Boy Scouts gathered today to recognize some scouts that excelled in the church. 

Eight 7th and 8th graders received the God and Church award, while a 10th received the God and Life award. The scouts were honored for their bible and church studies.

Also receiving an award was Laura and Lyle Ruesch. The couple has been active in the scouts for decades, and today their son handed them The Lamb Award medal, which is the highest religious award given to adults in Scouting.

“I'm very honored definitely by this because you know as parents we're just doing what we've been doing for twenty years. Just being mom and dad and being involved with our kids,” Laura said.

To be eligible to receive the Lamb Award, you need to volunteer at least ten years with the scouts and ten years with another civic youth agency.

South Dakota got another first inning home run off North Dakota State pitcher Krista Menke, but like Friday, Menke got the final say in a 4-1 Bison victory Saturday in the rubber match of a three-game series at Ellig Sports Complex.

Coyote first baseman Yvon Minogue led off Saturday’s game with her fourth home run of the season. It was one of four hits surrendered by Menke (21-2), who scattered three singles the rest of the way and struck out seven. Minogue was 2-for-3 in the game and had four of South Dakota’s 11 hits in the series.

Menke allowed five hits in two complete-game performances against South Dakota. She gave up two home runs and three earned runs in 16 2/3 innings pitched in the three games while striking out 22.

Bison second baseman Cheyenne Garcia hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to put North Dakota State (29-7, 7-2 Summit) in front 2-1. Garcia was 6-for-10 in the series with two home runs and four RBIs.

An RBI triple by Alex Sobrero in the second inning made it 3-1. Amanda Grable’s solo shot in the third was the final run scored.

Madison Frain (5-8), who beat the Bison in game two Friday, pitched all six innings for South Dakota (11-20-1, 3-3). She allowed nine hits and struck out two.

South Dakota returns to the field Wednesday in a doubleheader against Creighton in Omaha, Neb. Game one starts at 3 p.m.

The Sioux Falls Canaries announced on Saturday afternoon that they have signed outfielder, Chris Grayson to a contract and released utility-man, Edwin Gomez.

The 25-year-old Grayson enters his first season with the Canaries after spending the last four seasons in the Texas Rangers organization. The Monroe, LA native holds a .244 career batting average to go along with 74 doubles, 24 homeruns and 148 RBI’s.

Grayson posted a .289 batting average in 24 games last season for the Rangers class A+ affiliate, Myrtle Beach Pelicans before getting called up to AA.  He appeared in 44 games for the AA Frisco Biscuits, hitting .241 while collecting 10 extra-base hits and 20 RBI’s.

Gomez was released after posting a .184 batting average with three doubles, a homerun, and five RBI’s.

The Birds’ continue their Father’s Day weekend series against their I-29 rivals, the Sioux City Explorers at 6:05 PM on Saturday night.  LHP Joe Bircher (2-1, 2.45 ERA) will make his sixth start of the season. 

The Mobil Oil Super Tour makes a stop at Sioux Falls Stadium on Saturday, with their mascot, Mobil Sam making an appearance. There will be prizes and promotions throughout the game. Fans can also enjoy bottled Coca-Cola products for only $2 from 5-6 PM.

Get your tickets to any Canaries home game this season by contacting the Canaries Ticket Office at (605) 336-6060 or visit www.sfcanaries.com. No matter your schedule, the Canaries have a ticket package for you. Ask a Canaries representative about the weekender, perch packs or E-Z Game Tickets.

The Sioux Falls Canaries (15-15) capped of a wild back-and-forth battle at Sioux Falls Stadium on Saturday night with a three-run, walk-off homerun from RJ Perucki, to defeat the Sioux City Explorers (21-7) by the final score of 9-6.

Canaries fans saw three ties, and five separate lead changes before Perucki’s deep blast over the left-field wall in the bottom of the 9th inning.  The game was tied up at 5-5 going into the top of the 9th, before Sioux City third baseman, Tommy Mendonca led off the inning with a double.  Catcher Matt Koch reached on a single into centerfield to put runners on the corners before Tim Colwell plated home the go-ahead run on  a perfectly placed squeeze bunt up the 3rd base line.

