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KDLT News |
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mother's day |
By KDLT News |
 Samantha
Larson says, "The boys make meals, or they send cards with
the little coupons for chores they'll do."
For Samantha Larson and her family, this year’s Mother’s Day
is a little different. Instead of celebrating the day
together, her sons had to send their mom cards as she waits
for their new brother to come home.
Samantha Larson says, "When things started to go bad for my
pregnancy they sent me to Avera."
It's at the Ronald McDonald's house, where Samantha Larson
came to live, after being transported to Sioux Falls for
help with her baby.
Samantha Larson says, "I've had problems pretty much
throughout the whole pregnancy from day one, i found i had
problems, I'd been bleeding pretty much my whole pregnancy,
so i knew something was going to happen, I just didn't think
it was going to happen as soon as it did."
Samantha gave birth to "Anthony" sixteen weeks early in
January, weighing only one pound three ounces. He was given
a 50/50 chance to live.
Barb Auch says, "I've not dealt with situations like that
before." Barb Auch is the house manager of the Ronald
McDonald house.
For twenty dollars a night, up to nine families with ill
children can stay here as their child receives treatment.
Samantha Larson is from Appleton, Minnesota, and each trip
would have taken close to three hours.
Barb Auch says, "I think it's sad the family isn't able to
be together, but as you see the kids still are able to send
cards and be involved with the mother even though they're
not together."
And for this mother's day, Larson says the best gift she's
received is that there's a possibility little Anthony will
be home at the end of the month. |
|
Lottery winning |
By KDLT News |
 Well,
somebody got one very nice present this mother's day.
That's because a “someone” hit the jackpot in the Dakota
Cash lottery.
The winning ticket was sold in Sioux Falls last night.
It's worth more than 350 thousand dollars.
The winning numbers are 6 - 14 - 18 - 27 - and 31.
This is the second largest jackpot in the game's history. |
|
strut your mutt |
By KDLT News |
 Many
families found a great way to spend mother's day outside
today.
It was all part of the strut your mutt event.
The Sioux Falls Storm organized it along with second chance
rescue center.
Kids were spending some quality time with their mom at Lyon
Park in Sioux Falls and the family pet at the same time.
Moms want something to do with their kids. They don't want
to just sit at home around the TV. They want to get outside
and enjoy the beautiful weather. And no better place to do
it than here on Phillips Avenue.
The event will benefit the second chance rescue center.
Storm players and coaches took part in the event as well. |
|
pheasant study |
By KDLT News |
 A
study finds that the pheasant hunting season last year
pumped 219 million dollars into South Dakota's economy.
That's how much hunters spent on things like gas, motel
rooms, and food.
It comes out to a little more than 100 dollars for each
rooster pheasant that was shot.
The department of game, fish and parks came up with the
number based on previous surveys done by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
The top county in terms of hunting-related spending was
Brown County.
Hunters spent nearly $16 million dollars there. |
|
high school rugby |
By KDLT News |
 With
the sun shinning, it was perfect temps for high-schoolers
taking to the field with a win on their mind.
South Dakota's only high school rugby team put their
undefeated streak on the line against Omaha South Metro.
It was the final regular season game for the region's number
one ranked team.
According to coach gene nelson, the game offers a great
opportunity for those students looking for an alternative
sports team.
Gene Nelson, Sioux Falls Rugby Club coach says, “it really
brings the schools together quite honestly. Typically they
are always playing against each other in all the different
school sports; this is the one chance they have really to
play on the same team. I think it really brings a lot of
chemistry from the different schools all playing together.”
We are pleased to say that the Sioux Falls united won their
game today 26-0.
They will play in the championship tournament next Saturday
in Omaha. |
|
child abuse |
By KDLT News |
 A
Brookings woman was ordered to spend 10 years in prison for
abusing an infant in her care.
Jessica Hornby, 22 pleaded guilty to abuse of, or cruelty,
to a minor.
According to court documents, the 3-month-old boy suffered
brain damage and fractured wrists.
Medical bills so far total nearly 52 thousand dollars. |
|
RECeiVED NEW DEGREE |
By KDLT News |
 He
made headlines earlier this week by switching to the Obama
campaign, and on Saturday former Senator George McGovern is
showing his support for college graduates.
But the graduates aren't the only one's receiving honors.
The steps from these graduating college seniors are a walk
towards their next phase in life.
But before their diploma, the USD undergrads and graduate
students had a chance to see a distinguished South Dakotan
obtain another merit.
George McGovern says, "I think I've done more to earn these
honorary doctorates than I did for a so called earned
degree."
From his past in the United States senate, to the run for
the White House. It was here in the Dakota Dome where George
McGovern received new praise from the USD faculty.
