KDLT News Syndication http://www.kdlt.com Tue, 21 May 2013 08:01:10 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.kdlt.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.kdlt.com KDLT News Syndication http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26870&Itemid=57 Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood. Officials say at least 51 people were killed in Monday's twister, including at least 20 children. Those numbers were expected to climb. The center of the devastation is in Moore, a community of 41,000 people 10 miles south of Oklahoma City. More than 120 people were being treated at hospitals, including about 50 children. Amy Elliott, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office, said Tuesday that there could be as many as 40 more fatalities from Monday's tornado. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:55:37 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26869&Itemid=57 President Barack Obama will be meeting with his disaster response team, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, on Tuesday before delivering a statement on the devastating tornado that tore through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday. Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts. The president also spoke Monday with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin and Rep. Tom Cole, whose home is in the heavily damaged town of Moore. The White House says Obama told Cole that the American people stand behind Oklahomans as they recover from the disaster. Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate is heading to Oklahoma on Tuesday to ensure that federal resources are being properly deployed. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:52:03 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26868&Itemid=57 A miserable start to spring planting for Minnesota farmers has greatly improved with a stretch of better weather. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says farmers have planted more than half of the 9 million acres of corn expected in Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension corn specialist Jeff Coulter says warm weather followed by rain during planting last week will be good for germination. Only a few weeks ago farmers were worried about the delayed spring combined with a fall drought. But conditions lately are much more favorable. Only 11 percent of the state's topsoil is too dry. Experts are predicting a record year for Minnesota's $9 billion corn crop. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:43:41 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26867&Itemid=57 Fire has destroyed a longtime service station in Aberdeen. The blaze at Eddie's Northside Sinclair began about 10:30 a.m. Monday. The flames spread quickly but the three workers inside got out safely. Mechanic Matthew Tutor says the fire started when an air jack lost pressure and a truck's fuel tank fell, hitting a shop light and igniting flames. The fire consumed the business but did not spread to the fuel pumps outside. Eddie Weber opened the station in 1969. The business is now owned by his son, Randy Weber. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:41:40 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26866&Itemid=57 After the legislative session comes the politicking. Just a few hours after the four-month session wrapped up, Minnesota's top elected Democrats are scheduled to do a post-mortem on what lawmakers accomplished. Tuesday's briefing by Gov. Mark Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk and House Speaker Paul Thissen is likely to tout changes in the tax system that will send more money to schools and spread some property tax relief. They'll also highlight Minnesota's historic vote legalizing gay marriage. Republican leaders are setting out on a flyaround. They have criticized tax hikes projected to bring in more than $2 billion in new revenue as anti-competitive. They also complained of DFL moves to grant unionizing authority to some in-home day-care workers and personal care attendants to the elderly and disabled. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:40:19 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26865&Itemid=57 South Dakota schools can now begin applying for two new kinds of grants approved by this year's Legislature. The Legislature set aside $500,000 for grants that are intended to help teachers use technology in innovative ways. Public school districts, teachers and Education Service Agencies can submit applications until July 8. Lawmakers also provided $500,000 for grants that will help public school districts upgrade their technology infrastructure. Applications will be accepted until June 15. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:39:16 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26864&Itemid=57 Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is teaching lifesaving skills this week as part of National EMS Week. Crews will be at Empire Mall from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day to teach CPR and show residents how to use an Automated External Defibrillator. They'll also show people how to understand and download the free PulsePoint smart phone app, which notifies users when an emergency happens in a public place. National EMS Week runs through May 25. