Happy Homecoming Week! We are celebrating the lead-up to the Homecoming game with coronation and activities schedules. Plus, natives restoration progress and timelines for our local parks; census information showing Garretson population; Red Hats, Hall of Fame, an update on fall sports, and more!
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Happy Homecoming Week! We are celebrating the lead-up to the Homecoming game with coronation and activities schedules. Plus, natives restoration progress and timelines for our local parks; census information showing Garretson population; Red Hats, Hall of Fame, an update on fall sports, and more!
You can receive your newspaper through email!
The Garretson Gazette sends a weekly email letting you know when this week's issue is available, along with a run-down of each week's articles. Please ensure you enter our email address () into your "safe emails" list and subscribe to our email newsletter using the form below. Thanks!
School has barely started, but Homecoming is next week already! Coronation will be at the Football Complex Monday the 4th at 7 p.m. with Powder Puff to follow. GHS Jesse James Invitational Cross Country run is at 4 p.m. on Tuesday Sept. 5th and GHS Soccer starts at 5 p.m. that same day. With the homecoming parade and community pep-rally beginning at 1:30 p.m., the GHS Football homecoming game is Sept. 8th at 7 p.m. The Garretson Ambulance will be hosting a tailgate party at 6 p.m. at the field before the game.
//Photo submitted by Heidi Costello
Pictured here are our 2023 Homecoming Candidates. Front row; Blaine Trower, Kaylin Koch, Ben DeLoera, Tyler Edmundson, and Caleb Westerbur. Back row; Sydney Olson, Bryn Swatek, Hannah Frewaldt, Adisynn Fink, and Treyton Chester.
On Saturday, August 26, the Minnehaha County SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team were called out to the area of 484th Ave and 256th St just south of Garretson for a domestic assault. After a multi-hour standoff, 53-year-old Chad Achterberg of Garretson was arrested.
According to the Sheriff's Department, officers were initially called out to the residence mid-afternoon around 2:53 p.m. for a report of domestic assault with a weapon. Upon their arrival, Achterberg allegedly was alone and produced a compound bow and arrow set for the officers, after which they departed. The bow was allegedly outfitted with a fixed blade arrow, which is a razor-blade arrow meant for big game hunting.
The officers were called back a short time later when a report came through that Achterberg was pointing the weapon at passing vehicles. At that time, the department called in the SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams, and Achterberg barricaded himself in the residence. According to reports, he fired the weapon and threw liquids at the vehicles during the standoff, which lasted nearly twelve hours and caused traffic to be re-routed. Liquids included items from mustard and milk to radiator fluid and brake fluid. The department alleged that Achterberg fired the weapon at the SWAT vehicle, a BearCat, at least twice.
Eventually, Achterberg was apprehended and booked into the Minnehaha County Jail. At the time of booking, he was charged with six state felony charges, including resisting arrest, felony intentional damage to property, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. As of press time, he remained in jail on a $50,000 bond for assault on a law enforcement officer.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department was assisted by the Sioux Falls Police Department, Highway Patrol, a Park Ranger from Palisades State Park, and the Brandon Fire Department.
When looking to keep neighbors, and the community, safe, where is the line between a neighborhood watch and vigilante justice? When is it useful, and when does it go too far?
For Valerie Johnson, having her likeness posted on social media under accusations of camping on a public street, sex trafficking, and other suspicious activity when she was visiting her daughter a few weeks ago was definitely going too far.
"I'm from Garretson, my daughter lives in Garretson, and to be accused like this was [awful]," Johnson said in an interview with the Gazette. "Garretson Living, and Garretson in general, says it wants to be a welcoming place, but this was the opposite of welcoming."
For Johnson, who has been traveling the United States in a white van conversion and did not have a profile on Facebook until very recently, it was a surprise to have people inform her that photos of her and her vehicle had been posted online with a post asking who it was, and comments that insinuated she should be suspect. She said the neighbor who posted was not kind in her approach to Johnson, initially yelling across the street instead of striking up a conversation.
The advent of social media has been a double-edged sword, with its highs and lows. Suddenly, people with unusual or rare conditions could band together and commiserate or educate, lonely people could find friends in far-flung places, and communities could have discussions in more places than the local cafe and disseminate information very quickly.
Unfortunately, it has come with its downsides, too. People entered a world where things could seemingly be "said" aloud without immediate consequences, those with extreme beliefs could find them corroborated instead of dismissed, and humans making mistakes could find themselves monkey-piled.
Much of what is said on social media is protected under the First Amendment unless it leads to a crime, such as vandalism, said Sergeant Mason Braun of the Minnehaha Sheriff's Department.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't come without consequences. While most studies of social media's effects have revolved around teenagers and young adults, showing an increase in bullying and depression among those who use the platforms most heavily, negative effects can occur for adults, as well.
