Her three sons

Posted: Monday, May 20th, 2013
• Single SDSU prof always knew she wanted a family, so she found one
BROOKINGS, It started with three empty bedrooms.
When Jeannie French moved into her house in Brookings 18 years ago, people asked why she chose one with so many bedrooms. Why would a single, ceramics professor at South Dakota State University want so much extra space? For ...more

Athletic training program joins regional exchange

Posted: Monday, May 20th, 2013
BROOKINGS (AP), South Dakota State University's master's-level athletic training program is joining a regional exchange. The exchange will qualify students from participating states for the resident tuition rate.
The Western Regional Graduate Student Exchange includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The program offers about 275 programs ...more

Council probes ‘city nitty-gritty’ at study session

Posted: Monday, May 20th, 2013
• Storm drainage, street maintenance, zoning highlight roll-up-your-sleeves session
BROOKINGS, If you've never quite understood the difference between "asphaltic concrete" and "Portland cement concrete," or if you've been waiting impatiently for the latest information on the city's storm water management program, Tuesday's city council study session is the one you should attend.
The regular monthly meeting, which begins at 5 ...more

El Rancho Restaurant moves ‘west of border’

Posted: Monday, May 20th, 2013
• Owners invite diners to ‘become part of the family'
BROOKINGS, They were a hit in Montevideo, and they were a hit in Marshall. Now the Leon family wants its Mexican restaurant to be a hit in Brookings.
El Rancho Mexican Restaurant opened its doors for business in downtown Brookings this week, bringing fajitas and margaritas to a Main Avenue ...more

SDSU to add major, online degree

Posted: Monday, May 20th, 2013
BROOKINGS, The South Dakota Board of Regents this week approved plans by South Dakota State University to begin offering an undergraduate degree in American Indian studies starting this fall.
Also, its popular master's degree in journalism will soon be offered with an online-only option geared to professionals already working in news and media-related fields.
While a minor in American ...more

Are Brookings pet owners responsible?

Posted: Friday, May 17th, 2013
• Spay, neuter still job No. 1, local experts say
BROOKINGS, In her nearly 40 years of living in rural Brookings, Peg Wenande has seen the dark side of pet ownership too many times, it finally prompted her to write a letter to the editor; it was published in The Brookings Register on May 6 ("Too many irresponsible pet ...more

BSD tightens, simplifies new attendance policy

Posted: Friday, May 17th, 2013
• Policy has not been uniform throughout district
BROOKINGS, No matter the reason, each missed day of school will count toward a maximum of 10 per semester for Brookings students. After that, high school students will lose class credit, and all students who are truant will be reported to the police department and deputy state's attorney.
That's the new districtwide ...more

Working to keep state’s universities competitive

Posted: Thursday, May 16th, 2013
• But regents rely on outside money to keep price reasonable for students
BROOKINGS, By now the South Dakota Board of Regents is used to making unpopular decisions, including the decision to raise tuition and fees every year in recent history.
While they take the kickback about these price hikes and things like allowing alcohol in certain residence halls ...more

Another Hillcrest area wins rezoning request

Posted: Thursday, May 16th, 2013
• Neighbors seek to slow growth of student-occupied ‘duplexes'
BROOKINGS, For the third time, the Brookings City Council has given its assent to a group of property owners seeking to change the zoning rules for their neighborhood.
The council on Tuesday unanimously approved a request by a group of Hillcrest-area homeowners whose properties are located in the 1300 block of ...more

Second time’s the charm

Posted: Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
• Mayor's Ride & Walk set for June 1
BROOKINGS, Brookings Mayor Tim Reed hopes Mother Nature is in a more cooperative mood this year.
The health-conscious Reed tried to launch the Mayor's Ride & Walk last year, but instead of sunshine and spring flowers, he got a deluge.
Over the weekend of the celebration, the Brookings party had more ...more

City grants beer, wine licenses to spa, museum

Posted: Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
• For museum, would be used only for after-hours facility rentals
BROOKINGS, The Children's Museum of South Dakota and Krave, a Brookings day spa, were awarded beer and wine licenses Tuesday by the city council, but not before several of the councilors had a chance to express their misgivings.
The Children's Museum malt beverage license application, which was considered first, ...more

New building just part of schools plan

Posted: Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
• Facility committee tells school board what it wants for youngest students
BROOKINGS, A new primary school with rooms to serve specific needs and some rejuvenation for the two existing primaries, that's what a facility needs committee told Brookings School Board members it wants within the next several years for the district's youngest students.
Teachers Tony Lanning, Kristin Coon and ...more

Goodwill venturing into new territory

Posted: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
• Brookings, other stores becoming known for antiques, collectibles, online shopping
BROOKINGS, "I'm wearing second-hand hats/Second-hand clothes/That's why they call me/Second-hand Rose," sang Barbra Streisand in the role of comedienne Fannie Brice in the movie "Funny Girl."
For those who think of Goodwill stores in those terms, as the place where all the stuff is old and barely serviceable, it's ...more

BHS returning 2nd planning period

Posted: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
• Most teachers will again have two prep hours, five teaching hours
BROOKINGS, Most teachers at Brookings High School will again have a second planning period each school day beginning this fall, at the cost of some larger class sizes and about $200,000 per year for new staff.
In fall 2012, BHS took away the second planning period, which some ...more

Firefighters douse rural grass fires

Posted: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013
BROOKINGS, Brookings firefighters were called on to extinguish two rural grass fires the past weekend, one a small blaze that escaped from a burn barrel and the second a carefully planned controlled burn.
The first took place early Saturday evening, just south of town, when flames from a burn barrel touched off a grass fire. The fire department was called ...more