4 Broadcaster Press May 5, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com A DAY LIFE OF... in the Clay County Game Warden By Sarah Wetzel For the Plain Talk Tony Stokely began work as the Clay County Game Warden in 2002, having spent the majority of his career in Clark County. Stokely said he works out of his Elk Point office and covers mainly Clay and Union counties. So what exactly does a game warden do?” “Enforce laws, Investigate violations, Apprehend violators and issue citations/fines/ warnings, Conduct surveillance, Patrol assigned areas/ regions/state, and Coordinate and oversee educational programs for the public,” Stokely said. Some educational programs include visiting schools and presenting ‘critter crates’. “What this involves is having furs from a bunch of different animals and letting the kids handle the furs as we talk about the specific animal characteristics, size, where we find it etc.,” Stokely said. Other programs include open houses where the Game, Fish and Parks Department staff answers the public’s questions and hunting safety classes for kids. But wait, there’s more. “Also Assist wildlife management efforts to include fisheries and land management on public and private ground, Partner with other law enforcement agencies, Conduct search and rescue operations, Write incident reports, warrants, and testify in court, Collect and process evidence, and Investigate and collect data on wildlife.” Sounds like Stokely has his work cut out for him. According to Stokely, it’s hard to know what his workday will look like when he arrives. “I can’t express enough that there is not a routine,” he said. “As a law enforcement officer you never know what to expect. I’m not sure that any Conservation/ Law Enforcement Officer has a daily routine. “One thing we try to do is respond to emails and phone calls to assist the public,” Stokely said. “Phone calls range anywhere from a simple wildlife question, to assisting other law enforcement agencies. Depending on what the phone call is, will formulate our daily work for that day.” Stokely said another thing that determines the workday activities is the time of year and his priorities at the moment. “For example, if it is summer time, we will look at patrolling the water in the area for boating safety or fishermen,” he said. “In the Fall, we may work the local area during hunting season or, many times, patrol in other counties. We do have our reports that need to be done consistently. It is not uncommon for all the law enforcement agencies to assist each other while out in the county.” The varying duties make for a challenge according to Stokely. “The toughest part of the job is trying to be prepared for the unexpected as a law enforcement officer,” he said. “Also managing work time with family time.” Though challenging, the unexpected nature of the work is also Stokely’s favorite part. “I like meeting and helping people and hardly having a daily routine,” he said. “Every day is different.” Though Stokely works with five other officers in the district, he pointed out that anyone in the community can help them out. “The community can help by keeping an eye out for each other,” he said. “It’s a big world out there and any assistance we can help each other with will go a long way.” To contact Stokely, visit the Elk Point office located in the Elk Point Athletic Club on Main St. or call 605-356-9491. WHEEL FROM PAGE 3 “I can also swirl the hula and one foot on the unicycle hoop on my arm while i’m and just step on,” she said. riding,” she said. “I was try“Grab the fence and just try ing to go backwards. That’s to move your feet forward a about it. I just hold onto the little bit. If you fall try to fall fence and try to back up.” backwards and land on your In future years, Ella hopes feet. Grab your unicycle and she improves enough to do try again.” more impressive stunts. Unicycling and bicycling “My unicycle teacher set actually have a lot of simiup obstacle courses and larities according to Ella. they had to doTell them you saw itthe same because it like rolling “It’s in the across beams and jumping you have to learn how to over things,” she said. “I’d control the pedals,” she said. like to be able to do that. I “It requires balance for both tried juggling before with of them. On the bike you two pinecones. It didn’t work have to learn how to control out too well.” the handlebars. On the uniLike most great ideas, Ella cycle you have to learn how said her tricks usually begin to have your hands free.” as mere accidents. Ella shared a message www.broadcasteronline.com thinks they “Usually it’s because I to anyone who mess up and I think that could never unicycle. would be a cool trick so I try “If you put your mind on it,” she said. “I might be on it then you can do it,” she my unicycle and do a really said. “It’s quite easy after sharp turn and then i’ll do it you practice a lot.” again and just keep practicAside from unicycling, ing it. Once you practice a Ella enjoys rollerblading, 201 W. lot it gets really easy.” Cherry, Vermillionart, reading, sewing, cooking, Ella shared her steps of and writing. She also plays learning to unicycle. the violin and wants to be a www.broadcasteronline.com “Get in the corner and put veterinarian when she grows your arms around the fence up. Broadcaster! Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 624-4429 SARAH WETZEL / FOR THE PLAIN TALK Ella, 10, has learned that as far as unicycling goes a lot of practice goes a long way. efficient than if she had learned by herself. “I probably would have fallen off a lot more,” she said. “I probably wouldn’t do like they told me to get on and fall off safely.” Since moving to Vermillion, Ella has acquired her own unicycle which she regularly practices and continues to learn new tricks including riding forward and through a hula hoop. Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! 624-4429 Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! is proud to host award-winning writer and journalist Paula Bosco Damon in our Artists & Authors series on Wednesday, May 6th @ 7 P.M. Free and open to the public. 