The ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for Sioux Falls will be a ‘whole other downtown,’ the mayor says.

What a way to go for Paul TenHaken.

Our Sioux Falls mayor for the last eight years will leave office by the end of the year, but he couldn’t let his desk get away before announcing one of the most “monumental” changes for the city yet: The Smithfield Foods pork plant is getting out of dodge.

When will the new facility open?

On Feb. 16, Gov. Larry Rhoden and TenHaken welcomed Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith to announce that the century-old food processing facility would begin construction on a new plant next year, with plans to open as early as 2028.

Where will the new plant go?

If approved, it is expected to become part of Foundation Park northwest of Interstates 29 and 90.

“This highly automated facility will represent a major investment in Sioux Falls, the State of South Dakota and the future of American agriculture,” Smith said during the announcement. “This investment supports our long-term strategy of continuing to grow and optimize our value-added package meats and fresh pork operations to deliver innovation, convenience and value to our customers.”

What would replace the current facility?

When TenHaken took his turn on the stage Feb. 16 at the Canopy by Hilton in The Steel District, he announced what’s next for the 120 acres on which Smithfield stood, naming it The Sanford District.

After what will be “probably five years” of remediation, TenHaken said possibilities are “endless,” including retail and residential, commercial opportunities and schools. “Maybe a new Whittier, maybe a medical school and recreation,” he said.

“This is going to make Sioux Falls much more attractive,” he said. “…It will be a whole other downtown.”

More: South Dakota state officials announce Smithfield Foods is moving.

Years of “urban planning” will mean a “collaboration between the city, the development foundation, (Downtown Sioux Falls), the parks departments and the community to figure out what the long-term impact looks like.”

How is T. Denny Sanford involved?

And none of it would be possible without Sioux Falls philanthropist and billionaire T. Denny Sanford, who attended the press conference, the mayor said.

TenHaken said Sanford “stepped up” to donate $50 million to the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, which will then partner with the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to see the purchase through.

“The gift from Denny basically made it possible for us to purchase that land and have the money we need to remediate the land,” he said.

Most recently, Sanford donated $20 million for a new track and field facility at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

The new fieldhouse will be named for USD alumni Bill and Jill Gassen, called the Gassen Family Fieldhouse. Bill Gassen is president and CEO of Sanford Health.

This $50 million donation is Sanford’s largest monetary gift to the city to date.

Some Wisconsinites head to the polls Tuesday, Feb. 17, for just a handful of contested primary races. The spring primary determines who advances to the general election April 8. In Wisconsin, spring elections are for nonpartisan races, as opposed to fall elections. Nonpartisan public office includes courts, school boards and local councils. There are no statewide races on the primary ballot, but voters will get to vote for State Supreme Court in April.

Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Wisconsin. Results aren’t available until after the polls close at 8 p.m. Get results for three contested Brown County Board races and five contested Green Bay City Council races.

Brown County Board

Green Bay City Council

A married Indiana high school secretary was beaten by her husband when he allegedly caught her in a tryst with one student, which led to an investigation in which it was discovered that she had sexual relations with another. 

The Union City Police Department was investigating the incident in which Alicia Hughes was battered over the weekend. 

Hughes’ husband found her with an 18-year-old student and confronted them, police said. He then beat her, police said. 

CALIFORNIA MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NABBED IN CHILD SEX STING

During a probe into the incident, investigators discovered that Hughes, a secretary at the Randolph Eastern School Corporation school district, also had a sexual relationship with a separate student, age 17, police said. 

“Investigators determined that Hughes and the minor engaged in sexual intercourse on at least five occasions,” a police statement said. 

Hughes was arrested and charged with five counts of child seduction related to the sexual relationship with the minor student.

ILLEGAL ALIEN YOUTH COACH COULD FACE DEATH PENALTY AFTER ALLEGEDLY MURDERING, RAPING TEEN PLAYER

She was taken to the Randolph County Jail and was being held on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

It was unclear if Hughes will be charged for her alleged relationship with the 18-year-old student or if her husband will face charges for the alleged battery. 

In a statement, school district Neal Adams said Hughes had been removed from all duties pending “the outcome of the legal process.”

“RESC takes all allegations involving students extremely seriously. Upon becoming aware of concerns, the corporation fully cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so as the investigation proceeds,” he said. “We appreciate the professionalism and diligence of local authorities in handling this matter.”