The Wrap: This Week in Review

• Whittier Middle Schools students stayed in school after the final bell rang while Sioux Falls Police and S.W.A.T. team were dealing with armed suicidal person across the street. It was a tense couple of hours for those involved, including students and parents. The incident ended with the arrest of the individual Monday evening.

• Monday was a busy day for the stylists at Cost Cutters Salon on 41st Street. There were no empty chairs as they held a cut-a-thon in memory of Amanda Conners, who was killed trying to protect an employee from a gun wielding boyfriend in September. Over $3,000 was raised for Stewart School scholarships in Amanda's name.

• The South Dakota Highway Patrol were involved in a high speed chase Monday that ended with a Kansas man in custody after the vehicle he was driving crashed in a field west of Alpena, SD. The suspect was reported to have stolen diesel fuel from a farm in North Dakota and had felony warrants out for his arrest in his home state of Kansas.

• This week we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the text message. It was sent from Neil Papworth to Richard Jarvis in the United Kingdom. It simply said, "Merry Chrsitmas."

• One person was killed when a pickup truck collided with a car at Midway Corner near Baltic. According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Office, the car was traveling westbound 254th Street and approached the stop sign at 475th Avenue.  As car entered the intersection, it was struck by a northbound pickup. The driver of the car was pronounced dead at the scene.  The two people in the truck were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

• More than 2,000 people gathered at Pearl Harbor on Friday to mark the 71st anniversary of the Japanese attack that killed thousands of people and launched the United States into World War II. Ceremonies got under way with a moment of silence at 7:55 a.m., the exact time the bombing began in 1941. President Barack Obama marked the day on Thursday by issuing a presidential proclamation, calling for flags to fly at half-staff on Friday and asking all Americans to observe the day of remembrance and honor military service members and veterans.

Today, we pay solemn tribute to America’s sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice at Oahu” - President Obama

 

• Sioux Falls is the first city in South Dakota to enact a texting-while-driving ban. The first citation for $95 was written last week. Good eyes, officer. Huron is the latest South Dakota city to enact a similar ban.

• Here comes the snow! South Dakotan's are gearing up for a white weekend. A couple of traffic accidents ground traffic to a halt late Friday afternoon served as a reminder that streets tend to get slippery. Be careful this weekend. Stay informed of the latest weather developments and changes through the weekend.

• Merry Christmas! Sioux Falls has just installed 185 new parking meters. If you're always scrambling for extra change in the console, never fear. The new smart meters will accept a swipe of debit or credit cards.

• Finally, has anyone seen my rhino? Great Plains Zoo goers may remember when a baby black rhino was born 2 years ago. Well, the time has come for Kiano to leave his mom and dad behind. His new home is the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa, where officials hope he meets a girlfriend.

The Wrap is a great way to keep friends and family informed of Sioux Falls events. Print, share, or re-send. It's always free and will never end up in the snow blower at the end of the driveway.