YANKTON, SD (KELO AM) – Two people died in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 81 about three miles north of Yankton on Friday, February 8.

Becky Marie Leapley, 57, of Yankton, was southbound on Highway 81 when her vehicle crossed the center line into the oncoming lane. Lloyd Harvey Mork, 64, of Irene, S.D., was northbound, and moved into the southbound lane to avoid the accident.  Leapley’s vehicle had returned to that lane as well,  and the vehicles collided head-on and came to rest in the middle of the highway.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Both were dead at the scene.

No further information is immediately available.

Missing Juvenile Located

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: At 4:00 p.m. today the Sioux Falls Police Department successfully located the missing juvenile, Haily Nyreen.  The female was located safe and uninjured at a residence in Sioux Falls.  The Sioux Falls Police Department has contacted her family, and would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.  Sgt. Jason Leach

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO-AM) Two people died in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 81 about three miles north of Yankton on Friday, February 7.

One of the people killed in the head-on collision was the Mayor of Irene, S.D., Lloyd Harvey Mork, 64. The other fatality was Becky Marie Leapley, 57, of Yankton.

Leapley was southbound driving a 2004 Mitsubishi EDV. Her vehicle crossed the center line into the oncoming lane. Lloyd Harvey Mork was northbound driving a 2002 Chevrolet K1500 pickup. He moved into the southbound lane but Leapley’s vehicle returned to that lane. The vehicles collided head-on and came to rest in the middle of the highway. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Both were dead at the scene. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. Yankton County Sheriff’s Office, Yankton Fire and Rescue and Yankton Emergency Medical Service assisted.

Funeral services for Mayor Mork are scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Irene, S.D.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  An 18 year old Sioux Falls man was shot in the cheek Friday night by a 16 year old Sioux Falls boy with a stolen handgun.

Officer Sam Clemens says the victim and suspect, and their friends, have bad history and it showed that night in northeast Sioux Falls.               

Clemens says the victim was treated for a non-life threatening wound.

He says another 18 year old, Matthew Eugene Marshall Junior, is charged with giving the 16-year-old the stolen gun.

Clemens could not say if the shooting is gang related.  He says everyone ran after the shot was fired and detectives are looking for all the witnesses.  Although police know thw gun was stolen they haven't determined where it was taken from.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Two men are accused of beating their niece’s boyfriend and running when police arrived yesterday afternoon on North Duluth Avenue.

Officer Sam Clemens says the boyfriend was assaulting his girlfriend when the two uncles intervened.

Clemens says 37-year-old Justin Shane Kills Small and 26-year-old Jamie Jarel Kills Small, both of Sioux Falls, are charged with aggravated assault and fleeing police.

     The victim of the aggravated assault, 26-year-old MazaWakanton Grass Rope is charged with simple assault domestic.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A Sioux Falls man is accused of robbing Romantix, the adult entertainment store in downtown Sioux Falls, and assaulting the clerk.    

Officer Sam Clemens says 57-year-old Daniel Herbert Johnikin is accused of overpowering the clerk at closing time early Sunday morning, taking money from the till and some D-V-D’s.

Despite his injuries, the clerk got the car’s make and license plate.

Johnikin was arrested after losing control of his car at 11^th and Prairie.

He’s charged with aggravated assault, 2^nd degree robbery, hit and run, eluding, fleeing, suspended license and possession of meth residue.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) The Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is looking at an old warehouse for a possible new homeless shelter. Also, if the plan works out, The Good Shepard Center could be relocated to the new location.

Spokesman Jerry Kline, says the Diocese has entered into an agreement to purchase the empty building at 101 N. Indiana Avenue.

Kline says they want to hear from the community because they want to be good neighbors. He says since the building is large and open it would lend itself to such a facility as the Church as in mind.

Bishop Paul Swain says that the property presents an opportunity to enhance and possibly expand outreach ministries already serving the needy in Sioux Falls.

