Brookings seems to be recovering from the Derecho, but man, that was the worst storm since we moved to town in 2005.

One thing that’s amazing about the storm that hit the area was the level of property damage. My wife and I had to venture to Volga to get supplies, and to swing South to check at my sisters out at the lake. In the limited traveling we did, we managed to snap a few photos along the way but the best advice was to not travel at all.  At one point just after the storm, we had to wait while they cleared a roof off of the road.

This business had recently built this building between Brookings and Volga, and it took an extremely hard hit.

As did the camper next door.

Tim Reisch’s sign survived in Volga, a little worse for the wear..

And crazy long lines at the Volga Casey’s for gas trip #2, since there was no power to get gas in Brookings (when I got out at 7:45, it wasn’t too bad, but there was definitely a line, but by 10am it was insane).  We went to the farmer’s coop downtown in Volga to gas up the station wagon, and snuck in, where it was only 2-3 cars deep.

Scenes of damage like this are commonplace around town.

Just up the street from me, a huge tree had landed on this garage, which was cleared by the afternoon. But the roof beam is in pieces.  Hopefully they can salvage the structure.

This was commonplace too. A lot of these white pvc fences were pulled apart.

And lots of shingles stripped off everywhere.

Deciduous trees seemed to not have as much damage as coniferous ones, because they’re just starting to leaf.  But the pine tree population sure took a hit here in Brookings.

Out at the lake, there was some pretty considerable damage. One sister came from Denver to visit my other sister, and they were both going to run the Brookings Marathon. That was canceled.  Trees knocked about, and pontoon boats flipped upside down in the middle of the lake while still in their lift was pretty standard out there.

The force of straight-line wind just crushed these garage doors like a beer can..

And I think that used to be a shed, which was tossed about.

Just a smattering of what Mother Nature can unleash on us when we least expect it.

Hey all – back on the air.. on a computer as opposed to a phone charged from battery packs and my truck.

I was out of power for about 30 hours, and there are friends and relatives who are still waiting. It has been crazy to say the least, from Derecho slammed Brookings.  Thankfully, I’ve got a gas stove, and I ran over to Ace hardware in Volga to grab a small charcoal grill, after I had gotten rid of mine when I got an electric pellet smoker.  The home of South Dakota’s largest University is nearly back up and running thanks to the diligent utility, emergency, and other crews who have been working hard.

While all the weather lunacy has been going on, the mail was delivering just fine, and postcards have been hitting across the state. I’ve got a sampling of them for you for your reading entertainment.

Several legislators took some lumps, and at least one this weekend took a huge bump from the state’s chief executive:

First off, Kaleb Weis took a hit for his opposition to Governor Noem’s freedom scholarship, pointing out that his home district would have benefitted from some of the enrollment opportunities.

Maybe not the smartest vote he’s ever taken. I’ll just stop there.

Speaking of Universities, Doug Post took a lump today regarding his testimony to the redistricting committee last year about how he wanted to see his area drawn.

I sense a trend about candidates and how their views affect universities.

Lee Schoenbeck, who is celebrating a birthday today, had a nice positive postcard pop into mailboxes with some bullet points on his background, as well as noting his support of Lake Area Technical College:

 

In strong competition for the title of worst legislator in Pierre, Julie Frye Mueller is finding that her vote in opposition of the general bill has some consequences along the lines of what she voted NO on, in this case the State Veterans Home, which had funding contained in the Bill:

Oops. That might be a challenging vote to explain to the residents of the southern part of her district.

Tom Pischke found himself being held to account for a story that broke on KELOland earlier this year, where he complained on the House Floor that a proposed increase in child support was going to hurt him personally:

You might have probably guessed that he was going to hear that comment again.

And while several members of the hard right took hard hits, District 3 Senate challenger Rachel Dix had a nice bump from Governor Kristi Noem who lent her support for the District 3 Senate Candidate challenging Al Novstrup in the Republican Primary:

And the election inches closer and closer…

Stay tuned. And if you get a campaign postcard, send it on over. We’d love to see!

South Dakota Strong
By Governor Kristi Noem
May 13, 2022

Nature has a way of humbling us, of stepping into our lives with previously unthought power and reminding us what truly matters. That’s how I felt these past two days while surveying storm damage across much of South Dakota.

But the power of the storm was not the only thing that I found humbling. I found it in the families in Castlewood who had lost their homes, but were still grateful to be safe, alive, and together. I found it in the first responders in communities across our state who maintained a cheerful, can-do attitude despite the long road ahead. And I found it in our community leaders who demonstrated the necessary resolve to get our cities and towns back on the right track.

Salem had to evacuate their nursing home. But first, staff moved their residents into an internal room. They had latched the doors, but literally had to hold them shut due to the wind. On the other side of the door, the roof had been completely torn off. That’s courage – that’s going above and beyond.

