South Dakota

Legislators vote to subpoena officials over alleged vehicle titling crimes in their department • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2024

Legislators vote to subpoena officials over alleged vehicle titling crimes in their department • South Dakota Searchlight

The refusal of a state department director to explain what’s changed after a recent vehicle titling scandal sparked a rare subpoena request from a legislative committee on Monday.

Department of Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell appeared before the Legislature’s Government Operations and Audit Committee in Pierre to discuss a new software system and other internal control measures he said will prevent further vehicle titling troubles. Two former Revenue Department employees are criminally charged in a fake vehicle-titling scheme, following an investigation into similar allegations against a deceased former employee.

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But Houdyshell refused, even during an hourlong, closed-door executive session, to offer details on the new internal controls. Houdyshell cited the criminal prosecutions and the possibility of future lawsuits, and said rules direct practicing attorneys to avoid making public statements about a case.

When the committee reconvened publicly, Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, told his fellow committee members that he disagrees with Houdyshell’s interpretation of that rule.

Wheeler and Houdyshell are both attorneys. Wheeler argued that rules barring public statements about a case can’t logically apply to statements offered behind closed doors.

He also said there is no active case involving the deceased former employee, who can’t be prosecuted but whose actions could land the state in a lawsuit.

The senator said it’s a pattern from the executive branch, and one that prevents lawmakers with oversight authority from doing their jobs.

“We need some sort of resolution to this, because this is the answer we always get. It’s occurred in the past when we’ve had controversial matters before this committee,” Wheeler said. “Officials say ‘there’s pending litigation, there’s a threat of litigation,’ therefore there’s no response.”

The committee voted 7-2 to support subpoenas for Houdyshell and Rosa Yaeger, director of the Revenue Department’s Motor Vehicle Division. A subpoena is a legal order requiring someone to offer testimony or produce evidence.

The subpoenas would need approval from the Legislature’s Executive Board.

Lawmakers tried and failed in 2023 to pass a bill that would have granted subpoena powers to the audit committee without that additional step.

The Executive Board is unlikely to be a hurdle in this situation, said its chairman, Watertown Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck. He told South Dakota Searchlight he intends to call a meeting for Oct. 29 to discuss the subpoenas.

“I’m going to honor the will of the audit committee,” Schoenbeck said, adding that he’d expect the board’s membership to agree to the subpoenas.

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Revenue Department concerns

The Revenue Department’s Motor Vehicle Division has been the focus of legislators since this summer, in light of the behavior of now-deceased former employee Sandra O’Day. O’Day worked for the division for decades. After her death, her family found suspicious financial records that ultimately led the state Division of Criminal Investigation to discover that O’Day had created 13 fake vehicle titles. She’d used them to secure loans, and Attorney General Marty Jackley said earlier this month that the banks victimized by her failure to repay those loans could file lawsuits against the state seeking damages.

Jackley’s latest statements came during a press conference Oct. 9, at which he announced criminal complaints against two other former Revenue Department employees. Lynne Hunsley is facing seven counts for allegedly falsifying a vehicle title, in part to avoid excise taxes, and Danielle Degenstein faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly notarizing the phony title and for her failure to come clean to law enforcement when confronted.

“I do want to start with a little caveat,” Houdyshell said in the opening seconds of his committee appearance Monday. “Due to pending criminal proceedings and the threat of potential civil litigation, and at the advice of the attorney general, we’re going to be limited as to what questions we can answer today.”

A new system for vehicle and driver licensing in South Dakota should help prevent the kind of criminal behavior uncovered over the summer, he said. The department has also implemented a mandatory ethics training for employees, and has signaled its plans to hire an internal control officer.

That last move mirrors one from the state Department of Social Services. That agency also came under scrutiny recently for the alleged behavior of one of its former employees.

Lonna Carroll allegedly embezzled $1.8 million from the state by creating and approving fraudulent financial support orders for children from 2010 through 2023. Carroll’s jury trial is set to begin in December.

After about 10 minutes of public testimony Monday, Houdyshell and the committee members retired to a closed, executive session.

Closed doors, closed mouths

Sen. Wheeler launched into an explanation of his reasons for wanting subpoenas shortly after the committee reconvened for its public meeting.

The audit committee is supposed to get answers to questions on agency operations, Wheeler said, and it can hold sessions outside the public eye if necessary.

