The Gregory Military Cruise Night will take place Friday, May 22nd from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM and is hosted by the Gregory/Dallas Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will honor all that have served by cruising the streets of Gregory. Attendees are encouraged to decorate their cars. If one has or is currently serving please have a sign with the branch and years served.
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Farmers Union Enterprises Donates 150,000 Pounds of Pork Ribs to Five States
Farmers Union Enterprises teamed up with South Dakota Farmers Union to donate 30,000 pounds of pork ribs to Feeding South Dakota.
“Because of COVID-19, many families have seen their grocery budget shrink. We saw a way to help not only feed families, but keep our employees working,” explains Doug Sombke, President of Farmers Union Enterprises (FUE). Sombke is also President of one of the state’s largest farm and ranch organizations, South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU).
The donation comes at a time when demand for food has nearly tripled, due to job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, explains Jennifer Stensaas, Communications Coordinator for Feeding South Dakota. “Many we are serving today have never needed food assistance before,” she says. “We are grateful Organizations like South Dakota Farmers Union have joined forces with us to help meet this increase in demand.”
Feeding South Dakota partners with more than 275 agencies to provide food to those facing food insecurity in all 66 counties across South Dakota. During the pandemic, to keep volunteers and those they serve healthy, Feeding South Dakota closed food pantries in Rapid City and Sioux Falls. Instead the organization established mobile distribution centers, where South Dakotans can receive emergency food boxes.
We’re all in this together
Farmers Union Enterprises is made up of several businesses — the dividends of which help fund Farmers Union organizations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin as well as Farmers Union Enterprise programs and National Farmers Union.
All told Farmers Union Enterprises donated 150,000 pounds of pork ribs to various food pantries in the five states it supports.
The pork ribs are from Redwood Farms, one of the entities in the Farmers Union family of businesses owned by Farmers Union Enterprises. Based in Esterville, Iowa, Redwood Farms supplies premium pork products to high-end restaurants in New York, Chicago and other cities across the United States.
With many restaurants closed due to COVID-19, Redwood Farms saw a sharp decline in demand. “We needed to make room in the freezers otherwise, we’d have to stop production. That would mean job losses. Donating allows us to help others, and keep our employee team working,” explains Sombke, a fourth-generation Conde farmer.
Today, Sombke’s three sons all work on the family farm where they raise crops and operate other value-added enterprises. Sombke says like most Americans, COVID-19 has dramatically cut incomes for South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers.
“We are all in this together,” Sombke says. “COVID has impacted all of us – urban and rural alike.”
To learn more about how South Dakota Famers Union works to support family farmers and ranchers, visit www.SDFU.org.
Key Updates from Central South Dakota City Council Meetings on May 4th
The Winner City Council held their meeting last night. A discussion to implement an emergency resolution in response to Governor Kristi Noem’s back to normal plan occurred during new business and the council voted 5-1 in favor of following the Governor’s recommendations leaving the power to businesses’ that promote social gatherings to go back to normal with no restrictions while still following CDC social distancing guidelines. This goes into effect on Wednesday.
The City of Chamberlain held their meeting last night as well and voted in favor to strike current restrictions in their current ordinance on bars and restaurants while recommending they follow CDC social distancing guidelines.
The City of Gregory also held their city council meeting last night. They did not make any adjustments to their current resolution in place which currently allows up to a maximum of 50 percent occupancy in bars and restaurants.
City Council Meetings Tonight
The Winner City Council will be meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. One of the key items of new business to be discussed will be an emergency resolution in response to Governor Kristi Noem’s “Back to Normal” Plan. A live stream will be on the City Facebook page.
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 682-919-917
The City of Chamberlain will also have their meeting tonight. The City Commission will meet at 6:00 p.m. They will be discussing Ordinance 636 (COVID-19).
To call in: 778-8501 PIN#60099
The Gregory City Council will have their meeting tonight as well at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall located at 120 W 6th St. They will discuss a possible update if needed on City of Gregory Resolution 2020-3 which deals with their current COVID-19 Ordinance.
