The Dell Rapids City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, July 1st, at 7:30 p.m. at the City Council Chamber. Some of the items on the agenda include the first reading of Ordinance 773, a committee report about campers/trailers on the streets, a board update and discussion on the library building project, discussion of a fire pit ordinance, and the administrative report. The full agenda can be found here.
Cell-Phone Ban for Young Drivers Takes Effect on July 1
PIERRE, S.D. – A new law making it illegal for young drivers to use a cell phone while driving takes effect on Monday, July 1, South Dakota Department of Public Safety officials remind citizens.
The law, passed by the 2013 Legislature, prohibits anyone who holds a learner’s permit or a restricted minor’s permit from using any handheld communication device while driving. Generally, such permits are issued to persons between the ages of 14 and 18.
“Young people still gaining experience with driving really need to avoid any distractions,’’ said Jenna Howell, director of Legal and Regulatory Services for Public Safety. “Driving is a full-time responsibility for all of us. That is especially true for our younger drivers who are still trying to get comfortable behind the wheel of a vehicle. The law emphasizes the need to pay attention to the road.’’
A learner or instruction permit allows the holder to drive between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. if accompanied by a person who has a valid driver license, is at least 18 years old and has at least one year of driving experience. That person must occupy a seat beside the young driver.
A restricted minor’s permit allows the holder to drive between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. with permission of a parent or guardian. The holder of a restricted minor’s permit may drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. if the parent or guardian is in a seat next to the driver.
The Legislature directed that the new law be enforced as a secondary offense, meaning a young driver would have to be stopped for another offense before a ticket could be issued for driving while using a handheld communications device.
Vernon Davis Visits Dell Rapids Area Farm
ROBIN WIEBENGA – On June 19th, Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49er’s Tight End made a visit to South Dakota. The purpose of the visit was to surprise the employees at NutraClick Customer Care in Sioux Falls and celebrate employee appreciation day. Davis endorses NutraClick’s – Force Factor brand – a supplement line.
Davis spent the majority of the day signing autographs, taking picture and socializing with NutraClick employees and family members.
At the end of the day, Davis had about an hour and half before catching his flight back to San Francisco. Davis asked the General Manager of NutraClick, Robin Wiebenga, if it would be possible for him to visit a farm during his free time. Wiebenga arranged a visit to the Mike and Becky Randall Farm, which her son, Andrew Wiebenga works. “I told Davis that the farm would smell like cows. I also offer to take him to The Falls or The Sculpture 
Walk in down town Sioux Falls. Davis told me he really wanted to visit a ‘real farm'”, said R. Wiebenga.
A. Wiebenga (Dell Rapids High School student) and Seth Dybedahl (Dell Rapids High School graduate), Randall Farm employees, never expected that one of the top NFL players would visit them at work on the farm. Davis expressed that he had never been on a farm. During the visit Davis was very interested in the cattle, corn and the process for feeding the cattle. A. Wiebenga said, “Vernon was interested in the farm life and he asked a lot of questions.”
When Davis was asked what advice he had for A. Wiebenga as a young football player, Davis stated, “Focus on your education and hit the weight room hard.” Dybedahl said, “It is not everyday someone like Vernon Davis shows up on the farm, but we’re glad he enjoyed it. We hope he learned something new.”
Davis was so happy with the trip to the farm he posted pictures on Instagram of his South Dakota farm experience.
***Photos submitted by Robin Wiebenga
Completion Date Extended For Lane Closures On Highway 115 South Of Dell Rapids
DELL RAPIDS, S.D. – Due to an unseasonably wet spring, the completion date for work on structures over the Big Sioux River on Highway 115 south of Dell Rapids has been extended to Wednesday, June 26, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
Work began on structures over the Big Sioux River on Highway 115 south of Dell Rapids on June 5 and was expected to be completed by June 21.
Traffic has been reduced to one lane 24 hours a day so crews can remove and replace the concrete deck surface.
Traffic is being maintained at all times, but motorists can expect delays and may want to consider an alternate route.
Complete road construction information is available at www.safetravleusa.com/sd or by dialing 511.
Construction Projects Continue Through Summer Months in Dell Rapids
City Administrator Justin Weiland sat down with Big Sioux Media to give an update on the “Safe Routes to School” grant, continued work on 15th St, Garfield Ave and bridge work, as well as an update on the new projects starting for County Fair Foods, Caseys General Store, Family Dollar, and residential houses.
Congratulations Kari Karst!
