Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: Snow, part deux

🩷Cool thing: Our second annual (man, it feels cool to say that!) A Little Help campaign kicked off yesterday! You're going to be learning a lot this month about Owen's Outfitters, a nonprofit committed to connecting folks with the medical equipment they need. Today's story dives into the story of Owen, the nonprofit's namesake, and how his parents are honoring his legacy in the work they do every day.

This week, in addition to meeting the folks over at Owen's Outfitters, you'll also hear from some downtown neighbors who want to see the city take tangible steps to slow traffic on 14th Street and make things safer for pedestrians. Plus, Mayor Paul TenHaken's righthand woman is stepping down, and other Super Simplified Stories. Oh, and don't miss this week's event guide.

And now, news:

A LITTLE HELP

Owen's Outfitters is simplifying how folks in need get medical equipment

Editor's note: This story is part of Sioux Falls Simplified's second annual "A Little Help" give-back effort. We're sharing stories all month long about Owen's Outfitters with the goal of raising $5,000 to support this fast-growing nonprofit. You can learn more here and donate here.

Simplified: Owen Turner's parents spent much of his short 12 years of life navigating the frustrating ins and outs of the healthcare system working to get the necessary equipment to manage his complex medical needs. Now, in his memory, Mike and Eleanor Turner have helped connect hundreds of people in Sioux Falls with medical equipment through their nonprofit, Owen's Outfitters.

Why it matters

  • Owen's Outfitters is a medical equipment lending library. Essentially, if you need medical equipment – knee scooters, crutches, wheelchairs, ostomy supplies, breast pumps, adult diapers, you name it – you can come to Owen's Outfitters, and if they have it, they'll give it to you.
  • The organization has given away more than $1.4 million worth of medical supplies since opening in 2022. Most of the people receiving those supplies are making less than $50,000 annually – though it's important to note there are no income qualifications to receive help from the nonprofit.
  • The nonprofit relies on donated medical supplies, many of which have a useful life far longer than they're needed by any one patient. So there's not only the benefit of connecting people with medical equipment, but there's also the added benefit of reducing medical waste.
    • For example, Executive Director Mike Turner said he'll see the same knee scooter several times. Someone uses it for a few weeks, then donates it back, and so on.
"They used it, it made their lives better, and now they want it to make someone else’s life better," he said.

Tell me more about Owen

CITY

These neighbors want the city to take action in slowing traffic

Simplified: About two dozen folks from both downtown and the All Saints neighborhood gathered Monday evening to ask city traffic engineers how they can make 14th Street safer for pedestrians.

Why it matters

  • Monday's meeting at times became tense and heated as neighbors said they've been voicing the same concerns for over a decade about the danger of walking across and along 14th Street with little to no response from the city.
  • Several neighbors, including Zach DeBoer and Joe Batcheller, shared support for the idea of implementing a "road diet" to bring 14th Street from a four-lane road to a two-lane road with a turn lane in the middle (similar to 26th Street between Cliff and Minnesota Avenues.)
  • One of the concerns that came up more than any other was frustration that the city's approach to planning streets focuses more on getting cars to go fast than it does on creating conditions for people to walk instead of drive.
"How can we flip the script so the city sees downtown as a pedestrian zone and includes our neighborhood in that," said Katrina Lehr-McKinney, president of the All Saints Neighborhood Association.

Tell me more

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Mayor's right-hand woman stepping down. Erica Beck, chief of staff for Mayor Paul TenHaken, announced this week that she'll be stepping down from her role this summer. It's unclear if TenHaken will fill her position as he's in his last year as mayor. Beck, who worked for Lloyd Companies before her time with the city, said she's always known her time in city government was "finite."
    • "It is now time that I focus my attention on the next chapter," Beck said.
  • Run for office. Friday is the last day to file nominating petitions to run for one of two open seats on the Sioux Falls School Board. Want to be one of the main decision makers for the largest school district in the state? Learn more here.
  • What federal cuts to education will mean for S.D. For every dollar South Dakota spends on students, 21 cents came from the federal government. It's the second-highest percentage of federal education funding, second only to Mississippi. So what happens if/when the Department of Education is dismantled? South Dakota News Watch has a very helpful Q&A looking at exactly what federal education funding pays for in the state and what the congressional delegation has to say about all of this.

EVENTS

Stuff to do: April 2-8

  • Hit the market.* The 10th Junkin' Market Days shopping event in Sioux Falls is coming to the fairgrounds on April 11 and 12. You'll be able to shop from local small businesses offering boutique clothes, jewelry, shabby chic home decor, rustic furniture, vintage, antiques, candles, gourmet foods, and lots more. Shop one-of-a-kind items, support local businesses and enjoy food from delicious food trucks.
  • Tune in. Midtown Coffee Radio Hour is recording an April Fools special this week. Catch your favorite local fictional coffee shop radio personalities at 7:30 p.m. at Icon for only $15. Snag your tickets here.
  • Chill with some reptiles. The Sioux Falls Reptile Expo is happening Sunday at the Convention Center. You'll be able to see a wide variety of reptiles, learn about reptiles, buy supplies for any reptiles you may have at home – basically all of the reptile-related things. Learn more here.
  • Run for fun. The city parks department is hosting a (rescheduled due to weather) Step Into Spring 5K at Family Park on Saturday morning. You can register day-of, and the registration fee is $10. Sign up here to run.
  • Learn about housing. Sioux Falls Thrive is hosting a free housing education course starting April 7 for anyone who wants to learn more about paths to long-term housing – whether renting or buying. There's also a community resource fair next Friday, April 11 in the evening at Garfield Elementary School. Learn more here.
  • Celebrate crafters. AMC Collective is celebrating its one-year anniversary of its location on South Minnesota Avenue. Swing by Saturday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for giveaways, treats and hands-on craft projects. Details here.

*Denotes a paid event listing.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

ICYMI

More Simplified Stories

What $3 million in budget cuts will mean for schools
The Sioux Falls School District is planning to cut $3 million and still run a deficit in the coming year, but soon-to-be Superintendent Jamie Nold said no one will lose their job as a result.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
The Link is helping people, but losing money. What’s the long-term plan?
Mayor Paul TenHaken told city and county officials Tuesday afternoon that, as his term as mayor comes to an end, it’s time to figure out a new governance structure – and, more importantly, a sustainable financial model – for The Link.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa
This business is teaching kids perseverance through skating
The Siouxer, an indoor skate park and shop on the west side of town, has been offering skateboarding lessons to kids for several years. But now, they’re bringing those lessons to even more kids through a new partnership with Terry Redlin Elementary School.
Sioux Falls SimplifiedMegan Raposa

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Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Oh, by the way

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