Sentence Cut for Bruce-From 100 Years in Prison to 55 Years

A Pierre man had his prison time effectively cut in half at Tuesday’s resentencing on more than fifty counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  49-year-old Troy Bruce was originally ordered to spend 100 years in prison after a jury found him guilty in December of 2009 of 55 counts of Possession of Child Pornography.   His first trial in September 2009 ended in a mistrial after a law enforcer took the stand and discussed a subject that a judge had ruled was not allowable testimony.   At his sentencing in March of 2010, then-Circuit Court Judge Lori Wilbur gave Bruce ten years on each of the first ten counts he was charged with.  The sentences on the remaining counts were suspended.  The South Dakota Supreme Court overturned the punishment given to Bruce in April of last year.  Bruce’s conviction for possessing the child porn was upheld-but the justices said his sentence violated the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment because it was disproportionate to the crime.  That sent the case to be re-heard in a Pierre courtroom and after several delays; Bruce appeared Tuesday before Judge Mark Barnett. 

After Judge Barnett viewed seven minutes of a disc that represented some of the images confiscated from Bruce; he heard comments from a former forensic lab worker who testified during the trial and from one of Bruce’s former co-workers.  Bruce had worked as a registered nurse.

Bruce’s lawyer, Al Arendt compared his client’s sentence to those of others for similar crimes-saying that his research found that nobody was sentenced to more than 10-15 years.  He told the judge that Bruce has admitted that what he did was wrong and asked that leniency be shown for his client. 

Hughes County States Attorney Kelly Marnette said that the victimization of children doesn’t end after their images are captured-and instead it is perpetuated by people who consume the pornographic photos and videos.  She said that Bruce had lied to the jury, and fed a story to his lawyer and family that he had seen his former girlfriend on the computer that had been used to view the illegal images and in a safe where authorities found discs that held the porn. 

Bruce spoke briefly, saying that he was in denial and that he had been in a fight for his life during the court proceedings.  He admitted that he does need treatment and has some issues to work through. 

Judge Barnett spoke for several minutes about the case-saying that the state Supreme Court made it clear that he should give Bruce a lower sentence.  He stressed that he would not fault Bruce for exercising his rights to trial, but said that he lied in detail to the previous judge and the jury and could have been charged with perjury.  Barnett gave Bruce a one year sentence for each of the 55 counts-to be served consecutively.  He will be eligible for parole after he serves 25% of the term and was given credit for the 790 days he has been incarcerated so far.  Barnett reminded Bruce that even after he is out of prison, he will have to meet a number of conditions required of parolees and is to avoid any access of the internet.   

Arendt requested information from the judge on his client’s appeal rights and was told by Barnett that he has thirty days from the day the judgment is handed down to appeal the new sentence.

“What Makes a South Dakotan” to be Discussed Tomorrow at CHC

Tomorrow brings a unique discussion on the topic “What Makes a South Dakotan?”  The South Dakota State Historical Society will host a public gathering tomorrow evening at the Cultural Heritage Center and it will feature comments from a Wessington teacher.  Lana Dannenbring-Eichstadt, who is an instructor in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, will lead the discussion.  Thursday’s gathering in Pierre will be from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Similar civic reflection discussions are being held throughout the state by the South Dakota Humanities Council (SDHC) to encourage public discourse about who we are and what we are about here and now in South Dakota.   This year brings the 40^th anniversary of the SDHC and the council will use answers and perspectives collected from the statewide discussions in the fifth volume of the Council’s “South Dakota Stories” series to be released in September.  Anyone that would like to make a submission for the book can also do so online at www.sdhumanities.org/WhatMakesaSouthDakotan.htm.  

“AnswerLine” Now Open Offering Connection to Family and Consumer Science Questions

For years, South Dakotans relied on their local extension educator and publications in their offices to answer family and consumer science questions.   After October 21 of last year, there was a void for a time while local extension educators converted into Field Specialists and staff relocated to eight regional centers throughout the state.  Now that the extension transition is mostly complete, consumers today can have their food safety, cleaning tips, child development or balanced nutrition questions answered through a new service called “AnswerLine”.  “AnswerLine” connects consumers with Extension specialists, research-based information and resources.  It is a toll-free connection to family and consumer science specialists who can answer several different questions.  Call AnswerLine at 1-866-393-6336 or visit www.iGrow.org and click on the tools dashboard at the bottom of the page to find answers to your questions.

Pierre Man Appointed to Board of Military Affairs

(From the S.D. National Guard Public Affairs Office) Governor Dennis Daugaard has appointed Pierre resident Col. Larry Weiss (Ret.) to the Department of the Military’s Board of Military Affairs.  Weiss currently works part-time for South Dakota State University in the civil engineering department’s local transportation assistance program. He spent 37 years working for the S.D. Department of Transportation and retired as the chief engineer in 2002 and also served 37 years in the S.D. Army National Guard as an engineer officer-retiring at the rank of colonel in 1994.  In addition, Weiss served 12 years on the Pierre City Commission from 1997-2009.  Weiss succeeds Don Rounds of Pierre, who has been on the board since 2003.

