Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warming back up a little bit
🗞️ Cool thing: It's National Newspaper Week! And, if you'll join me in ignoring the pedantic technicalities of newsprint vs. digital news, we oughta celebrate. Sioux Falls Simplified is here to be your local news source – no paper needed.
- I'm out there going to the public meetings, asking the tough questions of public officials, sharing and documenting the stories that make our community great.
- A big goal of mine in the next year is to really bridge the gap between our elected leaders and you, the people they serve. That includes some BIG, big plans for covering next June's city election. Can you help me make all of this cool stuff happen?
This week, you'll get a look at how the city is planning to expand bike trails in the future. You'll also find an update on the new juvenile justice center, which is expected to open later this month. Plus, find tons of Super Simplified Stories and so many spooky (and not spooky) events, it'll make your head spin.
And now, news:
CITY
Where the city is looking to expand, fix up bike trails
Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday got an update on the city's recreation trail system, including updates on expansions underway as well as improvements to come in the next couple of years.
Why it matters
- Sioux Falls has more than 44 miles of trails, and there are plans to continue expanding and creating more connectivity across town as the city grows.
- Many of the plans for future expansion align with the city's Bicycle Plan, which was approved by the City Council in 2023. That plan, in conjunction with a 2022 ordinance requiring developers to account for the future bike trail plans, gives "teeth" to the parks department's work in expanding trails, Park Development Manager Mike Patten said.
- Right now, there are three main priorities for expansion: the Cherry Creek corridor on the northwest side of town, the Big Sioux River corridor connecting Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue, and the Eastside corridor north of Arrowhead Parkway out to the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.
- And, in the long-term, there's a chance the east-side trail could go even farther east and connect to trails in Brandon, Patten said.
"I think we all want to see it happen," Patten said, explaining the jurisdictional and logistical challenges. "It's just something that's going to take some time."
Tell me more about the work going on right now
COUNTY
As new juvenile justice center readies to open, Minnehaha County plans for future growth
Simplified: A new, $42 million juvenile justice center is expected to open later this month, according to county officials. And as the project came in under budget, the county is also looking at adding on even more space for the future.
Why it matters
- Discussions about the need for more space where kids who've committed crimes can be safely detained started several years ago, with plans for building a brand new facility dating back to 2022.
- Today, the first phase of the new facility is nearing completion, with plans to open later this month, according to Tom Greco, administrative officer for the Minnehaha County Commission.
- The project, which was initially pitched as a $50 million ordeal, is coming in under budget. That led commissioners on Tuesday to approve spending another $1.6 million to create shell space for future expansion to include courtroom and administrative space. That brings the total price tag to about $42.3 million.
"The intent is to build it now so when we do need it – and we know we’ll need it years down the road – it is there, and then the cost to deal with it will be significantly less," Greco told commissioners Tuesday morning.
Tell me more
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
These swim lessons meet your kid where they are
This is a paid piece from SafeSplash Swim School.
Simplified: When Jena Burgess first put her daughter, Maddie, in swimming lessons at SafeSplash Swim School, she wasn't comfortable around the water and didn't want to get her face wet. Now, three years later, Maddie will jump in with no hesitation and swim across the pool, and it's all thanks to consistent lessons at SafeSplash Swim School.
Why it matters
- SafeSplash's entire model is based on consistency, Owner Dan Sobocinski said. Kids come weekly at a consistent time, with a consistent teacher and work on the skills they need to know how to act safely in and around water.
- That consistency also allows kids to progress at their own pace in a safe, comfortable setting. Students remain in a certain level only for as long as it takes to demonstrate competency, and then they move up whenever they're ready.
- SafeSplash's small class sizes – never more than four kids in one group – also mean everyone gets individualized instruction and one-on-one attention, which Burgess said was especially important in helping her daughter overcome her fears.
"That's key for me – having someone a face that I recognize, that my daughter recognizes," Burgess said. "She was very anxious around the water, and having someone in there she can trust was the biggest piece for me."
Tell me more about SafeSplash
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- City looks at new rules for saving money. The city finance committee met Tuesday to discuss potential changes to requirements for how much money the city keeps in reserves for capital projects and for the general fund. The idea is to write into policy what's already happening in practice, according to Finance Director Shawn Pritchett. And keeping a little extra cash on hand will also help the city weather years like this one when sales tax doesn't keep up with budgeted projections.
- Sharpen your critical thinking skills.* Augustana University's third annual Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Hamre Recital Hall. The event is designed to help folks think critically and communicate persuasively as citizens, and this year's featured speaker is Dr. Joy Buolamwini, a bestselling author, MIT researcher and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League. You can learn more and get your tickets here.
- St. Francis expansion gets the OK. The City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a rezoning ordinance to allow the St. Francis House to build a new apartment building to help its clients. You can read more of the background here.
- Support your people.* Human Resources expert Stephanie Ouellette, founder of HRHQ, is here to help your business build strong HR foundations without the cost of a full-time HR team. HRHQ can help you with everything from payroll to policies. Learn more here.
- Boulevard buy-in. The City Council also on Tuesday approved a resolution to have property owners pay a little extra to care for the plants along the median in the boulevard on 21st Street between Phillips Avenue and Seventh Avenue. It'll mean an extra $0.85 per foot along the front of the house, that's expected to bring in $3,304 for the city.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 8-14
- Get (paranormally) spooked. The Screams from the Basement Podcast is hosting an event Thursday evening at the State Theatre to watch "The Conjuring." In addition to the movie, folks can experience their own ghost-finding mission in the historic theater. Snag tickets here.
- Get (not very) spooked. For those with milder sensibilities, the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department is hosting a Not-So-Scary treat trail at Jacobson Plaza on Saturday evening. Visitors can walk through the skate ribbon to get treats and visit local businesses, and four-legged friends can check out the separate "Woof or Treat" trail. No registration required. It's all going down 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
- Get (super) spooked. The Jaycee's annual Feargrounds haunted house opens Friday with a "Face your Phobias" theme. There are several chances to check it out throughout the month, as well as discounts available for military personnel and by buying tickets online. Details here.
- Get candy. Lake Lorraine is celebrating Halloween early with a free community trick-or-treating event. Come in costume and visit all sorts of businesses along the lake walking trail. Get more details here.
- Get coffee. The Sampson House is celebrating 10 years in business with a pop-up coffee shop all week long. Stop by from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. all week long for a free coffee and daily speakers. Details here.
- Get the dog involved. Fall festivities aren't just for the humans – Woodgrain Brewery is making sure the pups are involved, too, with Puptoberfest Sunday afternoon. Enjoy beer, German food, a photo booth with Kelcey Schroder Photography and some best-dressed awards (for the dogs). Details 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 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.
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