Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
First things first: This issue is brought to you by Reach Literacy.
- Reach Literacy's annual Brewhaha event will celebrate 40 years of changing lives through literacy. The Oct. 15 event will include beer tastings, entertainment and a reflection on the incredible impact Reach's literacy programs are making in our community. Raise a glass. Turn the page. Change a story. Grab your tickets here.
Weather check: Cloudy, but warm
This week, I did my best to simplify what's going on with Smithfield and a recent judge's ruling related to their proposed pork plant in northwest Sioux Falls. Plus, find the latest on parking fees, school lunches, Great Bear expanding and a whole bunch of events. Oh, and don't forget our A Little Help campaign – it's now extended through Oct. 15 because, my golly, September got away from me.
And now, news:
CITY
What's next after judge sides with landowners in Smithfield dispute?
Simplified: A Minnehaha County judge last week sided with landowners in a case involving the City of Sioux Falls' process related to approving Smithfield Foods' new pork processing plant. Judge Ann M. Hoffman ruled that the city did not follow its own ordinances when it came to approving the conditional use permit that paved the way for a new plant in northwest Sioux Falls adjacent to Crooks. So, what happens next?
Why it matters
- The judge's ruling isn't a death knell for the Smithfield project, said Steven Haugaard, an attorney representing the petitioners. He said he likes to think Smithfield, the city, and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation are "looking at all of their reasonable options."
- But it is a setback. The judge's decision reverses the conditional use permit the council previously approved to allow the plant to be built in Foundation Park.
- City Attorney Dave Pfeifle declined comment after an executive session in which the City Council was expected to discuss the litigation on Tuesday afternoon. Legal representation from the development foundation did not respond to requests for comment.
- City Council Vice Chair Jennifer Sigette said she and fellow councilors don't yet know exactly what the next step will be, but that "there are a lot of options," including appealing the judge's decision.
"We're still looking into it," said Jim David, chief of staff for Mayor Christine Erickson, both of whom were also in the executive session, which ran over an hour Tuesday afternoon. "We should have more information in the next 24 to 48 hours."
How did we get here?
A LITTLE HELP
How food rescue is helping feed the hungriest in our community
This story is one of several in Sioux Falls Simplified's annual 'A Little Help' give-back campaign. Our goal is to raise $5,000 to support Bread Break. You can donate here, and, if you wanna support two cool things in one, we're donating a portion of new subscriber revenue as well.
Simplified: Nearly 3,000 people came to Church on the Street's food pantry last month, and the amount of food given away has nearly doubled in the last couple of years, Deacon Mara Stillson said. Without Bread Break's help in rescuing that food – that would otherwise have gone to waste – Church on the Street likely wouldn't be able to run its food pantry at all, Stillson said.
Why it matters
- Bread Break fills gaps in Sioux Falls' food security scene by rescuing food that may otherwise get thrown away and delivering it to nonprofit partners who can make good use of it.
- By having the infrastructure to deliver the food from where it isn't needed to where it is needed, Bread Break makes food giveaways like Church on the Street's possible. In total, Bread Break brings food to more than 45 receiving partners – including several food pantries and churches, as well as nonprofits who serve unhoused folks like the Union Gospel Mission, the St. Francis House, Glory House, Safe Home and The Banquet.
- Stillson said she thinks some take for granted the work Bread Break does because it makes so much sense why they do what they do, but it's important to remember this doesn't necessarily exist in other communities.
"I can't imagine what would happen if all that food was being wasted ... and if all these other partners didn't have access to the food they distribute," Stillson said. "That's just the nonprofit world – caring for one another and making sure that we share what we have. Because, there's an abundance of stuff – it's just (a matter of) getting it into the hands of the people who need it."
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Prepare to pay more for parking downtown. Parking on Phillips Avenue is likely about to get more expensive and be enforced later into the evening, according to a presentation to the City Council Tuesday afternoon.
