‘We can’t exist without child care’

It’s been over six months since two in-home child care providers closed in Highmore. The town of over 600 in central South Dakota has a few other in-home providers, but all are full and have waitlists months out.

U.S. Postal Service to downgrade South Dakota mail operations

SIOUX FALLS – The U.S. Postal Service has finalized its plan to downgrade the downtown Sioux Falls post office to a local processing center, shifting non-local mail operations to a facility in Omaha, NE.

Health Department Announces Grants Available for Local Mosquito Control

PIERRE – South Dakota’s Department of Health is now accepting applications for communities to obtain state grant funding for controling mosquito populations and preventing the spread of West Nile Virus (WNV).The state’s first human case of WNV was reported in 2001.

Law enforcement give safety lessons at Head Start

April 25Report from the weekend hit and run accident on private property.Called to check welfare of individual at 500 blk. W. 9th Avenue.April 26Report of dog outside in rain; it has a shelter.April 27Funeral escort on Hwy. 12.Five traffic stops.April 28Accidental 911 call on Hwy. 12.

Rapid City, Sioux Falls get creative with child care grants

South Dakota’s two largest cities are creatively spending child care grants awarded by the state, with uses including boot camps for providers and the hiring of a child care entrepreneur-in-residence.

Tax refund programs open to senior citizens and people with disabilities

South Dakota senior citizens and people with disabilities have until July 1 to apply for sales or property tax refunds under the state’s Tax Refund Program, according to the Department of Revenue.

State housing development group launches homebuying assistance program for recent grads

South Dakota Housing will launch its Grants for Grads program May 3, aiming to help college and technical-college graduates purchase their first home in South Dakota. The program is available “for a limited time.”The program existed under former Gov.

SDSU Extension 2024 Garden Hour webinar series starts May 7

BROOKINGS – The fourth season of South Dakota State University Extension’s popular Garden Hour webinar series starts May 7.Led by the SDSU Extension horticulture team, the webinar features short, topical presentations every week during the growing season and every other month during the off-season.

Crop planting and soil conditions progress

The latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture in the Northern Plains Region shows 3.7 days suitable for field work as of April 28.According to the report, topsoil moisture supplies were rated one percent very short, 13 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.

Draft explanations released for state constitutional amendments proposed by state legislature

PIERRE – South Dakota legislators adopted two potential constitutional amendments during the last two legislative sessions. Explanations for those two proposed constitutional amendments now have been submitted for public review by the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office.