South Dakota

11 charged in last month’s unrest at South Dakota State Penitentiary

Published

2 years ago

April 23, 2024

11 charged in last month’s unrest at South Dakota State Penitentiary

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced 11 inmates are facing 18 counts total after unrest at the state penitentiary last March.

Six are facing one count of Intentional Damage to Property, and four are facing one count each of Reckless Burning and Burning Within a Structure Where a Person is Lawfully Confined.

The eleventh individual, Joshua Vortherms, is facing two counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Department of Corrections employee, and two counts of Simple Assault Against a Department of Corrections employee. The aggravated assault charges carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

Jackley said while last month’s actions by inmates here at the state penitentiary were wrong and against the law, the effort wasn’t coordinated. He said the assault on correctional officers wasn’t connected to any of the fires and damage to prison property, and court documents do list the loss of tablet access for messaging and calls as an issue surrounding the assault.

The unrest doesn’t stem from a lack of staffing, as Jackley said it was all confined to one area.

“At least the assault side of it, I don’t believe that staffing would’ve had any affect on what happened,” Jackley said.

Jackley said while it’s only his role to investigate what happened at the state penitentiary and make charges where needed, the documents do point to the issue over the tablets as a potential catalyst for unrest. But he said regardless, the assault, fires and damage shouldn’t have happened.

“The tablet issue, I think instigated or began the disagreement between the guard and the inmate. That guard had nothing to do with whether or not there would be tablets or not,” Jackley said. “I think the inmate’s frustration is what was, at least his reasoning for why he took certain action, which is unacceptable under the law and as my position as Attorney General, we’re addressing it with these felony charges.”

Jackley said he’s avoided using the word “riot” to explain what happened last month. He said even though fires were lit and inmates were trying to smash a gate, it was confined to one area and correctional officers never let it spread outside of that.

“When you look at the property damage on the gates, with them trying to throw the locker through, the inmates never took over control. The fires were from cell to cell, thrown on a wheelchair. So because there was never control lost, I’ve used the word disturbance.”

Jackley said it was his decision to list all 11 inmates in the complaint, and try them all in the same trial. He said this is because while the effort behind the unrest wasn’t connected, it still all stemmed from the same time.

“At this time, there will be one trial, 11 individuals, and 18 counts,” Jackley said.

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South Dakota

SDDOT seeking public input on Statewide Active Transportation Plan

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Press Room

SDDOT seeking public input on Statewide Active Transportation Plan

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The South Dakota Department of Transportation is inviting the public to share input on the development of the Statewide Active Transportation Plan. The plan aims to improve the state’s transportation network by integrating other modes of travel like walking and biking.

The plan focuses on improving safety and connectivity along state highway corridors, ensuring that pedestrians and cyclists have safer, more accessible routes. SDDOT says collaboration is key, and feedback from residents, businesses, local governments, tribal entities, regional organizations, and community groups will help shape the plan’s priorities.

Public comments are being accepted here through Friday, Nov. 21.

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South Dakota

Hundreds of millions of dollars are headed for South Dakota-based military projects

Published

23 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Press Room

Hundreds of millions of dollars are headed for South Dakota-based military projects

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -Hundreds of millions of dollars are on the way for military projects in South Dakota.

1 of 3 appropriations bills signed by President Donald Trump as part of a deal to reopen the government included nearly $400 million for B-21 related projects at the Ellsworth Air Force Base.

The spending also included $28 million for a National Guard vehicle maintenance shop in Watertown and a maintenance hangar at the Sioux Falls airport.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in a statement:

“This full-year funding bill will help strengthen the role that South Dakota plays in keeping our nation safe by making long-term investments in Ellsworth Air Force Base to improve its capabilities and advance its preparations for the B-21 mission.”

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South Dakota

Best dive bar South Dakota? Here are 3 spots loved by locals that are worth the $2 beer

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

Press Room

Best dive bar South Dakota? Here are 3 spots loved by locals that are worth the beer

There’s a game of Shake-A-Day around here somewhere.

Dive bars in the Midwest are like coming home and bellying up to your regular spot or with your lucky pool cue. Your Jack and Coke is already poured, your buddy arrived at the time he always does and now the lore is flowing.

It’s going to be another great night.

This time of year especially harkens a bar regular – home for the holidays and wanting to unwind once again.

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just a cold one, these dives prove that the heart of the Midwest beats loudest in its bars.

Here’s a look at a few great dive bars in South Dakota.

The Ice House: Shattered glass and record-breaking can smashing

The Ice House Bar in Yankton, South Dakota, isn’t known for producing artificial ice. How boring. It’s known for its century-old tradition of smashing empty beer bottles against a brick wall.

The family-owned, Missouri River establishment began in 1928 as the Pure Ice Co. until it started selling beer after the prohibition in the 1930s. Since, folks come for the $2 beers, $10 buckets served curbside or to hang their legs off the dock to toss a bottle or two underneath their feet.

The tradition is famous. Broadcast journalist and South Dakota native Tom Brokaw frequented the bar for a Budweiser, and owner Jim Anderson was on “The Late Show with David Letterman” to show off his record-breaking can-smashing skills: He can crush 76 cans in 25 seconds with one foot!

Details: 101 Capital St., Yankton, S.D., 605-665-2631.

Top Hat: One of the oldest haunts in Sioux Falls

The Top Hat in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is timeless. Your father probably sat underneath the same glow of the same PBR neon sign in the 1970s and grabbed a bag of Fritos from the same clip on the wall. (Hopefully the chips are newer.)

Owner Andy Lenz prefers to freeze this dive bar in time. Why change it? she says. There are no frills, no craft beers on tap and no menu. Hungry? She’ll toast a thin-crust Rosken’s Dakota Pizza if you want to pair it with your Grain Belt while playing a game of pool underneath dim lighting.

There’s also dart boards, video lottery, a juke box that’s always humming and the smell of old cigarettes and stale booze – which is to say, it feels familiar, safe and like home.

Details: 508 S. First Ave., Sioux Falls, SD, 605-332-8171.

Meridian Corner: Deep-fried chislic and broasted chicken

If you know South Dakota, you know chislic. If you know chislic, you know Meridian Corner. Located on the corner of highways 18 and 81 west of Freeman, this proudly proclaimed “hole-in-the-wall” is nationally known for its family recipe of deep-fried lamb or mutton: Lamb chislic is more tender, while mutton chislic is chewier but with more flavor. Each is humbly served in skewers of three, six, nine or 12, with a side of saltines and garlic salt.

There’s savory broasted chicken and pork chops on the menu as well.

The family-owned tradition of Meridian Corner was hard to kick. It opened in the 1980s, closed shop for years then opened again in 2011, back by popular demand and with little change. It’s an old red farmhouse on the corner of nowhere, and there are usually tractors in the parking lot.

Details: 43915 U.S. Highway 18, Freeman, S.D., 605-387-5000.

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