Broadcaster Press 5 March 12, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com SD Mines Seismometer Upgrade Regents Applaud Allows Geologists To Detect USD President On Free Speech Action Earthquakes Around The World RAPID CITY, SD (March 5, 2019) — On the afternoon of Jan. 5, 2019, the remote jungle of Acre, Brazil began to shake. The trees swayed, the ground moved up and down and animals scurried for cover. At 2:25 p.m. local time, the Seismological Observatory of the University of Brasilia registered a magnitude 6.8 (Mww) quake with an epicenter 55 miles west of Tarauaca, Brazil, and 204 miles east of Pucallpa, Peru with depth of 575 kilometers. Minutes later, a tiny device, inside a concrete bunker at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology registered the same earthquake–and an email alert is sent to the phone of Kevin Ward, Ph.D., assistant professor of geology and geological engineering at Mines. “I can see earthquakes around the world,” says Ward. The Mines seismographic bunker was built into the side of a hill behind campus in 1960. It includes a pillar of concrete that extends 25 feet into the ground the connects the bunker with the earth. For decades the seismometers in this bunker were part of the USGS Global Seismographic Network. But, as the university and the town of Rapid If You Read This... You Know Advertising Pays! Call the Broadcaster at 605-624-4429 or stop by to place your ad today! 201 West Cherry St Vermillion, SD City grew–the level of local noise and vibrations interfered with the older mechanical seismometers. These instruments are so sensitive to vibration they can pick up trains, cars, and even footsteps nearby. “I can see cars driving by and tell if they are going up or down the nearby hill,” says Ward. The seismographic bunker at Mines was abandoned in the mid 1990’s due to local noise interference. Today the USGS maintains a research grade seismometer in a remote part of the western Black Hills near the Wyoming boarder that is part of a global network of earthquake detectors. But when Ward came to Mines in 2018, he realized the potential of the old bunker as an education tool and location for a next generation seismometer. Ward purchased a small digital seismometer, it can fit in one hand. The instruments inside the clear plastic box include a computer and a geophone. This single seismometer replaces three rooms full of the old mechanical seismograph equipment. “Basically, you can buy these for a few hundred dollars. It’s something armatures can buy,” says Ward. The device that can track earth- quakes around the world and send data in real time. Special software can also be used to filter out background noise, like passing cars and trains–and watch for the unique signature made by a large earthquake happening somewhere on the planet. The Mines seismograph, along with others around the world are registered on the Raspberry Shake Network here. The SD Mines Museum of Geology is also installing a Raspberry Shake Seismometer that visitors can view first hand. The interactive exhibit will allow guests to jump up and down on the floor and see the waves they create in real-time. The Museum featured the new device in a post on their Facebook page here and officials plan to have the new exhibit up and running by mid-March. On top of this, Ward also brought in a new earthquake display monitor, now installed in the Mines Department of Geology and Geological Engineering. The system uses USGS Earthquake display data on a map that show the most recent earthquakes around the globe in real time. Noem Selects Seventh Circuit Judge Classifieds … A sure bet! Call 624-4429 Classifieds … A sure bet! 624-4429 Classifieds … Governor Kristi Noem today sure bet! 624-4429 from the University of South Juris Doctor A announced that Joshua Hendrickson will Dakota’s School of Law. serve as judge The Broadcaster for South Dakota’s Seventh Hendrickson has served as a prosecuJudicial Circuit. tor for the Pennington County State’s Classifieds … Office in Rapid City since 2003, “Josh is a respected attorney and a Attorney A sure bet! where he works on high level felony cases leader in his community,” said Noem. “I’m 624-4429 confident his commitment to service and The Broadcaster and victim-based crimes. In 2016, he justice will makeW. Cherry, Vermillion, SD was a recipient of the Victims Champion 201 him an excellent judge.” “I am truly honored to be selected to Award for his work on cases related to dothis position by Governor Noem,” said mestic violence. 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Call 624-4429 High School, Hendrickson attended the The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court University of Nebraska where he obtained covers Pennington, Custer, Fall River, and The Broadcaster Classifieds … a degree in anthropology as well as his Oglala Lakota counties. W. Cherry, 201 A sure bet! 624-4429 Vermillion, SD PIERRE, S.D. – Board of Regents’ President Kevin V. Schieffer today commended Sheila Gestring, president of the University of South Dakota, for her prompt and decisive action over the weekend to investigate whether the Board of Regents’ new Freedom of Expression policy was violated in connection with a “Hawaiian Day” event at the USD School of Law. “The board has made it very clear in policy that neither professors nor administrators can block or unduly interfere with