Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The Sioux Falls School Board heard comments from both sides of the start date issue on Monday night, but that meeting will not be the end of the conversation. During their regular meeting the board scheduled a public hearing on the matter for March 4^th at the instructional planning center.

Board President Kent Alberty told KELO radio Monday’s meeting did not change anything regarding the upcoming vote on the matter, which is scheduled for April 14^th, but they do welcome all of the input. “We’ve invited folks to come in and talk to us about what they are interested in,” he said of the open house. Alberty added that a handful of parents showed up to Monday’s meeting to provide input on the topic as well, with one providing input for a later start date, and one against.

The school board also established new guidelines for the school calendar committee. Alberty appointed Doug Morrison and Carly Reiter to that committee for further discussions, including the open house on March 4^th. The school board also discussed the potential sticking point of ending the first semester of the school year at Christmas break.

HURON, S.D. - The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Renewable Fuels Standard Reform Act released yesterday could have a negative impact on South Dakota's farmers, rural communities and ethanol industry if the recommendations become law, said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union.

 In the report, the EPA recommended an end to ethanol subsidies, which are included as part of the current Renewable Fuels Standard.

 "Our South Dakota's farmers and rural communities have benefited greatly from what has been a thriving ethanol industry in our state," Sombke explained. "Especially today, with commodity prices as low as they are, the ability to market corn to local ethanol plants has increased our price per bushel by at least 10 cents. Not to mention the economic impact the ethanol industry has throughout our state."

 Sombke refers to the approximately 1,900 South Dakotans employed by the industry who earn, on average, about $60,000 each year. A 2012 study conducted by the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association, noted an annual economic impact of about $3.8 billion statewide. Nationally, South Dakota ranks sixth in ethanol production.

 "Ethanol has become a part of the fabric of many rural communities; if they take ethanol subsidies away, it will hurt schools, jobs and not to mention the price of corn. For the EPA to suggest removing subsidies from a clean burning fuel baffles me. Why aren't they also suggesting that Big Oil lose its subsidies?" Sombke asked.

 Sombke's comments echo that of Roger Johnson, President of National Farmers Union.

 Following the EPA's Feb. 4, 2015 recommendations to eliminate the corn-based ethanol mandate for biofuel production and restrict overall volume targets; Johnson said, "The elimination of the corn-based ethanol mandate and blend cap will gut the nation's biofuel production, strand existing investment in second generation biofuel production and hurt family farmers, ranchers and rural communities that have experienced much-needed reinvestment from this policy. This is not only a bad step for agriculture, but also is a major setback to the environment and our nation's attempts to manage its carbon emissions. We urge Congress to reject this policy and continue to embrace the vision of a robust renewable fuels industry as a component of this nation's overall energy portfolio."

To learn more about Farmers Union visit, www.sdfu.org.

VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO AM) -- Owen Dudley, a middle school student from Vermillion, correctly spelled the championship word “frabjous” to take first place in the Southeast South Dakota Regional Spelling Bee at the University of South Dakota on Saturday, Feb. 7. Hari Kadarkaraisamy, an elementary student from Vermillion, and Nana Addo of Dakota Valley Middle School in McCook Lake, S.D., also advanced to the 2015 USD Scripps Spelling Bee after taking second and third place, respectively, in the Oral Spelling Bee at Aalfs Auditorium on the USD campus.

The state competition is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21 at Farber Hall inside of Old Main. They will compete against the top three places from regional competitions at Rapid City, Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Mobridge. The event will be streamed live on www.usd.edu.

Thirty-two contestants representing 10 South Dakota elementary and middle schools competed at the 2015 Southeast South Dakota Regional Spelling Bee. In addition to the oral bee, students completed written and vocabulary exams prior to the oral competition. Addo was the highest scorer while Kadarkaraisamy finished second and Simon Carlson of Yankton Middle School was third. In the regional contest, the written scores did not count toward the championship as they do in the national contest.

The winner of the USD Scripps Spelling Bee next month will participate in the 88^th Scripps National Spelling Bee this May in Washington D.C. The competition is open for students in first grade through the eighth grade.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The House Taxation Committee today sent to the floor a bill lifting the property tax freeze for local governments.

Administrator Ken McFarland told legislators this morning that Sioux Falls is outgrowing the County’s revenues.  He says every time Sioux Falls adds an officer to the beat the County's costs increase without a responding level of revenue

A Department of Revenue spokesman says the freeze gives taxpayers a break.  He told legislators that a series of measures in Pierre, and on the ballot, failed to stem the property tax increases that could be as high as 6% a year.  It wasn't until Governor Bill Janklow introduced the current property tax freeze in 1995 that residents found relief

McFarland says 53% of Minnehaha County’s budget goes to law enforcement.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A two-vehicle accident south of Wall Lake early Sunday morning put four people in the hospital with two still in intensive care

Sergeant Mike Walsh with Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office says the most seriously injured were three passengers in a car driven by 21-year-old Dmitriy Gennadavich Romanov of Sioux Falls.