In Castlewood, I spent time talking to a woman wearing a “small town proud” shirt. She just happened to be wearing it when the storm hit. But it fit. It demonstrated exactly how I felt in that moment, surrounded by folks I had grown up with, who were facing struggles ahead, but were proud to be from small town South Dakota.

In Madison, first responders reflected on the fact that it wasn’t that long ago, in 2019, when we had all been together during another crisis, the flooding that hit that town. They had smiles on their faces last night because they knew from that experience that we could get through this.

I’m proud of South Dakota. I’m proud of the small towns who are weathering this together, just like they weather everything. I’m proud of our cities who were ready and responded swiftly. I’m proud of our farmers, who had a tough go of it, too. They know that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away — that the weather can make their living or wreck it. And they keep on plowing, sowing, and reaping, nonetheless.

We will continue to get information out to our people in the coming days. We are getting emergency resources to communities, deploying the National Guard when necessary, and working with local and federal emergency response to help folks out. There is more work to do — together we will get it done.

In the meantime, help your neighbors. Check on them if it’s safe to do so. And pray for your fellow South Dakotans. Pray for the families in so many communities who will have to spend time away from their homes while we rebuild; for the towns where the lights are still out; for the workers helping to get the lights back on and for the emergency responders helping to keep everyone safe in the process.

We are South Dakota strong. And we will prove it, once again, by getting through this

Drop me a note, and I can get you hooked up.

AFP Action, a more political affiliate of Americans for Prosperity, is entering into a more active role in supporting candidates in South Dakota Primaries this election with a series of facebook ads encouraging people to support their preferred candidates.

According to their website, Americans for Prosperity Action® is committed to working with anyone to advance positive policies that: foster economic growth and allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks, eliminate burdensome regulations that stifle innovation, drive down the cost of health care and improve the wellbeing of individuals, eliminate trade barriers to keep common goods affordable for more consumers, drive a permanent solution for Dreamers, build safer communities through reforms to the criminal justice system, expand opportunities for students to access the highest quality education, and get our veterans the care they deserve.

A review of Facebook notes a series of advertisements that have already been placed across the state in support of nearly a dozen candidates this election cycle:

Carl Perry (D3), Brent Hoffman (D9), Bethany Soye (D9), Chris Karr (D 11), Sue Peterson (D13), Ben Krohmer (D20), Jim Mehlhaff (D24), Mary Weinheimer (D24), Tom Brunner (D28B), Beka Zerbst (D29), and Janet Jensen (D33) are all being featured in advertising from the group as it encourages people to vote for the candidates with messages such as “Lower Taxes” and “Champion for Fiscal Responsibility.”

You can follow the group’s facebook page here.

Looks like Dave Roetman, one of the founders of the Patriot Ripple Group in Sioux Falls is backing Dave Natvig for AG.

No word yet on other public supporters.

It’s interesting, as Roetman was said to be behind current Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s continued efforts at re-election, despite the impeachment investigation which culminated in the matter being referred to the State Senate.

Roetman has also been rumored to be behind other campaigns, including talk that he’s behind Secretary of State candidate Monae Johnson’s effort, as well as being behind some of the other challenger campaigns in Sioux Falls.

Such as Bobbi Andera’s Sioux Falls City Council effort which garnered her nearly 11% of the vote.

Stay tuned.

Governor Noem Response to False Media

Pierre, SD – “The media is lying again when they say I am working to “purge” the legislature of certain members. I am working everyday to earn re-election by the people of South Dakota.

Spencer Gosch and several other legislators voted against good conservative policies this session simply because of their hatred for me. They continue to defend the Attorney General who killed a man, lied during the investigation and discredited law enforcement to protect himself. The voters will hold them accountable for their votes and actions.”

If you hadn’t noticed the new banner ad on the website, we’re going green as we welcome Summit Carbon Solutions to advertisers row. If you’re not familiar with the major midwest pipeline project, Summit Carbon Solutions proposed carbon capture and storage project will create jobs, generate new property tax revenue for local communities, support local suppliers, and strengthen the regional economy.  Please click on the ad, and visit their website as they work with South Dakota’s Ethanol producers and generate new revenues for our local communities. 

And don’t forget to check out our other advertisers including Marty Jackley for Attorney General, Steve Barnett for Secretary of State,  Americans for Prosperity – South Dakota, Governor Kristi Noem, US Senator John Thune, Dusty Johnson for US Congress, Rapid Digital Solutions, and the South Dakota Republican Party!

Of course, at Dakota Campaign Store, you’ll find me crazy busy this season hawking yard signs, postcards, and all the things a professional campaign needs to make an impression.

