Vernier Software & Technology designs and manufactures data loggers, sensors and graphing analysis software for students and educators around the country.Ron Hirko, a chemistry and biochemistry lecturer and coordinator for the general chemistry and chemistry survey laboratories at SDSU, was a contributing reason the new device was designed.

Hirko, his students and other professors were having major issues with the previous Vernier drop counters. When liquid hit the side of the drop counter and entered the device, the internal electronics became corroded and the units did not operate correctly. “We were sending the counters back to Vernier all the time, and they’d fix them, send them back—it was never-ending cycle,” said Hirko. “I got along well with Jack Randall at Vernier, and every time I called or emailed him, I asked if they were revising the drop counter, or improving the technology.“I was kind of hounding them on it,” said Hirko. “I said once you’ve got a new one, I want to evaluate it, and Jack said ‘you’re on the list.’ So, last semester I got a call from Vernier and they said they were sending me their newest prototype.“I was kind of amazed because I know Vernier does business with a lot of huge universities,” said Hirko, about being chosen to test the drop counter. “It shows that they respect what were are doing here in our program.”The redesigned drop counters were recently launched for mass markets, and SDSU purchased 24 to replace the others. According to Hirko, the new drop counters work beautifully, and students do not have the difficulty they did before. “Students get a thrill seeing the red light blink for every drop,” said Hirko. “The new counters are very reliable, and show some high quality data.”SDSU students use more than just Vernier’s drop counters in lab. “Since 2010 we’ve been using Vernier’s LabQuests, pressure transducers, visible spectrometers, conductivity cells, platinum REDOX electrodes, and more,” said Hirko. “It’s really an honor they chose us to pilot their redesigned product.” 

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Rep. Kristi Noem today hosted the Justice Against Slavery Summit in Sioux Falls to bring awareness to and inspire action on the issue of human trafficking in South Dakota.  Rep. Noem was joined by the Polaris Project, advocates from the Native American community, law enforcement officers, parents and others to build awareness and lay out concrete ideas to better address human trafficking in our communities.

“A lack of understanding about the issue of human trafficking has meant victims – even those under the age of 18 – have been mistaken for prostitutes, migrant farm workers and runaway youth,” said Rep. Noem.  “Today’s Justice Against Slavery Summit further grew the level of awareness in our community and successfully brought together a number of perspectives so we could work collaboratively toward a better solution.”

Rep. Noem continued: “The awareness we were able to bring to this issue today must be accompanied by action.  I have already helped introduce legislation in Congress and will use the information I received today to help pass necessary reforms.  I’m hopeful the same will be done on the local and state levels and will do all I can to move that process forward.”

Rep. Noem has been a vocal advocate for human trafficking legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and has worked in the state to help build awareness around the issue.  Rep. Noem was recruited as a member of a human trafficking task force assembled by Majority Leader Eric Cantor and she will be bringing the ideas discussed during today’s Summit back to the task force to help invoke action.

Additionally, Rep. Noem has co-sponsored a series of anti-trafficking bills, many of which could be included in a broader anti-trafficking package that is expected to be voted on in the House sometime this spring.  The legislation she is supporting include:

• End Sex Trafficking Act (H.R. 2805).  This proposal clarifies the law to make it clear that criminals who solicit or obtain the services of a trafficking victim should be arrested, prosecuted and convicted. 
• Stop Exploitation through Sex Trafficking Act (H.R. 3610).  This legislation would establish safe harbor laws across the country, which require that minors engaged in prostitution are treated as trafficking victims, not criminals. 
• Child Sex Trafficking Data and Response Act (H.R. 2744).  Because children in foster care are at greater risk of becoming a victim of sex trafficking, H.R. 2744 would ensure any missing children in foster care and adoption assistance are reported to authorities for entry into the National Crime Information Center of the FBI within 24 hours.  The legislation would also require states to develop plans to address human trafficking within the foster care system and better identify the victims of sex trafficking who are under the state’s care.
• Preventing Sex Trafficking and Improving Opportunities for Youth in Foster Care Act (H.R. 4058).  This legislation would work to improve the way that states monitor and share information for children in foster care.  The proposal also encourages states to do more to move kids out of foster care and into an adoptive home or permanent living situation.

