Broadcaster Press 13 January 28, 2020 www.broadcasteronline.com he could receive assistance: the UCC Church to receive a voucher, Trinity Lutheran Church to receive food at the Vermillion Food Pantry and then a trip across town to a local motel where he could spend a couple nights. “I was just like – man, if we just had this building ready, half of these things we could have taken care of right now, we could have gotten him on (public) transit out to the motel and he would have been fine,” she said. “That was one other thing we’ve been discussing a lot – how do we bring all of these things together, how do we stop working in our silos and start collaborating and cooperating, how do we create less waste in the things that we are distributing to people, how do we better use volunteers?” The building she mentioned is the Community Connection Center (CCC), located in downtown Vermillion across the street from the post office. When she addressed Rotarians in March, the building was being transformed into a place that she and other service providers in the community had long envisioned – a destination that offers help and hope. On Friday, Sept. 20, a grand opening was held at the CCC to formally mark its completion. The event included tours of the interior and a symbolic ribbon cutting to celebrate the many services this single building now houses. Friday’s event also included a surprise donation from Sammons Financial Group of Sioux Falls that will allow the CCC to offer, from time to time, basic medical services to those who need them. (See related story). Collier-Wise noted in March that the new center and the new thinking about caring for those in need in the Vermillion community came about from a single act of generosity. “For a long time it was just a dream that we talked about a lot, but how we would actually do this -we didn’t know,” she said. “Then we received an estate gift from Bonnie and Verne Anderson that allowed us to buy a building and that is what has allowed us now to actually make this a reality. “This project is a lot bigger than I ever would have imagined and I think the last year and the year before, when I was telling you guys about it, it was much simpler,” she said in her address to Rotarians last March. “I think the result that you’re going to see is also pretty incredible. It could not have come to what it is without Verne and Bonnie.” OCTOBER Park Service Poised To Implement Recreational Plans For Goat Island In its early years, Goat Island was used as a place for — well, goats. Now, thanks to recent federal action, the 800-acre island in the Missouri River channel will soon offer more recreational opportunities for visitors of the 22 YEARS IN BUSINESS 17 YEARS IN BUSINESS human kind. “The integrity and the quality of the island are outstanding. There are few areas like it in the region or even the country,” said Rick Clark with the National Park Service (NPS). Clark serves as superintendent of the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR), headquartered in Yankton. Goat Island lies between Vermillion and Wynot, Nebraska, that is part of the MNRR. Goat Island, also known as Jake’s Island, supports a variety of wildlife within the forest of cottonwood and Eastern red cedar. It lies in a stretch of the “Mighty Mo” that mostly resembles what the Missouri River was like before dams and during the time when Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery voyaged up and down the river in 1804 and 1806. The island lies about 200-300 yards from Clay County and about 400-500 yards from Cedar County, Nebraska, according to Clark. “Goat Island has been so popular for years,” he said. “Now, we can move forward with our management plan, but I don’t think you’ll start seeing any changes until 2020.” The NPS intends to focus on improving the many opportunities already available, Clark said. “We’re looking at providing more amenities for things like canoeing, kayaking and boating,” he said. “It would be a great place for people to stop while they’re traveling down the Missouri River.” The NPS management plan calls for offering hunting opportunities, Clark said. “In 2020, we would allow deer hunting with archery only. There would be licensing by the states of South Dakota and Nebraska. Under the National Park Service, the seasons would be different,” he said. “We would allow no firearms except for waterfowl, no permitting of blinds, and possibly allowing two tree stands. Hunters would need to obtain a back-country use permit for gun use.” The camp sites would be limited during hunting seasons, Clark said. “We would have only the designated camping areas around the perimeter (of the island),” he said. Clark emphasized one point when it comes to amenities — don’t expect major development on the island. “We aren’t adding big-ticket items. We want people to have a wilderness type of experience. We’re going to keep the same pristine qualities that draw so many people to it,” he said. “Over time, the island will be developed (in smaller ways). We’ll have two primitive camp areas, a tent pad, fire ring, a shared privy and hiking trails. Now, there’s a trail system that is crude and will need realignment. But we’re not going to have a visitor center or hook-up.” No exact historical records exist, but explorers Lewis and Clark likely found the island — located 6 YEARS IN BUSINESS YEARS IN BUSINESS among other travelers and escape possible abuse from American citizens whose protest of the conflict ironically played a part in bringing the United States’ role in the war to an end. Half a century later, 120 local Vietnam veterans, including four vets from Vermillion, got the recognition they deserved. The veterans participated in the Midwest Honor Flight, a whirlwind journey