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400,000 Sandbags in Yankton |
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Friday, June 10 2011 |
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YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - Officials say sandbag-filling operations were suspended in Yankton on Thursday after volunteers, National Guard soldiers and inmates filled nearly 425,000 sandbags in 11 days.
The Press & Dakotan newspaper reported that most of the sandbags went to Yankton residents whose property is threatened by a rising Missouri River. About 100,000 filled sandbags were kept in reserve.
The river level is rising because the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing more water from Gavins Point Dam and other dams along the Missouri River system.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Electronic poll books work well in SD election |
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Wednesday, May 25 2011 |
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - State and local officials in South Dakota are praising new voting technology and methods used for the first time in Tuesday's school board election in Sioux Falls.
It was the first in the state to use electronic poll books and voting centers. The electronic poll books replace the large paper volumes of voters' names and automate the voter check-in process, while the voting centers reduce the number of polling sites that need to be staffed while giving voters more site options.
Secretary of State Jason Gant was on hand to view the voting process. He told the Argus Leader that it was a success and he expects it will "take off" in other communities across the state.
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Daugaard activates State Emergency Operations Center |
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Wednesday, May 25 2011 |
 PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota officials are alerting residents along the Missouri River to prepare for high water, and Gov. Dennis Daugaard has activated the State Emergency Operations Center.
The river's six upstream reservoirs all are close to full because of spring snowmelt runoff and heavy rains. Army Corps of Engineers officials say releases from Oahe Dam will be at record levels. State officials say residents along the river should take basic precautions, such as making sure sump pumps work.
KCCR radio reports that the Farm Island Recreation Area east of Pierre has canceled camping reservations for about 20 sites the next two weekends.
Western South Dakota is experiencing flooding after heavy rains. School was canceled in Belle Fourche on Wednesday. Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks has closed Rapid Creek to recreation.
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