FCCNETWORK

Woonsocket, S.D., man honored for saving woman from burning vehicle

It ended like most workdays for Dale Trautmann. Getting off work from Twin City Fan at 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 28, he started the 35-mile journey along state Highway 37 back to his house in Woonsocket. The routine was broken just eight miles north of Mitchell, when he saw what he believed to be emergency flashing lights in a field ahead of him. As he drove closer, he realized a car had gone off the road and was on fire.

By Chris Huber , April 21, 2011

Attorney General Jackley warns of grandparent scam targeting the state

PIERRE, S.D – Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning South Dakota seniors to be cautious if they receive telephone calls from someone who claims to be their grandchild and requests money for a critical situation. In this reoccurring scam, a fraudster calls an elderly individual and poses as a grandchild. The person calling uses a plea for help and a sense of urgency when asking for a wire transfer in amounts up to $6,500.

April 14, 2011

S.D. sheriff arrested, processed in neighboring county after being charged with embezzling public property

ARMOUR — Douglas County Sheriff Troy Strid was arrested and processed in the jail in a neighboring county Tuesday night.
Strid, 43, was fingerprinted and photographed in the Charles Mix County Jail in Lake Andes. The entire process took about 10 minutes, according to a jail employee.
Douglas County does not have an active jail facility in its courthouse, and it contracts with neighboring counties to process and hold people charged with crimes.

By Tom Lawrence , April 14, 2011

Extension service reorganizing to offset cuts

BROOKINGS — The Cooperative Extension Service is reorganizing into seven regional centers across South Dakota to offset the loss of $1.2 million in state and federal funding, officials said Tuesday.
The shift will eliminate the current job classification of county extension educator this fall after summer 4-H activities and the State Fair are held, but new parttime 4-H advisors will be hired in many counties.

By Staff reports , April 13, 2011

DCI: Man in burning pickup shot himself

MENNO — The Nebraska man whose body was found in a burning pickup near this Hutchinson County town last month died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

By Tom Lawrence , April 12, 2011

S.D. Rep. Noem seeks to ease path for federal impact dollars to schools

Rep. Kristi Noem has introduced a bill she said would “streamline and modernize” federal assistance to South Dakota school districts that have non-tax-producing land, including military bases, Indian lands and federal property.
“South Dakota has a lot of federally impacted land, with Ellsworth Air Force Base, nine Indian reservations and other federal lands,” said Noem, R-S.D. “This means fewer local property tax dollars for school districts.”

By Tom Lawrence , April 08, 2011

Mitchell man arrested after allegedly wielding machete

A Mitchell man was arrested recently after allegedly threatening a man with a machete.
James Wilkerson, 52, was found hiding behind his vehicle near his home after allegedly threatening an unidentified adult male on April 1.

April 05, 2011

'Jewish Cowboy' author remains very fond of Mitchell

It may seem an unlikely love story, but Mark Winheld remains deeply attached to Mitchell.
Winheld, who now lives in Endwell, N.Y., was back in Mitchell in March to see old friends and sign copies of his latest book, “Open the Sky.” He first came here in 1969, when he landed a job as city editor at The Daily Republic, a post he held through 1973.

By Tom Lawrence , April 04, 2011

Council will take swing at softball beer rules

The Mitchell City Council will focus on two things that go together every summer: beer and softball.
The council will consider an amendment to a city ordinance to prohibit drinking alcohol in the Cadwell Sports Complex parking lot and to limit the consumption of alcohol by the diamonds to adult league play and tournaments between 7 a.m. and midnight.

By Tom Lawrence , April 04, 2011

South Dakota's Rep. Noem does not name cuts when questioned

When asked three times Thursday by The Daily Republic to say what spending she wants to eliminate from the federal budget, Rep. Kristi Noem punted twice before citing a set of proposed environmental regulations she wants to forestall.
Later in the day, her spokesman said she supports numerous cuts, including reductions or eliminations in funding for high-speed rail projects, cap-and-trade technical assistance, and subsidies for the Washington Metro rapid transit system.

By Seth Tupper , April 01, 2011

Officials seek relatives of victim in vehicle fire

MENNO — Authorities know if the body discovered in a burning pickup near Menno Sunday night was a man or a woman, but they are not releasing that information, according to a spokeswoman for the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

March 25, 2011

Body burns half-hour longer due to 911 error

MENNO — A pickup with a body inside burned for an extra half-hour Sunday night because a 911 operator accidentally entered the wrong address, which led to the wrong fire department being dispatched.
Todd Baldwin, director of communications for Lincoln and Turner counties, said Tuesday the incident was due to human error.

By Ross Dolan , March 23, 2011

For first time since 1942, South Dakota-made beer in distribution

Residents curious about South Dakota’s only commercial brewery need only go as far as a local store for a taste. Since the beginning of the year, two varieties of beer from Crow Peak Brewing Co. have been available in Mitchell. Jeff Drumm, brewmaster and part owner of the Spearfish brewery, said he’s happy the beer is available across the state and he aims to keep expanding. “We’re just excited to be all over South Dakota,” Drumm said. “We hope more and more people try our beers, and we look forward to putting out some more.” Cans of Pile-o-Dirt Porter and 11th Hour IPA are available in Mitchell. Drumm said kegs are also available across the state. But don’t look for bottles of the beer. Drumm said the brewery uses cans only, because they are easily recyclable and keep light and oxygen out to maintain the beer’s flavor.

By Austin Kaus , March 22, 2011

Mitchell woman survives brain aneurysm with renewed faith, positive attitude

Whispering “I love you grandma,” 5-year-old Haneh Gearey-Goetsch runs up to give Rhonda Goetsch a big hug. Those four little words are ones Goetsch may not have been able to hear a year ago. Goetsch, 56, of Mitchell, suffered a brain aneurysm April 30. Her coworkers at CHR Solutions found her lying on the bathroom floor.

By Jennifer Jungwirth , March 21, 2011

Flood fears ease as water rushes south

As the water level lowers, Jim Montgomery’s mood rises.
Warm weather this week has melted almost all the snow in the Mitchell area, sending water gushing through creeks, ditches and rivers. Flooding alerts have been issued and local officials and residents are keeping a watchful eye on the rising water.
Montgomery, Davison County’s emergency management director, checked several bridges and culverts Thursday and noticed the water had receded since Wednesday afternoon and evening.

By Tom Lawrence , March 18, 2011