At just after 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Jefferson Conoco was the victim of an attempted armed robbery. The suspect pulled a firearm on the gas station attendant. The attendant hit the panic button alerting the local police and sheriff departments of the robbery. The suspect fled the building without retrieving any money or goods. No injuries occurred.

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, the State of South Dakota will be issuing a new plate design for non-commercial and emblem plates with the titling of motor vehicles and registration renewals. The reissue will include standard non-commercial, motorcycle, emblem, emblem motorcycle, personalized, personalized motorcycle, amateur radio, and low speed plates.

The South Dakota Division of Insurance reminds consumers the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period for 2023 coverage runs from Nov. 1, 2022, to Jan. 15, 2023, for consumers with individual policies.

South Dakota is working to prevent suicide among veterans and active duty military. Persistent stress can affect anyone, and those who have served or are currently serving may be at greater risk for suicide than others.

The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation received a gift from the Steve Peterson Family of Salem, South Dakota. The gift is in memory of their wife and mother, Cathy. This donation is the lead gift to the Foundation, kicking off “Operation: Mobility,” a fundraising campaign to purchase up to 30 all-terrain track chairs and trailers to be distributed throughout the state of South Dakota.

In the Upper Elementary/Middle School (UE/MS) we have continued our focus on our DV CARES program. This tiered program stems from a research-embedded and data-driven system called PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support), which is nationally recognized and utilized in schools across the state of South Dakota, and throughout the United States. The premise of this program is that students thrive when they are explicitly taught consistent, school-wide expectations, and are recognized when “caught” demonstrating any of the characteristics associated with the school-wide expectations. By recognizing the positive or desirable behaviors when we see them happening, we imprint those in the student’s subconscious, making it easier and more likely for the student to naturally access those positive behaviors.

As an experienced classroom educator, I am excited about the potential of the proposed social studies standards. They provide a framework for students to gain critical knowledge, vocabulary, and understanding in key areas of history, government, geography, and economics. A strong foundation in social studies is necessary to prepare productive citizens for the future. These standards are both meaningful and challenging and are grounded in democratic principles like civic participation, equality, and individual freedoms. It is important to note the proposed standards are guidelines for addressing what students should know by the end of each school year. These standards do not dictate the curriculum or how a teacher in each district will teach them.

Governor Kristi Noem is now accepting applications for the Governor’s Office spring 2023 internship program. Student interns will work with staff on various projects depending on interests and strengths.

6TH GRADE HONOR ROLL Madelyn Acton Landen Adams Daniel Barnhart Alexis Bauer Charles Bomgaars Callie Bourne Isabel Bradshaw Aaron Bruns Avaunna Buck Tia Buckley Isabella Cardona Cade Carlson Ava Castillo Evan Christensen Levi Cohrs Raegan Collette Sophie Deacon Nyemal Deng Grayson Duhaime Zachary Ensz John Galles Olivia Groves Kale Hamilton Alexis Harlan Riley Hughes Hanson Jacobson Kenzi Jenks Kendall Koch Availa Krage Aubrey Kull Gavin Langley Jackson Lenz Kacyn Lewis Iris Liao Mya Loe Brooklyn Luken Jillian McElroy Bella McFarland Cambria Monk Chisom Nduanya Anna Norby Marlee Olsen Neil Pfeifer Lydia Pick Nora Rager Brynn Ramos Aaron Rathgeber Sullivan Raymond Mallory Riibe Breckyn Robinson Sienna Schauff Rylee Shearn Ava Sindt Patrick Smith Amelia Squier Avaril Squier Ryder Storm Brecken Stusse Nabil Tawil Cruz Trejo Gabrielle Uhl CasonVan Diemen Zachary Wakeland Ametria Watson Braylon Worden ZyonYi Zakaria Yussuf

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), the world’s largest family of family-friendly, open-tothe- public campgrounds, is pleased to announce that the Sioux City North KOA Holiday Campground has earned the 2023 KOA President’s Award and the KOA Founder’s Award. These prestigious awards were presented Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Kampgrounds of America, Inc.’s Annual International Convention in Orlando, FL.