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

Grandstand Project in Process

October 27, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Work on the new grandstand project for Rickeman Field is currently in process. The concrete slab under the grandstand was poured the week of October 12th, and assembly of the grandstand structure has begun and should be completed before November. However, the press box piece of the grandstand will not be in Dell Rapids for another couple of weeks according to City Administrator Justin Weiland. The electrical portion of the project will happen when the press box is installed.

The Dell Rapids City Council budgeted $70,000 for the project for 2015 and then approved a proposed project estimated at $72,000 on Monday, August 3rd. The finished project included the new grandstand with mounted press box at the top, electrical work, and the new concrete pad under the grandstand.

Bacteria Found in Water Not a Health Risk

October 27, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids drinking water recently had two test sites that tested positive for coliform bacteria for the month of October. City Administrator Justin Weiland discussed the finding with members of the Dell Rapids City Council during their regular meeting on Monday, October 19th. A letter was also sent out to residents explaining the findings.

The letter stated that coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves and that this was not an emergency. Coliform bacteria is used more as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present in the water. When Dell Rapids received reports of coliform bacteria numbers being higher than standard for two of the test sites, the city did follow-up testing to determine if other bacteria that was of a greater concern was present in the water. The additional testing did not find any of those bacteria.

The letter also stated that city employees immediately flushed the water lines following the positive tests. More testing was completed after the flushing was completed. The results from those tests came back negative for coliform. According to the letter, all indicators point to no bacteria in the water, but the city plans to continue testing and monitoring the area that had the failed tests to be certain the bacteria is fully removed.

The area that had the failed tests was in the area of the new water main replacement project. The new lines were tested for bacteria before the lines were connected, but it is believed that loose debris entered the pipe during the connecting of the lines causing the failed tests.

Residents are encouraged to still contact City Hall for additional information at 428-3595.

“Red Ribbon Week” Events This Week

October 26, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids students will be participating in “Red Ribbon Week” events this week. The Red Ribbon Campaign® is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week®, October 23rd – October 31st each year. It is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. The Red Ribbon Campaign® was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered DEA agent Kiki Camarena in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign® is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a DRUG – FREE AMERICA. The National Family Partnership is the sponsor of the National Red Ribbon Week® Celebration. They help citizens across the country come together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free, through parent training, networking and sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Campaign®.

This year’s theme is Respect Yourself, Be Drug Free! Students will be participating in dress-up days all week long.
Monday – “Color My World Drug Free”: Wear Red
Tuesday – “Be All You Can Be…Be Drug Free”: Wear Camo
Wednesday – “Drugs Turn Your Inside Out”: Wear your clothes inside out
Thursday – “Sock it to Drugs”: Wear crazy socks
Friday – “Team up Against Drugs”: Wear school spirit clothes

Students will also be watching at least one Natural High video each all week long in class. The videos can be found at http://naturalhigh.org/videos/. Students will be participating in daily trivia questions as well as having the opportunity to sign the Red Ribbon Week pledge to be drug and alcohol free. There will also be an opportunity for parents to sign a parent pledge to lock their medications and provide safe and healthy activities for kids during the volleyball match on Monday. Finally students will be doing a “Chalk the Town” event Monday, October 26th, after school. They will be covering the sidewalks on 4th Street in Dell Rapids with positive anti-drug and alcohol messages.

Rezone Request Passes Second Reading Again

October 24, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council passed the second reading of Ordinance 822, Rezone Request for 608 E 6th St from R2 to B2, during their regular meeting on Monday, October 19th. This is the second time a rezone request for this piece of property has passed a second reading. The first time was in February when the request came to the council as Ordinance 816. The rezone never took place as residents near the property obtained enough signatures to keep the rezone from taking place.

This city ordinance was again met by opposition by neighboring property owners. Michael Carpenter voiced his concerns to the council about rezoning the property to B2. He also mentioned that the last time this came up to the council, those opposing the rezone received more than enough signatures to keep the rezone from happening.

Carpenter said, “It doesn’t matter the number of people that come into the room against it, it doesn’t feel like our voices are being heard. I have petitions here from the last time of 238 residents in Dell Rapids that don’t want this rezoned. Not me, not my neighbors. We got the percentage we needed of the 250 ft around the neighborhood. We also went out and got 238 registered voters in the city of Dell Rapids to say no to this, which is over and beyond what was required by that petition, and we didn’t even petition the whole town. My question is, ‘How many people does it take before you guys listen to them?”