The City of Colome will hold their Regular Council Meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Colome Municipal Building. One of the key items for discussion will be opening up the Vets Hall and 183 Ink.
South Dakota State and Local Election Results From Last Night
South Dakota Elections took place yesterday including state primaries, county elections, city elections and school board elections.
For Republican State Primary Results:
In the state senator race in District 21 between Erin Tobin and Lee Qualm, Erin Tobin defeated Lee Qualm.
In the United States Representative race between Liz Marty May and Dusty Johnson, Dusty Johnson defeated Liz Marty May.
In United States Senator Race between Mike Rounds and Scyller J. Borglum, Mike Rounds defeated Scyller J Borglum.
In the Democrat State Race for District 26A between Shawn Bordeaux and Alexandra Frederick, Shawn Bordeaux defeated Alexandra Frederick 570 to 403 votes.
For the South Dakota Presidential Primary, Joe Biden defeated Bernie Sanders.
Running for Tripp County Commissioner District 4 were Greg English and Joyce Kartak. Joyce Kartak (127 votes) defeated Greg English (94 votes) for the Tripp County Commissioner District 4 position in the primary.
Running for Todd county democrat commissioner primary were Howard Heinert and Viola Waln. Viola Waln defeated Howard Heinert for the Todd county commissioner position 83 to 49 votes.
Running for a position on the Todd County School Board were incumbent Linda Bordeaux, Sage D. Fast Dog, Glen Yellow Eagle, and Jennifer Bordeaux-Black Bear. Sage D. Fast Dog was the winner for the Todd County School Board position.
For the City of Gregory, there were 2 city council positions up for reelection.
Running for Mayor were Justin Jelinek and Incumbent Scott Anshutz. Scott Anshutz defeated Justin Jelenik for the Gregory City Mayor position on a vote of 308 to 132.
Running for Ward 1 in Grengory were Kristi Drey and Mona Taggart. Kristi Drey defeated Mona Taggart for the Gregory City Council Ward 1 position on a vote of 124 to 33.
For Charles Mix County there was Commissioner Race for District 2 between Neil Von Eschen and Colin Soukup. Colin Soukup ( 139 votes) defeated Neil Von Eschen (94 votes) to win the Primary.
In the States Attorney Race for Charles Mix County between Steven R. Cotton and Pamela S. Hein, Steven R. Cotton (682 votes) defeated Pamela S. Hein (361 votes).
The City of Platte had an election in Ward 1 which was
between incumbent Dave Carter and Ryan Lantz. Dave Carter defeated Ryan Lance on a vote of 89-77.
For Ward 3 in Platte there was a race between Cole Anderson and Randal Brumbaugh, neither of which were current incumbents. Cole Anderson defeated Randal Brumbaugh for the Ward 3 City Council position on a vote of 98-17.
For the Platte-Geddes School Board there was an election between Jess Sondgeroth (incumbent), Stephanie Leader, Randal Brumbaugh, Duke Starr (incumbent) sand Tracy Harrington
Jess Sondgeroth (500 votes) and Duke Starr (486 votes) will stay in the two positions for the Platte-Geddess School Board. Stephanie Leader had 313 votes, Tracy Harrington 140, Randal Brumbaugh 68.
For Lyman County there was a County Commissioner at Large race between Incumbent Bill Lengkeek, Brian Kraus and Incumbent Leslie Reuer. Brian Kraus (322 votes) and Leslie Reuer (376 votes) came out victorious with Bill Lengkeek having 253 votes in this race for Lyman County Commissioner primary race.
For Jones County School Board elections there were two available seats on the school board up for election between Cody W Mckenzie, Levi Newsam, LaTonya Erikson, Rachel Talich, and Rodney Mann.. Levi Newsam (246 votes) and Rachel Talich (222 votes) came out victorious in this race for the Jones County School board positions. Cody W. Mckenzie had 97 votes, Latonya Erikson, 71 votes and Rodney Mann 59 votes.
