VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO AM) -- The University of South Dakota Department of Theatre presents the long-awaited musical, “Les Misérables,” (book by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer) Nov. 21-25, in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre of the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts.

“Les Misérables” is a multi-award-winning musical based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. Audiences throughout the world have been drawn into the compelling story of redemption, obsession, revolution, second-chances and social class for more than three decades. Featuring recognizable songs like “Do You Hear the People Sing” and “I Dreamed a Dream,” the story follows the journey of Jean Valjean (played by Steven Schaeffer of Sioux Falls, S.D.) from young ex-con and thief to his rise as a well-respected member of the business class. All the while, Javert (played by Ebrin Stanley of Houston, Texas), the tenacious, sadistic military police officer, tracks Valjean through city and country committing his life to exposing the truth about Valjean’s past. Young lovers, poor beggars, crooked bar-keeps, forgotten young girls and passionate students populate Valjean’s world, leading him to “pay forward” the grace given him years before in darker days. 

Because of its immense popularity, permission for universities and similar producing companies has only recently been granted. USD Theatre is presenting one of the first university productions in the Great Plains under the direction and musical direction of Assistant Professor Matt Nesmith.“Les Misérables” is also presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (www.MTIShows.com). 

“Les Misérables” performs at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 21- 23 and on Nov. 25, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 in the Wayne S. Knutson Theatre on the USD campus. Tickets are $15 Adults, $12 Senior Citizen (62+) $10 K-12 & non-USD students with ID, and $5 USD for students with ID and can be reserved online at www.usd.edu/theatre by calling the USD Theatre Box Office at (605) 677-5400 between noon and 5 p.m.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls man is charged with raping a five year old girl under his care at a motel room on West Russell Street last night.

     Officer Sam Clemens says 22-year-old Kaleb Joseph Makey is also charged with sexual contact with a child under 16.

     Clemens says Makey Was babysitting the girl when her mother returned unexpectedly.  He says she on her way to a store when she realized she forgot her purse.  When she returned to the motel room, Clemens says, she found the child naked from the waist down. 

     Clemens says the mother called police and Makey was arrested walking on North West Avenue.

     Ther was an infant male in the room that was not harmed.  The mother was going to the store with another son and her husband.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) By the end of 2013, more than $92.4 million in street and utility improvements will have been invested in Sioux Falls. That includes $49 million provided by the City and $43.4 million provided by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT).

“The partnership between the City of Sioux Falls and the DOT has never been stronger,” says Mark Cotter, Director of Public Works for the City. “It’s through the State’s involvement that major projects like Russell Street, Highway 11, the interchange at Cliff Avenue and Interstate 90, and the Solberg Avenue overpass have come to fruition.”

Of the $49 million invested by the City in 2013, nearly $29 million was for utility and landfill improvements, including the Sioux River South Sanitary Sewer project, which upgraded the City’s sewer system on the south side of town. The $43.4 million provided by the DOT was all designated for street improvements.

“The coordination with the City of Sioux Falls is an important aspect to many of our projects in the Sioux Falls area,” says Travis Dressen, Sioux Falls Area Engineer for the DOT. “Through these efforts, we are able to align our project needs during the planning phase and incorporate municipal improvements into state highway construction projects, which minimizes impacts to travelers and provides a higher return on the initial investment.”

In 2014, several major street construction projects are planned for Sioux Falls.

• The Russell Street project will continue for the second and final year, as the eastbound lanes are constructed.
• The intersection of Tenth Street and Sycamore Avenue will be reconstructed, adding right turn lanes and dual left turn lanes.
• 41st Street from Sertoma Avenue to Ellis Road will be widened to four lanes with a raised median.
• 12th Street from Carolyn Avenue to Kiwanis Avenue will receive extensive concrete joint repairs.
• Second Avenue from Tenth Street to 11th Street will be reconstructed, as the flagship project affecting downtown.
• Eighth Street from Fairfax Avenue to Sherman Avenue will be reconstructed and realigned at Cliff Avenue.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Sioux Falls Police Department’s Animal Control Division would like the public’s help in locating a dog in reference to a dog bite.

On November 15, 2013, a 53-year-old male was bitten in the left calf area by a dog while walking in the area of 11th Street and Duluth Avenue. The dog was described as a Collie mix, with medium length hair, black and white in color, and wearing a collar.

