News Briefs - June, 17, 2026

New show at BAC through July 2
The BAC is proud to present our current show, Art as Healing, Featuring Theo Gins. The show also includes work by artists Breanna Fischer, Rachel Funk, Karen Lauseng, Patrick Neiles, and Colton Range. The show’s message is that Visual Art can help us understand ourselves, connect with others, and work through experiences that are difficult to put into words. It can be a source of comfort, a way to process change, or simply a reason to keep moving forward into the next day. For some artists, making art is part of healing.

For others, healing comes through looking, sharing, and finding connection in the work of others.
This exhibition brings together artists working in ceramics, mosaic, painting, and textile soft sculpture, each approaching the idea of healing in their own way.

This exhibit is special because our featured artist, Theo Gins, transformed the small gallery into his home studio, using furniture from his home and featuring interactive pieces that give the audience an intimate look into his process.

Another special feature is that we have eight ceramic pieces made by our own Executive Director, Rachel Funk. The BAC is a unique place because it is a non-profit art gallery staffed by working artists. Please stop by the BAC to take in this show until July 2.

West Nile Virus found
in Brown County
PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed the first West Nile virus mosquito pools of the season have been detected in Brown County. State officials urge the public to take steps to protect themselves and their families against WNV, which can cause fever, headaches, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle and joint aches.

“Protecting yourself against pesky mosquito bites is important for preventing West Nile infection,” said Dr. Joshua Clayton, State Epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “Using bug spray and limiting activities between dusk-to-dawn hours can reduce your risk of infection.”

Prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of WNV by taking the following precautions:

Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus 2-undecanone, param-menthane-diol, or IR3535) to clothes and exposed skin. Limit exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves in the evening;
Limit time outdoors from dusk to midnight when mosquitoes are most active. Culex tarsalis are the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota;
Remove standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed. Regularly change the water in birdbaths, outside pet dishes, and drain water from other flowerpots and garden containers and stay away from areas near standing water; and
Support local mosquito control efforts.

Personal precautions are especially important for those at high risk for severe illness from WNV – people over 60 years of age, pregnant women, transplant patients, individuals with cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. People with symptoms like severe or unusual headaches should see their physicians.

South Dakota has reported more than 2,952 human cases and 58 deaths since WNV was first reported in 2002. Every county has reported cases. There was one human WNV case reported as an early season outlier in South Dakota already this year.

For more information on WNV and other health-related items, visit the DOH website.
— SDDOH

Man arrested for unwanted contact

An Elkton man was arrested on June 3 for allegedly inappropriately sexually touching a woman.

Around 10 p.m. on that date, a 63-year-old female reported that she was touched inappropriately by a male subject, according to a release from the Brookings County Sheriff’s office.

The reporting party told law enforcement she walked over to a neighbor’s house to talk to them about their music. According to the report, she made contact with a man near the garage and during their conversation, the male began to touch her. She told the male to stop before being able to walk away. She then returned to her residence and reported the incident.

Melvin Hernandez Llamas, 37 of Elkton, was arrested on a charge of sexual contact without consent — a Class 1 misdemeanor. He was booked into the Brookings County Detention Center and later transferred to another agency due to an outstanding warrant, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Man arrested after leading police on chase

A Sioux Falls man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly leading Brookings law enforcement on a chase in a Mustang GT.

According to a report from the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office: On June 8 at approximately 10:32 p.m., a Brookings County Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Hwy 30 near the intersection of 477 Avenue.

As the deputy tried to catch up to the vehicle, a 2020 Ford Mustang GT, the vehicle accelerated — eventually pulling far enough ahead that the deputy lost sight of the vehicle.

About 6 minutes later, another deputy traveling north on 471 Avenue, just north of Brookings, met the Mustang traveling south at a high rate of speed. The deputy activated his radar unit, which indicated the speed of the Mustang to be over 140 mph. The deputy turned around on the vehicle and witnessed it go through the red stoplight at 471st Avenue and Hwy 14 and turn east onto the Hwy 14 bypass, the report said.

The Mustang came to a stop on Hwy 14 near the intersection of Stadium Road, north of SDSU. The driver, Christian Hofer, 25 of Sioux Falls, SD, admitted he was traveling too fast and said he stopped the vehicle because he was running out of gas, according to the Sheriff’s office.

Hofer was arrested on numerous charges, including traffic violations, drug charges and a weapons violation. He is currently in the Brookings County Detention Center on a $10,000.00 cash bond.

Agencies responding included the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, Brookings Police Dept and the SDSU Police Dept.