Broadcaster Press 3 January 8, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Gov. Daugaard Announces More Than $44.4 Million For Environmental Projects PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard says the state Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved more than $44.4 million for water, wastewater, recycling and solid waste projects. The board met today over the Digital Dakota Network. The $44,462,400 total includes $648,400 in grants and over $43.8 million in lowinterest loans, with $1,145,000 in principal forgiveness. The grants and loans awarded by the board are administered through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “I am pleased to announce that this financial assistance is available,” said Gov. Daugaard. “These grant and loan awards will result in upgraded wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, wood waste removal, more recycling opportunities, local training and enhanced protection of the environment.” Grants were awarded to: •Hot Springs, $17,500 grant for wood waste processing. •Irene, $6,000 to purchase a recycling trailer. •Sioux Falls, $283,000 to purchase wood waste processing equipment. •Solid Waste Management Association, $41,000 to host landfill operations training. Loans were awarded to: •Pierre, $36,850,000 loan to construct and develop a surface water intake and build a drinking water treatment plant. •Mitchell, $4,621,000 loan for storm water, sanitary sewer, and drinking water system improvements in the east central drainage basin and to install nonpoint source best management practices in the Firesteel Creek watershed. •Chamberlain, $300,000 for water meter replacement. •Crooks, $348,000 loan amendment for sanitary and storm sewer improvements. A loan with principal forgiveness was awarded to: •Tulare, $1,395,000 loan, with $1,145,000 in principal forgiveness, for water system improvements. A grant and loan package was awarded to: •Tri-county Landfill Association, $600,000 to purchase a landfill compactor, which includes a $300,000 grant and $300,000 loan. The grants and loans were awarded from DENR’s Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program and Solid Waste Management Program. The Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, funded in part by revenues from the Petroleum Release Compensation Tank Inspection fee and the sale of lotto tickets, provides grants and loans for water, wastewater and wa- tershed projects. The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans for public drinking water system projects. The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans for wastewater, storm water, water conservation, and nonpoint source projects. Principal forgiveness is a subsidy option that results in a reduced loan repayment amount for the borrower. The Solid Waste Management Program provides grants and loans for solid waste disposal, recycling and waste tire projects. The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated water and waste funding for the Consolidated and Solid Waste programs through the Governor’s Omnibus Water Funding Bill. Rounds Secures Committee Assignments Illegally Dumped Snow Causing Problems For 116th Congress WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has announced that he will maintain his membership on four key committee assignments in the 116th Congress: • Senate Armed Services • Veterans’ Affairs • Environment and Public Works (EPW) • Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Rounds stated: “I look forward to working on these committees, each of which focuses on issues that are important to South Dakotans. We have many accomplishments to be proud of so far, and I look forward to building on those successes in the 116th Congress. “Throughout my time serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, we’ve strengthened Ellsworth’s role as a vital component of our long-term national defense strategy, bolstered defense funding and improved our nation’s cybersecurity. “Our men and women in uniform have made incredible sacrifices to protect the homeland and keep us safe. We owe it to our veterans to keep the promises we’ve made PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds the public and commercial snow removal operators that it is illegal to place or dump excess snow on highway right of way, which includes driving surfaces, shoulders and ditches. “The recent snowstorm across South Dakota has deposited a large amount of snow in some areas,” said Kristi Sandal, public information officer. “The space within the right of way needs to be reserved for future snow that may fall on the road. If the department’s plow operators do not have a place to put that snow, it severely hampers their ability to clear roadways.” Violation of the anti-dumping law is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with a penalty of up to one year in jail, $2,000 in fines, or both. It is the policy of the SDDOT to remove snow that has been illegally piled within the highway right of way that may be a safety hazard. In addition, violators will be billed for the costs of removing illegally dumped snow. “Piling snow in the state highway right of way can be very dangerous,” says Sandal. “Snow piles can restrict sight distance, as well as present an extreme hazard if a vehicle leaves the roadway. Snow piles that remain adjacent to the road may cause additional drifting and visibility problems posing more safety hazards to travelers, as well as additional expenses for manpower and equipment to remove the illegally dumped snow.” Property owners and access users are reminded it is their responsibility to remove snow from the ends of driveways and around their own mailboxes. Leidholt. “We must improve our systems to prevent crime The department asks landowners and commercial and strengthen parole, re-entry, and rehabilitation programs snow-removal operators to keep excess snow on private while respecting every taxpayer dollar. I’m grateful for property or haul it to legal dumping sites. this opportunity to continue serving the people of South Dakota.” Leidholt has served in law enforcement since 1975, and is currently the Hughes County Sheriff – a post he has held for 24 years. Throughout his career, Leidholt has pioneered efforts to bring the D.A.R.E. program to South Dakota and has led the state in bringing awareness to challenges facing Check Out The Broadcaster 201 W Cherry Vermillion Indian Country and mental health across the state. Help Wanted Section! 