Big Sioux Media Sports Network

Your first stop for southeast South Dakota sports!

  • Dell Rapids Lumber Top Banner Advertisement
    Eds Produce Top Banner Advertisement
    Dells Materials Top Banner Advertisement
    Dells Nursing & Rehab Top Banner Advertisement
    T&C Top Banner Advertisement
    Absolute Business Promotions
    Adam Jones Plumbing
    Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce Banner Advertisement
    Dells Theatre Top Banner Advertisement

Health Department Urges Vaccination as Flu Activity Increases to Widespread

by

PIERRE, S.D. – People who’ve delayed getting vaccinated for flu may want to proceed now that flu virus activity is widespread in South Dakota, says a state health official.

To date, South Dakota has reported 469 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu and 135 flu-related hospitalizations. There have also been nine deaths reported, all over the age of 75.

“We do encourage people to get vaccinated early in the season but it’s still not too late to get immunized,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, State Epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “The flu virus is likely to be with us for several weeks, if not months, so getting vaccinated now can provide important protection from the flu.”

Kightlinger noted that this year’s flu activity is occurring earlier and at higher levels than recent years, other than the 2009 pandemic.  

Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone, but some are at higher risk for complications – pregnant women, people over 50 years and people with chronic medical conditions. Health-care workers and household contacts of high-risk populations such as those with young infants should also be vaccinated. Children are another high risk group, accounting for significant cases and hospitalizations each year and helping spread flu in the community. The department offers free flu vaccine for kids from six months to 18 years.

In addition to vaccination, to prevent the spread of the flu:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel ; 
  • Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze;
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth; and,
  • Stay home if you’re sick.  

Learn more at http://flu.sd.gov

 

Dells Rapids to Benefit from South Dakota Tobacco Control Program Grant

by

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Tobacco Control Program awarded $325,000 in grant funding to 13 community/school partnerships statewide.

Each partnership was granted $25,000 to improve tobacco prevention and control efforts in their communities. Coalition activities focus on one of the three tobacco control goal areas: preventing initiation of tobacco use among young people, promoting tobacco cessation among adults and youth, and eliminating nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke. This is the third year of community/school partnership grant funding.

“Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and South Dakota alike. The work that the coalitions accomplish through these partnership grants can help reduce tobacco’s impact on our communities,” said Colleen Winter, director of health and medical services for the South Dakota Department of Health.

Community/school partnerships carry out a variety of tobacco prevention activities throughout the year. Past efforts have included working with local school districts on tobacco-free buildings and grounds policies and evidence-based tobacco prevention curriculum, working with local parks and recreation departments to provide education on the importance of tobacco-free youth recreation, and disseminating information to housing managers and childcare providers about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

“The steps these communities are taking to prevent and control tobacco use have a positive influence on the lives of adults and children alike. Every step taken to reduce tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure throughout the state is a step in the right direction,” Winter said.

The Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program coordinates state efforts to reduce death and disease caused by tobacco use. The program’s efforts include: providing technical assistance and support to individuals, businesses, healthcare providers, and educational institutions; offering funding and support to local entities; conducting statewide public education campaigns; operating the State’s tobacco QuitLine; and conducting surveillance and program evaluation.

Reducing tobacco use is a key objective of the department’s Health 2020 Initiative.

-30-

See list of awarded partnerships below:

Partnership Name

Communities Served
Coalition for a Drug Free SD Canton, Harrisburg, Sioux Falls
Rural Sioux Empire Coalition for Youth Colton, Dell Rapids, Lennox, Hartford, Tea
Canli Coalition Dewey and Ziebach Counties
EMPOWER Coalition of the Southern Hills, Inc. Fall River County
Milbank Tobacco Coalition Milbank
Mitchell Tobacco Prevention Coalition and Unfiltered Reality Mitchell
SET-Free Coalition Sioux Falls
Spearfish Community Coalition Spearfish
Spink County Coalition Spink County
Action for the Betterment of the Community Coalition Sturgis
Watertown Tobacco Free Coalition Watertown
Michael Glynn Memorial Coalition White River
Yankton Tobacco Coalition Yankton

State Historical Society Board Approves Property Tax Moratorium Applications

by

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota State Historical Society board of trustees recently approved 19 applications for the eight-year state historic preservation property tax moratorium for restoration and rehabilitation made to historic buildings. The projects meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

“These approvals are significant because if an historic building qualifies for the tax benefit, an eight-year delay is placed on the property tax assessment of any certified improvements,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society, headquartered at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. “Property tax assessments may not be increased due to certified rehabilitation of the building.”

The property tax moratorium is an incentive for owners of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places to maintain and rehabilitate their homes and businesses, Vogt added.

For more information on how to qualify for the state historic preservation property tax moratorium, contact the State Historical Society at (605) 773-3458.

