Latest news with #SiouxFalls
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Online forum brings key voices to prison relocation discussion
Jun. 19—MITCHELL — Just one night after an in-person forum at Mitchell Technical Institute, residents and panelists reconvened online Wednesday evening for a virtual continuation of the state's prison relocation discussions. The format allowed for deeper exploration of operational and planning issues — and brought in voices absent from Tuesday's event, including Secretary of Corrections Kellie Wasko and Yankton Thrive CEO Nancy Wenande. Moderated by former Davison County auditor Susan Kiepke, the online session was structured as a Q and A, with the public submitting questions in advance and through the forum chat. Though the format did not allow for live public comment or rebuttal, it delivered key clarifications and expanded on the state's vision for a modern correctional facility. While Mitchell has become a frontrunner in the discussion, its inclusion represents a shift in strategy from earlier state planning. Originally, the state's search for a replacement prison was focused within 20 miles of Sioux Falls, aligning with a 2021 study conducted by DLR Group, an architectural and engineering firm that specializes in justice facility design. That study recommended a 160-acre site near Sioux Falls based on infrastructure, staffing, and logistical considerations. A more recent consultant report continued to prioritize the Sioux Falls area, largely due to workforce access. However, after the legislature failed to approve construction during the last session, Governor Larry Rhoden formed the Prison Reset Task Force to reevaluate options. The task force was tasked with considering all possible locations statewide. Twelve communities submitted proposals, including Mitchell, Aberdeen, Huron, Grant County and a smaller proposal from Yankton. A consultant narrowed the list to five sites based on multiple factors (though no single factor was decisive), and the committee ultimately eliminated Aberdeen, Huron and Grant County. Mitchell and Worthing are now the two remaining sites being analyzed for feasibility of housing a new prison with capacities of 800, 1,200, or 1,500 beds. Final site assessments will be informed by architectural and engineering reports expected at the next committee meeting on July 8. Wenande, though noting Yankton is not a finalist, said her community might still consider hosting a smaller facility and praised Mitchell's strategic location. "Mitchell may have an easier ability to recruit workforce because of their proximity to the interstate between Sioux Falls and Mitchell compared to Yankton," she said. Addressing a common concern voiced at the in-person Mitchell forum, Rep. Jeff Bathke (R-Mitchell), Davison County's Planning and Zoning Administrator, explained that state-owned property is not subject to local zoning laws. That means a rezoning process will not be required if the site near Mitchell is selected. Wasko addressed lingering public concerns with detailed information about the proposed correctional facility's purpose, design and staffing. A primary misconception, she noted, is that the facility would house only maximum-security inmates. "This will include all custody levels — minimum, restricted minimum, medium, and close custody," Wasko said. Most inmates will fall into the medium-security category, with some minimum-custody offenders working on prison grounds. It will not be a work-release facility. Staffing was another focal point. Wasko reported that uniformed staff vacancy rates have dropped significantly — from 35% to just 6 — 8% in the last 18 months — a sign, she said, of greater workforce stability. "We would not open an institution unless we had adequate staffing to open that institution," she emphasized. Wasko also addressed a key community concern: inmate re-entry. "No one walks out of prison into the host community unmonitored," she said, explaining that offenders leave in state vehicles, are picked up by family, or are transported to re-entry programs that begin 90 to 180 days before release. Design features were another major topic, especially regarding rural integration. Wasko described significant security and lighting advancements, including 300- to 600-foot setbacks from fences, perimeter detection systems and LED directional lighting designed to minimize light pollution. She added that noise would be minimal. "Very rarely will you ever hear any kind of intercom announcements," Wasko said. As for potential displacement of current corrections staff, Wasko reiterated her commitment to protecting jobs. "I will do everything in my power not to lose employees or lay any employees off," she said. Wenande shared her community's experience hosting a federal prison camp for over three decades. Located in the heart of Yankton, across from a school and football field, the facility operates with minimal disruption. "There was public concern in the 1980s, but now it's part of the community fabric," she said, emphasizing that no one has ever declined to move to or invest in Yankton due to the prison's presence. The aging state penitentiary in Sioux Falls, known as "The Hill," was built in 1881, before South Dakota achieved statehood. Ryan Brunner, a senior policy advisor and director of legislative relations in the governor's office, described it as "no longer safe for staff, the community, or inmates." Wasko added that remodeling the current facility is prohibitively expensive and dangerous. "The costs can be tripled or quadrupled when building inside an existing secure perimeter," she said. Operational limitations include outdated architecture, lack of rehabilitation space, and no room for vocational or educational programming. The current prison model — designed in an era of inmate lockdowns and quarry work — is misaligned with today's focus on treatment and re-entry, Wasko explained. Expanding the nearby Jameson Annex would also fall short: an additional story would add just 192 beds, and retrofitting its mechanical systems would be costly. Relocating 800 inmates during construction would be logistically difficult and cost $10 — 20 million in temporary housing alone. With current facilities at 133% capacity, the state lacks space to shuffle inmates for such a project. The next phase in the site selection process will occur on July 8, when architects and engineers present detailed site assessments. The Prison Reset Task Force will use that information to make further recommendations. As Wasko concluded the forum, she offered a final reflection on the prison's potential role in any host community: "Prisons can be good neighbors."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A wave of sailors coming to Sioux Falls
