SIOUX FALLS, KELO AM (KELO AM) -  Sioux Valley Energy officials expect to get the remaining 160, or so, customers without power back on line today.

Director of Communications Carrie Law says there may still be sporadic outages because of ice on power lines.  Law says as the thick ice falls off the lines they may slap a neighboring line causing another outage.

Law says most of the customers who lost power were in the Brookings area, the northern part of their service area.

Law says the utility lost only a couple of power poles in the storm.  Most of the outages came from line breaks or broken cross arms which don't take as long to fix.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The South Dakota Farm Bureau welcomed the joint announcement from US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro that the two nations will restore diplomatic ties after 50 years of hostility. Scott Vanderwall says it’s not just about marketing South Dakota’s meat and grain products, the improved relations could actually go a long way towards improving the quality of life for those living in Cuba as well.

“it increases exports of South Dakota and American products down to Cuba, with the hope and expectation that in return for that, it would help out their people and raise their standard of living” said Vanderwall. He expects that the market for wheat, corn, and soybeans would be the first to be shipped to Cuba, with pork and beef exports picking up as the quality of live improves.

Vanderwall said any new market is a good market for South Dakota products, but this situation offers the unique opportunity to reach out to a group of people that have suffered for many years under their government. While some Cuban-Americans see it as a reward for the corrupt government of the country, Vanderwall says “anytime you shut off a country, it hurts their people first; it does not necessarily hurt the leaders. We see this also as a humanitarian effort.”

The USA first cut ties with Cuba during the cold war, when Russian missiles were stationed on the island nation.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A Sioux Falls man is in the Pipestone, Minnesota, jail after allegedly forcing his 18-year-old girlfriend into his vehicle as she tried getting away from him.

Officer Sam Clemens says the 19-year-old suspect rammed the car his girlfriend was in with his Blazer and she ran away.

Clemens says the man dragged his girlfriend into his Blazer and told a 15-year-old boy to drive.  He says the Minnesota Highway Patrol found the vehicle in Pipestone around 7:30 Wednesday night.   

Clemens says Minnesota authorities arrested the man. The woman and boy are unharmed.

Names haven’t been released because charges haven't been filed yet in either state..

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - It’s coming down to the wire on the Christmas shopping season and financial advisors say now is not the time to panic.

Breck Miller with Lutheran Social Services says shopping can produce emotional conflict.  He says there's always a balance between buying enough for friends and family and justifying the cost.

Miller says a well-planned shopping list and budget can provide gifts that don't threaten financial stability. 

He says just because the shopping window is closig don't abandon the fiscal responsibility you hopefully established before the season began.

Miller says if you do go overboard Lutheran Social Services can help you set up a payment plan.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls broke last year’s building permit record yesterday at $593 million .

Mayor Mike Huether says residential and commercial projects and a June hailstorm combined to break last year’s mark by $5 million.

Dakota Pointe Apartment, Avera Prince of Peace's addition, Prairie Hill Plaza Apartments, Sioux Falls Regional Airport redevelopment and Trail Ridge all contributed to the new record.

Last year's record was %588 million and the previous record of %523 million was set back in 2007.             

Huether predicts 2015 will land in the top five in construction values.

Hartford, SD (KELO-AM) Some West Central School District parents have formed 'Save Our Future', to keep the new Cherry Lake subdivision on the growing west side of Sioux Falls from merging with city schools.

The group has started a petition drive to get the issue before West Central voters this spring.

Group Spokeswoman, Lisa Engels says this merger would be a precedent as Sioux Falls continues to grow to suck up more tax revenue. She says West Central schools stand to lose $300,000 per year under the deal that the Sioux Falls School Board approved December 8th. It now awaits a decision by the West Central School Board and thus the petition push.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls Police are investigating an armed robbery last night at the Motel 6 on West Russell Street.

The clerk told police that a man wearing a bandana over his face indicated he had a weapon in his waistband.

The suspect is described as a white male, five-seven, average build, wearing gray pants and a black zip-up coat.

He fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Confirmed flu cases in South Dakota rose from 14 last week to 50 this week.

State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger says that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  He says the fifty official reports come from sufferers who see their doctor and a nostril swab is sent to a lab for confirmation. But he says the quicky tests at the clinic level in South Dakota show hundreds with influenza

Kightlinger says half of the flu cases are people ages 24 and under and a quarter ages four and under, but he adds that this strain usually targets the elderly.

Kightlinger says it's still not too late for a flu vaccination.

He says the flu in South Dakota is reported by individuals in every corner of the state and is not limited to clusters in schools, businesses or senior homes.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Warrants for kidnapping and aggravated assault have been issued in Minnehaha County against a 19-year-old Sioux Falls man currently in the Pipestone, Minnesota, jail.

Officer Sam Clemens says Kip Edward Hartwick is accused of forcibly taking his 18-year-old girlfriend to Pipestone.

Clemens says Hartwick is accused of ramming the car his girlfriend was in with his Blazer, dragging her to his vehicle and ending up in Pipestone.

