Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Parents Matter Central South Dakota Chapter Continues Efforts to Raise Awareness and Avoid Tragedy

Graduation season is here once again and concern for the safety of South Dakota teens becomes even more prevalent among many parents, school officials and law enforcement members at this time of the year.  During the spring of 2006 in eastern South Dakota, several teens died in accidents related to drinking and driving and in the two years since, there have been other South Dakota youngsters who have succumbed to accidents that were linked to alcohol.  The Parents Matter Central South Dakota Chapter is just one of many organizations that is committed to preventing underage drinking and drug abuse through the education of parents and youth, alike.  At a gathering at City Hall in Pierre Tuesday morning, City Commissioner Larry Weiss of Pierre, who leads the organization, said that the message of avoiding underage drinking never gets old and can’t be said enough.

Hughes County Sheriff Mike Leidholt says that youth alcohol use should not be considered a “rite of passage” by youngsters or adults and believes that it could lead to regret if alcohol usage results in accidental injuries or death.

Leidholt says unfortunately, some teens try to get around restrictions by attending graduation parties in rural areas.  He says that can be deadly if alcohol is mixed with teens driving on unfamiliar gravel roads.

In addition, Leidholt says adults who agree to let juveniles hold a gathering on their property could end up in big trouble themselves, if alcohol is used or someone is hurt.

All of those attending Tuesday morning’s gathering, which also included Pierre Police Chief Elton Blemaster, Riggs High School Principal Mike Fugitt and Pierre School District Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt, stressed that parental actions are important in keeping youngsters safe.  Weiss says during this month, in which many youngsters go on to begin the next phase of their lives that high school graduation should be remembered as a joyous time, and not be filled with memories of the death of a classmate.  Those wanting more information on how to talk to their children about the dangers that drinking and drugs can pose should visit the Parents Matter website at www.parentsmattercsd.com or other sites such as www.state.sd.us/attorney/parentsmatter; www.theantidrug.com; www.stopalcoholabuse.gov; www.thecoolspot.gov; www.jointogether.org

Rounds Says POW/MIA Flags to Go Up Before Memorial Day

With Memorial Day 2008 only a few weeks away, Governor Mike Rounds says special efforts will be made to honor South Dakota’s veterans.  Rounds says the state will be part of what may be a nationwide effort in flying black flags that bear the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action logo.  The POW/MIA flags will be placed at visitor centers along both of South Dakota’s interstate roadways.

Rounds asks South Dakotans to recognize and remember all vets during the Memorial Day holiday and says the flags should be put in place about a week before the holiday arrives.  South Dakota’s 13 Interstate Information Centers will open for the season Saturday.  The centers are located near Chamberlain, New Effington, Salem, Spearfish, Tilford, Valley Springs, Vermillion, Vivian, Wasta and Wilmot.  The centers offer travelers a place to stop, along with literature and posters about various state attractions and travel counselors are also present at the locations to answer visitors travel questions.  

School Board Members Look at Several Open Enrollments and In-District Transfers Monday

Pierre School Board members dealt with open enrollment and in-district transfer applications Monday at the board’s May meeting.  Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt says members approved 27 enrollment applications for students from Stanley County and one from the Agar/Blunt/Onida district.  Thirty in district transfers were also before the board Monday.  Glodt says he expects more applications to come before the board in the months ahead.  He advises parents who are considering making changes in the school their child attends to submit applications with the district soon, to give officials more time to prepare for changes that occur in the student population.

The district saw a total of about 130 in-district transfers and out of district enrollments last year. 

Discussion of Overhaul for Smoking Rules at Pierre School Board Meeting

Pierre School Board members had their first reading of an updated tobacco use policy for the school district.  Speaking before members at Monday night’s meeting was student Kayla Pochop, who represented the high school group TATU or Teens Against Tobacco Use.  Ruth Smith, who serves as the district’s Director of Instruction, joined Pochop in talking to the board about the revisions to the tobacco use policy.  She says the group received a tobacco grant, and one of the grant’s terms required them to submit the school’s current no smoking policy.  The policy was found to be outdated; having been introduced in 1992-so it was decided its members would look it over to determine whether changes were necessary.  Smith says the students recommended that more details be added to the current policy.  The new policy sets more specific no smoking standards for schools, school property and facilities throughout the district.  The rules are to cover not only students, but also staff and those that visit any district property.  Smith says new recommendations will make it easier to enforce the tobacco policies.  She expects that the board will approve the new policy at the June board meeting.

Pierre School District Raises Meal Prices at Schools

The Pierre School Board approved a plan Monday night to increase the cost for breakfast and lunch at Pierre Schools by twenty cents next school year.  District Food Services Director Darrel Davis told board members that food costs have gone up 14% for the district since the start of the year.  He says the addition to the meal prices is necessary to make up for additional money that the district has to pay due to rising food prices and additional fuel charges the school district must pay.   Davis says he has some concern about having to increase lunch ticket costs, because he already hears from some parents who say that they are having a tough time paying for their children’s school meals.

Elementary and Middle School students can charge up to ten dollars toward their meals and high school students can go five dollars in the hole for their meal accounts.   Davis says right now, breakfast costs range from $1.10 at elementary schools and the middle school to $1.35 at the high school.  Lunch costs are $1.70 at the elementary schools, $1.85 at the middle school and $2.00 at the high school.  Prices will be twenty cents higher next school year.  It’s been four years since the district increased the costs of meals at Pierre schools.

Potter County Reports Residence Burglaries Over Two Month Period

Walworth and Edmunds counties have been joined by Potter County in being hit by burglars.  Sheriff Alan McClain says although there have not been any break-ins lately, there were at least five burglaries over the past two months in two different parts of the county.  He says some of the items taken include power tools, guns and a variety of other items.  McClain says anyone that may have a tip to help solve the break-ins can call his office at 765-9405.