Canaries relief pitcher, Cameron McVey (1-1, 1.25 ERA) worked his way out of the bases loaded jam, recording a double play, and a strikeout to give the Birds’ a chance in the bottom of the inning.

Brian Humphries reached base on a solid single to left-field to lead off the final frame, and advanced into scoring position on a David Bergin single into right.  Humphries scored the tying run five pitches later on a Richard Stock RBI single, putting Bergin in scoring position as the possible winning run.

Michael Wing, struck out for the first out after a failed bunt attempt setting up the Perucki at-bat with two one, and only one out.  The Canaries third-baseman wasted no time, crushing a hanging breaking ball over the left-centerfield wall to cap off the walk-off win.

Stock had another big night at the plate for the Canaries, going 3-for-5 with three RBI’s and two runs scored.  Bergin pushed his batting average back to .303 after going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, and Perucki capped off his big night, going 2-for-5 with three RBI’s and two runs scored.

Explorers catcher Matt Koch hit for the cycle, capping it off with a single in the 9th inning.  He was 4-for-4 on the day with an RBI and two runs scored.

Sioux City closer, Joes Flores blew his first save of the season, and suffered his first loss of the year, allowing four runs on four hits in 1/3 of an inning of work.

The win on Saturday night evens up the best-of-three series, setting up a big day on Sunday afternoon.  LHP Miguel Pena (4-1, 2.64 ERA) will make his 6th start of the season for the Birds.  Pena picked up American Association Pitcher of the Week honors after his only other start against the Explorers on May 23rd.  The southpaw did not allow a run on five hits over seven innings in the 3-0 final.

Fans will have a chance to play catch with Dad out of the field from 3:00-3:30 PM on Sunday afternoon prior to the 4:05 PM first pitch.  Kids will also be able to run the bases after the game, and get autographs from their favorite Canaries players and coaches.

Get your tickets to any Canaries home game this season by contacting the Canaries Ticket Office at (605) 336-6060 or visit www.sfcanaries.com. No matter your schedule, the Canaries have a ticket package for you. Ask a Canaries representative about the weekender, perch packs or E-Z Game Tickets.

A famous South Dakota effigy returns home this fall, and the South Dakota State Historical Society wants it to receive a warm welcome back.

South Dakota's Great Sioux Horse Effigy has been traveling as a part of the international touring exhibition, "The Plains Indians: Artists of Earth and Sky" since April of last year. The iconic effigy was on display at famous museums in Paris, Kansas City, and New York City. Over half a million people viewed the horse statue during its travels.

The piece will be returning in October this year to be placed in a special new display along with two other effigies carved by Hunkpapa Lakota Leader No Two Horns, who is also thought to be the artist behind the Great Sioux Horse Effigy.

To honor its arrival, the SD State Historical Society will be hosting a Return Celebration October 10-12 at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The 3-day event will feature craft activities, a blessing ceremony, and a special dinner that will include special guest speakers.

More information about the event is expected to be released by late July or early August.

One woman has been killed and another woman has been seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash in Spirit Lake Friday.

Around 2 p.m. Friday two motorcycles were traveling southbound on Highway 71 near Spirit Lake when 53-year-old Julie Coolman of Logan, IA collided her bike with the back of 45-year-old Laura Levell of Magnolia, IA's bike.

The two women were taken to Lakes Regional Healthcare. Coolman later died from her injuries. Levell is in serious condition.

During a time when the issue of gun rights is leading a national conversation, some gun enthusiasts are talking about firearm history.

 "We're in a room full of collectors," Firearms Records Specialist Jesi Bennett said.

Firearms records specialist Jesi Bennett is talking about the Trophy Show, a gun show hosted by Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Association.

Bennett made the trip from northwestern Wyoming to share her knowledge about the history of firearms this weekend. She is one of many vendors who were at the show that continues to expand, according to show manager Robert Campbell.

"It's primarily an organization to get together with your friends and enjoy your hobby and it's kind of gotten out of control. It just grew, and it continues to grow. That's one of the reasons we moved here was for a larger venue, " Show Manager Robert Campbell said.

Campbell is referring to the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The space if for the thousands of event-goers who turned out for the showcase of firearms new and old.