BROOKINGS, SD (KELO-AM) South Dakota State University will host the ninth annual South Dakota Entrepreneurship Education Conference Feb. 20. LAUNCH 14 starts at 9:30 a.m. and will be held at the McCrory Gardens Visitor and Education Center on the SDSU campus.LAUNCH 14 is sponsored by Vision Brookings and the Division of Economics and Management at SDSU, and marks the second-straight year the event has been held at SDSU. It again features entrepreneurs at various levels of success or achievement to discuss their experiences to students. There will be two tracks, one addressing the practical aspects of entrepreneurial business activity and the other focusing on entrepreneurship education. While not mutually exclusive, the education track is expected to be of interest to teachers and instructors.Steph Paluch, a senior majoring in entrepreneurial studies, attended last year's event and encourages fellow students to attend this year's event, which is held in celebration of National Entrepreneurship Week."I really enjoyed the presenters last year, particular the main speaker (Jeffrey Stamp, the inventor and brand manager of Baked Lays)," said Paluch. Stamp was the 2013 Rickert Visiting Entrepreneur Speaker. "We were able to ask questions and get the insights and perspective of someone who made it big. It was an experience I was lucky to get."Scott Gerber, a serial entrepreneur and author of "Never Get a 'Real' Job," is the 2014 Rickert Visiting Entrepreneur Speaker. This keynote address marks the fifth event in the Rickert Visiting Entrepreneur and Speaker series, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Craig and Carla Rickert. Other speakers include South Dakota entrepreneurs Tina Beal, Dillon Julius and Coy Yonce. Craig Silvernagel, chair and instructor of entrepreneurship in the University of North Dakota's College of Business and Public Administration, returns as a speaker. He previously spoke in 2007."They're going to give different perspectives, talk about the challenges they had and resources they used to get where they are," said Barb Heller, State's Entrepreneurial Studies Coordinator. "They will try to really bring home the fact this field is an option whether you've thought about doing this before or if you're a student who's unsure about what to do."Heller said students and faculty from Augustana College, Black Hills State, Dakota State, Kilian Community College, Lake Area Technical Institute, Northern State and the University of Sioux Falls will also be in attendance."It's very easy to not go but one should make the decision to go, even if you're not in entrepreneurial studies," said Paluch. "It should be a good event and you will get some great advice. It's also a good networking opportunity. Students should step out of their comfort zone and attend. You never know whom you will meet, make an impression with and come in contact with again later on. You could meet someone who could help you when you're starting your business."Event partners are the SDSU Ness Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Institute, South Dakota Small Business Development Centers, South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development, South Dakota EPSCoR and the Dakota Wesleyan University Kelley Center for Entrepreneurship.For more information, visit SDLaunch.com.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - On Tuesday morning, February 11, 2014, Technopolis Avenue will be closed to through traffic north of 57th Street. Access for local traffic will be maintained at all times.

The City of Sioux Falls Public Works Department will be repairing a water valve. The work is anticipated to be finished by the evening of February 11, 2014.

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

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Now that the latest Sioux Empire United Way goal has been exceeded work has started on next year’s effort.

Past United Way Campaign Chair Tom Bosch says this year’s total was only $50,000 below $10 million. The total dollars raised are $9,948,988, or an increase of 1.5% over last year's campaign. Bosch says more than 90 cents of every dollar raised goes toward programs and services.

The Sioux Empire Unkited Way supports 90 different partner programs through 47 agencies.  Bosch says programs provide services from quality child-care programs for low income families to financial assistance to for rent and transportation to home delivered meals for seniors.

Bosch says the Sioux Empire United Way campaign is number two in per capita giving nationwide.  He say there are over 1,000 individuals that volunteer for United Way and just 11 staff members.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Some members of the Minnehaha County Commission today voiced concern over shouldering the lion’s share of public safety costs.

Commissioner John Pekas advised Sioux Falls Police to consider writing a citation instead of making an arrest.  Pekas says the county doesn't have to process city citations but a jail stay cost the county. 

Commissioner Gerald Beninga says while the commission appreciates growth he doesn't think one government should have to bear the all criminal costs.            

The crime issue came up when Sioux Falls City Councilor, and mayoral candidate, Bob Jamison offered assistance to the Commission.  

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) A new group has formed to oppose an indoor pool at Spellerberg Park in Sioux Falls, claiming it would make it tougher for veterans to access the V-A Medical Center, adjacent to the park.

Tom Muenster with 'Veterans for the VA' says a large year-round indoor facility would worsen an the already congested area around the Medical Center, and might even impact veterans parking spaces at the Center.

The group feels a smaller outdoor pool is more in keeping with the character of a neighborhood park.

Muenster urges voters to say 'Yes' in April to a new outdoor pool at Spellerberg.

Visit the new groups website at:  www.veteransfortheva.org

Other community groups and many city officials, including Mayor Mike Huether support an indoor pool, saying it's long overdue and Spellerberg is centrally located. They say traffic studies show that there would be more traffic with an new outdoor facility than with an indoor pool.    

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO-AM) – Pat Costello, Commissioner, Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), announced today five sites in Yankton have been approved as South Dakota Certified Ready Sites. The sites include: Archery Business Park, Brown Industrial Development Site, Marquardt Industrial Site, Schenk Property-Industrial Development Site and Yaggies Industrial Development Site.

