DOH Investigating Cause of Illness After Event at School

South Dakota’s Health Department is looking into reports of some sort of possible diarrheal illness that first began to be reported by students and others that had been at Riggs High School on Tuesday night.  Barb Buhler of the Health Department says that so far, there have been 50 reports of illness and efforts are underway to determine what the source was.  She says they are interviewing those who said they had taken ill and she says it’s suspected that they were the victims of a food borne illness.  She says it’s hard to know how long it will take to complete an investigation into what happened, but they are continuing with testing and other steps that will target what caused the people to be sickened. Buhler says later this afternoon, a link will be set up on the Health Department’s website at www.doh.sd.gov that will allow people who got sick to report their symptoms and other information.  Pierre School Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt says the district is cooperating in every way with the Department of Health to find out what happened.   Tuesday evening, the school hosted a basketball game with Mitchell and food was being served at the event.

Stanley County Commission Chooses Sonny Harrowa as Treasurer

The Stanley County Commission has selected the county’s new Treasurer.  A meeting was held last night as commissioners interviewed three candidates for the job.   Former Treasurer Linda Stroup retired this week, but there are still about 11 months left in her term.  Commissioner D.D. Jacobson says today that Sonny Harrowa has accepted the position.   Jacobson says seven people applied for the job initially and that number was short-listed to three.  He says he was pleased with the three final candidates that were considered and says Harrowa will be a good fit for the job of Treasurer for the county.

Stroup retired after more than ten years.  Jacobson says part of the interviewing process involved asking applicants whether they would be able to run for a new term.    

Jacobson says the job of Treasurer involves overseeing several financial aspects of the county.

Jacobson says Stroup has agreed to come back and assist Harrowa as he starts the job.  He’s expected to begin on Monday morning.

NWS Looks at Temps and Snow for January in Central and Northeast SD

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, which monitors weather for central and northeast South Dakota, says January brought a warm month to those areas of the state.  Monthly average temperatures were anywhere from six to ten degrees above normal.   January started out with many record high temperatures across the region from the 3rd through the 6th.  A few locations set their all-time record high for the month.  Kennebec reached 70 degrees on the 5th which tied the old record for the all-time January high.  Overnight temperatures were very wintry-like; however.  Pierre dropped to eight below on the 19^th; Timber Lake fell to minus ten on the 17^th and 19^th and Kennebec dropped to 13 below on the 18^th. 

After a dry fall and December, a few weather systems last month brought the January precipitation amounts close to or slightly above normal for several locations.  Mobridge received 4.5 inches and Pierre saw 4.7 inches of snow-both amounts slightly above normal.   8.5 inches of snow fell in Kennebec last month; an amount that is 3.7 inches higher than normal for January. 

Farm Rescue Taking Applications for Spring Planting

A North Dakota-based organization is reminding farm families who need crop planting assistance this spring that they should apply now for help.  Farm Rescue is a non profit organization that is accepting planting requests from farmers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and eastern Montana.   Farm Rescue provides planting and harvesting assistance to producers that have experienced a major injury, illness or natural disaster.  Calli Stoudt, Program Coordinator of Farm Rescue says it is important that farmers apply early to receive top consideration.  She adds that they also accept anonymous referrals of farm families that may be in need of a helping hand but might be hesitant to apply for assistance.  Each family can have up to 1,000 acres planted free of charge.  Over the past six years, Farm Rescue has helped 160 farm families that have experienced hardships-from open-heart surgery and cancer treatment to car accidents.  Bill Gross, who is President of Farm Rescue, says that they now have equipment to plant corn, in addition to small grains and soybeans.  For an application or more information, go to www.farmrescue.org or call 701-252-2017.

One Trail of Governors Sculptor Showing Off Projects at BHSS

One of the sculptors for the Trail of Governor’s project is showing off his work at the Black Hills Stock Show this week.  John Lopez of Lemmon is creating the statue for former Governor Arthur Mellette.  Mellette’s statue and those of former Governors Harlan Bushfield and Walter D. Miller are expected to be erected at various locations in Pierre this year.  The project is being spearheaded by the Trail of Governor’s Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that was established with the goal of creating life-sized, bronze statues of South Dakota’s former governors.  The statues are being funded through private donations and will be placed along a trail that leads from around the state capitol to downtown Pierre.  Lopez says he likes the project and believes it will teach South Dakotans a lot about the men that have served our state over the years.

Lopez is displaying the work he’s done so far on the statue for former Governor Mellette at his Stock Show booth. 