There are some Custer battlefield guns here. There's WWII memorabilia, "Campbell said.

So what is it about firearms that generates so much interest the region? Bennett suggests it's rooted in tradition.

"In South Dakota and across the west, it's that mystery of the west. Firearms were a tool for everybody who came out here whether you were defending your property or feeding your family. And it continues today with hunters that are out there that are getting food for their family, as well as that feeling of security and defense," Bennett said.

The spring session of the South Dakota Supreme Court hearings is always held at the University of South Dakota, but the fall session moves around. Students at the University of Sioux Falls say they couldn't be happier to have some of the biggest cases in the state in their own back yard.

"I think it’s a huge honor. We first found out about it last week and I have been so excited to actually see the justice system in action to be able to better understand how it works," USF Criminal Justice student Molly Ryan said.

Ryan has worked with law enforcement in the past, so the death penalty hearing for Rodney Berget stood out to her.

"I was able to sit in on the Roberts' trial as well and was in the court room when they gave their decision. It was just so entertaining to be able to see the same thing but in a completely different way. The difference in the pleas and everything else just, it was just amazing," Ryan said.

Damian Kardas is getting a double major in radiology and criminal justice. For him, the Berget case was also something very interesting to see.

"Both of the attorneys and the state, their arguments were really, well, they really thought them out well. A lot of emotion put into it. I can’t say I coincide on one or the other.  They both presented the issues very well and it’s up to these justices to make their unbiased opinion and to make the right call," Kardas said.

For Kardas, having South Dakota’s highest court at his college is something he'll never forget.

"This is something I will probably talk to my grandkids about one day.  Just yep, this is one huge, big deal that we all have to sit down and analyze it in a way. These justices are doing their best and it’s something that’s going to be talked about for a while I would say,” Kardas said.

Both students say that these cases will be talked about on campus and in the classroom for some time.

A Hughes County grand jury has indicted a Minnesota man for making threats against South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard and his family.

53-year-old William Becker, of Monticello, Minn., was indicted on two counts Tuesday. One count was for threatening Daugaard and the other was for threatening Daugaard's family.

Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Becker last week. They say he made the threats against the governor and his family by telephone on Sept. 20. Authorities are still searching for Becker.

Hughes County State's Attorney Kelly Marnette says it is standard procedure to ask for an indictment following an arrest warrant being issued.

The governor often receives threats, but Daugaard has said the ones allegedly made by Becker were very specific.

The channels of communication among first responders in New York City have been strengthened in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy thanks to the help of a volunteer firefighter from South Dakota.  A donation of new equipment will keep those firefiighters on top of emergencies on the East Coast.

Canton volunteer firefighter Bob Gard helped deliver much-needed firefighting equipment to storm-damaged sections of New York City last weekend.

"The piles of garbage; pumping raw sewage in the streets.  No electricity; no heat.  It was like going to a third-world country," Gard said.

As a member of the National Firefighters Endowment, Gard rounded-up hand-held radios and pagers for the fire halls silenced by Sandy.

"Until we got those radios in their hands, they couldn't do anything," Gard said.

The firefighters endowment even delivered a new fire truck to replace one damaged by salt water.

"They were ecstatic.  Any help that they can get, they were grateful," Gard said.

Many of the firefighters who helped Sandy storm victims have suffered devastating personal losses themselves.

"I would say 60 percent of them lost their homes, lost all their belongings, right down to their personal vehicle that was sitting at the station when it was flooded-out.  They have nothing, but they keep getting back on the truck and going to help everybody else.  It's what you do as a firefighter," Gard said.

And when disaster strikes among their own, firefighters like Gard are on the scene to re-supply departments that have lost so much.

Gard is also asking fire departments to give any equipment they don't use anymore for the New York departments.

If you'd like to make a donation, visit the Thin Red Line website.

It's difficult and dangerous to walk down the sidewalk in the Sioux Falls area. You might see people trying all kinds of tactics to stay safe, including skiing to trying to make a lot of progress by taking big steps.

But Avera Dr. Scott McPherson says it's best to take smaller steps and then plant your entire foot and check traction before taking another step.

