Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Where the **** is fall?
This week, despite virtually no public meetings, there's still a bunch of local news coming atcha. You'll see the latest crime stats, learn about the lasting impact of a local nonprofit, find ways to support kids this fall and, last but not least, get a discount code for your next egg sandwich. Oh, and don't miss our round-up of local events.
And now, news:
CITY
How police are using technology to solve crimes faster
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Police Department is taking a more hands-on approach with technology and finding ways to solve crimes in real time with the help of a dedicated control center. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- The department launched its "Real Time Information Center" in January, and it's already helped recover nearly two dozen stolen vehicles and close more than 100 police calls.
- It's not that the department is using new technology, Police Chief Jon Thum said Tuesday during a media briefing on the latest crime statistics. Rather, it's a more intentional effort to use the technology already available to officers. That includes the hundreds of traffic cameras and 25 new license plate readers around town.
- The information center is only staffed part-time, for now. But Thum said in the future he could see it grow to an entire team, as well as using even more high-tech systems that could communicate with, for example, private security systems within businesses who opt to allow police access.
"All that costs money, is where we're at, and at a time when we're basically using what we have ... that's all stuff that we have to figure out down the road which direction we want to go," Thum said.
Tell me more
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
How to support strong kids and families
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Family YMCA.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Family YMCA launched its annual Strong Kids Campaign this week with a goal of raising $150,000 to support a diverse range of programs, all of which aim to build strong kids, strong families and a stronger Sioux Falls community.
Why it matters
- The YMCA relies on donors to support programs like Camp Leif Ericson, youth sports and after-school programming – which impact more than 10,000 kids each year. No kids are turned away from YMCA activities, and that's only possible because of the generosity of the Sioux Falls community.
- In 2024, the organization distributed more than $137,000 in scholarships so kids could participate in various activities. Without those scholarships – funded by donors – hundreds, if not thousands, of kids would be left without these formative childhood experiences.
- It's also been a tough year for many nonprofits, especially with rising costs and increasingly stiff competition for limited donor and grant dollars. But a gift to the YMCA is a way to ensure all kids have access to experience the health, wellness and personal growth that comes from participating in YMCA programs.
"Everything we do is focused on making Sioux Falls stronger," CEO James Oppenheimer said. "To do that well, we need to be able to meet kids where they are and make sure our programs are accessible to everyone."
Tell me more
COMMUNITY
Why Sioux Falls Thrive's work will continue long after its closure
Simplified: Sioux Falls Thrive has been focused on ensuring kids have everything they need to be successful from cradle to career for the last seven years. The nonprofit shuttered this week, but here's a look at many of the initiatives that'll continue to benefit kids in the community for years to come.
Why it matters
- Sioux Falls Thrive was created in 2017 with the goal of preparing the future workforce of Sioux Falls by making sure kids were hitting milestones like being ready for kindergarten, reading by third grade and graduating high school.
- That also meant making sure those kids have access to stable housing, appropriate child care and reliable access to food.
- From the outset, Thrive was never intended to be in charge of a bunch of programs. Rather, the goal was to lead the charge on collaboration and create systems to encourage various entities to work together through collective action.
- But as federal funding for nonprofits diminishes, donor behaviors are changing to fit more of the immediate needs rather than invest in long-range thinking and systems-building, Thrive President Michelle Erpenbach said, and without donor support, Thrive's board made the decision to close.
"That’s long-term, upstream, really, really important work, but right now, we just need to make sure those kids are fed tomorrow," Erpenbach said. "Everything that’s happening nationally is impacting us locally, and I think you’re going to see that we’re not the only ones."
Tell me more about Sioux Falls Thrive
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Porktober is back. Downtown Sioux Falls is bringing back the Pork Showdown this month with more than 25 local restaurants bringing their bacon-y best. You can eat your way around everything from BBQ to global flavors to caramelized pork belly ice cream and then vote for your favorites on a virtual passport. See all the dishes here.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Meet your new favorite egg sandwich
This is a paid piece from Egg on a Roll.