Water Outage Planned for Some Pierre Residents Over Next Few Days

Open House to Honor Public Safety Director Aden

Wheat Disease Scouting Workshops to be Held Soon

Several “Wheat Disease Scouting Workshops” will be held next week in some south-central South Dakota communities.  There were many problems with wheat diseases in 2007 and that combined with the price of wheat has prompted SDSU’s Extension Service to set up the workshops for producers.  In addition to rust infestations being reported in Oklahoma and Kansas, there are also some residue borne diseases that have been identified.  The schedule has meetings to be held Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at WheatGrowers in Reliance; at Dakota Mill and Grain in Presho at 1:00 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m. at MidWest Co-op in Draper.  The next day (Wednesday), the final meeting will be at Four Corners, one mile east of the Ideal Post Office beginning at 10:00 a.m.   Those with questions about the workshops or managing wheat diseases can contact your local extension office or Bob Fanning at 869-2226.

Candidate Forum for Pierre City Commission and Mayor Candidates to be TOMORROW

(Copyright 2008 Dakota Radio Group.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A lawyer says the family of the Minnesota man killed in a fatal crash with former South Dakota Rep. Bill Janklow settled its wrongful death lawsuit for $1 million. Randy Scott was killed Aug. 16, 2003, when his Harley-Davidson struck the back of a Cadillac that Janklow drove through a stop sign at an intersection near Trent. Scott was killed instantly and Janklow was injured. Scott's family sued the United States for $25 million after the U.S. attorney in Minnesota concluded Janklow was on official business at the time of the crash, which made the federal government responsible for any financial damages. The trial was scheduled to start June 16 in Minneapolis, but the family opted to settle Tuesday afternoon.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - Starting with the return of Bill Clinton tomorrow, Democratic presidential candidates and their supporters will descend on South Dakota the remainder of the work week. Bill Clinton plans to speak on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation tomorrow afternoon at the high school in Pine Ridge.  Hillary Clinton will return to South Dakota for the second time in a week Thursday. The U.S. senator's campaign staff says she will make a public appearance in Aberdeen. However, the location and time have yet to be announced. Clinton stopped in Sioux Falls last Thursday. On Friday, the Democratic front-runner, Barack Obama, is scheduled to make his first campaign stops in South Dakota. Obama is to visit the Watertown area Friday morning and Sioux Falls in the evening. Details are still being worked on. Also on Friday, Ethel Kennedy, wife of the late 1968 presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy, and her son, Max, are scheduled to appear in Rapid city and Pine Ridge in support of Obama's candidacy. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - George McGovern says Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton should stop criticizing each other and instead make joint appearances. The former U.S. senator from South Dakota and 1972 presidential candidate outlined yesterday what he called a formula to unify the party and defeat McCain. His proposal is for Obama and Clinton to appear together at least once in each of the five remaining primaries in Kentucky, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota. McGovern says each would speak about what he or she would do if elected and then talk about why President Bush's policies have failed and why they would continue to fail under McCain. He says both campaigns responded favorably to the idea. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. House is expected to take up the new Farm Bill today, with the Senate following by the end of the week, when current farm law expires. The $300 billion, five-year farm bill contains something for everyone -- including tax breaks for Kentucky racehorse owners, extra help for farmers in Hawaii and Alaska, dollars for salmon farmers in the Pacific Northwest and more food stamps. President Bush has threatened a veto, saying the farm bill is too expensive and too generous to wealthy farmers. It takes a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override a veto. Supporters say they hope they can lure enough votes to send the White House a strong message. Two-thirds of the massive bill would pay for the nation's nutrition programs, including food stamps. Most of the rest of the legislation would provide subsidies for farmers and conservation programs that protect the land. 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - More South Dakota soldiers will return from Iraq on Friday. National Guard Detachment 3, Company A, of the 641st Aviation Regiment will be honored during a public ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility near Rapid City Regional Airport. The 10-member unit was stationed Nov. 1 in an area about 45 miles north of Baghdad, flying Sherpa cargo planes on nighttime missions to and from smaller air bases. Gov. Mike Rounds visited the unit in December on a trip to Iraq. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Education Association has elected Sandy Arseneault of Custer as its new president for a three-year term. The middle school teacher will take office in July, replacing Donna DeKraai, who was term-limited. Arseneault defeated Bonnie Mehlbrech of Sioux Falls in an election that was held during April. SDEA represents more than 7,000 elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. 

DELL RAPIDS, S.D. (AP) - A $16 million bond issue for the Dell Rapids School District has failed to garner enough votes for passage. It requires a minimum of 60 percent of votes to approve school borrowing. The measure failed Tuesday with 52 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed, or 868 votes to 793 votes. The proposed bond was requested to pay for a new elementary school, a new gymnasium and additional classrooms for the high school. Dell Rapids School District Superintendent Tom Ludens says just 47 percent of registered voters went to the polls. He says a second attempt to pass the bond issue may be made in late September or early October. 

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - Transportation officials say work may begin yet this week on repairs to the Meridian Bridge at Yankton. A 10-ton weight limit was imposed on the 84-year-old span Friday, keeping large trucks from using the bridge over the Missouri River. Officials explained that the action was necessary because of corrosion on metal plates that connect the bridge's steel beams. Although calculations showed that the bridge should be able to handle heavy loads, there was some doubt. 

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) - A clerk at a Mitchell convenience store is in hot water. Police say the clerk made a false report of a robbery -- telling them that a man held a knife to her throat but was scared off when a vehicle pulled into the parking lot. It turns out, however, that the clerk wasn't feeling well and apparently made up an excuse so she could go home early. Police say she may be charged with filing a false robbery report. 

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Highway Patrol says a Groton man died after his car left U.S. Highway 12 near Andover and hit a culvert early Tuesday morning. The victim was identified as 20-year-old Jordan Stearns, who was alone in his car and was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred two miles east of Andover. The Highway Patrol says the crash remains under investigation. 

