South Dakota
Sioux Falls branches out with CommuniTree Assistance Program
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Spring planting season has officially begun, and Sioux Falls is taking new efforts to revitalize the city’s urban forest.
It’s all part of the new initiative through Sioux Falls and their CommuniTree program, which is going to plant roughly 150 plants a day to help protect and provide for our environment for decades to come.
This past fall, the city of Sioux Falls announced it had received a 3 million grant from the USDA Forest Service. The funds are being used to restore the city’s tree population by planting approximately 5000 trees over the course of a few years.
“If you have room to plant trees within the adjacent right-of-way and you have an approved planting permit, we will issue a $100 voucher per tree for the planting of those trees,” said Bryan Peterson, Urban Forestry Specialist. “Vouchers are only issued to approved planting locations. Vouchers are not issued to properties already enrolled in a city cost-sharing program focused on tree planting.”
Sioux Falls has lost 17,000 ash trees to the invasive emerald ash borers, and through the CommuniTree program, they hope to plant 1200 trees this spring. It’s voluntary, and residents have the option to choose from six trees.
“There’s a lot of trees and even within our park system where they get dinged with lawnmowers or string trimmers and that over time can actually kill the tree itself,” said Peterson in terms of how to take care of your trees.
Sioux Falls was selected for the grant based on the impact it would have on the city.
“We have several communities in Colorado that are currently working on them, but we also have some domestic grants that go directly through the state of South Dakota,” said Amanda Marr, who is with the USDA Forest Service. “And then South Dakota therefore passes it down through communities.”
After years of losing trees to invasive pests, Sioux Falls is turning over a new leaf. They encourage any resident to look into the program so they can help plant a tree in their own front yard and help make a difference.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
South Dakota
South Dakota man loses appeal after being convicted of terroristic threats against President Trump
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has announced the South Dakota Supreme Court has affirmed the conviction and sentence of a South Dakota man after an attempted threat of felony terrorism.
“Threats against the President of the United States and public officials are taken seriously,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We will continue to prosecute individuals who seek to harm or intimidate public officials and their families.”
According to court docs, Lucian Celestine first contacted the FBI in September 2019, claiming he was hearing voices instructing him to kill President Trump.
In June 2020, Celestine attempted to purchase a sniper-style rifle through an online marketplace and requested a scope capable of shooting up to 600 yards.
The rifle’s seller was a Brookings Police Officer acting as a private citizen and became concerned about Celestine’s behavior. The officer reported the interaction to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Police later contacted Celestine as President Trump was due to visit Mount Rushmore for the 2020 Independence Day fireworks celebration. During the encounter, Celestine said he had contacted the FBI and admitted he had recently obtained a rifle.
Officers located a rifle, ammunition, and targets in the truck of his vehicle.
After being taken into custody in Rapid City, Celestine told investigators that the voices in his head instructed him to kill the President. He told police of a plan to go to Mount Rushmore and position himself above the monument.
He was then arrested and indicted for threat of felony terrorism.
Celestine entered a guilty plea in November 2024 for Attempted Threat of Felony Terrorism. In March 2024, the Pennington County Circuit Court sentenced him to two and a half years in the South Dakota Penitentiary with credit for time served.
Celestine later appealed his conviction and sentence, but the South Dakota Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s sentence.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – 605 Day at the Smoking Mule in Chamberlain is coming up on June 5.
Owner Erica Sperl and General Manager Dayre Evans joined Dakota News Now with the details.
“So, the Smoking Mule is in Chamberlain, right along the banks of the Missouri River. We got this idea a couple of years ago, where we wanted to have a ‘605 Day’ and celebrate South Dakota businesses,” said Sperl.
“Because we’re right in the center of the state, we get a ton of travelers coming through. So, we kind of feel like a little mini tourist spot. We’re always telling people where to go and what to check out. And so, that’s where the idea came from. Just inviting businesses to join us for the day. Little vendors, big vendors, food, clothes, whatever it is. Just to kind of celebrate the awesomeness of South Dakota.”
“Last year, we had about ten vendors on site. This year, we’re about, just almost to thirty, there’s some more rolling in,” said Evans.
There’s everything from tattoo artists from Winner, South Dakota, on site. There are hand-wrapped floral bouquets, home decor from some local Chamberlain businesses, Coffee Cantina, a coffee shop, on-site, doing drinks all day, and a slushie truck. We have kids face painting, we have family mini sessions right by the river, there’s a cigar shop, there’s breweries on site, including Palace City out of Mitchell.”
There will also be a minno race and a performance from the Rewind Band to end the night, along with much more!
The event will be at the Smoking Mule starting at 12:00 pm on June 5, 2026.
Watch the full interview above to learn more.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
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