  Permalink: http://noem.house.gov/index.cfm/2014/2/noem-s-justice-against-slavery-summit-brings-awareness-and-action-to-anti-trafficking-efforts

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.Shawn George, a/k/a Shaun George, age 38, was indicted on February 19, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 21, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  On or about February 2, 2014, until February 7, 2014, George, a person required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a sex offender by reason of a conviction under state law, and having moved in interstate commerce, did knowingly fail to register and update his registration.The charge is merely an accusation and George is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges is prosecuting the case.    George was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County Director of Equalization says total property valuation is $12.7 billion dollars.

Kyle Helseth says over 1,100 new homes were built in Minnehaha county last year.  He says new growth last year totaled $318 million dollars last year.  He say $150 million dollars came in commercial valuations.

Helseth says there are 620,000 agriculture acres in Minnehaha County.  By state law the county raises the value of ag land by over $100 million dollars.               

Helseth says notice of valuations will be in mailboxes this weekend.

County Boards of Equalization will open Tuesday, April 8th

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) McNally's Irish Pub is the latest marketing partner at the New Sanford PREMIER Center

McNally’s Irish Pub will sponsor the premium level lounge, 'McNally's Premium Irish Lounge', which will feature McNally's signature dishes, drinks and pub atmosphere.

McNally's owner, Nicki Ellerbroek says the lounge will have an open concept. A patron sitting at the bar will still be able to see whatever is going on down below. Ellerbroek says she is excited about now being part of the PREMIER Center, a project that she has supported from the beginning.

The city says the sponsorship agreement is for five years and has a total package value of more than $138,000.

 McNally’s Irish Pub is the eighth sponsor in three categories to be announced:

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Korbel, California, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on February 24, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Brett Aaron McFarland, age 29, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, to be followed by 4 years of supervised release.McFarland agreed to forfeit to the United States all his interest in the proceeds of the sale of real property located in Petrolia, California, which he acquired as a result of his illegal activities.  On September 10, 2013, McFarland was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute More Than 100 Kilograms of Marijuana and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering. He pled guilty to the distribution conspiracy charge on November 12, 2013, and the other charge was dismissed at sentencing. McFarland joined a conspiracy to illegally distribute marijuana in South Dakota and elsewhere.  During his involvement, he grew, harvested, and obtained marijuana, illegally distributed it, caused it to be illegally delivered and distributed, and received payments for it.  Marijuana was grown and harvested, among other places, on the real property in California, and then illegally sold.

 The proceeds of the marijuana sales were used to make payments on the real property.This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in both South Dakota and California, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.McFarland is to turn himself in to begin his sentence on or before March 13, 2014.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) On Wednesday afternoon, February 26, 2014, there will be a traffic sign change at the intersection of 48th Street and Klein Avenue. Stop signs will be installed on 48th Street to stop westbound and eastbound traffic at the intersection.

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

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Minnehaha County authorities are surprised there were so many liquor sales to underage buyers in last night’s sting.

Sergeant Jason Gearman says 67 on and off sale businesses were checked and 9 failed.  Gearman says the clerk is issued a citation that includes courtroom appearance and the businesses risk losing their liquor license/

Gearman says the county performs liquor compliance checks twice a year.

The businesses that failed:

Palisades Oil-GarretsonGarretson Food CenterHeart T Stop-HartfordT&C's Other Place-Dell RapidsMidway CornerFriendly's-BalticBreck Bar and GrillPump House-Valley SpringsBlaine's-Brandon

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County Director of Equalization Kyle Helseth says over the last eighteen months there’s been, on average, a 12 percent increase in the value of homes.

Helseth says market value drives assessments.  He anticipates about one percent, or 685 property owners, will challenge their assessment.  There are about 68,500parcels of property in Minnehaha County.

Helseth says assessment notices go out to Minnehaha County property owners this weekend.

He says appeals will begin on Saint Patrick’s Day at city and township boards.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) The 'Save Our Neighborhood" group opposed to a Walmart on the southside of Sioux Falls has named its ballot question committee,'Save Your Neighborhood', to make a point.

The group's Dana Palmer says a development you dont like may be proposed in your backyard next so all voters in the city have a stake in whether Walmart wins. She says it's "neighbor beware" in Sioux Falls these days. Palmer mentioned the big apartment complex off Western and the homeless shelter proposed for the Whittier neighborhood.

The group is not opposed to Walmart itself, just to putting a new one at 85th and Minnesota. A group supporting the new supercenter called 'Building A Better Sioux Falls' has been bankrolled by Walmart with a $250,000 donation.