A look at other works done by Lopez can be found at www.lopez-ranch.com.  More information on the Trail of Governors Project is found at www.trailofgovernors.com.  (Comments and photo provided by KGFX's Dorene Foster.  Catch her reports from the BHSS this week on KGFX)

MADISON, S.D. (AP) - Students who had been too scared to go to school following a fatal shooting in Madison are returning to their classrooms. Dan Walsh, principal of Madison Elementary School, says that 125 of his school's 500 students were absent Wednesday after the previous night's killing of retired high school teacher Norman Johnson. But by Thursday morning, the anxiety had subsided. Walsh says things are "basically back to normal." That's largely due to officials' Wednesday night announcement that Carl V. Ericsson of Watertown had been arrested on one count of first-degree murder in the shooting death. Madison Central schools had been in session but on lockdown Wednesday. A district official says the schools are no longer locked down.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A forensic pathologist says a South Dakota prison guard who died after his head was bashed with a pipe probably died within minutes of the attack. Pathologist Thomas Bennett, of Billings, Mont., testified during the last day of the pre-sentence hearing for 49-year-old Rodney Berget. Berget has pleaded guilty to killing Ronald Johnson on April 12 - Johnson's 63rd birthday - during a failed prison escape with fellow inmate Eric Robert. A judge is weighing whether Berget should be sentenced to death. Bennett says that in his opinion, the blows to Johnson's head rendered him unconscious immediately. A coroner earlier testified for the state that he believed Johnson suffered. Zell earlier sentenced the 49-year-old Robert to death for hispart in the slaying.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - State and federal authorities are investigating the killing of two bull elk in Wind Cave National Park in southwest South Dakota. Park spokesman Tom Farrell tells the Rapid City Journal that it appears the elk were shot and left to die along a road late Monday or early Tuesday. He calls the incident "a tragedy and just a terrible waste." Because of the size of the animals, a Wind Cave crew had to use a bucket loader and trailer to remove and transport the animals for further examination.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota House committee has rejected a measure that sought to bar false advertising by pregnancy help centers that discourage abortions. The Health and Human Services Committee voted unanimously to kill the bill after first changing it to apply only to abortion clinics. Lawmakers say South Dakota already has laws prohibiting false advertising, so there is no need for specific laws to apply to either abortion clinics or the centers that discourage abortion. Supporters of the original bill say some pregnancy help centers claim to provide information about abortion, but only discourage women from getting abortions. Officials from the centers say are truthful in their ads. A law passed by the Legislature last year would require women seeking abortions to first get counseling at the pregnancy help centers.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The state Senate Judiciary Committee will not advance a bill to regulate the use of foreign law in South Dakota courts. Senators voted 5-2 to kill the bill brought forward by Sen. Dan Lederman, a Dakota Dunes Republican. Sioux Falls attorney Joel Arends says it would have prevented the use of foreign orders and judgments from being used in civil - not criminal - cases. The bill's supporters say it would address Sioux Falls' changing demographics, which include refugees from Iraq and Sudan, and would prevent state courts from being swayed by "harmful foreign laws cloaked in quasi-religious terms of other nations." But opponents say if a judge ignores the Constitution and allows foreign law to sway his or her decision, the judge would just as likely ignore this statute.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A House Education Committee has killed a bill that would boost state financial aid to school districts by requiring state funding to rise yearly by the same amount that overall state revenues increase. Representative Larry Lucas, a Mission Democrat, suggests a 6 percent cap. He says good years with gains in revenue from the state sales tax could help schools burdened by education dollar cuts. The current state aid formula for education funding has been in place since the legislature passed it in 1995. Jim Terwilliger of the South Dakota Bureau of Finance says the bill lacks good business judgment because of upcoming costs from health care reform and because the state might not be able to pay this "additional burden." Lawmakers voted to end the bill 9 to 5.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A newly amended bill that would introduce a "hope card" system related to protection orders in South Dakota is making slow progress in the House. Under the original bill, South Dakotans with protection orders could carry a "hope card" instead of the longer paper document. Proponents of the bill say this would speed up the process for law enforcement officers who need to verify the order's existence. On Wednesday, the House Judiciary committee postponed voting on the bill because Republican Representative Patricia Stricherz of Madison introduced an amendment that would allow for an electronic version of the program. But the amendment did not include a fiscal note on how much that would cost, so lawmakers put off voting on the bill. Lawmakers may pick up where they left off Monday.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota House committee has killed a measure that would have allowed ranchers to sue for damages if the state failed to control the population of prairie dogs. The State Affairs Committee voted 9-4 to reject the bill after lawmakers said the state should not be sued for problems caused by federal officials. The proposal was written in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that said the state is immune from a lawsuit filed by ranchers who contend the state has failed to follow laws requiring the control of prairie dogs that move from public land to private land. State officials say they did all they could to control prairie dogs near Badlands National Park, but control was limited because poisoning was not allowed on some federal land.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A measure to ban texting while driving has been rejected by a South Dakota House panel. The State Affairs Committee voted 10-3 to kill a measure that would have prohibited the use of cell phones and other handheld devices to write, send or read text-based communications while driving. It would not have banned the use of hands-free devices for texting. The measure's main sponsor, Representative Jim Bolin, a Canton Republican, says it's time to ban texting by drivers because it leads to traffic accidents. No one spoke against the measure during Wednesday's committee hearing, but committee members say they doubt law enforcement officers would be able to enforce a ban on texting while driving. A similar bill passed the Senate last year but was defeated by the House.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Republican Representative Kristi Noem says she has raised more than $1.3 million in her bid for a second term in the U.S. House. Noem's year-end total includes almost $1 million in cash on hand. She said in a prepared statement that she's confident her campaign will have the money to "get our message out." Noem spent $2.3 million in defeating former Democratic Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in 2010. Recently announced Democratic House candidate Matt Varilek has raised $104,000. Fellow Democratic House candidate Jeff Barth loaned or donated most of the $12,000 his campaign has received. Varilek tells the Rapid City Journal that the money he raised in a short time shows that his campaign is legitimate.