He says Minnehaha County officials are waiting to learn what possible charges Hartwick may face in Pipestone.  Once that's settled it's up to the sheriff's office to determine when they'll bring him back to Sioux Falls.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) - Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band will be performing at the Denny Sanford Premier Center this spring.

The band announced new concert dates this morning as an extension of their current Ride Out Tour.

Seger will perform March 17 at the Denny Sanford Permier Center in Sioux Falls. On sale dates will be announced soon.

Ride Out is Seger's first studio album in eight years.

Seger's hit songs include "Old Time Rock and Roll", "Against the Wind", "Night Moves", "Hollywood Nights" and "Still the Same".

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Due to recent warm temperatures, all six Sioux Falls outdoor skating rinks, two hockey rinks, and warming houses were not open Friday.  Rink and warming house hours are subject to weather, and openings will be announced at a later date as ice conditions improve.

Sleigh rides scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2014, at Tuthill Park have been canceled due to lack of snow. Mark your calendars for sleigh rides on Sunday, January 11, 2015, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park, weather permitting.

For more information, contact the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Office at 605-367-8222.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Just one day after Sioux Falls City officials announced back‑to‑back record-breaking years of construction values, the construction valuation for building permits issued by Building Services has surpassed $600, just as predicted.

Today Lloyd Construction obtained the permit for the Willow Run Apartment project for a valuation of $17 million. With this permit and the other permits issued in the past two days, the construction valuation now stands at $611 million for the year.

“I didn’t know it would happen today, but $600 million was always within reach for 2014,” says Mike Cooper, Director of Planning and Building Services. “This year is definitely one for the record books.”

Last year’s record was $588,248,861, and the previous record was $523.1 million, set back in 2007.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Winter officially arrives just after 5:00 Sunday evening.   Along with the arrival, winter weather returns to make travel plans more interesting for the week ahead.

For the day today, areas of fog will persist across the region through late Sunday morning.  Visibilities in some areas could drop to a half mile or less, especially in low lying areas.

Later on Sunday, scattered light rainfall will begin spreading into the area this evening and become likely overnight.  Temperatures are expected to remain above freezing...therefore mixed precipitationis not expected tonight.

As we head into the short work week, light rain will remain possible into Monday afternoon before changing entirely to snow Monday evening.  Light snow is expected  on Tuesday before diminishing Tuesday evening and Tuesday night.  Snowfall amounts will be less than 2 inches.

Later in the week, light snow will again spread into the area on Christmas Day and evening.  Light accumulations are expected...but impacts to holiday travel will be possible.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Street projects that could cause delays this week:  

Indiana Avenue and Franklin Avenue Construction

Beginning on Tuesday, December 23, 2014, geotechnical and exploratory drilling will take place on Indiana Avenue and Franklin Avenue from Eighth Street to Tenth Street. The work will take place in both the south bound and north bound lanes with traffic channeled around the work areas. No lane closures are expected.

Work is expected to be complete in two working days.

Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce their speed while travelling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.

Street Closure – Phillips Avenue

On Monday morning, December 22, 2014, Phillips Avenue will be closed between 12th Street and 13th Street.

The City of Sioux Falls Public Works Department will be repairing a water valve. The work is anticipated to be finished, weather permitting, by the evening of December 22, 2014.

Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce their speed while travelling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes.

Rapid City, SD (KELO-AM)—Rapid City Police, State Department of Criminal Investigation and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to look into a shooting. Officers were called to the Lakota Community Homes area early Saturday evening. A Rapid City Police press statement says officers shot 30 year old Allen Locke multiple times, when he rushed an officer with a knife. Other occupants in the home were uninjured. The shooting comes less than one day after a Native American protest in Rapid City, held to call attention to alleged tensions with law enforcement.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police are investigating an armed robbery at Happy Jack’s Casino on East Benson Road last night.

The suspect was armed with a handgun and fled with an undetermined amount of money.

Officer Sam Clemens says the suspect showed the female clerk that he had a handgun in his coat pocket.  Clemens says he never drew it to point at anybody.  The clerk says she clearly saw the gun.

He’s described as a white male, mid-30’s, 175 pounds, bushy eyebrows and wore a black hooded sweatshirt and a black and white bandana over his face.

The robbery happened just before 11 last night.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Better Business Bureau says 44% of holiday purchases this year will be online.

Jessie Schmidt with BBB says scammers see phishing opportunities by posing as shippers, retailers and banks in emails.  Schmidt says by opening those emails you could be exposing your system to malware and spyware.

Schmidt says scammers then have access to your financial security and can rack up your debt.

Other BBB tips:  Watch out for seasonal work-from-home jobs, family emergency scams with a holiday twist, online dating services are monitored by scam artists and make sure the charity you are giving money to is legitimate.

For more online safety tips go to stop-think-connect-dot-org.

SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM   The Tax-Aide Program offers free federal tax preparation for low and middle income taxpayers of all ages, with special attention to those 60 and over or disabled.  Electronic filing is also provided free of charge.  Tax-Aide is a partnership program supported by both the AARP Foundation and the IRS.  Tax preparation is provided by IRS certified volunteers.

