Tag: news

Government, Iowa, PoliticsLeave a comment

House Democrats introduce proposals on collective bargaining, state retirement accounts

Gary Dickson

Iowa House Democrats laid out proposals Tuesday they say will help Iowa workers, including measures to add collective bargaining rights to the state constitution and raise the minimum wage.

Members of the minority party laid out five components of their proposal on workers’ pay. The bills introduced include House File 2293, which would gradually increase Iowa’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour by July 2026, House File 2300, extending the state’s sales tax-free holiday in August from two days to two weeks and House File 2338, extending state childcare assistance to children with parents or guardians employed at a childcare facility. Continue reading House Democrats introduce proposals on collective bargaining, state retirement accounts

Crime, Iowa, SiouxlandLeave a comment

Former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy charged with felonies/misdemeanors

Gary Dickson

He was a Sioux County sheriff’s deputy and now he’s a former sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy Caleb Haverdink and his wife, Jill were arrested on numerous complaints and charges.

According to a joint press release from the Sioux County Sheriff and the Sioux County Attorney’s office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) filed seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, Class C Felonies; two counts of Mandatory Reporter Violations, Simple Misdemeanors; and one count of False Report to Law Enforcement, a Simple Misdemeanor, against the couple, who live in Maurice. The charges are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the DCI. Continue reading Former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy charged with felonies/misdemeanors

Government, Politics, South DakotaLeave a comment

Dakotans for Health threatens lawsuit over signature withdrawal bill

Gary Dickson

The group sponsoring a constitutional amendment to expand South Dakota abortion rights said it will likely file a lawsuit if legislators pass a bill allowing petitioners to withdraw signatures that already have been certified for the ballot.

“I can’t speculate about whether the bill will pass or not,” said Rapid City lawyer Jim Leach, who represents Dakotans for Health, a grassroots organization that pushes for progressive policy through petition efforts. “I can say that if it does pass, there’s certainly a substantial possibility of legal action.”

At issue is House Bill 1244, which would change South Dakota’s ballot initiative process by allowing an individual who signed a petition to withdraw their signature by sending a written notification to the Secretary of State’s office. This could occur after the petition effort has been validated but is still eligible to be challenged through the Secretary of State or court appeal. Continue reading Dakotans for Health threatens lawsuit over signature withdrawal bill

Commentary, Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

Regret signing that petition? Republicans are here to ‘help’

Gary Dickson

Ever since the South Dakota Legislature dismantled the voter-approved anti-corruption measure known as IM 22 in record time, lawmakers and the people who back-initiated measures have been locked in a battle of the ballot box. Lawmakers try to throw up as many roadblocks to ballot access as they can while ballot measure backers are intent on getting multiple issues in front of voters. 

Through the years, Republicans in the Legislature have tried many tactics to make success tougher for ballot measures. Continue reading Regret signing that petition? Republicans are here to ‘help’

South Dakota, TransportationLeave a comment

Fatal crash Saturday near Gayville

Gary Dickson

A 45-year-old man died Saturday evening in a two-vehicle crash in Yankton County.

The names of the people involved have not been released pending notification of family members.

According to a press release from the SD Department of Public Safety, preliminary crash information indicates a Ford van was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of SD Highway 50 near Gayville. At the same time, a Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling westbound in the westbound lanes of Highway 50. The vehicles crashed head-on. Continue reading Fatal crash Saturday near Gayville

Education, South Dakota, SportsLeave a comment

Ripperda, Coyote squads recognized as USTFCCCA All-Academic

Gary Dickson

South Dakota senior Abby Ripperda, in addition to the Coyote men’s and women’s cross country teams has earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
 
Ripperda is one of 174 women to receive recognition from the USTFCCCA, including being one of three from the Summit League. To be eligible for the award, honorees must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and have finished in the top 25 at the NCAA Regionals or as an All-American at the NCAA Championships. Continue reading Ripperda, Coyote squads recognized as USTFCCCA All-Academic

Education, Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

Lawmakers endorse summer children’s food program, nix expansion of reduced price school meals

Gary Dickson

A bill to include South Dakota in a summer food program for children advanced to the next step of the legislative process Wednesday in Pierre, while legislation to expand eligibility for reduced-price school meals was rejected.

Lawmakers moved a bill forward that addresses the federal government’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children. It provides eligible low-income families with $40 per child, per month in preloaded cards to buy groceries during the summer months. Continue reading Lawmakers endorse summer children’s food program, nix expansion of reduced price school meals

Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

Union County Sheriff Dies

Gary Dickson

For nearly four decades, Dan Limoges dedicated himself to Union County law enforcement, with the last 33 years as sheriff.

His lifetime of service has now ended, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges,” the department posted Tuesday on its Facebook page.

Limoges, 64, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home, according to his obituary.

During that time, Limoges worked with high-profile cases for the county in the extreme southeast corner of South Dakota. Those experiences ranged from decades-old cold cases to three Missouri River drownings in as many years. Continue reading Union County Sheriff Dies

Government, Health, IowaLeave a comment

Republicans and Democrats offer competing solutions in Iowa Legislature to nursing home ‘crisis’

Gary Dickson

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing legislation to increase state oversight of nursing homes while Republican legislators are advancing a bill that could reduce such oversight.

Both initiatives are being advanced now due to a spate of deaths and serious injuries tied to regulatory violations in Iowa nursing homes. Republican lawmakers say the situation calls for a more “collaborative” approach to enforcement, while Democrats argue the state isn’t being tough enough on violators. Continue reading Republicans and Democrats offer competing solutions in Iowa Legislature to nursing home ‘crisis’