Articles by J.P. Skelly

Considering the many negative effects of senior isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for individuals to know how to reach out for help and what services are available through the South Dakota Department [Read More…]

The Department of Labor and Regulation is now accepting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim applications. Visit dlr.sd.gov/pua for filing instructions. A claimant can be compensated with the PUA benefit beginning Feb. 2, 2020, or the first [Read More…]

Our society is no doubt going through unprecedented times right now. For our students at the Mitchell Middle School, life as they knew it came to an abrupt halt on Friday, March 13, 2020. A [Read More…]

Dear Parents and Guardians, Many of you have been asking how or when you can pick up items from your student’s locker. We would like to help facilitate this while still maintaining the social distancing [Read More…]

Since 2010, every spring, Dakota Wesleyan University dedicates one full day for community service projects. The day known as “The Great Wesleyan Giveback” pays tribute to DWU’s motto: sacrifice or service. This year, however, will [Read More…]

We are in the midst of a pandemic.  The Governor has asked us to practice social distancing until May 31, 2020.  The pandemic is projected to peak in June 2020.  The Primary election is June [Read More…]

Smithfield Foods announced Sunday it’s closing its Sioux Falls plant until further notice a day after Governor Kristi Noem and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken asked the facility be closed for at least two weeks. [Read More…]

The Mitchell School Board is joining the ranks of public entities conducting its meetings virtually. Superintendent Joe Graves says group will use technology called “Google Meet” for Monday’s meeting. “Each of the board members will [Read More…]

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Dakota has risen to 626. Of the 438 total cases reported in Minnehaha County, 238 have been tied to an outbreak at a Smithfield Foods pork [Read More…]

73 more South Dakotans have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus as of Wednesday. That brings the total to 393 cases statewide with 146 recovered and six deaths thus far. Negative tests are up to [Read More…]

Mitchell Technical Institute has canceled its public commencement ceremony scheduled for May 8 at the Corn Palace. In anticipation of the cancellation, members of the graduating class were surveyed regarding their preferences. Class members chose [Read More…]

State Health officials announced Tuesday that an employee at the Yankton Walmart Pharmacy has tested positive COVID-19. The employee reported working two days, March 25 and March 30, while able to transmit the virus to [Read More…]

Governor Kristi Noem is asking South Dakotans to be alert today for additional state guidelines regarding the spreading COVID-19 virus. The Governor’s news conference has been moved to 2 pm (CDT) to discuss developments surrounding [Read More…]

State prison inmates are producing utility personal protective equipment  for Department of Corrections and Correctional Health staff members. Inmates in the Pheasantland Industries (PI) Garment Shop at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield are [Read More…]

We now know the two patients in Davison County that tested positive for the COVID-19 virus have recovered. That’s the word from the South Dakota Health Department. The website covid.sd.gov is now including both the [Read More…]

Avera is temporarily changing its clinic practices in order to protect patients and employees, and conserve resources during the COVID-19 outbreak. Patients may have more appointments scheduled as virtual visits instead of in-person visits, unless [Read More…]