6 Broadcaster Press February 18, 2020 www.broadcasteronline.com It’s Time To Prepare For Spring Flooding And That Includes Flood Insurance By Tina Titze Director, Office of Emergency Management South Dakota Department of Public Safety Anyone who has grown up in South Dakota can tell you how important it is to keep an eye on the weather. Weather extremes are a part of life here and in fact we take pride in our ability to handle weather that many others cannot. The last year was no exception and many South Dakotans are still feeling the impact of last year’s storms that resulted in federal disaster declarations for 63 of our 66 counties. Unfortunately, with saturated ground and the high river levels we are already experiencing, it is time to prepare for spring flooding once again. This year’s heightened risk of spring flooding means it is crucial that we start preparing for spring flooding now. When it comes to preparing for spring flooding, one thing that concerns many people is whether they need flood insurance. Too many times last year, I heard people say they didn’t think they could get flood insurance, or didn’t need it, because they did not live in a floodplain. The truth is that if you live in a city or county that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can get flood insurance, regardless of whether you live in a designated floodplain. And, if you live where it rains, it can flood where you live. Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States, yet less than half of all flooding events result in a federal disaster declaration. In South Dakota last year, the average amount of housing assistance from FEMA was about $4,000 to eligible residents, while the average insurance claim for flooding last year paid more than $29,000. With flood insurance, you’re able to recover faster and more fully. At the same time, there are other things you can do now to help protect your home and family. Here are some steps you can take: Protect your property. Make sure your sump pump is working properly and consider a sump pump with a battery. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves to prevent sewer or water from backflowing into your home. If your utility boxes are at ground level or below, consider elevating them. Be sure your family is ready with emergency supplies in case utilities are cut off or you have to evacuate. Keep extra batteries, charging devices, medications and pet supplies in your kit. Store important documents in a waterproof container and consider scanning them into an email so you have a digital copy. In addition to preparing your home and family, talk with your insurance agent about flood insurance and your flood risk. Flooding can be emotionally and financially devastating. Without flood insurance, most residents will pay out of pocket or take out loans to repair and replace damaged items. South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety and its Office of Emergency Management are taking steps to prepare as well. We are working with counties to review flood maps, identify areas of concern, and address gaps. We are also working with FEMA to conduct outreach to local floodplain administrators and insurance agents to keep them well informed and answer questions in their individual communities. And in the coming weeks we will be out in individual communities across the state to bring more attention to spring flood preparedness through public meetings. Together we can use this time well, to be as ready as possible. For more information about flood preparedness and flood insurance, visit https://bready.sd.gov/info/ floodinfo.aspx. Students Visit Pierre Arts Council Accepting For CTSO Legislative Artist-In-Residence Applications PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) is now accepting grant applications for its Artists in Schools and Communities (AISC) residency program, which provides matching grants to schools and other nonprofit organizations for artists in residence. Applications must be received through the AISC online grant form. Through the AISC program, students – adults and children alike – will learn about fine arts in a relevant, handson environment. Grantees choose their artist from a roster of professional teaching artists endorsed by the Arts Council. Disciplines include dance, literature, writing, music, theater, visual arts and traditional arts. A theater residency could include classroom workshops or a fulllength production featuring local students at the end of the week. In the visual arts, choose from pottery, painting, drawing, sculpting, murals, comic book making and more. There are traditional arts residency opportunities in American Indian NOTICE hoop dancing and rodeo clowning. To view the extensive list of roster artists and read about the residencies offered, visit www.artscouncil. sd.gov/aisc/meetartist. aspx. The deadline for grant applications to be submitted online is March 1. The simple, online form is available at www.artscouncil.sd.gov/ aisc. Please review program guidelines before applying, and reach out to Rebecca. cruse@state.sd.us if you have any questions. An office of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council provides grants and services to artists, arts organizations, and schools across the state, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the state of South Dakota. For more information about SDAC grant programs and artist rosters, visit www. artscouncil.sd.gov. The South Dakota Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism and the South Dakota Arts Council. The department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. Find the right job for you! The annual meeting of Norway Township will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Clay County Highway Department on Timber Rd. Bids for blading, gravel, snow removal and mowing will be opened at that time. Send bids to: Jim Lee, Clerk, Norway Township, 31640 Meckling Rd., Vermillion, SD 57069. No later than Friday, February 28, 2020. Check Out The Broadcaster Help Wanted Section! 