Just got back from seeing my daughter in her educational program out east, where we spent the long weekend as a family. We managed to do a few fun things, including whale watching, and headed back Tuesday, where my rotten head cold I’d been developing was just getting worse.

As we were making the drive up from Sioux Falls, my wife remarked to me that maybe “I should go in to the clinic for a Covid test.” Ugh. Why do I want to go to the doctor? My mom was a nurse and we didn’t go to the doctor unless we were dying or had broken something.

I broke down and went in. Positive. Wife went in later. Same result. Time to unfurl the banner:

~ Welcome Back COVID ~

So now we’re back on the COVID quarantine train. Thankfully, things may be a little more relaxed after our country’s first experience with it.

This time they have antivirals they throw at you (paxlovid), which means you’re less apt to want to self-treat with ivermectin, aka ‘liquid sheep drench.’

Not foggy this time, as at least for me more like one of the worst head colds I’ve ever had, with exhaustion and some body aches. Although, my mouth tastes like ear wax. It can stop that any time now.

I think I might feel enough ambition to change pajamas this morning before I go back to my place of hiding on the basement couch. Definitely self-quarantining and popping into the office in bits and pieces to telecommute. But not planning anything big. Probably skipping the Trump Rally in Rapid.

It literally seems like a heavy case of what we used to get in previous years as the head flu.. not to be mistaken with the stomach flu. Where there was misery for a few days, and then back to work.

if that’s where it’s current mutation has landed us, we’ll just have to live with it, as we did all those years with seasonal flu that would affect schools and work in spurts, but would not shut the country down.

I’m going back to the couch now to live with it for another couple of days. Bleaugh.

Sauder announces candidacy for State Senate

BRYANT – Stephanie Sauder, Bryant, officially announces her candidacy for the South Dakota State Senate from District 4 in the 2024 Republican primary election.

Sauder, elected to the House of Representatives in 2022, considers it a privilege to serve the constituents of District 4 and being a part of the team that keeps South Dakota as the best state in the country in which to live.

A former K-12 educator, newspaper publisher and mayor, lifelong ag producer, and wife, mother and grandmother, Rep. Sauder considers District 4 her friends and neighbors and representing them is an honor and responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.

“My decision to run for state senate is rooted in a strong desire to continue making a positive impact on our District 4 counties and our state,” says Sauder. “As a state senator, there will be many opportunities for me to continue being a voice for families, education, the ag industry, long-term care and health providers, business owners, law enforcement, local governments, retired citizens, and everyone else in the district.”

As a State Representative, Sauder has witnessed the power of collaborative efforts in bringing about meaningful change for the betterment of the district and the state. With only 35 members in the Senate, she realizes that collaboration is even more vital and looks forward to embracing those challenges.

“I want to continue to be that voice for your family and your community that understands our rural area and the challenges we face.”

She takes the common-sense approach, considering various perspectives to the issues by calling upon those in her district for their opinions and expertise on the topics at hand. As a state senator, she will continue reaching out to D4 constituents on the issues that come before the legislature. Likewise, she encourages everyone in District 4 to reach out to her with their comments, questions and concerns.

Current District 4 State Senator John Wiik of Big Stone City, will be termed limited in 2024, leaving the seat open. District 4 includes the counties of Clark, Hamlin, Deuel, Grant and Roberts. The Republican primary election will be June 4, 2024.

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Vilhauer Announces Candidacy for District 5 Senate

Today, long-time Watertown resident Glen Vilhauer announced his candidacy for the South Dakota District 5 Senate seat during the upcoming election cycle. The seat is currently held by Senate pro tem Lee Schoenbeck who is not planning to run for reelection.

Vilhauer has an extensive record of public service, recently completing 8 years on the Watertown City Council while serving as deputy mayor the final two years. He is a 10 year veteran of the SD Army National Guard and has served on the Prairie Lakes Healthcare System’s and Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce’s Boards of Directors. He also recently served 4 years on the South Dakota Retirement System Board of Trustees.

“We have been blessed with strong conservative representation in Pierre over the years. I hope to continue to bring a conservative common sense approach to the citizens of this District and the people of South Dakota. My time on the City Council has taught me how to listen to constituents’ concerns and attempt to find a solution to their issues. I will be their advocate in Pierre just as I have been here in Watertown.”

“I am a farm boy at heart and also a long-time business owner. I understand the concerns of the farming community while also supporting ongoing economic development in South Dakota.”

Vilhauer is a retired CPA and lives with his wife, Darla, in Watertown. He has three grown children and six grandchildren. District 5 consists of the City of Watertown and 4 surrounding townships.

Gov. Noem Appoints Bob Perry as Secretary of Public Safety

Craig Price to Retire from State Government

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem appointed Robert (Bob) Perry as Secretary of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Craig Price, the current secretary, will retire from state government. Perry’s appointment will be effective on September 22.