City Councilman Tom Earley responded, “All we are going to do is follow what the zoning laws say should do. It’s up to this board to act in the manner they think is right, the action they feel is correct. You guys also have the right to follow suit as the zoning laws allow you to. And I would hope that whatever does transpire will happen in a respectable way. There’s a difference of opinion, and that’s great. That’s what democracy is all about. … I think we need to be responsible to the intent and act in good faith of the zoning laws. We have that responsibility to Mr. Roemen, and we have that responsibility to you guys. ”

Blain Beck and Chad Andrews also spoke against the rezoning of this property. Paul Roemen briefly spoke in favor of rezoning. After the discussions finished, City Councilman Lee Burggraff made a motion to approve the second reading of the ordinance. The motion was seconded by City Councilman Mike Geraets. The motion passed by a vote of 6-2. Councilmen Mike Sterud and Mary Klockman voted nay.

Even though the council passed the second reading, residents will once again have an opportunity to stop the rezone from happening. If 40% of the property owners within 250 feet of the property are opposed, they can bring a protest to the council.

Cardinal Girls Cross Country Team Places 7th at State B Meet

October 24, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls cross country team placed seventh at the 2015 State B Cross Country Meet held at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls on Saturday, October 24th. The Cardinals finished with a team score of 72. Ipswich won the team title with 23 points. Philip was second with 28 points. Newell finished third with 34 points, Gayville-Volin fourth with 38 points, and Waubay/Summit fifth with 61 points.

Christina Vogel finished 11th individually with a time of 20:58.22. Ella Heinitz finished 34th with a time of 21:43.35. Tana Harrington finished 55th with a time of 22:14.99. Catherine Vogel had a time of 23:11.36. Paige Bunkers finished with a time of 24:32.49.

Connor Libis, who ran for the Cardinal boys team, finished 44th with a time of 18:53.06.

Four runners for the Dell Rapids Quarrier cross country team ran in the 2015 State A Cross Country Meet also held at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls.

Shaylee Hoff finished with a time of 21:56.16, and Aspen Hansen finished with a time of 22:48.21. Caleb Kirschenmann ran the meet in a time of 18:37.10, and Carter Wynja finished with a time of 18:40.70.

Custer won the girls team title, and West Central won the boys team title in Class A.

Quarrier Cheer 2nd at State, Cardinals 6th

October 24, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Both the Dell Rapids Quarrier and Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal competitive cheer team performed at the 2015 State A Cheer Competition on Friday, October 23rd, in Brandon.

The Quarriers finished second in the Large/Stunt/Tumble category with a score of 200. The Cardinals finished fourth in the same category with a score of 183.5. Sioux Valley finished first in the category with a score of 223.

Dell Rapids finished second overall with their score of 200. Dell Rapids St Mary finished sixth overall with their score of 183.5. Sioux Valley finished as the grand champion with a score of 223. Platte-Geddes finished third with 198.5. Bon Homme was fourth with 190.5, and Winner finished fifth with a score of 184.50.

Redfield/Doland finished first in the Stunt/Non-Tumble category with a score of 163. Platte-Geddes placed first in the Small/Stunt/Tumble category with a score of 198.5

Local Gym Under New Ownership, Renamed Rapid Fitness

October 23, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Rapid Fitness is the newly owned and updated gym in Dell Rapids. Matt Beukelman and his wife Jaden purchased the former Tryon Gym on August 1st, 2015.

“I have a passion for helping people, and this is the next step to being able to serve more people in the community,” says Beukelman.

Beukelman, who has four years of personal training and nutritional consulting experience at a health club in Sioux Falls, says his goal is to help members at Rapid Fitness see results and learn habits for long term success.

“It’s about educating members on how to lose the weight and keep it off. Habit changes – nothing drastic. The more drastic the weight loss, the more drastic the rebound typically is,” Beukelman says. “There are too many bad trendy diets out there, and people typically regain the weight they lost. I want to fix that.”

Originally from Mitchell, Beukelman says he is excited to get plugged into the local schools to help area students and athletes.

Beukelman plans to continue updating the facilities at Rapid Fitness and offer personal training. He says he hopes to increase the number of group training classes, add kettlebells, and hire more trainers eager to help others improve their health.

A Halloween Grand Re-Opening is scheduled for October 31st. People who sign up for a membership at the event will be eligible for free t-shirts and membership discounts. Current members can check in and “like” Rapid Fitness on Facebook/Instagram from now until the grand reopening to be put in a drawing for a free six month membership.

Beukelman says he hopes people who may have looked at the club in the past will give it another look and check out the recent remodel and improvements.

“We have a lot to offer, but more importantly we care about the members and their results. We want to meet and help every one of them.”

Rapid Fitness is currently hiring a group trainer and is available for 24/7 use with an access card.

Quarrier Football Ends Season with Win

October 23, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Quarrier football team ended their 2015 season with a win in Lennox 19-13 against the Orioles on Thursday, October 22nd. The Quarriers led the game from start to finish on their way to the win.

