SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) _ South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has yet to make herself available to the Capitol press during the first three weeks of the state’s legislative session, breaking with a decades-old ritual of South Dakota governors holding a weekly news conference to publicly discuss their policy initiatives and take questions from reporters.

Come join park rangers from Niobrara National Scenic River at Hudson Lake, Saturday February 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a Junior Angler Ice Fishing Clinic. Registration for children under 12 is required as they will receive a free ice fishing pole thanks to Friends of the Niobrara River and the National Park Foundation. To register please email niobrara_nsr@nps.gov or call 402-376-1901. In case of severe or extreme weather the back-up date will be February 11th.

The Ainsworth Bulldogs took seventh place in the Southwest Conference Basketball Tournament this past week. Ainsworth, seeded seventh, traveled to #2 seed, McCook on Tuesday, January 24th and were defeated by the Bison, 61-66.

1. In what year was Groundhog Day first celebrated? 1887 2.

Ainsworth Irrigation Dist. Board Mtg.

Thedford Volunteer Rescue Squad is proud to announce the installation of a Stryker Power Load system in one of the department’s ambulances. Of the two ambulance’s we have, one is already equipped with a powerload and has proven to be a great asset. This rescue equipment enhances the safety of both EMS providers and patients by hydraulically lifting patients up to the level of the transport. The providers will still manually move the patients into and out of the patient care compartment.