The issue is one of many ballot questions to be decided by the voters April 8th.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) The last of four Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored Legislative Coffees will be held this Friday, Feb. 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn City Centre Starlite Room (100 W. 8th St.).

State lawmakers will discuss important issues currently before the South Dakota Legislature and answer questions from the public submitted through a moderator. The Sioux Falls area legislative delegation includes districts 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, as well as 16 and 25. Legislative coffees have been planned with districts 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Earlier in February, three Legislative Coffees were held on Saturdays. For the first time, this week's event is being held on a Friday to provide another opportunity for constituents to meet with their elected officials. Sponsors will review the event after the fact and see if continuing a weekday option would be beneficial. This Friday is not a legislative day.

FINAL Legislative Coffee of the 2014 Legislative Session

Friday, Feb. 28Districts 11, 13 and 15Holiday Inn City Centre, 10-11:30 a.m.

The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will be live-tweeting from @SFAreaAdvocate using the hashtag #legcoffee. Argus Leader Media will livestream the legislative coffees and people can view it at www.argusleader.com.

These legislative forums are sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, AARP, American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women, Democratic Forum, League of Women Voters, Minnehaha County Democratic Party, Minnehaha County Republican Party, and the Sioux Falls Education Association.

All legislative coffees are free and open to the public.

For more information about the Legislative Session or the Chamber’s legislative platform, contact the Chamber’s Public Affairs & Communications Department: 605.336.1620

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) At 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning, February 28, 2014, the outside northbound lane on Minnesota Avenue will be closed north of 11th Street. Northbound traffic will use the inside northbound lane. The closure will be removed by the late afternoon of each day.

Lloyd Construction is working on remodeling a building. The work is anticipated to be finished by the late afternoon of Monday, March 3, 2014.

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

PIERRE, S.D. – (KELO-AM) The South Dakota Highway Patrol has sobriety checkpoints scheduled in March in the following counties: Beadle, Brown, Clay, Codington, Davison, Edmunds, Hand, Jackson, Lake, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, Spink, Stanley and Tripp.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Rio Rico, Arizona, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance was sentenced on February 24, 2014 by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.Eduardo Martinez-Torres, age 30, was sentenced to 135 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.Martinez-Torres was indicted on the conspiracy charge by a federal grand jury on June 4, 2013, and he pled guilty on November 13, 2013.During his involvement in the conspiracy, Martinez-Torres shipped methamphetamine to a co-conspirator in Sioux Falls, who in turn distributed it.  He also collected payment for methamphetamine he had previously shipped.This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John E. Haak prosecuted the case.Martinez-Torres was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.                               

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The city is offering a series of informational meetings on the four ballot measures facing Sioux Falls voters in April.

Communications Specialist Heather Hitterdal says the first of eight is Monday at MariCar Community Center.   Hitterdal says the meetings will include video presentations and time for questions and answers. 

The format will include a half hour segment for Spellerburg Aquatic Center and twenty minutes for snow gates,  Walmart zoning and Shape Places.

City Attorney Dave Pfeifle says the videos and meetings are strictly educational.

The public meetings will take place on the following dates:

●    Monday, March 3 MariCar Community Center400 North Valley View Road

●    Monday, March 10 Oyate Community Center 2421 West 15th Street  

●    Wednesday, March 12 Prairie Green Golf Course, Clubhouse 600 East 69th Street

●    Wednesday, March 19 Kuehn Community Center2801 South Valley View Road

●    Thursday, March 20 Main Library, Meeting Room A200 North Dakota Avenue

●    Monday, March 24 Morningside Community Center2400 South Bahnson Avenue

●    Thursday, March 27 Outdoor Campus, Theater4500 South Oxbow Avenue

●    Monday, March 31 Kenny Anderson Community Center3701 East Third Street

At each public meeting, information regarding the specific ballot question will be presented at these times, followed by an opportunity to ask questions:

 ●    Spellerberg Aquatic Center 6 to 6:30 p.m. 

·      Snow Gates6:30 to 6:50 p.m.

       Commercial Zoning at 85th Street and Minnesota Avenue 6:50 to 7:10 p.m.

       Shape Places Zoning Ordinance 7:10 to 7:30 p.m.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) 'Tech Ed Works For Me' is a new collaborative initiative based at Southeast Tech to get more young people interested in technical careers.