It’s not reasonable to expect lawmakers on the committee to sit on their hands for months or longer, he said, before attending to the business of oversight because of potential legal proceedings.

“We have to find a way for us to be able to do our job at the same time the judicial branch does its job,” Wheeler said. “I think that’s what this route allows us to do.”

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Sen. Tim Reed, R-Brookings, wondered what might stop departmental representatives from stonewalling in the face of a subpoena and citing the same rules for public statements from lawyers.

A subpoena could be challenged or modified in court, Wheeler said. If the Legislature’s subpoenas survive a challenge and departmental employees still don’t answer questions, he said, “it’s actually a matter of contempt, which is in itself a class two misdemeanor.”

The two committee members who opposed the subpoenas each expressed doubts prior to the vote. Rep. Drew Peterson, R-Salem, asked Houdyshell if the department intends to wait until every legal matter is finished before explaining new internal controls.

“We cannot delve into the details in this forum until any of the potential litigation has been resolved,” Houdyshell said.

Sen. Dean Wink, R-Howes, suggested the potential to influence the courts is something that justifies waiting for answers.

“I don’t think the Legislature has the authority to supersede the legal process in this situation,” Wink said.

Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton, said if all the audit committee can do is nod yes when a department head says “trust us, we’ve got it under control,” committee members may as well stay home.

“It’s not that I don’t trust people, but I don’t trust people anymore,” Hunhoff said. “There’s too many things that have happened in the last couple of months.”

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South Dakota

McCook Central student’s artwork to inspire voters across South Dakota

Published

7 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

McCook Central student’s artwork to inspire voters across South Dakota

SALEM, S.D. — Voters across South Dakota will receive more than just a sticker at the polls in November — they’ll carry a design created by a McCook Central High School student.

Ashtyn DeKnikker was named a winner in her age category in the Civics in the 605: Statewide Sticker Showcase, a contest hosted by the Secretary of State’s Office to create the next “I Voted” sticker. Her artwork will be printed and distributed statewide during the 2026 general election.

The contest, rebranded this year, invited students from kindergarten through high school to submit original, nonpartisan designs featuring the phrase “I Voted.” Entries were judged in four grade-level categories by a panel that included the governor, constitutional officers and other state leaders. Hundreds of submissions were received from classrooms across South Dakota.

DeKnikker said she entered the contest as part of a government class assignment taught by Nathan Vetch.

“If it weren’t for the class, I probably would’ve never even known this contest existed,” she said. “I just did it to finish the assignment, and honestly, I didn’t expect anything to come of it. So finding out I won was a total surprise”

Her winning design features a patriotic theme centered around South Dakota imagery. The hand-drawn artwork includes an American flag in the background, an outline of the state and the words “I Voted” placed prominently in the center. At the bottom, she incorporated rolling hills inspired by the Badlands.

“I wanted my design to feel patriotic, so I put an American flag in the background,” DeKnikker said. “I also wanted to highlight South Dakota, so I included the state’s outline and hills that look like the Badlands. My goal is to remind people how important it is to vote, stay involved, and pay attention to what’s happening in our government.”

DeKnikker created the design using traditional materials, starting with a pencil sketch before adding colored pencil and finishing with marker outlines. In total, she spent just over an hour on the project, working both in class and at home.

“The stars on the flag were the hardest part,” she admitted. “It had to be original work so I drew every single one by hand. It was tedious.”

Although her design earned statewide recognition, DeKnikker said art is more of a casual hobby than a serious pursuit. She has only taken one formal art class and enjoys doodling in her free time. Outside the classroom, she is involved in volleyball, basketball, softball, National Honor Society, and coaching a younger volleyball team.

Vetch said the assignment was the first time he incorporated the contest into his class after learning about it from McCook Central High School Principal Tracy Chase. He said it provided an opportunity for students to connect creativity with civic engagement.

“I thought it would be a fun way for students to combine their creativity with something that matters in the real world,” Vetch said. “Ashtyn’s design really stood out because it captures South Dakota in a unique way — not with the usual bison or Mount Rushmore, but with the landscape that I think of immediately.”

The broader goal of the contest is to encourage civic awareness among students and connect them to the voting process. Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson said the stickers serve as small but meaningful symbols of participation.

“These stickers travel with every voter. They’re small but powerful symbols of civic duty and South Dakota pride,” Johnson said in a statement.

McCook Central senior Ashtyn DeKnikker receives a certificate from Secretary of State Monae L. Johnson on March 20, 2026, recognizing her winning design in the Civics in the 605 contest.

