Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Capitol Cornerstone 100^th Anniversary to be Held June 20

The state will celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of the laying of the Capitol cornerstone in Pierre with a June ceremony.  Governor Mike Rounds says the South Dakota Capitol has stood the test of time and is a tribute to those that built it as well as to the state employees who have maintained it.  Construction began for the building in 1905 and the cornerstone was laid in June of 1908.   It cost about $900,000 to build the Capitol and it first began to be occupied in June of 1910.  Rounds says next month, on June 20, a ceremony will be held which will duplicate the laying of the building’s cornerstone.  In 1908, the statewide Grand Lodge of Masons of South Dakota played a big role in organizing the ceremony that was held.  The event 100 years ago certified that the builder of the Capitol laid a sound foundation for the structure and in turn, for state government.  Rounds says the Masons still perform cornerstone ceremonies and the organization has once again been asked to ceremonially verify that the Capitol is sound.  About 300 South Dakota Masons will attend next month’s cornerstone anniversary.  Laurie Gill of Pierre will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies and Don Boyd of the Pierre Players will perform a shortened version of a 1910 speech given by General William Beadle.   There will also be a reading of a list of items that were placed inside the cornerstone.  The cornerstone will not be reopened because of the cost and concern that doing so might compromise the structure.

Pierre and Mobridge Airports Receive FAA Funding

The cities of Pierre and Mobridge have been awarded grants by the Federal Aviation Administration.  Pierre’s grant of just over $544,000 will be used to acquire land to construct new approaches and the $100,000 that will be given to Mobridge will be used for an environmental assessment related to improvements for the airport approach.  Aviation Improvement Program funding comes from various user fees and fuel taxes that are place in the Aviation Trust Fund.  Other federal funding will be distributed to airports in Faith, Gettysburg, Philip and Redfield for runway rehabilitation and airfields in Highmore and Onida will be given grants for the purchase of snow removal equipment.

Rededication Set for Verendrye Monument National Historic Landmark

The South Dakota State Historical Society and the City of Fort Pierre will hold a rededication ceremony for the Verendrye Monument National Historic Landmark this month.  A rededication will be held next Thursday at the memorial site on the hill overlooking Fort Pierre.  Governor Mike Rounds will give remarks at the ceremony.  Also present will be Stephen Rogers who is a historian for the National Park Service and Jay Vogt, Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society.  The landmark site has been the focus of rehabilitation work over the past few years.  The efforts were funded through several state and local organizations.  Those changes, along with two new historic interpretive markers will be noted at the rededication event.  In 1743, the Verendrye brothers placed a lead tablet at the spot to indicate that the region had been explored for France.  The plate was found by a group of local teenagers in 1913.  The Thursday, May 15 ceremony will be at the monument at 5:30 p.m. and will move into the Fort Pierre Senior Center if the weather is inclement.

Two Men Who Have Run Across the State Raising Awareness of Cancer

After enduring a mix of weather over the past week or more, two men who are running across South Dakota to bring awareness to the fight against cancer are nearing the end of their 429-mile trek.  National Guard member Brendan Murphy of Rapid City and fellow runner Nolan Taylor of Great Falls, Montana started their “Chemo Is Harder Cancer Research Run” April 26 in Montana and as of yesterday, had made it across northern parts of South Dakota to Groton.   A week ago, the pair was in Isabel and traveled over the weekend through Glencross, Mobridge, Bowdle and Ipswich.  Murphy says last week’s storm stopped Friday’s run and that he and Taylor had to catch a ride to Mobridge for safety reasons.

Murphy says that his family, along with Taylor’s, have been impacted by cancer..and that is what prompted the idea to conduct the run to bring attention to the disease and to those who are fighting it.

The two have been self-supported by pushing their needed supplies in three-wheeled strollers.  They have been staying with family members on the final leg of the journey between central and eastern parts of South Dakota.  Murphy says he hopes that some people who have watched the pair’s trip come away with the message that change is possible with determination.

Funds raised through the running effort are to be given in part to the American Cancer Society and for cancer research.  Plans call for the trip to end on May 9 in Ortonville, Minnesota.  People can follow the pair’s run by visiting the website www.chemoisharder.com

Pierre Motorists Are Being Advised of Traffic Congestion During FLW Tournament

Motorists in Pierre are being reminded that traffic in southern parts of Pierre might be congested in the early morning hours for the next few days.  Lieutenant Jeff Metzinger of the Pierre Police Department says between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., anglers who are part of this week’s FLW Walleye Tour are congregating in the Steamboat Park area for a seven a.m. take-off.  Local drivers are being asked to use Sioux Avenue to help ease possible traffic congestion.  The fishermen and women have been told they should follow Central Avenue, Dakota Avenue then Washington Avenue to get to the launch area.     Weigh-ins at Steamboat Park begin at 3:00 p.m. today, tomorrow and Friday and the final weigh-in will be Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Wal-Mart.   

Anglers gathered in the water just west of the American Legion Cabin this morning before seven, just prior to launching for the first day of fishing in the Wal-Mart FLW tournament in Lake Sharpe.

Candidate Forum for Pierre City Commission and Mayor Candidates to be Next Week

The Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce along with several other local service groups are sponsoring a City Commission and Mayoral Candidate Forum next week.  The forum is planned for May 15 at the Chamber’s Community Room.  Interested residents can submit questions for the candidates by e-mailing them before next week’s event at contactchamber@pierre.org.  Questions can also be dropped off at the Chamber.  The questions will be considered by a group of panelists and a moderator, Steve Willard of the South Dakota Broadcasters Association, will pose the questions to each candidate.  On the June 3 ballot for Mayor are Laurie Gill and Terry Hipple and running for a three-year-term as City Commissioner for Pierre are Steve Harding, Jamie Huizenga and Hal Rumpca.  Next Thursday’s forum will begin with questions for commission candidates and at 7:30 p.m., the focus will turn to mayoral candidates.  Join 1060-AM KGFX for complete coverage of the May 15 forum, with our broadcast to begin at 6:30 p.m.  Besides the Chamber, other organizations sponsoring the event include Democracy in Action, Zonta and AAUW.

