I have co-authored a book with Phil and Sandy Hamman, authors of Gitchie Girl.
Duct Tape Killer will go on sale on January 14, 2020 and will be available at the Treasure Chest in Garretson, several locations in Sioux Falls, and on-line. The authors will sign books at Barnes and Noble on January 18. Long will sign books at Reach Literacy in Sioux Falls on January 23 and January 27.
-Larry Long
DUCT TAPE KILLER
On August 27, l994 Larisa Dumansky, a young mother of two, clocked out of work from John Morrell’s about one a.m., walked to her car in the parking lot and was never seen again. The Sioux Falls Police Department spent hundreds of hours searching for her but found nothing.
On November 10, 1994, about nine p.m., Amy Anderson hit a metal object on the road while driving west of Tea. She stopped to examine her badly damaged tire. Two men driving an older maroon Monte Carlo also stopped, Amy believed, to help her change her tire. But, as she opened the trunk of her car, one of the men grabbed her and dragged her toward the ditch. Amy fought back, broke free, and ran down the road into the path of an oncoming car. The two women in that car picked Amy up and they watched the two men jump into the Monte Carlo and speed away into the dark. Amy reported the attempted kidnapping to the local police but no suspects were identified.
Then, shortly before noon on July 29, 1996, Piper Streyle disappeared from her home in rural McCook County and was never seen again. However, her two children, a three year old girl and a two year old boy, were home and saw what happened. The little girl told law enforcement that a “mean man” driving a “black car with black wheels” carried off her mother and “she is not coming back.”
Twenty years after law enforcement caught and convicted Robert Leroy Anderson (no relation to Amy Anderson) and Glen Walker for these horrific crimes, the compelling story is now a book entitled DUCT TAPE KILLER. Phil and Sandy Hamman, authors of “Gitchie Girl” and ‘Gitchie Girl Uncovered” collaborated with former South Dakota Attorney General Larry Long, one of the attorneys who prosecuted Anderson, and together wrote Duct Tape Killer.
The Blue Dragons traveled to Brookings on December 31st, 2019, to participate in the 26th Annual Michael J. Entringer Classic. The Blue Dragons took the court and battled the Elk’s from Elkton/Lake Benton, but unfortunately fell a little short in overtime 54-46.
Coach Heitkamp commented, “This is the 4th game in a row that we have gone into the final stanza with a lead or down just two points, so we need to find the confidence to finish the games moving forward. These young men are working their tails off and deserve to get into the win column…we just need to compete until the final horn sounds.”
Cooper Long led the Blue Dragons with 13 points, while Josef Zahn (13 rebounds) and Lucas Fitzgerald (7 rebounds) knocked down 11 and 10 points each. Dylan Kindt (6 assists) and Jake Schroeder added 5 and 4 points, as Cole Skadsen and Evan Bly (7 rebounds) rounded out the scoring with 2 and 1 points respectively.
Blue Dragons Take Down the Flyers
The Blue Dragons took to the road again on January 3rd, 2020, to take on the Chester Flyers.
The visiting team came out of the locker room and played four solid quarters of team basketball, which led to the first victory of the season 51-31.
“We emphasized to the kids that no matter who they are playing, they need to come out and play fundamental basketball for 32 minutes and when they do that…good things will happen,” stated Coach Heitkamp.
Dylan Kindt (6 rebounds) had a game high 12 points, as Cooper Long (4 assists) hit for 9 points of his own. Trey Buckneberg (5 rebounds) added 7 points, while Lucas Fitzgerald and Josef Zahn (12 rebounds) dented the nets for 6 points each. Jake Schroeder, Hayden Olofson, and Isaiah Gnadt rounded out the scoring with 5, 3, and 3 points.
The Blue Dragons will be back on the court January 9th, 2020, as they take on the Flandreau Fliers in the annual Big East Conference Tournament in Flandreau at 7:30pm.
Triston Rekstad, Cooper Long, Evan Bly, Brady DeBates look to stop Chester’s offensive attack. Photo by Angela Bly
C Team Unable to keep up with the C-Hawks
The Blue Dragon boys’ C team hosted the Canton C-Hawks in their first home contest of the season, coming up short by the score of 37-50.
“Unfortunately, we were shorthanded against a well-rounded Canton team,” stated coach Cory Buchholz. “After being down 17-5 after the 1st quarter, we settled down and started to find our groove to cut it to within 5 at the half. I was really proud of the way we battled back in the first half and never gave up, even after a big deficit. We need to come out ready to play for all 4 quarters of the game like we did in the 2nd quarter of this game and we will win many games this year.”