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:37:11 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26863&Itemid=57 Scientists have selected the Sanford Lab in Lead as the site for an experiment that seeks to simulate nuclear reactions that take place within stars. The Dual Ion Accelerator for Nuclear Astrophysics, or DIANA, will help scientists better understand how nuclear reactions produce the natural elements observed in the universe. The experiment is estimated to cost $30 million to $50 million and could run for 20 years. DIANA spokesman Michael Weischer says the Sanford Underground Lab was selected based on its cost efficiency and local support. Sanford Lab Director Mike Headley says the DIANA experiment is a key component to the lab's long-term plans. KDLT News - KDLT News Tue, 21 May 2013 07:35:41 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26862&Itemid=58 Roosevelt edged Washington 3-2 at Ronken Field in a wildcard game. The Riders will face Mitchell Saturday in the semi's and it's O'Gorman and Brandon Valley in the other game. The championship game is Saturday at 7:00 at the Bird Cage. KDLT News - KDLT Sports Mon, 20 May 2013 22:55:57 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26861&Itemid=58 ATLANTA, Ga. -- Former South Dakota State pitcher Caleb Thielbar was called up by the Minnesota Twins on Monday and made his major league debut, striking out three Atlanta Braves in two shutout innings out of the bullpen. In making his debut, Thielbar became the first former Jackrabbit player to appear in a major league game. Thielbar entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and allowed one hit before retiring the next three batters. He retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth. In four seasons (2006-09) at SDSU, Thielbar posted a 20-19 career record while setting the Jackrabbit career records with 274 innings pitched and 44 starts — both of which have been surpassed in 2013 by Stephen Bougher (http://www.gojacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=204844237 DB_OEM_ID=15000). He also ranks second in career strikeouts with 196 and shares the team single-season record with 100 strikeouts, which he set during his senior campaign. A native of Randolph, Minn., Thielbar was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent two seasons in the Brewers organization before signing with the Twins late in the 2011 campaign after a brief stint with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association. A left-hander, Thielbar earned a spot on Minnesota's 40-man roster following a strong 2012 season in the minor leagues. He began the season at Class A Fort Myers of the Florida State League before making... KDLT News - KDLT Sports Mon, 20 May 2013 22:50:24 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26860&Itemid=57 The construction in Downtown Sioux Falls has been not only an eyesore, but a big inconvenience to both drivers and businesses.On Monday, it got even worse as traffic became limited to one lane in some spots, an inconvenience downtown area businesses are dealing with as best they can.The sound of construction is not exactly the kind of noise you want to hear when you're taking a stroll in Downtown Sioux Falls.But it's a noise many people and downtown business owners have had to put up with in the last month, as orange cones and construction crews take over the area.“When they are just out there doing some light work, it's not bad to sit out there, but if they are cutting the concrete or digging up the concrete it creates a lot of dust so obviously you don't want to eat in a dust storm,” said Jayme Mothershead, owner of Mama's Ladas.Known for their homemade enchiladas, Mama's Ladas is a popular restaurant on 11th Street in downtown, in the heart of the construction zone. Because of the mess outside, the owners said they've been seeing fewer customers walking through their doors.“They will drive by and assume A.) We're busy or B.) We're closed or they just keep on going to the next place, said Mothershead.Mama's Ladas isn't the only restaurant affected.<9:18-27 I have seen a little bit of a decrease just because people obviously don't want to go into construction! said Anna Latza, a sales associate at... KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 22:23:02 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26859&Itemid=57 Two businesses in Sioux Falls have failed an alcohol sting. The Sioux Falls Police Department checked 27 off-sale businesses in the city and two made sales to people under 21. The businesses were both of the Casey’s General Stores on Sycamore Avenue. The clerks that sold to the minors were issued citations with a mandatory court appearance. The businesses could face fines, suspensions, or loss of their alcohol licenses. KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 21:04:58 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26858&Itemid=60 Haven't hit a ton of homeruns in my life so I'm usually sprinting out of the box, not pimping it. Nate Hewes says.Nate Hewes may not think himself a power hitter. But for one night on May 3rd, he broke out his homerun trot. Three times. I have never done that before. I couldn't believe it kept happening actually. They kept throwing me fastballs inside so, I guess the wind was blowing out, so it was the right night to do it.. Hewes says.Perhaps Nate shouldn't be so surprised. The Augustana senior was versatile at the plate, near the top of every offensive statistic, and in the field. Pretty gone rover at Augustana. So, played short, second, third, left, center. I mean, Huber had me catch for a little bit. Hewes says. He's more of a leader by example type of person. You know, he's not going to get in your face and those type of things, but I think our guys notice that he's a hard worker. Augie Manager Tim Huber says.And thanks in part to his big night, Nate also led the Vikings in homeruns.With eight.In Sioux Falls, Zach Borg, KDLT Sports. KDLT News - Athlete of the Week Mon, 20 May 2013 19:19:25 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26857&Itemid=57 Two men were arrested on drug charges Sunday morning after a 911 misdial. 