Simplified: Egg on a Roll is bringing fresh, chef-inspired egg sandwiches to Sioux Falls at its new location at The Bridges at 57th. Here's what you need to know about the simple-but-delicious sammies so popular the business is already planning a second location in town.
Why it matters
- Egg on a Roll started in 2023 in Minneapolis by Chef Adam Bresina and quickly became a go-to eatery. Not long after opening, Sioux Falls businessman Rory Kelly came to visit and knew it was something he wanted to be a part of.
- Kelly bought the business by the end of 2023, and it's since expanded to four locations – including three in Minneapolis and one in Sioux Falls – with plans to franchise and expand even further. Kelly is planning to open a downtown location in the coming year.
- What makes Egg on a Roll's sandwiches unique is a commitment to simple, fresh ingredients prepared (if you'll indulge the pun) egg-cellently. They're not cooked with any grease – just eggs, brioche buns, homemade sauces – meant to be a tasty, easy way to get the fuel you need for your day.
"Because it's a simple concept, I think people think, 'Oh, you can get this anywhere,'" Kelly said. "You can't get anything like this anywhere else. It's very unique."
Don't just take his word for it. You can try the sandwiches yourself for 15% off using promo code "Simplified15" when you order through Oct. 31.
Tell me more
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 1-7
- Let's get farcical.* The Premiere Playhouse's Mainstage Season opens this weekend with a production of "Noises Off!" a comedy about a play literally falling apart. You can follow a hopelessly dysfunctional cast through the laugh-out-loud masterclass in theatrical disaster. Plus, it's your last chance to snag a season pass for all three Mainstage shows for under $100. Learn more and get your tickets here.
- Shop the closet sale. Several local women have banded together for a large closet sale featuring clothes of all sizes, shoes, handbags, accessories, decor, outerwear and more. It's all going down 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Canopy in the Steel District. Details here.
- Eat rad pizza. Totally Rad Pizza will be doing a pop-up pizza event at Fernson's northern Sioux Falls brewery Friday evening. The pies start slinging at 5:30 p.m. and go until they're sold out. Details here.
- Check out a giant catapult. The Jacks are taking over the Washington Pavilion with SDSU Days this weekend. Friday is mostly field trips, but all can join the free First Friday fun from 5 to 8 p.m. Then Saturday, visitors can enjoy activities like seeing a trebuchet launch t-shirts, checking out robots that work on the moon and using virtual reality to explore the globe. Details here.
- Blink...Breathe...Bloom. Move to Heal is bringing the healing power of dancing to the stage in a unique production featuring original choreography, theatrical storytelling and live music. And, 100% of the ticket sales will go to support the trauma-informed care and Move to Heal programs at The Compass Center. You've got two chances to catch the show this week. Learn more and get tickets here.
- Get spooked. The Haunted Farm in Worthing promises to be "South Dakota's scariest adventure," with a haunted barn, haunted woods and up to two hours of thrills and chills. It's all going down every weekend in October starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Details here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
*Denotes a paid partnership
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE FEEL THIS SMART?
Support Sioux Falls Simplified
Here are a few ways to ensure this smarter, easier local news outlet is here to stay:
- Forward this to a friend. Sharing is caring, and the best gifts are the ones that make your life easier – like this smarter, easier local news.
- Become a member. Consider buying into a smarter Sioux Falls by becoming a member and offering financial support to the no B.S. journalism you've been reading here.
- Give a one-time gift. Not ready to commit to a membership? That's OK! If you want to help in a smaller way, you can give a one-time gift here.
- Advertise with us. Tell the "simplified" story of your business to your target audience. Want more info? Reach out to megan@sfsimplified.com.
Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, SafeSplash Swim School, Dakota State University, Redmond Prime Cuts, Great Bear Ski Valley, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
Your feedback is extremely helpful – hit the reply button and send any news tips, typos, complaints, compliments or cups of coffee my way. ❤️
