4 Broadcaster Press June 20, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com First WNV Case Of Year Reported In Davison County PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Health reminds South Dakotans to get in the habit of using mosquito repellent as the state’s first human West Nile virus (WNV) case of the year has been detected in Davison County in the 60-69 age group. “Most people who contract West Nile virus, about 70-80 percent, don’t get sick but those who do can be severely ill,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the department. “While typical symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and rash, in severe cases WNV can invade the brain and spinal cord leading to stiff neck, confusion, paralysis, coma and even death.” Kightlinger said South Dakota has a disproportionately high number of WNV cases and he encouraged residents to reduce their risk with the following precautions: •Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535) to clothes and exposed skin. Limit exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves in the evening. •Limit time outdoors from dusk to dawn when Culex mosquitoes, the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota, are most active. •Get rid of standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed. Regularly change water in bird baths, outside pet dishes, and drain water from flower pots and garden containers. •Support local mosquito control efforts. These precautions are especially important for people at high risk for WNV – those over 50, pregnant women, transplant patients, individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure, and those with a history of alcohol abuse. People with severe or unusual headaches should see their physicians. Since its first human WNV case in 2002, the state has reported 2,359 human cases, including 745 hospitalizations and 38 deaths. Every county has reported cases. Visit the department’s website at westnile.sd.gov for more information about WNV. Preventing and controlling infectious disease is one objective of the Department of Health’s 20152020 strategic plan, http://doh.sd.gov/strategicplan. More Bang for Your Buck! 10,800 copies distributed with 27,000 readers per issue and now in a larger, reader-friendly format! Call 624-4429 to get your ad in! Romsdahl’s Repair & Remodel Carpentry, Decks, Interior & Exterior Painting, Refinishing, Drywall, & Ceramic Tile 18 Years in Business Free Estimates 605-670-2161 Soldiers Deliver Timber To Support Reservation Communities By Spc. Rebecca Glidden 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment CUSTER, S.D. - For 10 years, the timber haul humanitarian mission has been an important part of the Golden Coyote training exercise. The mission provides National Guard and Reserve Soldiers an opportunity to gain valuable training experience and provide a service to Native American tribal communities throughout South Dakota. That support continues this year as units transport timber to the Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Standing Rock, Cheyenne River and Crow Creek Reservations from June 12-20. "It's amazing to be able to help the Native American reservations and the state of South Dakota," said Sgt. Mitchell May, team leader, 137th Transportation Company, Kansas National Guard. "Back home, I'm turning a wrench or fixing someone's car, but here I'm doing an even bigger job and it makes you feel a part of something." Members of the South Dakota National Guard's 200th Engineer Company used hydraulic excavators to load timber onto trucks to be transported by exercise units serving with the 821st Transportation Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve. Hauling lumber is an opportunity for the Soldiers to train for their state and federal missions. "In a real-life scenario, hauling lumber is a big thing," said May. "We are the National Guard and natural disasters are a big part of our job. We could be hauling anything from lumber to water, medical equipment, and even ammunition when we are overseas. This is really beneficial for our unit's readiness." For these Soldiers, the timber haul required them to drive on unfamiliar roads in a convoy to complete their missions at four different sites on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations. The timber helps provide residents with wood for heating, construction, and ceremonial purposes. "We make good use of the wood for building arbors for our pow wows, but mainly for firewood," said Ivis Long Visitor, who works for the Oglala Sioux Tribe District Service Center. "This makes it easier for our people to keep warm during the wintertime." The timber transported to the Native American communities not only benefits the residents, but also provides a unique training opportunity for many units. "Overall, this is a real-life experience for a great cause," said Capt. Michael Van Horn, commander of the 1138th Transportation Company, Missouri National Guard. "It's beneficial to work with other units and get to take our trucks off-road. We don't have anything like this in Missouri, it is great for building the skills of our drivers." Being A Dad Temporary Grant Means You’re Program Offers Part Of A Team $1,500 to First-Time Buyers By Sen. John Thune No one ever said that being a dad was easy. I