yankton daily ress dakotan e-edition
TRANSCRIPT
untitledREGION 2 | OBITUARIES 3 | VIEWS X | LIFE 5 | SPORTS 7 |
WORLD 11 | MIDWEST 12 | CLASSIFIEDS 13
TOMORROW: Area School Bans Peanut Products Pr int
ed o
n Re
cy cle
d Ne
ws pr
75¢
A Blustery And Cold Tuesday 9 a.m.: 1 | 3 p.m.:13 | DETAILS: PAGE 2
YA N K T O N D A I LY
Volume 139 Number 256 The Dakotas’ Oldest Newspaper | 16 PAGES | www.yankton.net
PRESS& DAKOTAN
Call Today For Your One Week FREE Trial Version!
E-Edition
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23 D A Y S U N T I L
SPRING
BY RANDY DOCKENDORF [email protected]
IRENE — Bradley Johnson and Cody Kol- lars were good friends, returning home to Sioux Falls after spending Saturday at the Special Olympics regional basketball tour- nament in Yankton.
But the good times turned tragic as the
two men died in a one-vehi- cle crash on S.D. Highway 46 west of Irene.
Now, Special Olympians from Yankton and across the state are left to grieve the loss of their two friends who were — well, special.
The news has hit hard for Special Olympians, said Barb Clayton, who along
with Sheri Duke coordinates the Yankton delegation.
“They are very saddened (by the two men’s deaths),” Clayton said of her athletes. “Special Olympics is a big family, so whether they are from Sioux Falls, Brookings or anywhere else, we are mourning their loss.”
The Special Olympians regard the two Sioux Falls men as friends, not just competi- tors, Clayton said. For some of the athletes,
BY DEREK BARTOS [email protected]
After deadly tornadoes swept through Okla- homa last summer, Allie Thiesse helped gather art supplies to send to children in the state to help them heal.
When her friend and classmate at Yankton High School, Adam Walter, began his second battle with cancer last year, Thiesse helped lead the “Walter’s Warriors” group to offer sup- port.
When Heartland Humane Society needed help adopting out its animals, she took photos of the pets to place on various websites to find them homes.
Volunteer work has always been a large part of the YHS junior’s life — a way to not only help others, but to also send a message.
“Our generation needs to step up and be in- volved in the community,” Thiesse said. “This is our world, and we need to set a good exam- ple for younger kids.”
In recognition of her efforts, Thiesse was re- cently awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, as well as a President’s Volunteer Service Award granted by the program on behalf of President Barack Obama.
“I feel honored,” Thiesse said. “I’ve put in a lot of work and time into my community serv- ice hours, and it’s nice to be recognized.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partner- ship with the National Association of Second- ary School Principals, are presented annually to recognize students nationwide for outstand- ing volunteer service. Certificates of Excellence are granted to the top 10 percent of all appli- cants in each state and the District of Colum- bia.
If additional criteria are met, recipients also are automatically nominated for the Presi- dent’s Volunteer Service Awards, which recog- nize Americans of all ages who volunteer significant amounts of their time to serve their communities.
YHS Principal Jennifer Johnke nominated Thiesse for the awards.
BY ROB NIELSEN [email protected]
Yankton High School sophomore Keeley Klein- sasser said after seeing the Date Safe Project’s Michael Domitrz speak to a class she took in Yank- ton last summer, she was inspired enough to try and bring him to YHS.
“I was in a mental health class last summer and at the end there was a conference, we went to and he was one of the speakers there,” Kleinsasser told the Press & Dakotan Monday. “At the end I (told him), ‘You should come to our school. I think it would be really inspiring for some of the kids.’”
Domitrz told her to contact him on Facebook — she was surprised when he announced he would be coming to YHS.
“I (messaged them) and totally forgot about it,” she said. “It was pretty nice (when he did accept).
Domitrz told the Press & Dakotan Monday that
he’s been touring the globe for nearly 24 years. “I got started because in 1989, my sister was
sexually assaulted,” Domitrz said. “After she was sexually assaulted, I was in shock — I was filled with anger, I wanted to something but I didn’t know what to do. I saw a speaker less than a year after that, and I realized I could use my voice to try and make an impact.”
From there, he began speaking as a college stu- dent at local schools and on campus, eventually expanding to speaking at schools, colleges and military bases around the world.
“In a typical year, I’ll speak in 90 cities around the world,” he said. “Between those 90 cities, we might do anywhere from 150 to 225 presentations.”
He said one of his main goals is to give stu- dents a skill set they can use to help avoid un-
From P&D Staff Reports
Residents were evacuated from homes in Yankton Mon- day night as emergency re- sponse crews dealt with a natural gas leak.
According to Yankton Deputy Fire Chief Larry Nickles, a call was received at approxi- mately 9 p.m. of the smell of gas in the 600 block of East Sixth Street.