“Craig Price has been an outstanding leader and public servant throughout his law enforcement career. His experience, insight, and discernment have been incredibly valuable to me while serving as Governor,” said Governor Noem. “We have seen many unprecedented challenges over the past several years here in South Dakota including floods, storms, violent protests, and a worldwide pandemic. Craig was always a steady hand who brought calm to every situation and focused on finding solutions. He has been one of my closest advisors and a dear friend. He has my highest respect. May God richly bless him in his retirement from the State of South Dakota.”

Secretary Craig Price always had a goal to retire from state government in 2023. He submitted a retirement letter to Governor Noem, which can be found here.

“When I started as a State Trooper in 1997, I just needed a job, and retirement in 2023 seemed light years away. I had no idea how rewarding it would be serving our state every day since,” said Craig Price. “Serving on Governor Noem’s cabinet has been the highlight of my career. I have a lot of people to thank, but no one more than my wife of 26 years Kami and our two daughters Remington and Lavin. My career would not have been possible without their absolute support.”

Bob Perry has a long career of impressive law enforcement service. His career began as a Trooper for Pennsylvania State Police in 1990. In 1997, he joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent, where his service included Pierre, SD. In 2006, he was made Supervisory Special Agent in Rapid City, SD. He rose to Assistant Inspector (Team Leader) out of Washington, DC in 2014. His career at the FBI culminated as Assistant Special Agent in Charge, a leadership role for FBI activities in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Northern Minnesota.

“Bob has big shoes to fill, and he has a strong career in law enforcement – in the field, in investigatory roles, and in leadership – to keep the people of South Dakota safe,” continued Governor Noem.  

Bob has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology with a focus on Criminal Justice from East Stroudsburg University.  

“I appreciate Governor Noem giving me this opportunity. I look forward to leading the Department of Public Safety,” said Bob Perry. “I intend to honor the outstanding values, mission, and accomplishments of the DPS team and to support and lead them in building on those successes. I am excited to support Governor Noem and contribute to her vision for South Dakota.”

 Bob has been married to his wife Amy for 33 years. They have two adult sons, Owen and Charlie, as well as a grandson Tripp. You can find a photo of Bob Perry here.

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Governor Noem Launches “Room for More” Ad

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem launched the latest ad of the “Freedom Works Here” nationwide workforce recruitment campaign: “Room for More.” The ad features Governor Noem in her office getting back to her real job after portraying multiple professions throughout the campaign.

“Thankfully, thousands of Freedom-loving Americans responded and are moving here to pitch in,” said Governor Noem. “But there’s always room for more. So come work in South Dakota – the Freest state in America. Now if you’ll excuse me – I’ve got my real job to do.”

In the “Room for More” ad, Governor Noem reflects on the jobs she portrayed in the previous “Freedom Works Here” ads. Since the launch of “Freedom Works Here” Governor Noem has been a plumber, dentist, welder, and electrician.

6,166 of people have applied to move to South Dakota, and 1,402 individuals are in the final stages of moving to here.

The most applications have come from California (979), Florida (458), Texas (452), Minnesota (356), and New York (281). 172 South Dakotans have also used the campaign as a tool to get plugged into career opportunities. A map showing where applicants are from can be found here.

These numbers represent those working directly through the “Freedom Works Here” program. Even more people are finding jobs and moving to South Dakota of their own accord after seeing the ads.

More information about the Freedom Works Here campaign can be found here.

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Attorney General Jackley Joins Congressional Request To Create AI Child Exploitation Expert Commission

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined 53 other Attorneys General in asking Congressional leaders to create an expert panel on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is to use to exploit children.

“Artificial Intelligence has its benefits, but there is also potential for serious harm that we are now experiencing with several investigations in South Dakota,” said Attorney General Jackley.  “That harm is real with ‘deepfakes’ that include the use of real children’s voices and photographs taken from social media to create computer generated child porn.”

In their letter, the Attorneys General urge Congress to create an expert commission to study how AI methods are used to exploit children and then take steps to protect children from such issues as the generation of child sexual abuse materials and the use of their images for deepfake photo images.

“We need Congress to take action, and I also plan to do so this Legislative Session in South Dakota,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We will be working with legislators to address ‘deepfakes’ and to make AI generated child pornography a crime in South Dakota.”

Other Attorneys General signing onto the letter were from the states of: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

The letter can be read here:

This has been a decidedly different Labor Day weekend for me.

No State Fair, but I did manage to visit one of my family’s ancestral homes in Newport, RI, and finally accomplished a successful whale watching tour.. right about the time Jimmy Buffet’s passing hit the news.

Back to the salt mines tomorrow..