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - SkyWest Airlines will soon start flying between Aberdeen and Minneapolis. The American News reports that SkyWest will provide 14 round-trip flights per week to the Twin Cities under the federal Essential Air Service program. Service isexpected to begin March 2. Mesaba and Pinnacle have been serving Aberdeen.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota lottery officials say the winner of a $10,000 Powerball prize is running out of time to claim the money. The winning ticket in the Aug. 24, 2011, drawing was sold in Hermosa. Whoever holds it has until Feb. 20 to claim the money, since lottery prizes expire in 180 days. The Hermosa ticket matched four of five white ball numbers and the Powerball. The winning numbers were 9, 13, 47, 49 and 53; the Powerball was 39 and the Power Play was 5.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Supporters of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname are planning a final push for petition signatures. The backers are setting up today in the North Dakota Capitol and in Fargo's West Acres shopping mall. The university is phasing out the moniker the NCAA contends is offensive to American Indians.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) - A man is accused of smuggling cash into the U.S. at the border between North Dakota and Canada. The suspect named The Cao Nguyen was arrested last week and has been charged with bulk cash smuggling. The indictment says Nguyen knowingly concealed more than $10,000 at the Pembina point of entry in September 2009.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Democratic candidate for governor Ryan Taylor has raised more than $46,000 for his campaign. Taylor says the money was given to his campaign in less than three weeks. Taylor is the only declared Democrat running to replace Republican Governor Jack Dalrymple this fall.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Just like on his reality show, Donald Trump has kept people guessing -- and now it appears he's ready to pull a surprise. Republican officials say Trump intends to announce in Las Vegas today that he's endorsing Mitt Romney's presidential bid. Newt Gingrich had told close advisers last night that he was expecting to win Trump's support.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Prayer Breakfast in Washington isn't usually a politically-charged event -- since it's hosted by lawmakers from both parties. But President Barack Obama today told attendees that his Christian faith influences his economic policies, including his call for the wealthy to pay more in taxes, and his health care overhaul. He said his tax policies coincide with the teaching of Jesus that "unto whom much is given, much shall be required."

MONTARA, Calif. (AP) - A California congresswoman wants an independent investigator to determine whether a federal park ranger used excessive force when she used a stun gun on a man walking his dogs. Congresswoman Jackie Speier says the use of the stun gun appeared to be unwarranted. Park officials say the man was walking his dogs off leash in violation of park rules and was hit with a stun gun after he gave the ranger a false name and refused to remain at the scene.

NEW YORK (AP) - A Transportation Security Administration agent is accused of stealing $5,000 from a passenger as he was going through security at New York's Kennedy Airport. Police and the TSA say Alexandra Schmid took the cash from the passenger's jacket as it went along an X-ray conveyer belt last night. They say surveillance video showed her wrapping the money in a plastic glove and taking it to a bathroom. The money hasn't been recovered. Police are investigating whether the TSA agent may have given it to someone else. She's charged with grand larceny.

NEW YORK (AP) - A secret document reveals that the New York Police Department recommended increasing surveillance of thousands of Muslims and their mosques based solely on their religion. The Associated Press obtained a copy of a police intelligence reportfrom May of 2006 which says police should expand clandestine operations at Shiite mosques. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said the city's police never consider religion, and the police commissioner has said police only go where their investigative leads take them.

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) - The groundhog is predicting six more weeks of winter -- but residents of much of the country are wondering if winter is ever going to arrive. Even in the Pennsylvania community where Punxsutawney Phil made his forecast, temperatures are climbing into the mid-40s today, in a winter that has seen little snow and only a few notably cold days in the eastern U.S.
 

BRUSSELS (AP) - NATO's top official is joining the U.S. and France in calling for Afghan forces to take the lead in all combat operations by the middle of next year. That's a year earlier than expected. Western troops would shift to backup roles in the fight against the Taliban.

CAIRO (AP) - Egyptians are blaming the country's military rulers for yesterday's deadly riot after a soccer match. Anger is growing over the failure of police to stop the violence as a narrow stadium exit turned into a death trap. A network of soccer fans is accusing police of intentionally letting rivals attack them because they've been at the forefront of protests over the past year. More than 70 people died in the world's worst soccer violence in 15 years.

BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian security forces have been deployed in the city of Hama, where protesters have been marking the 30th anniversary of a notorious massacre carried out by President Bashar Assad's father and predecessor. The Hama massacre leveled entire neighborhoods and killed thousands of people. It's become a rallying cry for the Syrian uprising that began 11 months ago.

HERZLIYA, Israel (AP) - Israel's deputy prime minister says Iran's suspected nuclear weapons sites remain vulnerable to possible military strikes -- meaning that underground bunkers mightnot offer enough protection. His remarks follow recent comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who said American bunker-buster bombs aren't powerful enough to penetrate all of Iran's defenses.

LONDON (AP) - A British lawmaker who helped lift the lid on tabloid phone hacking says police are investigating another Rupert Murdoch-owned paper. Labour legislator Tom Watson says police have confirmed they are investigating email hacking by The Times of London.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Workers were more efficient in the final three months of last year, but their gains in productivity were slower than during previous three months. Slower productivity growth can be a good sign for hiring if economic growth picks up. The Labor Department says worker productivity rose at a 0.7 percent annual rate in the October-December quarter. That's below a downwardly revised 1.9 percent in the previous quarter. A slowdown in productivity growth is bad for corporate profits. But it could be good for the economy, if it suggests companies aren't able to squeeze more output from their existing staffs. Productivity jumped after the recession, largely because companies boosted output without hiring much.

NEW YORK (AP) - Retailers are reporting mixed sales results for January in a sign that American shoppers are continuing to be cautious about when and where they spend their money in the shaky economy. Of the 12 merchants reporting monthly sales this week, the number of those who beat estimates and those who missed expectations were even, according to a Thursday morning tally by Thomson Reuters. Costco Wholesale Corp. and Target Corp. were among those reporting sales gains that were above Wall Street expectations, while Macy's Inc. and Dillard's Inc. posted figures that were below analysts' estimates. The figures are based on revenue at stores opened at least a year and are considered a key indicator of a retailer's health.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of people seeking unemployment aid fell last week, a sign that companies are cutting fewer jobs and likely stepping up hiring. The Labor Department says weekly unemployment applications fell 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 367,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, dropped for the third straight week to 375,750. That's the second-lowest level for the four-week average since June 2008. When applications stay consistently below 375,000, it usually signals that hiring is strong enough to lower the unemployment rate.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Southern California woman who challenged the legal status-quo by filing a small-claims action against Honda won her lawsuit yesterday when a judge ruled that the automaker misled her about the potential fuel economy of her hybrid car. A Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner awarded Heather Peters $9,867 - much more than the couple hundred dollars cash that a proposed class-action settlement is offering. The commissioner wrote in his judgment that "At a bare minimum Honda was aware ... that by the time Peters bought her car there were problems with its living up to its advertised mileage." Honda disagrees with the judgment and plans to appeal.

NEW YORK (AP) - Will investors "like" Facebook? The social network is going public eight years after it was begun at Harvard by then-unknown Mark Zuckerberg. That means anyone with money to spend can soon own part of a growing Silicon Valley icon. In its SEC filing, Facebook indicated it hopes to raise $5 billion in the initial public offering or IPO. That would be the most for an Internet IPO since Google and its early backers raised $1.9 billion in 2004. The exact amount will likely changes as Facebook's bankers try to match investor demand. Joining corporate America's elite would give Facebook newfound financial clout as it tries to make its service even more pervasive and expand its audience. It also could help Facebook fend off an intensifying challenge from Google, which is looking to solidify its status as the Internet's most powerful company with a rival social network called Plus.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Securities industry regulators said yesterdaythat they've charged Charles Schwab & Co. with improperly requiring customers to give up their right to bring class-action lawsuits against the discount broker. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the industry's self-policing organization, said Schwab revised its customer account agreement last October to add a requirement for customers to waive their right to bring or participate in class actions against the company. The amended agreements went to nearly 7 million customers, according to FINRA. FINRA says that's a violation of its rules. Schwab disputes that, and has filed a lawsuit.

DALLAS (AP) - If American Airlines has its way, thousands of its employees will be grounded for good. The airline's parent wants to eliminate about 13,000 jobs - 15 percent of its workforce. The nation's third-biggest airline wants to remake itself under bankruptcy protection. The company aims to cut labor costs by 20 percent under bankruptcy protection, and will soon begin negotiations with its three major unions. Some management jobs would also be cut. AMR also proposes to end its traditional pension plans. The move has been strongly opposed by the airline's unions and the U.S. pension-insurance agency. AMR Corp. CEO Thomas W. Horton said Wednesday that the company hopes to return to profitability by cutting spending by more than $2 billion per year and raising revenue by $1 billion per year.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Negotiators on Capitol Hill have agreed to try to extend a payroll tax cut worth about $1,000 this year for a typical worker through the end of the year. But they remain far apart on how to pay for the extension, and for jobless benefits for millions, without adding to the national debt. Working in a rare open meeting, a House-Senate panel began its
negotiations on the payroll tax and jobless benefits measure - core components of President Barack Obama's jobs agenda - by signaling progress on second-tier issues regarding overhauling unemployment insurance. But the talks soon ran aground over House GOP proposals to permit states to require unemployed people to pass drug tests to receive benefits or get high school diplomas.

