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Daily digest, your guide to the Mitchell area from job search assistance to a painting class to a concert in the park.

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News

Stretch of I-90 closed after semi pulled into ditch

Traffic was rerouted for more than two hours Monday morning off a three-mile stretch of Interstate 90 east of Mitchell because of a semi that veered into the ditch.

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Mitchell school board candidates to debate

Two daytime events planned; traditional Chamber forum dropped Candidates Rod Hall and Tara Volesky criticized the decision to drop the evening debate.

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2008 car crash goes to court

Artesian couple seeking damages from estate after Mitchell accident.

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Mitchell viewed as ‘Smart Community’

City praised for revamping its culture and infrastructure.

• Mayor Ken Tracy
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SD education reforms plans advance

State panel gets updates on teacher, principal evaluation.

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Gas prices on pace for all-time highs in ND, SD

An AAA report shows South Dakota's highest statewide average to be $4.09 per gallon, which was set July 18, 2008. The average price in the state Friday was $3.89.

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Mitchell area accounts for small part of reservation crime

57 charged with crimes on Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Yankton reservations in 2012.

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Davison commissioners to clarify relationship with SDSU Extension

Commissioner Gerald Weiss complained during last week’s commission meeting that secretarial help for Davison-Hanson 4-H Youth Adviser Alice Nickelson was still being utilized by the SDSU Regional Extension employees.v

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Mitchell’s gas prices skyrocket above $4.

Memorial Day holiday likely culprit causing hike.

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MHS Class of 2013 are high achievers

19 4.0 GPAs; two National Merit scholars.

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Prosecutors likely won’t seek death penalty against Davidson

Court documents say accused murderer shot fiance Crystal Schulz in head.

• Kent Davidson

Four teens injured in crash southeast of Platte

PLATTE — Four teenagers were injured in a one-vehicle rollover crash around 3 a.m. Wednesday southeast of Platte.

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State looks to hire video lottery consultant, price tag secret for now

Lottery staff gets green light to negotiate with Las Vegas firm.

• Lottery
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J-Mart only business to fail recent alcohol compliance check

The following business were checked and passed: Wild Oak County Club, Lakeview Golf Course, County Fair Food Store, Whiskey Creek, I-90 Truck Stop, Super 8 Motel, All-Star Sports Bar, Cubby’s East, Twin Dragon and Corona Village.

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Alpena native Al Neuharth honored at memorial service

Some critics said Neuharth — who titled his autobiography "Confessions of an S.O.B." — was a ruthless egomaniac, but close friend Jack Marsh knew Neuharth as a different man.

• Al Neuharth
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Three injured in two-vehicle crash near Wagner

WAGNER -- Three people suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday near Wagner.

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GLAD YOU ASKED: Property owner needs to remove dead trees

Q. Who is responsible for the dead, leaning trees about to fall anytime (on a car?) along North Ohlman south of 23rd Avenue (Cemetery Road). Is it the city of Mitchell?

• Dead trees
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Crow Creek chairman calls for Chamberlain boycott

Brandon Sazue calls school decision to deny honor song 'racist.'

• Brandon Sazue Sr.
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Agriculture

LENTSCH: The unsung heroes of agriculture

May fitting month to celebrate Mother’s Day

• Lucas Lentsch
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Thune takes action on farm bill

Senator finds mixed results with proposed amendments

• John Thune
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Planting half as far along as last year

Farmers remain optimistic, locals and experts say

• Planting season
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Cuts loom for farm aid, food stamps

Congress to work on issues this week

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Monsanto wins seed case as high court backs patent rights

The U.S. Supreme Court Monday bolstered Monsanto Co.’s ability to control the use of its genetically modified seeds, ruling that companies can block efforts to circumvent patents on self replicating technologies.

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Crop income up despite '12 drought

Despite a major drought, crop income increased in 2012, according to an annual report issued by the South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management at Mitchell Technical Institute.

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Life

White River student wins congressional art competition

Hill City, Winner students tie for second place.

• 'In With the Spring'
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PHOTO: Salvation Army dinner

From left, Salvation Army board chairman Carol Weiss, guest speaker Julie Brookbank and Salvation Army volunteer Tina Mecham visit prior to the annual Salvation Army volunteer dinner Monday night at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Salvation Army Director Maj. Linda Jones, shown taking a photograph in the background, said the evening included a social hour, presentation of awards to local individual volunteers and groups that support the Salvation Army. (Candy DenOuden/Republic)

• PHOTO: Salvation Army dinner

Salem educator wins state award

Mary Rae Skoglund named ag group’s Teacher of the Year.

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• Mary Rae Skoglund

PHOTO: War mom and CASA fundraiser

Staff Sgt. Lee Kayser, of the Army National Guard’s 147th Forward Support Company, chats with Blondie Wagner, mother of Staff Sgt. Greg Wagner who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

• PHOTO: War mom and CASA fundraiser

Indian village to participate in Blue Star museums program

The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village is one of more than 1,800 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense.