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) - A 19-year-old was treated and released from the Brookings Hospital after what authorities believe was an accidental shooting Monday evening on the Big Sioux River south of Brookings. According to the Brookings County Sheriff's Department, three people were in a small boat on the river when a .22-Caliber pistol discharged and hit Justin Froiland of Brookings in the shoulder. Authorities think Froiland had the gun when it discharged. The sheriff's department says all three of the young men in the boat had firearms. Authorities say the other two, ages 18 and 19, face underage consumption and firearms charges. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A 40-year-old Aberdeen policeman who was accidentally shot in the leg a week ago by a fellow officer in a drug raid was still hospitalized yesterday, in stable condition. Grant Schnabel was wounded by an assault rifle.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Sioux Falls fireman suffered minor injuries last night when called to a garage fire. Officials say the firefighter was toppled by a hose. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Researchers are trying to determine the origin of a mountain lion that was shot by police in Chicago last month. There's been speculation that the animal came from the Black Hills. An initial test of the lion's DNA matched many characteristics of lions in the Dakotas, Wyoming and Montana. Scientists now are zeroing in on additional genetic traits to see if they specifically match those of mountain lions in western South Dakota. A U.S. Forest Service lab in Montana is analyzing a specimen from the animal, and results are expected within a month. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The state's juvenile corrections monitor says he conducted four formal investigations into incidents at South Dakota's programs for juvenile offenders in Custer during the last half of last year. John Ellis said one case involved a staff member who filled a boy's hat with snow and then threw it at the boy. He says that staff member then quit. Ellis said another case involved a volunteer from the ministerial association who told some boys they would go to hell if they followed Native American religious beliefs. The other two cases involved a lack of discipline in a program and an inappropriate comment by a teacher. 

DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) - The Society of American Travel Writers has presented an award to Deadwood for its decades-long historic preservation efforts and resulting increase in tourism interest. Fifty of the world's leading travel writers and photographers are meeting in the Black Hills this week. 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Recent rains and snows in the Black Hills have filled Belle Fourche Reservoir to 79 percent of capacity as the Belle Fourche River runs at full tilt. The reservoir had dropped to as little as 6 percent capacity a couple of years ago. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Sanford Health executives have broken ground in Duncan, Okla., for the Sioux Falls-based hospital system's first children's clinic outside South Dakota. The clinic is part of a larger plan to transform Sanford Health into a world-class medical research system. The hospital is using a $400 million donation from Sioux Falls businessman T. Denny Sanford to build a series of children's clinics around the world, create the Sanford Pediatric Institute for health research, and focus on pressing health issues. Sanford Health is the largest health-care system between Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and Denver, Colorado. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) 

FESSENDEN, N.D. (AP) - A Fargo couple have been sentenced to prison for the deaths of an older couple near Sykeston. Judge James Bekken sentenced Aron Nichols to two life prison terms without parole. His fiancee, Tamara Sorenson, also was sentenced to life, but with the possibility of parole. Nichols and Sorenson were convicted in the April 2007 deaths of 70-year-old Donald Willey and his 67-year-old wife, Alice. 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The state Public Service Commission is looking at an Xcel Energy proposal that would charge North Dakota electric customers another 40-cents a month for conservation rebates that could save them money. Commissioner Tony Clark says the commission will be trying to decide if the benefits outweigh the costs. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Critics of a five-year farm bill in Congress say it does not address the global food crisis. President Bush contends the bill is too expensive and too generous to wealthy U.S. farmers. 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - State Board of Higher Education President John Q. Paulsen says he's not surprised that he was rejected in his bid for another term on the board. Paulsen says he's being blamed for the resignation of former state chancellor Robert Potts. 

ST. PAUL (AP) - The House and Senate have approved a bill to bar state driver's license authorities from implementing the federal Real ID regulations. Real ID would require every citizen to carry a U.S. government-approved card to board a plane or enter a federal facility. 

SIREN, Wis. (AP) - A Minneapolis firefighter is charged with second-degree intentional homicide in the death of his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend in northwestern Wisconsin. Thirty-two-year-old Kyle Huggett is accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old John Peach in January when Peach broke through the door into the woman's residence. Prosecutors say Peach was the ex-boyfriend of the woman Huggett was dating. 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) - Northwest Airlines executive Neal Cohen is leaving the company. Cohen says its a good time to leave with Northwest working to combine with Delta Air Lines by the end of the year. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Minnesota Democrats say Senator Norm Coleman should divest campaign donations made by employees of a firm that lobbied for Myanmar's military government. The Coleman campaign says the contributions were legal and the company was engaged in legal activities. The Myanmar regime has been criticized for its poor response to the devastating cyclone that struck its coast. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press. Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL NEWS
From the Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) - China's government confirms nearly 15,000 people were killed in Monday's 7.9 earthquake. Searchers reaching cut-off towns today fear it will go far higher. They're still finding survivors in the rubble, although 80 percent of the populations of some villages was wiped out. 

UNDATED (AP) - Hillary Clinton, still in the race for the White House, says her lopsided win over Barack Obama in West Virginia shows she can pull in the swing states. She's urging Democratic party leaders to think again about lining up behind Obama. 

UTAPAO, Thailand (AP) - The U.S. has sent five more military planes to Myanmar, loaded with emergency supplies. Thailand reports military leaders of its next-door neighbor are also letting in a Thai medical team. Tens of thousands are dead from the May 3rd cyclone and another bad storm is brewing. 

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - President Bush says he considers the Holy Land "a very special place" and he's glad to be back there. Bush has opened his Mideast trip in Israel by declaring that the U.S. and Israel have "built an enduring alliance to confront terrorists and tyrants." 

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - With President Bush in the Middle East, both houses of Congress are calling for the president to temporarily stop stockpiling oil. The government is buying up about 70,000 barrels a day, adding to the federal reserves of about 700 million barrels. 

NEW DELHI (AP) - At least 80 people are dead and about 200 injured after a series of bombs exploded across an ancient city in India. Officials in Jaipur say an eighth bomb was found and defused by police. 