“MidAmerican Energy got on scene and discovered that a gas regulator had frozen open
and, instead of dumping a quar- ter of a pound of gas against the appliances and stuff, it was probably dumping 15 pounds,” he said. “The home is com- pletely loaded with gas right now. We can’t make entry until NorthWestern Energy kills the power. We’re waiting on them to get here.”
He said houses on the east side of the residence were evacuated for about a half block, and the streets in every direction had been blocked off.
‘Kiss’ And Tell
Balance. 7
BY NATHAN JOHNSON [email protected]
The Yankton City Commis- sion decided to throw Historic Downtown Yankton’s Rockin’ Ribfest a bone Monday in order to help the event grow.
Organizers of the event were seeking a $6,800 contribution from the City of Yankton that would fund the rental of two stages, produc- tion and lights for the stages, and a generator.
Ben Hanten, a member of the Historic Down- town Yankton board of direc- tors and founder of Ribfest, said the organization is looking to- ward the City of Yankton’s musi- cal celebration of the community’s 150th anniversary in 2011 as inspiration.
“One of the distinguishing features that made the 150th so cool was the stage,” Hanten said. “That stage, by the time everything was tallied up, cost about $35,000. We wanted to do something that kept the spirit of doing a free event for Yank- ton but also step it up from our $700 pop-up stage that we’ve had. That’s how we were able to book a band like Hairball. They won’t play on a flatbed trailer.
“We wanted to do this as a one-time request to make sure
Johnson Kollars
Special Olympics
Lost Friends Mourned
KELLY HERTZ/P&D
Michael Domitrz of the Date Safe Project spoke to students at Yankton High School about how to formulate healthy relationships on Monday. He also presented a program at the University of South Dakota Monday night.
Date Safe Project Brings Message Back To Yankton
PROJECT | PAGE 15
COURTESY PHOTO
Yankton High School junior Allie Thiesse (left) was recently awarded a Certificate of Excel- lence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for her volunteer service throughout the past year. Thiesse was nominated for the award by YHS Principal Jennifer Johnke (right).
YHS Student Is Honored
For Her Giving Spirit
CITY | PAGE 16
Yankton High School’s Choraleers were among those performing at the YHS Jazz Concert, held Monday night at the YHS/Summit Activities Center theatre. The program also featured performances by the concert, girls’ and acap- pella choruses, the Concert Band Sax Quartet and the Pio- neer Jazz Band. To see or pur- chase images from this event, visit spotted.yankton.net. (Je- remy Hoeck/P&D)
All That Jazz
DEATHS | PAGE 16
Gas Leak Investigated
TOMORROW: Area School Bans Peanut Products Pr int
ed o
n Re
cy cle
d Ne
ws pr
75¢
A Blustery And Cold Tuesday 9 a.m.: 1 | 3 p.m.:13 | DETAILS: PAGE 2
YA N K T O N D A I LY
Volume 139 Number 256 The Dakotas’ Oldest Newspaper | 16 PAGES | www.yankton.net
PRESS& DAKOTAN
Call Today For Your One Week FREE Trial Version!
E-Edition
HARTINGTON CITY NEWSPAPER DELIVERY ROUTE ~ Earn $300 per month
$100 SIGN ON BONUS AFTER 30 DAYS! Call The Circulation Dept. Today! 665-7811, Ext. 142 Enjoy short early morning hours. Monday-Saturday.
23 D A Y S U N T I L
SPRING
BY RANDY DOCKENDORF [email protected]
IRENE — Bradley Johnson and Cody Kol- lars were good friends, returning home to Sioux Falls after spending Saturday at the Special Olympics regional basketball tour- nament in Yankton.
But the good times turned tragic as the
two men died in a one-vehi- cle crash on S.D. Highway 46 west of Irene.
Now, Special Olympians from Yankton and across the state are left to grieve the loss of their two friends who were — well, special.
The news has hit hard for Special Olympians, said Barb Clayton, who along
with Sheri Duke coordinates the Yankton delegation.
“They are very saddened (by the two men’s deaths),” Clayton said of her athletes. “Special Olympics is a big family, so whether they are from Sioux Falls, Brookings or anywhere else, we are mourning their loss.”
The Special Olympians regard the two Sioux Falls men as friends, not just competi- tors, Clayton said. For some of the athletes,
BY DEREK BARTOS [email protected]
After deadly tornadoes swept through Okla- homa last summer, Allie Thiesse helped gather art supplies to send to children in the state to help them heal.
When her friend and classmate at Yankton High School, Adam Walter, began his second battle with cancer last year, Thiesse helped lead the “Walter’s Warriors” group to offer sup- port.
When Heartland Humane Society needed help adopting out its animals, she took photos of the pets to place on various websites to find them homes.
Volunteer work has always been a large part of the YHS junior’s life — a way to not only help others, but to also send a message.
“Our generation needs to step up and be in- volved in the community,” Thiesse said. “This is our world, and we need to set a good exam- ple for younger kids.”
In recognition of her efforts, Thiesse was re- cently awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, as well as a President’s Volunteer Service Award granted by the program on behalf of President Barack Obama.