"She (the neighbor) posted pictures, my exact location, and there were people on there just feeding it," Johnson said. While the truth did eventually come through, and the post was deleted by moderators, after she learned of it the feelings of anger and fear only grew stronger for Johnson. She wondered what could have happened if she'd been later targeted by someone with violent intentions because of the post. She felt violated, and betrayed by a community that otherwise portrays itself as neighborly, welcoming, and a place to visit.
While it's important to watch out for your neighbors, a simple conversation can go a long way. And even though posts on Facebook and the actions of Garretson residents have helped break crime rings wide open or solve cases, it's not the best way to approach suspicious activity, according to Sgt. Braun.
Contacting your local law enforcement at the non-emergency number (605) 367-7000 is the best way to report suspicious activity, not posting on social media. //Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com
"How you approach people does impact things," said Sgt. Braun. "Asking is better than yelling."
He pointed out that if something suspicious is occurring, the best thing to do is to call the non-emergency number, not post about it on social media. He pointed out that the sheriff's office does make themselves available in a non-criminal way to help people, and that while communication has gone more online, a phone call is still far more effective.
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"We need to all be working together with all aspects of a community," Sgt. Braun said. While the department monitors local social media fairly closely, if there's a problem, they can't know unless someone tells them. He continued by noting the deputies can help mediate neighbor disputes, and they are more than willing to take the time to do that. An officer is rarely more than twenty minutes away; while they have around 6 contracted patrol hours in Garretson each day, they also have a deputy that monitors just the east side of the county at all hours.
"We're there when needed," Sgt. Braun said.
An officer did check on Johnson while she was in town. She thought it odd that he asked if there was also a man in the vehicle, as she hadn't seen the post at that time, but the deputy went on his way soon after.
While an often-given answer for "feeler"-type posts on social media is to keep the community safe, especially from potential criminals, there does come a point where it crosses into vigilante territory.
"Hate speech is protected, but doing an act in furtherance of that speech is a crime," Sgt. Braun said. This act could be anything from vandalism to assault.
Despite it not being a criminal activity, posting to ruin another's reputation strays into defamation, which is the act of damaging someone's reputation in a written or spoken way, and a poster can potentially be sued for damages. Cornell Law School notes that the line between opinion and fact can be vague and difficult to prosecute, but that "many states treat certain types of claims as defamatory outright if false such as accusing someone of committing a crime or accusing someone of a corrupt act."
//Courtesy National Neighborhood Watch website
Sgt. Braun reiterated that reports from the community are best sent directly to the sheriff's office so they can be investigated, especially if suspected criminal acts may be involved.
In a 2020 report from KELO on kidnappings, Sioux Falls City Police Information Officer Sam Clemens pointed out that most victims know their kidnappers. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), nonfamily kidnappings, where children are taken by either a stranger or someone known but not related, are only 1% of all cases. In cases of sex and human trafficking, perpetrators often find their victims on-line, not by outright kidnapping.
"Tactics used by recruiters, traffickers and their associates are often the same tactics used by batterers and can mirror dynamics of domestic violence," said SafeHorizon.org, a website dedicated to assisting victims of trafficking in New York City.
The NCMEC is more direct. "When youth feel like they are not loved, supported in their identity and voice, or like they don’t belong they become ever more vulnerable to unsafe situations. Traffickers are masters of manipulation and prey upon vulnerabilities using psychological pressure, false promises [sic] actions of perceived love/support and intimidation to control and sexually exploit the child for their benefit." The site points out that often, children who are victims of trafficking come from backgrounds with little social support, may feel ostracized, or have run away from home.
While it has been mentioned as something people would like, a Neighborhood Watch program is not officially established in Garretson. However, the Neighborhood Watch website states clearly that the program should be undertaken with local law enforcement in collaboration, as it requires commitment, training, meetings, and patrols.
Part of that training includes how to report suspicious activity effectively. It "does not advocate watch members taking any action when observing suspicious activity in their neighborhood," according to the official website. "Community members only serve as the extra 'eyes and ears' and should report their observations of suspicious activities to their local law enforcement. Trained law enforcement should be the only ones ever to take action; citizens should never try to take action on those observations."
"People need to evaluate what's going on, and not spread rumors or create fear and drama," said Johnson.
Administrating a Facebook group requires a quick learning curve, especially when that group goes semi-viral. When I created Garretson Living in 2014, my goal was to bring the community together, get to know their neighbors, provide a watering hole for discussions and information, and a place that businesses could use to help keep residents shopping local.