Friday Brings National Wear Red Day for the AHA’s Go Red for Women Campaign

Some local citizens are encouraging fellow South Dakotans to take part in this Friday’s National Wear Red Day.  February brings the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign.  On February 3, people can wear some form of red; whether it is the association’s trademark red dress pin, a red neck tie, or bright red lipstick; in order to raise awareness for heart disease in women.   Meshanna Heckenlaible of Pierre says the day is a great way to remind women to take care of their hearts and be aware of symptoms that point to heart issues.

Heart disease symptoms in women can be different than for men.  The Mayo Clinic says women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain; like unusual fatigue, shortness of breath and neck, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort.  Heckenlaible knows first hand about heart issues; as she was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse. 

Heckenlaible is active in bringing attention to heart health-and helps organize the annual Heart Walk in Pierre.

Visit the website www.goredforwomen.org for more information on heart disease in women and more.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A defense witness for a man accused of killing a South Dakota prison guard during a failed escape attempt says the defendant was devastated by his brother's execution in Oklahoma in 2000. Forty-nine-year-old Rodney 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 at the South Dakota State Penitentiary. A judge is weighing whether Berget should be sentenced to death for the crime. Mary Baker, a paralegal for the Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office, testified that that the execution of Berget's brother, Roger, was a sad point in Rodney Berget's life. Thirty-nine-year-old Roger Berget was sentenced to die by lethal injection after pleading guilty to killing an Oklahoma man.

MADISON, S.D. (AP) - Dakota State University is holding classes as police continue to search a man involved in a fatal shooting near campus. The university was locked down following the shooting Tuesday night. But a school official says police have indicated there's "no foreseeable threat" to the campus. Madison residents have been urged to keep their doors locked while police look for the shooter. Many of the 6,500 residents kept their porch lights on overnight. Police have not yet identified the person who was killed or provided details of what happened a block from the Dakota State campus. They're looking for a man described as being in his 50s, wearing glasses and a ball cap. He may be driving a maroon, four-door sedan.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to two counts of simple assault for a barroom scuffle with South Dakota lawmakers. Mark Bardwell of Zimmerman, Minn., was sentenced to 15 days in jail in Pierre. Bardwell will serve another 15 days in a Minnesota jail, an arrangement made so he can take part in a work-release program and continue working as driver of a food delivery truck. Bardwell also will pay $840 in fines and court costs and another $150 in restitution to a lawmaker who was cut in the fight on Nov. 4 in a Fort Pierre motel bar. A groups of lawmakers said Bardwell briefly pulled out a knife, put it back in a sheath, and then tried to punch House Speaker Val Rausch. The lawmakers then subdued Bardwell.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Minnesota man charged with distributing methamphetamine in South Dakota has been sentenced to life in prison. Fifty-one-year-old Viengxay Chantharath of Worthington, Minn., was indicted in September for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. He was found guilty after a five-day trial. Chantharath was one of 17 people charged in the case. The U.S. attorney's office says 11 people have pleaded guilty, two await trial, two are fugitives and one awaits sentencing. Authorities say Chantharath traveled from Worthington to Sioux Falls on several occasions and distributed meth from local motels.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A measure seeking 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, Rep. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, 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.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - State legislators could see their terms extended if a resolution passed by the full House becomes law. The House Joint Resolution aims to amend South Dakota's constitution in favor of adding years to a legislative term. The bill says legislators couldn't serve more than six consecutive terms or 12 consecutive years in the Senate and more than six consecutive terms or 12 consecutive years in the House. The bill's prime sponsor, Republican Rep. Jim Bolin of Canton, says lawmakers need more than eight years to gain the experience they need to be effective lawmakers. But Republican Rep. Stace Nelson of R-Fulton says he "couldn't disagree more," citing concerns that longer terms would "establish power that is not meant to be." The resolution passed 43 to 26.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The Senate Judiciary committee has passed an amended bill that would grant limited immunity from arrest for underage drinkers. The bill pertains only to cases in which the caller is intoxicated at the time of seeking law enforcement help and waits for an officer to arrive. The bill's prime sponsor, Sen. Larry Tidemann, a Republican from Brookings, says the aim is not to protect all underage consumption but deter teenagers who decide to leave a sick friend on the street because they fear being cited for underage drinking. Dick Tieszen, lobbyist with the South Dakota Sheriffs Association, says the bill excuses binge drinking and puts a precedent for other cases in which people could get immunity for calling 911. The panel voted 6 to 1.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A big jump in a monthly survey index suggests more economic growth is ahead for nine Midwest and Plains states. The Business Conditions Index rose to 55.9 in January, compared with 50.0 in December. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the December report suggested the region's economy was slowing down because of debt concerns in Europe and the lukewarm U.S. economy. But he says it appears now that December's "tepid reading was due to seasonal or nonrecurring factors." The survey uses a collection of indexes ranging from zero to100. Goss says that any score above 50 suggests growth while a score below 50 suggests decline for that factor. The survey of supply managers covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

DENVER (AP) - U.S. Forest Service officials say the mountain pine beetle epidemic in Colorado and southern Wyoming is slowing, as insects have largely depleted the large pine trees they attack. Susan Gray is assistant director for forest health projects. She said Tuesday that a 2011 aerial survey showed about 4.6 million acres in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota have been affected since the first signs of the outbreak in 1996, up from about 4.3 million in 2010.The increase includes 140,000 more acres infested in Colorado, 68,000 more acres in Wyoming and about 23,000 more acres in South Dakota. The Forest Service spent about $32 million in fiscal 2011 removing dead trees that threatened to fall along 275 miles of roads, 162 miles of trails and about 12,000 acres in the region.