We’re down to only two or three limited advertising opportunities left for reaching South Dakota’s opinion leaders as 2022 campaign continues to press forward. Advertising on the Dakotwarcollege.com website is based on a first come, first serve basis for available positions.

Information on ad prices, ad positions, and ad commitments may be directed to the webmaster by clicking here.

From my mailbox, former AG, and current AG candidate Marty Jackley sent an e-mail to supporters about the new developments in the Attorney General race:

We officially have a race. While the current Attorney General says he is still “weighing his options”, one of his Directors has now announced he is running. Meanwhile, the Democrat Attorney Generals Association has its sights set on the South Dakota Attorney General race, and they will stop at nothing if they have a chance to win in a red state like ours. I am working hard to make sure they don’t have that opportunity, but I need your help.

Please consider making a contribution to our campaign today so we can win the nomination at the GOP State Convention in June and carry that momentum to victory in November. Any amount will help spread our conservative message and will be greatly appreciated.  Our next campaign finance report filing deadline is May 23.

It has been a great honor to serve you. My experience as your Attorney General, United States Attorney, and small-town State’s Attorney has prepared me to take on the challenges of keeping our communities safe and protecting our freedoms.

It is the Attorney General’s responsibility to work with our law enforcement officers and to lead our law enforcement efforts across South Dakota. I am proud to have earned the support of 64 Sheriffs and 59 State’s Attorneys, and I remain committed to working with law enforcement to better protect you and your families. Crime victims deserve an Attorney General who will lead from the front by trying the tough cases, as I have successfully done many times during the last 25 years.

As your Attorney General, I will continue to defend our individual freedoms. As the former Chairman of the Nation’s Attorneys General, I am in the unique position to push back on Washington and President Biden’s attack on those freedoms.  And, I have successfully defended our pro-life laws; I am the attorney for South Dakota Right to Life, at no charge.  I have also earned an A+ rating from the NRA. I successfully argued in the United States Supreme Court, fending off an unresponsive Congress and winning South Dakota v. Wayfair. I will once again get the job done for you.

You have my commitment to work with our Legislature, our Governor, and our law enforcement to better protect our communities and these freedoms that are so dear to us. As I travel across the state, I look forward to listening to your advice and earning your continued support. May God bless you and South Dakota!

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Well, what do you think?

 DAVID NATVIG ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR SOUTH DAKOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL 

May 10, 2022 – PIERRE, SD – Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation David Natvig today announced his candidacy for Attorney General of South Dakota. 

“I’ve spent my time at DCI building a strong team, making improvements and successfully combating the challenges facing the State,” Natvig said. “I hope to continue those efforts as Attorney General, combatting drug dealers, putting new attention onto cold cases, and defending the rights of all South Dakotans.” 

Natvig grew up in Kimball, South Dakota, graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through ROTC. 

He served as a Captain on active duty as a paratrooper with the 18th Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and received two Army Commendation Medals during his service. He also served as the Officer in Charge of the Green Beret Parachute team and traveled throughout the United States promoting the Special Operations Command. He also served in the Army National Guard. 

Natvig returned to South Dakota and graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law in Vermillion. Upon graduation he returned to Kimball where he served as the Brule County States Attorney from 2003-to 2019. He has prosecuted hundreds of felonies and thousands of misdemeanors across a wide range of crimes including rape, aggravated assault, and burglaries, among numerous others. During his time in Kimball he also served as the Buffalo County States Attorney and prosecuted criminal cases for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Courts, all while also managing an extensive civil practice through the Natvig Law Office. 

In 2019, Natvig became the Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation. In that position he has sought to apprehend and pursue the prosecution of major drug dealers and criminal organizations. He was instrumental in the first T3 Wiretap conducted by state law enforcement in decades producing a case that led to cooperation with federal authorities and arrests of Hells Angels members in Minnesota and Colorado, relating to a drug and gun-running conspiracy with a Mexican cartel. He has built a working relationship with the DEA, BFI, and ATF that has led to the indictment of five Mexican Nationals who are the sources of methamphetamines, cocaine, and fentanyl in South Dakota. Two of these Mexican Nationals were recently captured and are awaiting extradition to South Dakota. 

In 2021, Natvig was elected the Vice-Chair of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Administration (HIDTA), which consists of state and federal law enforcement from South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. In this position, he fought for funding to assist in prosecuting complex criminal cases with the US Attorney’s office, which has been instrumental in hundreds of criminal indictments. This cooperation with federal partners has allowed many of these criminal cases to go federal, saving South Dakota taxpayers millions of dollars in prosecution and incarceration expenses. 

David and his wife, LaRae, have four daughters and make their home in Pierre. 

You can contact the campaign at 605-220-9839 

Meet David at: https://fb.watch/cW9CI6NlPZ/ 

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