South Dakota

TenHaken issues emergency declaration as flood forces untreated wastewater into Big Sioux River

Published

5 days ago

June 22, 2024

TenHaken issues emergency declaration as flood forces untreated wastewater into Big Sioux River

In the wake of a deluge, the next 48 hours will be crucial for not only Sioux Falls, but also the health of the Big Sioux River.

Mayor Paul TenHaken signed an executive order to issue an emergency declaration Saturday after days of persistent precipitation inundated the city, along with southeastern South Dakota as a whole, with significant amounts of rainfall.

This will allow the city to skip the bid process to hire contractors and procure equipment to more quickly respond to the flood situation.

In a 7 a.m. virtual press conference Saturday hosted by Gov. Kristi Noem, TenHaken told reporters the city’s retention ponds, used specifically in flood events, were all at capacity.

As the city’s wastewater system undergoes the “most strain the system has ever had,” as TenHaken described during the presser, the mayor urged residents to limit water usage as the city’s wastewater system undergoes the

“We have thousands of people depending on this system,” TenHaken said. “We need people to limit their wastewater use right now, and that means limiting doing loads of laundry. If you can avoid a shower today, that will be great. If you can avoid anything that puts capacity or strain on the system, it will be an incredible benefit to what we’re seeing right now.”

Hours later, Marc Cotter, the city’s director of public works, elaborated on the capacity issues during a 10:30 a.m. press conference held at the city’s Public Safety Campus. He told reporters the Sioux Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant ran out of storage for excess wastewater in the system.

Gov. Noem, state officials say eastern SD river levels expected to peak Monday and Tuesday

As a result, plant operators were forced to discharge untreated wastewater into the Big Sioux River at 7:15 a.m. Saturday.

This decision was a “last resort,” Cotter emphasized. The wastewater plant’s inflow was measured at about 45 million gallons per day Saturday, Cotter said, while about 34 million gallons per day were diverted into storage basins.

Collectively, that’s about four times the normal amount of water the plant typically sees, the publics work director estimated.

A “significant amount” of the excess water is comprised of rainwater and groundwater, Cotter explained.

“The state also knows that, so when we test the river, upstream and downstream, we expect to see, you know, a significant amount of dilution that occurs with that,” Cotter said. “But it is always our last resort. We’ll only do it for the minimum amount of time that’s required until the system catches up.”

Cotter said the last time the city had to discharge raw wastewater was in 2010. He called it a “very uncommon” event.

There’s a safety rationale behind the decision, since releasing the excess water quickly was meant to protect property and keep wastewater out of neighborhoods, Cotter explained.

“The large storage systems that we’ve built for days like this, you know, those have also been great assets for us up until this point, and they’ve worked really good for this event, but just the peak of this just wasn’t enough,” Cotter said.

Sioux Falls city parks, Wild Water West close due to ‘significant flooding’

Asked how officials will respond if the city’s flood contingencies continue to stay at or surpass capacity, the public works head told the Argus Leader they’re reliant on a current National Weather Service that’s favoring sunshine and drier weather later Saturday through early next week.

In any event, they’ll “adapt accordingly,” Cotter said.

“If things were to change, our systems are, we’ve been managing this on an hour by hour basis …,” he said. “But I think we all are looking forward to the sun coming out and starting to dry this place out.”

The flooding has also given rise to rescue events, City Emergency Management Director Regan Smith told reporters.

Since Friday morning, Smith said there have been nine water rescues in Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County, all of which were successful.

In the same region, Smith said there have also been five calls for stranded motorists, 30 for vehicles stalled in water, 10 regarding water problems and 75 traffic accidents.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Partners with Trualta to Support Family Caregivers

Published

7 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

All caregivers in the state can access free resources at home

PIERRE, S.D., June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ –The South Dakota Department of Human Services (SD DHS) has partnered with Trualta, the leading online learning and support platform for family caregivers, to offer South Dakota caregivers free education and support. Caregivers can sign up at sd-caregivers.trualta.com.

“SD DHS’s Division of Long Term Services and Supports is excited to offer on-demand trainings and resources to help families and caregivers build the skills and confidence to provide care for their loved ones at home,” said Lesley Farmen, Administration of Community Living (ACL) Program Administrator and State Dementia Coordinator.

Trualta’s innovative education platform offers short lessons on many caregiver skills, including fall prevention, medication management, and bathing. It also offers virtual support groups and webinars. Trualta helps families caring for loved ones with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, an intellectual or developmental disability, heart disease, diabetes, a recent stroke, and more.

“We are thrilled to offer our family caregiver education platform in South Dakota,” said Jonathan Davis, Trualta CEO. “This is a significant step forward in our mission to empower caregivers with invaluable knowledge and support, deepening our commitment to help as many caregivers as possible to better manage challenging care situations at home.”

There are an estimated 80,000 unpaid family caregivers in South Dakota, and they are at risk for anxiety, depression, and burnout. To learn more visit sd-caregivers.trualta.com.

About the South Dakota Department of Human Services

The mission of the South Dakota Department of Human Services (SD DHS) is to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and those who are aging. Department staff work with individuals, families, and SD DHS partners to help individuals learn about available services and how to access them. In partnership with its stakeholders and through its five divisions, SD DHS helps individuals meet the goals they set for the life they want.

About Trualta

Trualta is the leading family caregiver education and support platform, helping caregivers build skills, improve confidence, and feel less isolated. It offers on-demand articles and videos, and virtual support groups, to help improve at-home care and reduce caregiver burnout. Trualta partners with healthcare payers and providers, and government and social service organizations to bring its evidence-based offering to families.

CONTACT: Allison Becker, [email protected]

SOURCE South Dakota Department of Human Services

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South Dakota

Former SDSU Jackrabbit Scheierman selected in NBA Draft

Published

14 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Former SDSU Jackrabbit Scheierman selected in NBA Draft

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Former South Dakota State Jackrabbit Baylor Scheierman was the last pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, selected by the Boston Celtics 30th overall.

Scheierman spent three years at South Dakota State before transferring to Creighton, spending two years in Omaha. Scheierman started 35 games for the Bluejays last season, shooting about 45% from the floor and 38% from beyond the arc.

Scheierman will be joining a Celtics team coming off its 18th NBA Championship, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals. Scheierman is the ninth former Jackrabbit to be selected in the NBA Draft, and the first since Nate Wolters was selected in 2013.

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South Dakota

South Dakota Air & Space Museum reopens after two-year hiatus

Published

21 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

South Dakota Air & Space Museum reopens after two-year hiatus

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – After a two-year closure, the South Dakota Air and Space Museum is back in business.

On Wednesday, June 26, the museum held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate their reopening.

Airmen, Ellsworth community leaders, and others came to the museum Wednesday morning for the reopening.

After a two-year closure, visitors can expect to see several renovations to the museum.

Those include adding large artifacts, artwork, and a banner.

Airmen and veterans who walked through the reopened doors could experience a renewed sense of pride and nostalgia as they took in the renovations around the museum.

“It recognizes the contributions of all kinds of people and their commitment to the nation and to the Air Force. You come here to see the history and hopefully leave feeling the heritage,” 28th Bomb Wing Historian John Moyes said.

The ceremony included a moment of silence, singing of “The U.S. Air Force” song, and a ribbon cutting to officially reopen the museum.

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