Photo courtesy of Ashtyn DeKnikker

The Civics in the 605 contest is part of a wider effort by Johnson’s office to engage young South Dakotans in government. Initiatives include student voter registration campaigns and the Gladys Pyle Award, which recognizes schools and universities that register a high percentage of eligible students. Last year, Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell was recognized for its successful voter registration drive. Johnson said contests like the sticker showcase give students a hands-on connection to civic duty and a tangible way to see the impact of participating in government.

Winners were recognized during the Statewide Sticker Showcase Award Ceremony held Feb. 24 at the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre. Finalist artwork was displayed during the legislative session, and students and their families had the opportunity to tour the Capitol.

After high school, DeKnikker plans to attend Dakota State University and to major in physical education and minor in history.

DeKnikker said her class completed a unit before the sticker project that emphasized the importance of voting and how getting involved really matters. She said the experience has given her a new appreciation for civic engagement.

“Now that I’m 18, I’m definitely going to register and vote,” she said. “It’s exciting to think that something I created will be in the hands of thousands of voters.”

Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
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South Dakota

Argus Leader First/Second Five: South Dakota’s best girls high school basketball players

Published

19 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Argus Leader First/Second Five: South Dakota’s best girls high school basketball players

More than 40 years ago, a tradition was born to honor the top high school basketball players in South Dakota, regardless of class: the Argus Leader First and Second Five.

Here are the 2025-26 First and Second Five teams for girls basketball, which celebrate those athletes who made individual impacts and lifted their teams to new heights.

First Five

Alyvia Padgett

Brandon Valley | 5-7 | Sr. | G

Padgett broke the Brandon Valley career scoring record this season after averaging 26.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 60.0% shooting from the field and 44.0% shooting from beyond the arc. The Class AA Spirit of Su winner led her Brandon Valley team to an unbeaten regular season thanks to a 40-point outing against O’Gorman in the season opener. The Lynx lost in the Class AA state championship game.

“She loves the work and it has loved her back,” Brandon Valley head coach Mike Zerr said. “She just always continues to find a way to level up her game each year. She has worked hard to become a three-level scorer, is at her best in transition offensively or defensively and has a tremendous vision for the game.

“Liv is not someone who craves the spotlight but has handled it all with grace. Those things will continue to stay with her in life on her next steps and continue to make her a tremendous player and person.”

Sydney Terveen

O’Gorman | 5-11 | Sr. | G

Terveen became the eighth O’Gorman girls basketball player to hit 1,000 career points, hitting that mark in her final regular season game. Then scored 33 points in her final high school game to help the Knights win their third Class AA state title in a row. The Omaha commit averaged 18.4 points on 50.4% from the field and 35.6% from three, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

“Sydney is a tremendous basketball player and she is at her best when the lights are shining the brightest,” O’Gorman head coach Kent Kolsrud said. “She is such a versatile player that makes huge plays and is a great leader. She can score at all three levels, is great in transition and so active in our presses. She has meant a tremendous amount to our basketball program for the last four years.”

Ashlyn Koupal

Wagner | 6-3 | Sr. | G/F

Koupal was the first South Dakotan girl named to the McDonald’s All-American Game this year, and the Nebraska commit rewarded the selection committee by going for 28.3 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game while shooting 58.8% from the field and 48.4% from deep. She also recorded 60 steals and 82 blocks. Wagner went 19-5 and finished eighth in the Class A state tournament.

“Just knowing her personality and who she is, she’s a team-oriented kid who looks out for the team first,” Wagner head coach Mike Koupal said. “All the accolades she’s gotten over the years mean really nothing to her, because in the long run it’s what did she accomplish with her teammates at Wagner.

“Skill-wise, she’s a three-headed monster because she can score with her back to the basket, she can score off the dribble and she can score from the perimeter. In South Dakota the last couple years, we didn’t really get to see a lot of that because she’s picked up 90 feet with people hanging all over her. It’s hard to see what she’s really capable of.”

Ashlan Carlow-Blount

Maȟpíya Lúta | 6-0 | Sr. | G

Carlow-Blount may not have won a Class A state championship at Maȟpíya Lúta, but her teams went 80-4 over the last three years and finished as runners-up the last two seasons after going unbeaten heading into the state title game. The South Dakota commit averaged 17.2 points on 46.0% from the field and 40.0% from deep, 7.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists to go with 99 steals. Carlow-Blount also won the Class A Spirit of Su award.

