LOCAL

DWU, MTI enrollments inch upward

Mitchell’s two post-secondary schools — Dakota Wesleyan University and Mitchell Technical Institute — are both open for business, each with small increases in student enrollment.

By Staff reports , September 02, 2010

Mitchell Police Log for 9/1/10

Mitchell Police Department
CAD Press Log 9/2/2010
From: 9/1/2010 to 9/1/2010

September 02, 2010

City slightly over budget as mosquito counts fall

Mitchell’s Parks and Recreation Department is barely over its budget for mosquito control this year.
That’s not too bad, since the city was bombarded with the winged bloodsuckers this spring and summer, according to Dusty Rodiek, director of the department.
“We’re slightly over our mosquito budget,” Rodiek said. “I still have to figure in some staffing.”

By Tom Lawrence , September 02, 2010

Local jury awards $500,000 in nursing home suit

Two sons of a woman who died a month after receiving injuries while a resident of Firesteel Healthcare Center in 2006 were awarded $500,000 by a local jury Wednesday.
Layne L. Bumgardner, Clifton Park, N.Y., and David W. Bumgardner, Mitchell, were awarded $400,000 for their claim of wrongful death and $100,000 for their survivor claim against Gates Health Services Inc. The lawsuit stemmed from events surrounding the death of the brothers’ mother, Helen L. Bumgardner.

By Austin Kaus , September 02, 2010

Submit harvest photos for possible publication in The Daily Republic

Do you have a photo of a bountiful harvest from your personal garden? Send us a photo of your interesting, large or bountiful produce, whether it’s from this year or years past.

By Staff reports , September 01, 2010

Mitchell Police Log for 8/31/10

Mitchell Police Department CAD Press Log 9/1/2010 From: 8/31/2010 to 8/31/2010

September 01, 2010

Storms uproot trees, damage buildings in area

A Letcher farmer lost five grain bins and Letcher residents lost power Monday night when strong storms blew through the area, bringing along heavy rain and high winds.
That damage occurred on Jim Edwards’ farm southwest of Letcher, said Ernie Anderson, Sanborn County chief deputy and emergency management director.
“The big grain bins were rolled up like a pop can,” he said.

By Melanie Brandert , September 01, 2010

Local man works as unpaid National Weather Service observer

Neither rain nor hail nor sleet keeps Gary Lambert from his appointed rounds. In fact, rain, hail and other forms of weather are what Lambert’s rounds are all about. The Mitchell man is a National Weather Service coop observer. In the mid-1990s, Lambert worked for the NWS. He found himself growing interested in the process. “I kind of got an idea how weather works,” Lambert said during an interview in his southwest Mitchell home. “It was pretty fascinating.” He has been a co-op observer for 11 years. Lambert measures rain and snow and tracks the day’s high and low temperatures. He does this from his home, with gear provided by the NWS along with a piece or two he’s added himself. Lambert doesn’t get paid for his efforts. “I enjoy doing it,” he said.

By Tom Lawrence , September 01, 2010

Gripe over fees on too-heavy vehicles presented

Local businessman Norm Schoenfelder, owner of Schoenfelder Construction, complained Tuesday to the Davison County commissioners at the courthouse that the price charged for county overweight permits is excessive when compared with rates charged by the state and neighboring counties.
Schoenfelder said Aurora County charges $20 annually for overweight and over-width permits; Hanson County, $50; and the state of South Dakota charges $25 per permit for each trip, plus 22 cents a mile.

By Ross Dolan , September 01, 2010

Stretch of bike path to be done during fall

Mitchell’s bike path will grow a bit this fall.
Phase one of a five-step process to connect bike paths in the city while offering new, more scenic paths will be completed, according to Terry Johnson, deputy director of the Public Works Department.
Recently, the City Council awarded a $409,619.49 bid to Commercial Asphalt, of Mitchell, to install an 8-footwide section of the path in northwest Mitchell near the Lakeview Golf Course.

By Tom Lawrence , August 31, 2010

Salgado pleads guilty, receives life sentence

A Mexican man will spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting Monday to participating in the murder of a 16-year-old Mitchell girl.
Alexander Salgado, 21, pleaded guilty to seconddegree murder at the Davison County Public Safety Center as part of a plea agreement with the state. First-degree murder, felony murder and firstdegree arson charges were dropped.

By Austin Kaus , August 31, 2010

Smoking ban debate centers on health vs. rights

Both sides of the proposed ban on smoking in South Dakota bars and restaurants were heard Saturday at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. Jennifer Stalley, campaign manager for the It’s Time — A Smoke-Free South Dakota ballot committee, and Don Rose, who owns bars in Sioux Falls and Tea and represents Citizens for Individual Rights, sparred on smoking and the financial and legal impact of a ban.

By Tom Lawrence , August 30, 2010

Secretary of state candidates clash over endorsement

Democrat Secretary of State candidate Ben Nesselhuf, of Vermillion, fended off verbal jabs from candidate Jason Gant, R-Sioux Falls, at Saturday’s Corn Palace debates in Mitchell. The pair filled in for the gubernatorial debate, which was deleted from the program when Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard dropped out due to the death of a close friend.

By Ross Dolan , August 28, 2010

Mitchell's unemployment rate drops to lowest level since 2008

New data released today by the state Department of Labor shows that Mitchell's unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in July.

By Staff reports , August 27, 2010

Mitchell Police Log for 8/26/10

Mitchell Police Department
CAD Press Log 8/27/2010
From: 8/26/2010 to 8/27/2010

August 27, 2010