PIERRE, SD (KELO) - The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the launch of its new website. The new site is designed to offer veterans a centralized clearinghouse of valuable resources accessible from anywhere in the world.

In conjunction, the Department has added a mobile website, making it easier for veterans to access information from their smartphones or tablets.

"If we are going to reach out to the new generation of veterans who grew up with computers and the Internet, we have to capitalize on those technologies," said Secretary of Veterans' Affairs Larry Zimmerman. "Our new website is designed to highlight the benefits and programs available to them, as well as provide veterans with a list of experts ready to assist them in maneuvering through their benefits."

An estimated 75,000 veterans live in South Dakota and that number increases as our troops return home each month.

To view the website, visit http://www.vetaffairs.sd.gov.

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PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture has sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) urging the board to support South Dakota’s petition regarding Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and the former Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (DM&E) Railroad. 

The Governor met with Secretary Thomas Vilsack on Thursday, Sept. 12, in Washington, D.C. to discuss the potential loss of the only east-to-west rail in South Dakota and the impact it would have on agriculture in the state. 

“The loss of this line, or major portions of it, could eliminate rail service to a major portion of the state. Even where service would remain, agricultural shippers would only have access to a single railroad, which could increase rail rates for agricultural shippers and receivers,” Secretary Vilsack wrote in the letter. “A full accounting of the promised investment, as requested by South Dakota, is a reasonable step forward.” 

Along with the state of South Dakota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture supported CP’s acquisition in 2008 based upon the company’s initial promises.

After CP failed to answer Gov. Daugaard’s questions about the company’s promises and investments, the Governor turned to the federal Surface Transportation Board. In August the Governor filed a petition as an official inquiry with the STB to determine if the CP lived up to the representations it made while seeking to acquire the DM&E.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man charged with Mail Fraud was sentenced on September 23, 2013, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.  Steven Isaacson, age 50, was sentenced to 4 years of probation and ordered to make restitution of $106,609.03.            Isaacson was indicted for 22 counts of mail fraud by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2013.  He pled guilty to one count on June 26, 2013, and the remaining counts were dismissed.            Between January 2006 and July 2011, Isaacson was employed as an officer for AAA Collection Company and Metronova in Sioux Falls and was responsible for paying the company bills.  During that timeframe, he mailed payments for his personal expenses and credit card bills using company funds.              This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) Sioux Falls schools have gotten a real good report card in a new survey of hundreds of parents. Nearly 90 percent give the schools an 'A' or 'B' for overall quality. School Board President Doug Morrison says Sioux Falls has the best teachers in the country and this is a recognition of that.

While overall the schools get high marks, only 44 percent of parents think the district is doing a good job involving parents in the schools. Morrison says the board will drill down on that and try to come up with ways to improve parental involvement.

On another issue, Morrision says it turns out that kids in middle school have been reciting the Pledge Of Allegiance all along, but that the written policy was not clear. The Board is clarifying the written policy to reflect the reality.There was some concern that the Pledge was being recited only in elementary school..     

Sioux Falls S.D. (KELO AM) - The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will share details about the approved Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls Community Appeals campaign at a press conference tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. at the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls ReStore at 721 E. Amidon St.

Representatives from the Chamber's Community Appeals Committee and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls Campaign Leaders will share information about the $1.046 million project. The Chamber Community Appeals-approved campaign kicked off Nov. 1 and continues through March 31, 2014. The "Breaking New Ground" campaign will allow the current ReStore to double its space to 20,000 sq. feet. The added floor space will allow the organization to add more donation space and year-round building opportunities for volunteers.

Tours of the ReStore will be available after the press conference. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls visit www.siouxfallshabitat.org. Read more about the campaign here.

The Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls "Breaking New Ground" Community Appeals Campaign Press Conference:

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls ReStore, 721 E. Amidon St.Speakers include: Tim Hamel, U.S. Bank, Chamber Community Appeals Committee ChairKen Stork, Citi; Dave Fleck, Sioux Falls Construction Company; and Craig Lloyd, Lloyd Companies; Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls ReStore Community Appeals Campaign Co-chairsEvan Ingebrigtson, Minnwest Bank, Chair of the Board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls Sue Olson, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls Executive DirectorKari Ranschau, Habitat HomeownerJim Lair, Operations Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls

When Bill Zortman signed on this morning at his usual 9:00 A.M. time this special morning, he was broadcasting from the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Sioux Falls.  Today's broadcast was number 500 for Zortman and 'It's your business.' 

"I remember the first show and my guest was Jim Clark and our Sculpture Walk and we discussed bringing interviews with artists from around the world who created sculptures for Sioux Falls said Zortman." "From that time we have grown since our first guests on our first show."