DETROIT (AP) - Higher sales of Jeeps and other new vehicles propelled Chrysler to its first annual net income since 1997, capping a pivotal turnaround that many thought would never happen. The U.S. automaker controlled by Italy's Fiat earned $183million last year. That reversed a $652 million loss in 2010, its first full year out of bankruptcy protection. Just three years ago Chrysler was close to running out of cash and heading for the auction house. But a government-funded bankruptcy cut debt and expenses, and Chrysler spent last year rolling out 16 new or revamped models to boost sales. Now the company is expanding into small cars and adding jobs. Chrysler expects an even better showing this year, despite a sluggish and uncertain economy. The company, which sells most of its vehicles in the U.S., predicts it will make about $1.5 billion this year and increase revenue 18 percent.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Once again, lawmakers are taking a swipe at stopping cars from sideswiping others - because the driver is busy texting instead of driving. The Senate Transportation Committee in Idaho has decided to consider making texting while driving against the law. Now that it's passed committee, the measure will get a full hearing in at the Idaho statehouse in Boise. Senator Jim Hammond of Coeur d'Alene is the bill's sponsor. It would put drivers at risk of fines if they're caught by law enforcement either keying in or reading a text on a wireless device.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady isn't winning any new friends in Buffalo, New York. Brady told the media yesterday that the hotels in the AFC East rival team's city are among the worst. Brady was talking about his dad's trips to see him play. Brady says the hotels in Buffalo aren't "the nicest places in the world." But as Brady left the podium he said he was kidding. He urged the media not to get him "in trouble." It's a little late for that. Sunday, the Pats play the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

GATESVILLE, Texas (AP) - How about some tuna nachos for your Super Bowl party? It's one of the recipes from women serving time in Texas. Six female convicts have compiled an unusual cookbook, "From The Big House to Your House." One of the recipes is for tuna nachos. Inmate Celeste Johnson says it sounds disgusting but it grows on you. Prison cooking isn't easy. The women don't have access to a stove, refrigerator or a knife. Anything that needs heating must be done in a hot pot, which warms water but not to the boiling point. After all, boiling water could be used as weapon against a guard, or another inmate.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Steve Weatherford collects his teammates old tennis shoes and cleats. But he's not selling New York Giants memorabilia on eBay. The Giants punter is sending the old shoes back home to Terre Haute, Indiana. The gear goes to school kids, in a city that has a poverty rate double the state average. Weatherford says collecting the shoes is a "no-brainer." The latest care package arrived yesterday.

BEAVER, Pa. (AP) - Congratulations, you're going to be a dad -- and a prisoner. Police in western Pennsylvania busted Ayende Crawford in a hospital delivery room. His girlfriend was about to give birth to their baby. Authorities say Crawford has been wanted for months on criminal charges ranging from drunken driving to assault. KDKA-TV first reported the arrest at Heritage Valley Health System Hospital in Beaver. Crawford was recently featured on a "Most Wanted Fugitive" segment that runs on the local cable TV system.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Who needs a security system, with 120 lions, tigers and other big cats? Nick Sculac does. He owns the Serenity Springs Wildlife Center near Colorado Springs. He tells a local paper (Colorado Springs Gazette) he has hired a guard and is shopping for a security system. There were two break-ins at the center last month. In one incident, three tigers were let of out their cage. They were found roaming the grounds the next morning by center workers.

 

Today is Thursday, Feb. 2, the 33rd day of 2012. There are 333 days left in the year. This is Groundhog Day.

Today's Highlight in History:
On Feb. 2, 1912, Frederick R. Law parachuted from the torch of the Statue of Liberty in a stunt filmed by Pathe News.

On this date:
In 1536, present-day Buenos Aires, Argentina, was founded by Pedro de Mendoza of Spain.
In 1653, New Amsterdam - now New York City - was incorporated.
In 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, was signed.
In 1882, Irish poet and novelist James Joyce was born near Dublin.
In 1887, Punxsutawney, Pa., held its first Groundhog Day festival.
In 1912, Broadway composer Burton Lane ("Finian's Rainbow") was born in New York City.
In 1922, the James Joyce novel "Ulysses" was published in Paris by Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare and Co. on Joyce's 40th birthday.
In 1942, a Los Angeles Times column by W.H. Anderson urged security measures against Japanese-Americans, arguing that a Japanese-American "almost inevitably ... grows up to be a Japanese, not an American."
In 1943, the remainder of Nazi forces from the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered in a major victory for the Soviets in World War II.
In 1961, hijackers of a Portuguese ocean liner, the Santa Maria, allowed the passengers and crew to disembark in Brazil, 11 days after seizing the ship. Chinese-American actress Anna May Wong died
in Santa Monica, Calif., at age 56.
In 1971, Idi Amin, having seized power in Uganda, proclaimed himself president.
In 1992, longtime "Miss America" emcee Bert Parks died in La Jolla, Calif., at age 77.