Leading the way was Eli Reed with 11 and Cadyn Ockenga with 8 points apiece. Isaiah Gnadt had another good game with 7 points and Sam Schleuter dropped down 6 points. Rounding out the scoring was Dylan Jessen with 4 and Drew Peterson 2 points, respectively.
The C team will be in action, along with the girls’ C team, in Luverne on Monday January 13th with a tip-off at 5:30.
C-Hawks “soar” past Blue Dragon JV
The Blue Dragon JV couldn’t get over the hill while falling in a back and forth battle with Canton by the score of 35 – 46.
Coach Buchholz said, “Once again, we came out flat in the 1st and 3rd quarter. I felt that we outplayed Canton 20 of the 24 minutes of the game but coming out not ready to play really hurt us. We also left 10 points off of the board by going 5 of 15 from the charity stripe and this just simply can’t happen. These are things that we will fix and be ready from the first whistle to the last.”
Josef Zahn and Brady DeBates led the scoring attack with 9 and 7 points apiece. Cooper Long, Cadyn Ockenga, and Triston Rekstad each chipped in 5 points and Evan Bly added 4 points of his own.
Blue Dragon JV too much for the Hawks from Colman-Egan
The Blue Dragon JV (2-1) took control from the opening tip and didn’t look back winning by a score of 41-17.
“This was a game where we came out knowing that we were a better team right from the start. Everything was working well and we were flying around the court from start to finish. This is the team that we have been waiting for since the season started and it really showed by outscoring C-E 24-3 in the first half,” said Coach Buchholz. “We still need to clean up our free throws, but overall I was really proud of the effort from everyone from start to finish.”
Leading the way in only 3 quarters of work was Triston Rekstad with 10 points. Cadyn Ockenga had a strong game off of the bench with 8 points and Brady DeBates followed those with 6 of his own. Evan Bly dropped in 5, Josef Zahn 4, and Isaiah Gnadt 3 points. Rounding out the scoring was Dylan Jessen and Sam Schleuter each with 2 points and Eli Reed with 1.
The Blue Dragons traveled to Chester on January 3; scores were not available at press time. In future action, the Blue Dragons will take on the Trojans from West Central on January 16 at 6:00 in the Dragon’s Lair in Garretson.
Blue Dragon JV uses balanced attack to hold off Flyers
The Blue Dragon JV (3-1) was back
on the road Friday, Jan. 3for a Big East Conference battle against
the Chester Flyers, defeating them by a score of 34-30.
“This was a game where we just
couldn’t put together a run to put away a scrappy team like Chester. We would
go up by 4 points just to have the Flyers come back down and make a 3-pointer.
We will need to start doing a better job at recognizing where the shooters are
and closing out with a hand up to make the outside shot more difficult,” said
Coach Cory Buchholz.
It was a well-rounded offensive attack by the Blue Dragons
on the way to the win. Josef Zahn, Cooper Long, and Isaiah Gnadt led the
scoring attack each with 6 points apiece. Brady DeBates and Cadyn Ockenga each
chipped in 5. To round out the scoring was Triston Rekstad and Sam Schleuter
with 4 and 2 points, respectively.
Next up the Blue Dragon JV will host the West Central
Trojans on Thursday Jan. 16 while the Blue Dragon “C” team will be heading to
Luverne, MN, on Monday Jan. 13 for a 5:30 tip-off against the Cardinals.
The annual Blue Dragon Youth Wrestling Tournament was held last Thursday, January 2 with over 200 kids participating. While it is normally an annual event, last year’s tournament had to be canceled due to weather. This may have depressed numbers some, as according to other wrestling parents, the gym is usually even more packed than it was this year.
However, turnout was still nothing to be disappointed in.
Thirty youth aged 5-12 years old from Garretson participated. The Garretson Youth Wrestling Coaches are Cody Linneweber, Colby Pierret, and Vern Miller, and the event was organized by several youth wrestling board members and parents.
Coach Linneweber was pleased with how the tournament went.
“I was very happy with how all the boys wrestled, they worked their tails off in front of a large crowd and that made us coaches very happy,” he wrote to the Gazette. “The coaches are thankful for the effort the wrestlers put in every week, as it is vital in keeping the sport of wrestling prominent in the town of Garretson.”
He also was grateful to all of the helpers.