Governor Rounds to Appear on Dakota News Network Stations Monday

Governor Mike Rounds makes his monthly visit to the KGFX studios for the Dakota News Network program “A Conversation with Governor Rounds” on Monday, May 12.  On the second Monday of each month, the governor spends an hour answering your questions and talking about recent issues that impact South Dakota.  If you have questions for the governor, please e-mail them to governor@amfmradio.biz or call and speak with the governor during the program on Monday afternoon.  It’s “A Conversation with Governor Rounds” on Monday starting at 2:05 p.m. on 1060-KGFX and 1300-KOLY!

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

Your contributions are welcome in the Dakota Radio Group’s News and Sports Departments!   If you have news or sports tip or even a digital picture that Rod Fisher or Jeri Thomas could use-let us know.  Thousands of people listen for the latest information on the air and read it on our website feature “My Daily News”.  E-mail the information or picture to news@dakotaradiogroup.com, call 224-8686 or 1-800-658-5439 (after hours extension 32).  Include your name and phone number so we can contact you-because the person who sends the top contribution each month will receive a certificate for a large pizza, breadsticks and beverage from Pizza Hut in Pierre.

Local Newscasts can be heard on your favorite Dakota Radio Group station Monday through Friday at the following times:

KGFX 1060 AM -  6:09 a.m.; 7:09 a.m.; 8:09 a.m.; 12:16 p.m. and 5:05 p.m.

River 92.7 FM -  5:57 a.m.; 6:57 a.m.; 7:57 a.m. and 4:57 p.m.

KPLO 94.5 FM -  12:03 p.m. and 3:03 p.m.

KMLO 100.7 FM -  12:03 p.m. and 3:03 p.m.

KOLY 1300 AM -  6:10 a.m.; 7:10 a.m.; 8:10 a.m.; 12:10 p.m. and 5:06 p.m.

Star 99 99.5 FM -  6:00 a.m.; 7:00 a.m.;  8:00 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.; Noon and 5:00 p.m.

100.1 FM The Eagle - 6:18 a.m.; 6:54 a.m.; 7:18 a.m.; 7:54 a.m.; 8:18 a.m.; 8:54 a.m.; 5:18 p.m.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - An 18-year-old man from Cherry Creek, in west-central South Dakota, is being held in connection with a house fire that killed two children under suspicious circumstances. Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation Police Chief Larry LeBeau would not identify the suspect or the charges 
he faces. The victims in Friday's fatal fire were Keya Rooks, who was 4, and her 2-year-old brother, known both as Marvin Evenson and Marvin Rooks. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is coming to South Dakota on Thursday for a rally at the Sioux Falls airport. Her campaign announced that a rally will be held at Hangar One at Landmark Aviation at Joe Foss Field. Doors open at 12:15 in the afternoon, with the event starting at 2:15. South Dakota's primary is four weeks away. The Clinton campaign opened its office in Sioux Falls yesterday. Clinton state director Geoff Wetrosky said Clinton will run an active campaign, with voter contact efforts that include phone calls and door-to-door work. On the Net: Hillary Clinton: http://www.hillaryclinton.com Joe Foss Field: http://www.sfairport.com/   Meanwhile, Former Sen. George McGovern, an early supporter of Hillary Clinton, is urging her to drop out of the Democratic presidential race. McGovern says he has decided to endorse Barack Obama. After watching the returns from the North Carolina and Indiana primaries Tuesday night, McGovern says it's virtually impossible for Clinton to win the nomination. McGovern says he is calling former President Clinton to tell him of the decision and adds that he remains close friends with the Clintons. 

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - Next week, the case of a large-scale hog farm west of Wagner will be in federal court again -- but this time it will be courtesy of the farm's developers. The farm's lawyer, Dave Nadolski of Sioux Falls, says the developers will counter by asking a federal judge to rule that the Yankton Sioux Tribe doesn't have jurisdiction over the farm. Last month, three tribal members filed a lawsuit asking a federal judge to order a halt to construction of Long View Farm, which is owned by 11 Iowa farmers and is being built on private land west of Wagner. Officials say it could house an average of 3,350 sows and produce 70,000 pigs a year. Yankton Sioux tribal members and others protested near the site last month, saying they fear the operation will smell bad and pollute the air and water. Nadolski says construction continues at the site and that protesters have not interrupted the work. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - More than $2 billion in livestock were sold last year by farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. The Agricultural Statistics Service says that's a decline of 5 percent from 2006 sales of cattle, hogs and sheep. Cash receipts from marketings of cattle and calves accounted for 83 percent of the total, hogs made up 16 percent, and sheep comprised the remaining 1 percent. The value of cattle and calves sold in the state last year was put at $1.8 billion; hog receipts were $359 million, and sheep marketings fetched $32 million. 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Warm weather on the heels of a record-setting blizzard late last week in western South Dakota has led to threats of flooding as the snow melts. A flood warning was in effect for the Little Missouri River at Camp Crook in the far northwestern corner of the state. The river was forecast to rise to 15 feet Wednesday and remain above flood stage through Saturday. Minor flooding also was reported on the south fork of the Moreau River, Sand Creek, Frog Creek and Four Mile Creek in northeastern Butte County. The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings or advisories for creeks, streams, and rivers in Harding, Butte, Perkins, Meade, and Lawrence counties. 

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) - Former Sen. George McGovern is to receive an honorary doctor of public service degree Saturday at the University of South Dakota's 121st spring commencement. USD says the honorary doctorate is for McGovern's public service to the people of South Dakota and the nation. McGovern, the Democratic presidential nominee in 1972, lost to President Richard Nixon. He served two terms in the U.S. House and three terms in the Senate, ending in 1980. The Avon native, now 85, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2000. More than 1,000 students will receive degrees during the commencement. 