20-year-old Justin Dean Urquhart was arrested on drug charges after police say they were checking a 911 hang-up at the Staybridge Suites Hotel in Sioux Falls. Police were leaving when the smelled marijuana coming from a room. Police say Urquhart fled the first story room through the window when he heard police knocking. He left behind, his wallet, four pounds of pot, over $4,000 in cash, and a handgun. Police eventually found the car Urquhart was in and arrested him after a short chase. Police found him with $7,000 in his pocket. The man driving the car was also arrested. KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 19:05:51 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26856&Itemid=58 The parkston girls golf team opened defense of their State A title on a rainy, miserable day at Pine Hills GC in Milbank Monday. Freshman Sydney Bormann (85) and senior sister Jordan Bormann (88) talked about how tough it was to play for all of the players in the field, KDLT News - KDLT Sports Mon, 20 May 2013 18:59:31 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26855&Itemid=57 After over a month, the end is finally near, for storm cleanup that is. Crews are now making their final passes through Sioux Falls on streets east of Minnesota Avenue. As the tree debris Sioux Falls residents are dropping off here get smaller and smaller, it means city crews are almost done with their cleanup. “We're at that tail end, that final pass, or final pickup for 'Operation Timber Strike,'” said Branch Drop-Off Site Manager Trent Lubbers. For the next week crews will be cleaning up the eastern side of Sioux Falls. And Lubbers wants to remind residents of a few things, so they don’t have to make trips of their own. “Get your stuff to the curb, we are on that final pass throughout the city, so we want your stuff to be on the side of the curb,” Lubbers said. And remember not to park in front of debris piles. As the cleanup stage begins its end, Lubbers said it’s all gone a lot faster than he expected. “I think if you talk to everyone on the team, things went really smoothly. And the amount of effort that has taken place, in our minds, we thought six or seven weeks ago, we are ahead of schedule,” Lubbers said. And he said he speaks for all the city leaders when he says he is happy it’s almost over. “I think there is a lot of work that we have to do for the city that's not 'Timber Strike,’” said... KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 18:39:18 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26854&Itemid=57 It's that time of year again, construction season. One of the projects occurring doesn't just have to do with the busy streets, but with the railway bridge over the Phillips Avenue entrance to Falls Park Built in 1927, the existing bridge has reached the end of its lifespan. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company is working with the city to build a new structure. Along with the cars, train traffic will be re-routed during the process. Tom Burkland, Principal Engineer for the City said, The base of the bridge would not change, the concrete would not change, but the rest of the bridge will all be replaced.” BNSF is planning on working twenty-four hours a day over a five day period. The goal is to complete the bridge by Friday at 7p.m., just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. It's a short period of time to replace a bridge. It's pretty impressive they can do all that work in that time period, said Burkland. The construction is making it hard for some visitors to find Falls Park. We kept on and kept on and I finally had to pull out the GPS to come in here. It was not simple at all, said out-of-towner, Teressa Pearson. Others say it isn't a... KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 18:08:19 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26853&Itemid=57 If you drive anywhere in Minnesota, you already know, gas prices are through the roof. Higher than every state except Hawaii. In the last month, the average price for a gallon of regular gas sky rocketed 87 cents. It's never fun to fill up and watch the price gauge climb higher and higher. “I put on about 100 miles everyday back and forth from work,” said Arlen Jorgensen. Jorgenson does whatever he can to keep his engine running efficiently. “I get anywhere from about 25-27 miles to the gallon with my old car. I try to do regular maintenance on it myself and keep it tuned up. I do everything I can to try and get the best gas mileage,” said Jorgenson. Last month Jorgenson would spend about $54 a week on gas. Now, with record gas prices, going to work cost him $66 a week. And while it may be only an extra $14 he says it starts to affect the rest of his expenses. “Cut out a lot of the fun things. You really just can't afford to do everything else,” said Jorgenson. Betty Jo Solberg makes her way down from Tyler with coupons in hand, trying to shave an extra 7 cents off... KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 17:58:06 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26852&Itemid=57 Authorities say an elementary school in an Oklahoma City suburb took a direct hit from a mile-wide tornado. Gary Knight with the Oklahoma City Police Department says there is no word of injuries from the elementary school. Knight says the school suffered extensive damage on Monday afternoon. He did not say which school was hit. Neighborhoods in Moore, Okla., are flattened and blown apart, with shards of wood and pieces of insulation strewn everywhere. Television footage also showed first responders picking through rubble and twisted metal in the suburb south of Oklahoma City. There were no immediate reports of injuries. The suburb of Moore was hit hard by a tornado in 1999. The storm had the highest winds ever recorded near the earth's surface.Image: KFOR KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 16:44:42 +0100 http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26851&Itemid=57 A fuel tanker tipped over in Western Sioux Falls on Monday afternoon.The accident shut down a portion of the Ellis road near Mulberry Street.There is no official word on any injuries at this time.Hazmat teams were on the scene due to concerns of leaking natural gas.Watch KDLT News and KDLT.com for the latest updates. KDLT News - KDLT News Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:46 +0100