January 25, 2011 • Page 18 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com December 28 Thousands of people are stranded in airports after the Christmas blizzard that hit the northeastern part of the United States. The storm closed all three of the New York metropolitan area’s airports. December 29 Circuit Judge Larry Long The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced yesterday that it would close its downtown Yankton location and consolidate operations at the Fox Run Annex. ment business has changed over the years due to evolving technology and culture. Yankton school superintendent Dr. Joseph Gertsema recently visited Israel as part of an American Association of School Administrator’s tour of the country. Gertsema said that the trip opened his eyes to an important exchange program that he would like to see come to the area. December 2 The Yankton Catholic Community is giving back to Yankton charities. They presented a total of $25,000 that included $10,000 to the Food Pantry, $10, 000 to The Center, $2,500 for Toys for Tots and $2,500 for food baskets through the Contact Center. December 6 Don Meredith, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback who served as a folksy foil for Howard Cosell on ABC's "Monday Night Football" and helped carve out the niche for colorful ex-athlete broadcasters, has died. "Dandy Don," as he was known, was 72. December 7 A juvenile charged in connection with a fire that destroyed a portion of Yankton’s St. John’s Lutheran Church has been found not guilty. The boy was 14 at the time of an April 2009 fire at the church that caused more than $1 million in damage. He was charged in January with first-degree arson and third-degree burglary. Circuit Judge Arthur Rusch states that, in regard to the arson charge, he “is not firmly convinced of the child’s guilt and believes that there is a real possibility that the child is not guilty. Therefore, the Court is required to give the child the benefit of the doubt and return a verdict of ‘not guilty.’” The same verdict was delivered on the burglary charge. Rusch found there was no physical or testimonial evidence linking the boy to the crimes other than his own admissions to others. After weighing the admissions with “caution and care,” Rusch said he found the evidence provided by the Yankton County State’s Attorney Office “lacking.” December 8 Elizabeth Edwards was an attorney and a best-selling author. She was best known as the wife of John Edwards, the former U.S. Senator from North Carolina who was the 2004 United States Democratic vicepresidential nominee. She was also a public speaker and activist. On December 6, 2010, her family announced that her breast cancer had spread and her doctors had recommended that further treatment would be unproductive. She died the following day December 7, 2010. December 13 Yankton ended up with 5 inches of snow after a “surprise” blizzard over the weekend. Powerful artic winds with gusts to more than 50 miles per hour produced white-out conditions. In the Twin cities up to 17 inches of snow fell and a portion of the inflatable roof of the Metrodome where the Minnesota Vikings play collapsed. December 14 Brett Favre’s injuries sidelined him for the first time since September 27, 1992, ending his streak of 297 straight starts, 321 counting playoff games. Favre had played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings. December 15 The Cedar Security Bank in Fordyce, Nebraska was robbed at gunpoint yesterday at 9:04 a.m. The man was brandishing a handgun and took an undetermined amount of money before placing the four tellers in the bank fault and fleeing. Local authorities and the FBI are investigating. December 16 The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced yesterday that it would close its downtown Yankton location and consolidate operations at the Fox Run Annex. The Yankton post office at 335 Walnut Street was built in 1905 and features the Greek-inspired Classical Revival Style used for many large public buildings in the first part of the 20th century. The USPS release states that the historic building will be listed for sale. Post office box and retail operations will move to the Fox Run Annex. The move will take place after a remodeling project at Fox Run is complete. Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS) proceeded with renovating the Sir Charles Apartment Complex after getting approval for the plan from the Yankton City Commission last January. A $3.5 million renovation project that will provide updated housing in downtown Yankton for people with disabilities is nearing completion. December 20 A potential catastrophe was averted Saturday afternoon when the smell of smoke was discovered at the main offices of the Press & Dakotan along Walnut Street in downtown Yankton. An upstairs tenant noticed the smell and a laser heat detector revealed that the temperature in a portion of the second floor ceiling exceeded 400 degrees. The Yankton Fire Department was called to the scene at approximately 2:30 p.m. The Gayville and Lesterville fire departments were also called to the scene. The Press & Dakotan’s main building was built in 1880 as an event center known as Turner Hall. In 1902, it became the home of the Press & Dakotan. December 26 The Christmas Blizzard of 2010 dumped up to 30 inches of snow in the northeastern part of the United States, with winds up to 60 mph. New York City said it was the sixth largest snowstorm in the city’s history with up to four-foot drifts, bringing transit to a halt with cars and buses stranded in the streets. Snowfall ranged from 1.5 inches in the south to more than two feet in various areas of the northeast. 62 YEARS IN BUSINESS 63 swore Jim Vlahakis into office as the new Yankton County Sheriff yesterday afternoon at the Yankton County Courthouse and Safety Center. Vlahakis served as director of the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation. Vlahakis is taking over for long-time Sheriff Dave Hunhoff who retired after 32 years in office. M.T. & R.C. Smith Insurance, Inc. 204 West 4th, PO Box 1077 Yankton, SD 605-665-3611 • Toll Free 1-888-665-3611 • Fax: 605-665-2560 Providing Commercial & Residential Heating & Cooling for 63 Years! Chris Frick & Doug Dykstra 808 West 23rd Street Yankton, SD 605-665-2895 YEARS IN BUSINESS 65 Years IN BUSINESS December 31 The Yankton County Commission awarded a bid for the new highway shop building and to utilize an existing property tax opt out to fund it. The bid was awarded to Welfl Construction Company. December 29 Beginning January 1, 2011, all new stamps will be marked as “forever.” The move is to help customers cope with increasing postal rates. Customers will no longer have to rummage for 1 or 2¢ postage stamps when rates go up. So Much Care, So Close to Home. ® 1104 West 8th Street • Yankton, SD 57078 605-665-7841 • www.yanktonmedicalclinic.com 65 YEARS IN BUSINESS 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS 79 YEARS IN BUSINESS 88 YEARS IN BUSINESS Your Local Distributor 113 YEARS IN BUSINESS 128 YEARS IN BUSINESS 128 YEARS IN BUSINESS 137 YEARS IN BUSINESS 139 YEARS IN BUSINESS Candy • Tobacco • Paper Products • Gloves Janitorial Supplies • Fountain Supplies • Devere Products Restaurant & Frozen Foods • Grocery Distribution Beverages and C-Store Distribution 605-665-7827 • 212 Linn Street, Yankton, SD Bruce and Teresa Pieper, Owners 1509 E. Hwy. 50, Yankton, SD 605-665-3693 • 800-658-3388 We’re more than just auto parts! YANKTON REXALL DRUG STORE Pharmacy • Gift Shop • Liquor Shop & More 109 W. 3rd Street, Historic Downtown Yankton • 605-665-7865 92 YEARS IN BUSINESS “Service is our Business” 308 Capitol • Yankton, SD • 605-665-3712 8 l , D • Come to us for fulll service and parts e o s r e d s for alll your automotive needs! r r e • We offer fulll machine shop service. e r e p • Free delivery to shops in Yankton. e y o s n Choose with Confidence Choose Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Look No Further Hwy. 50, Yankton, SD 800-952-2424 jpravecek@fredhaar.com Hwy. 81, Freeman, SD 800-251-6912 admin@fredhaar.com 501 Summit Yankton, SD (605) 668-8000 www.averasacredheart.com Hwy. 46, Wagner, SD 888-384-4580 alhaar@fredhaar.com “Memorials of Distinction” HOME OFFICE - 1609 BROADWAY, YANKTON, SD 1-800-888-1407 • (605)665-3052 DIRECTORS Jim Wintz Jerry Wintz Paul Wintz Steve Wintz ~ T RUSTED F OR G ENERATIONS ~ 2901 Douglas Ave. Yankton, SD 57078-4841 605-665-3644 • 1-800-765-2613 Fax 605-665-3646 www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com Member FDIC firstdakota.com