SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Senator John Thune isn’t suggesting that the Department of Agriculture is moving too slow to combat avian flu.

Thune says the letter he and Mike Rounds sent to Tom Vilsack yesterday is to let him know they’re paying close attention to the situation.

Thune says he and Rounds want USDA to take whatever steps are neccessary and if that means they have to move money around in their budgets, there would be support for that.

Hundreds of thousands of turkeys in South Dakota have been destroyed because of avian flu

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) After 25 years in business, Valentino's Restaurant in Sioux Falls is closing. Thousands of patrons have sung along to it's 'Grand Italian Buffet' radio jingle through the many years of it's success on 41st Street.

Owner John Jones says "It's been a good 25 years, but it's time for the next chapter."  He and his wife want to spend more time with family and friends. Jones joked that he doesn't want his tombstone to read: He worked too long.

Valentino's will close shortly after Mother's Day. 

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM and KWSN) – Fans of the Minnesota Vikings have been given one more reason to cheer for the purple and gold next season, after it was announced Wednesday that Karmen and Kirsten Nyberg of Sioux Falls will be part of the team’s 35 member cheer squad for the 2015-16 season. The twin sisters have spent a combined 32 years practicing dance and cheering at all levels; including at Sioux Falls Lincoln, Augustana College, and most recently for the Sioux Falls Storm indoor football team.

Current Mitchell High School cheer coach Amanda Gilman spent one year coaching the Nybergs at Sioux Falls Lincoln, and from day one of her tenure with the Patriots she said they were the cornerstone of her squad. “I walked into practice my first day there, and those two girls just stood out to me. First of all because they were just leaders, they had a presence in the gym.” She added their skill set combined with that leadership and presence made Wednesday’s announcement no surprise to her at all, “anything you could pick for a cheerleader, especially on a high school team, those girls had.”

Gilman, who was a cheerleader herself at Parkston High School and also won the 2012 Spirt of Six award at the AA Boys state tournament as coach at Mitchell High School, said as a young coach she still learned a lot from Karmen and Kirsten. “They were always ones to step up and say ‘well coach, this is how we’ve done it in the past’ kind of directing me.”

According to a press release from the Sioux Falls Storm, Kirsten has been dancing for nearly 18 years. She began dancing at age five at a local studio where she took ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop classes. Kirsten also participated in competitive dance and cheerleading for over ten years at the all-star and high school level, and was a four-year member on Augustana’s cheer and dance teams. Karmen has been dancing for 18 years (14 competitively). She was also a member of Augustana’s dance team. Last year the twins were in the running to become members of the Denver Broncos cheer squad.

“If cheer and dance is the direction you want to go, [getting to the NFL] is the ultimate dream” said Gilman. She added all their previous coaches and instructors can take pride in this moment as well. “It’s an incredible thing for those girls, and to think that I coached them in their senior year it’s just really exciting.” 

(Information from the Sioux Falls Storm was used in this report)

SIOUX FALLS (KELO AM) - On Friday, October 2, 2015, Elton John will say farewell to Sioux Falls as he and his band perform at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center as part of “The Final Curtain” tour. After more than 4,000 concerts and a career spanning over fifty years, Elton is now slowly bringing the curtain down. The tour will feature iconic hits and classic album tracks from Elton’s incredible five-decade career, including a selection of songs from his acclaimed re-mastered album, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,’ which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

“The simple truth is I want to spend more time with my family and less time touring,’ said Elton. “I am all too aware of how precious the time ahead is. My sons are growing up so quickly, their early years are just flying by and I want to be there with them. So this final Sioux Falls concert will give me one last chance to say farewell to my fans here who have been so faithful over the decades.”

Elton John’s band includes Nigel Olsson (part of Elton's original three-piece band) on drums, as well as musical director Davey Johnstone (who first recorded with Elton in 1971 and joined the band in a year later) on guitar, Matt Bissonette on bass, John Mahon on percussion, and Kim Bullard on keyboards.“Elton John is an entertainment legend,” said Terry Torkildson, Denny Sanford PREMIER Center General Manager. “As part of our inaugural year, it is our privilege to host Sir Elton’s final appearance in Sioux Falls. This concert will be a must-see and a performance our community will never forget!”

