June 19, 2018 • Page 8 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Rapid City Guard Unit Deploys To The Middle East By Staff Sgt. Kayla Morris 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment RAPID CITY, S.D. - A deployment ceremony was held for 26 Soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard's Detachment 1, Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion, June 8. Family, friends and community supporters gathered at Rapid City's Rushmore Plaza Civic Center to support their loved ones as the unit prepares to deploy to Middle East for nine months in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The Rapid City-based 935th will provide aviation maintenance and repair support for U.S. Army rotary aircraft and avionics systems. "We will be conducting phase maintenance on helicopters," said Staff Sgt. Calvin Schmidt, detachment sergeant for the 935th. "Phase maintenance inspections (PMI) are conducted every 480 flight hours. It consists of two PMI's that each take in depth looks at the aircraft." This will be the second mobilization for the 935th, which deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012-2013. "About half of our unit has never deployed," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Seth Mendel, commander for the 935th. "We have eight Soldiers that specifically came to this unit to deploy. I've been very impressed with the quality of individuals we have." Speakers for the ceremony included U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem, Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender and Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, SDNG adjutant general. "It is incredibly humbling for me to be here today, I don't know if I can ever truly understand what the families are thinking or feeling," said Noem. "It is the courage that has made our country great throughout history, and that is evident right here today in this room. It is on the faces of those being deployed and also in the hearts of the families that will be left behind during this deployment." With the overwhelming support of their families and the community they leave behind, the Soldiers of the USDA Launches Interactive Map Of Opioid Epidemic Resources WASHINGTON, June 14, 2018 – Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today unveiled a new interactive feature on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) rural opioid misuse webpage. Now webpage visitors can use an interactive map to learn about, access or replicate actions rural leaders are taking in small towns across the country to address the opioid epidemic through prevention, treatment and recovery opportunities. The interactive map can be viewed at https://www. usda.gov/topics/opioids/ resources-map. “Leaving no community untouched, the opioid epidemic has taken a monumental toll on many of the small towns and rural places that are the heartbeat of our country,” Hazlett said. “USDA is a strong partner to rural leaders in addressing this issue through programs for prevention, treatment and recovery, as well as programs that build rural resilience and prosperity for the future.” USDA collected model practices displayed on the interactive map from regional opioid misuse roundtables and through the “What’s working in your town?” form on the USDA opioid misuse webpage. USDA invites you to share effective actions taken in response to the opioid epidemic in rural communities by filling out the “What’s working in your town?” form. At the direction of President Trump, the 935th are prepared and ready to accomplish the mission. "We have a variety of experience in our unit and have some Soldiers that have been doing aviation maintenance for over 15 years and some that have just gotten back from school," said Mendel. "That's what is great about this deployment, this will be a great on-the-job training for Soldiers that are newer. We are ready to do the job by all means and ready to gain some more experience." The unit will report to Fort Hood, Texas, to complete several weeks of theater-specific training prior to deploying overseas. "Our National Guard lineage traces back to 1862," said Maj. Gen. Reisch. "One hundred years ago today, the whole SDNG was deployed in World War I. Just about 20 years after the end of that war, they were ready to start World War II, another total mobilization of the SDNG. This mobilization here today is just as historic, just as important, just as much of our history and legacy." Three More Trail Of Governors Statues United States Department that improved access to of Agriculture (USDA) has mental and behavioral been keenly focused on ad- health care, particularly dressing the opioid crisis prevention, treatment, and in rural communities. So recovery resources, is vital By Gov. Dennis Daugaard in 1920. A progressive, Mc- son, longtime legislator June is a beautiful time Master memorably fought Lars Herseth; and their far, the Department has to addressing the opioid to visit our Capital City. high gasoline prices by granddaughter, Stephanie convened regional roundcrisis and other substance The flowers at the State selling gasoline from state Herseth Sandlin, who tables to hear firsthand misuse in rural communiCapitol are in bloom, the highway shops at two spent seven years in the accounts of the impact ties. sun shines brightly on the cents above wholesale. He U.S. House and is now the of the crisis and effective To view the report in its Fighting Stallions and the went on the serve in the president of Augustana strategies for response entirety, please view the veterans memorials, and U.S. Senate. University. in rural communities; Report to the President of fishing and sport boats M. Q. Sharpe was an The public is invited to launched an interactive the United States from the flock to the Missouri River. attorney from Kennebec. the State Capitol rotunda webpage on opioid misuse Task Force on Agriculture On June 15, Pierre will As attorney general, he at 10 a.m. on Friday, June in rural America featuring and Rural Prosperity (PDF, gain a few more points investigated corruption 15, to see the unveiling resources for rural com5.4 MB). In addition, to of interest, as the Trail of and mismanagement in a of statues of McMaster, munities and individuals view the categories of