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - Cell phone companies won't be getting much help for a while from a national fund that gets some of its money from fees on cell phone bills. The Universal Service Fund paid nearly $1.2 billion last year to cell phone companies that do business in rural areas. The money was to entice them to build more towers and extend services. The Federal Communications Commission has temporarily capped the U-S-F. State Public Utilities Commission member Dusty Johnson says the fund has been important in South Dakota. Johnson says one of the providers gets more than $10 million a year that they're able to use for building towers and running a rural network. He says the fund is going broke and needs changes and that there's more pressure on it than in the past. The cap will remain in place until the commission passes a comprehensive reform package, which is in the works. 

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A major walleye tournament is being held today through Saturday at Pierre -- featuring 150 pros and 150 companion anglers. The Wal-Mart F-L-W tournament features a total purse of $461,500. 
Up to $100,000 will go to the winning pro, and $20,000 for the winning amateur. The tournament is being held on Lake Sharpe, which is the Missouri River below Oahe Dam. 

UNDATED (AP) - Strong thunderstorms formed in south central South Dakota around midday Tuesday and moved quickly east into the southeast part of the state. A 72 mile-an-hour wind gust was reported at the Yankton Airport. Also, there were reports of power poles down northwest of Yankton and in Volin. Hail ranging in size from pennies to quarters was reported.  

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) - City officials in Brookings, the home of electronic sign maker Daktronics, have decided to prohibit electronic signs in historic districts. Officials explain that the flashy signs just don't fit with the character of those areas. 

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Just months ago, ethanol made from corn was seen as the Holy Grail to energy independence and a "green fuel" that would help nudge the country away from climate changing fossil energy. Democrats and Republicans cheered its benefits as Congress directed a fivefold increase in ethanol use as a motor fuel. President Bush called it key to his strategy to cut gasoline use by 20 percent by 2010. But now with skyrocketing food costs and hunger spreading across the globe, there are second thoughts. There's talk of asking the government to cut this year's mandate for 9 billion gallons of corn ethanol in a bid to ease food costs. The dramatic reversal has stunned ethanol producers and its supporters in Washington. South Dakota Senator John Thune's office says he's gathering senators' signatures on a letter to block the attack on ethanol. Democratic congressional leaders appear to have little interest in reversing a pro-ethanol policy they mapped out only last December. Michigan Congressman John Dingell, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, says that would be unwise. 

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) - A Waseca, Minnesota, man had tears in his eyes as he and his wife claimed their Powerball prize of $180 million Tuesday. Paul and Sue Rosenau say they are still in disbelief. The 54-year-olds claimed the prize and decided to take a lump sum of $88 million, which results in about $59.6 million after taxes. They don't know what they'll do with the money yet, but Paul Rosenau says he doesn't want their lives to change much. He plans to keep his job as a heavy equipment operator. The couple says the win came on the fifth anniversary of the death of their granddaughter, who had a genetic disease. So, they say, some of the money might go toward efforts to fight that disorder. Rosenau says he bought his winning ticket while purchasing gas and groceries in Faribault. It's the 20th Powerball jackpot won in Minnesota since the game began in 1992. 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) - Wal-Mart Stores has announced partnerships with 19 states to help them save on energy and electricity costs at their capitols. Wal-Mart will identify engineering experts to perform energy audits at the capitols. Over the past three years, Wal-Mart has worked to cut down on energy use at its stores and suppliers. It has a "Greening State Capitols" partnership with the National Governors Association. The plan was announced Tuesday in Kansas, at a meeting with North Dakota Governor John Hoeven, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Sebelius and Hoeven say their states are not part of the Wal-Mart program because similar audits already have been done at their capitols. The states included in Tuesday's announcement are Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Puerto Rico is also included. 

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

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - Transportation officials have decided to partially close the Blatnik Bridge connecting Duluth and Superior, after finding that gusset plates at eight spots on the bridge didn't meet load requirements. Traffic on the bridge will be reduced from four lanes to two while the plates are reinforced. 

EDEN VALLEY, Minn. (AP) - Authorities are investigating the discovery of an explosive device in the central Minnesota town of Eden Valley. Someone found the device while cleaning out a storage shed and brought it to the police department -- prompting the evacuation of City Hall. A bomb squad safely detonated the device. 

MAHNOMEN, Minn. (AP) - A baby boy had to be delivered by emergency C-section after his mother was involved in a traffic accident near Mahnomen. The baby is in critical condition at a Fargo hospital while his mother is satisfactory. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says the federal farm bill in Congress still too expensive. Senator Kent Conrad says the White House is making up its own rules. He says a veto override would be "a tough mountain to climb." 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A woman has been given a five-year prison sentence for drugging her grandmother and stealing from her. Kayla Ebach of Hazen also was ordered to repay more than $13,000. She admitted drugging her grandmother with a sleeping pill so she could steal personal identification information last year. 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A "whistle-free meet and greet" is planned tonight in Fargo. A spokesman for a downtown neighborhood group, Norm Robinson, says the city's whistle-free zone is a welcome relief from train whistles for people living and working downtown. 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Former Governor George Sinner says he was overwhelmed by the celebration at the state Capitol yesterday. Friends and colleagues came to help Sinner celebrate his 80th birthday. He was North Dakota's governor from 1984 to 1992. 

(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

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama tells his supporters he's closing in on the Democratic nomination following his double-digit victory in North Carolina. However, Hillary Rodham Clinton is vowing to press on with her campaign after a narrow win in Indiana. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Both candidates have seen support from their respective bases during the latest round of Democratic primaries. Blacks, young people and college educated voters came out in force for Barack Obama in both Indiana and North Carolina. Hillary Rodham Clinton depended on working-class whites to propel her to victory in Indiana. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama is now less than 200 delegates from the number needed to secure the Democratic nomination. He gained at least 95 delegates in Indiana and North Carolina, while Hillary Rodham Clinton picked up at least 76. 