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The president of the South Dakota Board of Regents says declining state support and rising tuition and fees could put college out of the reach of many students in the future. Kathryn Johnson is head of the appointed board that runs the six state-run universities. She says students now can afford to attend the schools and repay student loans. But she says university officials are worried that rising tuition and fees could reach the point where graduates will not earn enough to pay off those loans. Johnson and other university officials on Tuesday met with the Legislature's Joint Appropriations Committee, which is putting together the state budget for next year. Gov. Dennis Daugaard's budget proposal would spend a total of nearly $800 million next year on higher education.

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota city of Brookings is getting a cheese plant.Chicago-based Bel Brands USA plans to begin construction this summer on its third cheese plant in the U.S. Bel Brands says it will invest about $100 million in the plant. It will employ 200 people initially and could mean up to 400 jobs within three years of opening in 2013. Officials say the plant also will boost the dairy industry, requiring milk from about 13,000cows each day to make Mini Baybel cheese. Gov. Dennis Daugaard says he's "thrilled." Bel Brands USA is a subsidiary of Paris-based Fromageries Bel, which has plants in 22 countries. The other two U.S. plants are in Kentucky and Wisconsin. The company also considered Iowa, Idaho and Michigan for its new plant.

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - The state's 56th annual One-Act Play Festival kicks off Thursday morning in Aberdeen. The three-day event sponsored by the South Dakota High School Activities Association is the state tournament for high school drama. This year's installment at Northern State University's Johnson Fine Arts Center will bring together 43 of the best South Dakota high school theater productions in a festival setting. Each school performs a play for the public and a panel of three judges. All performances are free to the public, and new performances will begin about every 45 minutes. Fourteen Class A schools will present plays that are serious in nature, and 14 Class B school will put on humorous performances. Class AA school plays may be either serious or humorous.

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) - A grand jury has cleared a Minnesota state trooper who fatally show a woman as she tried to flee a traffic stop last September. Prosecutors say the grand jury decided Trooper David Kalinoff was forced to shoot 48-year-old Debra Doree to save his own life. Doree was killed after a traffic stop on westbound Interstate 94 near Oakdale.

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (AP) - Family members of a Minnesota couple missing in the Italian cruise ship disaster say they accept the decision to end the search. The children of Jerry and Barbara Heil of White Bear Lake said in a blog posting yesterday that they are "certainly disheartened to hear the news" but understand.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Groups supporting a constitutional ban on gay marriage in Minnesota say they've raised more than $1.2 million to persuade voters to approve the ballot measure in November. Minnesota for Marriage, the main coalition backing the amendment, says it raised $830,000 last year and recruited more than 10,000 volunteers.
 

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) - President Barack Obama says the nation's housing crisis is damaging not only the U.S. economy, but also what it means to be middle class in America. Obama says that while government alone can't fix the problem, Congress must do what it can to help struggling homeowners. He's outlining a proposal to allow millions more homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower interest rates even if they owe more than their homes are worth. The White House says the average borrower could save about $3,000 annually.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - The nation's top elected Republican official is dismissing concerns that the bitter tone of the party's presidential nominating fight will hurt the eventual GOP nominee. House Speaker John Boehner says it's a process that "will resolve itself." Mitt Romney, who defeated Newt Gingrich in Florida yesterday by 14 points, says the primary battles could be preparing Republicans for "what will come down the road."

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's state Senate has passed right-to-work legislation, putting the state in position to be the first in a decade to enact a law prohibiting labor contracts that require workers to pay union representation fees. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he will sign it. Supporters say it creates a pro-business climate. Foes say it leads to lower wages and poorer-quality jobs.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pope Benedict is offering "heartfelt condolences" over the death of U.S. Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, who died in his sleep last night at the age of 88. He was criticized but never charged by two grand juries investigating child sex abuse allegations in the Roman Catholic Church. The cardinal retired in 2003.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Authorities in Florida now say 11 people were killed in the deadly pileup on Interstate 75 early Sunday morning. They say the body of an additional victim has been found inside a pickup truck that crashed into a tractor trailer. The driver and another passenger in the pickup haven't been identified.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Engineers in New Mexico say they've invented a bullet that can direct itself to a target like a tiny guided missile. A TV station (KRQE) quotes engineers at Sandia National Laboratories as saying the bullet can twist and turn to guide itself toward a point, with direction from a laser. Officials say it can make up to 30 corrections per second. One engineer says the bullets would work well with military machine guns.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The creator of the long-running TV dance show "Soul Train" is dead of what police are describing as a suicide. They say Don Cornelius shot himself to death this morning at his Los Angeles home. He was 75. "Soul Train" began in 1970 in Chicago as a local program and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A classified report says the Taliban believe they'll return to power after the U.S.-led coalition finishes its combat role in Afghanistan in 2014. But NATO officials warn the information comes from a summary of the interrogation of thousands of insurgent prisoners, not from intelligence analysis.

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Rescue helicopters are airlifting supplies and evacuating dozens of people from snow-covered villages in Serbia and Bosnia. The death toll from Eastern Europe's severe cold spell has risen to 79. Temperatures have dropped below 26degrees in some regions, causing power outages, school closures and a traffic mess on roads.

