February 26, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com 14 Broadcaster Press Illegally Dumped Snow Causing Problems PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Transportation is reminding 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 state has seen some significant snowfall the last few weeks and more snow is expected the next few days,” said Kristi Sandal, public information officer. “The space within the right of way needs to be reserved for future snowfall so the department’s plow operators have a place to put that snow. If the ditches are full from snow dumped by private and commercial entities, it severely hampers the department’s ability to clear roadways and make them safe for travel.” 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 SDDA Announces The 2019 Wildfire Awareness Month Coloring Contest Rapid City, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Wildland highway right of way that may be a safety Fire Division is calling all hazard. In addition, violators will be billed kids, ages 3-12, to showcase for the costs of removing illegally dumped their artistic abilities in this snow. year’s Wildfire Awareness “Piling snow in the state highway right Month Coloring Contest. of way can actually be very dangerous for Wildfire Awareness Month motorists,” says Sandal. “Snow piles can will take place again in May restrict sight distance and they pose an in the State of South Dakota. extreme hazard if a vehicle leaves the roadThis year’s entries will way. Snow piles that remain adjacent to the reflect the theme “Smokey road may cause additional drifting and visBear’s 75 Birthday Celebraibility problems posing more safety hazards tion”. Kids living in South to travelers, as well as additional expenses Dakota are eligible to for manpower and equipment to remove the participate. All entries must illegally dumped snow.” be postmarked by April 19, Property owners and access users are 2019. Only one entry per reminded it is their responsibility to remove child is allowed and submitsnow from the ends of driveways and ted coloring sheets must be around their own mailboxes. completed by the child with The department asks landowners and no outside assistance. Each commercial snow-removal operators to entry must include a comkeep excess snow on private property or pleted entry form. Paint, haul it to legal dumping sites. markers, crayons or colored pencils are mediums that may be used. Noem Signs Six Bills Into Law Governor Kristi Noem signed the following pieces of legislation Feb. 19: •HB1010 – An act to recodify, to make certain form and style changes, to clarify, and to repeal certain provisions related to the South Dakota Retirement System •HB1027 – An act to revise certain provisions regarding vote centers and precinct workers •HB1064 – An act to authorize temporary appointments to the State Government Accountability Board •HB1098 – An act to revise provisions regarding publication of official ballots in a legal newspaper •HB1121 – An act to The contest will have two age brackets with a prize awarded to each group. •Group 1 (Ages 3-7) Contestants submit the official “Birthday Cake” coloring sheet. •Group 2 (Ages 8-12) Contestants submit the official “Birthday Sign” coloring sheet. A large Smokey Bear plush toy will be awarded to the contest winners in each category on or before May 10, 2019. Coloring sheets will not be returned. The coloring sheets may be downloaded and printed from the South Dakota Wildfire Awareness Month website at this link: https:// www.sdwildfireawareness. com/ All submissions must be mailed/delivered to: South Dakota Wildland Fire Division Attn: Casey Warren 3305 West South Street Rapid City, SD 57702 For more information, contact Casey Warren at 605.390.2619 or email casey. warren@state.sd.us. South Dakota Wildland Fire Division can be found on Facebook by searching SD Wildland Fire and on Twitter @SDWildlandFire. Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit them online at sdda.sd.gov or find them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you don’t get the word out about your business, no one else will!!! repeal certain provisions regarding health inspections of food service establishments •SB22 – An act to place certain substances on the controlled substances schedule and to declare an emergency Climate Outlook Predicts Cool Temperatures Will Linger into Spring BROOKINGS, S.D. – The unusually cold temperatures that have held their grip over South Dakota are expected to continue into March, according to the latest climate outlook released February 21, 2019. “Following an exceptional cold snap in January, temperatures throughout the state have remained 8 to 20 degrees below average, setting several single day records, with some areas of the state on track to rank February 2019 the coldest on record,” said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. Edwards said the cold climate pattern is likely to continue into early or mid-March at least. “This pattern tilts the odds towards colder than average temperatures overall for the month ahead,” Edwards said, pointing to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center’s outlook for March 2019. Below average temperatures, above average snowfall After a relatively warm and dry start to the winter season, several small snowstorms have accumulated snow on the ground throughout February. “Many locations across the state have already measured more snow than they receive in an average year. To date, snowfall approaching 50 inches in some northern and northeastern areas,” Edwards said. Despite the wet weather pattern that has defined February, looking ahead to March, there is some uncertainty in the outlook. “There is some indication that in early March this wet pattern will subside and turn drier. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of confidence in the latter part of the month. As a result, there are equal chances for wetter, drier or near average precipitation,” Edwards explained. Flood potential this spring Looking to spring, Edwards said many are concerned by flood potential. “The southeastern part of the state is holding a lot of moisture from 2018 in the soils, sitting in fields and ditches. Even if we experienced average winter precipitation, this region of the state is likely to flood again this spring when snowpack melts,” Edwards said. In the northeast and east central regions of the state, measurements show 4 to 8-inches of moisture currently held in the snowpack. Ideally, Edwards said temperatures above freezing in the daytime and below freezing at night would allow snow to melt and ground to thaw gradually. “However, the longer we hold onto cold temperatures, the more likely these ideal conditions will not occur. It is more likely that we will have a rapid warm up when spring temperatures do arrive, which suggests much of eastern South Dakota will see some minor to moderate flooding in the James, Vermilion and Big Sioux River Valleys.” The National Weather Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are keeping a close eye on snowpack conditions throughout the Missouri River system and will be issuing flood updates as the snowmelt season begins. Spring moisture is good news for those in western South Dakota who rely on snowmelt for pasture, range and forage production. “It is optimistic for a good start for grasses and forages to grow this grazing season,” Edwards said. “Snowmelt and rain can also help fill stock ponds as cattle are turned out to graze.” Currently no area of the state is experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions. Former Miss Rodeo South Dakota Credits 4-H By Lura Roti for SDSU Extension Riding around the arena displaying sponsor flags and presenting awards - what fans see of a rodeo queen’s job may look effortless. But, behind the scenes, rodeo queens Athlete Spotlight put a lot of hard work, horsemanship and public relations into the role, explains Kay Marrs, who recently handed off the title Miss Rodeo South Dakota. Reflecting on the year of service, Marrs says growing up on her family’s Whitewood ranch and experiences gained as a South Dakota 4-H member prepared her well. “Growing up on our ranch instilled in me a good work ethic, a willingness to pitch in and not be afraid to get a little dirty now and then,” Marrs says. “A lot of people don’t think being a rodeo queen is hard work. But the good queens are those who show up and help the stock contractor and crew in any way they can.” It was also on her family’s ranch that Marrs’ mom, Linda, taught her to ride. “Horsemanship is key. Queens need to know how to get on and ride a variety of horses because, unlike what most people think, we don’t take our own horse to rodeos. When we get to a rodeo, we need to be able to ride any horse the stock contractors or rodeo committees have for us,” she says. “I’m grateful my mom started me at a young age and taught me how to ride and introduced me to people who could help.” However, it wasn’t until she served as Jr. Miss Rodeo South Dakota in 2011, that she saw value in her mom insisting that in addition to the 4-H projects she enjoyed, like showing cattle and livestock judging, she also needed to compete in 4-H public presentations. Josh Bern Josh Bern is a sophomore on the Vermillion High School Bowling team/Yankton Bucks. He has a scoring average of 204 and recently shot an 803 series. His favorite part about the sport is competing with friends. Bern is also a member of the band and the golf team. Outside of school, he likes to travel and collect sports memorabilia. “I’m a big fan of the Minnesota Wild hockey team,” said Bern. He also enjoys reading, and his favorite subject is chemistry. - ROOFING - Asphalt Shingle - Steel - Flat - EPDM - SIDING - LP Smart - Cement - Vinyl - Stone - GUTTERS - Heavy Duty Seamless - Gutter Guard - EXTERIOR PAINTING - “I hated it at the time, but those public presentations made me comfortable speaking in public and talking to different people on a variety of subjects,” Marrs says. She explains that as a rodeo queen, she was in the public’s eye, speaking often about the sport of rodeo and agriculture, the industry behind the sport. “As a queen, you need to be able to articulate well and speak to a variety of people, from sponsors, rodeo committee members, stock contractors and announcers, to fans and media, doing radio or TV interviews,” she explains. Marrs joined 4-H as an 8-year-old. Both of her parents had been 4-H members. In fact, she joined the same Lawrence County 4-H club her dad, Paul, belonged to as a youth, Range Riders 4-H Club. As a 4-H member, Marrs gained leadership skills serving as a club officer and learned the value of goal setting. “When I started showing cattle, I wasn’t very good at it. I didn’t know how to show off an animal or fit it for show. So, I set a goal to change this. I found someone to help me fit my show cattle and asked them to teach me,” says Marrs. She eventually became the go-to family member her brothers and cousin relied to fit their cattle for shows. After serving as Jr. Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Marrs set a goal to run for Miss Rodeo South Dakota after college. In 2016, she graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in animal science and an agriculture business minor. Upon the completion of the 2018 Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant, Marrs went home with the title of Lady in Waiting and on January 6, 2018 she began her reign. From the start, Marrs says she was determined to be herself, understanding the important mentor role she accepted when she donned the crown. “I remember watching the rodeo queens when I was little, so I always considered my role as a mentor, even in the tiny things I did,” she explains. “And, I was always myself. Even though I won Miss Rodeo South Dakota, I’m not going to change who I am, to be who someone wants me to be. I’m going to be myself, because when I am myself, that is when I can be a servant leader. Also, it’s exhausting trying to be someone else.” Sherwin-Williams Pro • AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION REPAIR • PAINT • FRAMEWORK • GLASS REPLACEMENT STORM RESTORATION - HAIL OR WIND Certified Installation Experts Call Steve or Karl 605-595-7809 • Vermillion, SD HOURS: M-F 9AM-6PM SAT 9AM-12PM 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com