SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (WLS) — A Burger King employee in South Dakota is retiring after 48 years.

Jane Aulner started her career with the fast food restaurant in 1976. She said the feeling of family with her coworkers is one of the reasons she never left the restaurant for nearly half a century.

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She also said she felt comfort in ggetting to know people and watching the grow.

“It warms my heart when I got somebody coming inside or come through the drive through, they go ‘Wow, you’re still here. Do you remember me?’” she said. “And they’ll tell me their name like maybe I trained them or had them when they were in college, before they moved off and got married and had their own lives. So that was, that was really fun.”

As much as Aulner’s coworkers made an impact on her, they said she has left an impression on them.

“She’s huge, she’s the cornerstone,” said manager Belvie Kennerly. “I mean, you can’t do anything without a team member like June to help keep things running for you.”

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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