Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Daily Republic · Sioux Falls, SD
Nearby: Sioux Falls, SDSIOUX FALLS — Mitchell High School volleyball was up to the challenge of facing No. 5 O’Gorman on Thursday night with a Class AA state tournament berth on the line but the Knights had answers at every turn for a 3-0 sweep in the SoDak 16 state-qualifying round. Set scores were 25-20, 28-26 and 25-23. O’Gorman (20-8) plays No. 4 Sioux Falls Washington at 12:45 p.m. in the Class AA state quarterfinals on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Mitchell’s season ends at 9-15. The Knights appeared to be on their way to an easy sweep but Mitchell fought back in the second frame. Trailing 21-12, Mitchell scored nine straight points to tie the set behind the serving of Londyn Hajek. The Kernels fended off three O’Gorman set point chances before O’Gorman sealed the 2-0 lead. In the third set, Mitchell led 22-16 only to see O’Gorman charge back with a 9-1 run to close out the Kernels’ season.
Daily Republic · Sioux Falls, SD
Nearby: Sioux Falls, SDSPEARFISH, S.D. — For 25 days in May, Mai Richards carried an American flag across South Dakota, running as many as 22 miles a day from Sioux Falls to Sturgis in honor of the men and women who gave their lives in military service. The 450-mile journey, called Miles of Honor, tested Richards physically and emotionally. She ran through strong prairie winds, freezing rain, exhaustion and moments of doubt, all while carrying an 8-foot flagpole and balancing the demands of completing her master's degree in business administration. But the reason she kept going was never about how far she could run. It was about the people she was running for and a belief that has shaped much of her life: love and sacrifice go hand in hand. For Richards, that connection is personal. Born in Vietnam, she and her twin sister experienced severe poverty and abuse before their mother gave them up for adoption so they could have a safer life.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Sioux Falls, SD
Nearby: Sioux Falls, SDSIOUX FALLS — New details have emerged in the October shooting that killed a Minnehaha County sheriff’s deputy as state law enforcement officials rule that the ensuing officer-involved shooting was justified. South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley on Friday, Nov. 6, released an officer-involved shooting report detailing the events of the night Deputy Katherine Frank was shot and killed in a Sioux Falls home. The report is the result of a comprehensive 28-day investigation that included witness interviews, forensic testing, review of physical evidence, toxicology testing and more by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Sioux Falls Police Department. “The ultimate conclusion based upon the totality of circumstances is that the officer that discharged [their] firearm four times, striking Brandon Oetken, was justified in firing and using lethal force,” Jackley announced from Pierre. Frank, 26, was the daughter of the Rev.
Daily Republic · Mitchell, SD
Nearby: Mitchell, SDMITCHELL — Marty Christensen and others hope to honor the memory of a friend by checking off one of his bucket list items. Christensen seeks to bring a public access gun range to Mitchell. This is a task that avid outdoorsman and former District 20 Legislator Lance Carson, sought to accomplish before he died. Carson had multiple heart attacks, he said. "I just had the privilege of being his doctor and saved his life hundreds of times," Christensen said. During its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Davison County Commission approved an agreement to be signed with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) for a $800,000 federal grant toward constructing a new $1.4 million 600-yard gun range at the Davison County Fairgrounds near the corner of West Havens Avenue and 406th Avenue. The grant is funded by an 11% federal tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment sold in the United States.
Daily Republic · Mitchell, SD
Nearby: Mitchell, SDMITCHELL — A local developer hopes to take advantage of lumber prices with a new warehouse on Mitchell’s south side. During its meeting on Monday, the Mitchell Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for rezoning a plat at 1912 S. Miller St. from urban development to industrial district. The property belongs to Jeremy Jensen and is part of Jensen Design Build. Jensen owns property on the northeast and south of the plat. Commission recommendations are considered by the Mitchell City Council. City Planner Mark Jenniges noted the rezoning is a necessary step so that Jensen’s property next to the building site can be replatted and then considered later by the commission. A building permit is to follow after the plat merge. “That's the purpose of this whole rezone,” Jenniges said. Jensen is building a 220-foot long addition at his 10-acre house fabrication facility.
Daily Republic · Vermillion, SD
Nearby: Vermillion, SDFREEMAN, S.D. — One more game stands between the Freeman Flyers and another state championship, but this one would carry an even greater meaning for a program looking to bring a standalone title back to its community for the first time in 27 years. The top-seeded and undefeated Flyers will take their 23-game winning streak, dating back to last year, into Thursday's Class 9A state championship against Bennett County at 1 p.m. at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. Freeman has been dominant throughout the season, building on last year's championship experience and positioning itself to capture back-to-back state titles. The Flyers are looking to accomplish something that hasn't been done by a Freeman team in nearly three decades. After competing as a Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy co-op in last year’s title run, the program has continued its winning ways despite losing key players and navigating the change.
Daily Republic · Vermillion, SD
Nearby: Vermillion, SDPLATTE, S.D. — The opportunity to finish the season with a state championship is something every high school football team works toward, but for Platte-Geddes, Thursday night presents an opportunity to do something even more special. Avenge its only loss of the season against the team standing between them and a title. The Black Panthers will take on top-seeded and undefeated Parkston in the Class 9AA state championship game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the DakotaDome in Vermillion, capping off the nine-man divisions' slate of title games. P-G enters the matchup with a chance to capture its third state title in seven seasons, but they will have to get through a familiar opponent that has proven to be one of the state's premier nine-man programs. “It's always special when you get to play in this game,” Platte-Geddes head coach Bruce Hanson said. “Our coaching staff has been fortunate enough to do it a few times, and the kids enjoy it. That's the goal going into the year.
