Opinion

The recycling team appreciates all the volunteers that have helped haul the trailer to Winner over the past year. These include the City of Gregory, Dick Shaffer, Buche’s, First Fidelity Bank, BankWest, Rick Messerschmidt, Dale Boes, Avera Gregory Hospital, and Rosebud Electric Cooperative. With that being said, the recycling team is beginning to prepare the calendar for 2023.

In Canada, Remembrance Day celebrates the WWI armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month which marked “the end of the war to end all wars.” But then came Mussolini and Hitler. I heard an old country song from the 50s recently, titled “If we forget, then Hitler still lives,” but after WWII, NATO and the United Nations were formed. These organizations and the EU and the leadership of the United States under Pres. Biden have supported Ukraine in fighting back against Dictator Putin’s unnecessary invasion. We see reports of Russian army surrenders, Belarusian soldiers fighting Russian soldiers, and mothers marching in Moscow. What if Trump had been elected in 2020?

Before the Dakota Territory was established by the U. S. Congre s s, the majority of the population was located on the north side of the Missouri River between Sioux City, Iowa, on the east and Fort Randall on the west. By 1859, the question of securing a political organization for the Territory was the most important thought on the minds of these settlers.

Pioneer travel most generally followed the easiest and shortest practicable routes. Frequently, the early traders, trappers, settlers, and miners followed Indian trails or the game trails that wild animals had followed for many years.

The first American Thanksgiving was a celebration of unity across cultures and races. Two cultures who did not know each other gathered together to have a meal and engage in fellowship. I hope that our kids learn this as part of our nation’s true and honest history. Native Americans far outnumbered the Pilgrims at Plymouth – and they brought food to welcome their new neighbors. They spent time together giving thanks for the abundance that was available to them. And they were grateful for the extra time to spend with family, too.

The earliest known map revealing the Dakota country is the DeL’lsle map of 1701. On that map, a trail (early highway of the time) is shown leading from the mouth of the Wisconsin River along the northern boundary of present Iowa, via Spirit Lake, to Sioux Falls. It is identified as “Chemin des Voyageurs” (track of the voyagers). It is witness to the thought that South Dakota was visited by white men prior to the year 1700.

At some South Dakota schools, students are taking the lead in trying to promote better sportsmanship at athletic contests. During a discussion on Wednesday about the association’s initiative to increase sportsmanship among players, coaches, and fans, members of the South Dakota High School Activities Association’s board of directors heard a message recorded by grade school students at Hoven.

The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) recently announce the launch of a new telehealth partnership between DOH, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Agencies, and Sioux Falls-based telemedicine provider, Avel eCare. This initiative will use telemedicine to transform the delivery of care provided to patients throughout the state. During the 2022 legislative session, Governor Noem requested, and the South Dakota Legislature approved, three funding initiatives to inject up to $20 million into EMS in South Dakota. Telemedicine in Motion is one of the three initiatives, with a budget of $1.7 million dollars. Avel eCare was selected after a nationwide request for proposals process.

Due to paper supply issues, the South Dakota Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division has stopped printing paper titles effective immediately. The paper used for printing titles is very unique, as it has built-in security features to prevent fraud. The Department anticipates being able to start printing paper titles mid-February 2023.

I am proud to be governor of the best state in America to live, work, and retire in as a veteran. That’s important. The state that sets the gold standard for freedom should also lead the way in honoring those who defend our freedoms. In the last four years, we found new ways to honor our veterans. In my second term, we will continue to build on those successes and honor the men and women who served us.