Elton last played Sioux Falls in 2007, selling out the Arena and giving the audience nearly three hours of his greatest hits and best loved album tracks. If you would like to see Elton as he performs for the last time in Sioux Falls, tickets go on sale on Friday, May 8th at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations.

Elton is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 37 gold and 27 multi-platinum albums as well as 58 Billboard Top 40 singles. He has sold more than 250 million records worldwide. Elton holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, Candle in the Wind 1997, which sold 33 million copies.

He also holds the record for most appearances on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart with his 2013 single "Home Again" marking his 69th entry. He has written the music for stage and screen blockbusters Billy Elliot: The Musical, Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, and The Lion King, which was recently named the highest grossing stage show or film release in the world.

Among the many awards and honors bestowed upon him are five Grammys, a Grammy Legend award, a Tony and an Oscar, a Best British Male Artist BRIT Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honor, Legend of Live Award, 12 Ivor Novello Awards and a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II for "services to music and charitable services."

Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, May 8th at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police made an arrest yesterday in the stabbing death of Daniel Eastman almost five years ago in downtown Sioux Falls.

Captain Blaine Larsen says 33-year-old Sadie Gwendolyn Red Bear, a transient, is charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault.

Larsen credits the work of Detectives Webb and Mertes for taking a second look at the case that at one point was dormant.  He says the detectives worked on the case tirelessly even during off hours.       

Eastman survived 90 days before succumbing to his wounds and was not cooperative with detectives. He was found bleeding in an alley off the 600 block of South Main Avenue on August 19, 2011.  He was stabbed in the chest and stomach.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police arrested a suspect in the attempted robbery of the Rice Street Casino Monday night.

Captain Blaine Larsen says the store’s video led police to 35-year-old Florencell James Jones who is charged with second degree robbery.  Jones was also charged with possession of a controlled substance when police found meth in the car he drove to the law enforcement building to talk with detectives who asked him to come in.

Larsen says Jones's walk, clothing, jewelry and mannerisms were clearly identifiable to people who know him.             

Larsen says there were over a dozen tips on Crimestoppers naming Jones as the suspect.

A would be robber wearing a mask walked into the Rice Street Casino Monday with a money bag and talked to the clerk for about a minute before leaving without any money.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The National Letter Carriers food drive is a week from Saturday so watch for a postcard and a HyVee bag at your address next week.

Sioux Falls carrier Eric Wicks says the local drive is nearing a milestone this year.  Wick says for the 24th Annual Food Drive, Sioux Falls carriers are nearing the one million pounds of food donated.

The non-perishable foods you place by your mailbox, will be picked up Saturday, May 9^th, for Feeding South Dakota.

PIERRE, SD (KELO AM) – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that he will appoint William J.Shorma of Dakota Dunes to the vacant seat in the state Senate representing District 16. Shorma will succeed Sen. Dan Lederman, who resigned earlier this year.

“Bill Shorma learned the value of hard work from an entrepreneurial family, and he knows what it takes to start a business, create jobs and make a payroll,” said Gov. Daugaard. “He has also given back to his community in many ways, and I thank him for taking on this new public service role.”

Shorma grew up farming and ranching and working in his family’s businesses in Wahpeton, N.D. He was president and part owner of the Shorma family-owned Shur-Co and Truxedo, both of Yankton, S.D. Currently Shorma is CEO of Rush-Co, another Shorma family-owned company located in Springfield, S.D., that manufactures and combines metal and industrial fabric products.

“I am honored to serve District 16 and the great people of South Dakota,” Shorma said. “I look forwarding to meeting as many people as I can and hearing their ideas to keep South Dakota moving forward, while preserving the wonderful place that it is.”

Shorma is a former director of the Board of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. He has served as chair of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chair of the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce, president of the Prairie Family Business Association and a member of the South Dakota Junior Achievement Board of Directors.

Shorma and his wife of 39 years, Marcie, have three grown daughters and eight grandchildren. They are members of Morningside Lutheran Church in Sioux City.

The appointment is effective immediately. Shorma will serve the remainder of Sen. Lederman’s term, which expires after the 2016 general election. District 16 includes all of Union County, and southern and eastern portions of Lincoln County, including the cities of Worthing, Canton, Beresford and Hudson.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Dell Rapids family woke to a ring of Minnehaha County Deputies early this morning responding to a call of an armed man with a hostage.