to the nation’s capital on Oct. 12 that included stops at Arlington National Cemetery and several of the war memorials in Washington, D.C. “Three other guys from Vermillion and I got to go,” said Ray Hofman, who was stationed in Illinois during the Vietnam era where he served as a military policeman. “We had a great time.” The other local veterans who participated are Jim Richardson, Jack Voigt and Jerry Bailey, all of Vermillion. Shortly after their plane returned home and touched down at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, the 120 Vietnam-era veterans were bused to the Sioux Falls Arena and greeted by a crowd of over 1,000 family, friends and well-wishers. “I had a little bit of information that the trip would end at the arena … they had it down to us receiving dog tags, a Hershey bar and receiving honorable discharge papers when were done,” he said. “Everything moved like clockwork. It was like you were right back in the military again. I can’t say enough good stuff about it. It was incredible. “There were at least 1,000 people to greet us (at the arena) because there were 120 Vietnam-era vets plus 40 helpers and paramedics,” Hofman said. “I’m sure that everyone had at least three or four people there. The whole east side of the arena was almost full. It was amazing.” Vermillion NOW! 3 Tops $2 Million To say that the Vermillion NOW! 3 campaign ended on a high note is an understatement. The capital campaign, launched last May by the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) and put into motion by a host of VCDC and community members who serve on its leadership team and act as “campaigners,” initially had a goal of raising $1.725 million. The effort officially ended Tuesday in spectacular fashion as co-chairs of the campaign revealed that Vermillion NOW! 3 has raised $2.01 million. The news was shared before a crowd of investors who gathered at RED Steakhouse in downtown Vermillion. Campaign co-chairs Jami Baedke, Jim Peterson and Farron Pratt addressed the gathering, and Nate Welch, president and CEO of the VCDC, spoke shortly before the final campaign total was revealed. “I’m so excited for today, for as we reveal our total raised in the campaign, we have produced results from the ideas launched 10 years ago that have gained momentum,” Baedke said. She expressed thanks to Peterson and Pratt for their efforts, as well as members of the leadership team who have worked hard since the campaign’s launch last May. The walls in the room at RED Steakhouse where the announcement was held were covered with the names of individuals and local businesses that helped make the campaign’s success possible, according to Peterson. “The names on those boards represent a community, all of us working together, willing to focus on our goal,” he said. “… We kicked off the campaign about five months ago. We made a strategic decision not to hire a consultant and we saved over $125,000 by us in this room doing the work together.” The end of the campaign, Peterson said, doesn’t mean the work is finished. “We have some more meetings set and we have some more numbers to come in,” he said. “We’ll celebrate a number today and I’m confident … that we would reach the goal today, but also we’ll be able to achieve in the next few weeks or month and we’ll let you know what the final total will be.” Vermillion Native Linked To Russian Agent Pleas Guilty In Fraud Case Vermillion native Paul Erickson, who made headlines in July 2018 when his Russian girlfriend, Maria Butina was arrested on charges of conspiring to infiltrate American political groups on behalf of Russia, has plead guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. He made the plea through a written agreement that was filed on Friday, Nov. 15, in federal court in Sioux Falls. On Tuesday, United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced Erickson appeared before District Judge Karen E. Schreier and pled guilty to an indictment that charged him with one Count of Wire Fraud and one Count of Money Laundering. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 20 years in federal prison, and/or up to $500,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted NOVEMBER Fifty Years Later, Local Vietnam Vets Finally Come Home To A Hero’s Welcome History serves up a sad reminder of how veterans of the Vietnam War were treated when they returned home from the overseas conflict. 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He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on Feb. 6, and pleaded not guilty to the indictment at that time. According to a factual basis statement signed by Erickson and his attorney, Clint L. Sargent on Nov. 15, Erickson stated that he solely operated the business venture to develop land in the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota. Approaching Storm Closes USD Tuesday “It’s officially turkey time,” University of South Dakota President Sheila Gestring tweeted late Monday afternoon. “Classes are cancelled at 8 a.m. Tuesday due to the projected winter storm. We will see you bright and early on Monday, Dec. 2!” University officials have over the years shown a tendency to not cancel classes due to weather but a pending winter storm combined with USD students attempting to travel to make it home for Thanksgiving likely prompted the call to not have classes Tuesday. Monday afternoon a winter storm warning was is in effect for all of southeastern South Dakota, northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota as a storm capable of dumping up to 10 inches of snow in parts of the area was scheduled to hit Tuesday. The warning includes Vermillion, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Brookings, Yankton, Sioux City, Iowa, and