“I also want to thank all of the volunteers that helped make the Garretson Youth Tourney a success. Whether it was in the food stand, at a table scoring, Refereeing, making brackets, taking money, or helping in other areas they made the tourney run as smoothly as it did.”
Practices are normally on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m., though that is variable based on game schedules, and most tournaments are on weekends. While there are many tournaments available, the coaches pick just a few to attend officially and allow youth to attend others if they wish.
Coach Linneweber continued, “In an end note, if any other young children in Garretson are interested in wrestling, please feel free to come to a practice or contact a coach to see if it is something that you want to pursue. Our program is headed in the right direction and the future looks bright for Garretson Wrestling.”
The JV girls got their first win on the road against the Tri-Valley Mustangs on Friday December 13. The Blue Dragons out-scored the Mustangs 29 – 14 in the first half on the scoring efforts of Molly Hulscher with three baskets in the paint and two three-point shots by Logan Bly. Garretson was able to keep the momentum in their favor into the second half and sealed the victory over the Mustangs 48 – 28. Hulscher and Madden Lardy led the scoring with twelve points each. Logan Bly added nine points and Mya Long seven in a well-rounded scoring effort.
Garretson traveled to Coleman the next day to take on the CE-Hawks. The Blue Dragons came out strong offensively and defensively to keep the CE-Hawks scoreless in the first quarter and go into the half leading 24 – 5. Garretson continued with energy in the second half and came out victorious 50-13. Leading scorers for the game were Logan Bly with eighteen points, Mattea Fiegen with seventeen points, and Mya Long netting six.
On Friday January 3rd, after a long break, the Blue Dragons were again on the road to Chester.
The Blue Dragons played a little sluggish during the first quarter but the energy returned and Garretson led at the half 24-5. The Blue Dragons team effort didn’t let up and the girls secured a victory over the Flyers 58-16 with all Blue Dragons putting points on the scoreboard. Molly Hulscher led the team with eighteen points and Mya Long with sixteen, netting three 3-pointers and going 3 for 4 from the free-throw line. Madden Lardy added seven points, Logan Bly six and Raegan Altman five points. Mattea Fiegen, Grace Hove and Anna Jones scored three, two and one point respectively.
SIOUX FALLS – Dustin Powers, the urban planner for the city of Sioux Falls, went through information for a proposed Tax Increment Funding district with Minnehaha County Commissioners at their final meeting for 2019 on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
An artists conception of what the Lloyd Companies Sioux Steel development will look like when completed shows the facilities built along the bank of the Big Sioux River between 6th St. and the Falls.
Powers was joined by Jake Quasney, the Executive VP for Development with Lloyd Companies, about plans for the Sioux Steel property near 5th and Phillips in Sioux Falls.
Although this was just a briefing and no action was taken, Lloyd Co. will eventually be looking for the area to become a TIF district to the tune of $21.5 million for that proposed development.
As Commissioner Dean Karsky explained, a TIF district “isn’t a hand-out.”
“TIF’s are broadly misunderstood,” he said. “These taxes are (still) going to be paid, and once that TIF is paid off, then the full community – county and city – get the full tax advantage.”
According to citylab.com and other sources, the way tax increment financing works, the amount of property taxes collected in the TIF district are earmarked specifically for improvements, infrastructure, and the like in that district, as opposed to being spread throughout the area governed.
This is an aerial view of the old Sioux Steel land between the Big Sioux River and Phillips Ave. Lloyd Companies of Sioux Falls is looking for the land to be part of a $24.5 million TIF district. They plan to develop the land to the north of this photo with a hotel, apartments, office and retail spaces, and a parking ramp.
This system is currently used in all states, except Arizona, for economic development.
Karskey’s comments about the benefits of a TIF district seem to be aimed at city government, after a majority of the Sioux Falls City Council agreed to spend over $20 million for a parking ramp with the now defunct “Village on the River” project, and for which they recently had to approve more money to complete.
The project, which was pushed for by former Mayor Mike Huether and approved by the city council in December 2017, was designed not as a TIF, but as a joint public and private venture.
However, last spring, the city announced that the Village River Group was in default of their contract and the city’s involvement with the project would be terminated.
The Lloyd plans for the Sioux Steel area include many of the same amenities, but it is all being done without the use of public money.
Quasney’s presentation showed the plans for a retail shopping area surrounding their parking structure, and that the ramp would connect to a hotel, offices, apartments, and a convention center via a skywalk.