Following is a list by county of the sites approved for the property tax moratorium:

Brookings County

  • Lockhart-Fishback House, 1001 6th Ave., Brookings

Brown County

  • Milwaukee Depot, 1 N. Main St., Aberdeen

Clay County

  • Conrad Building, 108 E. Main St., Vermillion
  • Thompson Lumber Company, 15 Court St., Vermillion

Davison County

  • Whittier School, 410 W. 2nd Ave. SE, Mitchell

Deuel County

  • Old South Dakota School for the Blind, 1312 Coteau St., Gary

Edmunds County

  • Marcus Beebe Mansion, 507 4th St., Ipswich

Hughes County

  • H.M. McDonald House, 1906 E. Erskine St., Pierre

Lawrence County

  • Clark, Mullen & Munn Block (Pineview Building), 25 Lee St., Deadwood
  • Dye House, 24 Adams St., Deadwood
  • Masonic Temple, 809 W. Main St., Lead

Minnehaha County

  • Odd Fellows Home, 100 W. 10th St., Dell Rapids
  • Farley Loetscher Building, 322 & 324 E. 8th St., Sioux Falls
  • Texaco Super Service, 330 S. 1st Ave., Sioux Falls

Pennington County

  • 1301 11th St., Rapid City
  • Fairmont Creamery, 201 Main St., Rapid City
  • Homer House, 817 9th St., Rapid City
  • Lighter House, 1815 9th St., Rapid City

Yankton County

  • Fantles (Riverfront Event Center), 121 W. 3rd St., Yankton

State Park Reservations Will Open Soon

by

PIERRE, S.D. – Beginning on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 a.m. CST, visitors can start making lodge reservations at South Dakota state parks.

“Once lodge reservations open on Jan. 7, they will be taken up to one year in advance, year-round,” said state Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. “So if you’d like to stay July 4, 2014, you can reserve the lodge on July 4, 2013.”

Lodges are found at Lake Thompson Recreation Area near Lake Preston, Shadehill Recreation Area near Lemmon, Mina Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Pierre and Palisades State Park near Sioux Falls.

Once reservations open at 7 a.m. CST, reservations can be made 24 hours a day online at www.campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267.

All camping fees must be paid at the time a reservation is made. There is a $7.70, non-refundable reservation fee, which does not apply to South Dakota residents. A valid park entrance license is required in designated fee areas.

The first day to make individual campsite reservations is Jan. 31. Campsites are reservable year-round within 90 days of arrival. Custer State Park accepts reservations one year in advance.

For more information on reservations, visit the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation website at www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-773-3391.

South Dakota State Parks Celebrate The New Year

by

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota state parks will sponsor free, guided hikes in 12 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states.

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1 at a state park close to home. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.

“We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks. First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,” said State Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer.

First Day Hikes originated more than two decades ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Mass. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. Last year marked the first time all 50 state park systems sponsored First Day Hikes, offering 400 hikes nationwide.

In South Dakota, hikes will be offered at the following locations:

America’s State Parks is committed to promoting outdoor recreation in state parks as a way to address obesity, especially among children. Getting kids outside and unplugged from video games and other electronic media creates a unique connection with nature that promotes physical and mental well-being and encourages creativity and stewardship of our shared resources.

-30-

The mission of the NASPD and America’s State Parks is to promote and advance the state park systems of America for their own significance, as well as for their important contributions to the nation’s environment, heritage, health and economy.

Keep Food Safety In Mind At Holiday Gatherings

by

PIERRE, S.D. – Keep food safety in mind to prevent food-borne illness and make sure holiday gatherings don’t turn merriment to misery, says a state health official.

“Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for holiday pot-lucks at schools, churches, offices or other gatherings to result in food-borne outbreaks,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, epidemiologist for the South Dakota Department of Health. “To prevent food-borne illness wash, your hands thoroughly, cook and store foods at proper temperatures, and don’t prepare food when you’re sick.”

Food-borne illness symptoms can include mild or severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. Most people recover on their own without medication but some need fluids to prevent dehydration.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year food-borne illness sickens roughly one in six Americans, or 48 million people, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.

Through the end of November in South Dakota, nearly 500 cases of the food-borne illnesses Salmonella (157), Campylybacter (266), and E. coli (45) had been reported for the year. In addition, several recent diarrheal outbreaks of Norovirus have been reported.

Dr. Kightlinger recommends the following steps when preparing holiday foods:

  • Clean. Wash hands, cutting boards, utensils, and countertops.
  • Separate. Keep raw meat and poultry separate from ready-to-eat foods.
  • Cook. Cook foods to a safe temperature, using a food thermometer to check – 145°F for whole meats, 160°F for ground meats, 165°F for poultryand stuffing.
  • Chill. Keep your refrigerator below 40°F, and refrigerate leftovers right away.
  • When cooking large batches of food ahead of time, make sure to cool them quickly and reheat properly.
  • Don’t lick the bowl if raw eggs are in the batter and don’t use raw eggs in your eggnog.

To learn more about food safety, check http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/basics/or see the FDA site, www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm092815.htm, for more food safety tips for the holidays.

2012 Dell Rapids High School Christmas Concert

by

The 2012 Dell Rapids High School Christmas Concert was held on Thursday, December 20th, at the Dell Rapids Middle School Commons area.  The high school band started off the concert with three songs, “Christmas Fanfare”, “A Cowboy Christmas”, and “Bugler’s Holiday”.  A brass ensemble played two songs, “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”.  The final performance of the night was by the high school choir.  They performed “Caroling, Caroling”, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”, “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind”, “Silent Night”, and “Christmas Finale”.

The entire concert can be viewed as an archive on the Webcasts page.

Dell Rapids High School Band

Brass Ensemble

Dell Rapids High School Choir

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy