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500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD57501
(605) 773-3212
MEDIA ADVISORY: Friday, May 11, 2007
CONTACT: Mitch Krebs or Roxy Everson at 605-773-3212
News Tips for the week of May 14, 2007
PIERRE, S.D. – The following are news tips from offices and agencies within South Dakota State Government:
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.
May 1 - May 31 - People who forget to buckle up will get plenty of friendly reminders to wear their seatbelts during the month of May. Dozens of student groups across the state are working in unison this month to promote seatbelt use. Students will conduct community seatbelt surveys and remind shoppers to buckle up on their way out of stores. The activities are part of the national “Click It or Ticket” seatbelt campaign. For specifics locations and times of the student activities, contact Brooke Bohnenkamp, 773-3178.
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.
Saturday-Sunday, May 12-13, Aberdeen - Pari-mutuel horse racing begins at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Race times vary. For more information, contact Larry Eliason, Executive Secretary, South Dakota Gaming Commission, 773-6050.
Sunday, May 13, Washington D.C. - 153rd Engineer Battalion Officer Awarded the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award - Capt. Dennis Bickett, company commander of Company C, 153rd Engineer Battalion, located in Parkston and Platte, was one of seven National Guard officers awarded the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. Only 28 company grade officers were selected worldwide for the award that recognizes outstanding leaders in the regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserves. Bickett and his wife will travel to Washington D.C., on May 13 to attend the awards ceremony and tour the nation's capitol. Bickett is a physical therapist at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. He is married with two young children and resides in Vermillion. For more information, please contact Maj. Orson Ward at 605-737-6721 or Maj. Todd Bartunek at 605-352-0200.
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 15: White River, EMS Building on N. Roosevelt, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (MDT)
-May 15: Webster Headstart, 616 Main St, 2-5 p.m. (CDT)
-May 19: Gregory Hospital, 405 Whittecar Ave, 1-4 p.m. (CDT)
-May 19: Spearfish High School, 1725 N Main St, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (MDT)
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 at 605-773-3165.
Wednesday, May 16, Ft. Pierre, 9 a.m. (CDT) - The State of South Dakota Bureau of Administration State Property Management Vehicle and Equipment Auction Sale will be held at the Expo Community Center at the Stanley County Fair Grounds, 320 S. Casey Tibbs St. Heavy equipment and vehicles will be sold beginning at approximately 11 a.m. More information about the auction can be found at the following website: http://www.state.sd.us/boa/Auction%20Pages/StateAuctionPage.htm. Questions about the sale can be directed to the Property Management office at 773-4935.
Wednesday, May 16, Pierre, 10 a.m. (CDT) – Gov. Mike Rounds will speak at the South Dakota Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service being held at the Madison Avenue Church of Christ. For more information, contact Mitch Krebs, 773-3212.
Wednesday, May 16, Pierre, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (CDT) - The SD Dept. of Labor’s Pierre Career Center will be holding a Job Search Assistance Program (JSAP) at 116 West Missouri Avenue. 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 773-3372. For more information, visit www.sdjobs.org.
Wednesday, May 16, Belle Fourche, various events – Belle Fourche will be South Dakota’s Capital for a Day. Join Gov. Mike Rounds, First Lady Jean Rounds and state agency heads for activities including several roundtable discussions about community concerns, the Capital for a Day Expo featuring many state services and a community dinner with comments from Gov. Rounds. For a full agenda, please visit www.capitalforaday.sd.gov. For more information, contact Sarah Van Berkum, 773-3301 or sarah.vanberkum@state.sd.us.
Wednesday, May 16, Belle Fourche, 3:30 – 6 p.m. (MDT) -- During Capital for a Day in Belle Fourche, the Governor’s Child Seat Program: Project 8 will have certified technicians available for a car seat inspection event at the parking lot southeast of the BFACC Theatre on National Street. The purpose of Project 8 is to remind all parents, child care providers, and other guardians to use the proper restraint system for their child’s height and weight. Once a child reaches 40 pounds, a booster seat should be utilized until the child is at least 8 years old. By then most children reach the proper height and weight requirements (4’9” and more than 80 pounds) to ride safely in a seatbelt. Project 8 also distributes infant seats, toddler seats, or booster seats to income eligible families throughout South Dakota. For more information, visit www.state.sd.us/project8.
Thursday, May 17, Rapid City, 8 a.m. (MDT) – The Department of Labor’s Board of Technical Professions will be holding a meeting at 2040 West Main Street, Suite 304. To view the meeting agenda, visit http://www.state.sd.us/dol/Boards/engineer/AGENDA.pdf. For more information, call 394-2510.
Thursday-Friday, May 17-18, Aberdeen, 9:30 a.m. (CDT) – The South Dakota Board of Regents will meet at Northern State University for its regular business meeting. All meetings will be held at the Student Union on campus. The business meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. The regents will honor university faculty with e-learning awards. For more information, contact Tracy Mercer, 773-3455.
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.
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