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Tickets to go on sale soon for Dakotafest Women’s Brunch

This year’s theme is “Love the Journey.” Lisa Brouwer of Sioux Falls will be this year’s speaker.

• Lisa Brouwer's website
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BOOKS: The real story of Rumpelstiltskin

“Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin” tells the story from Rump’s point of view. Instead of an imp, Rump is a likable 12-year-old boy.

• 'Rump'
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AMY KIRK: Grateful for divine intervention

Prayers often only extra help for ranchers during calving season.

• Amy Kirk
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BACK IN TIME: Westborn Court Apartments

This photo, taken circa 1920s, is the Westborn Court Apartments, located at 400 – 408 W. Fifth Ave. (corner of Fifth and Sanborn streets). These apartments are still in use today, known now as Krohmer Properties. (Photo courtesy of Bob Brown and the Mitchell Area Historical Society)

• BACK IN TIME: Westborn Court Apartments

Compost drop off hours change in Mitchell

The site will be open Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

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PHOTO: Nursing Home Week

Becky Rolfes poses for a novelty picture taken by Lisa Hermandson Friday afternoon during a celebration for National Nursing Home Week at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Avera Brady celebrated all week with different activities each day ranging from “Farmer Day” to “Style Show Day.” (Jordan Steffen/Republic)

• PHOTO: Nursing Home Week

Celebrate Beef Month with steak, noodle salad recipe

March is National Nutrition Month and America’s favorite protein, beef, is here to help you celebrate in a delicious and easy way.

• Pacific Rim Grilled Steak and Noodle Salad
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Apartment boom: 223 rental units under construction in Mitchell

After years with little rental housing development, study kick-starts projects

• Pheasant Ridge Apartments
• Featured Content Image--Puetz apartments at MTI
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• LIST: Rental housing projects in Mitchell
• South Point Village
• Antach Management Corp. project
• Whittier Lofts

Foothills Roundup Rodeo scheduled in Wessington Springs

WESSINGTON SPRINGS — Cowboys and cowgirls from across the Midwest will compete in 13 events during the 11th annual Wessington Springs Foothills Roundup South Dakota Rodeo Association Rodeo May 25-26.

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Opinion

OUR VIEW: Longhorn moral: Start planning now

This soap opera should be teaching city officials that they need to get busy planning, budgeting and funding programs that will spark downtown rebirth or renovation.

• OUR VIEW
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OPINION: Natural gas just part of US energy solution

Natural gas alone will not bend the carbon curve fast enough. Moreover, additional leaks from pipelines, gas wells, etc. would be problematic since methane is 25 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

• Robert McTaggart
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THOMAS: Tyranny no longer ‘lurking’

IRS scandal shows agency out of control.

• Cal Thomas
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WOSTER: Boaters' second happiest day comes with sale of boat

Summer boating fun won’t be the same without Virge.

• Terry Woster
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LETTER: Sidewalk wine an invitation to stay awhile

When it comes to the issue of drinking wine on sidewalks in front of two coffeehouses that currently hold wine licenses, it’s a matter of wanting to linger downtown and enjoy the scenery of this area.

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LETTER: Printing funeral photo was immoral

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LETTER: Thanks to postal workers for helping Food Pantry

On May 11, the postal workers spent part of their work day and time to pick up food that was put out by their generous patrons for the Food Pantry in Mitchell.

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LETTER: More than two options on Confederate flag issue

Veterans and South Dakotans who are choosing sides need one more simple, basic, necessary fact which, for some reason, was left out of every news report I could find: What kind of display of flags at the Hot Springs Veterans Affairs Medical Center was the Confederate flag a part of? Was it (A) An array of authentic, captured flags of the enemies of the United States of America (England, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Japan, Italy, etc.)? Or (B) an exhibition of the evolution of the U.S. flag (number of stars)?

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PARKER: Tea Party, media strange bedfellows in IRS, AP scandals

Not to overstate, but nothing less than free speech is at stake, about which no one should be confused.

• Kathleen Parker
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OUR VIEW: Sad news: Gambling potential rises in SD

While South Dakota does benefit — state government receives a portion of the proceeds — we worry that the benefit is coming at the expense of people who may be hooked.

• OUR VIEW
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Sports

Parkston girls holding three-stroke advantage at Class A tournament

MILBANK — Rain was pouring down on the Parkston girls’ golf team for a few holes at the Class A golf tournament Monday at Pine Hills Golf Course.

Kernels sitting in 9th after first day

YANKTON — Mitchell is in ninth place after the opening day of the Class AA girls’ state golf tournament at the Hillcrest Golf and Country Club.

Tuesday's sports schedule

A list of area sporting events