For Mellette County there was a local race for county commissioner district 2 between Leon Huber and Joyce Glynn. Joyce Glenn (48 votes) defeated Leon Huber (41 votes) for Mellette County District 2 Commissioner primary race.
For the White River School Board Election, there were three Candidates up for two positions who are incumbent Brandi Schmidt-Moran, Incumbent Louann Krogman and Summer Lunderman. Louann Krogman and Brandi Schmidt-Moran came out victorious for positions on the White River School Board.
President Trump Announces He Will Join Mt. Rushmore for Fireworks
President Donald J. Trump announced he plans to join Governor Kristi Noem on July 3rd for the fireworks at Mount Rushmore in honor of Independence Day.
“This year, after more than a year of diligent efforts, we’re finally bringing fireworks back to Mount Rushmore,” said Governor Noem. “There’s truly no better place to celebrate America’s birthday. We’re excited that President Trump is coming to enjoy the show with us. He and the Department of Interior have been great partners in bringing this celebration back to our great state and the entire nation.”
The Obama-administration National Park Service shut down the fireworks celebration following the 2009 Independence Day holiday. On December 13, 2018, then Governor-elect Noem first raised the idea of the fireworks celebration with President Trump at a meeting in the Cabinet Room. On May 7, 2019, Governor Noem, in partnership with the Department of Interior, announced an agreement to bring the fireworks back; President Trump tweeted his excitement about the fireworks that same day. The National Parks Service announced the official return of the fireworks in a news release on April 28th.
Tripp County Courthouse and Recycling Center to Re-open Next Week
The Tripp County Courthouse will re-open on Monday, May 4th and the Recycling Center will re-open on Tuesday May 5th. They will still follow CDC guidelines and practice social distancing, frequent hand washing and disinfecting.
PRIME TIME GALA PRESENTS CHECK TO FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA FOR $150,000
While the 7th Annual Prime Time Gala that was originally planned for Saturday, June 27, 2020 will be postponed until next year, the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation presented a
check for $150,000 to Feeding South Dakota to help procure protein for those in the state that need it the most during these unprecedented times.
Of the 12.8 million pounds of food that Feeding South Dakota
distributes on an annual basis, only about 10% of that is protein. High quality protein, like beef, plays an important
role in overall health, including weight control, by increasing satiety and helping to build and maintain muscle mass.
“While the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation is saddened by the postponement of the 7th Annual Prime Time Gala, we are committed to continuing our mission to provide the most vulnerable South Dakotans access to beef; the most complete and nourishing protein on earth,” said Ryan Eichler, President of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation. “We are humbled and honored by the willingness of our event sponsors and producers to provide these
funds in a very difficult economic time in the beef industry. The people behind our state’s farms, ranches, and
industry-related businesses are the most compassionate and giving people around. We are very proud to represent
them and overwhelmed to facilitate this and future donations to Feeding South Dakota.”
The Barber Shop in Winner Opening
Eathan, at the Barber Shop in Winner, S.D. will open on Monday, May 4th. Normal hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Occupancy will be limited to 5 people at a time in the shop and seated 6 feet apart. Cleaning will be done between each customer. With any questions please call 842-1108.
Changes in Pesticide Applicator Certification During COVID-19
Due to office closures as a result of COVID-19, commercial pesticide applicator testing is currently unavailable at the SDSU Extension Regional Centers and county offices. There are online options available through the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) for both commercial and private applicators.
Individuals who need to obtain commercial applicator certification or re-certification can take an online exam through the SDDA at https://apps.sd.gov/doa/cwt/default.aspx. Passing the exam with a score of 70% or better allows for a temporary commercial applicator license valid until September 30, 2020.
“To maintain commercial certification past September 30, individuals must take and pass the appropriate written exams proctored by SDSU Extension when the SDSU Extension Regional Centers and county offices are re-opened,” said Amanda Bachmann, SDSU Extension Pesticide Education and Urban Entomology Field Specialist. “Existing commercial applicators who hold a valid license but need to add an additional category should contact the SDDA.”