Also, I didn't make exactly the right shoe choice today. Yah, these cowboy boots aren't as bad as high heels, but Dr. McPherson recommends shoes with more traction.

McPherson says it's best to avoid walking on ice all together, especially if you're more at risk for fractures. That includes people with osteoporosis. Because safely walking on these sidewalks is a slippery slope.

Authorities say the Wyoming man who led them on a high-speed, 200 mile chase will see a South Dakota judge next week. The Lyman County State's Attorney expects Todd Sindelar to be in court Monday to face a felony charge of aggravated eluding.  The chase started near Rapid City, and authorities arrested Sindelar Thursday on I-90 near Chamberlan.

A viewer sent us a video he shot from the shoulder of the road, showing the chase reaching speeds of up to 120 miles an hour. The car sped by, and trooper after trooper followed.

"Other than the length of the pursuit, really wasn't, there wasn't anything that remarkable about it for us. You have to remember we do this kind of stuff every day," Captain Kevin Karley, South Dakota Highway Patrol, said.

Captain Karley said this chase is not all that different from other high speed situations we have seen lately. Highway Patrol Troopers follow the same policies and protocols in each incident.

"Our troopers receive, what I think is, you know, some of the best, if not the best, high-speed training that's available. We have a lot of confidence in their ability," Karley said.

Though it is not unusual to see a high-speed chase, Karley said the length of this one makes it uncommon.

"Back in the day, before we had tire deflation equipment, we used to have more pursuits that went those kind of distances," Karley said.

Karley said Sindelar was driving fast, but not dangerously. He also said I-90 had a low amount of traffic, due to the holiday.  Everything ended peacefully.  

"This is the way we like pursuits to end. We like it when we're able to take people into custody without incident, and this one worked the way we wanted it," Karley said.

Tyson Gau made team history on Sunday by becoming the all-time wins leader in Augustana baseball with his game one victory on Sunday in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play. The Vikings won both games against Minnesota Crookston in the doubleheader to complete the four-game sweep of the Golden Eagles.

Augustana improved its record to 17-7 (7-1 NSIC) with the victories. Minnesota Crookston fell to 1-19 (0-8 NSIC) on the year.

Game One

Gau (3-2) became the all-time leader in wins in Vikings' history with his complete game shutout in the 7-0 win. Gau surrendered just three hits, and struck out seven for Augustana. The Alexandria, S.D native recorded his 21st victory of his career, breaking a tie the senior had with Owen Hoegh.

Jack Goihl went 2 for 2 with two RBI in game.

Tony Viger scored two runs in the win.

Gau started his day by making quick work of the Golden Eagles' batters in the first, getting a 1-2-3 on just six pitches.

The Vikings started fast at the plate, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning to make it a 4-0 game. Jake Petersen capped off the high-scoring inning with a two-out double to center field that drove in Kye Winter from second base. Augustana got four runs on four hits in the inning.

Gau then struck out the side in the top of the second after giving up a double to Travis Magdzas to lead off the inning. Rob Smothers then got on first after an error by Viger and Magdzas advanced to third base. Gau took control from there, fanning the next three batters to get out of trouble.

Augustana scored three runs in the bottom of the second to push its lead to seven. Goihl highlighted the inning with a two-run RBI single that scored Alex Fink and Viger.

Gau's masterful day really took hold after the second inning, giving up just one hit in the final five innings to give the Vikings the 7-0 victory.

Game Two

Augustana completed the four-game sweep of Minnesota Crookston in game two with a 14-5 win.

The Vikings got 17 hits, one of their season high, in the contest.

Michael Letkewicz (4-1) picked up his team-leading fourth win of the year in the game. Letkewicz finished his day going five innings and giving up two runs on five hits. The sophomore from Waterloo, Iowa also had seven strikeouts in game.

Fink tied his career high in hits with a perfect 4 for 4 performance at the plate. Fink also notched his third four-RBI game this year in the win.

Viger went 3 for 4 at the plate, while driving in a season-high four runs in the win. All three of Viger's hits were doubles, putting the senior's total up to 17 on the year, a new personal best for the Sioux Falls, S.D. native.

Marcus O'Neill had a three-hit day and scored three runs in the game. O'Neill also had one RBI.