Jaelyn Huntimer

Arlington | 5-9 | Sr. | G

Huntimer was Arlington’s do-it-all guard, averaging 28.8 points per game, 10.3 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per night at 5-foot-9. Her nightly heroics weren’t enough for a SoDak 16 appearance, as Arlington finished 15-7 and lost in the Class B Region 2 semifinals as the top seed.

“Jaelyn has been part of our varsity program since seventh grade, and watching her grow into the player and person she is today has been truly special,” Arlington head coach Tara King said. “The time, heart and dedication she’s poured into this game is something you don’t always see, and it shows in everything she does. She has a special ability to take over a game, even when all the attention is on her. But what stands out most isn’t just her talent, it’s her heart. She’s faced a lot throughout her career and has lead with strength and resilience through it all. Jaelyn isn’t just a great basketball player, she’s someone who left a lasting impression on our basketball program, school and community, and we have been so blessed to watch her compete as a Cardinal.”

Second Five

Dana Harpe

Sioux Falls Washington | 6-0 | Sr. | G

Harpe provided Washington with a go-to scorer and playmaker with the size of a forward. She contributed 18.2 points a night on 48.7% shooting, 5.9 rebounds per game and 6.8 assists per outing to lead the Warriors to a third-place finish at Class AA.

“Dana has a motor that doesn’t quit,” Washington head coach Jamie Parish said. “She always plays hard on both sides of the ball and is a great teammate. She will be missed.”

Ruby Moore

O’Gorman | 5-8 | Jr. | G

Moore was in control of O’Gorman’s fast-paced offense all season and frequently had the ball in her hands in big moments. The South Dakota State commit averages 15.3 points and 4.6 assists while shooting 49.5% from the floor and 45.7% from deep. She also got 82 steals.

“Ruby is a very dynamic player that makes huge plays when the game is on the line,” Kolsrud said. “Great basketball IQ, tremendous floor general, can score in so many ways. She has been a huge part of our basketball program for the past three years. Great passer, leader in steals, tremendous shooter, big time player.”

Brinley Altenburg

Sioux Falls Jefferson | 5-10 | Jr. | G

Altenburg was Jefferson’s top option all season, and she delivered time and time again. The junior has garnered lots of interest from power conference schools like Iowa, Ohio State and Kansas. She paced the Cavaliers with 18.8 points per game on 45.8% shooting and 32.2% from 3-point range.

“Brinley is a huge piece of our offense, and she is our leading scorer this season,” Jefferson head coach Shaunteva Pruett said. “She is super quick and gets our offense going in transition. Brinley has a very fast first step that helps her get by defenders. She is capable of scoring from anywhere on the court, including deep threes. She tends to be the other team’s focus for each game, and she sees a lot of different defenses thrown at her. She has really grown throughout the season on learning how to contribute to the team on other levels besides just scoring. She is long and athletic and is developing a nose for the ball on defensive and offensive rebounds, as well as reading the defense for steals. Brinley is an extremely hard worker who is the definition of a gym rat.”

Taylor Reuvers

Vermillion | 5-5 | So. | G

Reuvers has an extremely quick release and good feel for getting to the rim with the ability to finish in a variety of different ways for Vermillion. The sophomore guard went for 27.8 points per night, 6.8 rebounds per game, 4.7 assists per game with 114 steals on 41.0% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc. The Tanagers lost in the Class A Region semifinals to cap a 13-9 season.

“Taylor is a true point guard who can do everything on the floor,” Vermillion head coach Jon Brooks said. “Her ability to shoot from distance along with her quickness getting to the hoop makes her very difficult to defend. She is very unselfish and always seems to make the correct play. Her basketball IQ is as high as any player I have ever been around. Taylor is always a step ahead on the court, which allows her to let things develop around her. With how talented she is, what separates her the most is her competitive drive. It doesn’t matter if it’s a shooting drill in practice or the biggest game of the year, she never wants to lose.”

Mak Scott

Lyman | 6-0 | Sr. | F

Scott was the Class B Spirit of Su winner and led Lyman to the top seed in the state tournament thanks to her size, positioning and finishing ability by the rim. The 2,000-point scorer averaged 15.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists as she and her sister Jordyn helped lead the Raiders to a 22-4 season and a fifth-place finish in the Class B state tournament.

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