News Briefs

County reinstates burn ban
The Brookings County Commission voted Wednesday morning to approve a second burn ban of the summer.

County Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen presented the issue to the commission.

“I was contacted by Dave Jacobson with the Brookings County Firefighter’s Association. He reached out to me earlier this month and just asked to have this resolution on the agenda. At that point we were still a couple weeks out to see if we were going to get any rain. I don’t believe we’ve probably had any measurable rainfall since I’ve discussed this with Dave. So this comes from the firefighters association with representatives from across the county.”

The county commission voted unanimously to enact the burn ban.
The US Drought Monitor Report currently lists Brookings County in the “moderate to severe” drought category.

— Jay Roe, Brookings Radio News

Names released in I-29 fatal wreck
ROBERTS COUNTY — The Brookings woman who died last Monday in a two-vehicle crash near Sisseton has been identified as Marissa Rae Shultheis.

According to the highway patrol, Phillip Same Wipf, the driver of a 2024 GMC Sierra, was traveling northbound on I-29 while pulling a 48-foot header trailer. At the same time, Shultheis, the driver of a 2022 Honda Ridgeline, was also traveling northbound. Wipf switched into the passing lane and Shultheis collided with the GMC’s trailer. Shultheis sustained fatal injuries.

A 13-year-old passenger in the Ridgeline who was wearing a seatbelt sustained no injuries.
I-29 was closed for approximately four and a half hours.
The investigation is ongoing.

One hurt when truck rolls over
BROOKINGS COUNTY — An 18-year-old was injured in a one-truck rollover accident last week.

The Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, White Fire Department, White Ambulance and Hendricks Ambulance responded to 487th Avenue near 202nd Street just after noon on Aug 11 for a single vehicle rollover accident.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, responding units arrived on scene and rendered aid to the operator of the vehicle, identified as Jake Hawks, 18, of Hendricks.

An investigation was made at the scene and discovered the vehicle left the roadway and entered a ditch.

The vehicle struck a field approach while in the ditch and then rolled.

Hawks was evaluated at the scene for unknown injuries and transported to the Hendricks Hospital. The incident remains under investigation by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

Teen injured in one-vehicle wreck
BROOKINGS COUNTY — A teenager was injured after a one vehicle accident last Friday.

The Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, Estelline Ambulance and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Conservation Officer responded to 466th Ave. near 197th St. for a single vehicle accident. Responding units arrived on scene and rendered aid to the operator of the vehicle, identified as a 15-year-old from Estelline.

An investigation was made at the scene and discovered the vehicle was traveling southbound on 466th Avenue. The vehicle left the roadway and entered a ditch. The vehicle then turned back onto the roadway and came to a rest in the opposite ditch. The teen was evaluated at the scene for unknown injuries and transported to the Brookings Hospital.

The vehicle involved sustained an estimated damage of $2,750. The incident remains under investigation by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

Rotary leader speaks to locals
BROOKINGS — District Governor Mike Gibson addressed the Brookings Rotary Club on Aug. 11, delivering a warm and candid message centered on the value of personal connection, the shared challenges facing Rotary clubs, and the organization’s far-reaching impact on communities around the world.

Opening with characteristic humor about his long banking career and his modest use of business cards, Gibson quickly turned to what he described as the heart of his service: the relationships Rotary creates. “I love Rotary, and I love the connection that it makes,” he told members. “I love meeting people, especially if they’re involved in service.”

Recalling his own start in Rotary in downtown Sioux Falls in the 1990s, he reflected on founder Paul Harris’s belief that clubs should remain small enough for members to truly know one another — a philosophy that continues to shape his approach to the role.

Gibson spoke frankly about membership challenges that clubs face not only across South Dakota but around the world. He noted that even large districts in Minneapolis, Texas, Kansas, and as far away as India report the same struggles of recruiting, engaging, and retaining members.

He praised the many volunteers who keep the district running, singling out Brookings members for their contributions, including several hours spent reviewing grant work.

He also encouraged clubs to prepare incoming leaders through President-Elect Training, emphasizing the importance of building a network of people to call on for guidance.

Gibson highlighted the work of the district’s Youth Exchange Chair, noting strong interest from inbound international students while encouraging clubs to help identify American students willing to study abroad. He also reported that the overall district raised approximately $4,000 to $5,000 more for the Rotary Foundation this past year, reinforcing the district’s generosity and commitment to service.

Looking ahead, Gibson previewed the upcoming district conference, to be held at Crazy Horse Memorial, where he also serves as treasurer of the Crazy Horse Foundation. He invited Rotarians to attend for a behind-the-scenes look at the monument and its young artisans, whom he described as an inspiring example of being “part of something bigger than yourself.”

He announced two featured conference guests:

Gemma Sisia, founder of the St. Jude’s school in Tanzania, which grew from a handful of students and a few thousand dollars of Rotary seed funding into a four-campus institution serving roughly 2,500 students.

Muyatwa Sitali, a former Rotary Peace Fellow who now leads major water projects at NATO — work the District Governor called increasingly vital as “water has become the new currency in our world.”

On a personal note, Gibson shared that he and his wife, Vasthi Gibson, a longtime educator and Rotarian, have adopted a Maasai student through their connection with St. Jude’s, illustrating how education can transform a young person’s opportunities and future.

Responding to member questions, Gibson acknowledged that Rotary is an aging organization but pointed to encouraging signs of renewal — including younger clubs and expansion efforts often led by young professionals drawn primarily to hands-on service projects. He encouraged members to invite friends and family to join in service activities as a natural pathway to engagement.

DeSmet company gets state loan

A South Dakota board approved a total of $481,199 in state loans and grants Wednesday for businesses in Rapid City and De Smet.

The loans come from the SD Works Program, which provides low-interest financing for eligible business projects.

Dakota Evergreen received a $90,000 loan from the same program to purchase a chiropractic clinic in De Smet. The loan is expected to help retain four full-time jobs and keep the clinic operating. A press release from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development said it is the only chiropractic provider in a 35-mile radius.

“These projects strengthen local communities, support good-paying jobs, and build a strong, diverse economy that is ‘Open for Opportunity,’” said Gov. Larry Rhoden in the release.

— Joshua Haiar, South Dakota Searchlight