Zortman said: In addition to Agriculture, the Affordable Care Act series is bringing Sanford and Avera on the same stage for 6 straight weeks in 2013.    The Remodeling Show is designed to be a help-your-self, fix-up show featuring remodeling experts.  The Addiction show shares what Sioux Falls is doing to help with the thousands with addictions in our community.

"Our golf business experts and the leader of the 1st Tee Program have been a very important part of the show," said Zortman.  "Their tips on equipment, how to play the game and how it relates to life is always up to par."

Zortman said: We have gone from two shows a week in 2010, 2011 and 2012, in 2013 we now do six to seven shows a week.  We have found that there are plenty of businesses who want to share their stories. 

"In 500 shows, it's estimated that we have had over 400 guests," said Zortman.  "The show is always evolving and getting better with our quality guests.  I look forward to serving our business family, increasing our business base and listening closely to what our listeners want to improve their daily lives.

It's your business can be heard:

Monday - 9:00 - 11:00 A.M.

Tuesday - 9:00 - 10:00 (10:00 - 11:00 on 1st,2nd and 3rd Tuesdays)

Wednesday - 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Friday - 9:00 - 11:00 AM

If you would like to feature your business on 'It's Your Business,' call Bill Zortman at (605) 728-BILL for details.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls police officer escaped serious injury when his patrol car was broadsided by a vehicle at Eighth and Minnesota early Wednesday morning.

     Lieutenant Matt Burns says 21 year old Samuel James Landberg drove through the red light and hit the squad car in the passenger side rear panel.

     Burns says the 50 year old officer, who's name was not released, was hospitalized for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  He says from time to time, just because they're out there 24 hours a day, officers do get struck.  He says they are hit when in motion and when stopped.  He says it's a fact of life in their business.  It's unfortunate but it does happen.            

     Burns says Landberg is charged with D-W-I first, failure to stop and failure to maintain financial responsibility for his Chevy Malibu.

     Damage to the police cruiser is estimated at $5,000 and damage to the Malibu is estimated at $8,000. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A warning from Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether today:  the city will hold bad neighbors accountable.

     Huether spoke this morning in front of a house at 503 South Summit Avenue where police have been called over forty times this year.

     Huether says there is no challenge greater than dealing with bad neighbors in Sioux Falls.  He says it could be bad neighbor, a bad landlord, a bad tenant or a bad business owner.  He says it's someone who cares more about themselves than those people around them.              

     Huether says the process often begins when a resident reports a violation of an ordinance.  He says the city is required to complete due diligence with the violator and neighbor, which takes time.

      The city is pursuing the demolition of the Summit Avenue house through the City Attorney’s office.

     Tips to help you be a good neighbor include:  keep your yard clean, shovel your sidewalk, maintain your home, employa comercial garbage service and help neighbors when they need assistance.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For 30 years, Dr. Scott Ecklund has been practicing family medicine and providing quality healthcare to South Dakota families. Ecklund, 58, begins a new chapter in his medical profession as the most recent physician to join the South Dakota Army National Guard. 

When not examining patients at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, Ecklund will put his medical expertise to work providing medical care for Soldiers. Wearing the rank of major, Ecklund will substitute his traditional white lab coat for an Army combat uniform and will serve with the 730th Area Support Medical Company of Vermillion. 

“I think men and women in today’s military have performed brilliantly – in everything that we have asked them to do – and sometimes we’ve asked so much and give them back so little,” said Ecklund, a resident of Brandon. “That makes me really want to try to help out and is why I decided to join.” 

Ecklund also serves in the S.D. Legislature in the House of Representatives for District 25. In his first year of the Legislature, Ecklund met a fellow legislator who also serves in the National Guard. It’s here where he first considered joining the Guard. 

“When I was out at the Legislature in January, I met Jim Seward and we talked about the National Guard. We have a National Guard breakfast where they invite all the legislators to come and hear about what the Guard does,” said Ecklund. “That’s why I decided to do it. I was shocked that they would actually take an old guy like me, but they did.” 

Ecklund said he always wanted to serve in military. His father served during the Korean War in the Navy. 

“He was actually in the Seabees, and he was stationed in Cuba at Guantanamo Bay,” said Ecklund of his father’s service. “That’s the only military connection that I really have. I always hear his stories about being in the military; he was a 20 year-old kid when he was in.” 

Now, Ecklund will be telling stories to his kids and grandkids; he has four children, four grandchildren and a fifth on the way – all with his wife of 30 years, Alison. 

So at 58 years of age, Ecklund is making up for lost time. A native of Minnetonka, Minn., just outside of Minneapolis, Ecklund came to South Dakota after high school and went to Augustana College in 1974. 

