e at opper.com EM! 882 TON,SD 4 SIOUX FALLS, SD – FEMA mitigation specialists will visit Kopetsky’s Ace Hardware in Yankton to offer advice on how to repair and rebuild structures safer and stronger. The specialists will be on hand Monday, Dec. 30 Saturday, Jan. 4 (except Wednesday, Jan. 1) to answer questions and provide home improvement tips and information on building structures that are more hazardresistant, with proven methods that can prevent or reduce damage from future disasters. This information is geared toward do-it-yourself homeowners and general contractors. Recovery topics to be covered include flood insurance, elevating utilities and rebuilding flooded homes. Kopetsky’s Ace Hardware 2404 Broadway Ave. Yankton, SD 57078 FEMA advisers will be available at this location • 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday FEMA assistance is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation (e.g., sign language interpreter, Braille, CART, etc.), please make your request as soon as possible. Call or text 605400-8878. Last minute requests will be considered but may not be possible to fill. To learn more about how mitigation efforts help individuals and communities visit www.fema.gov/whatmitigation. “With too many holiday sweets and not enough exercise likely in the rearview mirror, now is the perfect time to consider your personal goals and how you can make positive health choices in the coming year,” says American Medical Association (AMA) President Patrice A. Harris, M.D. “The good news is that there are a few easy steps you can take that will set you on the right track for a healthier 2020.” To get you started, the AMA is offering 10 wellness tips for the new year: 3. Visit LowerYourHBP.org to better understand blood pressure numbers and take necessary steps to get high blood pressure – also known as hypertension -- under control. Doing so will reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. 4. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods, such as olive oil, nuts and seeds to your diet. Also reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking sugary beverages -even 100% fruit juices -- is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, a new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests. 1. Steps you take now can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Learn your risk by taking the self-screening test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org. 5. If your health care professional determines that you need antibiotics, take them exactly as prescribed. Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem and antibiotics will not make you feel better if you have a virus, such as a cold or flu. 2. Be more physically active. Adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderateintensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. 6. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans -up to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age. 7. Talk with your doctor about tobacco and e-cigarette use (or vaping) and how to quit. Declare your home and car smoke- and aerosol-free to eliminate secondhand exposure. 8. Pain medication is personal. If you’re taking prescription opioids or other medications, follow your doctor’s instructions. Store them safely to prevent misuse and properly dispose of any leftover medication. 9. Make sure your family is up-to-date on vaccines, including the annual influenza vaccine for everyone age six months or older. If you’re pregnant, you can receive the flu vaccine during any trimester, but should receive the Tdap vaccine early in the third trimester to protect yourself against flu and whooping cough. 10. Manage stress. A good diet, sufficient sleep (at least 7.5 hours per night), daily exercise and wellness activities, like yoga and meditation, are key ingredients to maintaining and improving your mental health, but don’t hesitate to ask for help from a mental health professional when you need it. Noem Responds To Presidential Executive Order On Refugee Resettlement PIERRE, S.D. - Governor Kristi Noem yesterday issued a letter of consent to Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in response to an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump on Sept. 26, 2019, concerning enhanced state and local involvement in refugee resettlement. “Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, the strengthened screening process for refugees entering the United States can give South Dakotans increased confidence that those entering are coming for the right reasons,” said Noem. “For the communities that want to welcome these refugees, I support giving them that opportunity.” Lutheran Social Services is the South Dakota’s Refugee Resettlement Agency and asked Noem to sign a consent letter so they may continue providing these services. Along with enhancing state involvement in this program, the Department of State implemented proper controls and a high standard of screening. Adjudicators now have more time to screen applicants, may collect more data on applicants, are allowed more latitude in how they deny applicants, and have access to more national security databases to deepen the vetting process. Additionally, President Trump implemented a change to federal immigration policy by establishing a refugee admissions ceiling of 18,000 into the country. “These assurances and a responsible screening process ensure that South Dakota’s interests are best protected so we can support continued participation in the program,” continued Noem. Per the process outlined in Trump’s executive order, the decision to resettle is now in the hands of local authorities. “Signing this consent letter allows the discussion to continue community by community