Captain Jim Hoekman says the call was a hoax.  He says a man called 911 just after one Friday mornng saying he had a gun and was going to kill his daughter, anyone coming close to the house and then himself.

Hoekman says deputies set up a perimeter around the house on South Garfield and used a bull horn to call the occupants out.  He says the family was sleeping and were the vicims of the orchestrated stunt.

Hoekman say investigators hope to trace the call with the help of the phone company.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police and Firefighters hope tonight’s charity basketball game becomes an annual affair.

Officer Andy Siebenborn says the free-will admission will benefit two worthy causes.  The police are playing for the Family Visitation Center and Firefighters are playing for the Saint Florian Fire and Burn Foundation.

The winning team claims 55% of the gate while the losing team gets 45%.  A traveling trophy goes to the winner too.            

The cagers compete tonight at 7:30 at Whittier Middle School.

Here are the road and utility projects this week in Sioux Falls:

Intersection Closures - Cliff Avenue at 61st Street, 62nd Street, 63rd Street, and Northstar Lane

Beginning on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, the intersections of 61st Street, 62nd Street, 63rd Street and Northstar Lane just east of Cliff Avenue will be intermittently closed for asphalt paving.

Construction crews will be installing two lifts of new asphalt pavement. Intersections will be closed for a few hours at a time as needed to install the asphalt pavement and will be reopened as soon as the pavement has cooled. All intersections are expected to be reopened by Friday morning, May 8.

This work is part of the Cliff Avenue Reconstruction Project from 61st Street to 85th Street. The entire project is anticipated to be completed by November 6, 2015.

Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce their speed while traveling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.

Street Closure - West 34th Street from Minnesota Avenue to Center Avenue

Beginning on Monday, May 4, 2015, West 34th Street from Minnesota Avenue to Center Avenue will be closed to allow construction crews to install new water main and street surfacing. Traffic in this area should use 33rd Street or 37th Street as an alternate route.

Work is anticipated to be completed by late May.

Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce their speed while travelling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.

Lane Closure - East 10th Street from Bahnson Avenue to Sycamore Avenue

Beginning on Monday, May 4, 2015, the outside eastbound lane of East 10th Street will be closed from Bahnson Avenue to Sycamore Avenue to allow construction crews to begin work on sidewalk installation. Traffic will be maintained on the inside eastbound lane.

The completion date for this project is mid-June. Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce their speed while travelling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.SHL

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - About a half-acre of grassland burned Friday night at Sertoma Park and police are investigating it as arson.

Officer Sam Clemens says a witness recorded two teenagers near where the fire started.

Clemens says investigators have not determined if the fire was set by accident or intentionally.  He says once the boys saw the witness they ran away.  After trying to extinguish the fire himself, the witness called Fire Rescue.              

Clemens says the suspects haven’t been found.  He says investigators are reviewing the footage.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Fire Rescue smoked the police in a basketball fundraiser Friday night 62 to 41.

Officer Sam Clemens says they raised more money than they expected.  Clemens says the firefighters raised $670 for the St. Florian Fire and Burn Foundation and police raised $549 for the Family Vistitation Center.  The winner claimed 55% of the take at the gate.               

Fire Rescue is the first winner of the new traveling trophy.

VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO AM) – The University of South Dakota will offer a new program that allows students to study health service administration in Cuba while also learning about the people, art and culture of America’s island neighbor.

The first group of 15 students and their professor will visit Cuba during winter break, visiting hospitals and the university medical clinic, and observing community projects.

“We chose Cuba because it is known around the world for its national health system where all residents have access to cost-effective health care, and because it is a leader in providing health care for nearly a hundred developing countries,” said Professor Carole South-Winter, who teaches health care administration in the USD Beacom School of Business.

“Cuba also has a world-renowned medical training program, making it an ideal location for USD students to compare and examine different health care systems and means of delivery,” she said.

The students will enroll in a course entitled Health Services Administration Abroad, which will cover the formation and operation of public health policies. South-Winter points out that Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate than that of the United States and also has a life expectancy of 78 years, one of the best on the American continent.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say gunshots were fired when an out-of-control party spilled into the streets east of Lyon Park in downtown Sioux Falls early this morning

Officer Sam Clemens says one person was arrested for fleeing and underage consumption and another for possession of marijuana but it’s unclear if they had anything to do with gunshots.