GENEVA (AP) - The head of the International Air Transport Association says business conditions will remain tough in 2012 and it's called for political measures to cut bureaucracy for airlines. The IATA says passenger demand grew 5.9 percent last year but airlines increased their available seats by 6.3 percent, meaning average loads declined slightly. The cargo market contracted 0.7 percent.

BRUSSELS (AP) - A NATO official says a military summary based on thousands of prisoner interrogations suggests a very optimistic Taliban. It shows that the insurgents believe they are poised to return to power after NATO leaves Afghanistan. Meanwhile, theTaliban deny reports that they are planning to send representatives to meet with Afghan government officials in Saudi Arabia.

BEIRUT (AP) - Activists say there have been a number of deaths in new battles between Syrian troops and army dissidents in an area near the border with Lebanon. The Local Coordination Committees group says 12 people died in the fighting including five rebels from the group known as the Free Syrian Army.

LONDON (AP) - It's one last chance today for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to duck extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning on sex crimes allegations. His lawyer argued a principle dating back to the Byzantine period in questioning whether the Swedish prosecutor has the authority to issue an arrest warrant. She argued arrest warrants are traditionally a judge's domain.

NEW YORK (AP) - Call it the "second-screen" Super Bowl. About two-thirds of smartphone and tablet owners use their gadgets to do things like text or post on Twitter while watching TV, according to research firm Nielsen. So, for Sunday's game, companies from Coke to Chevy are trying to reach fans on all the "second screens" they have. Chevrolet rolled out the first Super Bowl smartphone app that allows Big Game watchers to win prizes. Kia is the first to show its Super Bowl ad ahead of the game in movie theaters. And Coca Cola set up a Facebook page and website so viewers can see its animated polar bears - one cheering for the New England Patriots and the other for the New York Giants - reacting to the game in real time.

CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago zoo is mounting a campaign to stop a company from airing a Super Bowl commercial Sunday featuring mischievous suit-and-tie wearing chimpanzees playing tricks on their human co-worker, saying all that monkey business proves deadly for the endangered species. Lincoln Park Zoo officials fear images of the frolicking chimps broadcast worldwide do little to help conservation efforts, inaccurately portraying the animals as unthreatened and even as cuddly and harmless pets.

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) - The Hershey Company says it will invest $10 million in Ivory Coast to reduce child labor and improve the cocoa supply in the West African nation. Spokesman Andy McCormick says the measure will bring higher productivity for farmers and will increase supply to meet the demand of a growing middle class in countries like China and India. Ivory Coast produces 35 percent of the world's cocoa. Combined with coffee, the cocoa sector accounts for 15 percent of GDP. Cocoa production hit a record 1.48 million tons in 2010 despite a political crisis. UNICEF estimates 600,000 children work on cocoa farms in Ivory Coast and that 35,000 are victims of trafficking.

DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler says its January sales in the U.S. rose 44 percent over a year ago on gains from its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands. The increase is a sign that U.S. car sales started 2012 on a strong note, continuing their brisk pace from late last year. Chrysler says it was the company's best January tally in four years. Sales of the Chrysler brand led the way with an 81 percent increase. Chrysler 200 sedan sales were eight times higher than a year ago. The company is the first automaker to report sales on Wednesday. Auto sales began a slow recovery late last year.

NEW YORK (AP) - Investors were looking for more in quarterly financial results coming from Amazon.com. Even though consumers spent more online this past holiday season than ever, Amazon's quarterly numbers failed to keep Wall Street happy. The company's revenue fell nearly $1 billion short of Wall Street's expectations, even as it grew 35 percent from a year earlier. The quarter included Amazon's headline-grabbing November launch of the Kindle Fire, its answer to Apple's iPad. Net income also fell sharply and guidance for the current quarter was disappointing.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Users of the file-sharing website Megaupload who feared their data could be deleted as early as Thursday have a reprieve after a nonprofit group stepped in at the eleventh hour. The Electronic Frontier Foundation announced Wednesday that it's partnering with data-storage providers Carpathia Hosting to create www.megaretrieval.com to help lawful U.S. users of Megaupload retrieve their data. Last month, U.S. prosecutors shut down the Megaupload site and charged seven men with racketeering, claiming Megaupload facilitated millions of illegal downloads of movies, music and other content. A letter filed in the case Friday by prosecutors said Carpathia and another storage company, Cogent Communications Group, could begin deleting data as early as Thursday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Pfizer is recalling 1 million packets of birth control pills after uncovering a packaging error that could leave women with an inadequate dose of the hormone-based drugs and raise the risk that they will get pregnant accidentally. The problem affects 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets. Both products are manufactured by Pfizer and marketed in the U.S. by Akrimax Rx Products.
 

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - It's chowda versus cheesecake in the Super Bowl. The governors of New York and Massachusetts are getting into the action, with a friendly wager on the big game. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is putting up chips, pies and bowls of New England clam chowder. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is making his bet with bagels, yogurt and cheesecake. If the Giants lose Sunday's game, Cuomo will send 46 cases of New York-made yogurt, 46 dozen bagels from Manhattan's Ess-a-Bagel and 46 cheesecakes from Junior's in Brooklyn to a Massachusetts food bank. If the Patriots lose, Patrick will fork over 46 pies from The Pie Ladies in Centerville, 46 cases of chips made in Needham Heights and clam chowder from Boston-based Legal Seafoods.