He also said that the parking ramp, although privately owned, would follow city guideline for the available parking spots to be free during evenings and weekends, which he claimed would be especially desirable during summer Levitt at the Falls concerts.
Quasney had figures on the overall project cost to be over $186 million.
In 2019, the property tax bill on that land, as is, amounted to just under $57,000, but by 2040, the estimated tax bill with the development on that same land will be $2.5 million.
Commissioners seemed to approve of this future development, but, again, this was only an informational briefing, and no action was taken.
The next step for this project will be a public hearing with the Sioux Falls Planning Commission at 6 p.m. at Carnegie Town Hall.
Commissioners also voted to supplement and credit different department budgets.
The major “sticking point” came from court services, which was asking for a supplement of $335,000 to their budget for additional costs during 2019.
Minnehaha Court Services Administrator Karl Thoennes. (Photo by Dave Baumeister)
Karl Thoennes with that department explained that their largest overrun came with court-appointed attorneys, but the county commissioners asked Thoennes for more oversight during the year, and especially during the budgeting process.
As they pointed out, court services had asked for more money as a supplement every year since 2010.
While Thoennes said the department was always submitting “hopeful” budgets, Commission chair Jean Bender said, “I don’t understand ‘hopeful.’ Budgeting is budgeting.”
She pointed out that even while they were allocated a major increase in their budget in 2016, they still came in with a “shortfall” that year.
Commissioner Jeff Barth echoed the sentiments of increasing the budget to a higher amount, as it seems when court service gets more they still find ways to use more.
He likened that to a sailor gong on shore leave knowing he had a lot of money in his pocket.
But in making a motion on whether to supplement the request, Commissioner Gerald Beninga said, “I agree with all of the comments, but the bottom line is that we have no choice at this point in time… this is why we strain during the budgeting process, and we need to remember this conversation when we do it in June.”
The motion passed 5-0.
The Minnehaha Commission has its regular meetings each Tuesday at 9 a.m. on the second floor of the county administration building at 6th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls.
These meetings are open to all, and public comment is always encouraged.
Congratulations to Sara Rogich and family, who won the Holiday Lights Display contest for the Garretson Commercial Club! In this week's issue, we also have Part 2 of the Year in Review, a profile on community member Brett Williams, and the Blue Dragon Youth Wrestling Tournament returns.
There's a lot going on in our community. Keep up with all of it with the Community Events Calendar on page 4. You can download it here and have it easy to hand! Community Events Calendar
As an on-line subscriber, you are able to view extra photos, articles, and an issue of this week's paper in a flipbook format! Always feel free to contact us at if you have story ideas, letters to the editor, or questions.
Nearly one-third (29 percent) of Christmas tree fires occur in January
January 2, 2020 – If you’re having trouble parting with your Christmas tree, here’s a fact to motivate you: Nearly one-third (29 percent) of U.S. home fires that begin with Christmas trees occurs in January. With this potential fire hazard in mind, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) strongly encourages everyone to remove Christmas trees from their homes promptly after the holiday season.
“Christmas trees are combustible items that become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “The longer you keep one in your home, the more of a fire hazard it becomes.”
NFPA statistics show that Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they do occur, they’re much more likely to be serious. On annual average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to one death per 135 total reported home structure fires.
All Christmas trees can burn, but a dried-out tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds,” said Carli. “In recent years, we’ve seen tragic incidents where Christmas tree fires have resulted in deadly consequences for multiple family members, including young children.”
NFPA recommends using the local community’s recycling program for tree disposal, if possible; trees should not be put in the garage or left outside. The association also offers these tips for safely removing lighting and decorations and storing them properly to ensure that they’re in good condition the following season:
Use the gripping area on the plug when unplugging electrical decorations. Never pull the cord to unplug any device from an electrical outlet, as this can harm the wire and insulation of the cord, increasing the risk for shock or electrical fire.
As you pack up light strings, inspect each line for damage, throwing out any sets that have loose connections, broken sockets or cracked or bare wires.
Wrap each set of lights and put them in individual plastic bags, or wrap them around a piece of cardboard.
Store electrical decorations in a dry place away from children and pets where they will not be damaged by water or dampness.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
Donations can be sent to GVFD, PO Box 428, Garretson, SD 57030
Robert “Bob” Jacobson and Michelle Jacobson. They’ve operated bookeeping, tax and legal service in Garretson since 1975. This weekend, Jan. 5 they’ll be hosting a coffee and cake reception from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This party will also introduce their clients and the community to Tim Ness, who will be taking over the tax service and bookeeping side of their business.
