DRUG-RELATED ARREST MADE IN MITCHELL SOUTH DAKOTA
MITCHELL, S.D. – A traffic stop last Friday led to several drug-related arrest by the Mitchell Police Department.
From The Mitchell Police Department:
On Friday at approximately 9:15 am a Mitchell Police Officer conducted a traffic stop in the Freedom Value Center parking lot. The vehicle was being driven by 42-year-old male Mark Leach, who was identified as being an employee of the Freedom Value Center. Leach is on active Probation in South Dakota for a prior drug related conviction. During the traffic stop a search of Leach’s vehicle was conducted which led to Officers locating methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Upon completion of the traffic stop a search of Leach’s residence was conducted in the 700 block of South Rowley Street. Officers made contact with Leach’s roommate at the residence, who was identified as 46-year-old female Tina Hauge. During the search of the residence Officers located evidence of methamphetamine distribution. Officers also located controlled substance prescription medications which were not prescribed to Leach or Hauge. Leach and Hauge’s residence was located within a Drug Free Zone resulting in a Drug Free Zone Violation.
A consent search of the Freedom Value Center was conducted by law enforcement after the completion of the residential search. A Freedom Value Center employee was present for the search and was identified as 57 year old Shelly Klapkin. During the search of the Freedom Value Center Officers located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia. While searching the Freedom Value Center, Officers located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia that was able to be identified as belonging to Klapkin.
The Mitchell Police Department says Freedom Value Center upper management was very cooperative with the investigation. It appears at this time that upper management and ownership did not have knowledge or involvement in the illegal drug activity occurring at the Mitchell Freedom Value Center.
Mark Leach was arrested and charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine, Two Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Drug Free Zone Violation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Tina Hauge was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Shelly Klapkin was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol and Mitchell Court Services assisted the Mitchell Police Department was assisted in the investigation.
SOUTH DAKOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE AND SOUTH DAKOTA BANKERS ASSOCIATION JOINING FORCES TO WARN OF SCAMS
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and South Dakota Bankers Association President Karl Adam announce a partnership to educate bank customers about banking scams.
The Attorney General’s Office and the SDBA are supporting the American Bankers Association’s “Banks Never Ask” campaign which focuses on anti-phishing and scamming awareness.
“The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division receives reports daily about telephone and internet scams hurting many South Dakotans,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We appreciate the South Dakota Bankers Association’s effort to educate bank customers about such scams and are happy to support this campaign.”
SDBA President Adam said South Dakota banks understand the need to be pro-active in consumer education. “You never think such a scam can happen to you, but unfortunately it does,” he said. “We want to use this campaign as an effort to educate customers to always be aware when they receive an internet or telephone message from someone pretending to be from their bank.”
Attorney General Jackley and President Adam offer these anti-scam tips:
*** Scammers will advise you not to talk with others regarding the transaction – this is a RED flag.
*** Organizations, including banks, and government agencies do not ask for money by telephone or on the internet.
*** Do not click on pop-up messages that appear on computers.
*** Talk to someone you can trust before you provide money or personal information to someone who contacts you.
*** Check and double check email addresses if they are asking you to send money.
*** If the caller represents a business or government agency, don’t trust the telephone number they give you. Hang up and call the organization’s office.
*** Treat calls or emails demanding immediate action with suspicion.
*** Do not give into high pressured sales tactics.
*** Do not provide financial or personal information over the phone or via the internet.
*** These scams are like other such scams – offering you something for money, but not delivering.
*** Do not deposit a check and then wire money.
*** If you are asked to send money, get off the telephone and seriously think about you are being asked to do.
*** Consumers who believe they may have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or at https://consumer.sd.gov.
EXPLOSION IN O’NEILL NEBRASKA DESTROYS BUILDING BUT NO INJURIES
O’NEILL, NE – A two-story building exploded, causing a massive fire Monday morning in the town of O’Neill, Nebraska.
According to fire officials, the St. Patrick’s Parish Center, a two-story building on the campus of St. Mary’s School, exploded just before 6 a.m. The source appears to be from tanks on the west side of the parish and resulted in flames that were 50-60 feet high. Firefighters were able to have most of the flames under control within an hour.
