Your week at a glance: April 10, 2024

Megan Raposa -

Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: Full-on spring temps

Tote check: Congrats to Bob Wendland and @siouxfallsmom for winning a Sioux Falls Simplified tote bag! (I got so excited by the response I gave away two!) Thanks for participating in our "I voted" giveaway!

This week, I'll introduce you to your new local government officials (so far, at least. Apparently we're not quite done with local elections yet.) You'll also find a round-up of local events and some Super Simplified Stories. Plus, stay tuned for Friday's issue for a look at how libraries are branching out to unique locations, as well as a closer look at voter turnout.

And now, news:

ELECTIONS

Meet your new city councilors and school board members - so far

Simplified: Sioux Falls voters solidified one of its new council members Tuesday, but the winner of the At-Large seat remains to be seen. Meanwhile, two former teachers were elected to the Sioux Falls School Board.

Photo by Element5 Digital / Unsplash

Who are the new folks?

  • Miranda Basye, a 29-year-old digital marketer, won the City Council seat representing the northeast district. She beat out Neil Jeske and David Zokaites, earning 62% of the vote.
  • There were also two uncontested City Council races that'll bring new faces to the City Council. Jennifer Sigette, a 51-year-old nonprofit director is the new councilor in the northwest district, and Ryan Spellerberg, a 46-year-old mortgage lender, will serve representing the southwest district.
  • Retired teacher Marc Murren, 68, will return for another term on the Sioux Falls School Board, and he'll be joined by Gail Swenson, a 67-year-old retired superintendent on the five-member board.

What about the At-Large City Council seat?

We don't know yet.

Sioux Falls city ordinance requires a council candidate to get at least 50% of the vote, and on Tuesday, no one hit that threshold.

  • Richard Thomason got the closest with 44% of the vote, but it wasn't enough to win him the seat.
  • Jordan Deffenbaugh earned about 36% of votes, and he will face Thomason again in a run-off election on April 30.
  • Allison Renville ended the night with just shy of 15% of the vote.

What happens next?

And what did the candidates have to say about the race and results?

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

How Barre3 helped this woman build strength, balance

This is a paid piece from Barre3 Sioux Falls.

Simplified: Mindi Stroschein has been moving her body with Barre3 since the franchise opened in Sioux Falls more than seven years ago. Here's how the fitness classes have benefitted her and what keeps her coming back.

Why it matters

  • Stroschein is a 46-year-old Sioux Falls kindergarten teacher and runner. She first came to Barre3 as a way to build strength after a bone scan showed that she was on track to have osteoporosis by age 50.
  • Within six months, she was out of the "red zone" for osteoporosis risk, and the additional muscle and strength training supported her running, too.
  • Stroschein said part of what keeps her coming back to the Barre3 studio year after year is the welcoming community and instructors who are well-educated on how each move targets a specific muscle group.
"It's so much more than a workout," Stroschein said. "There's a purpose for every movement."

Tell me more about Barre3

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • School board gives thumbs up to $338 million budget. The Sioux Falls school board voted to tentatively adopt next year's budget on Monday. This year's budget is also unique because it marks the end of federal pandemic relief funds. The past four years have seen an additional $1o million in ongoing expenditures, Business Manager Todd Vik explained to school board members this week. I'll break down the budget more for you later this week.
  • City to open branch/leaf drop-off sites Saturday. You can drop off leaves and branches for free starting Saturday at two different sites in the city – North Lyon Boulevard near the fairgrounds and Chambers Street near the city's household hazardous waste facility. Both sites are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
  • It's Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Minnehaha County Family Violence Council is recognizing the month with a couple events – one this week placing teal ribbon magnets on law enforcement vehicles, and one on Wednesday, April 24, in which they're encouraging folks to wear denim in support of victims of sexual assault. Learn more and find resources from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center here.
  • Country fans, rejoice. Little Big Town is coming to the Denny Sanford Premier Center with special guest Sugarland on November 15. Tickets go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Friday. More details here.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: April 10-17

  • Grounding and gardening. Coast 2 Coast Athletic is hosting a free community yoga class and plant swap at their Tea location on Thursday evening. Get the details here.
  • Buy books. Find books for as little as $0.50/each, as well as CDs, games, puzzles, DVDs and more at the Books & More Sale at the Center for Western Studies on Augie's campus this weekend. Sale runs Friday and Saturday--get the details here.
  • Shake it off. Swifties unite for a Taylor Swift-themed dance party at The Social on Saturday night. Are you ready for it? Details here.
  • Support local artists. Icon Lounge is hosting a Comedy Art Collective Saturday evening featuring performers combining art, comedy and music. Support all kinds of local artists for just $15. Tickets here.
  • Eat bacon. Sioux Falls Roller Dollz is hosting Bacon Fest at Remedy at 611. For $10 you can get a "pork passport" to try all of the entered bacon recipes. Learn more (including how to enter your own bacon creations) here.
  • Adopt a pet. Find your new four-legged friend at Covert Artisan Ales Sunday afternoon at an event by the Rescue Network. More info to come, per the Facebook event.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

  • Gloria
  • This Mother's Day gift idea
  • The DOZENS of you who shared your "I voted" selfies ❤️❤️ Seriously, SF Simplified folks turned out. Thank you. You're cool af.

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

How to watch zoo animals 24/7 on your phone
Bears at the Great Plains Zoo now have global visibility through a new partnership with a website called Zoolife.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
District looks to replace Whittier Middle School by 2030
The Sioux Falls School District is looking at several options for replacing Whittier Middle School, but before any design begins, board members have to decide where exactly they want to put it.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
This program helps businesses ‘UPSKILL’ their workforce
The Sioux Falls Development Foundation has helped more than 300 people receive workforce training through its UPSKILL Program.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.