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Democrat is headed to Congress after winning a special election in Mississippi. Travis Childers won a seat vacated by a Republican congressman who was appointed to the Senate when Trent Lott resigned. 

LOS ANGELES (AP) - More homeowners are in trouble. The research firm RealtyTrac reports a 65-percent jump in foreclosure notifications last month over a year ago. Nearly a-quarter million homeowners were put on notice. 

HONOLULU (AP) - A church office manager has been sentenced to 18 months in jail and will have to pay back $45,000 she stole from her Hawaii church and its pastors. Prosecutors wanted Wheeler sentenced to 20 years, but the pastors of Windward Unity Church say they're pleased with the sentence, which will keep her in jail for nine more months. 

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - Picher, Oklahoma, may be history. The government is not going to provide any money for rebuilding homes demolished by a tornado last weekend. People will get relocation help, but the town was already on the chopping block because of mining pollution.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - The pastor of a Florida church and his 13-year-old son have been found dead in the wreckage of their small plane in North Carolina. The bodies of the Reverend Forrest Pollock and his son, Preston, were found near Cold Mountain. The pastor of Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida, was piloting the plane. He had flown with his son and a daughter to North Carolina to see their grandmother on Mother's Day. 

PALM BAY, Fla. (AP) - Wildfires along Florida's Atlantic coast have destroyed at least 40 homes and burned roughly 15 square miles. Police suspect arson in at least some of the fires. And they're being made worse by increased development which has prevented controlled burns. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - For a growing number of Americans, landline phones are so yesterday. A government survey says nearly three in 10 households now get all or most of their calls on cell phones. One author of the report says many people ignore landline calls in order to dodge solicitors. 

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A new study shows that for the first time, more than half of all insured Americans are taking prescription medicines regularly for chronic health problems. The most widely used drugs are to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. 

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Retired Supreme court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor testifies before a congressional panel today. She's joining those urging more federal help in fighting Alzheimer's disease. O'Connor's husband developed Alzheimer's. When he was unable to stay home, she took him to work with her at the Supreme Court. 

PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona sheriff who describes himself as the toughest in America is crying "dirty politics" against Governor Janet Napolitano. She's not renewing a one-and-a-half-million dollar contract that helped Joe Arpaio chase illegal immigrants. The governor wants to spend the money to track down felons. 

NEW YORK (AP) - MySpace has won a 230 million dollar federal court judgment against two spammers who sent more than 730,000 junk e-mails as fake friends. Even if it doesn't collect, MySpace's security chief says it could deter other nuisance attacks on the online hangout. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is introducing a physical fitness test for adults similar to the one millions of students take each year. It involves three basic components, aerobic fitness, muscular strength and flexibility. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - You don't need cable or a satellite dish to catch HBO programming anymore. Apple will begin feeding HBO shows to its online iTunes store. The move to get the programming snares one of the last remaining holdouts among major channels. To get the deal, Apple agrees to a rare pricing concession so it can make shows like "The Sopranos," "Sex and the City" and "The Wire" available to those who tote iPods and iPhones around. The shows will cost either $1.99 or $2.99 an episode. That makes HBO the only channel allowed to charge more than the standard $1.00 for their episodes on iTunes. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Association of Realtors says median home prices fell in two-thirds of the cities surveyed during the first three months of this year. The real estate trade group reports that median prices for existing single-family homes dropped in 100 of 149 metropolitan areas in the January-March period. During the same period 48 metropolitan areas saw prices increase. One reported no change. Nationally, the median home price fell to $196,300 in the first quarter. That's down nearly 8 percent from the same period a year ago. 

DETROIT (AP) - A robot designed by Honda has met its latest challenge -- conducting the Detroit Symphony. The four-foot, three-inches-tall robot, named ASIMO, mimicked the actions of a conductor, nodding its head at various sections and gesturing with one or both hands. The robot led the orchestra in a performance of the song "The Impossible Dream." It took a final bow and told the audience how "thrilling" it was to perform with the orchestra. ASIMO stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. ASIMO can run, walk on uneven slopes and respond to simple voice commands. It can also recognize faces with its camera eyes. Honda eventually intends its robots to be companions for the elderly and others in need. The company brought the robot to Detroit to highlight its recent one million dollar gift to the orchestra for a music education fund. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album is considered important enough to keep for all time. It's among the 25 recordings added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. The registry preserves recorded works that are considered culturally or historically important. This year's additions include "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison and "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Joni Mitchell's "For the Roses" album has been added, as has the original cast recording of "My Fair Lady." The recordings aren't all music. Others that have been added this year include the first Trans-Atlantic broadcast from 1925, Harry Truman's speech to the 1948 Democratic Convention and the "Sounds of Earth" disc prepared for the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. 

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - The new mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma, can't celebrate his victory with champagne. John Tyler Hammons isn't old enough to drink. The 19-year-old freshman at the University of Oklahoma won about 70 percent of the vote in yesterday's election. It was a run-off pitting the college student against former Mayor Hershel Ray McBride. Hammons goes to school in Norman, but expects to transfer to be closer to Muskogee. He says he can be both mayor and continue his college education. The young mayor-elect adds that winning the public's trust is a humbling and "most awesome experience." He'll be sworn in next week. 

SNELLVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Pastor Rusty Newman is offering something new to attract parishioners -- free gas. His First Baptist Church in Snellville, Georgia, is giving away two $500 gasoline cards. Newcomers or members get pink gas card raffle tickets by going to church events. Pastor Newman views the gas giveaway as the modern equivalent of Jesus feeding 5,000 with just a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. Response to the gas promotion has been so great the church has added a phone line and receptionist to answer it. 

ROCKWOOD, Tenn. (AP) - High school senior Bradley Walker is coping with the high price of gas with some horsepower. Bradley is riding his horse Pumpkin to school in Rockwood, Tennessee. He figures he saves about 25 bucks a week thanks to Pumpkin. The ride takes 45 minutes compared to a 10 minute drive. While Bradley is in class, his horse stays in a makeshift stall behind the school. School officials are looking for more stall space, in case other students want to ride instead or drive. 