18-year-old Ryan Williams Ashes was arrested for fleeing, possession of marijuana and underage consumption.  A 15-year-old girl was also arrested for underage consumption.         

Clemens says police believe they know who the shooter is but he hasn’t been found.  No one was injured

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County Commission today awarded an ambulance license to Med-Star to serve an area mostly north and west of Sioux Falls.

Commissioner Gerald Beninga offered an addendum requiring a western station housing an ambulance.  Beninga says it could be a fixed site or even a mobile location as long as there's an ambulance service in the western part of the service area.

Med-Star previously agreed to establishing a satellite location west of Sioux Falls to improve response times. 

The current contract is good for almost two years.  The other ambulance provider, Paramedics Plus, will replace Rural Metro beginning May 21 and will serve Sioux Falls.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County Commission today lifted the burn ban.

Emergency Management Director Lynn DeYoung says there has been a green-up and rain is in the forecast this week.

DeYoung admits we're in a moderate drought, but fire officials recognize the importance of allowing farmers and ranchers to burn off material and for other outdoor uses that the county has.  He says the burn ban can be reinstated if conditions worsen.             

DeYoung advises residents to call metro communication before burning and give them a heads-up.

Humboldt, SD (KELO AM) - The “Save our Future” group is rallying voters in Humboldt and Hartford to overrule the West Central School Board’s decision to turn over the Cherry Lake addition to the Sioux Falls School district, saying it is an opportunity to grow their district they way Tea, Brandon, and Harrisburg have in recent years.

The group’s Lisa Engels says the estimated tax value of the Cherry Lake addition is around $100 million, which would prove helpful if the district decides to put an elementary school in Sioux Falls. “That’s much more easily done with that $100 million property tax value within our district, as opposed to letting it go and later on figuring out that we need a building over there anyway.” Engels said. According to the group the value of the addition represents 20% of West Central’s tax base.

She added that it would benefit residents in the area that are already in the West Central district, allowing them to send their kids to elementary school close to home without driving to Humboldt or Hartford. “We need to decide if we want to take care of these families that are coming into our district as Sioux Falls grows. That means we need to provide an elementary school building that’s close to where those families live.”

Voters in the district will head to the polls on May 19^th to decide the fate of the Cherry Lake addition. A no vote would keep the addition in the West Central school district, voting yes would leave the school board’s decision as is.  

SIOUX FALLS (KELO AM) - The Sioux Falls based Sioux Falls Composite Squadron recently won the CAP’s Squadron of the Year Award at the South Dakota CAP Wing Conference and Award Ceremony last month in Pierre. Besides the squadron of the Year, the unit also received the Squadron of Merit Award.

In addition, a number of individuals in the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron received awards. Capt. Karen Espeland was named Professional Development Officer of the Year. Capt. Neil Schmid received the Senior Member of the Year award. Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Steven Diaconu received the Cadet Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award. A Commander’s Achievement Award was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Lair. Commander’s Commendation Certificates were presented to Second Lieutenant Manny Steele, Capt. Karen Espeland, Cadet Captain Nicole Schneider, Cadet Captain Samuel Huntington, and Cadet Second Lieutenant Devon Brown.  

During the award ceremony South Dakota Wing Commander Colonel John Seten expressed his pride in the Sioux Falls Composite Squadron, “Sioux Falls is an outstanding squadron in all respects. The awards presented tonight are clear testimony to the quality and professionalism of its people and of its programs.”

The South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, with squadrons in Sioux Falls, Brookings, Rapid City, Pierre, Custer and Spearfish has approximately 300 members, six light aircraft and 17 multi-purpose vehicles. These assets are available to federal, state and county governments, emergency responders and law enforcement agencies to perform search and rescue, homeland security, disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and counter-drug missions. For more information visit the wing’s website at http://sdcap.us and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SDWingCAP. For general information on CAP visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Classes at Lincoln High School are starting two hours late today because vandals broke in overnight.

Superintendent Pam Homan says it appears they broke into the cafeteria dumping spices and oils in the hallways.

Homans says classes at Lincoln were delayed two hours so investigators could collect evidence and then the school could clean the mess.              

Homan is confident investigators will identify the vandals from surveillance footage.