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - U.N. officials say Myanmar has authorized the delivery of U.N. aid to cyclone victims. However, the U.N. is still waiting on permission for a coordination team to accompany the flight. The death toll in Myanmar is at 22,000, with tens of thousands missing. 

MOSCOW (AP) - Dmitry Medvedev is pledging to bolter Russia's economic development and civil rights. He was inaugurated as president today, succeeding Vladimir Putin, who will continue to have a huge influence in the country, likely as prime minister. 

PARIS (AP) - Interpol says it has received more than 200 leads in the first 24 hours after asking the public's help in identifying a man seen sexually abusing young Southeast Asian boys in photos. Interpol calls the response "very positive," but isn't providing details. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is threatening a veto of a Democratic housing rescue plan. It calls the proposal a burdensome bailout that would open taxpayers to too much risk. The threat comes as the House prepares to vote Wednesday on the package, which is aimed at preventing foreclosures and stabilizing the housing market. 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia's police commissioner says the video taken by a TV helicopter during a traffic stop "does not look good" but warns against a rush to judgment. A half-dozen officers are seen kicking and beating three men. It happened two days after a Philadelphia officer responding to a bank robbery was fatally shot. 

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico state police have arrested the leader of an apocalyptic religious group and charged him with felony sex crimes against children. According to the affidavit for his arrest warrant, 66-year-old Wayne Bent is alleged to have touched three girls in 2006 and 2007. All of them were under 18 at the time, and one of them was 12. 

SAN DIEGO (AP) - San Diego State University has suspended six fraternities after a drug sweep that has netted dozens of students. It was prompted by the cocaine death of a student last year. Authorities say one student arrested was about to get a degree in criminal justice. 

VALLEJO, Calif. (AP) - The Bay Area suburb of Vallejo is set to become the largest California city to declare bankruptcy. The city's leaders approved the move last night amid a spiraling budget crisis. Vallejo is a city of 117,000. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal authorities are investigating whether the nation's top protector of whistle-blowers destroyed evidence potentially showing he retaliated against his own staff. Agents have raided the office and home of U.S. Special Counsel Scott Bloch. 

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) - A driver who hit and killed a dog in Minnesota is suing its owners for damage done to his car. Jeffery Ely wants to be reimbursed for damages to his 1997 Honda Civic when he hit the miniature pinscher named Fester in January. The dog's owners have countersued. 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A survey gives a grim picture of the nation's bees. It finds that more than one-third of the nation's commercially managed hives have been lost since last year due to several factors, including new diseases and pesticide drift. 

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

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Walt Disney Co. reports growth in its media networks, film studios and theme parks lifted its second-quarter net profit 22 percent from a year ago. Disney said it earned $1.1 billion, or 58 cents per share, topping the consensus among analysts by 7 cents a share. Analysts had thought there was some risk that the weak U.S. economy and reduced consumer spending might have an effect on Disney theme parks. The company said its parks and resorts revenue rose 11 percent, driven by higher attendance and guest spending at its Paris and Orlando, Fla., parks. Disney also reported studio revenue increased 18 percent to $1.8 billion. Box office sales boosted by "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" and the 3-D hit "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds." 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, under investigation for inflating some borrowers' fees, has acknowledged that it has made errors. It pledges to do better. Chief executive for loan administration at Countrywide Steve Bailey told a Senate panel that the company's loan officers have made mistakes "from time to time." He said the company will hire an outside auditor to review its actions in cases involving homeowners who have filed for bankruptcy court protection. But he disputed accusations, made by hundreds of borrowers in Pennsylvania, Florida and other states, that the company has sought to collect inflated fees and other payments by filing inaccurate bankruptcy documents. The Justice Department is currently investigating the accusations. 

DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler is not finding rivals are eager to match its offer meant to calm consumers' nerves about rising gasoline prices. It has offered to subsidize the cost of gasoline for car and truck buyers. General Motors, Toyota and Ford - say they have no plans to match the offer. The Auburn Hills-based maker of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles announced the offer to caps the price of gasoline at $2.99 a gallon for three years for people who buy or lease new vehicles beginning today through June 2. At the same time, Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp. has made a similar offer in the U.S., with free gas for the summer. A spokesman says General Motors tried a gas payment promotion two years ago in Florida and California with little impact on sales. 

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota, the world's second biggest automaker by annual vehicle sales, is raising its U.S. prices later this month. Starting in the middle of May, Toyota will raise the price on some models, including the 2008 Yaris sedan by $200, or 1.6 percent, to $12,425. The 2009 Camry, with a gasoline engine, will go up $200, or 0.9 percent, to $18,920. Also, Toyota says the hybrid Camry, introduced as a 2007 model in late 2006, will cost $300 more, or 1.1 percent, at $25,650. Like other Japanese automakers, Toyota is enjoying sales growth while American automakers are struggling. Soaring gas prices have been a boost for the small cars the Japanese are reputed for. Toyota is also raising the U.S. prices of some Lexus luxury models. Toyota faces a challenge in maintaining profits partly because of a relatively weak dollar. 

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

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) - Today's gas prices make a lot of us want to scream. But the price at the pump is driving Jay Weinberg to song. He was busted at an Indiana convenience store this week, while serenading commuters with a tune he calls "Price Gouge'n." Weinberg climbed onto the store's roof with a guitar and a 
megaphone. The gas pump concert lasted about 15 minutes before three police officers busted him on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. Later, Weinberg's wife, friends and some new fans drove to the Porter County Jail to bail him out. 

OTIS, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon couple checking their voice mail say they found a frightening recording of their soldier son caught in a battle in Afghanistan. Stephen Phillips and other soldiers in his Army MP company were in mid-battle when his phone apparently got squeezed against his Humvee. It went to automatic redial and reached his parents in the small Oregon town of Otis. Most of the sounds were gunfire, but shouts can be heard, including, "More ammo! More ammo!" Phillips' mother wasn't home when the call came it, but immediately started dialing her son when she heard the message. She quickly reached her son, who was embarrassed at the snafu. He says no one was hurt or killed in the fighting. But he asked his mother, please, "Don't let Grandma hear it." 