Ten years ago: Inside the World Economic Forum in New York, foreign economic leaders criticized the United States for protectionist policies while outside, thousands of protesters demonstrated against global capitalism. Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers star John Stallworth were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The NHL World All-Stars rallied to defeat North America 8-5.
Five years ago: Tornadoes killed 21 people in central Florida. A grim report from the world's leading climate scientists and government officials said that global warming was so severe, it would "continue for centuries" and that humans were to blame. Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued an order making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against HPV, a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.
One year ago: Supporters of President Hosni Mubarak charged into Cairo's central square on horses and camels brandishing whips while others rained firebombs from rooftops in what appeared to be an orchestrated assault against protesters trying to topple Egypt's leader of 30 years. The red swimsuit that helped make Farrah Fawcett a 1970s icon was donated to the Smithsonian's collection by her longtime companion, Ryan O'Neal, on what would have been the late actress' 64th birthday.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Elaine Stritch is 87. Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing is 86. Actor Robert Mandan is 80. Comedian Tom Smothers is 75. Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 70. Actor Bo Hopkins is 70. Television executive Barry Diller is 70. Country singer Howard Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers) is 66. TV chef Ina Gartenis 64. Actor Jack McGee is 63. Actor Brent Spiner is 63. Rock musician Ross Valory (Journey) is 63. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, is 60. Model Christie Brinkley is 58. Actor Michael Talbott is 57. Actress Kim Zimmer is 57. Actor Michael T. Weiss is 50. Actor-comedian Adam Ferrara is 46. Rock musician Robert DeLeo (Army of Anyone; Stone Temple Pilots) is 46. Actress Jennifer Westfeldt is 42. Rock musician Ben Mize is 41. Rapper T-Mo is 40. Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur is 39. Actress Lori Beth Denberg is 36. Singer Shakira is 35. Country singer Blaine Larsen is 26.

Thought for Today: "Mistakes are the portals of discovery." - James Joyce (1882-1941).

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Philadelphia 98 Chicago 82

Orlando 109 Washington 103

New Jersey 99 Detroit 96

Boston 100 Toronto 64

Indiana 109 Minnesota 99

Milwaukee 105 Miami 97

Oklahoma City 95 Dallas 86

Phoenix 120 New Orleans 103

San Antonio 99 Houston 91

Portland 112 Charlotte 68

L-A Clippers 107 Utah 105

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2OT N-Y Rangers 1 Buffalo 0 (SO N.Y. Rangers 2-1)

Toronto 1 Pittsburgh 0

Florida 4 Washington 2

Dallas 6 Anaheim 2

Los Angeles 3 Columbus 2

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

( 6) Baylor 63 Texas A&M 60

( 8) Kansas 84 Oklahoma 62

(11) UNLV 82 Colorado St. 63

(13) Creighton 102 Illinois St. 74

(14) Georgetown 58 UConn 44

(17) San Diego St. 58 Boise St. 56

(23) Michigan 68 (20) Indiana 56

(21) Florida St. 68 Georgia Tech 54

TOP-25 WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

( 1) Baylor 71 Missouri 41

(18) Texas A&M 67 (25) Texas Tech 55

SOUTH DAKOTA SCOREBOARD

Women's College Basketball

Morningside 68, Dakota Wesleyan  58

Men's College Basketball

Morningside 81, Dakota Wesleyan  59

Rod Fisher, Brian Oakland,
Darren Boyle, Andy Shoe,
& Pat Morrison give you their opinion on local, state, and national sports. Click Here!

Thursday:            Oral Roberts at SDSU Men's College Basketball 7:00 pm 6:30 pm Pre-Game

Friday:                 Pierre at Mitchell High School Wrestling 7:30 pm 7:10 pm Pre-Game

Saturday:             Southern Utah at SDSU Women's College Basketball 5:00 pm 4:30 pm Pre-

Monday:              Watertown at Pierre High School Wrestling 7:00 pm 6:40 pm Pre-Game

Tuesday:              Aberdeen Central at Pierre Girls Basketball 7:30 pm 7:05 pm Pre-Game

Saturday:           Sioux Falls O'Gorman at Pierre Girls Basketball 7:30 pm 7:00 pm Pre-Game

Tuesday:            Pierre at Aberdeen Central Boys Basketball 7:30 pm 7:00 pm Pre-Game

Thursday:          Todd County at Chamberlain Girls Basketball 7:30 pm 7:15 pm Pre-Game

Saturday:           Highmore Classic Girls/Boys Basketball

                         Highmore-Harrold vs. Iroquois 3:30 pm 3:15 pm

                         Highmore-Harrold vs. Kadoka 5:00 pm

                         Chamberlain vs. Jones County 6:30 pm

                         Lower Brule vs. Jones County 8:00 pm

Tuesday:            Chamberlain at Crow Creek Boys Basketball 8:00 pm 7:40 pm Pre-Game