CANFIELD, Ohio (AP) - If the Giants win the Super Bowl -- maybe they'll give some credit to the doughnuts. The Giants are getting six dozen blueberry doughnuts, courtesy of the mother-in-law of Giants center Jim Cordle. The doughnuts are a favorite in northeast Ohio. Cordle played his college ball at Ohio State. The doughnuts come from the White House Fruit Farm, owned by Debbie Pifer. Pifer tells WKBN-TV if the Giants win, maybe they'll autograph a doughnut box for her.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Forget about a good luck charm -- Patriots receiver Wes Welker has a good luck stache. He says someone messaged him on Twitter that New England hasn't lost a game as long as Welker has been sporting a mustache. So, he's letting his lip get hairy. Welker says he's going to "keep on rocking it." Sunday, the Patriots face the New York Giants in Indianapolis.

COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Joseph Bennett got a pleasant surprise with his Powerball ticket. The Covington, Kentucky, man matched the first five numbers in a recent Powerball drawing, but he didn't have the Powerball. Bennett wins the second-place prize, which he figured was 100-grand. But he wasn't aware that the jackpot for the second place had jumped to $1 million. The retiree says they'll pay bills and take their twin grandsons to Hawaii. The Kentucky Enquirer reports Bennett got a check for nearly $700,000 after taxes.

NEW YORK (AP) - Something's growing in the Bronx. New York police report finding an entire five-story building used as an urban marijuana factory. Detectives with the Bronx Narcotics squad say they got an anonymous tip about the indoor pot farm. Investigators checked utility records and found an unusually high rate of electric use. Detectives went in with a search warrant this week and busted three people. Police say the indoor farm produced more than 1,500 pounds of packaged pot.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - You just might catch E-T phoning home. Puerto Rico plans to build a hotel and a planetarium at the Arecibo Observatory. That's the giant radio telescope featured in movies like "Contact" and "GoldenEye." The $50 million project is aimed at attracting more visitors to the world's largest single-dish radio telescope. It's 1,000 feet across. Tourist dollars will help fund the research. The dish has even been used to transmit a message into space, in hopes of contacting alien civilizations.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Smithsonian Institution is honoring Clint Eastwood for his six decades of work in American film, and the actor and director is cutting the ribbon to open a new theater to showcase film at the National Museum of American History. On Wednesday, Eastwood will visit the museum to help dedicate the new Warner Bros. Theater as a new space to present the history of Hollywood. Warner Bros. Entertainment donated $5 million in 2010 to renovate the old Carmichael Auditorium into a modern theater with 3D projection capability. On Friday, the museum will open a three-day film festival to highlight the work of Humphrey Bogart with free screenings of "Casablanca," "The Maltese Falcon" and other films. The 81-year-old Eastwood will be awarded the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his distinguished contributions.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Salvation Army says it set a new fundraising record with its 2011 Red Kettle campaign during the holidays, raising $147.6 million across the nation. That record is a 3.4 percent increase over 2010's campaign amount of $142 million. The Red Kettle campaign is now 120 years old, dating its beginnings to 1891 on San Francisco's wharf. The donations support social services. Nearly a third of the total came from Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores, where bell ringers collected $41.5 million. Alexandria, Va.-based Salvation Army also offered new ways to give for those who don't carry cash. The charity partnered with the mobile credit card payment company Square and with Sprint to accept donations by cell phone in San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and New York.

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 1, the 32nd day of 2012. There are 334 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On Feb. 1, 1862, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," a poem by Julia Ward Howe, was published in the Atlantic Monthly.

On this date:
In 1790, the U.S. Supreme Court convened for the first time in New York. (However, since only three of the six justices were present, the court recessed until the next day.)
In 1861, Texas voted to leave the Union at a Secession Convention in Austin.
In 1922, in one of Hollywood's most enduring mysteries, movie director William Desmond Taylor was shot to death in his Los Angeles home; the killing has never been solved.
In 1942, the Voice of America broadcast its first program to Europe, relaying it through the facilities of the British Broadcasting Corp. in London.
In 1943, one of America's most highly decorated military units, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost exclusively of Japanese-Americans, was authorized.
In 1946, Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie was chosen to be the first secretary-general of the United Nations.
In 1960, four black college students began a sit-in protest at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., where they'd been refused service.
In 1962, the Ken Kesey novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was first published by Viking Press.
In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini received a tumultuous welcome in Tehran as he ended nearly 15 years of exile.
In 1982, "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC.
In 1991, 34 people were killed when an arriving USAir jetliner crashed atop a commuter plane on a runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
In 2003, the space shuttle Columbia broke up during re-entry, killing all seven of its crew members.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush responded to the collapse of Enron by proposing regulation reforms of 401(k) retirement plans. Justice Department investigators directed President Bush's staff to preserve the paper trail of any contact with Enron. Actress Winona Ryder was charged with four felony counts stemming from her shoplifting arrest at a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Ryder was later convicted of felony grand theft and vandalism, and received three years' probation.) The NCAA placed Alabama on five years' probation, jolting the program with a two-year bowl ban and heavy scholarship reductions.
Five years ago: The departing top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that improving security in Baghdad would take fewer than half as many extra troops as President George W. Bush had chosen to commit. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched anniversary celebrations for Iran's Islamic Revolution with a defiant promise to push ahead with the country's controversial nuclear program. Pulitzer Prize-winning opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti died in Monaco at age 95.
One year ago: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced he would not run for a new term in September elections but rejected protesters' demands he step down immediately and leave the country, vowing to die on Egypt's soil, after a dramatic day in which a quarter-million Egyptians staged their biggest protest to date calling on him to go.

