South Dakota
Sioux Falls branches out with CommuniTree Assistance Program
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Spring planting season has officially begun, and Sioux Falls is taking new efforts to revitalize the city’s urban forest.
It’s all part of the new initiative through Sioux Falls and their CommuniTree program, which is going to plant roughly 150 plants a day to help protect and provide for our environment for decades to come.
This past fall, the city of Sioux Falls announced it had received a 3 million grant from the USDA Forest Service. The funds are being used to restore the city’s tree population by planting approximately 5000 trees over the course of a few years.
“If you have room to plant trees within the adjacent right-of-way and you have an approved planting permit, we will issue a $100 voucher per tree for the planting of those trees,” said Bryan Peterson, Urban Forestry Specialist. “Vouchers are only issued to approved planting locations. Vouchers are not issued to properties already enrolled in a city cost-sharing program focused on tree planting.”
Sioux Falls has lost 17,000 ash trees to the invasive emerald ash borers, and through the CommuniTree program, they hope to plant 1200 trees this spring. It’s voluntary, and residents have the option to choose from six trees.
“There’s a lot of trees and even within our park system where they get dinged with lawnmowers or string trimmers and that over time can actually kill the tree itself,” said Peterson in terms of how to take care of your trees.
Sioux Falls was selected for the grant based on the impact it would have on the city.
“We have several communities in Colorado that are currently working on them, but we also have some domestic grants that go directly through the state of South Dakota,” said Amanda Marr, who is with the USDA Forest Service. “And then South Dakota therefore passes it down through communities.”
After years of losing trees to invasive pests, Sioux Falls is turning over a new leaf. They encourage any resident to look into the program so they can help plant a tree in their own front yard and help make a difference.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
Tips for using your bags so they last
Purses are designed to be used. There are some simple things to keep in mind to ensure they have the longest life possible.
Roughly 15 miles west of Aberdeen sits a unique business in the small community of Mina. South Dakota Baskets Unlimited, however, was first established nearly four decades ago in Hub City.
Kris Scherr purchased the business on New Year’s Day 2023 and moved the shop location from Aberdeen to Mina, a town of less than 1,000 people.
She had owned a small gift shop in Mina when she was informed that Baskets Unlimited was for sale. Within three days, Scheer said she purchased the business and merged it into her current gift shop. And in the past two years, she turned it all into a “South Dakota Made” gift shop.
Products can be purchased individually, or baskets can be custom designed while a customer waits. Scherr has a storefront in Mina but does not keep normal set hours. Most sales are online, but when needed, she says customers can call her directly, and she will open the shop for them.
“The gift baskets are filled with some of our state’s finest products and novelties and can be shipped nationwide,” Scherr told the Aberdeen News. “Since I have purchased the business, I have doubled the sales from the previous years. I sell corporate gift baskets during the holidays and ship in a timely manner. My biggest challenge is the shipping time, but over the last few days I have managed to learn a few different ways of getting the product to customers within three or four days.”
Scherr has smoked pheasant, smoked turkey, buffalo, elk and beef salami as well as cheeses and sweets. She also sells snacks, like candy, jams, fruit syrups, honey and kuchens. There’s also coffee, bagels and hand-crafted soaps.
Baskets are loaded with lots of South Dakota made goodies. There are two breakfast baskets, the Dakota Family Breakfast and the Dakota Family Brunch. In addition, there is a Taste of South Dakota, The Granddaddy Gift Box and Game Day Party Box. But don’t forget Dakota USA and Dakota Gourmet.
Other gift ideas she has for sale include Terry Redlin pieces and Rosemary Millette mugs, plates, coasters and stained glass.
While Scherr is the lone employee at her shop, she says she relies on friends to help her through the busy times of the holidays.
“I live right across the street from my business, so I am very open to going to my shop at any time for someone to shop,” she added. “I totally enjoy this business and am willing to work with individuals and corporate establishments.”
South Dakota Baskets Unlimited can be reached by phone at 605-281-0670. The store is located at 227 S. Sunset Drive in Mina, South Dakota.
“I enjoy putting together each unique basket and also finding new South Dakota-made products to incorporate into my business,” Scherr said.
South Dakota
South Dakota Board of Regents approves 2.4% tuition increase at most public universities for 2026-27; South Dakota Mines students to see 5% increase
google-site-verification: google9919194f75dd62c5.html
HURON, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -The Mr. Basketball Award goes to Huron’s Blake Ellwein who will take his talents to play in Brookings for South Dakota State.
Ellwein had a great career for the Huron Tigers capped off by his senior season when he led them to the State AA title.
He became the Tigers all-time leading scorer in the process, breaking his father’s record. He averaged 22 points per game his senior season.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
-
Technology5 minutes agoTwelve South’s AirFly Pro 2 has hit one of its best prices ahead of summer travel
-
World11 minutes agoEbola treatment center set on fire in Congo after residents clash with authorities over victim’s body
-
Politics17 minutes agoTop Republican warns Trump against making a deal with Iran: ‘Finish the job’
-
Health23 minutes agoHantavirus exposure risk may be higher than believed in parts of US, study finds
-
Sports29 minutes agoGiants’ key defensive tackle tears Achilles tendon during practice, out for the season: reports
-
Technology35 minutes agoInheritance scam email looks real but steals your data
-
Business41 minutes ago
Another California tech company lays off thousands
-
Entertainment47 minutes agoRicky Martin safe after ‘tear gas’ — or maybe pepper spray? — stops his concert in Montenegro