Walsh says Romanov crossed the center line and hit a pickup with two people inside.  The victims in the pickup were treated and released.

Walsh says Romanov is charged with three counts of vehicular battery, DWI, no license and failure to appear in court.

He says none of the injuries are life-threatening.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Feeding South Dakota is set to get a big boost from one of country music’s biggest names – Bill Currington and Tyler Farr will rock the Sioux Falls Arena on June 27th as part of the 2015 Prime Time Gala.

Feeding South Dakota made the announcement on Tuesday, and set a goal of raising $125,000 for food insecure families in South Dakota via Feeding South Dakota. The inaugural Prime Time Gala in 2014 netted nearly $116,000. The focus of the monies raised will be providing protein for those who benefit from Feeding South Dakota, since less than 5% of the 12.5 million pounds of food the organization distributes annually is a form of protein.

The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Fund, one of the sponsors of the Gala, said the issue is near and dear to their hearts because “there are 4.5 times as many cattle in South Dakota as people. If we, as producers and the livestock industry, can’t work together with Feeding South Dakota to provide more nutrition to hungry people in our state, then we are missing the mark.”

Tickets for the Billy Currington concert only will go on sale Friday, Feb 13^th and range in price from $25 to $55. If you would like to attend the Gala itself, tickets will go for $125 for individuals or $1,000 for a table of eight. Gala tickets include an upscale meal, speaker, and reserved seating for the concert.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A bill lowering voter approval of a school bond from 60% to 55% advanced to the full Senate today in Pierre.

Bill sponsor Senator Jason Frerichs of Wilmot says there are bills asking for more restrictions on future growth of capital outlays.

But a Department of Revenue spokesman says you can’t change property tax levies for bonds.  He says the 60% approval is needed because the levy is irrepealable, once a bond is issued the district can't change its mind.              

House bill 1207 revises provisions in the school district capital outlay fund tax levies.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Street crime detectives found four Sioux Falls businesses giving massages without state licenses.

Officer Sam Clemens says three employees at two Asian Health Massage locations got tickets with mandatory court appearances.  Fines against the employees will be determined by a judge.

Clemens says police are educating massage parlors about required state permits on a first visit.  If the parlors are still out of compliance on the second visit, citations are issued to offending employees.       

Unlicensed workers were found at both Jamie’s Oriental Massage locations on the first visit by detectives.  Clemens says there will be follow-up visits to check for compliance.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - It’s National 2-1-1 day, because it’s February 11, recognizing the HelpLine Center’s effort to connect callers to community resources.

Janet Kittams-Lalley says the HelpLine is available twenty-four-seven, 365 days a year.

 Connect to the 2-1-1 data base, suicide and crisis support, volunteer connections, military and family support and child care resources.

The HelpLine Center began in Sioux Falls in 1974 as the Volunteer and Information Center.  

The HelpLine Center is supported by the United Way, city and county government allocations, grants, corporate donations and private donations.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Senator John Thune says an authorization for the use of military force against ISIS will be the most serious decision Congress will make.

Thune says he’s looking for a strategy and commitment from President Obama.  Thune accuses the President of not realizing the threat that ISIS has brought into the world.

Thune believes the consequences of this country's failure to confront this threat and defeat it, are going to be felt for years to come.  

Thune says amendments can be added to the measure.

He says "if you don't get national security right, the rest is  conversation."  He says Congress' first job is to protect the country and its citizens.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) As a result of a water main break on South Solberg Avenue on February 11, 2015, residents and businesses in the following area(s) are advised to boil water from the tap prior to drinking. The area included is: I-29 to the west, West 49th Street to the north, West 57th Street to the south and South Louise Avenue to the east as indicated on the exhibit below:

The water should be brought to a rolling boil for a minimum of three minutes prior to drinking. This is a precautionary measure due to possible contamination from the main break. Water samples are being analyzed by the City’s Water Division laboratory staff today to determine when the boil order can be lifted. Residents with questions concerning the boil order should call 367‑8805 after-hours, or 373‑6950 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A four-hour standoff in downtown Sioux Falls ended early this morning with one man’s arrest.

Police say 71-year-old Ronnie Lee Mendenwalt threatened officers with a butcher knife and then barricaded himself up in his L’Abri apartment at 6^th and Phillips.

