Tag: Dakota Dunes

Environment, Government, North Sioux CityLeave a comment

McCook Lake residents say their homes were sacrificed, and they want a new flood plan

Gary Dickson

Homeowners allege inadequate warnings, authorities defend communication in the face of record floodwaters at McCook Lake, South Dakota. State and local authorities executed a flood mitigation plan, but some residents claim insufficient warnings. Cleanup and future plans are now in question as the community grapples with the aftermath of the devastating flood. Continue reading McCook Lake residents say their homes were sacrificed, and they want a new flood plan

PoliticsLeave a comment

Prouty swamps Headid in sheriff’s race.

Gary Dickson

Jim Prouty secures 79% of the vote, defeating Rich Headid in the Republican primary for Union County Sheriff. With no Democratic primary, Prouty is poised to complete the late Sheriff Dan Limoges’ term. Prouty’s extensive experience and widespread support across precincts underscore his victory. Additionally, Sydney Davis, Chris Kassin, and William Shorma win GOP legislative primaries. Continue reading Prouty swamps Headid in sheriff’s race.

Crime19 Comments

Matt Vanderpool ran for North Sioux City alderman. Thursday he was arrested for rape and sexual contact with a child.

Gary Dickson

Last Thursday turned out to be the day from hell for Matt Vanderpool. It’s hard to know whether or not Matt Vanderpool had a smile on his face in a minute or two before 6:30 a.m. Or what his thoughts were. Vanderpool was driving his truck and was near the corner of Alcoma and Streeter Drives. It is probably a good guess, though, the look on his face changed to a look of bewilderment or a frown when he noticed two police cruisers were following him with their lights and sirens on. The police officers had in their possession paperwork that charged Vanderpool with five different counts: rape, solicitation of a minor, abuse and neglect of a child, sexual contact with a child under the age of 16, and sexual exploitation. Continue reading Matt Vanderpool ran for North Sioux City alderman. Thursday he was arrested for rape and sexual contact with a child.

CommentaryLeave a comment

I’m taking a vacation from covering local government

Gary Dickson

I’m told it’s springtime. I would guess that is true judging from the green color of the grass and the leaves in the trees around Siouxland. I don’t want to waste any more of my time sitting in city council or county commission chambers observing our elected officials haggle over whether or not this plat has been correctly presented and dated. I’m annoyed by the one-upmanship and other games being played. So, for the next three or four or five months I leave you to your own motivations.

Continue reading I’m taking a vacation from covering local government

Art, Education, South DakotaLeave a comment

Dakota Valley student to compete in Poetry Out Loud national finals

Gary Dickson

Grace Powell, a senior at Dakota Valley High School in North Sioux City, SD, won the South Dakota Poetry Out Loud state contest. She will compete in the national finals in Washington, D.C., with the chance to win a top prize of $20,000. The competition aims to promote poetry education and public speaking skills among high school students. Continue reading Dakota Valley student to compete in Poetry Out Loud national finals

Crime, Government, JusticeLeave a comment

Union County Court: 3/25 – 4/12/2024

Gary Dickson

As the band Emerson, Lake and Palmer sang in their 1973 classic tune, Karn Evil 9:

“Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends
We’re so glad you could attend,
Come inside, come inside . . . ”

So too, the words might be said about the regular case dispositions by our county/state judiciary system. Following are three weeks’ worth of cases that have been disposed of in the Union County courts. They include everything from traffic to trucking/transportation to criminal cases to fishing without a license. Continue reading Union County Court: 3/25 – 4/12/2024

CommentaryLeave a comment

To whom it may concern

Gary Dickson

I’m back with another installment of To Whom It May Concern, my multi-topic opinion column about the goings-on in Siouxland, South Dakota, the nation and the world. I’d been meaning to write this earlier – like last month – but things kept getting in the way. Like my health. I had a cold which turned into a bad sinus infection that kept me in bed for most of a week with a fever. Now that I’m almost 71, stuff like that seems to hit me particularly hard. It sucks getting old. But don’t cry for me Argentina, I’ve rebounded, for the most part. Continue reading To whom it may concern

Economy, South DakotaLeave a comment

Rapid rise in South Dakota home prices is ‘not sustainable,’ economist says

Gary Dickson

Average first-time homebuyers can expect to spend about two-fifths of their pre-tax income on a monthly payment for a house in South Dakota.

“This situation is unheard of,” said Dakota Institute CEO Jared McEntaffer.

He addressed the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development on Wednesday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

McEntaffer called home prices one of the biggest economic issues the state faces. His analysis highlighted the decoupling of housing costs from incomes, posing a challenge for attracting new workers. Continue reading Rapid rise in South Dakota home prices is ‘not sustainable,’ economist says

Commentary, Siouxland6 Comments

To whom it may concern

Gary Dickson

I’ve been wanting to write a multi-topic opinion column for some time. It’s not that I haven’t let my personal views seep into my reporting about various activities earlier. For example, you might want to look up one of my stories about the Union County Commission to see what I think about their workings. I admit that my writing isn’t always objective. So what? I own this site and I don’t get paid to write, photograph or post the stories that appear on it. So there.

You might consider this column in a similar light to Frank Costanza’s “Airing of the Grievances” on the classic Festivus episode during the Jerry Seinfeld Show. During that episode, many might remember, Frank — who was George Costanza’s father — stands up and shouts, “I’ve got a lot of problems with you people! Now you’re going to hear about them.” I loved Frank.

Continue reading To whom it may concern

Siouxland Observed, South DakotaLeave a comment

Siouxland Observed #9: What plot of land does this photo show?

Gary Dickson

Area people should have a pretty good idea of where this photo was taken and what it shows. Some folks have really gotten their knickers in a knot over it. Or how it is going to be paid for. Or how long parts of it will be. Or what size units of dirt will be. Personally, I just thought the sun and clouds looked mighty pretty that afternoon when I was nosing around, so I stopped to take a photo with my cellphone. Continue reading Siouxland Observed #9: What plot of land does this photo show?