Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media, Author at Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Council Gives Direction on Snow Removal

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Snow removal was a hot topic during the last Dell Rapids City Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 16^th. Dell Rapids City Ordinance 783 says that property owners are to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall. If the property owner fails to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks within the 24 hours, the city will have the snow removed and charge the property owner the cost to remove the snow along with a $50 fine.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “Last time we talked about this, the consensus of the council was to enforce on a complaint basis.”

Alderman Mike Sterud made a comment about the ordinance. “It shouldn’t take a neighbor to complain about snow and ice in order to use the sidewalk. There are people that need to use the sidewalk, and there are people that want to use the sidewalk. I see kids, people with pets walking on the roads…As a homeowner I would feel guilty calling to complain about my neighbor. It should be there to use. The other side of that, no one wants to feel like they are being policed by the city….I’d say for the majority of the community, most people clear their sidewalks. It’s just a few that ignore it, and it’s not being enforced.”

Members of the community also spoke about the council’s decision to enforce the ordinance on a complaint basis. Jeremy Merry said, “This is one of my pet peeves. I’ve got several neighbors in my area that will not do it.” He also mentioned, “I’ve got elderly people in my neighborhood that can’t go out for walk because they won’t remove the snow.”

Teri Fiegen mentioned, “I don’t understand how you can pick and choose which ordinances you want to enforce and which ones you don’t want to enforce.”

After much discussion between the council and members of the audience on hand speaking on the issue, Sterud made a motion to enforce the snow removal ordinance, which was seconded by Alderman Mike Geraets. The motion passed unanimously.

Fiegen then asked, “How will this be enforced?”

“The Code Enforcement Officer will be going around the community and addressing all the sidewalks that haven’t been,” replied Weiland.

New Stop Signs to be Placed in Dell Rapids

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Three new stop signs will be placed in Dell Rapids. The city council made the decision to approve the placement of three new stop signs during their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16th.

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Mike Walker made recommendations to the council about two of the stop signs during a meeting held on February 1st. His recommendation was to place stop signs at the intersection of 9th St and State Ave at the northwest corner of Dell Rapids St Mary High School.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “The one thing that I think, rather than the public works department just going out and throwing up a stop sign in a location, is to have it documented by the city and have the council approve the installation of stop signs.”

Weiland stated to the council that stop signs would be placed on State Ave, keeping 9th St a through street. Weiland also mentioned that the city has been approached by several indivduals in the past few years about placing a stop sign on Powderhorn Rd at the intersection of 10th St.

“I think it’s a point that it does warrant it with the addition of Shopko, Ace Hardware, and the grocery store….it’s a logical place to put a stop sign.”

Alderwoman Mary Klockman made the motion which was seconded by Alderman Mike Sterud. The motion passed unanimously.

National FFA Week

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

National FFA Week will be held February 20th-27th, and it gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture. The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer.

The Dell Rapids FFA Chapter makes a positive difference in the lives of the members by amplifying their voice in agriculture education. Through their voices, they can boost the impact FFA has in promoting their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

Today’s FFA members are tomorrow’s leaders of America’s number one industry, agriculture.

Visit FFA.org today for more information.

Baltic Pulls Away from Cardinal Boys Late

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Baltic Bulldogs used a 15-2 fourth quarter to pull away from the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals for a 54-28 win on Friday, February 19th, in Baltic. Baltic led by six points 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. The lead grew to eight points at 23-15 by halftime. The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 39-26 by the end of the third quarter before pulling away in the fourth.

St Mary shot just 22% (10-46) from the field, 22% (4-18) from the three-point area, and 44% (4-9) from the free-throw line. The Cardinals had 26 team rebounds, but turned the ball over 17 times.

Luke Brown had 11 points and three rebounds. Garret Frost added seven points. Noah Fiegen had six points, eight rebounds, and three steals.

St Mary (1-18) will wrap up their regular season at home on Monday, February 22nd, against Chester. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.

Cardinal Girls Win 2nd in a Row

February 19, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls ended their regular season with their second win in a row. The Cardinals defeated the Marion Bears 59-36 on Friday, February 19th, in Marion.

St Mary held Marion to 13 total first half points. The Cardinals led from the beginning of the game. St Mary led 18-6 after the first quarter and 30-13 at halftime. Marion was able to out score the Cardinals in the third quarter, but only by a point. St Mary still led 44-28 at the end of the third quarter. The Cardinals out scored the Bears 15-8 in the final quarter.

The Cardinals shot 37% (23-62) from the field, 46% (5-11) from three-point area, and 73% (8-11) from the free-throw line. St Mary also had 46 team rebounds, 16 assists, and nine steals.

Jackie Wolles had a game-high 14 points. Sydney Cook added 12 points and five rebounds. Abby Burkhart had eight points and six rebounds. Lexi Klein also had eight points and five rebounds. Kennedi Mullaney had six points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Clare Klein had six points, and Ella Heinitz added five points.

St Mary finished with a 6-14 regular-season record. The girls District 7B tournament begins on Tuesday, February 23rd. The Cardinals will play on Thursday, February 25th, at Elkton against the Elkton-Lake Benton Elks.

Madison Rally Stuns Quarrier Girls

February 19, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Madison Bulldogs rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat the Dell Rapids Quarriers 49-46 on Thursday, February 18th, in Madison. Dell Rapids was only able to score just 14 points in the second half.

The Quarriers led 18-6 at the end of the first quarter. They pushed their lead to 18 points at 26-8 with 4:35 to go in the second quarter. Madison was able to close the gap to 14 at 32-18 by halftime.