Robert “Bob” Jacobson might just be the last local businessman to wear a suit and tie to work in downtown Garretson every day. He’s practiced law and certified public accounting with tax services since 1975, when he started his own practice here in Garretson.
“It was a different time, and fashion has changed,” he said. “When I was first out of law school it was suit and tie every day, and when we started in Garretson we’d see a lot more of it at the downtown businesses. Nowadays, I’m pretty much the only one on Main who still does.”
Jacobson is originally from Sioux Falls, and attended O’Gorman and Washington High Schools.
“It was a bookkeeping class that piqued my interest in accounting,” he said. “Then when I attended USD and majored in accounting, a professor encouraged me to look into business law. So I got a degree in accounting and a law degree. I started out with Arthur Anderson, a public accounting firm in Minneapolis, MN. Michelle and I wanted to move back to South Dakota and start a family, and I also love hunting and fishing and couldn’t do that as well in the Twin Cities. We were introduced to Garretson by John Thoreson, and it was the right fit at the right time. I’ve specialized in bookkeeping tax services as well as contract and estate law.”
If you’ve never received a handwritten note from Jacobson, then you might not know what amazing penmanship should look like. When asked about it, he chuckled and had this to say.
“Well I can use a ballpoint like everyone else, but when I need to sign something for a case or legal document, I like to do it well,” he said. “It actually goes back to my wedding, when we received a set of fountain pens as a wedding gift. I still use those pens and I have a quill and inkwell for signatures or special occasions.”
Jacobson said that he’s got a lot that he’s grateful for.
“I have had wonderful clients, and I truly appreciate them,” he said. “Good relationships that have often blossomed into a lot of friendships over the years. Many of these clients we’ve had a great deal of longevity with, and I truly appreciate their trust.”
“Over the years I’ve had a lot of appreciation for my secretaries,” he said. “Keeping notes and having to type forms, many times being self-taught. My wife Michelle has truly been the best of course, and truly kept me on course, and I could not have had the successes we’ve enjoyed without her.”
“A lot has changed over the course of the last fifty years,” he said. “Computers have changed everything. Many kids today might not know what a typewriter even is if you showed one to them. Computers have certainly changed the way everything is done. Correcting forms, carbon paper with plastic overlays, copies and fax machines, all of these things have changed just in my working lifetime.
“About four years ago, Michelle decided that she was ready to retire. I wasn’t quite ready, so I decided to keep on going without her being here full time for a while longer. With 2020 here, I think it’s finally time.”
Because of those long-time clients however, he isn’t just closing his doors. Instead he’s passing on those clients to Tim Ness, who will continue to provide the tax and bookkeeping service part of the business. The Jacobson’s will be hosting an open house coffee and cake social this Sunday, Jan. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate Bob’s retirement and to introduce Ness to their clients and to the community.
We would also be remiss not to mention Bob Jacobson’s model train collection, which has run steadily in his window for decades. Also most importantly, his long-time affiliation with the Commercial Club and downtown Christmas lights that he’s made possible all up and down Main Ave. These topics are so big , that they deserve a separate article, so look for that to appear in the Gazette in the near future.
Retirement party for Bob Jacobson & Meet and Greet with Tim Ness.
Sunday, Jan. 5th, 2020
10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Coffee & Cake
Bob will be retiring after 44 years of legal
practice and tax services in Garretson.
Tim Ness will be taking over the tax service
side of the business. So come celebrate
with Bob and meet Tim on Jan. 5, 2020.
No gifts please.
Mary Ann Carlson was the winner of the handmade bull whip made by Todd Kringen. The Garretson Area Historical Society drew a winner for this fundraising raffle during the Hometown Christmas events on Dec. 14, 2019. Many folks have made the joke that now she’s got the right tool to keep the rest of the folks at First Bank & Trust in Garretson in line, as well as being able to make sure her husband Steve behaves. There are also unsubstantiated rumors that she plans to bring the whip to the upcoming annual meeting of the Garretson Area Commercial Club, and that’s how she plans to deal with members should they fail to do their civic duty and nominate a new secretary for the club.
Correction: Also, we made a mistake in the last issue regarding the Historical Society photo of the aluminum Christmas tree. Our editor miss-heard, and the tree is actually 60 years old, not 100. It was the 60th anniversary of the company and this tree is that age, with the price on the box reading $4.98.