the Governors unveils three state-run farm loan proSharpe and Herseth. Then, facing the crisis; and prior- recommendations, please new statues. The Trail of gram. During the Bushfield on Saturday morning, the itized investments in three view the Rural Prosperity administration, Sharpe inaugural “Run with the key grant programs to infographic (PDF, 190 KB). Governors project combines art and history, plac- was the state’s representa- Govs” event will be held – address the crisis in rural USDA Rural Developing life-sized bronze stattive to the Missouri River an opportunity to run or places. For more informament provides loans and ues of every former South States Committee and as walk a 4-mile route that intion about these efforts, grants to help expand ecoDakota governor throughgovernor from 1943 to cludes every Trail of Govvisit the USDA rural opioid nomic opportunities and out the Capital City, on 1947, Sharpe continued ernors statue. You will be misuse webpage at www. create jobs in rural areas. a trail that connects the that effort, leading the able to actually run with at usda.gov/topics/opioids. This assistance supports Capitol grounds with the negotiation of the Pickleast one former goverIn April 2017, President infrastructure improvedowntown business disSloan Plan that built four nor – I know former Gov. Donald J. Trump estabments; business developtrict. Nineteen statues are Missouri River dams in Frank Farrar, at a youthlished the Interagency ment; housing; community already in place. South Dakota. ful 89 years old, plans to Task Force on Agriculture services such as schools, The three new statues Ralph Herseth was a participate. Search online and Rural Prosperity to public safety and health to be unveiled this year farmer from Houghton. He for “Run with the Govs” to identify legislative, regulacare; and high-speed interare William H. McMaster, was elected governor in learn more. tory and policy changes net access in rural areas. M. Q. Sharpe and Ralph 1958 amidst unrest over Whether it’s a drive, that could promote agriFor more information, visit Herseth. property tax valuations. walk, or run, the Trail of culture and prosperity in www.rd.usda.gov. William H. McMaster Herseth created a pension Governors is a great way rural communities. In Januwas a small-town banker in plan for the state’s teachto experience our Capital ary 2018, Secretary Perdue Gayville, and then a state ers and pushed for water City and learn a little bit presented the Task Force’s legislator from Yankton. He development projects. He about South Dakota hisfindings to President served as Gov. Peter Norstarted a legacy of public tory. I encourage you to Trump, which included beck’s lieutenant governor service that continued check it out next time you 31 recommendations to and then followed Norbeck with his wife, Secretary of come to Pierre. align the federal governinto the Governor’s Office State Lorna Herseth; their ment with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. In the area of quality of life, the Task Force included a recommendation to modernize health care access. The report highlighted the importance of BROOKINGS, S.D. - More than 100 presenters shared their experiences main street businesses. First tried telemedicine in enhancing rural community leaders from across & knowledge on a variety of topics: by Michigan State University with access to primary care South Dakota came together to parFunding for Community Projects, Ensuccess, the University of Nebraska and specialty providers. Extension duplicated the innovative The Task Force also found ticipate in Energize! Exploring Innova- trepreneurial Experiences, Agritourtive Rural Communities Conference ism and Value Added Agriculture, and idea in McCook. Now SDSU Extension in downtown De Smet. This event Engaging Community Members. has reproduced the idea in De Smet. was hosted by the SDSU Extension The idea for creating and hosting There were also resource providCommunity Vitality Team and the the Energize! Exploring Innovative ers who were available to discuss Community of De Smet in May. Rural Communities Conference came tools to assist communities and enThe event was held in downtown when members of the SDSU Commutrepreneurs alike. The following were De Smet businesses. Shop owners nity Vitality Team spent two days in represented: South Dakota Comand managers shared their entrepreApril of 2017 attending a "Connectmunity Foundation, Lake Area Tech, neurial journeys, while speakers and ing Entrepreneurial Communities" SD Department of tourism, Dakota Conference in Resources, SD Small Business DevelMcCook, Nebras- opment, SD Rural Life and Census ka. That conferData Center, SD Planning Districts, Let Our Family ence, hosted by East River Electric and SDSU ExtenBusiness Keep Yours University of sion Community Vitality. Nebraska Exten"The combination was powerIn The Go With: sion, offered an ful, with all groups learning from • Farm Filters • Hydraulic Hoses • Bearings & Seals interesting venue each other," said Paul Thares, SDSU 1007 Broadway Ave twist: conferExtension Community Vitality Field Yankton, SD ence sessions Specialist and one of the event coor605•665•4494 were held in dinators. The Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors hosted a ribbon cutting for Cornerstones Career Learning Center located at 3113 Spruce Street, Suite 124. Cornerstones is an adult education center that offers a variety of ways MOTOR for adults to continue their education. Its mission is to NIOBRARA, NE TREE TRIMMING, REMOVALS & TRANSPLANTING access, promote and provide education and employment training services to area workforce and employers. Hours TREES FOR SALE atrick awk are Monday - Thursday: 8am-5pm, Friday: 8am – 4pm. EVERGREEN • SHADE • ORNAMENTAL They can be contacted at 605-668-2920 or check out their 251 Spruce Ave • Box 260 Yankton 605-260-1490 Niobrara, NE 68760 website: www.cornerstonescareer.com. Hartington 402-254-6710 www.moodymotor.com Energize! Exploring Innovative Rural Communities Conference Congratulations Cornerstones Career Learning Center Cox Auto Hartington Tree LLC MOODY P Serving Southeast SD & Northeast NE for 20 Years Kent & Kyle Hochstein • Licensed Arborists www.hartingtontree.com pjhawk@hotmail.com (402) 857-3711 (800) 745-5650 Fax (402) 857-3713 H