Thursday:          Hoven Edmunds Central at Herreid Selby Boys Basketball 8:00 pm 7:45 pm Pre-

Tuesday:           Sully Buttes at Herreid Selby Boys Basketball 8:00 pm 7:45 pm Pre-Game

Tuesday:           Mobridge-Pollock at Standing Rock Boys Basketball 7:30 pm 7:20 pm Pre-Game

Friday:              Mobridge-Pollock at Chamberlain Girls/Boys Basketball DH 6:30 pm 6:20 pm Pre-Game

Find out what is on the minds of the Dakota Radio Group Sports guys. Take a look at the DRG Sports Blog and add your thoughts. Just log onto www.dakotaradiogroup.com and blog away!!!!

IN SPORTS TODAY:

BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State University head football coach John Stiegelmeier announced the signings of 18 high school and three junior college standouts to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, the first day of the national signing period.  Of the 18 signees, only two are from South Dakota.  They are defensive back Herman Kleinsasser of Sully Buttes and Nick Mears of Milbank.  Kleinsasser excelled both on the track and the football field at Sully Buttes High School. He was a two-time Class 9B all-state selection in football, earning honors as a special teams player in 2010 and a running back in 2011. He also was the runner-up for the 9B Mr. Football Award.  Mears was a finalist for South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year after a record-setting career as a quarterback at Milbank High School. He racked up more than 7,500 yards of total offense, throwing for 4,595 career yards with 58 touchdowns, while rushing for another 3,000 yards with 34 touchdowns.

VERMILLION, S.D. – University of South Dakota head football coach Joe Glenn announced Wednesday that 18 student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Coyote football team. USD's fifth NCAA Division I recruiting class will begin its South Dakota career during the 2012-13 academic year.  In addition to the 18 signees Wednesday, the Coyotes had three junior college signees who inked during the junior college signing period and three walk-ons who signed institutional letters of intent for a total of 24.  The class consists of student-athletes from 10 states including three from South Dakota.  They are tight end Jeremy Henderson from Rapid City St. Thomas More and linebackers Keyen Lage and Devon O'Farrell of Sioux Falls Washington.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Running backs Justin and Jason Greenway of Mitchell have both signed letters of intent to attend Augustana College next year and compete for the Vikings football program.  Yesterday was the first day of the spring signing period for NCAA institutions.  Jason Greenway was a three time All ESD performer and an All State selection last season.  Justin Greenway was a two time All ESD performer.  They are two of eight South Dakotans who signed with the Vikings.  The others are tight end Jason Bartcher of Hanson.  Running back Flynn Donnelin of Sioux Falls O'Gorman.  Defensive back Adam Juhl of O'Gorman.  Offensive lineman Chris Mathieu of Humboldt, tight end Sam Wallin of O'Gorman and defensive lineman Jake Weber of Rapid City. 

ABERDEEN, S.D. - Northern State head football coach Tom Dosch  announced the signing of 39 players to National Letters of Intent to enroll in classes and join the Wolves' football team for the 2012 season. The signing class includes four transfer students, including three who have already enrolled in classes at NSU and will go through spring drills and practice with the Wolves.  South Dakota players who have signed include linebacker Mike Anderson of Sioux Falls Roosvelt, defensive back Channing Barber and wide receiver Zach Barber of Dell Rapids.  Tight End Conner Doherty of Brookings.  Running back Taylor Houchin of Rapid City Central.  Defensive end Thad Johnson of Tri Valley.  Tight End Kody Kraft of Timber Lake.  Defensive Back Joe Parsley of Flandreau.  Offensive lineman Tyler Robel of Watertown.  Offensive Lineman Austin Schmitt of Rapid City St.Thomas More, defensive back Chad Stoterau, defensive back Matt Thorson of Groton, linebacker Adam Weiszhaar of Eureka-Bowdle and quarterback Taylor Zemlicka and wide reciever Tyson Zemlicka of Waverly-South Shore.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Adrian Peterson will still wear No. 28 for the Minnesota Vikings — for now.  The star running back said in a series of posts on his Twitter page on Wednesday that he balked at switching because he was told he would have to pay $1 million to buy out the unused inventory of the jerseys already produced with his current number.  The NFL says a player must apply to change his number by March of the year in which he wants to switch. The league is changing jersey manufacturers from Reebok to Nike this year. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says the number-switch policy hasn't yet been finalized for 2012.  Peterson said last week on Twitter he was pondering picking either No. 23 or No. 21.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Danny Granger scored 29 of his 36 points in the second half to help the Indiana Pacers blow by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 109-99, on Wednesday night.  Granger also grabbed seven rebounds and hit 5 of 8 from 3-point range, and Darren Collison thoroughly out-played Ricky Rubio with 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Pacers, who topped 100 points for just the second time this season.  Kevin Love had 21 points and 17 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who were completely overwhelmed by Indiana's size and Granger's offensive prowess.  Rubio had 10 points and six assists and Nikola Pekovic had 13 points and 12 boards.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Senior Matt Gatens scored 18 points and Iowa rallied to beat Minnesota 63-59 on Wednesday night and snap a three-game losing streak.  Devyn Marble added 12 points for the Hawkeyes, who overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half and closed the game on a 9-0 run.  Minnesota (16-7, 4-6) lost despite shooting 10 of 19 from 3-point range. Ralph Sampson III had 13 to lead the Gophers, who lost for just the second time in six games.

