News Archives - Big Sioux Media

Dells Nursing & Rehab Center Updating Baseball Field

October 21, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dells Nursing & Rehab Center has recently been making updates to its baseball field this fall. Since about 2015, Dells Nursing & Rehab Center has been hosting youth baseball games for 8U and 6U age groups.

Founder Chad Stroschein saw a need of more facilities for the growing youth baseball and softball programs in Dell Rapids and created a playable area on the northwest side of the facility.

The new updates that have begun this fall include a chain link fence around the whole diamond area to prevent balls from rolling onto the road and for safety of players, sloping the outfield so spectators can sit behind the fence and watch the games, cement slab for residents to watch on the first-base side of the fence, and a backstop to prevent foul balls from hitting the building. There will also be bench seating installed for players, and the infield area will soon be an agri-lime dirt surface.

“We wanted to address the need for more fields in Dell Rapids and also provide a realistic baseball experience with an inter-generational twist by giving residents a chance to watch,” said Stroschein.

Scouting for Food this Weekend

October 20, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Boy Scout Troop 53 is collecting food again this year for the Dell Rapids Storehouse as part of the annual “Scouting for Food” food drive.

The boys hung door-hangers around Dell Rapids. They will go around the community on Saturday, October 23rd between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to pick up food that is left on doorsteps. They are accepting soups, cereals, canned fruit, canned meats, canned milk, pasta, rice, and canned vegetables.

Thank you for helping out our neighbors in need.

Shooting Sports Information for Dell Rapids

October 20, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Moody County 4-H has openings for our Dell Rapids Shooting Sports program that will begin this winter! Dell Rapids Shooting Sports offers: BB gun and archery. The 4-H Shooting Sports program develops safe shooting habits in youth ages 8-19. Students practice under the guidance of certified instructors and coaches who have received over 15 hours of training in the areas of safety, techniques, coaching and youth development. You can find more information about the South Dakota 4-H Shooting Sports program at: 4-H Shooting Sports | SDSU Extension (sdstate.edu)

If you are interested in participating in shooting sports in Dell Rapids please fill out this questionnaire: https://southdakotastateuniversity.questionpro.com/t/AQojpZpLHy

This does NOT guarantee that you your youth has a spot in Dell Rapids for shooting sports, this questionnaire is to see how many are interested. There is a LIMITED number of spots in Dell Rapids due to venue. If you do not get in please know that you will be on the waiting list. We will do our best.

Practices in Dell Rapids will be Sunday evenings usually starting in January. We are looking for parents to help enter scores into the computer, score targets and become certified instructors. If you are interested in becoming a 4-H certified instructor please let me know!

It is recommended that those in shooting sports join a 4-H club.

Age: 8-18 (must be 8 by Jan 1^st)

Youth must be enrolled in 4-H at: http://v2.4honline.com

Cost: $25.00/discipline (if you are in two disciplines it’s $50.00/youth)

You must provide your own equipment

Parents must stay for the whole practice to help their youth load bb’s/arrows etc.

There will be a safety meeting that youth must attend. Along with the safety meeting will be additional rules for attending this year.

Please fill out the questionnaire if you are interested by October 22^nd.

If you have questions please contact Christine Greenhoff: lcgreenhoff@siouxvalley.net

Chamber Hosting Multiple Contests for Halloween

October 19, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce is holding multiple contests over the next couple of weeks in coordination with their Downtown Trick-or-Treat Event. The chamber’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat event will be held on Friday, October 29th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on 4th St in downtown Dell Rapids.

In coordination with that event, the chamber will also be holding three contests over the next couple of weeks. The first contest is a Halloween Costume Contest. There will be five different categories, and prizes will be awarded to the winner in each of the categories.

The second contest will be a Pumpkin Carving Contest. Folks can post picture of their carved pumpkins until October 29th to be entered into the contest. The final contest is a Haunted House Contest. Entries need to be submitted by October 29th. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place.

Details about the trick-or-treat event and the contests can be found on this page on the chamber’s website, http://dellrapidschamber.com/trickortreat/, or on their Facebook page.

Homecoming Kings and Queens Crowned

October 12, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Both Dell Rapids St Mary and Dell Rapids held their coronation ceremonies on Monday, October 11th as part of the homecoming week. Both schools crowned their Homecoming King and Queen during the ceremonies.

The Dell Rapids St Mary Homecoming King is John Pica, and the Homecoming Queen is Courtney Brown.

The Dell Rapids Homecoming King is Weston Mason, and the Homecoming Queen is Yazmin Garcia.

The week will continue with activities at both schools. The homecoming parade will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15th downtown Dell Rapids. The Cardinals will host De Smet for their homecoming football game, and the Quarriers will host Dakota Valley. Both games will kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

Dell Rapids Economy Remains Strong in 2021

October 6, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

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Spending in Dell Rapids has remained strong in 2021. The Dell Rapids City Council received a sales tax revenue report during their regular meeting on Monday, October 4th. The report shows an increase in spending through the month of August compared to the same time frame in 2020.

