Broadcaster Press 9 March 10, 2020 www.broadcasteronline.com Is Your Home Aging-In-Place Ready? BROOKINGS, S.D. SDSU Extension and NDSU Extension will be hosting a free webinar entitled “How to stay in your home longer.” The webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 11 at 12 noon. Individuals will be able to participate from the comfort of their own home or during their lunch hour. Registration is required. “We know that older adults want to stay in their home for as long as possible,” said Leacey E. Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist. Brown shared that many older adults have not taken steps to make this goal happen. As a result, the Dakotas Housing Study was conducted to explore what South Dakotans know about aging in place. “The results of our study suggest that South Dakotans of all ages see the benefits of having an aging-in-place ready home and that those homes are largely unavailable in the current stock of homes in South Dakota,” said Brown. “Our results suggest that people in South Dakota want homes they can reasonably expect to live in for their whole life.” The webinar will focus on the role that home design plays in options to The South Dakota Health Care Association (SDHCA) strongly urges legislators to commit adequate resources to fund long term care as they craft the state’s budget prior to the end of the legislative session. Years of inadequate Medicaid reimbursement have resulted in the ongoing long term care funding and closure crisis. aging in place. Attendees “Three nursing homes have closed in will learn about the the last year. Another three closed in the Dakotas Housing Study, year before. The crisis is ongoing,” said results of the project, Mark B. Deak, SDHCA Executive Director. resources available for “We must do more for our parents, home modifications, and what SDSU Extension plans grandparents, and our other loved ones who need long term care.” to do as a result of the Medicaid reimbursement for nursing Dakotas Housing Study. centers is currently set at such a low There is no cost to level that providers lose money for each participate. Registration can be found at the Events resident on Medicaid. The most recent data demonstrates the Medicaid funding page, and search for How gap to be an average of $42.33 per day for to Stay in Your Home each Medicaid resident in their center. Longer webinar. With 54% of all nursing center residents For more information, on Medicaid in South Dakota, that gap contact Leacey Brown, amounts to more than $48 million in SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist at 605.394.1722 or by email. Noem Names Seasonal Venhuizen Chief Odd-Even Parking Of Staff PIERRE, S.D. - Governor Kristi Noem announced today that she will name Tony Venhuizen as her new chief of staff. Venhuizen, who has been working with the Governor’s Office on a temporary basis since January, will be leaving his private law practice to rejoin state government. “Given his tenure and wealth of historical knowledge, Tony brings a unique set of skills to my team,” Noem said. “Time after time, he has answered the call to public service in the name of the great people of South Dakota. I’m excited to have him leading my office as we head into the second year of my term.” Venhuizen served in senior roles in the administration of Governor Dennis Daugaard, including more than four years as chief of staff, and previously served as a senior advisor to Governor Noem. He was appointed by Governor Mike Rounds to the South Dakota Board of Regents, serving for five years, and he has worked on the last three gubernatorial transitions. “I am honored to accept this role,” said Venhuizen. “Governor Noem is an energetic and forward-thinking leader, and I’m excited to work with her, Lt. Governor Rhoden, and the many fine people on her cabinet and staff.” Venhuizen is an Armour native. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from South Dakota State University and his law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law. Venhuizen and his wife, Sara, have three children and live in Sioux Falls. Turn Yo ur Clutter i nto Cash! Advertise your Garage Sale to thousands of readers! 624-4429 Lack Of Funding Puts Seniors At Risk Of More Nursing Home Closures Impacts Portions Of Vermillion Odd-Even Parking seasonally impacts the following areas: East/ West streets between Dakota and Plum (Cedar & National); North/South streets between Clark and Main (Harvard, Yale, University, Willow & Pine). This protocol allows for the streets to be plowed from curb-tocurb. Plowing curb-tocurb is crucial, because when snow is allowed to accumulate in the street, the freeze-thaw cycle can be very damaging to the pavement. Drainage problems also occur when the gutter area is clogged by snow and ice. The most important factor is safety. Many streets are bordered by parking spaces. Allowing snow to pile up in these areas can create a hazard by forcing parked cars closer and closer to traffic as subsequent storms deposit more snow. Be mindful of months that have 31 days. This results in two consecutive days of no parking. Owner-Occupied Property Tax Relief Deadline Approaching PIERRE, S.D. – Homeowners and contractors have until March 15 to apply for property tax relief through the owner-occupied program. Any South Dakotan who