Chancellor Tim McNeil with the Archdiocese of Omaha said that the Parish Center was empty at the time of the explosion and no major injuries were reported. The center was used as an event hall to hold large gatherings and also contained staff offices.
Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, which is located next to St. Patrick’s, did suffer damages on the east side of the building. However, they are reporting that there were no major injuries.
St. Anthony’s will be closed while damages are surveyed, but they have set up a modified emergency room at the O’Neill Community Center.
SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROPOSING LESSONS TO COMBAT APATHY AMONG STUDENTS
PIERRE, S.D. – Secretary of Education Joseph Graves said students are taking less control of their own lives, are apathetic and are less prepared to face tough challenges or resistance.
While noting it’s a national trend, he said it’s one that’s affecting South Dakota’s students and that needs to change.
The Department of Education is releasing “South Dakota Sturdy,” a set of 10 lessons to be used by counselors and teachers. The material is aimed at students in the fourth through sixth grades.
“It’s a trend in our society to move away from the notion that we are active people, that we’re responsible for our own lives. That we are the hero in our own play, and one towards more of a victim mentality. One where we’re acted upon. So we see more and more kids who struggle with that,” Graves said.
This comes as Graves said they’ve heard from school teachers, counselors, parents and even Governor Kristi Noem that students aren’t taking accountability seriously and are passive.
“We need to get back that American notion and that South Dakota notion that we’re not a weak vessel, that we are sturdy,” Graves said.
Graves said the ten lessons focus on historical figures, animals, and the Corn Palace and the values that can help students in their own lives.
While it mostly focuses on counseling standards, he says the lessons could be used in the classroom too.
“It taps into the counseling standards, but it also taps into the English language arts standards, because there’s a lot of reading involved. It also taps into the social studies standards because it hits these South Dakota individuals,” Graves said.
In a release, Noem backed the lessons and said they’re necessary for helping South Dakota students grow up.
“Our children need these examples to build the essential skills to succeed not only in the classroom but in life, most importantly by their own efforts,” Noem said. “My favorite President, Teddy Roosevelt, struggled to overcome obstacles as both a child and as an adult. This program outlines not only his determination to overcome but highlights nine other prime examples of resilience. These lessons provide insight into the grit and initiative of each of them to live a purposeful and accomplished life.”
Graves said the goals associated with this push are hard to quantify, but something they see as more accountability being an outcome.
“The answer shouldn’t be, ‘My dog ate it,’ or, ‘I didn’t get it done,’ or, ‘I was too busy.’ The answer should be, ‘You know what? I didn’t, and it was my fault and I’ll do better.’ That’s a sturdy response,” Graves said.
It’s important to note that these lessons are optional and educators and school districts are not required to implement them in the classroom. Graves says they strongly encourage the lessons to be used in order to achieve those short, intermediate and long-term goals.
DOC RELEASES RESULTS OF RECENT LOCKDOWN AT STATE PENITENTIARY IN SIOUX FALLS
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Corrections has released a summary response to the recently lifted lockdown at the State Penitentiary. That lockdown started on September 15 and lasted nearly three weeks. The DOC said in a previous statement the lockdown was a proactive security measure and not a response to an assault, fight or disturbance.
The DOC had previously released initial pictures of weapons and contraband that were seized.
In the summary, the DOC reported no staff or inmates were injured.
A statement from Secretary of Corrections Kellie Waso said quote, “This lockdown was deemed a success, I am proud of our staff for conducting a thorough and comprehensive search,” end quote.
The DOC defines contraband as any article, item, or thing that poses or may pose a threat to the security of a SDDOC facility or office. This can range from a device, instrument, material, or substance which is readily capable of causing or inducing fear of death or bodily injury to illicit substances such as controlled substances and alcohol. Although some of the items retrieved are tools used in the facility, if they are not stored or used for their intended purposes, they become contraband, and in some instances, dangerous contraband.
The DOC said items that were located during the pandemic include weapons, items that can be fashioned into weapons, illicit substances, unauthorized electronic equipment, and excess property.
The DOC said it is continuing to investigate the lockdown and could potentially lockdown additional units if further investigation is needed.
Criminal activity is being referred to the DCI.
