South Dakota

Rapid City’s mobile medic the only of its kind in South Dakota

Published

2 years ago

May 14, 2024

Rapid City’s mobile medic the only of its kind in South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Last year EMS in Rapid City responded to more than thirteen thousand calls, but what about times when someone didn’t need a full ambulance? That’s where mobile medic comes into play.

The program was created in 2013 but didn’t have its first active mobile unit until 2016.

“To have senior individuals who knew the streets. Who were out and could insert themselves out in the community versus taking a fire engine and an ambulance out of a fire station. Leaving those resources available for higher acuity emergencies,” said Ryan Marcks, captain of the Rapid City Fire Department’s mobile medic program.

The unit consists of a group of senior paramedics who go around town, focusing on underserved communities, and providing medical services to anyone in need to prevent 9-1-1 calls.

Marcks says it is a unique program.

“We’re the only program of its sort within the state of South Dakota. The next closest program is in Denver which is different than ours. Everyone focuses on the needs of the community,” said Marcks.

Marcks added the program is also cost-effective.

“It’s a cost savings for the taxpayers. Instead of sending an ambulance and a fire engine to an unknown problem, we can send a highly trained paramedic with the same equipment to that situation and get there before anyone else,” said Marcks.

Marcks says he and his team, during a regular shift, will encounter everything from someone being intoxicated to life-and-death situations where someone isn’t breathing. He added the job is rewarding.

“Knowing that, after I have left this planet, something I’ve done has made a lasting difference. That’s, it’s a good feeling. We work very closely with the Police department and all city entities. We all work very very well together towards a common goal,” said Marcks.

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South Dakota

Governor Rhoden signs school lunch bill into law

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Governor Rhoden signs school lunch bill into law

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Governor Rhoden officially signed HB 1082 into law on Friday, March 27.

HB 1082 is a bill that establishes parameters for reimbursing school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students.

Representative Kadyn Wittman, who has worked to pass the bill for several years, expressed excitement and gratitude in a post to Facebook on Friday.

“10,000 kids across our state will now have access to free school meals. No stigma. No barriers. Just the support they need to learn and grow,” wrote Wittman.

“So incredibly grateful to everyone who made this happen. This is a big win for South Dakota families!”

You can see the full bill and its sponsors here.

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South Dakota

Retired Air Force four-star general Maryanne Miller speaks at South Dakota Mines

Published

18 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Retired Air Force four-star general Maryanne Miller speaks at South Dakota Mines

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Students at South Dakota Mines heard Wednesday from retired four-star general Maryanne Miller about her journey to the highest ranks of the U.S. military.

Miller is a retired four-star U.S. Air Force general. She is the only member of the Air Force Reserve ever to be promoted to this level.

She spoke about finding greatness and living a life of fulfillment. Her stories came from her time in the Air Force and as a volunteer for Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity.

“We so much get focused on what is our next step in life, what’s the next career move, how do we make ourselves better in our career, and we forget about how do we make ourselves better as a human being,” Miller said. “Because they have to go tandem. If it’s not tandem, you’re going to get off track.”

Miller was commissioned in 1981 and rose through the ranks before becoming a four-star general in 2018. She was the only woman serving as a four-star officer in the military at the time. She retired in 2020 after serving for almost 40 years.

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South Dakota

USDA to offer distaster assistance to South Dakota agriculture producers impacted by winter storms

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

USDA to offer distaster assistance to South Dakota agriculture producers impacted by winter storms

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering financial and technical assistance to South Dakota farmers and livestock producers who may have been impacted by the recent winter storms.

“I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.” said Richard Fordyce, Production and Conservation Under Secretary.

FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program can assist landowners with financial assistance to restore damaged land and conservation structures or forests.

“Our staff will work one-on-one with landowners to make assessments of the damages and develop methods that focus on effective recovery of the land.” said Jessica Michalski, Acting NRCS State Conservationist in South Dakota.

For more information about the disaster assistance program, click here.

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