Recently the South Dakota Center for Enterprise Opportunity (SD CEO) at Black Hills State University announced the winners of the Women in Business awards during the “Celebrating Women in Business” luncheon held at the Spearfish Holiday Inn. (Kari is 4th from left)
The statewide awards program was designed to highlight the impact of outstanding women entrepreneurs across the state. Winners for the four award categories were: Kari Karst, owner and president of BX Civil & Construction, Inc., in Dell Rapids, for the Enterprising Business Woman award; Janie Hett, owner of Peak Motion Physical Therapy in Spearfish, for the Enterprising Young Entrepreneur award; State Farm Insurance-Coreen Lerwick Agency in Spearfish, for the Enterprising Business Team award; Sheryl Eisenbraun, senior vice president , Pioneer Bank & Trust in Sturgis; and Jane Swenson, senior vice president, Reliabank Dakota in Watertown, who shared the award for the Enterprising Friend of Small Business .
“What an honor it is to recognize these outstanding women who truly have made an incredible impact in the business world,” said Helen Merriman, director of the SD CEO. “South Dakota can be very proud of all of its women-owned businesses as we congratulate these winners whose actions exemplify the extraordinary effort, dedication and savvy business skills it requires to start, grow, and sustain successful businesses throughout South Dakota.”
The winner of the Enterprising Business Woman award was Kari Karst, owner and president of BX Civil & Construction, Inc., Dell Rapids. This dynamic business woman has achieved substantial success in her business and community, and has demonstrated outstanding skill, commitment, and accomplishment while successfully navigating obstacles in addition to influencing, mentoring, and encouraging others. Karst bought Buskerud Construction in 1992, which recently changed its name to BX Civil & Construction, Inc. BX Civil & Construction, Inc., has worked on South Dakota Department of Transportation projects covering the entire state of South Dakota, along with Corps of Engineer projects, and numerous city and county projects. They are a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) contractor in Minnesota and South Dakota. Karst is actively involved in and works for the betterment of her industry. In 2004, she became the first female president of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Highway Chapter in South Dakota. She has also served on the AGC of South Dakota Board, the National AGC and various committees in South Dakota. Karst is highly respected as a woman in business in a traditionally male dominated industry.
To learn more about the SD CEO, visit www.BHSU.edu/SDCEO. http://rapidcityjournal.com.
City Council Meeting: 6/17/2013
The Dell Rapids City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, June 17th, at 7:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. Some of the items on the agenda include consideration of quotes for a public camera system, update and decision on the Safe Routes to School grant, library board appointment, and the administrative report. The full agenda can be found here.
Crazy Days and Cootie Days Held
The 2013 Crazy Days and Cootie Days in Dell Rapids was held on Friday, June 14th, and Saturday, June 15th. The Cootie Days celebration kicked off on Friday at City Park and included a carnival that brought young and old alike to the City Park. On Saturday Crazy Days was held on Main St between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Despite the morning rain showers, many shoppers found their way downtown to find great deals from Dell Rapids businesses and other vendors.
15th Street Phase II/State Avenue/Garfield Avenue
15th Street/State Ave/Garfield Ave Project Update Newsletters
- Affected property owners and the public can keep up to date on this project by downloading the bi-monthly newsletter by going here: http://www.cityofdellrapids.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={BD6BDEC1-7AA0-4F60-A2B9-010C23F7ECF4}
- The public is also encouraged to attend the Bi-Monthly Construction progress meetings. Held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 10:00 AM at City Hall.
Safe Routes to School Announces Funding Awards
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation has awarded nearly $900,000 in grants to ten South Dakota communities as part of the Safe Routes to School program. These communities will also provide $24,720.00 in local or in kind matches.
The largest award of $199,692.50 went to the City of Elk Point for sidewalks and ADA curb ramps, as well as education and incentive items.
Other community awards are as follows:
- Alcester – $115,743.76
- Big Stone City – $173,356.00
- Centerville – $8,225.00
- Dell Rapids – $50,298.00
- Estelline – $106,531.25
- Iroquois – $5,878.00
- Madison – $35,501.00
- Valley Springs – $131,466.75
- Viborg – $11,931.70
Applicants were asked to create a unique Safe Routes to School program to address specific concerns within their community. The programs include activities that encourage walking and biking, as well as small-scale construction projects to fill gaps in existing bicycle and pedestrian routes for school children.
Construction projects can include sign and crosswalk improvements, driver feedback signs, pedestrian and bicycle connective paths.
Non-infrastructure projects include incentive programs, safety and health education, law enforcement assistance, safety campaigns, bicycle rodeo activities, bicycle physical education programs, in-street yield signs, walking school buses and bicycle trains.
Safe Routes to School was created as an effort by Congress to combat the growing epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes. One cause of this epidemic is the decrease in children’s physical activity. To promote physical activity, Safe Routes has three goals:
- To enable and encourage all children to walk and bicycle to school.
- To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
- To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities which will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution near schools.
For more information about the program, contact Marilyn Patterson, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, at 605-773-6642 or marilyn.patterson@state.sd.us.
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