"Congratulations to the community of Yankton on being approved for five Certified Ready Sites," said Costello. "Yankton’s continued commitment to excellence in economic development is a huge benefit to the community. Prospective buyers will be pleased with Yankton’s selection of possible sites for future development."

"Yankton is serious about economic development," said Ron Kraft, past executive director for the Yankton Office of Economic Development. "It is important for communities to apply for the South Dakota Certified Ready Sites Program because when prospects are looking at potential sites, they are reassured proper preparation of these Certified Ready Sites has already taken place—these development sites are complete and held to a high standard."

Kraft extended a generous "thank you" to District III for all of their help with the research during the application process.

"The Certified Ready Sites application process was an excellent example of collaboration between Yankton Area Progressive Growth (YAPG), the City of Yankton and District III," said Greg Henderson, executive director of Planning and Development District III. "I hope other communities within our 16 county region use a similar approach in anticipating development opportunities. Certified Ready is a tool that helps communities focus on development issues and support systems, as part of their overall planning efforts. Ideally, the process should save both time and money when the right prospect comes along."

"We appreciate the Governor’s Office of Economic Development for doing this, giving Yankton an edge in a competitive market," Kraft added.

The South Dakota Certified Ready Sites Program is an economic development tool available to all counties, cities, townships, planning districts, business improvement districts and economic development groups. 

The South Dakota Certified Ready Sites Program is operated under the supervision of the GOED for the purpose of providing consistent information on sites available throughout the state. For more information on the South Dakota Certified Ready Sites program, visit www.sdreadytopartner.com.

Brookings S.D. (KELO AM) - The South Dakota State University Theatre troupe prepares to present Neil LaBute's "The Shape of Things"—an emotional story of a college student searching for self-confidence, and in turn, finding himself in a mess of insecurity and deceit.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19, and run nightly through Feb. 22, and Feb. 26 through March 1, with a 2 p.m. matinee March 2, at Fishback Studio Theatre in the Performing Arts Center.  The modern day Adam and Eve storyline centers on art, intimacy and willingness to make sacrifices for love. 

Adam is a shy, unconfident man until he meets Evelyn, an attractive graduate art student who visits the museum he works at. The two start dating, and Adam is convinced he has found his dream woman. As the relationship progresses, Adam's friends can't help but notice his dramatic physical changes. With subtle requests from Evelyn, Adam stops chewing his fingernails, trades his glasses for contact lenses, loses weight and undergoes cosmetic surgery.As the two develop as a couple, Adam's friends Phil and Jenny watch him fall head over heels for a woman who manipulates his every move. In the end, Evelyn presents her thesis art project at the local art gallery, leaving Adam and the audience speechless."The play tells the story of a man struggling with self-esteem, and I think it will resonate with students on campus," said W. James Wood, SDSU Assistant Professor of Theatre, who directs the play. "This is a different type of production than what we've done in the recent past because it challenges the actors to access emotional places they may have not been to before."Audiences should be aware that this production contains mature language and themes and is recommended for adult audiences."The casting for 'The Shape of Things,' is a little unusual in that there are two different actors for each character," said Whitney Graff, who plays one version of Evelyn. "However, there are not two separate casts, and each night, there'll be a different combination of actors. Every performance will be unique from the night before, and no two audiences are going to get the same experience. This randomization is something new and exciting that we've never tried before."Actors telling the story are Tyus Beeson, Minneapolis, Minn., and Steven Marienau, Hawarden, Iowa, playing Adam; Graff, Humboldt, and Jenna Croymans, Aberdeen, playing Evelyn; Dustin Kleba, Hartford, and Cody Schwartz, Sanborn, Minn., playing Phil; and Sadie Jensen, Harrisburg, and Maggie Murphy, Wilder, Minn., playing Jenny."The new process has been both rewarding and challenging in rehearsals," said Wood. "I think the actors are really enjoying practices, and it's exciting to watch them help each other as they perform the same part in different ways. "These eight actors have worked incredibly hard to form an ensemble, and I'm encouraging people to see the show more than once."  Tickets for "The Shape of Things" are $20 for adults, $18 for senior citizens, $14 for SDSU faculty and staff, and $13 for non-SDSU students and children. SDSU students are admitted free with their student ID.  Remaining State University Theatre events include:

"Dance at State—Spring Dance Concert," opening March 22, "Androcles and the Lion," opening April 23; and "The Spring Semester Student Showcase, opening May 1.

For more information, call the box office between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 605-688-6045 or visit the State University Theatre website. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - It may feel like a long cold winter but numbers don’t back that up.