McGovern is no stranger to a commencement ceremony; he
earned his first degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in
1946 that was followed by classes at northwestern university
in Chicago for his masters and PHD.
And it's his education, and his work in the political field
that Senator McGovern was honored with a doctorate of public
service.
George McGovern will forever be remembered as a tireless
advocate for the well fair of people throughout this world.
But Senator McGovern says his biggest honor is watching the
youth step into their first careers.
George McGovern says, "I envy them, that I'm not ready to
start a new life, at the age of 21, 22, but I've had a
tremendous ride."
Graduating political science Major Christopher Barondeau
says McGovern has always been an influence, and having the
chance to see his new honor was one that he'll cherish.
Christopher Barondeau says, "It's always nice to know, that
someone from South Dakota can be as successful as Senator
McGovern’s been, and be as influential within national
politics today."
And it's a success that McGovern hopes will propel more
youth into working for public service.
More than one thousand students received their degree from
USD on Saturday. |
|
MONEY MANAGEMENT |
By KDLT News |
 Saving
money isn't always easy, especially with the rising cost of
just about everything.
People interested in how to secure their financial future
were at the convention center today for a money management
seminar.
Retirement can come quick, especially if you're not
prepared.
That's why the AARP is hosting events like this one designed
to offer investing and money saving techniques for those who
will be hitting that milestone soon or who are already
there.
Sarah Jennings is the state director for the AARP. She says
it's never too early to start planning for the future.
Sarah Jennings says, “Today is a time for us to take a step
back and think about our financial situation and figure out
how we are going to meet our finances today but also as we
grow older.”
Reva Krahn is attending the seminar. She wants to take
advantage of the free classes as she plans for her
retirement.
Reva Krahn says, “It's very informational for a senior
citizen or older person. It's a great opportunity to find
out what programs are out there for people over 50.”
There are a number of seminars people can attend ranging
from fitness to financial security.
And Jennings says it's advice that may be hard to come by.
Sarah Jennings says, “We are offering information that's
hard to get elsewhere and as we all know saving for
retirement is a hard thing to do.”
Plus, she says with the rising cost of living, saving money
can be even more difficult.
Sarah Jennings says, “Gas prices are going up, your grocery
bill is going up so we have a session about how do you
manage for that and make sure you can meet your household
income.”
It's sessions like these that help folks feel more prepared
for their financial future.
The event featured more than thirty sessions and vendor
booths.
This is the third year that AARP has hosted the seminar and
more than two hundred people were expected to attend. |
|
FATAL ACCIDENT |
By KDLT News |
 Authorities
say a South Dakota woman was killed after she lost control
while driving a stolen vehicle.
The Nebraska state patrol says Te'airra Thomas was killed in
the crash.
She was from Lake Andes.
It happened Friday morning north of Spencer.
The state patrol says Thomas lost control of the SUV.
It went into a ditch and rolled several times.
Authorities had no immediate information on the stolen
vehicle. |
|
GAS PRICES |
By KDLT News |
 US
Senator Tim Johnson has co-sponsored a bill he says will
help reduce gas prices.
The measure would increase federal oversight of the oil and
gas industry.
It's an effort to prevent market speculation that Johnson
says is helping drive up fuel costs.
Johnson says oil companies have not put their record profits
into more exploration and production, but instead have
purchased stocks and returned record dividends to
stockholders. |
|
BIRTH MOMS |
By KDLT News |
 In
lieu of Mother's day this weekend, one group was celebrating
birth moms in Sioux Falls today.
When a child is adopted into a new family, the birth mom is
the biological mother.
The event first started back in 1990 by a group of Seattle
birth moms.
It is dedicated to bringing together birth mothers, adoptive
parents and their children.
Twenty-five children were adopted in Sioux Falls this year.
Adoption Coordinator, Erin Russell says, "I think it’s a
wonderful opportunity for the birth parents and adoptive
parents to get together this one day before Mother's day to
celebrate the option of adoption.”
The event is sponsored by the Lutheran Social Services,
Hughes Law Office and Bethany Christian Services. |
|
HELP TO REGISTER |
By KDLT News |
 Senator
Barack Obama's presidential campaign is working to help
people get registered to vote today.
The campaign is holding voter registration drives across the
US.
South Dakota volunteers are going door to door to register
voters.
The last day to register in time for South Dakota's primary
is May 19th.
Obama is campaigning in Bend, Oregon today.
Senator Barack Obama, “I think it's an encouraging sign that
our campaign is making progress. The super delegates are
moving in our direction. They know I will be a strong
candidate in the general election.”
Obama spoke to supporters in Bend, Oregon today.