Today's Birthdays: Gospel singer George Beverly Shea is 103. Actor Stuart Whitman is 84. Singer Don Everly is 75. Actor Garrett Morris is 75. Singer Ray Sawyer (Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show) is 75. Actor Sherman Hemsley is 74. Bluegrass singer Del McCoury is 73. Jazz musician Joe Sample is 73. TV personality-singer Joy Philbin is 71. Comedian Terry Jones is 70. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., is 68. Opera singer Carol Neblett is 66. Rock musician Mike Campbell (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) is 62. Blues singer-musician Sonny Landreth is 61. Actor-writer-producer Bill Mumy is 58. Rock singer Exene Cervenka is 56. Actor Linus Roache is 48. Princess Stephanie of Monaco is 47. Country musician Dwayne Dupuy (Ricochet) is 47. Actress Sherilyn Fenn is 47. Lisa Marie Presley is 44. Comedian-actor Pauly Shore is 44. Actor Brian Krause is 43. Jazz musician Joshua Redman is 43. Rock musician Patrick Wilson (Weezer) is 43. Actor Michael C. Hall is 41. Rock musician Ron Welty is 41. Rapper Big Boi (Outkast) is 37.Country singer Julie Roberts is 33. Actor Jarrett Lennon is 30. TV personality Lauren Conrad is 26.

Thought for Today: "Facts and truth really don't have much to do with each other." - William Faulkner, American novelist and poet (1897-1962).

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Atlanta 100 Toronto 77

Boston 93 Cleveland 90

Indiana 106 New Jersey 99

New York 113 Detroit 86

OT Memphis 100 Denver 97

L-A Lakers 106 Charlotte 73

Golden State 93 Sacramento 90

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2OT New Jersey 4 N-Y Rangers 3 (SO New Jersey 1-0)

N-Y Islanders 5 Carolina 2

Boston 4 Ottawa 3

2OT Pittsburgh 5 Toronto 4 (SO Pittsburgh 1-0)

2OT Winnipeg 2 Philadelphia 1 (SO Winnipeg 1-0)