The Dell Rapids defense scored the first touchdown of the game with 3:24 to go in the first quarter. Trevor Pulscher returned a fumble recovery 57 yards for a touchdown to give Dell Rapids a 6-0 lead. The Quarriers scored again with 10:42 to go in the second quarter when Matt Gillogly scored on a one-yard run to put Dell Rapids ahead 12-0. The Quarriers ended the first half with a 12-0 lead.

Lennox got on the board in the third quarter with :57 remaining in the quarter when Nicholas Kayl caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Leisinger to pull the Orioles within six at 12-6. Sam White added another score for Dell Rapids with 3:07 remaining in the game on a one-yard run. The extra point was good to push the Quarrier lead to 19-6. Leisinger and Kayl connected again with :13 to go in the game on a 30-yard touchdown pass to make the score 19-13. Dell Rapids was able to recover the onside kick and run out the clock for the win.

Dell Rapids finished the game with 20 passing yards and 155 rushing yards for a total of 175 yards of offense. Lennox finished with 274 yards of total offense. Both the Quarriers and Orioles were 3-9 on third downs. Dell Rapids won the turnover battle forcing four Lennox turnovers while the Quarriers only had one.

Hunter Hansen finished 2-5 passing for 20 yards and an interception. White had 15 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown. Gillogly also finished with a rushing touchdown and 16 receiving yards. Ross Wiebenga had seven tackles for the Quarriers. Nate McKee added six tackles, two of them for loss, and had a fumble recovery. Pulscher had a fumble recovery. Anthony Miller and Hansen each had an interception in the game.

Dell Rapids finished their season with a 4-5 record.

Highlights

Quarrier Volleyball Drops Match to Madison

October 22, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Quarrier volleyball team lost their home match against the Madison Bulldogs on Tuesday, October 20th, by scores of 25-11, 25-17, 25-17.

“Madison played well. We played hard and very well at times, but we gave Madison too many free balls that give them easy opportunities to attack us. I really liked our determination. That is what I like to see,” stated Coach Solberg.

Trinity Gordon had eight kills and 14 digs in the match. Emma Paul added seven kills and three points. Chloe Solberg had four points and 21 set assists. Hannah Welbig finished the night with 14 digs.

The Quarriers fall to 7-19 on the year. Dell Rapids will have their final home match and final regular season match on Monday, October 26th, as they host the Beresford Watchdogs. The match will be webcast on Big Sioux Media.

Darlene (Lahr) Baumberger

October 21, 2015 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Darleen Baumberger, 85, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center. Her Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2015 in St. Mary Catholic Church. Visitation on Thursday, October 22, 2015 will begin at 12:00 p.m. A Catholic Daughters Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. The family will be present at 5:00 p.m. with the Christian Wake Service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Kahler Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com.

Darleen Lahr was born to Evelyn and Tony Lahr in a house in Farmer, SD on July 8. 1930. She attended Catholic School in Farmer until 1941 when her family moved to Dell Rapids. She attended school at St. Mary Academy graduating as salutatorian of her class (’48). She worked at the Dells Theater during high school and later at the Arkota Ballroom during her studies at Nettleton Business School. She trained as a legal secretary and worked for Van Buren and Vogt in Dell Rapids. Later in her working life she worked as a secretary at Farmers National Bank in Flandreau where she was promoted to loan officer, retiring in 1988.

She met her husband, Don Baumberger at a dance in late 1951. The couple married in May of 1952 and made their home on a farm, eventually purchasing a farm near Lone Tree north of Dell Rapids. Darleen raised and process 500 chickens each year, keep books and help manage the business end of the farm. Their family had six children, Evelyn, Paula, a still born baby Rudolph Donald, Therese, “Tess”, Pete and Bruce. The couple purchased a farm near Lone Tree Station north of Dell Rapids. Her husband, Don, passed away in 1984. Darleen married Ken LeBrun in 1988.

Darleen enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards, spending time with family, feeding people, gardening, canning, and baking. She enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and had an interest in current events and was politically active, running for county treasurer in Moody County in the 1980s. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Altar Society in Dell Rapids and St. Peter in Colman. She was the director of Catechism in Colman. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas the treasurer of Padres and a volunteer at St. Mary School. She also belonged to the Red Hatters Club, Bridge and Canasta Clubs, volunteered at the Dell Rapids Museum and participated in ecumenical bible study groups.

She is survived by her children, Evelyn Baumberger; Paula Baumberger (David Peik), Rev. Therese “Tess” Baumberger (Richard Desantis); Pete (Julie Kuehl) Baumberger and Bruce Baumberger; her eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter; her sister, Kathleen (Gary) Keller and her brothers, James (Jan) Lahr and Tom (Sue) Lahr. She is preceded in death by her husband, infant son, and brother, Dee (Corrine) Kleespie.

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