201 W Cherry Vermillion Shadow Day PIERRE, S.D. – February is National Career and Technical Education Month. As part of the celebration, 37 student leaders came to Pierre Feb. 4-5, for the South Dakota Career and Technical Student Organizations’ Legislative Shadow Day. Activities included a social for students, legislators, cabinet members, and state agency staff. Students also shadowed legislators at committee meetings and observed House and Senate floor sessions. “When students engage in career and technical education, they experience handson learning that helps prepare them for high- 624-4429 Jim Lee, Clerk Notice of Annual Meeting 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 at the Wakonda Legion Hall, Wakonda, SD ANNUAL SPRING CONSIGNMENT EVENT In the event of inclement weather, the annual meeting Our Annual Spring Consignment Auction Event will be held at the Wieman Auction Facility located at 44628 SD Highway 44, Marion, SD or from Marion, SD, 1-mile South and ½ mile West on Highway 44 on: Bethel Township will hold its annual meeting at Agenda items include election of officers, regular business and to accept bids for snow removal, gravel and road maintenance. shall be held March 10th at 10:00 AM. Contact Darby Ganschow at 605-661-2739 for more information. Darby Ganschow, Clerk BRULE TOWNSHIP ANNUAL MEETING Brule Township in Union County, SD will hold the annual township meeting Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 • 5:30pm in the Union Co. Shop, Spink, SD for the election of officers and any other business proper to be done when convened. Alternate date if bad weather: March 10th at 5:30pm. Gregg Hanson, Clerk Attention Pleasant Valley Township Residents Pleasant Valley Township Annual Meeting Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 • 7:00 pm at Clay Rural Water System Agenda items include election of officers and receiving quotes for gravel, blading, mowing and snow removal. Full agenda available at: http://sites.google.com/site/pvtownship For more information, please contact: Brandi Johnson, Clerk 30630 Frog Creek Rd. Wakonda, SD 57073 Brajohns76@icloud.com demand careers,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “These groups are great ways for students to expand on their classroom learning, meet peers from across the state, and develop valuable leadership skills.” Students representing the following CTSOs attended this year’s event: Educators Rising; Future Business Leaders of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; FFA; SD HOSA, a group for students interested in health sciences; and SkillsUSA, an association of trade, technology, and health occupation students. By participating in CTSOs, students can apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom through competitive events; develop leadership and employability skills; and serve their communities. Career and technical education seeks to equip students with core academic skills and the ability to apply those skills for careers and life. CTE emphasizes employability skills like critical thinking, responsibility, and technical skills related to specific career pathways. Wednesday, March 4 • 9 A.M. CST Lunch by the Presbyterian Church Ladies This Auction will offer over 800 lots in total. A Large Assortment of Tractors (3 – 4x4s, 20+ MFDs, 30+ 2 WD, 20+ collector tractors), 20+ Combines, Large Assortment of Corn Heads, Bean Heads, Dummy Heads, Head Transports, Grain Carts, Gravity Boxes, Augers, Planters, Tillage, Haying & Forage Equipment, Skid Loader Attachments, Trucks, Trailers, Fencing and more! FOR FULL AUCTION AD, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.WIEMANAUCTION.COM Auctioneers Note: This is another large and interesting auction of consignments by Area Farmers & Dealers. Online bidding will be available at Proxibid.com with a 2.5% buyer’s premium and a $750 maximum per item. Older equipment starts promptly at 9 AM sharp with 2-3 auction rings all day. A 3rd auction ring will sell trucks-trailers-vehicles-augers @ 11 AM. For more details/pictures, please call our office or visit us online at WiemanAuction.com. South Dakota sales tax will be charged. This ad is subject to additions and deletions. All consignments must have been approved by the Wiemans! We have excellent loading and unloading equipment. Financing and trucking are available. We are in our 71st year of selling. We offer honest and fair treatment to all because we appreciate your business! Bring a friend and come prepared to buy! If you are driving a good distance – please call to make sure the item is here. Welcome to the “Machinery Mall of South Dakota!” Our next auction is June 3rd. Reuse. Repurpose. Really Save! Take a fresh look at the Classifieds, the original way to shop green! WIEMAN LAND & AUCTION CO., INC (SINCE 1949) 44628 SD HIGHWAY 44, MARION, SD 57043 AUCTION OFFICE: 800-251-3111 or 605-648-3111 EVENINGS: MACHINERY OFFICE: 888-296-3536 Ryan Wieman 605-366-3369 Kevin Wieman 605-660-1587 or 605-648-3536 Rich Wieman 605-660-0341 Derek Wieman 605-660-2135 Email: Info@WiemanAuction.com Nathan Timmermans 605-351-1273 Mike Wieman 605-351-0905 Website: WiemanAuction.com 283748 bp Since 1934 Broadcaster Press 201 W Cherry Vermillion roadcaster bp 624-4429 Since 1934 B Press