Animal Control needs to identify the dog in this incident to verify its vaccinations. If you have any information on this case, please call Animal Control at 367-7000.

Brookings S.D. (KELO AM) - The road to an entertaining night for supporting the arts at South Dakota State University ends on Eleventh Street in Brookings, but it takes Route 66 to reach the destination.

The 10th annual fundraiser for Design and Visual Arts Group Inc. (DVAGI) is at the Performing Arts Center on 11th Street, west of the intersection with 16th Avenue, on Saturday, Nov. 23.

This year's theme is "Come Get Your Kicks on Route 66," from the popular song first recorded in 1946 by Nat King Cole to celebrate the freedom of automobile travel along the 2,450-mile highway from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Route 66 doesn't come anywhere close to Brookings, but attendees Saturday should still feel that slice of Americana through the menu, decorations and music, according Jane Hegland, associate dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences and one of DVAGI's founders.

The Performing Arts Council diner will be serving up Route 66 meatloaf bites, smoked gouda mac-n-cheese, BBQ sliders and ice cream floats.

Entertainment will be bluesy, rock music by Nick Schmeichel, a Brookings resident whose day job is president of Sideline Productions, a broadcasting and media production rental company.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The silent auction runs from 5:30 to 6:50 p.m. followed by the live auction at 7 p.m. SDSU faculty, students, and local professional artists have donated 30 pieces artwork and design services for the silent auction and another 10 for the live auction. Jonathan Larsen of Larsen and Larsen Auction Co. will serve as the auctioneer and master of ceremonies. 

Tickets are $50 apiece, or four for $150. To purchase tickets in advance, call 688-4333 or email dvagi.org@gmail.com. 

Hegland said DVAGI fundraisers have raised $100,000 to provide professional development scholarships for students in the majors of apparel merchandising, fine arts, interior design, landscape architecture, graphic design and visual arts. 

Through DVAGI's efforts, students have studied in such places as New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago as well as Italy, England, South Africa, Australia and Turkey.

Matt James, an assistant professor in landscape architecture, said, "Most recently DVAGI scholarships helped fund student attendance at a national landscape architecture conference in Athens, Ga. "It essential that students are exposed to travel studies and these DVAGI scholarships make it so much more accessible."

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Answering an online ad, police arrested two women for prostitution and a man for pimping at a northwest Sioux Falls motel last night.

     Officer Sam Clemens says 26-year-old Cael Douglas of Fresno, California, is also charged with promoting prostitution.

     Clemens says the two women, from Minnesota and California, were willing participants.  He says some women work alone while others work for a pimp and some are forced into it.  But he says when investigators interviewed these women, they did not say they were being trafficked or being held against their will.              

     Clemens says the Sioux Falls street crimes unit regularly scans the internet for prostitution ads.  

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The third Thursday in November is the National Great American Smokeout.

     The American Cancer Society says about 94,000 South Dakotans smoke, that's about 15 percent of the state's adult population.

     Radiation Oncologist with Sanford Health, Dr. Steve McGraw says smoking is responsible for one in three cancer deaths and one in five deaths from all causes.  McGraw says each year there are over 400,000 deaths related to smoking in our country.  He says in South Dakota there are 450 deaths a year related to tobacco.

     McGraw says smoking and using tobacco products puts you at a higher risk for heart disease and over 15 kinds of cancer.

     Smokers are most successful in kicking the habit when they have support including nicotine replacement products, counseling, support groups, prescription medicine and encouragement from friends and neighbors.

     South Dakota's smoking cessation hot line is 1-866-S-D-QUITS.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls Police held a liquor compliance check of 27 off-sale businesses last night and one clerk sold to the underage buyer.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the sale was made at the Shop N Cart on East 12^th Street.  Clemens says one is not bad but, police want to get back to a streak a few years ago where there were no sales made to underage buyers for six months  He says 100% compliance is the goal.            

     Clemens says police check every off-sale business twice a year.

     He says the underage buyer is between 18 and 20 years old and uses their own driver’s license in the checks.

     Clerks making sales to the underage buyer are cited and have a mandatory court appearance.  Businesses making sales may face fines, suspensions or loss of their liquor or malt beverage license.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) The Sioux Falls School District has used automated phone calls to survey parents on whether they want the pledge of allegiance recited daily in city high schools. Currently a daily pledge is not required in high school.