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Rana Parker wants to protect and serve the LAPD. Protect them from doughnuts and serve them healthy food. Parker is a dietitian who works fulltime for the Los Angeles Police Department. She tries to help everyone from raw recruits to the top brass make good food choices. She jokes with officers she's not the food police. But Parker says she gives officers information that aids them in making sound decisions about what they choose to eat. Recruit Ashley Goodroe is a convert. She says she's dropped four dress sizes since September thanks to Parker's advice. 

BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) - It's not the long arm of the law that helped catch the suspect -- but the nose of the law. Police in Bremerton, Washington, report an officer smelled chocolate on the breath of a 15-year-old boy accused of swiping candy bars. Authorities say the kid first denied stealing the candy from a store, but the boy's breath gave him away. Police say the boy confessed after witnesses ID'd him. He told officers he was hungry and stole the candy for the thrill of it. 

NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Are you ready for a 51st state? The City Commission of North Lauderdale, Florida, wants to see two Floridas. A commission resolution calls for splitting the Sunshine State into North Florida and South Florida. City commissioners complain they don't have confidence in state leaders when it comes to collecting and spending the citizens' tax money. And how does Florida Governor Charlie Crist feel about a state divided? He just laughed when asked about the call to split Florida in two. 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A lot of 18-year-olds are now thinking about going off to college. But Mattias Gassman already has his eyes on graduate school. The 18-year-old graduates from Iowa State University this coming Saturday with two bachelor's degrees. Gassman has majors in biophysics, German and classical studies, plus a minor in history. And he's graduating summa cum laude, to boot. He earned a full scholarship to Iowa State at age 14. Now, he's thinking about a summer job before heading to the University of Minnesota for graduate studies in the classical languages. 

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Graduate student Ty Keltner is just a big kid when it comes to playing with Legos. The University of Alaska Fairbanks student spent more than a year and 1,100 bucks on a massive Lego replica of a campus building. He says it would have gone much quicker, but he had to wait for new Legos to arrive in the mail. Keltner lost count of just how many of the little plastic blocks went into building his miniature version of the Gruening Building. The Lego model stands an impressive 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It's now on display at a campus gallery. Soon, Keltner could have some even bigger projects in mind. He graduates Saturday with his MBA. 

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Vanessa Williams is finally graduating from college. She left early from Syracuse University nearly 25 years ago, but the school is giving her a diploma this weekend. She's also set to deliver the convocation address to the graduates of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Williams attended Syracuse's drama department as a musical theater major from 1981-1983. She earned the remaining credits for her fine arts degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen. 

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The American newspaper columnist Franklin P. Adams once said, "What this country needs is a good five-cent nickel." He wasn't kidding. If you think times are tough, consider: It now costs more than a penny to make a penny, which is made of zinc and copper. And the cost of a nickel is more than 7 and a-half cents. Surging prices for copper, zinc and nickel have Congress trying to bring back the steel-made pennies of World War II, and maybe using steel for nickels, as well. The House is moving toward a vote on a measure that would direct the secretary of the Treasury to suggest a new, more economical composition of the nickel and the penny. The Treasury Department opposes the bill as "too prescriptive." 

NEW YORK (AP) - Britney Spears' positive behavior is paying off. Spears has been granted longer visits with her two kids after a child-custody hearing in Los Angeles yesterday. Her ex, Kevin Federline, still retains custody. She showed up ready for business, looking somber and wearing a brown polka-dot dress with a white sweater. Federline showed up 15 minutes later in a beige pinstriped suit. They did not speak to reporters, but each of them smiled. Spears' parents have issued a statement saying they're "so pleased with Britney's progress." Federline attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, says the longer visits are "recognition of the progress that has been made, a progress of structure and stability." 

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

Today is Wednesday, May 7th, the 128th day of 2008. There are 238 days left in the year. 

Today's Highlight in History: 
On May 7th, 1915, nearly 1,200 people died when a German torpedo sank the British liner RMS Lusitania off the Irish coast. 

On this date: 
In 1789, the first inaugural ball was held in New York in honor of President and Mrs. Washington. 
In 1812, poet Robert Browning was born in London. 
In 1833, composer Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg, Germany. 
In 1840, composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, Russia. 
In 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France. 
In 1954, the 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam ended with Vietnamese insurgents overrunning French forces. 
In 1960, Leonid Brezhnev replaced Marshal Kliment Voroshilov as president of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. 
In 1975, President Ford formally declared an end to the "Vietnam era." In Ho Chi Minh City -- formerly Saigon -- the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover. 
In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby, the first of his Triple Crown victories. (On this date in 2002, Seattle Slew died.) 
In 1984, a 180-million-dollar out-of-court settlement was announced in the Agent Orange class-action suit brought by Vietnam veterans who charged they'd suffered injury from exposure to the defoliant. 

Ten years ago: The parent company of Mercedes-Benz agreed to buy Chrysler Corporation for more than 37 billion dollars. Londoners voted overwhelmingly to elect their own mayor for the first time in history. (In May 2000, Ken Livingstone was elected.) 
Five years ago: President Bush ordered U.S. sanctions against Iraq lifted, allowing U.S. humanitarian aid and remittances to flow into Iraq. The White House announced President Bush had chosen New Mexico oilman Colin R. McMillan to be secretary of the Navy and Air Force Secretary James Roche to replace the dismissed secretary of the Army, Thomas White. (However, McMillan died an apparent suicide in July 2003, while Roche's nomination languished in Congress before being withdrawn in March 2004.) 
One year ago: President Bush welcomed Britain's Queen Elizabeth II to the White House, where he brought roars of laughter when he mistakenly started to say that the queen had helped the U.S. celebrate its bicentennial in "1776," then quickly corrected himself to say "1976." Six Muslims from the former Yugoslavia and the Middle East were arrested and accused of plotting to massacre U.S. soldiers at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Yahweh Ben Yahweh, a former cult leader in Miami linked to nearly two dozen gruesome killings in the 1980s, died at age 71. 

