SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A counterfeiting investigation at the Lucky Lady on West 11th Street in Sioux Falls last night became a falling dominoes case resulting in four arrests on drug and concealed weapons charges.

     Officer Sam Clemens says 40 year old Ronnie Lee Hudson of Sioux Falls allegedly passed fake $50 bills but told police she got them from someone else.

     That led police to 22-year-old Kayla Potratz of Sioux Falls and two men in a car at a gas station at 14th and MInnesota Avenue.

     Clemens says police found a fake $20 bill, a .40 caliber handgun, two brass knuckles and a small amount of meth in the car.

     Clemens says that's when Potratz told police one of the men, 26 year old Charles Davis of Sioux Falls earlier assaulted a woman with a handgun.  Davis was arrested for aggravated assault.

     The other man, 27 year old Travis Mayberry of Chicago was arrested for possession of meth, a concealed weapon and a fake $20 bill

Sioux Falls S.D. (KELO AM) - In an effort to manage our water resources wisely, the City of Sioux Falls has a lawn watering program. Sioux Falls is currently in Stage 1 of the program. All residential, commercial, industrial, and City facilities are required to follow the lawn watering schedule as follows:

• Consumers with even-numbered addresses may water lawns on even-numbered calendar dates, and consumers with odd-numbered addresses may water lawns on odd-numbered calendar dates.
• Lawn watering is not allowed between the hours of 12 noon and 5 p.m.

Additional information regarding the City’s water conservation measures can be found on the City’s website at www.siouxfalls.org/purification and on cable channel CityLink. The lawn watering schedule is subject to change from Stage 1 to Stage 2 or Stage 3 if weather conditions warrant. If you have questions, call the Water Quality Concern line at 373-6950.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - An arrest has been made after an aggravated assault with a pipe. Two men had a dispute over money near 12th Street and Prairie Avenue around 1:30 a.m., July 11. The suspect left for a brief time and returned with a metal pipe. He struck the 25-year-old victim in the head and left.

Emergency personnel found the victim unconscious with serious head injuries. The victim was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. This afternoon, an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect and he was charged with four counts of aggravated assault.

Arrested: Nicholas Harris Longcrow, 32 years old, Sioux Falls resident.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police arrested a 15-year-old Sioux Falls boy in connection with at least eight, westside burglaries dating back to the middle of June.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the case broke when a school resource officer at Roosevelt identified the suspect from surveillance video allegedly stealing phones and wallets from the locker room during football practice last Monday.

     Clemens says officers saw the suspect yesterday afternoon driving a stolen car on West 12^th Street.  Inside the car police found items taken from home burglaries as well as tools believed to have been used for breaking into homes.  Clemens says police also recovered two handguns that were taken in burglaries.

     Clemens says the boy, whose name is not being released. is charged with third and second degree burglary and possession of a stolen car, handguns and burglary tools.

     He says police are looking for a second male teenager.

Sioux Falls S.D. (KELO AM) -- The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a breakfast and panel discussion about higher education in South Dakota on Friday, July 19, at 7:30 a.m. at the Best Western PLUS Ramkota Hotel Washington Room. The breakfast is being held in conjunction with the 2013 Legislative Hosting, where the Chamber invited all of South Dakota’s legislators to Sioux Falls to learn more about the community and to build relationships. Chamber members are invited to attend the breakfast to learn more about higher education and to network with members and elected officials.

South Dakota's post-secondary institutions benefit the state through the development of an educated workforce and through applied research as levers for economic development. Representatives from area institutions will talk about challenges and opportunities they face and where they see the future of higher ed heading in South Dakota.

Panelists include: Rob Oliver, Augustana College; Dr. David Borofsky, Dakota State University; Mark Millage, Kilian Community College; Dr. David Chicoine, South Dakota State University; Jeff Holcomb, Southeast Technical Institute; Dr. Mark Lee, University Center; Billie Streufert, University of Sioux Falls; and Dr. Laura Jenski, University of South Dakota.

The cost is $20 per person for Chamber members or $40 for non-members and includes breakfast. RSVP to Amy Smolik at 605.373.2054 or asmolik@siouxfalls.com. The event is expected to conclude by 8:45 a.m.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls Police have not made an arrest in last Friday’s rescue of a man who was pushed off a ledge along the banks of the Big Sioux River.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the 41-year-old transient fell about 18 feet into the rocky, river bank and cut his head.

