SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Senator John Thune says Congress must pass a funding bill, a defense authorization act and tax extensions before the end of the year.

Thune says he has two provisions on the spending bill including preventing the E-P-A from banning lead in ammo and angling.  Thune says banning lead would raise prices for sportsmen further reducing the numbers of people participating in the South Dakota traditions.

Thune says the other provision would prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing the sage grouse on the endangered species list

Thune says when Republicans take control next year he’ll work on a simpler tax code, regulatory reform and controlling an overreaching federal bureaucracy.

Pierre, SD (KELO AM) - United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Canton, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering.Kenneth Hunsucker, age 49, was indicted on December 2, 2014.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 4, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment. 

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 20 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 2 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered. The charges are merely accusations and Hunsucker is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  The investigation is being conducted by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.    Hunsucker was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Acknowledging that parking around the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center was initially a concern, city officials say efforts so far have been a resounding success.

Community Development Director Darrin Smith credits a team effort between public works, police and SMG.

Smith says there are 4,000 parking spaces immediately surrounding the facilities, 6,000 spaces including shuttles to area parks.

He says traffic and parking have held up during events at the Arena, Convention Center, PREMIERE Center and the Sheraton Hotel.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - In his farewell speech to the Senate this morning Tim Johnson admonished lawmakers saying they have “lost our way.”

Johnson said lawmakers today are more concerned about winning the next election.

Johnson says common ground is needed because most of the nation doesn’t live in the far left or far right.

Senator John Thune said that while he and retiring Senator Tim Johnson didn’t always agree, he says they’ve always come together to work for South Dakota in times of crisis.

Thune thanked Johnson for his dedication and service to the State.

Republican Mike Rounds replaces Johnson next month.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  A Sioux Falls UPS worker is accused of concealing a package containing five-thousand dollars’ worth of precious metals.

Officer Sam Clemens says 31-year-old Derek Eugene Gross of Parker is charged with grand theft.Clemens couldn't say what the precious metals were.  He says Gross tried concealing the package in his pants.               

Clemens says UPS investigators alerted police about Gross.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Mayor Mike Heuther will be giving a special welcome and announcement about Sioux Falls native and Los Angeles filmmaker Nick Simon at 11AM on Friday, December 12 in the lobby of Century Stadium 14 on Carolyn Ave. Nick Simon will be flown home for the opening of his film by Cinema Falls, organizer for the weekend events.

Simon currently resides in Los Angeles where he works as a director and screenwriter, and is currently casting for his next film which will be executive produced by horror film legend Wes Craven ('Nightmare on Elm Street'). Nick Simon co-wrote the horror film ‘The Pyramid’ which received an international release by distributor 20^th Century Fox on December 5 and will begin showing in Sioux Falls on December 12.

‘The Pyramid’ follows an archeological team as they try to unlock the secrets of a lost pyramid while being hunted by an insidious creature. The film started as a low-budget horror film only to expand to a larger budget, on-location shooting in Morocco, and a release during the busy December awards season. The film garnered 1.5 million dollars at the US box office for its opening weekend, and opened internationally in 31 countries on December 4, 2014.  

Simon will speak at the press conference and be available for interviews at the theater. He will attend and speak only at Friday's 7:45 pm screening of the film later that night. Tickets are available at the theater or other online ticketing outlets such as Fandango. After the film, Cinema Falls will be hosting a Q&A with Simon in the theater and handing out passes to those in the audience to attend a Meet & Greet and After Party at Carnaval Brazilian Grill. 

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) – It turns out “Don’t Jerk and Drive” does go too far. The Department of Public Safety announced tonight they are pulling the innuendo-laced campaign after just a couple of weeks because they don’t want one meaning overpowering the other.

 “This is an important safety message and I don't want this innuendo to distract from our goal to save lives on the road," said Trevor Jones, head of the DPS in a statement released Thursday night. The campaign was launched earlier this month, and featured videos describing the proper way to keep your car under control and what to do if you go off the road; along with images and the hash tag #DontJerkAndDrive.

Feedback for the campaign was polarizing, with many saying the innuendo canceled out the focus of keeping your car under control in icy conditions, a few others called it genius. However, it seems the majority focused on making off color jokes about “jerk” as a euphemism for masturbation. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Assistant Police Chief of Sioux Falls Patti Lyon announced today that she’ll retire in March.

Lyon says she was not delivering a farewell speech today, instead she will stay with the deaprtment until March and help her replacement in the transition.

Mayor Mike Huether says Lyon has always stood behind her team.  Huether says it was Lyon who was instrumental in getting the rank and file to realize the benefits of restucturing the City's pension plan for the police department.