Today's Birthdays: Senator Pete Domenici (Republican, New Mexico) is 76. Singer Jimmy Ruffin is 69. Singer Johnny Maestro is 69. Actress Robin Strasser is 63. Singer-songwriter Bill Danoff is 62. Rhythm-and-blues singer Thelma Houston is 62. Rock musician Bill Kreutzmann (The Dead) is 62. Rock musician Prairie Prince is 58. NBC newsman Tim Russert is 58. Actor Robert Hegyes is 57. Movie writer-director Amy Heckerling is 54. Actor Michael E. Knight is 49. Rock musician Phil Campbell (Motorhead) is 47. Country musician Rick Schell is 45. Rock singer-musician Chris O'Connor (Primitive Radio Gods) is 43. Actress Traci Lords is 39. Singer Eagle-Eye Cherry is 37. Actor Breckin Meyer is 34. Rock musician Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) is 22. Actor Taylor Abrahamse is 17. 

Thought for Today: "Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest." -- Laurence Sterne, English author (1713-1768). 

(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

Boston Red Sox     5 Detroit Tigers        0

Cleveland Indians  5 N.Y. Yankees          3

Tampa Bay Rays     5 Toronto Blue Jays     4

Los Angeles Angels 5 Kansas City Royals    3

Chicago White Sox  7 Minnesota Twins       1

Oakland Athletics  4 Baltimore Orioles     2

Texas Rangers     10 Seattle Mariners      1

      NATIONAL LEAGUE                     

Atlanta Braves       5 San Diego Padres        3

Pittsburgh Pirates  12 San Francisco Giants    6

Florida Marlins      3 Milwaukee Brewers       0

Chicago Cubs         3 Cincinnati Reds         0

Houston Astros       6 Washington Nationals    5

St. Louis Cardinals  6 Colorado Rockies        5

Arizona Diamondbacks 6 Philadelphia Phillies   4

Los Angeles Dodgers  5 N.Y. Mets               4

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PROBABLE PITCHERS (All Times EDT)

                  AMERICAN LEAGUE                        

Baltimore Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie 1-3) at Oakland Athletics (Joe Blanton 2-5), 3:35 p.m.

Boston Red Sox (Clay Buchholz 2-2) at Detroit Tigers (Armando Galarraga 2-1), 7:05 p.m.

Cleveland Indians (Cliff Lee 5-0) at New York Yankees (Chien-Ming Wang 6-0), 7:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay Rays (Matt Garza 1-0) at Toronto Blue Jays (Shaun Marcum 3-2), 7:07 p.m.

Los Angeles Angels (Jered Weaver 2-4) at Kansas City Royals (Zack Greinke 3-1), 8:10 p.m.

Minnesota Twins (Livan Hernandez 4-1) at Chicago White Sox (Mark Buehrle 1-3), 8:11 p.m.

Texas Rangers (Vicente Padilla 4-2) at Seattle Mariners (Erik Bedard 2-1), 10:10 p.m.

                         NATIONAL LEAGUE                        

Chicago Cubs (Jon Lieber 2-1) at Cincinnati Reds (Edinson Volquez 4-1), 12:35 p.m.

New York Mets (John Maine 3-2) at Los Angeles Dodgers (Brad Penny 5-2), 3:10 p.m.

Sant Atlanta Braves (Tim Hudson 4-2), 7:10 p.m.

Milwaukee Brewers (Dave Bush 0-3) at Florida Marlins (Burke Badenhop 0-2), 7:10 p.m.

Washington Nationals (Odalis Perez 0-3) at Houston Astros (Roy Oswalt 3-3), 8:05 p.m.

St. Louis Cardinals (Adam Wainwright 3-1) at Colorado Rockies (Jeff Francis 0-3), 8:35 p.m.

Philadelphia Phillies (Kyle Kendrick 2-2) at Arizona Diamondbacks (Micah Owings 4-1), 9:40 p.m.

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

      QUARTERFINALS (Best-of-7)

Boston Celtics         76 Cleveland Cavaliers 72                        Celtics lead series 1-0

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFF SCHEDULE (All Times EDT)

Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic, 8 p.m.                                  Pistons lead series 2-0

Utah Jazz           at Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m.                Lakers lead series 1-0

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

No Games Scheduled

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

No Games Today

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

No Games Scheduled

SOUTH DAKOTA SCOREBOARD

Men's College Golf

NCAA Division II Northwest/West Super Regional (Adobe Creek G.C., Petaluma, CA)

Individual Standings Through 2 Rounds

13-Matt Pridey, Augustana, 150

T34-Wally Byrne, USD, 158

44-Aaron Hieb, 165

Women's Golf

NCAA Division II North Regional (King's Walk G.C., Grand Forks, ND)

Team Standings Through 2 Rounds

1-Nebraska-Omaha, 606

2-MSU-Mankato, 616

3-Upper Iowa, 626

4-Truman St. 629

5-North Dakota , 630

6-Augustana, 632

High School Baseball

Rapid City West 14, Sturgis 3

Rapid City South 13, Hot Springs 6

Boys High School Tennis

Rapid City Central 5, Pierre 4

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:         Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox              7:11 p.m.                       6:40 p.m.

Tomorrow:     Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox             1:05 p.m.                     12:35 p.m.

Friday:           Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins                  7:10 p.m.                       6:40 p.m.

Saturday:       Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins                  6:10 p.m.                       5:40 p.m.

Sunday:         Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins                  7:05 p.m.                       6:35 p.m. 