throughout our great state. I’ve always believed that the best decisions are made at the local level, so I appreciate the administration’s invitation to contribute in this way,” Noem concluded. South Dakota’s neighboring states have also consented to the executive order including North Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota. This consent letter will be in effect until December 2020. Book Chatter Continues At Schedule For Driver Exam Stations in Vermillion, Yankton Vermillion Public Library PIERRE — Schedule demand. Hours are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. license to renew. For changes have been The Vermillion Public Library continues to host this announced for the popular new “un-book club” in the Small Conference South Dakota Driver Room on the first Friday of every month at 1:45 p.m. License exam stations in Do you enjoy talking about the books you’re reading? Vermillion and Yankton. The Yankton station Do you need help choosing your next book? Is there is open three days a a specific book you want to rave about? Bring a book week and the Vermillion you’ve recently read and share it with the group! Help yourself to refreshments, get comfy, and prepare station is open one day to listen, chat, and possibly take home your next favorite a week. Driver License Director Jane Schrank book from the Vermillion Public Library. All are welcome says the change was made towww.missourivalleyshopper.com discussion. this casual round table to accommodate public The Vermillion Public Library can be found at 18 Church Street in Vermillion. For more our Web site at Visit information, call the library at www.missourivalleyshopper.com 605.677.7060, or visit www. ••••••••••• vermillionpubliclibrary.org. Unique Items Of High Quality At Low Prices Loving Hands Gifts for the station, which is located in the Janner Building at the Human Services Center, 3113 Spruce St. The Vermillion exam station will be open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. every Thursday. The station is located at 11 E. Cherry St. Schrank reminds people that they have 180 days prior to the expiration date of their information about online renewal or what documents are needed for a license renewal and a list of exam stations, clock on to: http://dps. sd.gov/licensing/driver_ licensing/. The Driver Licensing program is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. AVERA WELCOMES • Czech Antique/Vintage: Costumes, Porcelain Dolls, Jewelry, Ribbons, Lace, etc. • Art Deco Jewelry • Scarves, Table Runners & Wall Hangings • Unique Gifts, Must See Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Where imagination becomes reality “We have seen more people using the Yankton exam station in recent months,” she said. “Having that site open another day gives the staff more time to process the applications for licenses and license renewals.” Schrank says the new schedule calls for the Yankton exam station to be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Yankton Mall • 605-760-6066 (Located between Carpenter Shop & Tradehome Shoes) Brian Brandt, APRN, PMHNP-BC BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Get A Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com “No matter what you’re going through, you don’t have to go through it alone.” Brian Brandt, APRN, PMHNP-BC, joins Avera Medical Group Behavioral Health Yankton to serve the community with compassionate care. He sees adult patients facing mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, developmental disabilities and suicidal tendencies. Pre-Winter Inspection A small repair can turn into • No Obligation Inspection & Estimate a huge problem in winter. • Insurance Preferred Contractor • Family Owned/Locally Operated “We’ve Got You Covered” 1600 Whiting Dr., Yankton, SD Licensed/Bonded/Insured (605)857-1472 Avera Medical Group Behavioral Health Yankton 409 Summit St., Suite 3200 | Yankton, SD 57078 605-655-1220 | Avera.org/doctors 19-PHYS-20381 opper.com Repair, Rebuilding Advice Available In Yankton (StatePoint) Four in 10 adults in the U.S. have two or more chronic diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While certain conditions and risk factors are beyond one’s control, the new year is the perfect time to consider the many lifestyle choices you can make for improved health. 18-PHYS-15117 opper.com PIERRE, S.D. - Governor Kristi Noem today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): “The USMCA is chock-full of wins for South Dakota, and I’m thrilled that the House finally passed the agreement. Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers live outside our borders, and this agreement sets a framework where farmers and ranchers can thrive. Through the USMCA, Canada’s unfair milk pricing will be eliminated so South Dakota dairy farmers gain more export opportunities. Poultry producers will have new access for chicken and egg exports and expanded access for turkey exports. Small businesses will benefit from new rules that make it easier to tap into foreign markets and participate in cross-border trade. There are big wins for the auto industry and new standards to improve wages and labor conditions. I was proud to help negotiate this agreement when I served in Congress, and I’m grateful for the strong support it has received from Representative Johnson, Senator Thune, and Senator Rounds. South Dakota's farmers and ranchers produce the world’s best products, and this agreement will allow those goods to be sold in a marketplace that is fair, open, and competitive.” ••• opper.com Holiday Closures 10 Doctor-Recommended Set For Disaster Health Tips for the New Year Recovery Centers • here. December 31, 2019 • Page 3 •• POT? shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com