Tax preparation service is by appointment only.  Beginning on Monday January 5^th, you may call Active Generations at (605) 336-6722 to schedule an appointment.  Appointments will be available between 8:45 AM and 4:30 PM weekdays and on Saturday mornings starting Monday February 2^nd and ending Tuesday April 14^th.

Tax-Aide will operate two sites in Sioux Falls again this year.  The site at Active Generations, 2300 W 46^th St. (between Kiwanis and Western), will operate Monday through Saturday.  The site at Kuehn Community Center (Oscar Howe Elementary School), 2801 S Valley View Rd., will operate weekday mornings only.

No assistance is available for people required to file a state tax return.  Membership in Active Generations or AARP is not required.

We appreciate your participation in this program and look forward to serving you this tax season.

For your appointment please bring photo ID’s, Social Security cards or statements, and all of your income tax related documents.  You should also bring last year’s tax return.  Please bring bank account information to use for electronic transfer of refunds or payments.

Starting this year you also need to bring additional information related to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.  Please bring:

• 2014 health insurance coverage information for you, your spouse and all dependents
• If you didn’t have insurance coverage all year, information about monthly coverage
• If you purchased health insurance through the Exchange, Form 1095A
• Any health care exemptions you received from the IRS or the Exchange

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) – Chuck Brennan is at it again, this time announcing plans for what is set to become the largest pawn shop in the Midwest just across from the PREMIER Center.  The shop will be known as Badlands Paw, Gold, and Jewelry, and is set to open right around Thanksgiving 2015. Brennan has called it the Disneyland of pawn shops, and has a vision of making it a large-scale tourist attraction with a deli, live music, gun shop, shooting range, and even a million dollars in gold on display for tourists to marvel at.

Darrin Smith, Sioux Falls Community Development Director,  says today’s announcement is another big win for Sioux Falls, noting that the wide-ranging Badlands Pawn grounds will bring in hundreds of tourists per day, and provide enough experiences to potentially keep them around for a day or two. “They expect tourists and visitors to come from all across the United States, and even locally or in the region, repeat visitors because there is just so much to do. Probably too much to do in one day,” said Smith.

The Badlands Pawn complex will be another cornerstone in what the city is calling the Sioux Falls Sports and Entertainment District. Smith says the district includes the area from Sioux Falls Stadium and the Arena and Convention Center to the Sanford Sports Complex and Elmwood Golf course. “There’s a lot to do in that area” he said. Badland Pawn isn’t the only new development coming to the area, work has already begun on Fairway Suites hotel near Elmwood, and additionally the city of Tea will see a new hotel just south of the district along I-29.

A Sioux Falls state legislator says he is NOT thilled with the plan for the Badlands Pawn development. State Representative Steve Hickey says the money for the new venture "comes from the exploitation of the poor and the elderly". Hickey making reference to developer Chuck Brennan's Dollar Loan Center, which provides payday loans. Hickey has been a vocal opponent of the high interest loan industry, even forwarding a plan to cap interest rates charged to those recieving loans.

Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The Public Works Street Division has declared a snow alert. Plowing of emergency snow routes began last night and will continue until routes are clear. All vehicles parked on emergency snow routes are subject to immediate ticketing and towing.

Zone 3: Plowing in Zone 3 will begin this morning, Saturday, December 27, 2014, after emergency routes have been cleared. All streets in Zone 3 will be plowed. All vehicles parked in Zone 3 are subject to ticketing and towing during snow plowing operations until the streets have been plowed.

Zone 2: Plowing of east/west streets will begin on Saturday, December 27, 2014, at 8 p.m.Plowing of north/south streets will begin on Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 8 a.m. All vehicles parked on streets in Zone 2 during snow plowing operations are subject to ticketing and towing.

Zone 1: Snow pickup operations in Zone 1 will begin at 1 a.m. on Monday, December 29 2014. Vehicles parked in Zone 1 will be subject to ticketing and towing between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday, December 29, 2014. During a snow alert, parking is prohibited in the downtown area between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m.

General snow removal information is available on the City’s website at www.siouxfalls.org/snow and on cable channel CityLink.

If you are unsure what snow zone you are in, or where the zone boundaries are located, use our online interactive map, which allows you to pinpoint your zone by address. This is available atwww.siouxfalls.org/snow.

You may subscribe to email snow alert notifications at www.siouxfalls.org/snow.

Text message alerts are also available by texting SNOW to 605-413-1990.

Snow alerts and updates also will be communicated via Twitter and Facebook. Follow us at twitter.com/siouxfallssnow. On Facebook you can “like” us at facebook.com/citysiouxfalls.

Property owners are reminded that the City of Sioux Falls requires all public sidewalks cleared of ice and snow within 48 hours after completion of each snow or ice accumulation. Sidewalks at intersections or crosswalks shall also be cleared to the street—City Ordinance, Section 96.100. Call 978-6900 during normal business hours, or leave a voice message after hours or on weekends, to report violations.