BROOKINGS, S.D. - The South Dakota State men's basketball team needs a victory tonight to stay int he running for the regular season Summit League championship.  The Jackrabbits host Summit League leader Oral Roberts at Frost Arena.  ORU leads the Jackrabbits by two games and owns a victory over SDSU this season.  Tip off is scheduled for 7 pm tonight.

ABERDEEN, S.D. -  Presentation College soon will become an independent member of NCAA Division III athletics. The Saints will be leaving the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference as soon as the current school year ends.  The Saints have had difficulty fielding complete teams at times and this fall had its men’s and women’s soccer programs suspended by the UMAC Council of Presidents because of insufficient roster sizes.  With its new independent status, Presentation will continue its current athletic offerings, including men’s and women’s soccer, and will still be eligible for postseason play. The minimum number of sports offered is dependent upon school enrollment and a minimum number of games are required for each sport.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Sioux Falls Stampede announced Wednesday night they have acquired NHL prospect goaltender Jay Williams and high school prep star forward Zach Stepan from the Waterloo Black Hawks in exchange for goaltender Stephon Williams.  season. The RedHawks are members of the CCHA and currently ranked #18 in the country. He recently participated in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Muskegon, MI and played on the same team as Stephon Williams.  Stepan is currently a senior at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota, one of the top prep hockey schools in the country.  Stepan leads the team in scoring with 55 points (18g, 37a) in 40 games while helping lead Shattuck-St. Mary's to a current record of 36-4-1. He will be placed on the Stampede's affiliate list.

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Augustana begins the 2012 season No. 8 in the preseason National  Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings released Wednesday.  The Vikings earned 262 points to move up five places from the final ranking last season.  California-San Diego is the top team in the poll with 400 points after earning the national title in 2011.  Fellow Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference-school Minnesota State checked in at No. 13 in the rankings.

 

PIERRE, S.D. - The Pierre Area Coaches Association (PACA) has selected it's Riggs High School Athlete of the Week for the week ending last Saturday.  And Lady Governor basketball player Sydney Palmer gets the nod from the Coaches.  Palmer was nominated by her head coach Lisa Bahe.  Sydney had 25 points and 8 rebounds in the win against Huron on Tuesday. She was 10-14 from the field and 4-6 from the free throw line; Sydney also had 19 points and 5 rebounds in a 50 - 44 win over Spearfish, including 7-10 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line.

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) - Longtime former South Dakota State baseball coach Erv Huether died Tuesday night. He was 93 and had been living in Brookings. Huether led the Jackrabbits from 1950-83, going 352-376-2 and winning six conference titles. The SDSU baseball field is named in his honor.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Trainer Angelo Dundee, a master motivator who worked the corner for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, died at age 90 yesterday. The genial Dundee was best known for being in Ali's corner for almost his entire career but he also was known by boxing insiders as an ambassador for the sport.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brandon Jennings scored 31 points, including three 3-pointers in a critical stretch of the fourth quarter, and Milwaukee beat Miami 105-97 for the Bucks' second win over the Heat this season. LeBron James scored a season-high 40 points, but it wasn't enough as the Heat had their five-game winning streak end.

DALLAS (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 33 points, Kevin Durant added 23 points and 13 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 95-86. James Harden had 10 points off the bench and Serge Ibaka anchored the Thunder defense with a career-high 10 blocked shots.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Steve Nash had a season-high 30 points and 10 assists, and the Phoenix Suns defeated the New Orleans Hornets, 120-103. Nash became the Suns' all-time assists leader with 6,522, surpassing Kevin Johnson's mark of 6,518.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hollis Thompson regained his shooting touch with 18 points, and 14th-ranked Georgetown clamped down on defense by holding Connecticut to season lows in scoring and shooting in a 58-44 victory. That's the Huskies' fourth straight loss.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The New York Giants had perfect attendance for their first Super Bowl practice in Indianapolis. Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, linebacker Jacquian Williams and receiver Hakeem Nicks all worked on a limited basis today, and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) and cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) also were limited.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Rob Gronkowski has missed his fourth straight practice with the New England Patriots with a high left ankle sprain. With only four days to go before the Super Bowl, the All-Pro tight end still hasn't worked out with his teammates in Indianapolis.

TORONTO (AP) - James Reimer stopped all 25 shots he faced and Clarke MacArthur scored in the third period to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0. The win gave the Maple Leafs a split of a home-and-home set and ends Pittsburgh's eight-game win streak.