All posts by Leslie Schramm

News, Story

Pifer’s Opens Sioux Falls South Dakota Auction Facility

Pifer’s Auction & Realty and Pifer’s Land Management has opened a new facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The facility is at the I-29 Worthing exit, approximately 10 miles south of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Pifer’s will conduct equipment and land auctions at the site and provide farm land management services. The office and facility will serve eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, and western Iowa.
“This facility will allow our staff to better serve our clients in these markets,” said Kevin Pifer, President of Pifer’s. Pifer’s annually conducts nearly 130 auctions and currently manages 225,000 acres of farmland throughout the region.
Chris Bair will manage Pifer’s operations in the region. He has 30+ years of auction industry experience.
Pifer’s is a full-service auction and real estate company and provides farmland management services. Land Report Magazine has recognized Pifer’s as the 5th largest land auction company in America. Pifer’s, a North Dakota company, was founded in 2000. Pifer’s has other auction facilities in Bowman and its Auction Center of North America in Steele, North Dakota.
News, Story

Governor Noem Announces New Executive Director of South Dakota Housing Development Authority

Governor Kristi Noem announced  yesterday that Lorraine Polak will be appointed Executive Director of the South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA), effective January 8, 2021. Polak will replace Mark Lauseng, who is retiring.

“Lorraine has a great understanding of SDHDA’s programs and all the opportunities that they present,” said Governor Noem. “She will be a dedicated leader and an invaluable partner as it relates to carrying out SDHDA’s mission for the people of South Dakota.”

Polak currently serves as the Director of Rental Housing Development with the Authority and began her employment with them in 1998. Previously, Polak was with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

“I want to thank Governor Noem for this opportunity to continue to serve South Dakota’s citizens.  Working for the Authority has been extremely rewarding, and I am honored to accept this new role. The Authority’s board of commissioners and staff along with the partner agencies we work with are dedicated to providing affordable and appropriate housing. I look forward to ensuring that dedication meets the housing needs of South Dakotans.”

Polak was born in O’Neill, Nebraska and earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.  She and her husband, Mike, have three children, and she enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, gardening and outdoor activities.

Sports

College Basketball at the Pentagon today and tonight

Men’s College Basketball will be happening throughout the day today as it is day one of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic taking place through November 30th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls. Today at 1pm, Memphis will battle Saint Mary’s. At 3:30, it will be Northern Iowa vs Western Kentucky. At 6pm, South Dakota State will face off against West Virginia before VCU plays Utah State at 8:30 tonight.

News, Story

Christmas at the Capitol Grand Lighting Ceremony Tonight

The 2020 Grand Lighting Ceremony for Christmas at the South Dakota Capitol will take place in the Capitol Rotunda on tonight at 7 p.m. CST.

The public is invited to join Gov. Kristi Noem, First Gentleman Bryon Noem, and Pierre Mayor Steve Harding as they welcome guests and light the Capitol trees.

The Capitol Christmas display includes around 83 trees decorated by volunteers from communities, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and state government offices. This year’s theme for Christmas at the Capitol is “Deck the Halls.”

The largest tree in the Capitol, a 42-foot Engelmann Spruce, is being decorated by the South Dakota Nurses’ Association and was donated by Bryan and Lori Stahl of Onida, SD. After being trimmed, the tree stands at 26.5 feet in the rotunda.

At the ceremony, entertainment will be provided by soloists Brian Oakland and Sarah Carlson.

Santa will be here to say hello to the kids and unveil his new mailbox. Rather than sitting on his lap for photos, children can write letters to Santa at home and bring them along to the lighting ceremony. After the ceremony, Santa’s mail box will be located on first floor by the South Dakota First Ladies and First Gentlemen Exhibit.

Hours for folks to view the tree display are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, starting on Nov. 25 including holidays and weekends. The last day to view the display is Saturday, Dec. 26.

You can follow the Christmas at the Capitol events on Facebook and Instagram.

Sports

State Volleyball scores from Saturday

PREP VOLLEYBALL

Class A

Championship=

Sioux Falls Christian def. Dakota Valley, 25-18, 25-12, 25-12

Fifth Place=

Madison def. Rapid City Christian, 25-23, 25-21, 25-13

Seventh Place=

Winner def. Hill City, 20-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-12, 15-10

Third Place=

Parker def. Hamlin, 25-16, 25-17, 25-23

 

Class AA

Championship=

Sioux Falls O’Gorman def. Huron, 25-15, 25-17, 20-25, 25-18

Fifth Place=

Watertown def. Aberdeen Central, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17

Seventh Place=

Brandon Valley def. Harrisburg, 20-25, 25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 15-11

Third Place=

Sioux Falls Washington def. Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 25-10, 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10

 

Class B

Championship=

Northwestern def. Warner, 24-14, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18

Fifth Place=

Faulkton def. Bridgewater-Emery, 25-19, 25-16, 25-18

Seventh Place=

Hitchcock-Tulare def. Corsica/Stickney, 25-13, 25-15, 24-26, 28-26

Third Place=

Chester def. Colman-Egan, 13-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15, 15-12