South Dakota

How can female runners stay safe following the murder of Laken Riley?

Published

4 months ago

February 28, 2024

How can female runners stay safe following the murder of Laken Riley?

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Almost a week has gone by since the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered while running alone at the University of Georgia.

Since her murder, there has been an uproar of emotions amongst female runners across the nation and in South Dakota, who’ve expressed fear, sadness, and an overall sense of helplessness. How can these women look to achieve their goals and stay safe?

The Sioux Falls Women Run group was created as a safe space for female runners in the area to connect and look out for one another.

The group has over 3,000 members and it gives these women an opportunity to run with others. Board member of the Sioux Falls Women Run group, Iryna Schneider questions if women are an easy target for people who are not doing well and need to release their anger.

She said there is no other reason for finding an unprotected victim.

“Solo runs are some people’s safe place, it’s a place to be one-on-one. it’s a beautiful place to be,” Iryna said.

But now this image of a safe space has been tarnished. Female runners have questioned if their pepper spray, taser, or even a firearm will protect them on their next run.

A local self-defense academy said the best way to defend yourself is with the tools you were born with.

Sydney Meza who founded The Empowerment Center in Sioux Falls to help women protect themselves, said to be aware of your surroundings and that it’s always important to trust your gut when being approached by a stranger.

“They may be acting like the nicest guy in the world, and your brain may be telling you, ‘If you assert your boundary right now, he’s gonna think you’re crazy,’ but here’s the thing, when it comes to your personal safety, politeness is not the way to go,” Sydney stated.

She acknowledged that for many women who may find themselves in a situation where they’re about to be attacked, they freeze.

Her advice is to practice, so if your brain goes blank your body will know what to do.

In the video above you can see a demonstration of how to protect yourself if a stranger were to approach you.

For more information about classes at The Empowerment Center, click here.

Source link

Click to comment

South Dakota

USD alum Emily Grove finishes tied for ninth place in pole vault on final day of US Olympic Track & Field Trials

Published

5 hours ago

July 1, 2024

Press Room

USD alum Emily Grove finishes tied for ninth place in pole vault on final day of US Olympic Track & Field Trials

EUGENE, OR (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota alumna Emily Grove ’15, ’17 tied for ninth in the women’s pole vault at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday evening at Hayward Field.

Grove cleared 14-6 ¼ (4.43m) on her first attempt to tie for ninth in the finals. This marked her fourth U.S. Olympic Trials appearance, first qualifying as a college freshman in 2012. She had won Pre’s Classic at Hayward Field last month with a season’s best height of 15-2 ¼ (4.63m). The top three finishers in the competition all cleared the Olympic standard height of 15-6 ¼ (4.73m) to make Team USA.

Grove was a six-time All-American for the Coyotes and graduated as USD’s indoor and outdoor school record holder. Her outdoor record of 15-1 still stands. Grove owns a personal best of 15-7 (4.75m) from the 2022 outdoor season. A native of Pontiac, Illinois, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota in 2015 and went on to compete her master’s in 2017.

South Dakota alumnus Chris Nilsen made Team USA last weekend in the men’s pole vault. He will represent his country and alma mater at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this August.

Source link

South Dakota

Sioux City and McCook Lake clean-up underway

Published

12 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Sioux City and McCook Lake clean-up underway

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KELO) — We have an update in North Sioux City.

In a news release from the city, power has been restored to Suncoast Drive and temporary roads have been completed. No access order remains in effect on Northshore Drive and Penrose Drive.

Power is also being worked on so people can light their homes in the McCook Lake area, while the lake itself is to remain closed as per GFP regulation.

Temporary gas services are expected to light residents by the end of June 30.

Penrose Drive is working on temporary sewage replacements.

To read the full press release, click here.

Source link

South Dakota

Eight students receive Hagen-Harvey Scholarships

Published

19 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Eight students receive Hagen-Harvey Scholarships

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Education announced that Eight students have received Richard Hagen-Minerva Harvey Memorial Scholarships.

The scholarships provide up to $6,000 over four years to members of American Indian Tribes to pursue a college education at an accredited institution in South Dakota.

The scholarship program is funded by the estate of Minerva Harvey, in memory of Richard Hagen, who was a state legislator from Pine Ridge.

Scholarship recipients for the 2024-25 school year include: