responders about a half-hour of wasted time when responding to a fire earlier this week.

Editorial: Rail line funding is great news for region

Funding for a multimillion-dollar rail line west of Mitchell apparently is safe, and that’s great news for the region.
It was announced recently that a $16 million grant from the federal government has been authorized for the project, which is expected to see a reconstruction of the line between Mitchell and Chamberlain. Separate from the track rehabilitation plan but dependent upon that project, a group of South Dakotans has announced that it wants to build a new $25 million shuttle grain facility in the Kimball area.

Editorial: Override of roads veto was right thing to do

Gov. Dennis Daugaard proved a point earlier this month when he vetoed a bill that would raise money to repair rural roads in South Dakota.
A few hours later, the state Legislature also proved a point, showing that the new governor’s hard-line stance against new taxes still is at the mercy of lawmakers who have their ear to the ground in their home districts.