Chief Doug Barthel says Lyon will leave behind big shoes to fill.  Barthel says Lyon could have given two weeks and left the department short-handed but she decided to help train her replacement.

The mayor will appoint Lyon’s replacement.  Mayor Dave Munson first appointed Lyon as assistant police chief.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Multi-Cultural Center has learned that a $150,000 yearly grant, it’s received over the last five years, won’t be renewed this year.

Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth says while the Center is not in danger of closing the loss is significant.  He says it's not that unusual when grant administrators channel money to a different non-profit.

Sioux Falls gives money to the Multi-Cultural Center and while Minnehaha County does not, it does give them a building in which to operate.               

Barth says the Board will approach other agencies and businesses in an effort to help make up the loss. He says the Center will also hold more fundraisers.

Barth says non-profits perform work that governments would have to hire done if those groups didn’t exist.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The mild weather will come to an end as a cold front comes through the area today.  Drizzle and fog will give way to freezing rain, sleet and snow heading into Monday. 

Light rain will begin early Monday morning, transitioning to freezing rain and sleet Monday morning, changing to snow Monday afternoon before tapering off in the evening.Forecaster Kyle Weiser at the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls says we could see ice accumulations of one to two tenths of inch, followed by three to four inches of snow. 

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for most of southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.  The freezing rain, ice and snow will cause travel difficulties, at Noontime and especially for the evening commute. 

Cities included in the advisory area include Yankton, Brookings, Madison, Mitchell, Marshall, Slayton, Fulda, Pipestone, Luverne and Sioux Falls.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO-AM) The Senate passed the bill avoiding a government shutdown which could have started next week by 56-40 in a late-night vote on Saturday. It's now on the way to the Oval Office for the President's signature.

The budget had been the subject of months of intense debate, with both Democrats and Republicans making concessions.

Starting in January, Republicans will hold a majority in both houses of Congress, and SD US Senator John Thune says there’s plenty on the agenda. Issues such as energy, commodity transport, jobs and immigration will be at the forefront. The Senior South Dakota Senator says he's looking forward to a bi-partisan approach to the measures. Thune takes over leadership of the Senate Commerce Science and Transportation Committee next month.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The city is looking for a few good men and women to fill the ranks of the Sioux Falls Police and Fire Departments.

Mayor Mike Huether says the city will spend $60 million dollars on the departments.  He says that's the commitment the city is making when it comes to public satety.              

The city will hire 10 additional police officers and 15 new firefighters next year.

Chief Doug Barthel says the city’s budget will pay wages for five hires and a federal COPS grant will pay for the others.  Barhtel says when it comes to personnel and equipment the Sioux Falls Police Department is among the best in the nation.               

Barthel says there’s a stream of retirements next year and those positions will also be filled. 

 A new Sioux Falls fire station will open this spring and 15 new firefighters will man it.  Chief Jim Sideras says the department is still hiring firefighters as the city continues growing.

Sideras says Station 11 will open in April and Station 12 will open in 2019.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say two men armed with handguns held up the Happy Jack’s Casino on West 12^th Street around 12:30 this morning.

The 61-year-old female clerk says both suspects covered their faces with bandanas.

Officer Sam Clemens says one ot the suspects hel the door open while the other went to the counter and took the money

One suspect is described as a white male, six feet tall, wearing a tan jacket and dark gloves.  The second suspect is described as dark skinned, six feet tall, wearing a dark jacket with a hood and gloves.

They fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The Sioux Falls Police and Public Works departments would like to remind motorists to take extra precautions during today’s winter weather.

 “The Public Works Street Division is prepared for whatever the weather brings us, and sanders are out treating emergency snow routes,” says Galynn Huber, Street and Fleet Operations Manager. “Drivers should be especially careful on secondary roads, which see less traffic and tend to be more slippery.”

Stay safe on the roads by following these tips:

• ·     Drive with caution. Reduce your speed when snow and/or ice are present on roadways, and allow at least three times the normal following distance from the vehicle in front of you.
•  ·     Always clear your entire windshield and other windows of snow and ice before driving. Use your headlights even during the daytime so that other drivers are sure to see you.
•  ·     When traveling through construction areas, be especially mindful of your speed and pay careful attention to your surroundings.
•  ·     Listen to weather predictions, and plan to leave home or work a little earlier to make it to your destination on time.
•  ·     Allow plenty of distance around snow removal equipment. Stay four car lengths behind maintenance vehicles so that the drivers can see you.
•  ·     Go to www.siouxfalls.org/snow to subscribe to text, email, or social media notifications when snow alerts are issued and to find helpful information regarding snow removal in Sioux Falls.
• To view cancellations and late starts, go to: http://kelo.com/cancellations/

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police responded to 83 car crashes between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. yesterday.