The Golden Eagles scored their first run of the series in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead off a Ryan Haggstrom single that scored Patrick Higgins.

Augustana responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Vikings got their three runs on two hits.

Another three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth made it 8-1 in favor of the Vikings. Goihl's RBI double to right center that brought in Viger from second base gave pushed the lead to seven for Augustana.

Minnesota Crookston got to within three in the top of the sixth inning after the Golden Eagles got two unearned runs on an error by Zach Dibble to make it 8-5.

The Vikings put this one away in the bottom of the sixth with three runs of their own on four hits to make it 11-5.

Augustana tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, pushing its lead to nine at 14-5. Viger's double to center field that drove in O'Neill and Petersen from second and third capped off the inning.

The Vikings went on to win 14-5, extending their winning streak to eight games.


Courtesy: Chris Smith, Assistant Sports Information Director, Augustana College

Residents in flooded areas of Rock Rapids and Rock Valley, Iowa, are being evacuated Monday night due to heavy flooding in the area and concerns that the Rock River will continue to rise.

In Rock Rapids, people in the following areas are being urged to seek shelter on higher ground: the 500 to 900 blocks of Tama Street. All of Benton Street and everything between Tama and Benton Streets. A shelter has been established at the Rock Rapids Community Center.

In Rock Valley, residents who live north of 17th Street between 19th and Main Street are urged to seek higher ground. A shelter is available at the Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley.

A man and woman from New York are in the Minnehaha County Jail tonight accused of traveling cross country to buy prescription drugs illegally.

The two were arrested last night and appeared in court today after stops at three Sioux Falls pharmacies.  

31 year old William McWhite and 30 year old Courtney Davis are both charged with several counts, including obtaining drugs by fraud or misrepresentation.  

Police say the two were making fake prescriptions at a Sioux Falls motel. 

Last night McWhite and Davis allegedly tried buying oxycodone at three local pharmacies.   

Police say the two were able to buy a bottle of pills at Lewis Drug Store. 

But then when McWhite and Davis tried to buy another prescription at a Hy-Vee, they were denied.

South Dakota has a prescription drug monitoring program that's designed to help pharmacists track the dispensing of controlled drugs.

Police say an alert pharmacist at Hy-Vee recognized the red flags, became suspicious and didn't make the sale. 

That's when the two moved onto Shopko to try and buy again. That's where police caught up with them.

Police searched their motel room and found 240 pills, computers, printers, and fake prescription cards that prosecutors say were all used to try and buy oxycodone illegally.

The judge in the case called the two a flight risk because they are from New York.

McWhite is being held in jail on $5,000 cash only bond.  Davis is being held on $10,000 cash only.

A 36-year-old Sioux Falls murder victim is being remembered as a 'selfless' mother and friend.

On Sunday morning, Sioux Falls Police were called to a central Sioux Falls home where they found Angel Schroeder dead in the bathroom. Her 39-year-old boyfriend Timothy Moses was arrested for her murder. Moses made his first court appearance Monday on murder and manslaughter charges for allegedly killing Schroeder who was not only his girlfriend but also the woman he lived with.

One of the last pictures of Angel Schroeder was taken on Christmas Eve with her sixth-grade daughter, third-grade son, and her sister, Jenna Schroeder, and her daughter. It was the last time Jenna says she saw her only sister.

Jenna says her sister was a caring person who would do anything for her kids, working the overnight shift as a nursing assistant at Sanford Health so that she could be home to take her kids to school and pick them up in the afternoons. Jenna says Angel was a 'selfless' and caring mother and friend and was like a second mom to her own daughter.

She describes Angel as fun loving with an 'infectious laugh and smile.' Jenna says Angel also had a great sense of humor to go along with the numerous friends that she had made in her lifetime.

They are memories family members of Angel will cherish as they remember the mother, sister and friend who may be gone now but will live on in their hearts.

The funeral for Angel Schroeder will be held at the Miller Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on Friday in downtown Sioux Falls. A fund has been set up in Angel Schroeder's name at any First Premier Bank.

Family members also say they are working with the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society to find a good home for the two dogs and two cats Schroeder left behind.