owned and occupied a home on Nov. 1, 2019 is eligible for this classification and its property tax reduction. Taxpayers who have previously received this reduction and still own and occupy the same home will continue to receive the property Bethel Township will hold its annual Equalization meeting at 7:00 PM, Monday, March 16, 2020 at the Wakonda Legion Hall, Wakonda SD Vermillion, SD Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people often face bigotry, discrimination, and hatred from their families, friends, coworkers, places of worship, and government. These reactions can stem from fear and a basic misunderstanding of the transgender community. As such, the Vermillion Public Library would like to invite the public to attend an informative presentation by Dr. Mark Daniels, who will be talking to us about STAR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING To review your tax assessment for 2020 please contact the Township Clerk prior to March 12th, 2020 to set up an appointment. RON PETERSON TOWNSHIP CLERK (605) 263-3526 The Board of Supervisors will meet as a Board of Equalization on Monday, March 16th, 2020, 5:30 p.m. at the Union County Shop in Spink, SD and will be available March 16-20 if needed. A written request to appeal must be delivered to the clerk’s office no later than Thursday, March 12th, 2020, 5:00 p.m. The request must include the parcel number. Alternate date if bad weather: March 23rd. Gregg Hanson, Clerk 47572 SD Highway 50 Elk Point, SD 57025 electronically through the Department of Revenue web site at https://sddor. seamlessdocs.com/f/3001 If you are a contractor, please complete the form located at https://sddor. seamlessdocs.com/f/3002 If applicants have questions about the owner-occupied program, they are encouraged to contact their local county director of equalization or call the Department of Revenue’s property tax division at 605-773-3311. sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, the Transformation Project, avoiding misunderstandings, use of names and personal pronouns, and how we can support and affirm our transgender community members. This program is free and open to the public. The first session was held this week and the second session is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m. in the Kozak Room. Dr. Mark Daniels (he/ him/his) is a clinical psychologist who serves as an Integrated Health Therapist. The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library is located at 18 Church Street, Vermillion, SD. More information can be found at vermillionpubliclibrary. org. Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A news story following the March 4 presentation about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression held at the Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library. A story about the consumer benefits of Consumer Supported Agriculture following CSA Day that was held late last month. A report about the new Dean of the University of South Dakota College of Arts and Sciences. And if you want to see: The first of a two-part story about a lengthy report compiled by former Board of Regents President Harvey Jewett and former USD President James Abbott that states universities need more state funding. Written notices of appeal must be delivered or postmarked no later than March 12, 2020 to: Bethel Township Clerk, 30506 455 Ave., Volin SD 57072 Darby Ganschow, Clerk BRULE TOWNSHIP PROPERTY OWNERS tax reduction without applying. The 2020 valuation notices sent to taxpayers beginning March 1, 2020 indicate if the property classification is owneroccupied. Homeowners are advised to check their notices to ensure their property is classified as owner-occupied. Taxpayers who have purchased or built a home prior to Nov. 1, 2019 may apply for this classification through their local county director of equalization. The form can be submitted Presentation On Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Scheduled At Vermillion Library WAKONDA LEGION HALL MONDAY, MARCH 16th, 2020 • 7:00 P.M. Notice of Equalization Meeting unreimbursed costs statewide. The increase in reimbursement approved during the last legislative session was a significant step in the right direction, though clearly much more still needs to be done. As the legislature enters the final week of session, lawmakers on the Appropriations Committee must finalize a budget, and they will have the opportunity to prioritize funding for seniors and disabled South Dakotans who require long term care. “The crisis in long term care was many years in the making. It will require significant funding to get back on track,” continued Deak. “We call on lawmakers to continue to support nursing centers, caregivers, and our elderly and disabled South Dakotans. The alternative is continuing down the path of more closings and decreased access for those in need.” Deadline for the March 17th issue will be Thursday, March 12th at 11am for all display and classified ads. 201 W. Cherry Street, Vermillion, SD www.broadcasteronline.com • 605-624-4429 Full coverage of the University of South Dakota’s women’s basketball team play in the Summit League Tournament against Omaha Saturday in Sioux Falls. A report on candidates for local elections that are coming up this spring. 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