free speech simply because some might find it offensive,” Schieffer said. “While it is important to conduct a careful investigation to ensure we understand all of the facts, it is also important to send a strong and prompt message that our freedom of expression policies will be enforced on the campuses. President Gestring has done that. We look forward to a full accounting of this case based on a record of factual findings rather than unsubstantiated reports.” Schieffer added that this case presents a good opportunity to articulate and test the robustness of the Board of Regents’ policy. “No one should be afraid to discuss all aspects of a controversial issue, including educators and administrators. But using administrative authority to inhibit free speech would cross a line that is clearly defined in our policy, and should not be tolerated,” he said. “We do no service to our students by indoctrinating them with ‘political correctness’ run amok,” Schieffer said. The board’s policy states that “it is the Board’s fundamental commitment to the principle [of Free Speech] that viewpoints may not be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the institutions’ community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed. Controversial speech and robust debate are expected and valued at the institutions.” Schieffer added that the board looks forward to a clear and comprehensive report from USD on whether any administrative or other official action involved in the USD incident violated free speech policy or not, along with supporting factual detail and applied policy determinations. “We need to know that all of our institutions are effectively communicating and enforcing free speech,” Schieffer said. “Regardless of the outcome, this case presents a good opportunity to make sure that happens.” What everyone is reading. www.broadcasteronline.com www.plaintalk.net Classifieds … A sure bet! Broadcaster 624-4429 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD • 624-4429 Regular Fairview Township Board of Supervisor Meeting Tuesday, March 26th at 7pm, Burbank Schoolhouse Angela Jackson, Clerk VERMILLION TOWNSHIP EQUALIZATION MEETING Monday, March 18 , 2019 7:00 PM th Clay County 4-H Center 515 High Street, Vermillion A written request to Appeal must be delivered to the Township Clerk by Thursday, March 14th, 2019. Request must include parcel number. Jackie Williams, Clerk 31536 Princeton Ave. Vermillion, SD 57069 You deliver. We deliver. EARN EXTRA CASH! Yankton routes now available. (Enjoy short early morning hours Monday–Saturday) 319 Walnut Street, Yankton, SD • www.yankton.net Call Steve at 605-665-7811 BRULE TOWNSHIP PROPERTY OWNERS The Board of Supervisors will meet as a Board of Equalization on Monday, March 18th, 2019, 5:30 p.m. at the Union County Shop in Spink, SD and will be available March 19-22 if needed. A written request to appeal must be delivered to the clerk’s office no later than Thursday, March 14th, 2019, 5:00 p.m. The request must include the parcel number. Alternate date if bad weather: March 25th. Gregg Hanson, Clerk 47572 SD Highway 50 Elk Point, SD 57025 PUBLIC MEETING March 20th Goat Island Management Plan and Environmental Assessment The National Park Service invites the public to participate at a local meeting and online about the future uses of Goat Island in the Missouri National Recreational River. The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 W. H. Over Museum 1110 N University St., Vermillion, SD 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It will provide an opportunity for citizens to learn about and to comment on a Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Goat Island. A copy of the management plan and environmental assessment will be available for review and comment through April 10, 2019 at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/goatislandplan. Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber Coverage of the March 2 legislative cracker barrel featuring District 17 Sen. Art Rusch and District 17 Reps. Nancy Rasmussen and Ray Ring. A story about an investigation ordered by University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring prompted by actions surrounding a prespring break party deemed “Hawaiian Day” that was changed to “Beach Day.” The investigation will look into whether free expression rights were violated. A story about what seems to be a never-ending winter as spring is less than a month away. A report of Vermillion native Paul Erickson being one of over 80 recipients of a letter from Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives who are seeking information into President Donald Trump’s finances and dealings with Russia. And if you want to see: A report about how the South Dakota high school football championships will likely have to be played somewhere other than the DakotaDome in Vermillion next fall. Interior renovations to the west side of the Dome have just gotten underway and won’t be complete in time for championship games. Coverage of the joint musical performance held last week by the USD Concert Band, the VHS Concert Band and the USD Symphonic Band on the university campus. A story about the new dean of the University of South Dakota School of Law, who will be introduced to the university in a formal announcement at the law school March 13. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695