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - R-r-r-r-rip. That's the sound of Velcro's 50th anniversary. Yesterday, current and former employees of Velcro USA lined the streets of Manchester, New Hampshire, for a rip-roaring celebration. For more than mile, people ripped apart strips of the fastener that has gone the moon and helps to keep babies' bottoms covered. Velcro was developed by a Swiss inventor, after studying the burs that stuck to his dog's fur and his wool hunting pants. 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - They're coins -- but they're worth way more than pocket change. Coin experts are assessing the value of rare gold coins recovered from a pre-Civil War shipwreck off the Louisiana coast. The treasure drove includes quarter eagles and half eagles. Those gold pieces had a face value of $2.50 and $5. Today, David Bowers, co-chairman of Stack's Rare Coins in New York, says they could bring up to 100-grand apiece at auction. The coins are said to be in very good condition despite decades of being underwater. The wreck was found by four hobbyists, who have won salvage rights in federal court. 

DETROIT (AP) - Forget the stuff about your home being your castle. It could also be a shipping container. A Detroit-based group wants to recycle empty containers, by transforming them into a 1.8 million dollar, 17-unit condo project. The Detroit Free Press reports empty containers would be stacked four high. Of course, they would get all the usual features, from windows to heating. The containers-turned-condos would even add amenities like balconies and landscaped patios. Construction would start in the fall if approved by the city council. Individual condo units would go for $100,000 to $190,000. 

SHANGHAI, China (AP) - The Reverend Franklin Graham says he's asking Chinese officials how his ministry can provide further help to victims of Monday's earthquake that's left thousands dead. The tremor struck while Graham was in the middle of a ten-day visit to China. He says Samaritans Purse already has committed $150,000 to help churches in the disaster area, but would like to do more. Samaritans Purse also is sending planeloads of relief supplies into Myanmar, although Graham is concerned about reports that the government there is hoarding shipments meant for cyclone victims. The son of evangelist Billy Graham also sought to clarify his stated opposition to proselytizing at this summer's Olympics in Beijing. He says foreign missionaries who violate Chinese laws would damage church-state relations and do more harm than good. 

VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican's chief astronomer says believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict faith in God. The Reverend Jose Gabriel Funes, who heads the Vatican Observatory, says the vastness of the universe means it's possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones. In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes says those aliens would still be God's creatures, and asks, "Why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'?" Funes said the Bible "is not a science book," adding that he believes the Big Bang theory is the most "reasonable" explanation for the origin of the universe. But he said he continues to believe that "God is the creator of the universe and that we are not the result of chance." 

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A bill designed to guide local governments on how to legally pray before meetings is headed to the floor of the South Carolina House. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill Tuesday without discussion. The state Senate approved the measure last month. State Senator Chip Campsen has said he hopes it will clear up confusion over what kind of public prayer is considered constitutional, based on rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court. The legislation would give local governments three possibilities for legal prayer. They could elect a chaplain, allow each member to pray on a rotating basis or invite local religious leaders to lead prayer on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) - It's possible that Madonna's effort to adopt a young boy from Malawi may be made official this week. Her lawyer says authorities are to meet in court tomorrow to take up the case. And Alan Chinula says Madonna and those around her "are confident" that the court will grant her permanent custody. The young boy, David was placed in an orphanage after his mom died soon after childbirth and his dad was too poor to care for him. Since Madonna picked him for adoption, he has been with the singer and her family in Britain. 

LOS ANGELES (AP) - James Garner is expected to be leave a hospital shortly after a minor stroke. He was at home Friday when he became ill. That's when he went to a hospital. His publicist says he's doing well and predicts he'll be going him soon but doesn't know when. Garner turned 80 last month. Looking back at his TV career, for many people, James Garner will always be "Maverick." To many others, Garner is best known as Jim Rockford on "The Rockford Files." More recently, James Garner played Katey Sagal's father in the sitcom "8 Simple Rules ... For Dating My Teenage Daughter." He joined the cast in 2003 after John Ritter, who played Sagal's husband, died during the show's second season. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - For all the personal and painful revelations Barbara Walters makes in her autobiography, "Audition," she's still keeping one thing secret. Her age. Walters says it's her "one fetish." The AP says she's 78, so Walters was asked if a correction was needed. Walters replied, "I apologize to the AP," but she won't come clean. She says she's knows it's "dopey," but she's not going to discuss her age. And that goes for her little dog, too. She admits she lies about Cha-Cha's age, as well. Cha-Cha is older than she'll admit to. 

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City restaurant has settled a lawsuit brought against it by a lesbian who says she was ejected because a bouncer thought she was a man in the ladies' room. Caliente Cab Company, while denying the allegations, agreed to pay Khadijah Farmer $35,000 and train its staff to be sensitive to gender identity issues. Farmer says she's happy with the outcome, saying it "does send a positive message." She says she was humiliated last year when she and her party were thrown out of the restaurant after the annual Gay Pride parade. Farmer, who wears her hair close-cropped and favors khakis and man-tailored shirts, says she has no intention of changing her look. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Today is Wednesday, May 14th, the 135th day of 2008. There are 231 days left in the year. 

Today's Highlight in History: 
On May 14th, 1948, according to the current-era calendar, the independent state of Israel was proclaimed in Tel Aviv. 

On this date: 
In 1607, English colonists went ashore in Virginia to begin building a permanent settlement, named Jamestown after England's King James I. 
In 1643, Louis the 14th became King of France at age four upon the death of his father, Louis the 13th. 
In 1796, English physician Edward Jenner succeeded in inoculating eight-year-old James Phipps against smallpox by using cowpox matter. 
In 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the Louisiana Territory left camp near St. Louis. 
In 1900, the Olympic games opened in Paris, held as part of the 1900 World's Fair. 
In 1942, Congress voted to establish the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. 
In 1942, Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" was first performed, by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. 
In 1973, the United States launched Skylab 1, its first manned space station. 
In 1987, actress Rita Hayworth died in New York at age 68. 
In 1988, 27 people, mostly teens, were killed when their church bus collided with a pickup truck going the wrong way on a highway near Carrollton, Kentucky. (Truck driver Larry Mahoney served 9 and a-half years in prison for manslaughter.) 