Sioux Falls Meteorologist Todd Heitkamp says blame this season’s harshness on the wind.  He says temperatures rose above freezing most days in January.  But he says there were plenty of wind chill advisories as well.

Heitkamp says there’s no major snowstorm in the extended forecast but March temperatures are forecast to be below normal.

Heitkamp say two more Alberta Clippers, Thursday and Friday nights, will bring more light snow but no frigid temperature.

A warming trend is expected this weekend into early next week with highs in the 30’s and 50’s.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - For the second straight month the Sioux Falls liquor compliance check had no violations.

Officer Sam Clemens says all 19 clerks at off-sale businesses passed.

Clemens says four clerks sold to the underage buyer in December.

Businesses selling to underage buyers face fines, suspension or risk losing their license.  Clerks are issued a citation and ordered to face a judge.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls Meteorologist Todd Heitkamp says after going through weather awareness training you’ll never look at clouds the same again.

Heitkamp says the sessions are the first step to becoming a severe weather spotter.

The weather awareness training session in Sioux Falls is Monday, April 21^st at the Washington Pavilion.  It’s free and you don’t have to pre-register

Severe Weather Awareness week in South Dakota is April 21^st through the 25th.

Heitkamp says the week is an opportunity for you and your family to prepare for severe spring and summer weather.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Sioux Falls Fire Rescue recently received a thank-you letter from a grateful mother who acknowledged that her children were alive in part because of a car seat check at Fire Station 3.

Rebecca Barefoot was driving to work on January 3, 2014, when she hit ice while changing lanes on Interstate 90. She rolled her husband’s truck several times, totaling the vehicle. However, she and her two children with her in the truck, Cale, age 2, and Cole, age 1, remained safe.

“Both of my babies remained snug in their seats during the entire episode, and neither received so much as a scratch, even though the windows all around them shattered,” says Rebecca.

About two months earlier, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue installed two free car seats into Rebecca’s husband’s truck and ensured the seats were the right size for each toddler.

“Yes, we use our seat belts every time and make sure they’re positioned correctly,” said Rebecca’s letter to the firefighters and car seat technicians. “Yes, I believe God had His hand over us as the vehicle rolled and kept us from harm. Most of all, yes, I firmly believe y’all are angels for making sure my boys’ car seats were installed correctly, thereby ensuring their safety and saving their lives.”

“Oftentimes we don’t get to hear the outcome of our efforts to help keep people safe,” says Fire Rescue Chief Jim Sideras. “Letters like Rebecca’s remind us that the little things do matter, like ensuring your child’s car seat is properly installed.”

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue provides car seat installation and checks each Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Fire Station 3, 2820 South Minnesota Avenue. No appointment is necessary.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - The South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is pleased to report that Joe Foss has been honored in Arizona.  Members of the CAP’s Yuma Composite Squadron 508 of the Arizona Wing attended a ceremony in which the honor was bestowed.

Foss was honored by having an aircraft hangar named for him at a dedication ceremony at the new AviationIndustrial Center in the Defense Contractor Complex at Yuma International Airport in Yuma, Arizona.The Aviation Industrial Center, within the Defense Contractor Complex is a single structure housing a huge,24,000 square foot hangar plus space for offices and engineering shops. The aviation center will fill a vital role in the research and development of advanced technologies for the aerospace industry.

Joseph Jacob "Joe" Foss (1915-2003) was the leading fighter ace of the Marine Corps during World War II and a 1943 recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Guadalcanal campaign. In postwar years, he achieved fame as a General in the Air National Guard, was the 20th Governor of South Dakota, two time President of the National Rifle Association, the first commissioner of the American Football League, and had a career as a television broadcaster as well.

Ironically, Foss gave Arizona aviation officials a bit of a black eye several years ago. At Phoenix’s International Airport Joe, then 86, was detained by airport security when screening detected his Medal of Honor. Security officers, not recognizing what is was, wanted to confiscate and destroy the medal and related memorabilia he was carrying. Publicity of the incident embarrassed Arizona officials. In later years Foss and his wife lived in Scottsdale, AZ. Joe Foss died on January 1, 2003 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D (KELO AM) - For over forty years EmBe, formerly the Y-W-C-A in Sioux Falls, has honored women of achievement.

Director of Marketing and Development of EmBe Catherine Forsch says nominations are being accepted for this year’s categories.

Nomination forms are available on the EmBe’s website or the office on West 11^th Street.

The deadline for nominations is March 7 and the awards will be announced April 24 at the Washington Pavilion.

The money raised from “Tribute to Women” provides scholarships for children to participate in camps and sport’s programs, affordable childcare and empower young women leaders.