Mendenwalt surrendered to police around four this morning and was arrested on three counts of aggravated assault.

Police deployed SWAT and closed the 6th and Phillips intersection to traffic during the standoff.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A bill arming legislators failed today but another arming the sergeant at arms moves to the Senate.

Sponsor of both measures, Senator Brock Greenfield of Clark says the Capitol in Pierre is the most wide open in America.  Greenfield told committe members that two years down the road he doesn't want to say I told you so.  He hopes that his plans never have to be used.              

Highway Patrol Major Dana Svendsen says Capitol security is good. The Highway Patrol is in charge of security during session.  Svendsen say the Patrol increases trooper strength during the session and that includes plainclothes troopers you don't see but are armed.

Svendsen says the Department of Public Safety prefers having a voice in legislation concerning security in the Capitol.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A House Committee in Pierre defeated a measure that would have allowed local governments to post information on the Internet instead of the newspaper.

General Manager of the South Dakota Newspaper Association David Bordewyk says they did an independent survey of South Dakotans.  He told the committee that the results show most South Dakotans still want government information printed in the newspaper.

But Representative Steve Westra of Sioux Falls says newspaper circulation is at an all-time low. Westra realizes that South Dakotans from baby boomers to millennials get information from various source but he says they're not getting it from newspapers.               

The measure was sent to the 41^st day of the 39 day session.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Senator Mike Rounds calls a new EPA proposal to regulate carbon dioxide emissions costly.

Rounds says it would impose aggressive new regulations on coal-fired power plants.

He doubts the measure would achieve its intended goal of reducing global warming.  He says even the administration believes it would be insignificant.  He claims the measure is aimed a getting other nations to also reduce CO2 emissions, but believes they would take advantage of the United States weaknesses in the energy sector.

Rounds says the E-P-A should scrap the proposals and go back to the drawing board.

The world emits over 30 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide a year.

SIOUX FALLS (KELO AM) - Just after midnight, Sioux Falls Police Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of S. Holly Ave. for a report of shots being fired.  

Upon arrival, Officers spoke with witnesses who heard two shots fired and saw two unknown males leave the area in different directions.  Officers and a K9 canvassed the area and did not locate a suspect or a victim.

Sioux Falls Police are following up with other leads as the investigation continues.  

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Authorities identify the victim who died in yesterday’s shooting at Pro Tech in Lennox as 45-year-old John Richter of Lennox.

Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson says 46-year-old Kathy Steever of Lennox was critically injured by the shooter, 52-year-old Jeffrey DeZeeuw of Sioux Falls.

Johnson says DeZeeuw confronted Richter that morning about trucking assignments.  Richter was DeZeeuw's supervisor.  DeZeeuw returned around two yesterday afternoon and fatally shot Richter and wounded Steever.

Lennox Police Chief Orville Johnson says 45-year-old Brian Roesler of Marion fought with the suspect over the gun and was hit in the head with the pistol.  DeZeeuw fled the scene.           

Jorgenson says  Roesler may have prevented further tragedy.

Authorities say DeZeeuw committed suicide after setting his semi on fire.  His identity was confirmed by dental records this morning.

Steever’s family says her condition is improving.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Lincoln County State’s Attorney Tom Wollman says yesterday’s fatal shooting in Lennox was over workplace issues.

Wollman say the victim, 45-year-old John Richter of Lennox, was Jeffrey DeZeeuw’s supervisor and made truck assignments.

He says no one else was involved in the shooting and it was a difference that DeZeeuw had with Richter.            

DeZeeus committed suicide after setting his truck on fire shortly after the shootings.

46-year-old Kathy Steever was critically wound but her family says she’s improving.            

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Community Blood Bank is holding a blood drive at the Bridges at 57^th Street tomorrow morning from 7a.m. to 11 a.m..

Rita Nelson says blood donations are still sluggish.  Even after a hugely successful "Heroes Behind the Badges" blood drive, winter donations typically slow down.  Nelson says many donor are fighting flu and colds and can't donate until their healthy.

Nelson says the Blood Bank needs 550 units of blood weekly for area hospital.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Another top 10 for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

ZipRecruiter analyzed data of the 100 largest job markets in the U.S. to determine the top job markets for 2015. We thought you might like to know that Sioux Falls ranked #4. Rankings were determined by the cities applicants to employer ratio, applications to job posting ratio, and Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment scores.

The Top 10 lineup points out the relative economic strength of smaller and mid-sized metro areas especially in the Midwest which boasts six of the top cities.

You can read the full story and see the rankings' metrics at https://www.ziprecruiter.com/blog/the-best-job-markets-for-2015/.