Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Hot, smokey and potentially stormy
This week, you'll learn about how the city council is looking to add more nuance and 'complexity' to a proposed crack-down on encampments. And on a much lighter note, you'll find some happy news for local shelter pets, plus a plethora of events to help you soak up every last drop of summer. And don't miss a few Super Simplified Stories to carry you into the rest of the week.
And now, news:
CITY
How changes add nuance to proposed encampment ban
Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council voted to significantly change a proposal to crack down on encampments. The changes add a bit more "complexity," as Councilor Rich Merkouris put it, by requiring the city to take steps to connect unhoused folks with local service providers before taking down any temporary shelters.
Why it matters
- The proposed ordinance passed first reading last week after about an hour of public testimony, largely asking the council not to pass something that could make life harder for people without permanent housing.
- The amended ordinance requires the city to make an effort to connect the person living in the temporary shelter with a local service provider. It also stipulates that police coordinate storage for any personal items found in encampments for at least 30 days.
- Tuesday's discussion also prompted an hour and a half of public input from more than two dozen individuals, as well as an emotional council discussion in which Merkouris shared his own experiences as a law enforcement chaplain who presided over a few funerals for people who died while experiencing homelessness.
"This is personal for me," Merkouris said. "This is why I ran for city council, was the issue of homelessness."
Tell me more
COMMUNITY
How a small, local pet shop is donating $100K in dog food
Simplified: Roxi & Co, a Sioux Falls pet shop, last week brought in $100,000 worth of dog food thanks to the generosity of NutriSource, a third-generation family business based in northern Minnesota. Here's how the two local businesses worked together to fill a need in the community.
Why it matters
- Local animal shelters have been particularly strapped lately with rising costs of both pet food and veterinary care, all amid an increase in surrenders. That's part of the challenge Roxi & Co's store manager was describing to the folks over at NutriSource when she was asking for a donation to support local rescues.
- The ask came at a good time, said Sabrina O'Brien, corporate communications specialist for the Minnesota company, because NutriSource just happened to have some inventory it needed to offload at a deeply discounted rate anyway. So when Roxi & Co asked for some support, they responded, "How much room do you have?"
- Quite a bit of room, it turns out. Last week, Roxi & Co. received 28 pallets of dog food, which amounts to more than 33,000 pounds of food, all of which will be distributed to animal shelters in the area.
"It blew us out of the water," Roxi & Co Owner Telly Rollinger said. "We were just hoping for a handful of bags, and they called and sent that many pallets."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Feel like a kid again.* Remember how simple life was at summer camp as a kid? Enjoying nature, meeting new friends, campfires? Well, here's your chance to relive the childlike joy of a camp experience (but this time with adult beverages). Sign up for Camp Leif Ericson's Big Vikes event taking place on Saturday, Aug. 23. Your ticket includes access to goat yoga, campfire cooking classes, food and drinks. Only here for the zipline? That's OK too. Sign up here.
- New whip or nah? The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday voted to advance a proposal to spend $8 million to purchase motor graders (i.e. the vehicles that clear snow from streets) instead of leasing them, as the city has historically done. But after some tense discussion Tuesday night, it's likely that plan will be amended to roll the $8 million decision over to the broader 2026 budget talks. For context, the proposal comes amid other belt-tightening.
- Get reading. The South Dakota State Library is inviting residents to participate in "Read 250," a special program dedicated to an appreciation of American History as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary next year. There's a variety of challenges, and you can join the program either individually or as a group. Learn more here.
- Chat about transportation plans. You've got a chance this afternoon to voice your thoughts on all things transit at a public meeting about Go Sioux Falls 2050, the region's Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The draft plan, available here, looks at potential projects related to all types of transportation – biking, walking, driving, rail, transit and air. You can stop by the meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at First Lutheran Church. More details here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Aug. 13-19
- Hit the trails. The city parks department is hosting a "Trailgating Festival" (you read it right) at Great Bear Recreation Park Friday evening. You can enjoy yard games, a bouncy obstacle course, a self-guided scavenger hunt, live music, a campfire and s'mores. There's also a cornhole tournament for the 18+ crowd. Get the details here.
- Read all about it. Rose & Eugene Presents is teaming up with What Sara Reads' mobile book store for a jazzy reading event Saturday. You can enjoy some brunchy bites and mimosas while you browse, make your own bookmark and cozy up in an outdoor reading lounge. It's all going down from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details here.
- Treat yo' self (and your pup). It's a big week for the dogs of Sioux Falls. Stensland Family Farms is handing out free pup cups Thursday evening as part of their Dog Days of Summer event at the 41st Street location.
- Get puzzled. Shepherd's Table is hosting a puzzle race at Remedy Brewing Company kicking off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. It's free to join with a suggested donation of $10 per team to support the work of Shepherd's Table, a queer-inclusive Christian community. Four people max per team, and you can register here.
- Rescue food. Sioux Falls Thrive and the Community Food Security Network are working to save local produce from going to waste and feed the hungry all at once. They're meeting up at Wesley United Methodist Church Wednesday morning to glean and process the food so it can get to those who need it most. Details and volunteer sign-up here.
- Join the Tea party. It's Saturday in the Park this weekend at Tea City Park. You'll find live music, food trucks, bouncy houses, local vendors and more. Details here.
- Kick back with some music. The Kickback is putting on an album release show at Icon Saturday night to promote their "Hit Piece" record. Tickets start at $20 in advance, and you can snag those here.
- Get a little bit country. The Hello Hi is transforming into the Howdy Hey this Thursday for its annual honky tonk event. The vibe is country music, BBQ and prizes for those in their best cowboy (cow-person? is there a gender-neutral cowboy term?) attire. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
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Mayor Paul TenHaken and the eight-member city council heard from dozens of people opposing Gov. Larry Rhoden’s new “Operation Prairie Thunder.”
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This nonprofit will help kids learn how to learn
A new nonprofit aims to get more middle schoolers from underserved communities on an honors trajectory by providing mentorship and tutoring in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. Meet STEM the Gap.
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