One would say that goal was not only reached, but exceeded expectations.
The group had several hundred members almost immediately, and had 3,000 members by 2018. Now, it's almost 5,000 strong.
Part of its success was due to the group's structure- it is public, seen by everyone, and posts could be shared.
I was soon joined by one moderator, then two, as the group began exploring everything from whether a Dollar General should be allowed in city limits and how much local business advertising was too much, to lost pets and children. The group has been used for answers to many questions, and to forewarn people about road conditions or closures.
To say it is wide-ranging is an understatement.
However, like all social media, Garretson Living has been a double-edged sword. The moderators and admin of the group have dealt with threats and insults to their person, have had to moderate arguments, suspend or ban repeat offenders, and have had to delete many questionable posts and comments. Leaders in the community have had to deal with being offended, questioned, and wondering why this group has to continue to exist.
When I stepped back from administrating the group in 2021, it came after many sleepless nights, asking myself if I had made the right decisions for the group. While experts say that's the mark of a good leader, I was having a hard time detaching myself from it emotionally, and knew it was time to be done. I also knew that I was leaving it in good hands, and that most members would help admin keep the group on the right track.
And they have. While not everyone may agree, I believe the current moderators have done the best they can, while also being involved with families, jobs, hobbies, and everything that comes with being a member of society, in a space where they're unpaid volunteers.
Some things I learned along the way:
First, there's never going to be a decision that pleases everyone. We all have different tastes, opinions, and levels of tolerance for one thing or another.
Second, everyone is human. We all make judgement calls, decisions in poor taste, and say things we may come to later regret.
Third, we have to do our best not to hide behind a keyboard. Yes, that's rich, coming from someone who spends hours and hours a week writing behind a keyboard. But part of owning a newspaper is talking to members of our community, constantly. In person. On the phone. And over email. It provides a connection that allows us to re-shape our perspectives, and helps to keep us from potentially saying something that may unintentionally be taken badly (again, since we are still human, it isn't perfect). But we do our best not to hide behind the keyboard when crafting stories.
The group is public. It's easy to forget that, since it is used almost exclusively by Garretson residents, despite its just under 5,000-member size. Posts and comments can be seen by many different entities. That comes with its pros and cons. But we have to remember, that what is said on Garretson Living is like speaking loudly in the town square- you don't know who's going to overhear, or what consequences could come from being overheard.
This means it's important to remember that online entries, such as Facebook posts, impacts people in the real world, too.
Lane Ellefson of Garretson and Tayden Hansen of Baltic teamed up for their second year of team roping in the South Dakota 4-H Rodeo. The pair of cowboys along with other local 4-H members competed in several 4-H Regional Rodeos beginning in Sioux Falls in May to Clark, SD in late July.
Lane Ellefson and Tayden Hansen waiting for their turn in the rodeo. //Photo submitted by Jill Fedders-Ellefson.
Competitors needed to earn 4th place at a Regional Rodeo to qualify for the State Finals. Lane and Tayden punched their ticket in Chamberlain qualifying to go on to the State Finals. The 4-H State Finals Rodeo was held on August 18-20, 2023 in Fort Pierre.
There were over 800 competitors in the Junior and Senior level. Lane the header and Tayden the heeler caught their steer in the first round with both horns and both heels and placed 8th in the round out of 60 teams. They weren’t quite as lucky in the 2nd round and did not receive a time, knocking them out of the running for the average.
The pair also qualified for the State High School Rodeo last spring. They have really improved in their sport since they started in the previous year. It was a successful season for them. Ellefson is a Junior this fall in Garretson High School and Hanson is starting his education at Mitchell Tech.
Pictured: Lane Ellefson and Tayden Hanson leaving the box after their first round steer. //Photo submitted by Jill Fedders-Ellefson.
BROOKINGS — An executive for a carbon dioxide pipeline company said during a debate Tuesday evening that eminent domain is “a tool of absolute last resort.”
Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, vice president of government and public affairs for Navigator CO2, debated state Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, at the Dacotah Bank Event Center. Hansen is a critic of Navigator’s proposed pipeline and another pipeline proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions, both of which would capture carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants in multiple states and transport the gas in liquid form to be injected underground or sold for industrial use.
Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, vice president of government and public affairs for Navigator CO2, at left, debates state Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, on Aug. 22, 2023, at the Dacotah Bank Event Center in Brookings as moderator Sara Frankenstein looks on. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight).
Eminent domain is a legal process for gaining access to land when a landowner won’t grant it. Summit is pursuing dozens of eminent domain actions in court for its project, while Navigator has not yet used eminent domain and has said it has voluntary land-access agreements – called “easements” – with about 30% of affected landowners in the state.