The Tech Foundation's Nancee Sturdevant say they'll reach out with new advertising, through social media and with tech talks to parents and students at local high schools. She says there is not a day that goes by that Southeast Tech does not get calls from employers looking for skilled workers.

The initial investment for the new initiative came from Foward Sioux Falls and now more than 25 industry organizations and businesses have joined the awareness campaign.

The two resident box turtles of The Kirby Science Center in downtown Sioux Falls have been found with red mites.  The turtles, Discover and Tie Dye,  have been taken to the vet, and The Kirby Science Center will be closed through Monday, March 3 for fumigation.

The Washington Pavillion's Michelle Wellman says they are contacting those who may have come in contact with the turtles.  She says that if you experiece itchy skin or start seeing small red bumps, you should probably visit a physician.  

The CineDome and the rest of the Pavillion will be open during this time.  For information on changed programming please call The Washington Pavillion box off at 605-367-6000

A 58 year old man was found dead Thursday morning in a parking lot right behind the Corn palace in Mitchell SD.  Mitchell Police were notified by a person driving by the scene on 6^th and Avenue that someone was lying face down in the parking lot.

Police did find that the man was dead upon their arrival.  Currently, police are saying foul play is not suspected, but will find out more as the investigation continues. 

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - Mayor Mike Huether submitted 527 signatures to the Sioux Falls City Clerks Office as part of the Candidate For Mayor Petition Process.   

"In order to earn the honor to serve the people of Sioux Falls, you need to earn it.  We finished one critical step in the process today and I am thrilled by the response to our campaign", said Huether.   

The City Clerks Office has verified that the 200 minimum valid signature requirement has been met, so Mayor Mike Huether is officially a candidate for Mayor once again.  

If you have any questions, please contact Mike Huether at 376-7661 or mhuether@sio.midco.net.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rick Springfield, Loverboy, Foghat, Dee Snider and April Wine are among the big name acts that will be featured at the 17^th Annual RibFest, presented by Dollar Loan Center, May 29-June 1 at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls.

Proceeds from this year’s RibFest will benefit the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy, a program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire.

“Having a new partnership with Chuck Brennan and the Brennan Rock & Roll Academy is giving RibFest a new identity,” says Terry Torkildson, General Manager of SMG Sioux Falls, which manages the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls Arena and Convention Center, and Orpheum Theater Center. “Chuck (Brennan) knows more rock stars than anyone I have ever met and he has a knack for getting them to Sioux Falls.  This takes RibFest to a new level while raising money for a great charity.”

“Sioux Falls—this is going to be four days you will never forget,” says Brennan, CEO of Dollar Loan Center which is also this year’s title sponsor. “Bring your appetite for great ribs and enjoy some of the most incredible concert acts ever.  We have some major surprises set for every night of the festival, it will be HUGE!”

Local favorite, Last Stop CD Shop, is one of many new sponsors to RibFest sponsoring the Gold Circle area.

RibFest still features eight award-winning barbeque vendors from across the country vying for the coveted People’s Choice and Critic’s Choice Awards, as well as the popular “KidzFest at RibFest,” sponsored by Sanford Health, featuring free admission all day Sunday, June 1 with giant inflatables, activities for kids, and—new this year—performances by Brennan Rock & Roll Academy students.

“What the club kids are most excited about is that Mr. Brennan has arranged for all of these bands to also spend time at the Brennan Rock and Roll Academy to interact with them and their volunteer instructors,” added Karen Fogas, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire.  “They are already practicing some Skynyrd!”

This year’s event kicks off with “Canadian Invasion Night” on Thursday, May 29. Loverboy, April Wine, Helix and Honeymoon Suite, all major Canadian bands, will be featured on the main concert stage.

Friday night will be “Ladies Night” featuring Rick Springfield, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Stephen Pearcy of Ratt and Tom Keifer of Cinderella.

Saturday promises to be the biggest night in RibFest history, with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foghat and Head East.

RibFest will be open to the public free of charge on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Military members, veterans and their families receive free admission throughout the entire event.

RibFest runs May 29-June 1 at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Hours are 4 p.m.- 11 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 Thursday, $15 Friday, and $20Saturday. Tickets go on sale March 7 at 10 a.m. at the Sioux Falls Arena box office, www.ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000 and all Ticketmaster outlets.  $30 four days passes will be available along with VIP tickets also.