Katie Washnok Announces Candidacy for South Dakota Senate

Aberdeen, SD —September 1, 2023 – Today Katie Washnok (35) of Aberdeen, SD proudly announces her candidacy for South Dakota Senate from District 3, promising a new voice, fresh perspective, and unwavering dedication to the greater Aberdeen Area and its constituents.

With a proven track record of dedicated community involvement, Katie seeks to bring positive change and a strong voice to the South Dakota Senate.

Having worked in both Washington D.C. and Pierre early in her career, Katie brings an in-depth knowledge of the policy process. And her service to the community has instilled a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Northeastern South Dakotans. Katie will ensure these issues are made a priority in the legislature.

“I am excited to hit the campaign trail running, I look forward to engaging even more with the constituents of District 3, listening to their concerns, and working collaboratively to make the greater Aberdeen area an even better place to call home!” Says Washnok.

Katie invites all to join her campaign by liking her Facebook page “Katie Washnok for South Dakota Senate”.

Lt. Gov. Rhoden Opens Dakota Events CompleX 

HURON, S.D. – Today, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources opened the Dakota Events CompleX (DEX) at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron.

“The DEX is a state-of-the-art facility that will position us to better compete for national rodeo and equestrian events. It will provide the city of Huron and the entire state of South Dakota with new opportunities,” said Lt. Governor Rhoden. “Out of adversity, we have found opportunity to grow. The DEX will be a special place. I can’t wait to see all of the memories that families, friends, visitors, and fairgoers will make right here.”

Almost three years ago, in the early hours of October 31^st, 2020, a fire destroyed the State Fair Open Class Beef Complex. Thanks to State Fair staff, firefighters, and first responders, no people or animals were injured in the fire, but the building was a total loss.

Immediately after the fire, Governor Noem announced the DEX project in her 2020 Budget Address and held a press conference in Huron discussing the plans to build this new and improved complex.  The legislature authorized $20 million to build the DEX in 2021 and an additional $9 million earlier this year to ensure that it was ready to open for the 2023 South Dakota State Fair.

The DEX is a 150,000 square-foot open concept facility. It is capable of housing up to 2,000 head of cattle and allows for indoor regional and national rodeos, equestrian events, and livestock exhibitions.

Photos from the ribbon cutting ceremony can be found here, here, here, and here.

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As you get older, you can look back and remember people who taught you lessons in life, and you tend not to forget them.  For me, Ken Orrock was one of those people, and his name popped up in the news today:

Kenneth Orrock was Bennett County state’s attorney before being charged in federal court for failing to collect and remit payroll taxes from 2011 through 2015. The charges didn’t relate to his practice of law, but to his security company, called Black Hills Patrol. He was given a five-year probation sentence and ordered to pay $280,000 in restitution after pleading guilty. He was released from probation after three years.

On Wednesday, Orrock appeared before the state Supreme Court in Pierre to ask for limited readmission to the bar. The bar’s disciplinary board heard from Orrock earlier this year and recommended readmission on several conditions, among them limiting Orrock’s practice to criminal law and requiring him to retake and pass the bar exam.

Read that here at South Dakota Searchlight.

That’s a name I remember, as it was the first, and maybe the only bad debt I’ve had to write off in my postcard business.    Back in May of 2016, I had been been selling campaign materials for a while, and I was asked to design/print/mail a postcard for Orrock in his race for Bennett County State’s Attorney. Which when it came time for the bill, it was ignored.   It wasn’t much, about $165, but after being ghosted long enough, as well as noting his legal troubles, you have to decide how much energy a person is going to put into trying to collect a $165 bill across the state.

I wrote that debt off over 7 years ago now, but the the lesson I learned sticks with me. Cash up front in political races if you don’t know the person.  You’d think you could trust elected officials, but it turns out that there’s always one who spoils it for the rest.

Getting back to Orrock’s latest appearance in the news, if you read the article, his attorney Jim Sword is vouching for his “his growth as a person” since he got stomped on by the Federal court for failing to pay payroll taxes to the tune of $300k. But, the court isn’t so sure they agree..

Chief Justice Steven Jensen said it was clear to him that Orrock had done a great deal of work on himself since his conviction, but also asked about complaints from before the charges appeared in 2017. Orrock had seven complaints lodged against him, some of which were later expunged, with others leading to reprimand. That’s more than usual, Jensen said.

and..

His ability to act as a court-appointed attorney, however, could help relieve the burden caused in the Rapid City area by a dearth of criminal lawyers.

“Many of the court appointed attorneys that I’ve been able to speak to in the last several months have just been overwhelmed,” Orrock said. “As a matter of fact, one told me last week he’s stopping to take them because he can’t do it any more.”

Same citation..

The back and forth, as well as my own experience leads a person to ask, “are they really THAT hard up for attorneys in South Dakota?”