Happy Friday! Megan here.

First things first: This issue is sponsored by Voyage Federal Credit Union.

  • Voyage Federal Credit Union is celebrating International Credit Union Day on Oct. 19 with an event for members. Pick up a free 2024 calendar, find treats, snacks at all branches, and the main branch at 3823 S. Kiwanis Circle will host the Let Me Be Frank food stand. Members get a $5 meal voucher. Learn more about becoming a member here.

Weather check: Warming up with potential storms today

This weekend, I've got a roundup of fall festivities, as well as a look at upcoming events in the next week. You'll also find a report on where Sioux Falls kids are going after they graduate, and a roundup of some Super Simplified Stories.

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

Where to find fall fun in Sioux Falls

Simplified: It's the beautiful time of year between sweltering heat and snow, and there are a lot of fall activities to pack into the season. Here's a "simplified" roundup of where to find all sorts of fall fun in the region.

When the lighting is right, and you have your camera with you, you take some pretty pictures of your annual trip to the pumpkin patch in Southeastern Michigan.
Photo by Maddy Baker / Unsplash

Where can I see fall leaves?

If you're up for a bit of a drive:

Where can I find pumpkins?

Where can I find family friendly events and a good spook?

Find a full list here.

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

  • Big changes coming to the bus system. The City of Sioux Falls is switching things up when it comes to transit management services. The current agreement with First Transit/Transdev expires at the end of the year, and starting in January, a company called Via will take over. Details are still in negotiation, and the city says big changes won't happen right away in 2024, but we're expected to get more information in November.
  • Local teacher named S.D. Teacher of the Year. George Hawkins, a social studies teacher at Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls, has been named the 2024 South Dakota Teacher of the Year. He is in his twelfth year of teaching. His classes focus on project-based learning, which means he teaches by assigning history-related projects to his classes.
  • Avera to have footprint in Foundation Park. Avera Health on Thursday announced plans for a 330,000-square-foot building for supply distribution and other integrated services including a print shop, pharmacy services, home medical equipment distribution and the biomedical engineering department. The facility will be in partnership with global health care solutions company Owens & Minor. Site work will begin this fall with plans to open in spring 2025.
  • Get a look at the new clubhouse. The city in partnership with Landscapes Golf Management, Inc. is hosting a public meeting Wednesday to share progress and get feedback on the new clubhouse planned for Elmwood Golf Course. The doors will open at 5 p.m., and a presentation of the design by Stone Group Architects begins at 5:30 p.m., with Q&A to follow until 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Elmwood Clubhouse (2604 West Russell Street).

EDUCATION

Where Sioux Falls kids go after graduation

Simplified: About 7 in 10 Sioux Falls School District graduates goes on to postsecondary school within six years of earning a diploma, and most of them are staying in-state, according to data presented to the school board on Monday.

Photo by Joshua Hoehne / Unsplash

Why it matters

  • About 60% of graduates enroll in college right away, whether it's a two-year or four-year program.
  • As expected, everyones paths divide quite a bit after that, but six years after graduation, more than 70% of district graduates have enrolled in at least some college, with two-thirds of those earning a degree.
  • Seven of the top 10 colleges these students enroll in after high school are in South Dakota, with the top three as the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University and Southeast Technical College, which saw its highest ever enrollment this year, Superintendent Jane Stavem said.
"Those are good signs," Stavem said. "We wondered what would happen with kids postpandemic, and it looks like things are starting to go in a good direction."

Tell me more about where kids go

EVENTS

Stuff to do: Sept. 29-Oct. 6

  • Light the Night.* The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invites you to attend the 5th annual South Dakota Light the Night event at Falls Park, Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, Sept. 30. Celebrate, honor, and remember those touched by cancer and enjoy an evening of family-friendly activities, food trucks, kids zone, and music along with an inspirational ceremony and a short walk with illuminated, meaningful lanterns held high. Plus, the evening ends with fireworks!​ More details here.
  • Get nerdy with it. It's SiouxperCon weekend at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Join the cosplay contest, see panels, play video, board and RPG games, and find fun for the whole family. (You can even win a wedding from Reverie Events, which, full disclosure, is owned by my little sister.) Find all the details here.
  • Dance it out. Joy Collective Yoga Studio is hosting a Silent Disco Monday night at the Full Circle Book Co-op. For $15, you can come, put on headphones, and dance your heart out. Details and tickets here.
  • Have fun under the sea. The Premiere Playhouse is putting on The Little Mermaid this weekend. Catch a matinee performance, and you can go to a tea party with princesses beforehand, and for the Oct. 7 performance, the Butterfly House and Aquarium is bringing its "Ocean in Motion" exhibit where guests can see marine life up close before seeing the show. Tickets here.
  • Cheer on the 'yotes. It's D-Days down in Vermillion all week long. Celebrate the University of South Dakota and cheer on the Coyotes. Find more details and events here.
  • Rise and shine with startups. Learn about evolving family business with Anthony Saigh of Burwell Enterprises and Riccardo Tarabelsi of Vinyahd Restaurant Group. The event starts at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Startup Sioux Falls. Grab a free ticket here.

ICYMI

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THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this weekend:

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Reach out

What story do you want to see simplified? Falling for something local? Send any news tips, attaboys, missed typos or apple cider to megan@sfsimplified.com.

Thank you

Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Sioux Empire United Way, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, Midco, the Great Plains Zoo, the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance and Voyage Federal Credit Union. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.

Special thanks to Voyage Federal Credit Union!

Celebrate International Credit Union Day! Not a member yet? You can learn more here about your options for all of your finance needs.