“I have been here ever since I went to medical school,” said Ecklund. “After I graduated Augustana, I attended medical school at the University of South Dakota, did my residency in Sioux Falls and married a Sioux Falls girl. South Dakota is my home.”

Ecklund says he always wanted to serve in the military, but the timing never quite worked out. When he graduated high school, Vietnam was winding down. 

“Vietnam was kind of done and there was no real need for people to enlist. Right after college I went to medical school, started residency and then started practicing,” said Ecklund. “I have always felt like I missed something because I never served. I would be at banquets and people would say, ‘Would those in our armed forces please stand up,’ and people would applaud. I always thought I wish I would have served in some way.” 

Now that Ecklund finally has his opportunity to serve his state and nation, he looks forward to the experiences he will have. 

“I know that if there is a deployment opportunity, I would welcome the chance to go. Not that I want to go to war or anything, but I want to be there to help,” said Ecklund. “I think that I have enough experience over the years with counseling and dealing with all kinds of issues being in family medicine. I think I can actually help some of these young people that are either wounded, have some stress problems or PTSD. I look forward to being able to help in that regard.”

Either in his role as a doctor or as a legislator, helping and serving people is something Ecklund knows well and is something he looks forward to for as long as he is able. 

“They say they have waivered me and I can serve in the Guard until I’m 68, so I am going to go and see what it is like and hopefully be able to help some people out,” said Ecklund. “Maybe it’s not for me and if it isn’t I guess I’ll look for something else, but so fall all indications seem to be that it is the right decision for me to make.”

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High resolution photos are available upon request or at www.flikr.com/southdakotanationalguard

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Maj. Anthony Deiss at (605) 737-6721 or cell (605) 431- 8753, or e-mail ng.sd.sdarng.list.pao@mail.mil.

Brookings, S.D. (KELO AM) - Retired CIA agent Tony Mendez, who masterminded one of the most daring hostage rescue missions in history, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Performing Arts Center on the South Dakota State University campus.

Mendez was the inspiration for the 2012 film "Argo," which starred Ben Affleck which won three Academy Awards. 

His talk is sponsored by the student-run University Program Council.

The story of "Argo" begins well before this generation of SDSU students were born.

On Nov. 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and captured 52 American hostages, sparking a 444-day ordeal and a quake in global politics still reverberating today. But there is a little-known drama connected to the crisis.

Mendez disguised himself as a Hollywood producer and traveled to Tehran under the guise of scouting locations for a fake science fiction film called "Argo." 

To make the ruse seem legitimate, he was accompanied supported by a cast of expert forgers, deep-cover CIA operatives, foreign agents and Hollywood special effects artists. Mendez worked closely with Canadian government staff in Ottawa, who forwarded the passports and other supporting material to the Canadian embassy through a Canadian diplomatic courier. 

While pretending to find the perfect film backdrops, Mendez and a colleague succeeded in contacting the escapees.

The rescue was carried off Jan. 28, 1980, when the six hostages, Mendez and an associate successfully boarded a Swissair flight from Tehran to Zurich.

His book "Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off One Of The Most Audacious Rescues In History" was published in September 2012, just a month before the release of the film. 

Mendez is the recipient of the CIA Intelligence Medal of Merit and was chosen among tens of thousands of agents to be one of 50 agents to receive the prestigious Trailblazer Medallion. 

His first book, "The Master of Disguise; My Secret Life in the CIA," was published in 1999 on the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down.Mendez, who lives on 40-acre farm in Maryland, continues to consult the intelligence community and is also an award-winning artist with an international reputation.

Tickets are available in advance at the Student Union Information Exchange, 605-688-6127. The cost is $10. Children under age 10 and SDSU students with ID are admitted free.

For more information, call Tyler Hajek, SDSU Program Council Lectures and Forums coordinator, at 605-688-6173.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Anti-smoking forces are gearing up for next week’s Great American Smokeout on November 21.

     The American Cancer Society estimates about 94,000 South Dakotans smoke.

     Doctor Fady Jamous, pulmonary specialist with Avera, says quitting smoking has immediate effects on the body.  Jamous says 20 minutes after quitting, the heart rate and blood presure drop to healthier rates.  He says 12 hours after quitting carbon monoxide levels return to normal.  And in the long term, 5 years after quitting, the risk for heart attack and many cancers is reduced by half.         

     South Dakota’s smoking cessation hotline is 1-866-S-D-QUITS.

     Quit Kits are also available from the American Cancer Society, the Sioux Empire Tobacco-Free Coalition and the Falls Community Health Center.

     Dr. Steve McGraw,  says "smoking is responsible for nearly one in three cancer deaths and one in five deaths from all causes."

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Members of the Sioux Falls School Board are receiving threats on social media over its Pledge of Allegiance policy.