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Saturday is the much talked about Military Parade in Washington DC to celebrate the Army's 250th anniversary. But this year also marks the anniversary for the United States Navy, and this summer there is going to be a wave of sailors in Sioux Falls for what's called 'Navy Week', where since 2005, the U.S. Navy has visited up to 15 cities across the country. Madison to open Veterans Honor Park Saturday Don: What is Navy week? Miranda: The Navy started it because, we realized and unfortunately people who were in what we call more landlocked states, they don't know about the Navy, so cities that don't have a significant Navy presence, this is an opportunity where people in the community and we get to go out and talk with them and interact in person and tell our stories, so they understand what the Navy does for you. Approximately 50-75 Sailors are coming from around the Fleet to Sioux Falls where they'll engage people, including kids in a variety of ways for the entire week. 'As we get closer we will be putting out a schedule of events, so whether it's the Navy Band, the Boys and Girls Club; and we are even talking about Sioux Falls has the beautiful Falls, so we are hoping to have something there,' U-S Navy Pubic Affairs Officer Lt. Cdr. Miranda Williams said. Williams says this year the Navy is celebrating its 250 year anniversary and they are excited to celebrate their birthday with the people of Sioux Falls. 'Please come out, please come see us, talk to us, sometimes people come to our public events and they are afraid to talk to us, don't be; we want to talk to you that's why we are there and we want to answer your questions, this is to be fun and we're just super excited to be visiting,' Williams said. Sioux Falls hosted two previous Navy Weeks, most recently in 2016. This year Navy Week will be August 4 through 10. To learn more click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sioux Falls Emergency Manager preparing for the end of FEMA
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — President Donald Trump announced plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the 2025 hurricane season. That means states, counties and cities will have to develop their own plans for handling the aftermath of emergencies. Damage in Sibley, IA after near 70 mph winds Regan Smith knew FEMA's demise was a possibility. So the man in charge of emergency response in Sioux Falls has been doing his homework. He's been talking with other emergency managers, trying to get a handle on what is ahead. 'We don't know, right now there is a lot of uncertainty, a lot of policy debate going on, so we are waiting to hear what might actually happen,' Smith said. Smith says on the local level, not much will change. Sioux Falls has a preparedness, response and recovery plan in place. He says people often misunderstand the role of FEMA during a disaster. FEMA is not first responders, they don't have an army of people that are responding to these types of things that happen at the local level and then at the state level. 'Their role is to coordinate federal resources to assist state and local government, and individuals and businesses with funding,' said Smith. Last week, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden created a state disaster preparedness task force. Without FEMA, states would need to develop their own disaster response teams, manage stockpiles of essential supplies, and coordinate federal assistance. Changes are coming, and during and after disasters, states are trying to figure out what life without FEMA will look like. 'There is a lot of talk and speculation, we just don't know,' said Smith. 'No Kings' protests on Saturday in 8 SD cities Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Making photography more affordable
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – From engagements and weddings to new babies and high school graduations, there are so many of life's moments that we want to remember forever. However, hiring a professional photographer to capture those moments isn't always an option because of the price tag that can come along with it. Fallen hiker rescued from Cathedral Spires trail 'When I got into the industry, just from experience of looking for photographers myself, I realized that it can be quite the pretty penny to get your photos taken,' photographer Jade Ericson said. 'Whether that be family photos or senior sessions or business branding, whatever it is, it can come with quite a hefty price tag.' Jade Ericson has been working as a photographer for five years now, often operating out of the Studio 1912 in east central Sioux Falls. She says offering more affordable sessions is important to her. 'I don't want photography to be something that only a select few people are able to get done,' Ericson said. 'I think it's super important that everybody gets to capture, you know, those milestones or memories.' Ericson now also wants to give out a free photography session each month. 'I really would like these shoots to go to someone that really isn't able to afford anything or, you know, they maybe had a sickness in the family and times are just a little bit tough and we need kind of a a pick-me-up,' Ericson said. If you or someone you know could use a session like that, Ericson says you can just reach out via email and social media. 'I would love to donate a shoot a month and just be able to give back to the community a little bit through my business,' Ericson said. Ericson's services include lifestyle, family, senior and engagement photography. Sioux Falls Pride events planned for Saturday Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CJ Ham gives back to Sioux Falls area with youth camp
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — CJ Ham is one of the longest tenured players for the Minnesota Vikings, but that doesn't stop him from returning to Augustana each year to run the CJ Ham Football Camp. CJ Ham has been with the Vikings for the past ten seasons, earning two trips to the Pro Bowl and being named a team Captain. 'To be with one team for a decade, it's truly a blessing, only a story God could write,' Ham said. 'Every single year, I get to sit back, reflect and be grateful. Grateful for the opportunities that have come to me and grateful to be where I'm at.' CJ graduated from Augustana following a standout career, but one of the biggest takeaways from his time in Sioux Falls, came from his coach, Jerry Olszewski. 'His coaching style of it's bigger than football, caring about the individual more than the results. I think that's something that he's instilled in me,' Ham said. 'I think that's something that goes with me and my family's approach when it comes to giving back to the community and being there for other people.' That attitude was on full display Saturday as Ham partnered with Augustana for the CJ Ham Football Camp. 250 kids grades first through eighth got the chance to work Ham and several athletes from Augie. 'What's been on my heart is attitude. Control what you can control. There's so many things that happen in our life that are out of our control,' Ham said. 'If we think we can control everything, it's going to be tough. We can control out attitudes and how we react.' Working the youth of the area is a big benefit of the camp, but Ham also relishes the opportunity to return to a special place. 'My wife and I think about this is where our family started. This is where I met my wife. This is where I got my education,' Ham said. 'Sioux Falls truly, truly is like a home to me. This is some place that down in the future, we can see ourselves living.' Training camp begins in July for the Vikings, with their first preseason game set for August 9th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
