Dakotafire Media is gearing up to put together the 2017 Dakotafire Go Local Directory. The Go Local Directory got a good start in 2016, and we want to build on that. It’s a project that fits into Dakotafire Media’s mission: Sparking a revival in the Dakotas and beyond by encouraging conversations that help people rethink what’s happening and reimagine what’s possible. ... Read More »
The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced the appointment of a District Election Officer for both North and South Dakota—but the Dakotas’ secretaries of state say this is standard procedure. “This is normal procedure to have a plan in place—a protocol to follow if there are issues,” said South Dakota Secretary of State Krebs. In South Dakota, Assistant U.S. Attorney ... Read More »
South Dakota Secretary of State Shantel Krebs wants to see higher public awareness of the ease of voting, both absentee and in-person. South Dakotans can request an absentee ballot to be completed by mail, or they can vote absentee in-person at select locations starting 46 days before Election Day. “Our job with voter turnout is ensuring that they know the ... Read More »
Though school districts throughout the Dakotas are diverse in many ways, troubles recruiting and retaining bus drivers are not unique. “Every place I’ve worked at, we’ve dealt with issues with buses (and) transportation,” said 22-year superintendent Terry Eckstaine, who presently works in the Ethan, (S.D.) School District. Read More »
When it comes to the U.S. Postal Services’ cost for renting post office buildings in the Dakotas, price varies as much as population, and the reasons for those rental rates can vary just as much. “The government doesn’t understand these small towns ... They’ve just got a rate they pay, and they don’t adjust it for what the market will bear.” Read More »
Rural ambulance departments across the Dakotas, which have struggled for years to have enough volunteer EMTs, are hitting a tipping point: Some are not able to continue as they have for decades. Others will face decisions in the next few years. What’s changed? How will it affect rural communities? How are people thinking differently about how to treat medical emergencies in rural communities? Read More »
See a PDF version of this map here. Read More »
The percentage of snowbirds in Dakota communities is quite small, if an informal survey of Dakotafire participating newspapers is any indication: Only about 1 percent of subscribers to those newspapers change their addresses for the winter. Read More »
Are there hungry people in your community? Yes. But we may not see them because they look just like everybody else. Read More »
Many area communities now offer an option that until a few years ago was only available in larger communities: A place to exercise, with specialized machines and sometimes classes available—and no need to exercise in the cold and snow. Read More »
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