- The city parking department is proposing increasing the parking rate to $1.75/hour on Phillips Avenue while simultaneously decreasing fees to $0.75/hour in both the 1st Avenue and 10th Street mural ramps.
- Meanwhile, they're also eyeing extending the paid parking on streets from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Parking in ramps would remain free starting at 5 p.m. on weekdays and free on weekends.
- Proposed changes would also simplify the fee structure and raise a ticket for parking too long from $10 to $15, and from $15 to $25 for "improper/prohibited" parking.
- What happens next? The proposed changes move now to the City Council for votes later this month. If approved, changes to rates in ramps would take effect Nov. 1o and other changes would go live Jan. 1, 2027.
- Nearly 1,000 kids at risk of losing free school meals. The Sioux Falls School District is looking to connect with nearly 1,000 families who previously qualified for free or reduced lunches but are at risk of losing those benefits. Changes at the federal level require families – who previously automatically qualified – to re-apply for free and reduced lunches.
- Applications can be found online. More background here:
Megan Raposa
COMMUNITY
Great Bear to expand by 20 acres with land donation
Simplified: Jeff and Tammie Broin this week announced a donation of 20 acres of land they own to the City of Sioux falls, which will expand Great Bear Recreation Park to the south. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- This isn't the first time the Broins have donated to the city. Jeff – the founder and CEO of Poet – and his wife, Tammie, also donated a total of $1.3 million to the city through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. That money, gifted in partnership with the Ashby family, helped construct an additional mile of recreation trail from Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue.
- Great Bear currently has more than 220 acres and has been a recreational destination for 60 years with winter sports and summer trails for hiking and mountain biking.
- There's no immediate plan for the additional 20 acres, according to a news release from the city, but it'll give the city more flexibility in future master planning. It'll also serve as natural conservation space in the meantime.
“Our family truly enjoys Sioux Falls and being members of this great community,” said Jeff Broin in a news release. “We think South Dakota is a unique and amazing state and Sioux Falls is a great place to live and work. It’s our hope that this land will help the city create a new recreational area that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
What happens next?
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 7-13
- Help research news deserts. A Rapid City researcher and Fulbright scholar is hosting a community discussion Thursday evening to talk about building trust in local news and supporting the ability of these outlets to keep the public informed. You can learn more about the project and the "You Can Trust Me" event Thursday evening here.
- Meet your neighbors. Neighborhood associations in central Sioux Falls are banding together to host an event Friday evening to get community members together to make connections. Food will be available for purchase from Pomegranate Market. The event will take place 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown library. Details here.
- Party at the zoo. It's the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium's first-ever 21+ Halloween event: Adult Boo. Visitors will get a chance to enjoy spooky food and drink specials, a haunted house experience and an old-timey haunted mansion photo op. Details and tickets available here.
- Catch a film. Rare by Design is hosting The Film Festival, showcasing films from around the world that highlight the talents of people with physical and developmental disabilities. It's all going down on Thursday evening. Details and tickets here.
- Puzzle competitively. Wilde Prairie Winery in Brandon is hosting a puzzle contest starting at noon on Saturday. Arrive by 12:30 to sign up, and the competition begins at 1 p.m. Details here.
- Pizza & Pumpkins. The Good Earth Farm is hosting a Pizza & Pumpkins event Saturday evening with woodfired pizza, pumpkins, craft beer, farm animals and space to relax and enjoy the prairie. Details here.
- Shop the market. Junkin' Market Days are going on Friday and Saturday at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall. Shop boutique clothing, shabby chic decor, jewelry, food, and one-of-a-kind finds. Details and tickets here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including SafeSplash Swim School, Wayne & Mary's Nutrition Center, Startup Sioux Falls, 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, The Premiere Playhouse, The Good Night Theatre Collective and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
Oh, by the way
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Special thanks to Reach Literacy!
Celebrate 40 years of changing lives through literacy at the upcoming Brewhaha event on Oct. 15 at Monick Yards. Get your tickets here.