When asked if Navigator could guarantee it won’t use eminent domain, Burns-Thompson said that can’t be promised in every circumstance.
Hansen said the initial letters the company sent out threatened eminent domain.
Burns-Thompson did not address that allegation during the debate. She told South Dakota Searchlight later that “we are required to explain how eminent domain works in Iowa in those initial notice letters,” and the company decided those letters should be consistent everywhere, “in the name of transparency.”
Hansen said when eminent domain is hanging overhead, “no matter how you slice it, that’s not a voluntary negotiation, that’s coercion.”
The debate drew a crowd of hundreds — mostly landowners opposed to the project who cheered for Hansen. The debate was organized by The Dakota Scout, the South Dakota Federation of Republican Women, and the Sioux River Republican Women.
Hansen also attacked the motivation for carbon pipeline projects.
“I would describe this project as a boondoggle,” he said, adding that the only reason for the project is federal tax credits. The credits incentivize the removal of heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, where it contributes to climate change.
Burns-Thompson countered, reminding the audience that the tax credits have been around since 2008 and were expanded under former President Donald Trump. Congress and President Joe Biden upped the credits last year to $85 per metric ton of carbon sequestered annually, making Navigator’s Heartland Greenway pipeline potentially eligible for up to $1.5 billion in annual credits.
Burns-Thompson described ethanol – which is made from corn to be mixed with gasoline – as more than a fuel. She mentioned its byproducts, including distillers grains, which can be used as livestock feed.
“What’s left?” she asked the crowd. “That CO2.”
Burns-Thompson said by creating a market for ethanol’s carbon byproduct, ethanol will be more successful.
“That’s going to take markets,” she said, referring to states like California, which are demanding cleaner fuels. “That’s going to take infrastructure.”
Hansen, who described himself as a “big fan of ethanol,” said those markets are already shifting to electric vehicles.
“We shouldn’t be appeasing to those people,” Hansen said, criticizing their “leftist climate agenda.”
Burns-Thompson told South Dakota Searchlight that the company accepted the debate invitation because it believes in transparency and open communication.
Navigator has already had a lengthy hearing before the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and is awaiting a decision on its permit application. The commission will begin a hearing for Summit Carbon Solutions on Sept. 11.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
The Public Utilities Commission will decide at a later date whether it will overrule county zoning officials on behalf of a carbon pipeline company.
Friday, August 25 marked the second day of a two-day hearing in Pierre on the question of county authority, brought by Navigator CO2 Ventures, the company behind one of two proposed carbon pipelines that might pass through South Dakota.
Navigator wants commissioners to shoot down county-level restrictions on pipeline construction its representatives say are untenable. On the first day, a Navigator official named Monica Howard said the rules in Minnehaha and Moody counties represent uniquely targeted attempts to scuttle pipeline projects that backers see as critical to the future of the Midwest’s ethanol industry. Howard testified that the county ordinances amount to 11th-hour rule changes to the permitting process.
Navigator’s Heartland Greenway project and a similar pipeline pitch from Summit Carbon Solutions would move pressurized carbon gas from ethanol plants for underground sequestration. That would allow for ethanol sales in states with low carbon requirements and open up billions in federal tax credits for the pipeline companies.
On Friday, Commissioner Gary Hanson pushed Howard on the right of counties to manage their land use, and questioned her on how Navigator could characterize county zoning rules passed in 2023 as unexpected.
The pipelines have been controversial in South Dakota. Several bills aiming to regulate carbon pipelines appeared in the Legislature in 2023, and counties along the route have heard citizen complaints about safety and land rights for more than a year.
“It’s extremely difficult to understand how a business the size of Navigator, with all the personnel that you say are involved, could possibly have not seen this (coming) when hundreds of people were turning out and demanding that some government entity pass some rules,” Hanson said.
Howard said counties dismissed her company’s suggestions based on “an established, vetted route” that complies with federal regulations and instead passed “arbitrary setbacks” for homes, schools, churches and cities.
“I’m not saying counties can’t or shouldn’t enact regulation, but not at this point,” Howard said.
Most of the day was taken up by testimony from county zoning officials from Minnehaha and Moody counties. Each testified that pipeline companies were offered ample opportunities to give feedback. In Moody County, Planning Director Kendra Eng said, the company had the same amount of time as anyone else at its pipeline ordinance meetings.
The PUC did not make a decision on the question of preempting county ordinances on Friday.
The commission directed lawyers for both sides to prepare legal briefs on the issue, and to file them by Tuesday. The PUC has pledged to make its decision on Navigator’s pipeline permit application, and on the preemption question, by Sept. 6.
South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence.