School Board President Doug Morrison says, as far as he knows, it is the first time the schools have used auto calls in such a way to poll parents. He tells KELO-AM that there has been alot of incorrect information in the media about the pledge policy so this technology allows officials to go directly to parents to find out what they want.

Morrison says the results will likely be ready for discussion at Monday's meeting.

Sioux Falls S.D. (KELO AM) - The Public Parking Division is excited to announce continued improvements to the public parking system. Starting today, parking citations will have a new design that integrates the Public Parking logo and blue/gold color scheme. Along with the new look, customers will have additional payment options.

• Online payments are coming! Beginning November 27, 2013, a convenient online payment option will be available at www.siouxfallsparking.org/paymyparkingticket. Simply have your citation number or license plate number available and a valid credit card. Paying online is so EASY!
• Payment locations now are closer to you! Drop your payment off at any one of First PREMIER Bank’s multiple Sioux Falls locations. Save time by dropping it off in the drive-through lane. Your nearest location and hours can be found at www.firstpremier.com/locations.

In addition to new payment options, you can still pay in person on the third floor of City Hall, leave payment in one of multiple drop boxes downtown, or mail your payment in the provided envelope.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls man injured in a car-pedestrian accident about two weeks ago at 57^th Street and Western Avenue died yesterday.

     Lieutenant Jerry Miller says 38-year-old David Stitt was crossing 57^th Street when he was hit by a car driven by 33-year-old Mary Ash of Sioux Falls.

     Miller says Stitt was walking quickly across 57^th Street at the time of the accident.  He says Stitt was also walking against the light, he had a red trafic signal.  Miller says he ran out into the path of the 2011 Hyundai and was struck.             

     Miller says the investigation determined that speed, alcohol and mechanical condition were not factors.

     No charges will be filed and the investigation is complete.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls woman is charged with aggravated assault for allegedly showing a handgun in a road rage incident at 10^th Street and Cliff Avenue yesterday.

     Officer Sam Clemens says 27-year-old Nichole Lynn Smithers is accused of cutting off another car and words were spoken between drivers at the stop light.

     Clemens says Smithers allegedly displayed a handgun to the other driver.  He says she pointed the gun down and did not point it at the victim.                 

     Clemens says the male driver felt threatend by the display and called police.  Officers arrested Smithers at Russell and Main.

     Police recovered a handgun and a dozen rounds of ammunition from Smithers’ car.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) Sioux Falls will be the first place in South Dakota to use special software to synchronize stoplights to improve traffic flow.

The State Transportation Department is investing $500,000 to install the technology along super busy 41st Street in Sioux Falls. The software is supposed to automatically adjust the lights based on the volume of vehicles and traffic conditions.  If it works, and it has in other states, it should mean less time waiting at lights and better traffic safety. 

DOT's director of planning and engineering, Joel Jundt, told the Capital Journal in Pierre that another set of software is under consideration for Omaha Street in Rapid City.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) -The Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill will soon close its two satellite leaf and branch drop-off sites. Residents are encouraged to make every effort to wrap up fall cleanup activities and prepare for the winter ahead. The satellite drop-off sites located at North Lyon Boulevard and East Chambers Street will close for the season at 5 p.m. on December 1, 2013. After that time, leaves and branches can be taken to the landfill located five miles west of city limits on 41st Street.

Through December 1, leaf drop-off site hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The leaf drop-off sites and the Landfill will be closed Thanksgiving Day.

General information regarding the Landfill, including hours of operation, rates, and materials accepted, is located at www.siouxfalls.org, or you may call the Landfill at 605-367-8162.

BROOKINGS, SD (KELO-AM) The South Dakota State Jackrabbit football team is headed to warmer climates for an FCS conference at large playoff berth. The Jacks, ranked 13th by the Sports Network Media poll will take on number 8 rated Northern Arizona, in the playoff game in Flagstaff, Arizona next Saturday at 7 PM Central time. The winner will go on to face the number three national seed, Eastern Washington on December 7th.

SIOUX FALLS,SD (KELO-AM) The City of Sioux Falls is looking for proposals to develop a new hotel facility in the vicinity of Elmwood Golf Course. The approach announced by the City involves a long term lease arrangement. City Director of Parks and Recreation, Don Kearney says the project should "promote the golfing experience" at Elmwood. Darrin Smith, Community Development Director says the development will also support the new sports and entertainment district envisioned by bussiness and government. Proposals for the development are due to City Hall by January 16th, 2014.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Darwin G. Goodspeed as the new Director of the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System.

