.jpg)
Konechne Receives 2019 Governor’s Award
Governor Kristi Noem presented the 2019 Governor’s Awards to South Dakota businesses and individuals who have made significant contributions to the employment of people with disabilities. “South Dakota ranks among the top five states in the nation in employing people with disabilities,” said Noem. “We’ve come a long way and that’s mostly due to the employers and, most importantly, the people with disabilities who show up each and every day to give their all. My administration will continue working to create employment opportunities so folks with disabilities can remain independent in their own homes and communities.” Noem proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month and encouraged businesses and employers across the state to
promote awareness and shape disability-friendly workplaces. Brad Konechne of Brookings, formerly of Kimball, encounters barriers as a result of his disability but he has found a way to directly impact the lives of others with disabilities through his work as a benefits specialist with Black Hills Special Services Cooperative. Because of his character, personality and tenacity, Konechne, left, received the Outstanding Individual With A Disability Award from Governor Noem. The 2019 Governor’s Awards ceremony was co-sponsored by the Board Of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Board Of Service To The Blind and Visually Impaired, the Statewide Independent Living Council and the South Dakota Department of Human Services.
-Submitted Photo
Public Notices
World War II Veteran
Elgin H. Thompson recently celebrated his 98th birthday. He is a World War II veteran and Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. He also received the Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge (First Award), Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, Honorable Service Lapel Button from World War II and Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation (Foreign Award). Thompson is the oldest living veteran of the Kul Wicasa Oyate/Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. The photo on the right is of Thompson at Army basic training camp in Texas in 1942.
-Submitted Photo
Click the button below to view the public notices from the November 13, 2019 edition of the Central Dakota Times.
Classifieds
Click the button below to view the Central Dakota Times Classified section for the week of November 11, 2019.
The News on Demand
Become a subscriber and receive your Central Dakota Times every week. Click "Learn More" to see our various subscription options.
Veterans Day Programs
South Dakota National Guard Staff Sergeant Courtney Totton Tyrrell was the guest speaker at a Veterans Day program held Monday, Nov. 11, at the Kiote Kanyon of Kimball School. Staff Sergeant Tyrrell talked about her deployment to Iraq. She has been in the South Dakota National Guard for 12 years, ten of which were full-time.
A Veterans Day program was hosted by the Chamberlain School District in the multi-purpose room of the high school in Chamberlain Monday, Nov. 11. Luke Scott of the South Dakota National Guard was the guest speaker.
-Janet L. Petrak and Debi Ruiz Photos
Two St. Joseph’s Employees Receive National Honors
A listening heart, respect, community outreach and involvement, volunteerism, engagement, innovation, leadership – these are the attributes shared by two long-time St. Joseph’s Indian School of Chamberlain employees that made them standouts to receive national awards at the Council On Residential Excellence Banquet in Little Rock, AR, Wednesday evening, Oct. 16. Brock Sundall of Chamberlain, left, received the Catherine Hershey Award “Educator Of The Year ” and Odis Cosgrove, also of Chamberlain, was honored as Catherine Hershey “Houseparent Of The Year.” The two have been with St. Joseph’s Indian School 18 and 19 years, respectively. Sundall’s nomination cited the fifth grade teacher’s mastery as an educator who engages students and draws them into understanding because he makes content relevant to their life experiences. Whether using the idea of a motel and its multiple levels of rooms to teach volume or explaining averages with basketball scores, Sundall has the students’ attention and
they learn. He organizes and hosts STARBASE, leads field trips and is instrumental in a regional knowledge bowl. Cosgrove was recognized for his ability to connect with a traumatized student, his strong and positive relationships with students’ families and his participation in the school’s summer outreach Bookmobile that travels to communities throughout the state. The students’
culture is a priority to Cosgrove, who, on his personal time, completes research on Native American culture and sacred sites in order to supplement the education on the topics provided by the school. He goes the extra measure to take students on field trips to these sites to build pride in the students’ understanding of their ancestry and identity.
-Submitted Photo