The South Dakota commission planning a celebration for America’s 250th anniversary officially launches its campaign this week.

The goal is to inspire individuals to accomplish 250 miles of outdoor related activity from July 4, 2024 leading up to the nation’s 250th celebration on July 4, 2026.

Challenges and prizes have been established with a partnership between the commission, City of Deadwood, Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, the Battleship South Dakota Memorial, and the South Dakota State Fair.

Smaller prizes can also be earned by completing 80 miles in honor of 80 years since operation OVERLORD during World War II, or walking 150 miles to celebrate Deadwood’s anniversary.

The commission said additional challenges and prizes will be announced soon.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – While many of us will be watching fireworks and grilling outside this Fourth of July, one group wants us to remember those working to keep everyone in our community safe.

An officer of the law is never “off duty.”

During the summer months, officers are putting in extra hours to respond to the increase in calls. With the Fourth of July holiday and the large number of visitors to the Black Hills, their work is constant.

“This time of year is very busy for our law enforcement agencies, and while many people are off flipping burgers, our folks will be working, and that’s what we do,” said Don Hedrick, the Chief of Police for the Rapid City Police Department.

As a way to thank law enforcement for all they do for the community, South Dakota Strong printed 1,000-yard signs thanking law enforcement for keeping people safe.

”It’s very humbling. Yesterday I took a drive up Mount Rushmore Road and saw an outpouring of support for law enforcement with signage, really, our folks see that, they appreciate it, and we work every single day to maintain the trust of the community, and it’s something that we take very seriously here in our county and in our city,” Hedrick said.

This is the second year for South Dakota Strong, which has grown in participation with double the number of signs posted, boosting the spirits of law enforcement.

”I had an opportunity to visit with a few staff this morning, and they just talked about the impact when they’re driving to work and they’re seeing these signs in their neighbor’s yards, they’re stopping at local businesses, and the signs are hanging in the windows. It means a lot to all of our staff, and it’s truly part of why all of us choose to do this work in this beautiful county,” Brian Mueller, the Pennington County Sherriff, said.

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A South Dakota cattle herd has tested positive for a venereal disease.

The South Dakota Animal Industry Board announced in a Wednesday press release the disease, bovine trichomoniasis, was found in bull from a beef cattle herd in Bennett County.

Otherwise known as “trich,” the disease is caused by trichomonas foetus, a parasite that is transmitted between cows and bulls during breeding.

According to the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, trichomoniasis is endemic in the U.S. and is a particular problem in midwestern and western regions of the country.

Beth Thompson, state veterinarian and AIB head, said it’s hard to determine the commonality of the disease, but she clarified this is the first time the disease has been found in the state since 2019, when two positive cases were identified.

The disease can be particularly devastating for cattle herds, as the parasite can induce early term abortions and infertility in breeding cows.

“It’s economically important, if you don’t catch it early … Not only are you going to cause issues in the cows themselves, but it can reduce the calf crop significantly,” Thompson told the Argus Leader Wednesday.

Thompson added it is too early to say how trich entered into the cattle herd.

“The Animal Industry Board is working with the herd owner and their veterinarian to develop a management plan to contain the disease,” the board stated in the release. “Neighboring herd owners with potential contact animals will be informed of the risk to their animals as the investigation continues.”

AIB advises producers to only purchase and use virgin bulls for breeding. South Dakota Administrative Rule requires non-virgin bulls to test negative for the disease prior to being sold, loaned or leased in the state for breeding purposes. All non-virgin bulls entering the state must also test negative for trich. The state bans the importing, loaning and leasing of open cows in South Dakota.

Bulls may also be tested two weeks after breeding for early detection of potential problems, the release stated. Timely pregnancy testing of females following the breeding season and prompt removal of open cows to be sold for feeding and slaughter will decrease the risk of disease spread.

Cattle producers with concerns about trichomoniasis should contact their herd veterinarian or the AIB at605-773-3321.