     Board Vice-President Kent Alberty says the Board Tuesday expanded its pledge policy to include middle school students.  He says most middle school  classrooms were already reciting the Pledge.

     Alberty says it’s up to High School teachers if they want to say the Pledge.  He says the Pledge will be required to be said at all school assemblies.  He says presentation of colors will also be carried out at high school assemblies.  It's a clear expansion of policy.                

     Alberty says the threats are coming from outside of South Dakota.

     He says erroneous news reports that the Board was removing the Pledge from High School prompted the threats.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls man suffered stab wounds to his stomach during an argument Thursday night with a neighbor in apartments on South Prairie Avenue.

     Officer Sam Clemens says 22-year-old Tyrel Thomas Red Bird was trying to get a relative out of the victim’s apartment.

     Clemens says the victim hit Red Bird.  He says Red Bird spilled into the hallway and the victim came at him.  That's when Red Bird produced a pocketknife and stabbed the victim twice in the abdomen.      

     Clemens says the victim, who was treated for his wounds, was uncooperative with police.  The wounds were not considerd life-threatening

     There’s no word on what sparked the incident.  Red Bird was still at the scene when police arrested him.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls transient faces a list of charges following a short car chase early this morning that ended when the car crashed into a tree at 6^th and Leadale.

     Officer Sam Clemens says officers spotted a stolen car just after four this morning near 5^th and Twin Towers.

     Clemens says officers gave chase but quit the pursuit when the suspect began driving erratically, eventually hitting a tree.  Clemens says police found 33-year-old Alvin Roy Chambers hiding under a car in the parking lot of the Corner Bar.  Chambers started running but police quickly caught up to him.             

     Clemens says Chambers is charged with aggravated eluding, hit and run, possession of a stolen vehicle, driving revoked, and possession of marijuana, paraphernalia and a controlled substance.

At 8:30 a.m., on Monday morning, November 18, 2013, the two northbound lanes on Minnesota Avenue will be closed north of Russell Street. Northbound traffic will use the northbound left-turn lane.

First Rate Excavate will be installing utilities. The work is anticipated to be finished by the evening of November 21, 2013.

Motorists are urged to use caution and reduced speeds while travelling through the construction area.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) At 8:30 a.m., on Tuesday morning, November 19, 2013, the outside westbound lane on Tenth Street will be closed at Lowell Avenue. Westbound traffic will use the inside westbound lane.

First Rate Excavate will be replacing sidewalk. The work is anticipated to be finished by the evening of November 21, 2013.

Motorists are urged to use caution and reduced speeds while travelling through the construction area.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls woman is charged with aggravated assault after cutting her cousin’s hand with a knife.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the relatives live next door to one other in apartments on North Lewis Avenue.

     Clemens says the victim asked 29-year-old Lena Belle Thunder to lower the music in her apartment and that’s when she allegedly cut him.  Clemens says Thunder is also accused of throwing the knife at the victim but missed hitting him. 

     He says a friend of the victim called police who arrested Thunder in her apartment.             

     The 45-year-old male victim refused medical attention.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police are looking for a second suspect in the robbery of a Salvation Army donation can from a Sioux Falls convenience store.

     Officer Sam Clemens says a man and woman were trying to break into the can when police found them on West 10^th Street early Saturday morning.

     As police approached the pair, the woman told her partner to run.  Clemens says the woman was pushing the officer, trying to keep him away from the guy and still telling him to run.  So the officer arrested her for obstruction and she kicked the officer.  He also charged her for resisiting arrest. During the scuffle the man ran away.                

     Clemens says 27-year-old Kristin Marie Moller was also arrested for intentional damage to property for trying to break open the donation can.

     Police know who the male suspect is but he hasn’t been found.     

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) City of Sioux Falls and South Dakota Department of Transportation officials will host a joint news conference on Tuesday, November 19, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss total investments in infrastructure in 2013 and to announce the flagship construction projects slated for 2014. The news conference will take place in the Commission Room in City Hall, 224 West Ninth Street.

Come to help the City and DOT celebrate another successful year of infrastructure improvements and to learn more about total investments in 2013 and how additional improvements in 2014 will impact the community.

PIERRE, S.D  - Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that Michael Harry Monmaney, 28, Sioux Falls, was sentenced to 8 years with 8 suspended for grand theft by deception and 30 days in jail for the failure to give three day right-to-cancel. In addition to the suspended court sentence, Monmaney was given four year probation period with several conditions including restitution in the amount of $8,887.25 to be paid by the end of the probation period.

 Charges stem from complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division for home improvement work that was not completed in Minnehaha County in the late spring 2011 through the summer of 2013.

This case was investigated by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the South Dakota Department of Revenue and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.