Opinion

hoden In South Dakota, we value personal responsibility, strong families, and local control. We believe parents should remain the primary decision-makers when raising their children.

Dear Editor, A few weeks ago, I mentioned that partisans of the Left had accused pro-life people, in SD and elsewhere, of striking a corrupt deal with Republican politicians wanting to reduce excess Federal spending. Allegedly, if the politicos would act to restrict and outlaw abortions, pro-lifers would not object to cuts in Federal funding of programs and projects intended for SD and other states. This can and should be dismissed as a conspiracy theory, a product of someone’s fevered imagination, and nothing more. In fact, pro-life people tend to be fiscal, as well as social, conservatives and would most often be on the same page with cost-conscious congresspeople and legislators anyway. More importantly, pro-life supporters in good conscience would never trade the lives of pre-born children for increased Federal and state funding for their states. Such “dirty money” is called “filthy lucre” in the apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, ch 1, vs 11 (KJV). Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whose Resurrection we just celebrated on 20 April, Easter Sunday, also addressed this issue. Quoting Matthew 16:26, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (From the Lutheran Study Bible.) The answer to both questions is of course “NOTHING!”

We’re at the Easter holiday. It’s a great holiday to celebrate traditions with family and loved ones. I remember when I was a child, the day before Easter we would dye eggs that we’d just gathered from the chicken coop. You rarely see real eggs at Easter egg hunts anymore! To this day, my wife Sandy hides Easter baskets outside for everyone to find – adults included.

The two Bijou Hills adjacent to the Missouri River in south-central South Dakota were prominent landmarks for all voyagers who traveled up the river by boat or on land. The outcrops on both hills were clearly visible from the river and surrounding territory. They are part of a series of bold, irregular bluffs, much more elevated than any surrounding ones, extending for nearly thirty miles.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Congress had no regard for the Missouri River as a channel of commerce. It was clear to most Americans that the river was an important channel of commerce as the frontier moved farther west. Each and everyone except the members of Congress saw the significance of a free-flowing river that was free of snags and other obstacles for the economy above St. Louis.

South Dakota Housing is inviting developers to submit applications for funding from the Housing Opportunity Fund (HOF) program. This open funding round is a chance for developers to make their projects happen.

The Gregory Community Blood Drive recently proved that real heroes walk among us, as dedicated donors and volunteers came together to provide lifesaving blood donations to patients in need. The event saw an incredible turnout, with 29 donors stepping up to give the gift of life.

The South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS) is warning the public about a jury duty scam targeting people in central South Dakota. UJS has been informed that the Stanley County Sheriff’s Office received more than 30 reports today regarding suspicious phone calls.

hoden We have a friendly rivalry with our neighbors to the north in North Dakota. I’ve joked many times that I’d much rather have Mount Rushmore than oil – and we all know that South Dakota’s Badlands are far more stunning! But we’re a lot more similar to North Dakota than probably any other state in the Union.

C David Gerald Jaros, 39, Gregory, SD, fail to maintain financial responsibility, disposition: dismissed - motion by court (including for no probably cause)..