     Clemens says the victim and a female got into an argument and she pushed him backward.  He landed on large rocks that shore up the river bank.  He says there were several witnesses but they did not know who the female was.  He says everyone involved was extremely intoxicated. 

     Clemens did not know what sparked the argument.

     The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Sioux Falls S.D. (KELO AM) - United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Emmanuel William Nyuon, age 34, appeared before U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier today and was sentenced to 360 months on each of the two counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child by Force, Fraud, or Coercion and Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking of a Child, with the sentences to run concurrently.  Nyuon was also sentenced to 10 years supervised release, a $5,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment. A federal jury found Nyuon guilty of these charges on April 5, 2013.  “The sentence handed down today to Emmanuel Nyuon amplifies our message to commercial sex traffickers. Do not set up shop in South Dakota,” said U. S. Attorney Johnson.  “With nine convictions, two life sentences, and others being sent away for decades, we have a prosecution rate that sends a clear and critical message that human trafficking will be not tolerated.” 

In the spring of 2011, the Sioux Falls Police Department (SFPD) Street Crimes Unit began investigating a criminal organization operating in and around Sioux Falls.  Witnesses identified several individuals they claimed had been selling narcotics and prostitutes, which included Emmanuel Nyuon.  In January of 2012, the SFPD requested federal assistance, and a team consisting of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the SFPD, and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation began investigating the case.  Johnson also added, “I want to recognize the law enforcement agencies that were involved in this investigation.  No one entity can address this problem, and our partnerships are critical as we weed out traffickers in our state.”  Johnson recently announced the formation of a Human Trafficking Task Force in South Dakota that will be comprised of law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local levels.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Koliner and Jeff Clapper prosecuted the case.  Nyuon was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal to begin serving his sentence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls Councilor Greg Jamison had quite a surprise when he came home from a funeral Monday morning. He found out his hat was already thrown in the ring via an errant Twitter tweet.

Jamison's daughter was helping him set up his Twitter account and mistakenly used the handle '@jamison for mayor'.

“The cat's out of the bag,” said Jamison.

Jamison said he still plans a formal announcement for entering the Mayor's race later nest week.

Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO AM) – A document signed by President Bill Clinton committing federal backing serves as a reminder and gives some hope to the completion of the Lewis & Clark water pipeline.   With federal cutbacks and the federal earmark ban on approved projects, getting the funding to complete this project becomes a monumental task.

“It seems we have gone now from cutting to gutting,” said Troy Larson, Executive Director of the Lewis & Clark Pipeline.  “As of Sept. 2012, the federal government owes 201.3-million dollars which is up from 194.3-million dollars two years ago.  It’s only going up, and we are on a path to infinity and under the current funding, this project will never be completed.”

Larson said when money becomes tight you prioritize, and what is more important to drinking water?  This isn’t a ball park or a museum, it’s drinking water, it’s economic development and it will eventually pay for itself.   This project has no opposition, there is strong support across state lines and party lines; we need to find a way to get it done.

“We aren’t oblivious to federal cutting of funds,” said Larson, “In 2009, we were getting 27-million dollars, and now we are getting 3.2-million dollars for 2014.  It’s unfortunate, because at this rate, we are never going to get this project done.”

 Larson said that of the 20 communities, who bought into the Lewis & Clark Pipeline, 11 are being served and 9 are still waiting.  It is a shame, when these communities and states pre-paid their share of the money which adds up to 154-million dollars up to a decade ago and are still waiting for their water.  We need to keep pressure on the federal government to honor their commitment and pay their fair share of the project.

“There isn’t much congress can do, because the earmark ban that includes authorized projects now gives the federal government authority to fund what they want which hurts projects like Lewis & Clark,” said Larson.  “I ask people to contact their representatives and first of all thank them for their past support and ask them what is being done to support this project.  We also need them to amend the earmark ban to not include authorized projects.”

Larson said that the project hasn’t moved in almost two years and if the level of funding doesn’t get to where it needs to  be, we will never get those pipes in the ground.

Troy Larson was interviewed on the Greg Belfrage Show July 15, 2013.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Last night was a brutal evening for a Sioux Falls family of four when an eleven-year-old son stabbed his abusive 50-year-old father in the arm.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the evening began when the wife protested Randall Scott Flack’s drinking by pouring his liquor down the drain.