don’t think it’s supposed to be either. From my perspective, being a father to Brittany and Larissa is probably both South Dakota Housing and Development Authority the toughest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had. has released a new but temporary grant program that And it’s been worth every single minute, which now offers $1,500 towards first-time buyers’ closing costs. looking back, they all seem to have flown past me and Qualifying buyers need to make less than 80% of the Kimberley over the years. Area Median Income for their county and be using an The only thing more important to me than being a SDHDA conventional mortgage as a part of their firstfather is that I’m the best one I can be – that I show time buyer program. These new grant funds may be up, listen, and love my kids unconditionally. I learned used in addition to SDHDA’s Fixed Rate Plus gift proa lot about what it takes to be great dad by watching gram. Participating loans must be closed on or before my own father. In fact, it’s safe to say that I wouldn’t December 31st, 2017.. be the man and father I am today without his wisdom, “This is a great program for new buyers,” says Sylstrength, and tenacity to always put his family first. via Selgestad, counselor with the Center for Financial He was a busy guy, just like everyone else in Murdo Resources (CFR). “These funds could, in effect, reduce who worked hard to raise a family and make ends out of pocket closing costs, increase down payment, meet. But he was never too busy to spend time with or even be used to buy down the interest rate on the us kids. He was always up for throwing a ball back and mortgage, saving the buyers money in the long run. forth in our yard, taking us fishing, and attending our And as a grant, it’s free money.” afterschool sporting events. He even put a basketball In addition to the above requirements, buyers must hoop up in the backyard. Sure, it was a dirt court, but also complete free home buyer education and receive there was a light above the hoop, which meant we the HERO Certificate. As a HERO partner, CFR offers could shoot baskets well after the sun went down. monthly classes in person and by video conference or Sports was kind of a metaphor for how we lived our one-on-one classes with CFR counselors. Class sched- lives. Dad and mom were the coaches, and my siblings ules and registration information are available on their and I were all on the team. My parents instilled in us website at www.LssSD.org. the importance of being a part of that team and that Lutheran Social Services is a private non-profit you should always have your teammates’ backs. I social service agency. Last year, 52,001 lives were remember my dad, in particular, was always willing to touched through a variety of services offered through have those tough down-by-five, get-your-head-in-theLSS statewide. Core services offered by LSS include game-type chats with us, but no matter the outcome, adoption, pregnancy counseling, foster care, kinship he was always proud of what we’d achieved. He still is services, childcare & education, disaster response, today. mental health counseling, Fatherhood & Re-entry When I became a “coach” to Brittany and Larissa Services, Center for Financial Resources, residential and my dad took a seat in the bleachers, I relied on services for children & youth, alternatives to detenmany of his parenting techniques. Throughout our tion, independent living services for young adults, journey, Kimberly, Brittany, Larissa, and I have had mentoring, Better Together and Center for New Ameri- a lot of good days together – and a few tough ones cans. LSS serves people of all ages, races, faiths and every now and then. But looking back, I only hope that economic levels with professional, confidential and I’ve made my girls half as proud of me as I am of the affordable services. LSS services are licensed by the women they’ve become. State of South Dakota and accredited by the Council Now that Brittany and Larissa are both mothers, on Accreditation. LSS is a UnitedxWay |agency. Font Size: 30 ptretired myself to the bleachers with my dad. We’re 3.5” 2.5” Maximum I’ve still part of the game, don’t get me wrong. But rather than holding a clipboard and whistle, we’ll be snacking on popcorn as we cheer and support our team, which with God’s Curt Robinson Financial blessing has continued to Curt Robinson Advisor Patrick M Higgins Financial 23 Market Street Advisor Financial Advisor grow over the years. Vermillion, SD 57069 23 Market Street 23 Market Street 605-624-2028 With Father’s Day right Vermillion, SD 57069 Vermillion, SD 57069 www.edwardjones.com 605-624-2028 605-624-2028 around the corner, I want www.edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.com to wish the happiest of Father’s Days to my dad Harold, my sons-in-law Luke Member SIPC and Scott, and all of the other dads across South Dakota who, as President Reagan once said, “serve as models and guides for their sons and daughters • From $864 per person and help to pass on to the • 5 nights hotel • From $995 per person next generation the herit• Roundtrip airfare • 4 nights hotel age of our civilization.” from Sioux Falls Have 403(b) Invest in your questions? Let’s talk. retirement. Banking at Your Fingertips . 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