Monday:        Boston Red Sox at Minnesota Twins                  6:05 p.m.                        5:25 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:

CHICAGO (AP) - (AP) - There was a near no-hitter in Chicago last night. Gavin Floyd of the White Sox came within two outs of the season's first no-hitter in the White Sox' 7-1 win over Minnesota. The Twins' Joe Mauer doubled with one out in the ninth to end the no-hit bid. Floyd left after throwing 105 pitches in his 35th major league start. That ends the White Sox' six-game losing streak.  Floyd held Detroit hitless for 7 1-3 innings on April 12th before Edgar Renteria singled. This time he walked three and struck out four. The only run the Twins could muster was aided by an error on Chicago left fielder Carlos Quentin in the fourth inning.  Jermaine Dye hit his fourth homer and drove in two for the White Sox. 

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State University athletics director, Bob Olson, has announced that Mark Gulseth has been hired as the head baseball coach for the Wolves. Gulseth was brought onto the NSU staff as an emergency hire last June and was asked to accept the permanent position following a recent hiring search. Gulseth is also an admissions counselor at Northern.  Gulseth wrapped up his first season as skipper of the Wolves baseball squad last weekend. He brought the inherited Wolves to a final record of 15-28 overall and 11-21 in the Northern Sun Conference. This is just the third time in the past ten years that an NSU squad posted 15 or more wins.

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Yesterday’s scheduled baseball game between South Dakota State and Augustana was canceled because of rain.  SDSU, 20-22 overall and 7-6 in The Summit League, returns to action with a four-game Summit League series at IPFW Friday through Sunday. Augustana, 12-28 overall, opens the North Central Conference tournament play Thursday in Omaha, Neb.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Jake Pole of Augustana have been named the North Central Conference Baseball Players of the Week. Pole, a senior outfielder from Decorah, Iowa, was the spark that helped the Augustana offense explode for 56 runs over the weekend. Pole hit .737 (14-19) in a four-game set against Minnesota Duluth with a double, two homeruns, a walk, 14 RBI, two stolen bases and five runs scored. The wins helped Augie move up to the fourth seed in the upcoming NCC Tournament.

PIERRE, S.D. - The start of the Pierre Post 8 American Legion Baseball season is just 20 days away.  Post 8 will open their season at home on Memorial Day afternoon hosting Rapid City Post 22 in a doubleheader at Hyde Stadium.  Coach Bill Ellwanger is in his first year as head coach.  He says that the weather of recent days has slowed down their practice schedule some what.  Beginning next week, Ellwanger says that the team will begin to gain a more sense of urgency to the start of the season.  Post 8 night will be the first actual game night for the Post 8 Legion and the remainder of the Post 8 Teener teams.  That is set for Thursday, May 22nd at Hyde Stadium.  Post 8 will play the Pierre Rattlers Amateur team that night in an exhibition game.  

PIERRE, S.D. - Once again this year, RIVER 92.7-FM will be your voice for Pierre Post 8 American Legion Baseball.  A minimum of 30 games will be broadcast this year beginning with the season opener on Memorial Day when Pierre host Rapid City Post 22.  Every first game of every doubleheader, home and away,  will be carried with the exception of the July 8th games at Rapid City Post 22.  RIVER 92.7-FM will cover the second game with the Post 22 varsity on that night.  Also included on the schedule is coverage of all 6 games that Pierre will play as they defend their tournament title of last year at the Dickinson, North Dakota wood bat tournament.  Post season coverage includes the Region 3A tournament that Pierre will host July 31st through August 2nd.  And the state tournament from Aberdeen if Pierre qualifies beginning on August 6th.  A 15 minute pregame show will precede every broadcast.  The Dakota Radio Group team of Rod Fisher, Brian Oakland and Darren Boyle will provide the play by play.  Here is the schedule and broadcast game start times (all are central time) with home games in bold.  The Dakota Radio Group reserves the right to modify or change the schedule as it deems necessary. 

May 26 2 p.m. vs. Rapid City Post 22; May 31 2:30 p.m. at Spearfish; June 2 5:30 p.m. vs. Brookings; June 5 6:30 p.m. at Sturgis; June 7 2 p.m. vs. Huron; June 10 5:30 p.m.at Mitchell; June 12 5:30 p.m. at Watertown; June 20 5:30 p.m. at Brookings; June 22 1 p.m. vs. Rapid City Post 320; June 23 5:30 p.m. vs. Aberdeen; June 26 at Dickinson Tournament (11 a.m. Miles City, Mt. / 2 p.m. Williston, N.D. ); June 27 at Dickinson Tournament (8 p.m. vs. Dickinson); June 28 at Dickinson Tournament (3 p.m. vs. Regina); June 29 at Dickinson Tournament (10 a.m. vs. Las Vegas Durango / 12:30 p.m. Moose Jaw); July 2 5:30 p.. vs. Mitchell; July 3 5:30 p.m. vs. Sturgis; July 8 8:30 p.m. at Rapid City Post 22; July 11 Koester Tournament TBA; July 12 Koester Tournament TBA; July 13 Koester Tournament TBA; July 15 5:30 p.m. vs. Spearfish; July 16 5:30 p.m. vs. Watertown; July 22 5:30 jp.m. at Aberdeen; July 24 6:30 p.m. at Rapid City Post 320; July 27 1 p.m. Pierre at Huron; July 31-Aug. 2 Region Tournament at Pierre TBA; August 6 -11 State Tournament at Aberdeen TBA

MARSHALL, Minn. – 6’5 guard Jordan Miller of Mitchell has signed a letter of intent to attend Southwest Minnesota State University and play in that school’s basketball program next year.  Miller had a breakout year his senior season for the Kernals and coach Gary Munsen leading the team in scoring.  He averaged 17 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assist per game in leading the Kernals to the State Class AA tournament.  

PINE RIDGE, S.D. - Bismarck State College men’s basketball coach and athletic director Buster Gilliss signed six Red Cloud Indian School students to the Mystic roster for the 2008-09 school year May 4 at a special signing ceremony on the Red Cloud campus.  Red Cloud seniors Billy Scott, Lester Gotheridge, David Giago, Art Vitalis, Ida Clarke and Lisa Bear Robe signed their national letters of intent with Bismarck State.  Gillis says this is the first time he has ever signed 4 individuals from the same high school in the same year.  Scott, Gotheridge, Giago and Vitalis were starters on the 2007-2008 Red Cloud varsity basketball team, who ended their season with 24 wins, two loses and a third place trophy at the State A basketball tournament last March.  Clarke and Bear Robe ended their season on the Red Cloud girls basketball team with 14 wins, 12 losses and a sixth place trophy at the girls State A basketball tournament.

