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500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD57501
(605) 773-3212
MEDIA ADVISORY: Friday, May 18, 2007
CONTACT: Mitch Krebs or Roxy Everson at 605-773-3212
News Tips for the week of May 21, 2007
PIERRE, S.D. – The following are news tips from offices and agencies within South Dakota State Government:
May 14 – May 28 - May Mobilization is May 14 – May 28, 2007, and the Governor’s Child Seat Program: Project 8 is partnering with the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety, local law enforcement as well as other safety agencies across the state during this time to help increase awareness on proper child safety seat utilization and installation. Project 8 will hold free child safety seat check up events across the state during this two-week period to help with demonstrating and educating adults on the proper way to install child safety seats. Below is a list of sites where inspections and installations will take place:
-May 24: Tea, Tea Tots Daycare, 2100 N Devon, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (CDT)
-May 24:Sioux Falls, AAA South Dakota, 1300 Industrial Ave, 12-5 p.m. (CDT)
-May 26: Huron, Wal-Mart Supercenter, 2791 Dakota Ave S, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (CDT)
For more information on Project 8, please visit www.state.sd.us/project8/ or to learn more about the check up events occurring across the state, call the SD Dept. of Social Services, 773-3165.
Friday-Sunday, May 18-20, 2007, All South Dakota State Parks -The Department of Game, Fish and Parks invites outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy South Dakota outdoors with the Parks' Open House Weekend and Free Fishing Weekend. During the annual three-day event, entrance fees are waived for visitors to South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas. Camping fees still apply. In addition, parks with staffed entrance booths will be handing out free flying discs, while supplies last. The flying discs are provided by the Department of Health to promote physical activity. For more information, visit www.SDparks.info or call (605) 773-3391.
Saturday, May 19, Rapid City, 8:30 a.m. (MDT) - 2007 State Command Sergeants Major's Combat Rifle and Pistol Matches - Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman, adjutant general, will make opening remarks during the 2007 State Command Sergeant Major's Combat Rifle and Pistol Matches at West Camp Rapid in Rapid City. The annual event is hosted to promote battle focused marksmanship training and competition between National Guard units. For more information, please contact Maj. Orson Ward at 605-737-6721.
Saturday, May 19, Rapid City, 10 a.m. (MDT) - Exchange Club Dedicates Freedom Shrine in Rushmore Mall - Maj. Gen. Michael A. Gorman, adjutant general, will be the keynote speaker at the dedication of the Freedom Shrine on Armed Forces Day, May 19, at the Rushmore Mall. The Freedom Shrine is an impressive, permanently mounted collection of 30 of the most important historic American documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Gettysburg Address. The purpose of the Freedom Shrine is to show local youth and adults that the freedom and greatness Americans enjoy today was not granted easily, and should remind them such gifts should be cherished and protected. Exchange Club of Rapid City is a part of the National Exchange Club, which has a mission to make communities better places to live through service programs. For more information, please contact Maj. Orson Ward at 605-737-6721.
Saturday-Sunday, May 19-20, Aberdeen - Pari-mutuel horse racing is again being held this weekend at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Race times vary. For more information, contact Larry Eliason, Executive Secretary, South Dakota Gaming Commission, 773-6050.
Monday, May 21, Sioux Falls, 8 a.m. (CDT) - The SD Board of Education will meet at Southeast Technical Institute (Sullivan Health Center, Room 257). Agenda items include proposed rule changes for special education, proposed rule changes for the Department of Education's waiver and test out policies and an update on the preparation of technology standards. A complete agenda is available online at http://doe.sd.gov/secretary/board/schedule.asp. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Mary Stadick Smith, Department of Education, (605) 773-7228.
Monday, May 21, Rapid City, 12:30 p.m. (MDT) - Media brief for the 2007 Joint Thunder Exercise - The SDNG Public Affairs Office will host an open house to South Dakota media representatives at Building 450 on Camp Rapid. The purpose of the open house is to inform local media of the upcoming annual training exercise, Joint Thunder 2007, held in the Northern Black Hills from June 9-23. Topics that will be discussed will be the background and purpose of exercise, U.S. and foreign military participants, news worthy events, and safety. A schedule of the newsworthy events will be provided and as well as opportunities to interview leaders and planners involved in the exercise to include representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and Ellsworth Air Force Base. For more information, please contact Maj. Orson Ward, 737-6721.
Monday, May 21 --South Dakota will launch a new website called: South Dakota Connect; which connects all citizens, state employees and others alike to the most frequently requested services and programs available through the Departments of Social Services, Human Services and Health. South Dakota Connect is an information gateway for individuals to quickly find services and resources, without knowing the name of a certain program or which Department the program belongs to.
Accessing information through South Dakota Connectcan be done in multiple ways:
- Search all of South Dakota Connect at once;
- Search the Departments of Social Services, Human Services and Health individually;
- Search all of State Government; or
- Search specific information through keywords and frequently asked questions.
The site also includes contact information for each of the three agencies in all areas throughout the state where offices are located. The site will launch on May 21, 2007, and can then be accessed through this link: www.sdconnect.sd.gov.
Tuesday-Wednesday, May 22-23, Rapid City, Noon (MDT) – Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources staff will attend a Missouri River Association of States and Tribes (MoRAST) meeting at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 2111 North LaCrosse Street. MoRAST is an organization of Missouri River states and tribes that works with the Corps of Engineers on Missouri River management issues. For a complete agenda, visit www.state.sd.us/denr/MoRAST0507.pdf. For more information, contact Garland Erbele, DENR, (605) 773-3352.