Buffalo 3 Montreal 1

OT Tampa Bay 4 Washington 3

Nashville 5 Minnesota 4

Anaheim 4 Phoenix 1

Detroit 3 Calgary 1

Edmonton 3 Colorado 2

OT Vancouver 3 Chicago 2

San Jose 6 Columbus 0

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

( 1) Kentucky 69 Tennessee 44

( 5) North Carolina 68 Wake Forest 53

Illinois 42 ( 9) Michigan St. 41

(15) Marquette 66 Seton Hall 59

(16) Virginia 65 Clemson 61

(19) Wisconsin 52 Penn St. 46

Arkansas 82 (25) Vanderbilt 74

TOP-25 WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

( 2) Notre Dame 71 (13) Rutgers 41

DePaul 86 (14) Louisville 61

SOUTH DAKOTA SCOREBOARD

Men's College Basketball

Dakota St. 67, Mt. Marty 49

Mn.-Morris 81, Presentation 71

Women's College Basketball

Mt. Marty 62, Dakota St. 37

Mn.-Morris 83, Presentation 46

High School Basketball

Boys

Bennett County 63, Kadoka Area 42

Britton-Hecla 58, Wilmot 49

Brookings 65, Huron 51

Centerville 82, Alcester-Hudson 60

Chamberlain 51, Platte-Geddes 47

Cheyenne-Eagle Butte 86, Red Cloud 68

Clark/Willow Lake 81, Howard 39

Corsica/Stickney 50, South Central 39

Dell Rapids 79, Canton 43

Deubrook 60, Deuel 44

Elk Point-Jefferson 72, Harrisburg 48

Eureka/Bowdle 74, Faulkton 29

Flandreau 84, Colman-Egan 51

Flandreau Indian 65, Elkton-Lake Benton 50

Garretson 63, Baltic 47

Grant-Deuel 64, Waubay 44

Great Plains Lutheran 79, Lake Preston 41

Hamlin 80, Arlington 78

Hettinger/Scranton, N.D. 73, McIntosh-Isabel 41

Hot Springs 79, Little Wound 74

Irene-Wakonda 80, Dell Rapids St. Mary 44

James Valley Christian 62, Hitchcock-Tulare 45

Kimball/White Lake 73, Colome 42

Langford 82, Florence/Henry 41

Lyman 62, Gregory 37

Madison 58, Lennox 50

Marty Indian 83, Freeman Academy 42

Mt. Vernon 53, Bridgewater-Emery 42

Parker 66, Chester 43

Pierre 54, Mitchell 51

Pine Ridge 79, St. Francis Indian 35

Rapid City Christian 51, Edgemont 46

Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 79, Mitchell Christian 62

Sioux Falls Christian 62, Orange City Unity Christian, Iowa 52

Sioux Falls Lincoln 58, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 45

Sioux Falls O'Gorman 68, Sioux City North, Iowa 53

Sioux Falls Washington 65, Sioux City East, Iowa 60

Spearfish 85, Lead-Deadwood 41

Sully Buttes 57, Jones County 42

Sunshine Bible Academy 71, Highmore-Harrold 40

Todd County 70, Stanley County 37

Vermillion 63, Beresford 56

Viborg/Hurley 58, Canistota 37

Warner 60, Aberdeen Christian 48

Wessington Springs 67, Iroquois 34

Winner 75, Ainsworth, Neb. 32

Wolsey-Wessington 73, Northwestern Area 31

Girls

Bridgewater-Emery 52, Mt. Vernon 25

Canton 55, Dell Rapids 47

Castlewood 49, DeSmet 31

Centerville 76, Alcester-Hudson 49

Clark/Willow Lake 74, Howard 40

Corsica/Stickney 39, South Central 28

Dupree 78, Tiospaye Topa 6

Edgemont 44, Rapid City Christian 28

Elkton-Lake Benton 88, Flandreau Indian 44

Ethan 54, Tripp-Delmont/Armour 31

Eureka/Bowdle 66, Faulkton 32

Faith 72, Philip 30

Freeman Academy 73, Marty Indian 31

Hanson 73, Dakota Christian 42

Hitchcock-Tulare 46, James Valley Christian 45

Huron 47, Brookings 45

Lake Preston 56, Great Plains Lutheran 52

Milbank 49, Lac qui Parle Valley, Minn. 36

Miller 56, Aberdeen Roncalli 54, OT

Mitchell 48, Pierre 27

Newell 63, Bison 26

Parkston 58, McCook Central/Montrose 39

Pine Ridge 65, St. Francis Indian 54

Platte-Geddes 47, Chamberlain 42

Rapid City Stevens 68, Douglas 29

Rosholt 53, Lidgerwood, N.D. 48

Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 64, Mitchell Christian 37

Sioux City North, Iowa 61, Dakota Valley 52

Sioux Falls Christian 59, Orange City Unity Christian, Iowa 47

Spearfish 69, Lead-Deadwood 40

St. Thomas More 78, Belle Fourche 29

Sully Buttes 65, Jones County 36

Summit 87, Ipswich 30

Todd County 68, Stanley County 38

Tri-Valley 43, West Central 34

Vermillion 57, Beresford 40

Warner 64, Aberdeen Christian 30

Waubay 48, Grant-Deuel 30

Waverly-South Shore 44, Webster 35

Wessington Springs 43, Iroquois 8

High School Wrestling

Flandreau Quadrangular

Deuel 45, Sioux Valley 18

Flandreau 53, Deuel 27

Flandreau 60, Sioux Valley 18

Pipestone, Minn. 49, Flandreau 17

Pipestone, Minn. 72, Deuel 11

Pipestone, Minn. 84, Sioux Valley 0

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-Game

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-Game

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:

PIERRE, S.D. - The Pierre Governor boys basketball team knocked off Mitchell for the second time this season last night at Riggs High Gym.  The 4th ranked Govs outlasted the top rated Kernals 54-51 behind Zach Hanson's 25 points.  Hanson, who also had 5 rebounds was the only double figure scorer for the Governors.  Pierre wiped out a 9 point deficit in the second quarter by going a 14-0 run and took a 30-28 lead into the half.  Pierre never led by more than 5 in the second half.  Mitchell had a chance to tie the game but could not get off a 3 point attempt at the buzzer.  The Govs improved to 12-3 on the season while the Kernals fall to 12-2 with both of their losses coming to Pierre.

MITCHELL, S.D. - The Pierre Lady Governor basketball team held with the top ranked Mitchell Kernals in the first half last night at the Corn Palace, but the Kernals grabbed control of the game in the second half and recorded a 48-27 win over Pierre last night in an ESD Conference game in Mitchell.  Kerri Young led the Kernals with 15 points and 6 rebounds.  Macy Miller added 10.  The Lady Govs were led by Kristi Livermont with 8 points.  Kaitliyn Severyn finished with a game high 9 rebounds.  Pierre struggled from the field again shooting just 12 of 36 from the field.  Pierre fell to 3 and 12 on the season while the Kernals improve to 13-1.

MISSION, S.D. - Todd County rolled to a 70-37 win over Stanley County in a boys basketball game last night in Mission.  Todd County jumped out a 27-9 first quarter lead and never looked back.  Brady Washashek led Stanley County with 11 points.  Kevin Anderson had 9 points and 10 rebounds as the Buffalos fell to 5 and 8 on the season.

MISSION, S.D. - Todd County downed Stanley County 68-38 in girls basketball last night in Mission.  Lane Halligan scored 35 points to lead Todd County while Tori Deal led the Lady Buffalos with 19.  The Lady Buffalos trailed 24-21 at the half but could not stop Todd County in the second half to fall to 2 and 11 on the season.