Ten years ago: Singer-actor Frank Sinatra died at a Los Angeles hospital at age 82. The hit sitcom "Seinfeld" aired its final episode after nine years on NBC. 
Five years ago: Smugglers abandoned more than 100 illegal immigrants in a locked trailer at a Texas truck stop; 19 people died. In Chechnya, a female suicide bomber killed 18 people in an apparent attempt on the life of the Moscow-backed chief administrator (Akhmad Kadyrov). Death claimed actress Dame Wendy Hiller in Beaconsfield, England, at age 90; actor Robert Stack in Beverly Hills, California, at age 84; and Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dave DeBusschere in New York at age 62. 
One year ago: DaimlerChrysler said it was selling almost all of Chrysler to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management for 7.4 billion dollars, backing out of a troubled 1998 takeover. The trial of suspected al-Qaida operative Jose Padilla opened in Miami. (Padilla and two co-defendants were convicted last August of terrorism conspiracy and material support after a three-month trial; Padilla was sentenced to 17 years in prison.) 

Today's Birthdays: Opera singer Patrice Munsel is 83. Senator Byron Dorgan (Democrat, North Dakota) is 66. Rock singer-musician Jack Bruce (Cream) is 65. Movie producer George Lucas is 64. Actress Meg Foster is 60. Rock singer David Byrne is 56. Movie director Robert Zemeckis is 56. Actor Tim Roth is 47. Rock singer Ian Astbury (The Cult) is 46. Rock musician C.C. (aka Cecil) DeVille is 46. Actor Danny Huston is 46. Rock musician Mike Inez (Alice In Chains) is 42. Fabrice Morvan (ex-Milli Vanilli) is 42. Rhythm-and-blues singer Raphael Saadiq is 42. Actress Cate Blanchett is 39. Singer Danny Wood (New Kids on the Block) is 39. Movie writer-director Sofia Coppola is 37. Singer Natalie Appleton (All Saints) is 35. Singer Shanice is 35. Rock musician Henry Garza (Los Lonely Boys) is 30. Actress Amber Tamblyn is 25. Actress Miranda Cosgrove is 15. 

Thought for Today: "Ah, les bons vieux temps ou nous etions si malheureux!" (Oh, the good old times when we were so unhappy!) -- French saying. 

(Copyright 2008 Associated Press.  Used With Permission.  All Rights Reserved.  This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

      AMERICAN LEAGUE

Cleveland Indians    4  Oakland Athletics 0

Baltimore Orioles    5  Boston Red Sox    4

Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2  N.Y. Yankees      1, 11 innings

Texas Rangers        5  Seattle Mariners  2

Toronto Blue Jays    5  Minnesota Twins   3

Kansas City Royals   3  Detroit Tigers    2

Los Angeles Angels   2  Chicago White Sox 0 

      NATIONAL LEAGUE

Philadelphia Phillies 5  Atlanta Braves       4

N.Y. Mets             6  Washington Nationals 3

Cincinnati Reds       5  Florida Marlins      3

San Diego Padres      4  Chicago Cubs         3

Milwaukee Brewers     5  Los Angeles Dodgers  3

Pittsburgh Pirates    8  St. Louis Cardinals  4

Arizona Diamondbacks  8  Colorado Rockies     4

San Francisco Giants  4  Houston Astros       2

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PROBABLE PITCHERS (All Times EDT)

       AMERICAN LEAGUE

Seattle Mariners (Carlos Silva 3-2) at Texas Rangers (Scott Feldman 1-1), 2:05 p.m.

Boston Red Sox (Jon Lester 2-2) at Baltimore Orioles (Daniel Cabrera 3-1), 3:05 p.m.

Oakland Athletics (Joe Blanton 2-5) at Cleveland Indians (C.C. Sabathia 2-5), 7:05 p.m.

New York Yankees (Mike Mussina 5-3) at Tampa Bay Rays (James Shields 4-2), 7:10 p.m.

Toronto Blue Jays (Roy Halladay 3-5) at Minnesota Twins (Boof Bonser 2-4), 8:10 p.m.

Detroit Tigers (Justin Verlander 1-6) at Kansas City Royals (Luke Hochevar 2-2), 8:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Jose Contreras 3-3) at Los Angeles Angels (Jon Garland 4-2), 10:05 p.m. 

      NATIONAL LEAGUE

Atlanta Braves (Tom Glavine 0-1) at Philadelphia Phillies (Brett Myers 2-3), 7:05 p.m.

Washington Nationals (Tim Redding 4-3) at New York Mets (undecided 0-0), 7:10 p.m.

Florida Marlins (Ricky Nolasco 2-3) at Cincinnati Reds (Bronson Arroyo 2-4), 7:10 p.m.

San Diego Padres (Jake Peavy 4-2) at Chicago Cubs (Ted Lilly 3-4), 8:05 p.m.

Los Angeles Dodgers (Derek Lowe 2-3) at Milwaukee Brewers (Manny Parra 1-2), 8:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh Pirates (Ian Snell 2-2) at St. Louis Cardinals (Todd Wellemeyer 3-1), 8:15 p.m.

Colorado Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa 1-1) at Arizona Diamondbacks (Brandon Webb 8-0), 9:40 p.m.