     Clemens says that’s when Flack allegedly took his wife into a bedroom and assaulted her.  The boy responded by hitting his father in the back with a golf club.  At one point, Clemens says, Flack had both his wife and son by the hair and was dragging them on the floor.  The boy got a kitchen knife and stabbed his father in the forearm.

     Clemens says before the stabbing, Flack had pushed the boy against the wall so hard it left bruises.

     The mother, the boy and an eight year old daughter fled to neighbors and called police.

     Flack is charged with felony child abuse and simple assault domestic

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Minnehaha County commission is coming down to the wire for a preliminary budget due Thursday morning.

     Commission Chairman Gerald Beninga says the capital improvement program with four potential projects will be discussed at a hearing Wednesday night.

     Beninga says there are some big discussions ahead on balancing the budget.  He says the Commission is down to the bottom line of needing $1.8 million dollars in changes in revenue, expenses or a combination of both.       

      The deadline for the county to opt out of the state’s property tax freeze was Monday.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The “Save Our Neighborhood” group of south Sioux Falls says it doesn’t oppose commercial development at 85^th and Minnesota, just not a Walmart Supercenter.

     Neighborhood spokeswoman Dana VanBeek-Palmer says the group is concerned about transition from commercial to single family housing and increased traffic.

     VanBeek-Palmer says the issue is not about Walmart.  She says neighbors would more than welcome a Walmart Market, for example.  She says other cities have Walmart stores that are more along the lines of 50 or 60 thousand square feet.  VanBeek-Palmer says that's what would fit in the neighborhood and that's what they would like to see there.   

      VanBeek-Palmer says the neighborhood can’t accept becoming a 41st Street and Louise Avenue intersection.

     “Save Our Neighborhood” is suing the city on the grounds that it did not obtain Lincoln County’s approval when it annexed the property.

VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO AM) -- The University of South Dakota, along with Argosy University of Chicago and the Civil Society out of St. Paul, Minn., will host “Human Trafficking in the Dakotas” on Friday, July 26 at the Sanford Education Center, 1525 S Euclid Ave., Sioux Falls, S.D.

Human Trafficking in the Dakotas” is a first-of-its-kind in South Dakota conference for law enforcement officials, social service workers or health care providers who confront, respond to and battle human trafficking – a malevolent violation of human rights and crimes involving the abduction and transporting of women or young adults. The daylong symposium, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with registration, includes panel discussions, open sessions with invited guests and keynote speakers such as Kevin Koliner, Chief Appellate Division, U.S. Attorney General’s Office for South Dakota and Linda Miller, executive director, Civil Society, St. Paul Minn.

“People aren’t really aware that it’s going on in our community,” noted Elizabeth Talbot, Ph.D., M.S.W., associate professor and director of the Master of Social Work program at USD. “But it’s very important that we educate the public, educate children and young adults and teach the public to become proactive in the fight against human trafficking.”

Talbot, who will provide opening remarks at 9:15 a.m. for the conference, has studied the issue for more than a decade and knows full well the consequences of human trafficking, particularly on its victims. She is currently doing research with Yumi Suzuki, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice in the College of Arts & Sciences at USD, on identifying the cause and effects of human trafficking on victims and their families.

“Interest in this topic has increased over the past few years,” Suzuki explained. “Traffickers know how the system works. They are motivated by money and control their victims by fear and violence. They force their victims to do things against their will.”

While the conference is designed to familiarize first responders, social service workers and law enforcement agencies on the best practices, new developments and recent cases of human trafficking, Talbot said that it’s also a forum for educating the public on what to look for in their own communities and how to identify individuals susceptible to these types of crimes.  

“South Dakota has the type of climate to support human trafficking,” Talbot added. “Traffickers take advantage of women and teens living in poverty, looking for ways to get out. They can be used as anything from labor to sex trade. That’s why it’s important for more than just first responders to get involved.”

Registration for the conference is free, with the exception of individuals who purchase a box lunch to be provided at $10. Donations are also accepted and will be used to help defray costs of the event. For more information or to register for “Human Trafficking in the Dakotas,” please go to http://traffickinginthedakotas.eventbrite.com or visit www.facebook.com/pages/Civil-Society/261831197294995.

 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Construction traffic near 57^th and Western Avenue is changing for JazzFest at Yankton Trail Park today through Saturday.

     Traffic on 57^th Street will not be able to turn into the Park.

     Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues society Executive Director Rob Joyce says that entrance will be used only as an exit.  Joyce says it may take an extra ten minutes to leave the park so be patient  He says Sioux Falls Police will direct traffic. 

     Joyce says when you leave the park you'll only be able to turn right.  JazzFest traffic on 57th will be able to turn north onto Western Avenue.

     But, westbound through traffic on 57^th can’t turn north on Western and will have to continue west or turn south onto Western Avenue.

     Eastbound traffic on 57th Street and all traffic on Western will not be affected.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The newest unit of the “Commemorative Air Force” is the Joe Foss Squadron in Sioux Falls.

     Squadron spokesman Rick Tupper says the “Air Force” is world’s largest owner and operator of historic, privately owned aircraft.

     Tupper says many World War Two aircraft will be in Sioux Fall August 12^th for an inaugural fundraiser.  A B-29 bomber; "Fifi'," the only flying Superfortress in the world, a B-24 and two P-51 Mustangs will be at the soiree.

      Tupper says a 40’s-style hanger dance will be held at the Mavrick Air Center including food, a swing band and a tour of the B-29.

     Tickets are available at cafjoefoss.com.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Physician Paul Amundsen says tobacco use is the number one cause of death in the United States. 

     Dr. Amundsen says smoking usually starts with teens or young adults and 80 percent continue to smoke into adulthood.

     Amundsen says it’s important for parents and peers to remind young smokers about the dangers of smoking.  He calls smoking a chronic illness, an addiction.  He urges parents and peers to keep trying to get young smokers to quit.

     Amundsen advises smokers who tried to quit and failed, once or twice, to try again. 

     He says the South Dakota Quitline is available for smokers of any age at 1-866-SD-QUITS.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A 19 year old Sioux Falls girl suffered a gunshot wound, that police describe as non-life threatening, early Friday morning in the third floor hallway of the Garfield apartments at 15^th and Western.

     Sioux Falls police say 25-year-old Eugene Garcia Junior and 20-year-old Kelvin Santos both of Sioux Falls are in custody.  

      Garcia, Junior is facing multiple counts of aggravatted assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

      Santos is facing multiple counts of aggravated assault and atteptiing to commit a felony with a firearm.

     Lieutenant Galen Smidt says the shooting occurred near Garcia’s apartment. SWAT was called in to enter his room around 5:30 this morning but it was empty.  He says the shooting was not random.  Investigators are looking into what led up to the incident and the motive.  The witnesses, the vicitm and Garcia and Santos are all acquaintances.      

     Detectives have talked with the victim but Smidt wouldn’t say what she said or where she was wounded.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say it’s possible the same suspect held up two Sioux Falls fast food businesses over the weekend but it’s not confirmed.

     Officer Sam Clemens says a white male with a handgun robbed the Domino’s on South Minnesota Avenue late Friday night and the Subway on East 10^th Street early Saturday afternoon.

     Clemens says both suspects share the same physical description: in his thirties, five-eight and about 180 pounds.  He says once investigators compare video from both restaurants they may find it's the same suspect.  The descriptions are similar as well as both suspects displaying a handgun, but he says it's too early in the investigation to be certain it's the same person. 

     Clemens says the Domino’s robber wore a black coat and a black baseball cap and the Subway robber wore a red shirt and khakis.

     In both cases, the robber fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.   

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police are still looking for the driver of a car who fled the scene after hitting a utility pole Saturday afternoon and officers discovered components of a meth lab in the trunk.

     Officer Sam Clemens says passengers in the car; 34-year-old Christina Vincent and 38-year-old Damion Franklin, were at the scene and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

     Clemens says the one-pot method of making methamphetamine is the most comon.  He says it's small, portable and easily disposed by tossing the parts out of a car.  He says there's probably more of this happening than police catch.

     Clemens says Vincent and Franklin couldn’t say why the driver lost control of the car and hit the pole.

     He says police have the suspect’s name but there has not been an arrest.

WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE

City of Salem Press Release – July 22, 2013 – 5:20 PM

The residents and businesses of Salem are being asked to continue to conserve water – no lawn or garden watering; only use water when absolutely necessary and please advise you’re neighbors if you see them watering.  Two of our three wells are not working – the pump motor in one well does need to be replaced and the second well fault has yet to be determined.  The well contractor will be on-site, Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at approximately 1:00 PM.  More information will be released as it becomes available.

 Thank you for your cooperation.

 The water is safe to drink as this issue involves the wells not the Water Filtration Plant.