U.S. House campaign veers into driving-record debate

Posted by Seth Tupper on 9/1/2010 at 8:31 AM in General News

It was recently revealed by a Sioux Falls media outlet that Kristi Noem, the Republican challenger for South Dakota's lone U.S. House seat, has an extensive record of traffic citations. Her list of tickets dating to 1989 is more than 20 entries long, and it includes highlights (or low lights, depending on one's perspective) such as being caught driving 94 mph earlier this year and having two bench warrants issued for her arrest after she initially failed to pay some fines.

After the initial report, the story exploded across the mainstream media and the blogosphere. The Democratic Party even started a website, www.kristiabovethelaw.com, to push the story along further. Each side is digging up more and more dirt on the other, and one of the latest revelations is a drunken driving arrest of the Democratic incumbent's chief of staff that occurred this summer.

Debate is now turning to whether Noem's driving record will diminish her chances of upsetting Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, whose driving record includes only a couple of citations.

The controversy is playing out against the backdrop of South Dakotans' memories of 2003, when then-congressman and former governor Bill Janklow, a political legend in the state, was driving a vehicle over the speed limit that struck and killed a motorcyclist. Janklow had made jokes for years about his fast driving, but it came back to haunt him not only in the form of the motorcyclist's death, but also in the form of a conviction for second-degree manslaughter, a sentence of 100 days in jail and his resignation from the U.S. House under a cloud of controversy. The previously larger-than-life political figure has kept a low profile ever since.

It was Janklow's resignation that opened the door for Herseth Sandlin, who won the special election to fill Janklow's seat. Her two most recent re-election campaigns have been pretty easy, but the only poll results revealed so far in this race -- from Rasmussen Reports, which Herseth Sandlin says is Republican-slanted -- show Noem leading.

The final poll -- the election -- is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Trail ride to arrive in Deadwood this weekend

Posted by Seth Tupper on 8/30/2010 at 8:35 AM in Black Hills, Events, General News

The Miles City to Deadwood Trail Ride began Aug. 20 in Miles City, Mont. About 85 riders are following the original stage line through Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, according to a news release from the Black Hills News Bureau.

The trail from Fort Keogh (Miles City) to Deadwood was established as a telegraph line in 1878, just two years after the rough-and-tumble Deadwood Gulch mining camp sprang up. Calamity Jane was among the noteworthy figures believed to have traveled the trail.

The 2010 riders, in wagons and on horseback, had to cross the Powder River at Powderville, Mont., travel amid a herd of longhorns, deal with extreme temperatures and elements, and maintain their pace through fairly desolate country.

The group will arrive in Deadwood on Saturday, Sept. 4, with an escort down the historic town’s Main Street at 3 p.m.

The trail ride benefits the Days of '76 Museum in Deadwood. Events are planned for the riders each evening during the ride, including in South Dakota. This weekend’s overnight stops are near U.S. Highway 212 near Alzada, Mont.

The wagons and riders will cross into South Dakota on Thursday, Sept. 2, and will camp west of Belle Fourche on a ranch near Redwater Road. The group heads to Spearfish on Friday, Sept. 3, with a program and entertainment at the Western High Plains Heritage Center that evening. And on Saturday, Sept. 4, the riders make their way to Deadwood.

In conjunction with the trail ride's arrival, the Days of '76 committee will hold a steer-roping event at the rodeo grounds. There will also be a chuckwagon dinner at the rodeo grounds beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by entertainment with Kenny Putnam, Ricky Jacobson and Paul Larson, and a program at the First Gold Hotel's ballroom, beginning at 6 p.m.

The public is encouraged to attend these events. Call the Deadwood Chamber at 578-1876 for more information.

Labor Day weekend events at state parks

Posted by Seth Tupper on 8/26/2010 at 10:06 PM in Events, Outdoor Activities

From the state Department of Game, Fish and Parks:

PIERRE, S.D. - Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of the summer, and South Dakota State Parks invite you to come out and enjoy special weekend events.

• Over the River and Through the Woods hike, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. CDT. Take an evening hike along the Gavin's Point Nature Trail. Info: 605-668-2985
• Southern Hills Triathlon, Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs, Sept. 4, at 7 a.m. MDT. Athletes can participate in a kids' triathlon, sprint triathlon, Olympic distance triathlon, or duathlon. There is a fee to participate in the event and individuals or teams may enter. Participants can register online at www.active.com . Info: 605-745-4463 or 605-745-3494
• Pie Iron Cooking is a Piece of Cake, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m. CDT. Learn the basics of Dutch oven cooking, from starting a fire to using pie irons. Info: 605-668-2985
• All Campers' Potluck, Indian Creek Recreation Area near Mobridge, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m. CDT. The entire campground is invited to a potluck. Entertainment will be provided by a DJ. Info: 605-845-7112
• Campsite Decorating Contest, Oakwood Lakes State Park near Volga and Lake Poinsett Recreation Area near Arlington, Sept. 4-5. Campers, bring supplies to decorate your campsites! Judging takes place at 5 p.m. CDT Saturday. Prizes for all! Info: 605-627-5441
• Kids Bicycle Parades, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. CDT at North Point Recreation Area and 11:30 a.m. CDT at Randall Creek Recreation both near Pickstown. Kids need to bring only their bikes, as decorations will be provided for these end-of-the-summer events! Info: 605-487-7046.
• Palisades Amazing Family Dash, Palisades State Park near Garretson, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. CDT. Can your family make it in this fast-paced race? The real challenge is, before you can travel to your next location, you'll need to complete a special task. Teams must include children younger than 17 and at least one adult. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Pre-registration is not required. Info: 605-594-3824.

For more information on the South Dakota State Parks, please visit www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-773-3391. To learn about park programs in your area, contact your local state park office.