The Bulldogs made their run in the second half. They outscored Dell Rapids 15-5 in the third quarter to trail 37-33. Madison pulled the game within two points at 37-35 after two free-throws by Jessi Giles. Dell Rapids then went on a 5-0 run after a three-point play by Mikaela Stofferahn to extend their lead to 42-35 with 6:10 remaining in the game. Madison again fought back within a point at 44-43 with 1:35, but Kaylee Hennen hit a driving shot from the middle of the lane with 1:18 to go. The Bulldogs closed out the game on a 6-0 run for the win.

Dell Rapids shot 36% (18-50) from the field, 11% (2-18) from three-point area, and 67% (8-12) from the free-throw line. The Quarriers out rebounded Madison 42-38, but turned the ball over 19 times.

Emma Paul finished with 10 points. Stofferahn had eight points and 16 rebounds. Arial Hoffman also added eight points, and Kali Graham added six points. Nicole Brown led Madison with 18 points, while Giles had 16 points.

Dell Rapids finishes the regular season with a record 12-8. The girls Region 3A tournament starts on Tuesday, February 23rd.

Minnie Schmidt

February 17, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Minnie V. Schmidt, 88, of Flandreau, SD, passed away Monday, February 15, 2016 at Avera Flandreau Hospital. She was born March 18, 1927 in Henry County, IA to Jesse and Mary (Miller) Jerrel. When she was an infant her family moved to Montana where she received her education. Minnie moved to Dell Rapids, SD in 1945 and worked at IOOF Home in Dells. She married LaVern Schmidt on January 7, 1947 in Dell Rapids. They moved to Flandreau in 1947 and farmed northwest of Flandreau. In her younger years, she was a foster mother to several infants and older children. Minnie cooked big meals for harvesters and was involved in a neighborhood card club when they farmed. Her husband preceded her in death on March 2, 2000. She was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Altar Society and Pleasant Hour Extension Club. Minnie loved family gatherings, cooking, crafting and tending flowers. She made the best caramel rolls, popcorn balls, cookies and bread pudding. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she spent all year buying presents for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Minnie is survived by four daughters, Barbara (Dick) Muckle, St. Paul, MN, Beverly (Jerry) Austin, Keystone, SD, Karen Schipper and Jerrelyn Haman, both of Flandreau, four sons, Bob, Jim (Camilla) and Rick, all of Flandreau, and Steve (Brenda), Baltic, 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and two brothers, Harold Jerrel, Raymond (Peg) Jerrel, all of Miles City, MT. Minnie was preceded in death by her husband, one grandson Drew, one great-granddaughter Jada, one son-in-law Steve Haman, two sisters and five brothers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m. Friday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with a 7 p.m. rosary. On-Line Condolences may be left at Skroch Funeral Home.

Defense Carries Cardinal Girls to Win over O-R-R

February 17, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal defense held the Oldham-Ramona/Rutland Raiders to single-digit points in each quarter on the way to a 47-28 win on Tuesday, February 16th, at Dell Rapids St Mary High School on Senior Night. The Cardinals held the Raiders to just 24% shooting from the field and pulled down 29 defensive rebounds.

The Cardinals didn’t trail in the ball game as they jumped out to a 14-9 lead in the first quarter. St Mary then held the Raiders to just five second quarter points and held a 25-14 lead at halftime. Oldham-Ramona/Rutland was then only able to score five points in the third quarter and nine points in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals cruised to the win.

Sydney Cook had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jackie Wolles finished the night with 11 points, five assists and four steals. Abby Burkhart, Lexi Klein, and Kennedi Mullaney all had six points apiece. Ella Heinitz finished with four points. Klein had eight rebounds in the game, and Burkhart and Mullaney each had seven rebounds.

St Mary (5-14) closed out the regular season on the road at Marion on Friday, February 19th.

Quarriers Sweep Canton in Double-Header

February 16, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Quarrier girls and boy steams both earned victories over the Canton C-Hawks on Monday, February 15th, in Canton. The games were postponed to Monday from an earlier date due to snow.

The Quarrier girls earned a 42-24 win over Canton to improve to 12-7 on the year. Dell Rapids continues to hold the top spot in Region 3A with only one more game to go. The Quarriers will travel to Madison on Thursday, February 18th, for their final regular season game of the year. Mikaela Stofferahn is only nine points away from 1,000 career points. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.

The Quarrier boys picked up a 51-31 win over the C-Hawks. The Dell Rapids defense held Canton to just seven total second half points. Ty Hoglund finished with 23 points while Jeffrey Schuch had 10 points. Dell Rapids improves to 17-1 on the year. The Quarriers will have their final home game of the year on Friday, February 19th, when they host Lennox. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.

LeRoy Skatvold

February 16, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

LeRoy Jerome Skatvold, 67, of Sioux Falls passed away Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Avera McKennan Hospital. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 2:30 PM Thursday, February 18, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Inurnment will be in Pioneer Cemetery, rural Baltic, SD. Memorial visitation will begin at 4:00 PM with a Wake service at 5:00 PM Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Minnehaha Funeral Home in Dell Rapids. On-Line Condolences may be left at Minnehaha Funeral Home.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Diane; children, Eric (Rebecca) Skatvold, Michael (Ashley) Skatvold and Natalie Skatvold; grandchildren, Devon, Kristian, Madison, Hunter, Peagan, Ava, Austin, Riley and Trayden; sister, Judy Walters; brothers, Dean (Karen) Skatvold and Keith Skatvold.

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