BROOKINGS, S.D. - South Dakota State women’s home game with North Dakota State on Feb. 18 has been moved from 5 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Jackrabbit men open the day against Buffalo at noon in the BracketBusters airing live on ESPNU. All season tickets and previously purchased game tickets will be honored. To buy tickets for the doubleheader, call 1-866-Go Jacks (465-2257) or log on to GoJack.com/tickets. ... A total of 1,500 tickets remain for the South Dakota vs. SDSU men’s game at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the DakotaDome in Vermillion. It will be the teams’ first meeting in Vermillion since the 2003-04 season. For tickets, call 677-5959 or visit the USD Ticket Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota has reached the halfway point of the Big Ten season with plenty of momentum.  The question for the Gophers is whether they can keep it going and get back to the NCAA tournament despite the loss of star Trevor Mbakwe and four straight losses to start conference play.  Coach Tubby Smith was asked Tuesday about his team's identity. He says it boils down to poise. That was evident down the stretch in Saturday's overtime win over Illinois, and the freshmen and sophomores have been more productive in crucial situations than the upperclassmen.  Minnesota plays at Iowa on Wednesday, an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss to the Hawkeyes.

PIERRE, S.D. - This Saturday's scheduled Brookings JV Invitational Wrestling tournament that the Pierre Governor JV wrestling squad will be taking part in has been moved to Brandon due to the ESD Gymnastics meet being held in Brookings.  The wrestling tournament is scheduled to begin at 10 am in Brandon.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Mike Fisher scored two of Nashville's three goals in the last 3½ minutes and the Predators stunned the Minnesota Wild 5-4 on Tuesday night for their fifth straight victory.  Dany Heatley's first two-goal game for Minnesota was wasted when the Wild squandered a 4-1 lead they held until the halfway mark of the third period. Brandon Yip's first goal for Nashville since being picked up on waivers brought the Predators within two after a replay review reversed a dead-puck call on the ice.  Patric Hornqvist scored his team-leading 15th goal after taking three whacks at a loose puck at the edge of the net with David Legwand distracting goalie Josh Harding during a scrum in the crease. Fisher scored 21 seconds later.

DAYTON, Ohio - After forcing overtime with three late goals, including the equalizer with 35 seconds left in regulation, the Rapid City Rush took advantage of the ejection of Dayton Gems starting goaltender Larry Sterling in the first round of the shootout to down the Gems 4-3 in a wild finish at Dayton’s Hara Arena.  The Rush played without top scorer Jesse Schultz for the fourth straight game and without center Les Reaney, who suffered a lower-body injury against Bloomington on Saturday.  Rush goaltender Danny Battochio stopped 27-of-30 shots through the overtime and 3-of-4 in the shootout.
 

MITCHELL, S.D. - Dakota Wesleyan’s men’s soccer coach Jeremy Tosaya announced Monday afternoon that brothers Tyson and Travis Moodie will join the team next fall. The Pierre natives bring the Tigers recruiting class up to nine, including five recruits from in state. The brothers will join high school teammate Michael Hardwick on the Tigers’ roster. Tyson was the Governors team captain the last two years. The midfielder/goalie was nominated to the all-state team in 2010. Travis played midfielder for the Governors. Both also competed in track at Riggs High School.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The fourth annual Great Plains Golf Expo is set for Feb. 25-26 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.  More than 70 exhibitors will be on hand covering all aspects of golf: equipment, courses, getaways, wellness and more. There will be Best Putter, Long Drive and Closest to the Pin contests as well.  Admission is $7 at the door, $6 online, $5 in advance at Austad’s, and kids 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit The First Tee of South Dakota.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 25 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26.  For more information, contact Wade Merry at 338-7499 or visit GreatPlainsGolfExpo.com.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — New England tight end Rob Gronkowski says he's working hard to heal his high ankle sprain in time for the Super Bowl against the Giants Sunday. Patriots tackles Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer skipped media day Tuesday with illnesses according to coach Bill Belichick.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Colts quarterback Peyton Manning says that he has no plans to retire at this time as he continues to battle back from neck problems that kept him sidelined for the entire 2011 season. The four-time league MVP told reporters he continues to make progress from three neck surgeries and that doctors are encouraged by his progress.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers has named longtime assistant Kyle Flood as new head football coach, replacing Greg Schiano who left to become coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 41-year old Flood gets his first head coaching job after serving as an assistant with the Scarlet Knights since 2005.

TORONTO (AP) — Joe Johnson continues to torment Toronto, scoring 30 points in three quarter in Atlanta's 100-77 win over the Raptors. Johnson has averaged 30 points in the last four games against Toronto.

BOSTON (AP) — Paul Pierce had 20 points and Ray Allen chipped in with 12 in the third quarter as Boston held on to edge Cleveland 93-90. The Celtics led by 22 points in the third quarter before the Cavaliers staged a comeback that came up just short.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Brandon Paul hit the go ahead free throw as part of his 18 points to help Illinois knock off No. 9 Michigan State 42-41. The Illini only managed to shoot 32.6 percent for the game, while the Spartans hit on just 24.1 percent of their shots.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Top-ranked Kentucky hit its first 11 shots of the game and went on to roll past Tennessee 69-44. Freshman Anthony Davis had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 blocked shots to help the Wildcats improve to 22-1.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Evgeni Malkin scored the tying goal with six seconds left in regulation and netted the only goal of the shootout to give Pittsburgh a 5-4 win over Toronto. The Penguins staged a furious rally to overcome a 4-1 deficit in the final period.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby says he's been diagnosed with a soft-tissue injury in his neck that mimics the symptoms of a concussion but is significantly more treatable.   Crosby is hopeful that the situation will improve and he can get back to playing hockey. He hasn't played since symptoms resurfaced following a loss to Boston on Dec. 5.