Worthington, Minnesota, among other areas. As of late Monday, forecasters were predicting that snow would likely start falling on Vermillion early Tuesday afternoon. The community and Clay County could receive up to 8 inches of the white stuff by the time the storm was expected to let up Wednesday. The snow was, as of Monday, expected to be accompanied by 15 to 30 mph winds, with gusts up to 30-40 mph, making travel dangerous. Only employees that are critical to the safety, security and well-being of students and university resources were required to report to work on Tuesday at USD. Classes will resume after the Thanksgiving holiday on Monday, Dec. 2. Residence halls in Vermillion remained open to students who have registered to stay during the holiday break. Campus dining concluded food service Tuesday afternoon and U-Brew and the MUC convenience store remained open until Wednesday. DECEMBER Cops & Kids Enjoy Shopping Spree Dec. 14 The local Fraternal Order of Police held its annual Cops & Kids shopping event on Saturday, Dec. 14. Every year the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) gathers a list of kids and families from the area and takes them Christmas shopping with law enforcement officers. “We look for children that could use a little positive-ness in their life,” said Vermillion Police Officer Jon Cole who also serves as a school resource officer in the Vermillion School District. “We team up with Vermillion Wal-Mart and every family or child is given a set amount (amount depends on funds raised) and we go Christmas shopping. Just the officer and child(ren) go shopping and we leave the parent(s) to enjoy treats and visit with other officers.” Cole said once the gifts are purchased, volunteers help wrap them so they will be ready to place under the families’ Christmas trees. “The kids tend to buy gifts mostly for their family members and often we have to remind them not to forget about themselves,” he said. “It is a precious time to see our youth remember the season and joy of giving to others. “This opportunity isn’t just about making a memorable Christmas for a child that in most cases wouldn’t have one, but it’s also about bridging that gap between the public and law enforcement,” Cole said, “and giving the kids a positive interaction with us when all too often they only see us in the worst times of their lives.” The children selected are usually between the ages 6 and 12 and have no participated in Cops & Kids in past years. “This year we had over 35 children participating in the event,” Cole said. Law enforcement officers from the Vermillion Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Elk Point Police Department, the Jefferson Police Department, the University of South Dakota Police Department, the North Sioux City Police Department, and South Dakota Highway Patrol participated in this year’s event, along with volunteers made up of family members of local law enforcement, staff from Walmart and staff from Biotest. No One Injured By Fire That Destroyed Rural Vermillion Home Sunday No one was injured early Sunday morning when a rural home north of Vermillion caught fire early Sunday morning, but there was nothing that the crew from the Vermillion Fire EMS Department could do to save the home. “It was out in the country, right around 314th Street and Bluff Road,” said Matthew Callahan, chief of the Vermillion Fire EMS Department. “It was a barn that had been converted to a house.” The fire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday. The residence served as the home of an adult and two teenaged boys. The boys were home at the time of the fire and made it out of the residence safely. “The house was wellinvolved when we arrived,” Callahan said. “All of our firefighting efforts were done from the exterior of the building. No interior attack was made on the structure. “We had partial collapse of two walls probably about 15 minutes after we arrived,” he said, adding that the residence is a complete loss. Callahan said that City Fire Marshal Matt Taggart visited the scene at about 9 a.m. Sunday after sunrise. “He’s done some preliminary photos and walking the area, things like that,” he said. “With the amount of fire and consumption that’s taken place, the fire is still undetermined at this time but it appears to be that it was an accidental fire.” Callahan said the Wakonda Fire Department offered assistance. The location of the home, near the top of a hilly area on Bluff Road, posed unique challenges to firefighters. “Due to it being out on the country with no fire hydrants … we are able to fill up at Polaris, but as we all know, Bluff Road is pretty windy road so there’s not a whole lot of room to get the vehicle up to speed before you have to slow back down,” the chief said. Irene Death Investigated IRENE — A man’s body was found in an Irene alley last week, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The incident drew multiple agencies as Irene is located in Yankton, Clay and Turner counties, and S.D. Highway 46 runs through the community. At 9:30 p.m. Dec. 9 (Monday), a Clay County Sheriff’s deputy discovered the body of a deceased man in an alley intersecting the 200 block of E. Main Street in Irene. Upon investigation, it was determined the man had been struck by a vehicle. It was also determined this incident was related to a report of a domestic disturbance reported to the Turner County Sheriff’s Office. The domestic disturbance also occurred in Irene, the Turner County Sheriff’s Office told the Press & Dakotan Thursday night. In addition to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, agencies involved with the investigation of the matter are the Turner County Sheriff’s Office, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.