18 Church St • Vermillion 677-7060 vermillionpubliclibrary.org for more information 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion 624-4429 www.broadcasteronline.com Don’s Dust Control • Horse Arenas • Private Drives • Unpaved Roads • Elevator Access • Free Estimates 605-491-2133 Please Recycle DSU awards Katrenak Champion Scholarship Adam Katrenak, a senior at Irene-Wakonda High School from Vermillion, was recently awarded the DSU Champion Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to high achieving students based on ACT scores and high school GPA. Adam will be attending Dakota State University in Madison, S.D. in the fall to pursue a degree in information systems. Beacom’s MBA Rated One Of World’s Top The Beacom School of Business at the University of South Dakota has one of the world’s best online MBA programs, according to the QS Distance Online MBA ranking. QS Distance Online Ranking looks at numerous MBA programs around the world and ranks only 25 of them. Selection focuses on 18 indicators including quality of students and faculty, diversity, completion rates, employability of students upon graduation, and the overall MBA experience. The methodology employed by QS Distance Online MBA Ranking put USD’s online MBA 23rd globally. USD’s program was one of 12 online programs from the United States to achieve global ranking by QS. “Our online MBA consistently receives the highest rankings from rating agencies,” said Venky Venkatachalam, dean of the Beacom School of Business. “This global ranking truly reflects the high value our program delivers – highquality learning experiences at a very affordable cost.” The full QS Distance Online MBA Ranking 2015 can be viewed at www.TopMBA.com/onlineMBA. Calling-All-Coyotes Auction Tops $267,000 SIOUX FALLS —The second annual Calling-All-Coyotes auction held Friday evening at the Sioux Falls Convention Center raised more than $267,000 which will help support South Dakota student-athletes. The night included silent and live auctions, live music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres and dinner. More than 500 people attended the event, which included many South Dakota student-athletes, coaches and staff members. “This night represents everything that is great about the University of South Dakota, our student-athletes and our supporters,” said USD Associate Athletic Director Jon Schemmel. “This is such an exciting time for Coyote athletics and we were all able to celebrate student-athlete accomplishments and the future of this program together. “Thank you to our sponsors, Howling Pack Board and Auction Committee for making this night possible. Our development staff, which includes Chris Kassin, Erica Schilling, Elliot Powell and Torie Buberl, is the best and deserves all the credit for preparing and operating such a wonderful event.” LIBRARY BOARD OPENING The City of Vermillion has one term expiring on the Vermillion Public Library Advisory Board in May. The term of appointment is for three years. If interested, please complete an Expression of Interest form available on the City’s website or at City Hall. Completed Expression of Interest forms are due in the City Manager’s office by noon, Thursday, May 14, 2015. It is anticipated that City Council will make an appointment at their May 18, 2015 meeting. Kocher plays at Gayville Jamboree Saturday Gayville Hall presents its monthly musical variety show, “The Hay Country Jamboree,” at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, in Gayville. Vermillion saxophonist C.J. Kocher and Sioux City pianist Terry Brooks join Jamboree regulars, including country music hosts John and Susan McNeill, guitarist and singer Nick Schwebach, and bassist and singer Larry Rohrer, for a lively, two-hour show. Jamborees always feature three-or-more musical acts on stage together trading classic American popular songs, country, and other styles of popular music, as well as humor, by turn. The fast-paced shows include a short intermission midway and are presented in an alcohol-free, family-friendly setting. Gayville Hall is at 502 Washington Street in Gayville, 14 miles west of Vermillion. Call (605) 267-2859 for ticket information. SDCF Awards Grant Program The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) awarded $137,250 to 14 South Dakota nonprofits through its Community Innovation Grant program. Offered in partnership with the Bush Foundation, the Community Innovation Grant program supports efforts to find breakthrough solutions to community challenges across the state. These Community Innovation Grant recipients were selected during the first grant round of 2015. TONY KRONAIZL Electrical Contractor (605)661-6897 • tonykronaizl@yahoo.com RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL Farmstead Wiring • Trenching Southeast South Dakota Pheasant Association would like to extend a BIG Thank You! to everyone who to everyonewho contributed to our contributed to our banquet April 18 at banquet on April 5th,that the Oldthe Eagles. Lumber Company 100% of the proceeds stay local! NOTICE TO IRRIGATORS The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reminds irrigators to check their center pivots to ensure they are operating properly and are adjusted to spray only upon land authorized for irrigation by their water permit. “It is important that irrigators do everything they can to avoid over spraying onto nearby roads or neighboring properties,” said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner. “Irrigation overspray can damage roadways, lead to unsafe driving conditions, and impact neighbors.” A water right holder is not allowed to waste water or operate an irrigation system in violation of state water law, which includes spraying water on land not covered by the water permit. Irrigation systems and especially end guns must be consistently checked to make sure it is not applying water to where it is not allowed. Irrigators who fail to prevent overspray can be subject to fines or required to appear before the Water Management Board for possible suspension of their right to irrigate. South Dakota has nearly 5,200 active irrigation permits authorizing irrigation of up to 865,000 acres. Don’t get left out in the rain! The Broadcaster has all the deals you need to keep you high and dry! 624-4429 broadcasteronline.com