Officer Sam Clemens says that’s four times the normal amount.

Clemens says there were 10 crashes during Tuesday morning's commute, a tick above normal.  

He says the easiest way to avoid crashes is to slow down, drive the conditions.  You can't stop as fast on wet, snow or ice covered roads.  Advice that all too often falls on deaf ears.

The city is removing snow from downtown streets between 1 a.m and 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Cars won’t be ticketed but if cars are off the streets, more snow can be cleared.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say a transient is accused of starting a floor mat on fire in the KELO-TV entry way this morning.

Officer Sam Clemens says 33-year-old Sherman Dean Alexander is charged with reckless burning, a felony.

Clemens says Alexander told police he set the mat on fire to keep warm and then urinated on it to extinguish the fire.  He was seen by several employees and was arrested nearby.             

Clemens says damage was minimal.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The state and city are taking Friday after Christmas off so the Minnehaha County Commission decided to follow suit.

Commissioner Jeff Barth said he doesn’t want people to think the county isn’t on duty.

He says hundreds of Minnehaha County employees will be working; as correctional officers, as sheriff's deputies and, if need be, snow plow operators.  He says the county will be on the job Friday after Christmas.            

The commission felt that since the governments are dependent on one another it makes sense for an administrative holiday.   

PIERRE, SD (KELO AM) – Gov. Dennis Daugaard today announced that the state will partner with Dakota & Iowa Railroad to invest $7.3 million to upgrade the Sioux Valley Line in southeast South Dakota. 

The Sioux Valley Line repair project will be funded by $5.1 million in grants and loans from the state Railroad Board; a $1.8 million federal grant; $300,000 from the Dakota & Iowa Railroad; and a $100,000 grant from the South Dakota Department of Transportation. 

Related: Millions on board for rain in SD.

“I want to thank Dakota & Iowa Railroad for making this project a possibility,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Their investment and ongoing commitment will go a long way in giving South Dakota farmers better access to the market.”

The project will include upgrading nine bridges on the line, which will allow the line to handle 286,000-pound rail cars. In addition, a section of track that is currently in an area subject to landslides will be moved.

Also at today’s Rail Board meeting in Sioux Falls, the Governor announced that a total of $56 million in public and private funds will go toward improving the RCP&E, the Britton Line and the MRC.

The Governor also announced today that $4 million in Future Funds will be available to match other South Dakota rail investments made by private entities. Interested parties should prepare proposals and submit them to the state Department of Transportation.

The map of the proposed upgrade can be found here.

Brookings, SD (KELO AM) - Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced Tuesday that the Research Park at South Dakota State University has been approved by the Governor's Office of Economic Development as the first South Dakota Certified Technology Park.

"The South Dakota Certified Technology Park program was developed to drive the development of the technology-focused research and businesses that will be critically important to South Dakota's future growth," said Gov. Daugaard.

"The approval of the Research Park at SDSU is a unique opportunity for us. The science and technology being developed in the Research Park is top-notch, and we look forward to many more brilliant business leaders and researchers in the future."The Research Park at SDSU is made up of 125 acres of shovel-ready sites which includes utility, telecommunications, streets and complete infrastructure amenities. It is home to a 43,000 square-foot Innovation Center, which includes 9,000 square-feet of lab space and 18,000 square-feet of office space.

In addition, the Research Park also has a business incubator, which is currently home to 42 businesses."Our goal at the Research Park at SDSU has always been to 'Grow Your Dreams,' and that's not only possible, it's reality," said Dwaine Chapel, executive director. "Gaining Certified Ready status is huge for us. It will allow us to foster business growth in the science and technology sectors and continue to cultivate some of the world's finest professionals.

Thank you to Gov. Daugaard and the GOED for your leadership and continued support of this growing industry sector."The South Dakota Certified Technology Park program is an economic development tool available to incorporated municipalities, counties and improvement districts containing a technology park in its area. It is a collaboration effort between research parks, businesses, post-secondary education and local economic development corporations.

The program is operated under the supervision of the GOED for the purpose of providing consistent information on sites available throughout the state.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - An alert casino employee tipped Sioux Falls police to a man with a stolen car last night.

Officer Sam Clemens says the 28-year-old woman saw Jeremy James Kidd hanging around the Westwinds Casino on West 26^th Street for days.  Clemens says the woman felt he was a meth head and was casing the business.

When Kidd opend the door of a car in the parking lot, the woman confronted him and he said he was just closing the door for the owner.  When questioned, he didn't know the owner's name.             

Clemens says the woman got the license of the car Kidd was driving and police found him in a motel on West Homefield Drive.

Kidd is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, controlled substance, paraphernalia and burglary tools.  The tools were a pry bar and sledgehammer