PIERRE, S.D. – The Pierre Governor tennis team played well yesterday according to their head coach Jeff Schlekeway.  Rapid City Central, considered by many to be one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the state had to scramble to pull out a 5-4 dual victory over the Governors.  Alex Lauseng got a huge win for Pierre at number 1 singles as he defeated Cale Barber 7-7, 7-5.  The Governors got one other win in singles.  That was at number 5 where Jordan Hull defeated Johathen Ries 6-4, 5-7, 6-1.  Lauseng and Connor Forney lost at number 1 doubles which proved to be the swing match.  They were defeated by Barber and Evan Sims 3-6, 6-7 (3-7).  Stephen Bollinger and Ryan Lauseng at number 2 doubles and Hull and Casey Ortbahn at number 6 also posted wins for the Govs with Bollinger and Lauseng beating Dan Tylly and Tom Tolman 7-6 (14-12), 6-7 (2-7), and 6-4.  The Governors now look ahead to Friday’s ESD Conference tournament in Brookings.

WATERTOWN, S.D. – Pierre Lady Governor golfer Taylor Smalley fired a 82 yesterday to finish 8^th at the Watertown Invitational girls golf tournament.  Smalley finished 7 strokes behind the tournament champion Kali Gottsleben of the host Arrows.  Brookings won the team title with a 328 team score, 14 shots better than runner up Huron.  Pierre only had 3 golfers competing and did not figure in the team competition.  Smalley and the other Lady Govs golfers will travel to Brookings tomorrow to compete in the Brookings Invitational. 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - University of North Dakota standout linebacker Bobby Stroup has been dismissed from the team. He faces criminal charges in two separate incidents.  The school did not give a reason for the dismissal, citing student privacy. But officials did say that Stroup had been serving an indefinite suspension since April.  Court records show the UND sophomore was charged with simple assault April 5th, after allegedly punching a man in the case. He's also charged with bail-jumping in that case.  Stroup also faces terrorizing, burglary and fleeing charges in Northeast Central District Court stemming from an incident Friday in Grand Forks. The complaint against him alleges he held a knife to the throat of a woman after breaking into her apartment.  A telephone number for Stroup in Grand Forks could not be found. He did not immediately return a message seeking comment that was left with his mother in Fargo.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Darrion Scott is charged with assault for allegedly holding a plastic dry cleaning bag over the head of his 2-year-old son.  Scott is charged in Hennepin County Court with third-degree assault and domestic assault by strangulation, both felonies.  According to the complaint, the boy's mother says Scott said he was playing with the child and wanted to see if the boy could get the bag off his head himself.  Scott was arrested last week after police searched his Eden Prairie town house. He remains in jail, with bond set at $100,000.  His first court appearance is scheduled Wednesday. A call to Scott's attorney was not immediately returned.  The 26-year-old Scott is a free agent after spending the past four seasons with the Vikings.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The University of Minnesota men's basketball and football teams got some good news from the NCAA. Both teams improved their performance in the classroom and will not be penalized with the loss of scholarships.  The Gophers' two biggest money makers had come under scrutiny last year after their Academic Progress Report scores registered below the NCAA's mandated cut line of 925.  But the football team improved eight points this year to 927 to get above the line.  The basketball team had the biggest jump of any athletic program at the school. It improved 23 points to 910. Because Tubby Smith's team improved from last year and did not have any player leave the program for academic reasons, the team did not lose any scholarships. 

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 between the hours of 8-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or by mailing your request to North Central Conference, 3200 W. Maple St., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57107.

MINNEAPOLIS - Northern State's Jake Hamik has been named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men's outdoor track and field athlete of the week.  Hamik reached an NCAA Division II qualifying mark by winning the 400-meter hurdles at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in Sioux Falls last weekend in a season best time of 51.61 seconds. He also anchored the men's 1,600-meter relay team that finished second. His split was unofficially recorded at :47.5.  Hamik is currently ranked among the top three in four different conference events and is a member of two top ranked relay teams. 

EUREKA, S.D. – Gettysburg pole vaulter Cally Worth cleared 9-3 yesterday to win the event and set a new meet record at the Eureka Legion Relays.  That height was also a state qualifying standard for Worth who earlier this year at Eureka had cleared 10 feet in the Yellowstone Trails Conference meet.  Also meeting state qualifying standards was Kylee Lamb of Sully Buttes in the high jump as she cleared 5-2.  Pauline Matthews of the Chargers also set met a state qualifying standard in the 100 meter hurdles winning the event in a time of :16.27.  Matthews also met a state qualifying standard in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of  :48.54 while finishing second in the event.  The Gettysburg girls 1600 meter team set a meet record winning the event in a time of 4:18.10.  And Cheyenne Eagle Butte’s Jordan Wohlleber set a new meet record winning the 1600 meters in a time of 5:24.7.  Eureka-Bowdle won the team title.

EUREKA, S.D. – Cheyenne Eagle Butte distance runner Kiko Mendoza set two meet records at the Eureka Legion Relays yesterday.  Mendoza set records in the 1600 meters in a time of 4:37.02 and the 3200 meters in a time of 9:57.17.  That time was a state qualifying time.  Connor McPeck of Gettysburg won 800 meters in a time of 2:08.94.  Linton, North Dakota took the team title.

PIERRE, S.D. – The Pierre Governor and Lady Governor track and field team’s will be sponsoring a benefit spaghetti feed tomorrow evening at the Kings Inn Convention Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The feed is a fund raising effort by the track teams to help fund various projects they have in addition to helping defray expenses for this summer