Houston Astros (Brian Moehler 1-0) at San Francisco Giants (Patrick Misch 0-0), 10:15 p.m.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

Grand Prairie at Shreveport, ppd, rain

Fort Worth 8, Lincoln 6

Sioux Falls 7, Pensacola 5

St. Paul 6, Sioux City 0

El Paso 5, Wichita 4

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION SCHEDULE

Grand Prairie at Shreveport

Lincoln at Fort Worth

Pensacola at Sioux Falls

St. Paul at Sioux City

Wichita at El Paso

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

Conference Semi Finals (Best of 7)

Detroit Pistons 91  Orlando Magic 86                                      Pistons win series 4-1

New Orleans Hornets 101  San Antonio Spurs 79                   Hornets lead series 3-2

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFF SCHEDULE (All Times EDT)

Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics, 8 p.m.                         Series tied 2-2

Utah Jazz at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.                                       Series tied 2-2

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Conference Finals   (Best of 7)

Pittsburgh Penguins 4  Philadelphia Flyers 1                          Penguins lead series 3-0

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE (All Times EDT)

Detroit Red Wings at Dallas Stars, 8 p.m.                               Red Wings lead series 3-0

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

No games scheduled

SOUTH DAKOTA SCOREBOARD

American Association

Sioux Falls Canaries 7, Pensacola Pelicans 5

High School Baseball

Region Playoffs

     Class A

Yankton 6, Washington 3

Rapid City Central 5, Sturgis 4

     Class B

Garretson 6, West Central 0

Hot Springs 7, Rapid City South 5

   Regular Season

Sioux Falls Roosevelt 11-10, Huron 1-0

Women's College Golf

NCAA Division II Golf Championships: Day One

1. Nova Southeastern (Fla.), 292

2. Rollins (Fla.), 293

3. Ferris State (Mich.), 296

4. Western Washington, 304

5. Tarleton State (Texas), 313

6. Grand Valley State (Mich.), 314

T7. Augustana (S.D.), 319

T7. Nebraska-Omaha, 319 

LOCAL AND REGIONAL SPORTS
From Dakota Radio Group Sports

 Follow the Minnesota Twins during the 2008 season on 1060 KGFX

Day                         Game                                                    First Pitch              Pregame Start

Tonight:          Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins               7:10 p.m.                   6:40 p.m. 

Thursday:       Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins             12:10 p.m.                   None    

Friday:            Minnesota Twins at Colorado Rockies               8:05 p.m.                    7:35 p.m.

Saturday:       Minnesota Twins at Colorado Rockies                7:05 p.m.                    6:35 p.m.

Sunday:          Minnesota Twins at Colorado Rockies               2:05 p.m.                    1:35 p.m.

Monday:         Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins                   7:10 p.m.                     6:40 p.m.

Tuesday:        Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins                   7:10 p.m.                     6:40 p.m.

And be sure to listen to 1060 KGFX Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m. for the “Ron Gardenhire Show” with the Twins Manager.  And Sunday’s also feature “The GM Show” with Twins General Manager Bill Smith heard just over 35 minutes before the beginning of the Twins Pre Game Show.

In Sports today:

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Matt Stairs homered and scored twice for the struggling Blue Jays' offense in Toronto's 5-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.  Lyle Overbay and former Twin Shannon Stewart each had two hits, including RBI-doubles, for the Jays, who scored at least five runs in a game for just the second time in the last 10 games.  Carlos Gomez and Jason Kubel hit solo homers for Minnesota, but reliever Dennys Reyes was charged with his first earned run of the season after a so-so start from Kevin Slowey (0-3), and the Twins lost at home for just the second time in 13 games.   After scoring 27 runs in taking three of four from the Red Sox over the weekend, the Twins took a big step back against Jesse Litsch (5-1) and the Jays.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Sioux Falls Canaries rallied for seven unanswered runs to pick up a win over the Pensacola Pelicans in front of a crowd of 3,084 on opening night at the Birdcage. Patrick Reilly went four-for-four with an RBI and three runs scored to lead the Canaries offensively.  Pat Mahomes improved his record to 2-0 on the season as he picked up his second win of the year. Mahomes gave up five runs, four earned, on eight hits, Mahomes retired nine of the last ten batters he faced to open the door for the Canaries comeback. Javier Garcia pitched a perfect eighth inning to set-up the save for Kris Regas who walked one before sitting the next three batters down and picking up his first save of the year. Mark Goodman took the loss for Pensacola. Game two of the series is tonight in Sioux Falls.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana placed 3 players on the final North Central Conference All Conference baseball team.  Jake Pole, Nate Baumann and Ryan Kessinger were named to the team voted on by the conference coaches.  Pole, an  senior outfielder finished the season with a .383 batting average with 7 home runs and 40 runs batted in.  Kessinger, a senior Designated Hitter, finished his college career with a .298 average this year with 4 homers and 33 RBI’s.  Baumann, a freshman catcher for the Vikings hit .407 with 7 home runs and 32 runs batted in.  Sioux Falls native Chris Kessinger of Nebraska-Omaha was named the Pitcher of the Year in the NCC.  He went 10-1 on the season with a 3.08 earned run average and 78 strike outs for the conference champion Mavericks.  His teammate Bryan Few was the conference Player of the Year and Maverick head coach Bob Herold was named the NCC Coach of the Year.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - University of South Dakota’s Lucky Huber was named as the North Central Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year in a vote among league coaches.  Huber, who is in his 14th season at USD, was selected the NCC Women’s Outdoor Coach of the Year for the sixth time (1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008). Huber, who was the 2008 NCC Indoor Coach of the Year, has a combined 12 NCC Coach of the Year honors (six outdoor, six indoor). This past weekend, Huber directed the Coyotes to a fifth consecutive outdoor title. 

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State senior Jake Hamik has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Year.  Hamik won a conference title in the 400m Dash (48.40s) and set a new NSIC record in the 400m hurdles (52.60s) on Saturday at the NSIC Track & Field Championships. He also reached an NCAA provisional time in the 110m hurdles (14.57s) and was a member of the winning 4x400m relay team. Hamik has been declared the NSIC Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and was the highest point performer at the Championships. This is the fifth NSIC Athlete of the Year award for Hamik.

