News Briefs - May 13, 2026

GriefShare group set to meet
No matter the circumstances, grief is a painful, confusing process. A GriefShare group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. At this 13-week support group program, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability — and gain solid support each step of the way.

At each weekly meeting, participants watch a video featuring respected counselors, pastors and healthcare professionals on grief-related topics, plus hear relatable personal stories of grief. After that is a small-group discussion to allow people time to talk, share support and personally apply what they learned on the video. Everyone will receive a book to take home filled with valuable exercises for navigating their personal grieving process.

Topics include how to manage grief-related emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, sadness, anger, and regret; how to cope with the changes in life and relationships; and how to recognize what’s normal in grief and what to do when feeling stuck or hopeless.

GriefShare group participants have repeatedly shared they feel comforted and encouraged by being in a place where people truly understand what they’re going through. And they feel a sense of relief when they’re given guidance and tips on how to deal with daily challenges.

If you have experienced the death of a family member or friend, and choose to reserve a place in the group, contact astrohfus@@cityofbrookings-sd.gov.

Groups will meet Tuesdays, at 10 to 11:30 a.m., or 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. beginning June 2. For these meetings only, no Brookings Activity Center membership is required and adults of any age are welcome. Groups are limited to 12 persons. Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Arlington is sponsoring this program.

Nelson speaks to Rotary Club

BROOKINGS — Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson addressed the Brookings Rotary Club on April 28, focusing on the challenges of prosecuting domestic violence cases and the importance of supporting victims. His presentation coincided with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is observed each April to bring attention to victims’ rights and advocacy.

Nelson explained that domestic violence is one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute due to intimidation and coercion of victims.

Drawing on a United States Supreme Court statement, he noted that such cases are “notoriously susceptible to intimidation or coercion of the victim to ensure she does not testify.”

Nationally, about 80 percent of victims recant or decline to cooperate, a trend that he said is evident in Brookings County and across the country.

He described a typical sequence of events following a domestic assault.

Law enforcement responds to a 911 call, collects statements, and documents injuries. Defendants, especially first-time offenders, are often released quickly, which allows many to violate no-contact orders through calls or social media. Such violations are difficult to monitor and frequently lead to manipulation of victims who then refuse to testify, forcing prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges.

Nelson discussed the cycle of power and control commonly used by abusers. Financial dependence, threats regarding children and emotional manipulation leave victims trapped and afraid to lose their home, stability, or family relationships. Many victims internalize guilt, minimize assaults, or fear the stigma of being labeled a victim. The prospect of testifying publicly and reliving trauma further discourages cooperation.

To counter these barriers, Nelson emphasized empowerment as the cornerstone of effective victim support. Citing the idea that a survivor can become “stronger than she could have ever imagined,” he described his office’s approach centered on personal engagement and compassion. Early in-person meetings with victims are prioritized and include the county’s full-time victim advocate. Conversations confront self-blame directly and allow victims to review evidence such as photographs or body-camera recordings. The office then coordinates with local nonprofits to provide food, shelter, transportation, and counseling. Through connections with Brookings Behavioral Health and family networks, they strive to create emotional and financial stability for victims preparing to testify.

He shared a case example of a woman who had endured repeated abuse but ultimately agreed to testify after years of outreach and support, leading to a twenty-year prison sentence for her abuser. Nelson also described the constitutional limits prosecutors face, noting that a defendant has the right to confront their accuser in court. Recording or secondhand testimony is rarely admissible, which makes direct witness participation indispensable to achieving justice.

In an interactive discussion, Rotary members asked about male victims, the role of law enforcement and social services, child safety, and mandated reporting by teachers. Nelson said domestic calls remain among the most dangerous for police due to the emotional volatility and potential presence of weapons.

He noted that while over 90 percent of local domestic cases involve female victims, men also experience violence but often avoid reporting because of social stigma. He further explained that substance abuse and mental illness frequently contribute to domestic conflicts and that children raised in violent households are at greater risk of future abuse, either as victims or perpetrators.

Nelson praised the Brookings community’s resources, including its domestic abuse shelter, which provides housing, food, and support services. When asked what resources would most strengthen victim services, he described an ideal model similar to the family justice center in San Diego, which offers comprehensive, wraparound assistance combining safe housing, education, job training, and therapy for victims and their children.

Nelson concluded by thanking the Rotary Club for its community service and encouraging continued support for agencies that protect and empower victims. The club expressed appreciation for his insight and presented him with Rotary’s traditional token of thanks.

Hemish joins Brookings Health

BROOKINGS — Physician Assistant Nikole Hemish has joined the care provider team at Brookings Health System. She will see and care for patients in the emergency department and the inpatient care unit.

As an emergency medicine provider, Hemish will treat and care for patients who visit Brookings Hospital’s ER. Her duties include assessing a patient’s health status and condition, beginning treatment, and ordering tests as needed. She will also work with the emergency room team to stabilize and treat patients who experience acute health problems or traumatic injuries.

As a member of Brookings Health’s hospitalist team, Hemish will work alongside physicians to care for patients who are admitted to Brookings Hospital’s inpatient care and intensive care units. She will work closely with other members of the hospital care team to provide comprehensive treatment during a patient’s stay.

Hemish received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, and her bachelors in exercise science from South Dakota State. She has 11 years of medical experience, including seven years serving as an emergency medical technician for Brookings Health’s ambulance service.

Zink wins Dolly library raffle

BROOKINGS — The Brookings Area United has announced the winner of its first raffle, which raised funds to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Brookings County.

Nancy Zink of Brookings was drawn as the recipient of $2,026 in Hy-Vee gift cards. The drawing was held on May 1 following several weeks of strong community participation.

The raffle raised over $8,000 for the long-running program that provides one free book each month to children from birth to age five.

Brookings Area United Way has seen more than 4,000 young readers complete the program since it began, with over 1,000 area youth currently enrolled. Young people who ‘graduate’ from the program often have nearly three times the vocabulary as their counterparts prior to entering school, and are more likely to succeed in their educational endeavors with increased literacy skills.

The Brookings Area United Way also extends its appreciation to Hy-Vee.
— From staff reports