He told the crowd he needs their votes in the state's May
20th primary. |
|
DME Railroad |
By KDLT News |
 A
battle is waging between supporters of the DM&E railroad and
groups that oppose the coal trains.
And land owners appear to be caught in the cross fire.
Today the South Dakota corn growers association is accusing
DM&E opponents of using deceptive tactics to stall the
railroad's expansion.
DM&E wants to rebuild six hundred miles of track to handle
high speed coal trains from Wyoming to the Mississippi
river.
In order to do that DM&E needs to buy up land or get
permission to use eminent domain to take the land from
people who do not want to sell.
The corn growers, who support the railroad, say opponents
are telling landowners to lie and mislead representatives
for the railroad who are trying to buy land
Quoting one e-mail, "We need to look like we might
cooperate."
But the railroad is fighting back, with the help of groups
like the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce, whose president
blasted the opposition.
David Owen says, "They don't want this to go through period.
They're not in this to try to get the DME to try and treat
them fair, the DME can prove that they have. So let’s just
understand how they're playing their strategy and put it to
the court of public opinion, or better yet, let’s let the
courts decide."
Some farmers, like Leonard Benson support the expansion,
seeing it as progress for the ag industry.
Leonard Benson says, “Basically what these people are trying
to say is I guess, they don't want the railroad, we better
stop building railroads and roads in the nation, because we
don’t want progress anymore.”
Much of the opposition to DM&E comes from Rochester,
Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic.
The rail line runs through the city of ninety-five thousand.
And the clinic says the coal trains will harm the hospitals
reputation and pose a threat should there be an accident.
In a written statement sent to kdlt news, the Rochester
Coalition accuses DM&E of trying to distract attention from
their own tactics to acquire land.
The coalition also says DM&E has an inability to treat
people respectfully or fairly. |
|
CITY BUS REPLACEMENT |
By KDLT News |
 The
city of Sioux Falls will be replacing more than a dozen city
busses this year.
And in order to do it, they will be spending more than two
and a half million dollars.
At a time when all of us are more than a little strapped for
cash.
Sioux Falls Transit will be replacing half of its fleet
thanks to some help from the Feds.
The city of Sioux Falls will receive more than two and a
half million dollars in order to buy new busses thanks to a
grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The city has received this grant before, but it's not
usually so large.
Debra Gaikowski of the Sioux Falls Planning Department says,
“It really runs a gamut from smaller items to big ticket
items like busses.”
The FTA gave nearly three point eight million dollars to
South Dakota.
State officials then decide who gets what.
Debra Gaikowski says, “One transit agency may need to
purchase more vehicles so they may get more money in one
year then they did in another year. It kind of depends on
who needs it when.”
This year, its Sioux Falls turn, and the city will replace
13 of its 28 busses.
The service life of a city bus is around 12 years. After
that point, the busses can only be fixed up so many times
before it's time to buy a new one.
Debra Gaikowski says, “It's more maintenance and things like
that. So, it gets more expensive to run those busses. So it
is a good idea to start replacing them.”
All the busses will be replaced sometime this year.
Next year city officials hope to replace four more busses.
If that happens, that will give the city 17 new busses. |
|
Catholic School |
By KDLT News |
 Friday
was the last day of class for Sioux Falls Catholic schools.
It's a week earlier than Sioux Falls public schools even
though the two have almost the same number of days in their
school years.
Amanda Sheehan, an O’Gorman Senior says, "I definitely
checked out like a month ago."
This week marked preps for graduation and even though Mother
Nature’s been a bit behind.
Amanda says, "It really doesn't feel like summer yet."
Summer vacation for the Knights is not late.
Thomas Bell, O’Gorman Junior says, "Its kinda fun bragging
to all my friends who go to public school and out of town
schools because the still have like two weeks."
Amanda says, "It's just kind of hitting me. My teachers are
like have a nice life and I'm like oh."
The reason all Sioux Falls Catholic school students get a
longer summer is construction.
Principal Kyle Groos says, "All the sudden you're sitting in
a classroom and the ground begins to vibrate because they're
outside packing the soil and getting their compaction rigs
set before pouring concrete."
Principal Kyle Groos says this year they started school
eight days earlier than usual instead of the standard august
22nd or 23rd.
Groos says, "We did not cheat ourselves. The school days we
have this academic school year is the same as last, it'll be
the same as this upcoming year."
The plan is by Fall O'gorman should have two new wings,
complete with 27 new classrooms, a library/media center and
study hall. By the end of the '08, '09 school year, the
third wing with another 17 classrooms and administrative
offices should be complete.
The construction is affecting more than just O'gorman.
Groos says, "For our families to keep their schedule the
same and it impacts K-12."
So while crews will have roughly four months to work without
students.
Some students say they'll be busy too.
Summer homework. |
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