MINNEAPOLIS – Joining Northern State’s Jake Hamik with post season Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference track and field honors are Bemidji State senior Joe Remnitz as the Field Athlete of the Year after winning the hammer throw 61 feet 6 ¾ inches setting a new school mark at the NSIC Conference meet on Saturday.  Earning Women’s honors are Northern Sun Conference heptathlon champion Ashley Rommer of Minnesota State-Moorhead and University of Mary sprinter Kacie Sweep.  Wayne State’s Marlon Brink was named Men’s Coach of the Year while Mike Thorson of Mary earned Women’s Coach of the Year honors.

BROOKINGS, S.D. - South Dakota State University freshman Kristin Barrios has been named Summit League Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week for her winning performance in the 100-meter hurdles last week at the USF Last Chance Meet in Sioux Falls. Barrios, from El Paso, Texas, clocked a winning time of 14.29 seconds. Her time was a season best and also is the fastest in the event heading into this weekend's Summit League Championships in Macomb, Ill. The three-day meet runs from Thursday through Saturday at Hanson Field on the Western Illinois University campus.  The 100-meter hurdle preliminaries are set for Friday afternoon, with the finals to be contested on Saturday.

RAPID CITY, S.D. – The first of the spring sports championships will be determined this weekend as the State High School Boys Tennis Tournament will be played in Rapid City.  Pierre will be among the teams competing.  The event begins tonight with the annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Dinner at the Rapid City Central High School Commons.  First round singles matches begin at 9 a.m. mountain time tomorrow with first round double matches set to begin at 1 p.m. mountain time.  The tournament will be played at 3 different locations in Rapid City.  Sioux Park, Rapid City Central’s Memorial Park and at North Middle School.  Rapid City Stevens is the defending champion and they are expected to battle it out with Sioux Falls O’Gorman for the team title this year.  This will be the 77^th annual State Boys Tennis Tournament.  A total of 21 teams and 133 players will be taking part.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota State University says the NCAA has approved the school's self-study, as NDSU moves from Division II to Division I.  The study looked at academics, diversity, student-athlete welfare, rules compliance and equity.  NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor says the self-study was approved with no conditions. Possible conditions could have included such things as beefing up medical training staff. NDSU still has more steps to complete in the reclassification process. But the school is expected to be considered a full-fledged Division I member in the next school year.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - An assistant coach has been promoted at Augustana College. Ashley Buckley becomes the school's eighth head volleyball coach, replacing Kim Sudbeck, who resigned. Buckley spent the 2007 season as Sudbeck's top assistant.  Sudbeck (287-122) coached the team for 13 seasons. She guided the Vikings to four North Central Conference titles, 11 NCAA Division II region playoffs appearances in the last 12 years, one North Central Region championship and the schools first appearance in the 2000 Elite Eight, where Augustana finished as the national runner-up. Buckley played at Penn State University from 2001-2004 and led the Nittany Lions to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances and Big Ten Conference championships in 2003 and 2004.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - It appears the Vikings aren't making much progress in their effort to build a new stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The Star Tribune reports that yesterday was the deadline for submitting bids on the newspaper's re-listed property, and the Vikings aren't saying whether they still want some of it for a stadium. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf agreed to buy some land near the Metrodome but backed out because of the poor real estate market. Team vice president Lester Bagley declined to say whether Wilf made another offer. But Bagley says the economic slump and the stadium project's stalemate at the Legislature have made the land less appealing to Wilf. A Star Tribune spokesman declined to comment on the bidding process.

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Gettysburg high school head football coach Vern Smith will be one of the assistant coaches on the north squad for the annual South Dakota Coaches Association All Star football game scheduled for July 24^th in Aberdeen.  The coaching staffs for the north and the south squads have been released.  The north coaching staff is led by Joel Huber of Clark. He will be assisted by Scott Hagen, Sisseton; Troy Gauer, Grant-Deuel; Vern Smith, Gettysburg; and David Dolan, Rapid City Central. The South head coach will be Steve Hansen of Dell Rapids. The south assistants are Kent Anderson, Lennox; Scott Ebert, Harrisburg; Tim Hughes, Garretson; and Ross Flemmer, Dell Rapids St. Mary's.  Running back Devin Rounds of Pierre is listed on the north roster as are two other area players.  Lincoln Smith of Philip and Lane Rau of Mobridge.  Kip DeGroot of Platte-Geddes is the lone area player listed on the South roster. 

HOUSTON - Augustana is tied for seventh place after the first day of the NCAA Division II women’s golf tournament yesterday at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston. The Vikings shot a 319 to tie them with Nebraska-Omaha in the eight-team tourney. Nova Southeastern (Fla.) holds the lead after carding a 4-over-par 292.  Senior Carley Roach is the top Viking on the leader board after shooting a 5-over-par 77 and is tied for 23rd place.  Sophomore Courtney Belanger is at 78 tied for 28th. Senior Joelle Kowalczyk is tied for 38th place at 81, junior Kaari Espeland is tied for 43rd at 83, and sophomore Kelly Lauer is tied for 45th at 84.  The 72-hole tournament continues today.

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota golfers can now find and enjoy golf courses all over South Dakota.  The South Dakota golf guide, is a collaborative effort between the Office of Tourism and the South Dakota Golf Association that provides information on courses all across South Dakota.  The South Dakota Golf Guides will be available at information centers throughout the state or by contacting the Office of Tourism.  For more information, call 1-800-732-5682 or visit www.TravelSD.com for a downloadable PDF version.  Promoting golf and the great outdoors of South Dakota is an integral part of Goal 1 of the 2010 Initiative to double visitor spending in South Dakota.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Tickets are now available for the NCC Celebration Dinner. The gala event planned for June 21 at the Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls, S.D. is being designed to give individuals the opportunity to reunite and remember the 86 years of competition in one of the nation's top NCAA Division II conferences. A historical video will premiere at the event. Tickets are $50 per person and are available until June 11 online at www.northcentralconference.org, by calling the NCC office at 605-338-0907 betwe