Tag: South Dakota

Crime, Government, Justice, South Dakota1 Comment

Union County Court: 3/11 – 3/22/24

Gary Dickson

Following are two weeks worth of cases that have been disposed in the Union County courts. They include everything from traffic to trucking/transportation to criminal cases.

Included is a guide to one case that looks on the surface as if it has a high number of charges. But everything is not always as it appears at first glance.

There are also a couple of high fine amounts for truckers in this round of court activities. How high can they go? Continue reading Union County Court: 3/11 – 3/22/24

Government, JusticeLeave a comment

State Supreme Court considers whether local boards have to explain their decisions

Gary Dickson

When Turner County commissioners refused to allow a developer to rezone land from ag to lakefront residential in the summer of 2022, they did so without saying why.

There was no recording of the meetings at which two separate votes took place, and commissioners later told the developer they needn’t say why.

When Circuit Judge David Knoff overturned that decision the following year, he also did so without considering the why.

Instead, he ruled, the commission was wrong because it shouldn’t have been debating the question anyway. The land is on a lake, Knoff said, so under his reading of county zoning rules, the commission didn’t have the discretion to say no – an argument the developer hadn’t made in open court or legal briefs.

That sequence of events led the justices to grapple on Tuesday with this question: Is a county zoning board – or any local board that makes a call someone might not like – required to explain itself? Continue reading State Supreme Court considers whether local boards have to explain their decisions

Crime, Iowa, South Dakota, TransportationLeave a comment

Motor vehicle accident Monday leads to arrest for drug offenses

Gary Dickson

On Monday, March 18 at 3:52 p.m., The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Sioux County Road A54B, 14 miles northwest of Rock Valley, IA.

Sharon Kerschion, age 71, from Hudson, SD, was driving a 2002 Buick Century northbound on A54 when a 38-year-old male passenger, who was experiencing a mental health condition, distracted her by grabbing the steering wheel. Kerschion lost control of the vehicle and entered the west ditch where the vehicle came to rest on railroad tracks.

Simultaneously, while investigating the accident, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office arrested Continue reading Motor vehicle accident Monday leads to arrest for drug offenses

Agriculture, BusinessLeave a comment

Elk Point’s Fleurish Flower Farm named Specialty Crop Producer of the Year

Gary Dickson

The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) and the S.D. The Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources moved to recognize one specialty crop producer for making an outstanding contribution to local production in South Dakota. 

Christy Heckathorn of Fleurish Flower Farm, is the 2023 S.D. Specialty Crop Producer of the Year.

Fleurish’s one-acre flower farm, near Elk Point, S.D., is home to a variety of annuals, perennials and an heirloom pumpkin patch. Continue reading Elk Point’s Fleurish Flower Farm named Specialty Crop Producer of the Year

Government, North Sioux CityLeave a comment

The Saga of the North Sioux City Council – 1.0

Gary Dickson

It was a chilly no, make that cold evening on Tuesday, March 18 and I was pulling into the driveway to North Sioux City’s City Hall. I directed my car down the drive and surveyed the parking lot. Not too bad, I thought, in terms of parked car congestion.

t was time to get the show rolling. I took a seat in the second row on the far left side. I was about six chairs to the left of Bob Davis, where he could issue a well-formed scowl in my direction. The meeting was called to order by her honor, da mayor. The roll was called. We all stood, and the loyalty oath was pledged.

Continue reading The Saga of the North Sioux City Council – 1.0

Government, Politics, South DakotaLeave a comment

Who leads South Dakota if Noem runs for vice president? ‘I still get to be governor’ she says.

Gary Dickson

Standing next to a row of bookcases in the Mitchell High School library, South Dakota’s lieutenant governor was asked about taking the reins of state government.

It’s a sensitive subject for Larry Rhoden, who has embraced his supporting role as Gov. Kristi Noem’s second-in-command since entering office in 2019 following 16 years in the state Legislature.

“I try not to bring it up,” said the Union Center rancher when asked by News Watch about how his duties might change if Noem is chosen as Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee on the Republican ticket. “I don’t want to make it look like I’m thinking about it.”

Despite that political prudence, the subject is hard to avoid.

Continue reading Who leads South Dakota if Noem runs for vice president? ‘I still get to be governor’ she says.

Community, SiouxlandLeave a comment

It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!

Gary Dickson

In case you weren’t aware of it, it’s time to purchase boxes of Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs, and all your other favorite yummy Girl Scout Cookies.

Whether you’ve there are Girl Scouts from your neighborhood knocking on your door with an order list while a watchful parent waits nearby in a car or on the sidewalk, or a co-worker lets you know their daughter or niece is selling the cookies and they have an order form in their desk or you see a group of Girl Scouts stationed at a table in front of the grocery store, it’s hard to not be aware of the annual fundraising event. Continue reading It’s Girl Scout Cookie time!

Government, Politics, South Dakota2 Comments

Noem slings accusations about tribes while signing education bills

Gary Dickson

Gov. Kristi Noem leveled accusations against Native American parents and political leaders Wednesday while saying she wants to help Native American students succeed.

She made the comments during a town hall meeting in Mitchell, where she signed two education bills into law, and at a later town hall in Winner.

“We’ve got some tribal leaders that I believe are personally benefitting from the cartels being here, and that’s why they attack me every day,” she said. Continue reading Noem slings accusations about tribes while signing education bills

Crime, South DakotaLeave a comment

Clay County Sheriff’s Incident Report

Gary Dickson

The following are summaries of incidents reported to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office between Feb. 14 and March 14, 2024. 

For instance: A caller reported a stray pig and dog on a rural road near Meckling. A deputy responded to a report of a dog at a rural residence biting a bicyclist. A deputy assisted Vermillion police officers with a response to a fight outside of a downtown bar in Vermillion.

Also, the School Resource Officer investigated a report of a high school student in Vermillion having possession of a vape device in school. A caller reported suspicious activity involving two people in a car on a dead-end rural road.

And more are inside the story.

Continue reading Clay County Sheriff’s Incident Report

Crime, GovernmentLeave a comment

Union County Court: March 4-8, 2024

Gary Dickson

You may have noticed we’ve been neglecting to post the Union County Court Report on this site. I’m sorry for the lack of courtroom activity news on my part.

It could have been because I’ve been serving time in jail and haven’t had access to a computer in the hoosgow . . . but it’s not.

I just haven’t taken the time to transfer the information that Shannon Steckelberg, the Union County Deputy Clerk Magistrate works so hard to compile and send to me each week. My gosh, I’m having a shame attack just thinking about my lack of follow-through.

There. It’s over now. Whew! Continue reading Union County Court: March 4-8, 2024