“I feel honored,” Thiesse said. “I’ve put in a lot of work and time into my community serv- ice hours, and it’s nice to be recognized.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partner- ship with the National Association of Second- ary School Principals, are presented annually to recognize students nationwide for outstand- ing volunteer service. Certificates of Excellence are granted to the top 10 percent of all appli- cants in each state and the District of Colum- bia.
If additional criteria are met, recipients also are automatically nominated for the Presi- dent’s Volunteer Service Awards, which recog- nize Americans of all ages who volunteer significant amounts of their time to serve their communities.
YHS Principal Jennifer Johnke nominated Thiesse for the awards.
BY ROB NIELSEN [email protected]
Yankton High School sophomore Keeley Klein- sasser said after seeing the Date Safe Project’s Michael Domitrz speak to a class she took in Yank- ton last summer, she was inspired enough to try and bring him to YHS.
“I was in a mental health class last summer and at the end there was a conference, we went to and he was one of the speakers there,” Kleinsasser told the Press & Dakotan Monday. “At the end I (told him), ‘You should come to our school. I think it would be really inspiring for some of the kids.’”
Domitrz told her to contact him on Facebook — she was surprised when he announced he would be coming to YHS.
“I (messaged them) and totally forgot about it,” she said. “It was pretty nice (when he did accept).
Domitrz told the Press & Dakotan Monday that
he’s been touring the globe for nearly 24 years. “I got started because in 1989, my sister was
sexually assaulted,” Domitrz said. “After she was sexually assaulted, I was in shock — I was filled with anger, I wanted to something but I didn’t know what to do. I saw a speaker less than a year after that, and I realized I could use my voice to try and make an impact.”
From there, he began speaking as a college stu- dent at local schools and on campus, eventually expanding to speaking at schools, colleges and military bases around the world.
“In a typical year, I’ll speak in 90 cities around the world,” he said. “Between those 90 cities, we might do anywhere from 150 to 225 presentations.”
He said one of his main goals is to give stu- dents a skill set they can use to help avoid un-
From P&D Staff Reports
Residents were evacuated from homes in Yankton Mon- day night as emergency re- sponse crews dealt with a natural gas leak.
According to Yankton Deputy Fire Chief Larry Nickles, a call was received at approxi- mately 9 p.m. of the smell of gas in the 600 block of East Sixth Street.
“MidAmerican Energy got on scene and discovered that a gas regulator had frozen open
and, instead of dumping a quar- ter of a pound of gas against the appliances and stuff, it was probably dumping 15 pounds,” he said. “The home is com- pletely loaded with gas right now. We can’t make entry until NorthWestern Energy kills the power. We’re waiting on them to get here.”
He said houses on the east side of the residence were evacuated for about a half block, and the streets in every direction had been blocked off.
‘Kiss’ And Tell
Balance. 7
BY NATHAN JOHNSON [email protected]
The Yankton City Commis- sion decided to throw Historic Downtown Yankton’s Rockin’ Ribfest a bone Monday in order to help the event grow.
Organizers of the event were seeking a $6,800 contribution from the City of Yankton that would fund the rental of two stages, produc- tion and lights for the stages, and a generator.
Ben Hanten, a member of the Historic Down- town Yankton board of direc- tors and founder of Ribfest, said the organization is looking to- ward the City of Yankton’s musi- cal celebration of the community’s 150th anniversary in 2011 as inspiration.
“One of the distinguishing features that made the 150th so cool was the stage,” Hanten said. “That stage, by the time everything was tallied up, cost about $35,000. We wanted to do something that kept the spirit of doing a free event for Yank- ton but also step it up from our $700 pop-up stage that we’ve had. That’s how we were able to book a band like Hairball. They won’t play on a flatbed trailer.
“We wanted to do this as a one-time request to make sure
Johnson Kollars
Special Olympics
Lost Friends Mourned
KELLY HERTZ/P&D
Michael Domitrz of the Date Safe Project spoke to students at Yankton High School about how to formulate healthy relationships on Monday. He also presented a program at the University of South Dakota Monday night.
Date Safe Project Brings Message Back To Yankton
PROJECT | PAGE 15
COURTESY PHOTO
Yankton High School junior Allie Thiesse (left) was recently awarded a Certificate of Excel- lence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for her volunteer service throughout the past year. Thiesse was nominated for the award by YHS Principal Jennifer Johnke (right).
YHS Student Is Honored
For Her Giving Spirit
CITY | PAGE 16
Yankton High School’s Choraleers were among those performing at the YHS Jazz Concert, held Monday night at the YHS/Summit Activities Center theatre. The program also featured performances by the concert, girls’ and acap- pella choruses, the Concert Band Sax Quartet and the Pio- neer Jazz Band. To see or pur- chase images from this event, visit spotted.yankton.net. (Je- remy Hoeck/P&D)
All That Jazz
DEATHS | PAGE 16
Gas Leak Investigated