“We are excited to bring Mr. Goodspeed on board as the new Director of the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System,” said Ms. Janet Murphy, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 23) Director. “His sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the health care system, the employees, volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve. We anticipate he will arrive at the Sioux Falls VA medical center within the next 30 to 45 days to begin his appointment.”

Mr. Goodspeed has worked more than 16 years in health care leadership positions within VA, Department of Defense (DoD), and the private sector. He most recently served as Associate Director of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and as Acting Director of the Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center, Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. Goodspeed holds graduate degrees in Management from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri; a Master in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire College, Manchester, New Hampshire, a Master in Health Care Administration from Baylor University, Waco, Texas and an undergraduate degree in Business Management/Information Systems from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System provides health care to approximately 29,000 Veterans in South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa, The health care system is a teaching hospital providing a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, as well as education and research, a community living center and five community based outpatient clinics. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care.

The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System is one of eight health care systems, 60 community based outpatient or outreach clinics, eight community living centers and four domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs within VISN 23. VISN 23 covers 392,000 square miles and serves 422,992 enrolled Veterans residing in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Darwin Goodspeed has an exceptional background and possesses the leadership, knowledge, and skills necessary to successfully lead the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System into the future.  

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say a 66-year-old Sioux Falls woman lost $400 in an anti-virus software scam.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the crooks called the victim and told her that her computer was at risk.

     Clemens says the victim downloaded a program that allowed the scam artist to remotely access her computer.  They told the victim they would install some other anti-virus software and a fire wall.  He says they wanted a debit card number or a money transfer and she wired $400 to India.             

     Clemens says after sending the money transfer the woman felt she was being scammed and called police.

     He doesn’t believe the victim lost personal information.

SIOUX FALLLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - When Sioux Falls police searched a Missouri man’s vehicle early Saturday morning they found a handgun.

     Officer Sam Clemens says 42-year-old Kirk Allen Coffin shouldn’t have a gun because he’s a felon.

     Coffin told police he was in lower Sherman Park at 3 a.m. waiting to meet somebody.  Clemens says Coffin did not use the gun to threaten anybody, it was laying in his vehicle.  He says Coffin is charged with possession of a firearm by a former drug offender.  He was alone in the car.

     Clemens says the charge against Coffin is a felony.

MADISON, SD (KELO-AM) Dakota State University announced today that T. Denny Sanford and Miles Beacom have pledged to donate $5 million to the University. The gift will be used to help renovate the current Madison Community Hospital into what will become the Beacom Institute for Technology building.

With the gift, Sanford and Beacom become the largest donors to the University. The generous donation not only helps to further the mission of the University, but it also holds true to the values of Sanford and Beacom. Both businessmen have a strong appreciation for technology in their own business and the amount of technology expertise DSU instills in their students and grads.

“DSU is recognized as one of the leaders in computer science and cyber security programs in the nation by many different industries including federal agencies, financial and healthcare industries, and information technology companies,” said Sanford, owner and founder of First Premier Bank. “My investment in DSU will further the success of the University and have a profound effect on the economic development growth of the state and region.”

For Beacom, the tie to DSU is also a personal one, as he graduated from Dakota State College (DSC) in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a minor in economics. Beacom credits his education at Dakota State for his success today as President and CEO of Premier Bankcard.

“I am excited to be making this gift to my alma mater,” Beacom said. “DSC provided me the tools to not only be successful but to far exceed any goals that I had set for myself upon my graduation.  Dakota State provides such an incredible opportunity for students with a focus on Information Technology.  Every business in America should be looking at these students and graduates to provide the technical expertise to help build and protect their businesses.  Lisa, my wife, and I are thrilled to be able to give back to DSU.”

With the gift, the University plans to assist even more students in reaching their goals by providing them with a state-of-the-art technology facility.  “The facility will include a SCIF (Secure Compartmented Information Facility) which will allow DSU faculty and students to do secure work for the Federal Government,” President David Borofsky said. “We will be one of only 20 such facilities at Universities around the country.  The generous donation will allow Dakota State to continue its role as one of the premier information technology universities in the nation!”