624-4429 them. As a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, we will continue to hold the VA accountable and we are committed to getting our veterans the care they deserve. “The Senate EPW Committee has important oversight jurisdiction over the EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers and surface transportation infrastructure. As a member of this committee, my priorities include holding the Corps accountable for the decisions it makes along the Missouri River, assuring the EPA lives up to its legal obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and rebuilding our nation’s roads and bridges. “Making certain that South Dakota families and business owners have access to credit when they need it has been a top priority of mine while working on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. Last year, we were able to enact the first major overhaul of our financial system since Dodd-Frank, providing muchneeded regulatory relief to our smaller and midsized banks so they can focus on serving their customers. We’ll continue to seek ways to roll back burdensome regulations in the 116th Congress.” Noem To Appoint Hughes County Sheriff To Cabinet Seat PIERRE, S.D. – Governor-elect Kristi Noem today announced that Sheriff Michael Leidholt will join her administration as Secretary of the Department of Corrections. “It’s essential we create an environment in which both families and growing businesses can feel safe to call South Dakota home,” said Noem. “I’m thrilled to work with Sheriff Leidholt to expand correctional options in our state, keep victims at the center of our criminal justice system, and reduce the likelihood of repeat offenders. Together, we’ll work to create a stronger, safer South Dakota.” “I’m honored to serve with Governor-elect Noem as we tackle problems within our correctional operations,” said Find the right job for you! Affordable Care Act: What You Need To Know To Enroll Through The Health Insurance Marketplace By Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, is a comprehensive health care reform that provides rights and protections for consumers. The goals of the ACA are: •Make affordable health insurance available to more people. •Expand the Medicare program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the Federal poverty level. •Support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the cost of health care. The ACA provides options for individuals, families, small employers, and their employees to enroll in health care coverage. Protections are in place to cover consumers with preexisting conditions/illnesses. Health Insurance Marketplaces were established through the ACA to provide qualifying health coverage. Through the Marketplace consumers complete a streamlined application to determine their qualification for coverage under different health care plans. The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Qualified Health Plans (QHP) occurs November 1st – December 15th. During that time, consumers can change their coverage or enroll for the first time. Consumers who Snap Up a Deal in the Classifieds Call or go online to browse, buy or sell! bp Since 1934 Broadcaster Press 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion 605-624-4429 • www.broadcasteronline.com experience certain life events are eligible to make a change to their QHP during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). If you miss the OEP you will have to wait until the next enrollment period unless you qualify for SEP. Consumer Protections Under the ACA Qualified consumers are able to: •Get affordable health coverage regardless of preexisting conditions. •Access health coverage through the Marketplace in their state. •Keep existing health coverage for young adults under a parent’s health plan. •Receive certain preventative services included in their health coverage without cost sharing. Cost Saving Options through the Health Insurance Marketplace The Marketplace allows consumers to determine if they qualify for tax credit subsidies to save money on their monthly insurance premium. The amount of a subsidy is based on tax household size, gross annual taxable income for everyone in the household, age, county of residence, an whether there are smokers in the household. Consumer can review plans and prices before enrolling. To enroll, visit healthcare.gov to create an account and complete the application. For assistance, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. A local insurance agent and Certified Application Counselors at Community Health Centers can assist with enrollment. Courtesy Notice: January 10th, 2019 • 6:30 p.m. Union County Highway building in Spink, SD Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A report about the annual Farm Show that will be held in the DakotaDome last week. A story about the formation of a Courthouse, Jail and Law Enforcement Facility Planning Committee, which has been given the task to explore what to do with the aging Clay County Courthouse, the county jail and the Public Safety Center that is shared by the city and county. The committee held its first meeting Thursday night. A story about the challenges that may await Vermillion native Paul Erickson, the boyfriend of Russian agent Maria Butina. She was taken into custody last July and pleaded guilty last month to conspiring with a Russian official and someone else described as “U.S. Person 1.” According to reports by major news organizations, Erickson is U.S. Person 1 and may face charges similar to those brought against Butina. And if you want to see: A report about a seminar concerning weather trends and how they affect area crops. The seminar was presented Jan. 3 at the Dakota Farm Show in Vermillion. A story about the inevitable arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer in southeast South Dakota. John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Specialist, gave advice during a Thursday seminar on what to look for, how to properly dispose of ash trees affected by the borer and which trees to plant in their place during an afternoon seminar at the Dakota Farm Show in Vermillion Jan. 3. Coverage of the clash between the basketball teams of the University of South Dakota Coyotes and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The women’s and men’s teams from the two rival schools played in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion Jan. 6. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Brule and Spink Townships joint follow up meeting regarding vacating a section of 315th Street as previously discussed at the December 6th, 2018 meeting. Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. Gregg Hanson, Brule Township Clerk Lori Johnson, Spink Township Clerk 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695