Tuesday, May 22, Vermillion, 1 p.m. (CDT) – SD Geological Survey staff will make a presentation to 2nd graders at St. Agnes School. The topic of fossilization will be introduced and will include a field trip to the W.H. Over Museum as the class views fossils in the museum’s exhibits. For more information, contact Sarah Chadima, DENR-Geological Survey, (605) 677-5227.
Tuesday, May 22, Redfield, 1-3 p.m. (CDT) - The Dept. of Labor’s Career Center will be holding office hours at the Spink County Courthouse, third floor. Both job seekers and employers interested in receiving employment and career services at no cost may visit or call (605) 472-0435 during these office hours. More information on programs and services is available at www.sdjobs.org.
Tuesday, May 22, Pierre, 1:30 p.m. (CDT) - The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission is hosting its monthly meeting at the Becker-Hansen Building, located at 700 E. Broadway. The meeting agenda can be found online at www.SDDOT.com. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Bruce Lindholm, 773-3265.
Tuesday, May 22, Spearfish, 7 p.m. (MDT) – Gov. Mike Rounds will host an Education Town Hall Meeting at the Spearfish High School Auditorium. For more information, contact Mitch Krebs, 773-3212.
Wednesday, May 23, Mitchell, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (CDT) - The SD Department of Labor’s Mitchell Career Center will be holding a Job Search Assistance Program (JSAP) at 1321 North Main Street. The JSAP is designed to assist and train job seekers on how to find and secure employment. Some of the topics included are networking, the hidden job market, resumes, applications, and proper interview techniques. It is provided at no charge and open to the public. Parties interested in attending should register by calling (605) 995-8060. For more information, visit www.sdjobs.org.
Wednesday, May 23, Madison, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (CDT) - The Dept. of Labor’s Madison Career Center will be holding a Job Search Assistance Program (JSAP) at 223 S. Van Eps Avenue, Suite 101. The JSAP is designed to assist and train job seekers on how to find a job. Some of the topics included are networking, the hidden job market, resumes, applications, and proper interview techniques. Parties interested in attending at no charge should register by calling (605) 256-5300. For more information, visit www.sdjobs.org.
Wednesday, May 23, Pierre, 11 a.m. (CDT) – U.S. E.P.A. Region 8 Administrator Robbie Roberts will be in Pierre to present Environmental Achievement awards to several individuals nominated by DENR staff. The awards will be presented to representatives from 3M Brookings, Homestake Mining Company, and the South Dakota Grasslands Management and Planning Project sponsors. The awards will be presented at the Capitol Lake Visitors Center. For more information, contact Vicki Murray, DENR, 773-5559.
Wednesday, May 23, Brookings, 1 p.m. (CDT) – Gov. Mike Rounds will speak at the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council Annual Meeting being held at the South Dakota State University Student Union, Volstorff Ballroom. For more information, contact Mitch Krebs, 773-3212.
Wednesday, May 23, Webster, 1-3 p.m. (CDT) - The Dept. of Labor’s Career Center will be holding office hours at the Day County Courthouse basement. Both job seekers and employers interested in receiving employment and career services at no cost may visit or call 345-4781 during these office hours. More information on programs and services is available at www.sdjobs.org.
Thursday, May 24, Sioux Falls, 8 a.m. (CDT) – The Board of Pardons and Paroles will hold their monthly meeting at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, Third Floor Conference Room. For more information, contact the Board of Pardons and Paroles, 367-5040.
Thursday, May 24, Pierre, 9 a.m. (CDT) - The South Dakota Transportation Commission’s monthly meeting will be held in the Commission Room of the Becker-Hansen Building, located at 700 E. Broadway. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting agenda can be found online at www.SDDOT.com. For more information, contact Shirleen Fugitt, 773-3265.
Thursday, May 24, Teleconference, 9 a.m. (CDT) –The DENR Board of Water and Natural Resources will consider a grant amendment and grant application when the board holds a special teleconference meeting. The board will also hear an update on the state’s Solid Waste Management Program. For a complete agenda, visit www.state.sd.us/denr/Boards/2007/BWNR0507.pdf. Interested parties should call DENR at (605) 773-4216 before noon on Wednesday, May 23, if they wish to participate in the teleconference. For more information, contact Elayne Lande, 773-4216.
May is Foster Parent Appreciation and Awareness Month in South Dakota and Gov. Mike Rounds, Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, along with the Dept. of Social Services encourage community involvement to help our citizens better understand the importance of the need to recruit foster families. On average, 959 South Dakota children and youth require placement in family foster homes each month as a result of abuse and/or neglect, according to the Department of Social Services. Currently, 939 licensed family foster homes provide 24-hour care and supervision for these children. Communities across the state are seeking more foster parents to meet the needs of children and youth of all ages; there is especially a need for families who will support care for teenage youth and sibling groups. For more information on how you can become a foster parent in your area, contact your local Dept. of Social Services' office, www.dss.sd.gov/offices/index.asp or call 773-3227.
Through May 30, Columbus, N.M. - South Dakota Army National Guard Unit Deploys to Southwest Border - About 36 members of the 153rd Engineer Battalion and six members of the 147th Field Artillery Brigade deployed on May 9 to Deming, N.M., in support of Joint Task Force Zia, which is involved in Operation Jump Start. These Soldiers will provide support to the U.S. Border Patrol-El Paso Sector by constructing anti-vehicle barriers around Columbus, N.M., to support the interdiction of transnational threats, help limit human trafficking and disrupt the availability of illegal drugs in the U.S. The Department of Defense and the governors of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas have signed a memorandum of agreement to support the president's initiative. These Soldiers are scheduled to redeploy to South Dakota on May 30. For more information, please contact Maj. Orson Ward at 605-737-6721 or Maj. Todd Bartunek at 605-352-0200. NOTE: The 153rd Engineer Battalion will support another Southwest Border mission June 20 - July 11.
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