“If you look at the month of July compared to last year, what a difference,” said Dell Rapids Mayor Tom Earley. “Thanks to everybody for shopping local.”

The month of July in 2021 had an 18.84% increase in sales tax revenue compared to July in 2020. Over the eight-month reporting period, revenue is up 6.1% for an increase of $58,320.30 from last year at this time. The city has collected just over $950,000 in sales tax through the month of August.

Dell Rapids Chamber Hosts “Senior Trail Ride” Event

September 29, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce held a “Senior Trail Ride” on Saturday, September 25th around Dell Rapids. This is a new event for 2021, but was an idea that was presented nearly a year and half ago.

Councilman Gary Haak and Mayor Tom Earley had an idea for this type of a ride and asked if the Dell Rapids Chamber would be willing to put something together. The original plan was to hold this ride about the time of the idea a year and a half ago, but Covid delayed the plans.

On a beautiful day, the trail ride was offered to residents at Dells Nursing an Rehab Center and Orchard Hills. The chamber limited the participation this year so they could work on the logistics during the event. The trial ride followed the bike trail from the pool house to the dam. They then traveled from the dam to Veteran’s Memorial Park, and then followed the south side of the park past the bathhouse before returning to the pool.

A total of 14 riders took part in the event. All of the drivers of the golf carts were vaccinated to ensure safety for all the participants.

The Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce hopes to do more of these rides in the future.

Pictures taken by Tammy McKillip and Rebecca Fritz

Avera Dells Area Hospital to Host Community Blood Drive

September 25, 2021 by Submitted

Dell Rapids, SD – Avera Dells Area Hospital and Community Blood Bank are coming together to secure the blood supply for the community by hosting a blood drive on Thursday, October 7 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Avera Dells Area Hospital (909 North Iowa Ave., Dell Rapids). Donors can log onto www.cbblifeblood.org and select “events”, October 7 and Avera Dells Area Hospital or call 605-331-3222, Walk-ins are welcome.

“Blood donations continue to be severely affected by COVID-19 throughout the last 1 ½ years. Our blood supply is once again at critical levels and we are seeing more organizations unable to host blood drives due to the rise in COVID cases, said Ken Versteeg, Executive Director, Community Blood Bank. “We need blood donations now and hope to build up a supply level that can be relied upon to treat local patients with cancer, blood disorders, undergoing emergency surgeries and many other serious medical condition. Donating blood on the bloodmobile is a safe process and only takes 30 minutes to save up to three local lives. If you have never donating blood or new to the community, we invite you to join Community Blood Bank to impact our community patients by scheduling your donation at this event. All blood donations will be used locally to save the lives of local patients in need.”

Community Blood Bank was founded by Sanford Medical Center and Avera McKennan Hospital in 1976 to be the sole blood provider to local area hospitals. Community Blood Bank is the sole blood provider to Avera Dells Area Hospital. When you give blood on the bloodmobile you will directly save local lives in your community.

Donor must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with a signed parent consent form found at www.cbblifeblood.org) weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good general health. Donors exhibiting cold or flu symptoms are unable to donate. A valid identification is required at the time of registration. It is recommended that a person eat and drink plenty of fluid prior to donating blood. With policies associated in addressing COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that all donors schedule appointments / walk-ins will be accepted. For information log onto www.cbblifeblood.org or call 1-877-877-3070.

Dell Rapids Free Rubble Site Days Announced for Fall

September 22, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council approved three “Free Rubble Site Days” for the upcoming fall season. The three days will be October 30th (Saturday, 9 AM to 4 PM), November 4th (Thursday, 1 PM to 6 PM), and November 6th (Saturday 9AM to 4PM).

A free technology drop off day will not be held this fall. A technology drop off day is being planned for the spring of 2022.

There is still a $10.00 fee for appliances.

As a reminder the rubble site is licensed by the State of South Dakota and is restricted to trees, branches, untreated wood, construction and demolition debris, sheet rock, plaster, concrete, carpet, furniture, mattresses, grass, yard and garden waste and leaves, and large household appliances. Fees are enforced by volume and type of material. This is for Dell Rapids residents only that live within city limits.

Unaccepted items include household waste, cardboard, plastic (of any kind), small electric appliances (TVs, stereo equipment, microwaves), toys, bikes with tires, shingles, asbestos, tires, hazardous materials, and fiberglass.

Please visit the Rubble Site page for a list of accepted materials.

Cardinal and Quarrier Bands March in Parker

September 20, 2021 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Both the Dell Rapids St Mary and Dell Rapids High School marching bands participated in the Parker Marching Band Festival on Friday, September 17th. The Cardinals were entered in Class B, and Dell Rapids was competing in Class AA. Both schools also received awards.

St Mary took third place out of nine teams. The color guard also received the “Outstanding Color Guard” for Class B.

The Quarriers finished second in Class AA. Cara Rice received the “Best Drum Major” for the class.

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