Prairie Estates deemed negligent

The family of Eldon Barnes filed a lawsuit against Prairie Estates and Thomas Olson, a medical director, after the death of Barnes. Barnes was admitted into Prairies Estates Healthcare Community in March 2015.

SDDOH announces funding grant opportunity

The South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification is providing a grant opportunity to support skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in enhancing their infection prevention infrastructure necessary to support resident, visitor and facility healthcare personnel safety. This funding supports recruitment and retention opportunities for skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities and assisted living centers in South Dakota.

FCS to build a new grain facility in southeast South Dakota

The Board of Directors and Management of Farmers Coop Society (FCS) is pleased to announce the construction of a state-of-the-art grain elevator in southeast South Dakota. The “Union Grove” elevator will be located nine miles directly south of Beresford, SD, and one quarter mile east of I-29 Exit 38. The construction will start this March and will accept soybeans in the Fall of 2023.

Observers see improved civility in Capitol in 2023

Photo Courtesy of Erin Bormett, Argus Leader As it winds to a close, the 2023 legislative session in South Dakota will likely be remembered as the year of the great tax cut debate and for the somewhat surprising willingness of the GOPled Legislature to reject several proposals from a popular Republican governor. But many observers and participants in the process are noting another significant milestone this year: a noticeable return to civility, decorum and cordiality in the state Capitol.

Paving city parking lot discussed

A local business owner and resident was present at the Jefferson City Council meeting March 6 to gauge the interest of paving City Hall’s parking lot. Nicki Werner ticked off benefits to the council paving the lot which included, making the lot ADA accessible, in compliance and snow removal easier; decreases liability for accidents, the amount of money spent for upkeep and gravel; benefits the community for various events; and creates easier access for city vehicles.

Ambulance wishes to create district

In order to guarantee a revenue source and be a better asset to the community, the Elk Point Ambulance is seeking to create an Ambulance District. The idea of a district began in November, 2022.

Elk Point approves equipment purchase

The City of Elk Point met in regular session March 6 and had only a few items on their agenda. One of those items was the purchase of a backhoe.

Employee comp time, fairgrounds discussed

An oversight in the Union County Handbook sparked discussion at the Union County Board of County Commission meeting March 7. In the current handbook, there is a section on employee compensation time, however, it doesn’t state how long compensation time can be carried.

Sunshine on government in South Dakota requires work

This week is Sunshine Week – a national observance of the importance of open government and the public’s right to know. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said more than a century ago: “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” It is a proverb often cited by journalists and others when making a case for why transparency in government is important.