02/04/2006

SD State Government News Tips for the week of February 6, 2006

PIERRE, S.D. – The following are news tips from offices and agencies within South Dakota State Government:

Friday-Thursday, February 3-9, Nashville, Tenn. – Vicky Engelhaupt, trade sales and marketing representative with the South Dakota Office of Tourism, and 35 visitor industry partners will attend the American Bus Association’s (ABA) Marketplace. The South Dakota delegation will meet one-on-one with numerous tour operators to market South Dakota as a group tour destination. For more information, contact Nicole Nordbye, 773-3301 or nicole.nordbye@state.sd.us .

Monday, February 6, Pierre, 5:30 p.m. (CST) – Gov. Mike Rounds will speak to the South Dakota Federation of Student Associations at the Ramkota Amphitheater 1. For more information, contact Mark Johnston, 773-3212.

Monday, February 6, Pierre, 7 p.m. (CST) - The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) will host a public information meeting on http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ at the Pierre Chamber of Commerce Community Room, located at 800 West Dakota. http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ is a resource that will help people access prescription medications, if they qualify, at low or no cost. Representatives from DSS will inform people of this new initiative and answer any questions about seeking help with prescription drug costs. To find out more, go to http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ or call 1-866-854-5465 (toll free).

Tuesday, February 7, Teleconference, 9 a.m. (CST) –The DENR Board of Water and Natural Resources will consider two requests for project funding when the board meets by teleconference. Agenda items include Sioux Falls application for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and application from Emery for a Solid Waste Management Program grant. For a complete agenda and teleconference phone number information, visit www.state.sd.us/denr/Boards/2006/BWNR0206.pdf . For more information, contact Elayne Lande, 773-4216.

Tuesday, February 7, Aberdeen, 10:30 a.m. (CST) – Nicole Soukup, visitor and industry relations representative with the South Dakota Office of Tourism, will meet with members of the planning committee for Oz Festival/The Dakota Heritage to develop marketing strategies. The festival is one of four Great Events selected by the South Dakota Office of Tourism. For more information, contact Nicole Nordbye, 773-3301 or nicole.nordbye@state.sd.us .

Wednesday, February 8, Pierre, 1:30 p.m. (CST) – Gov. Mike Rounds will speak at the South Dakota Banker’s Association Legislative Conference being held at the Ramkota Amphitheater. For more information, contact Mark Johnston, 773-3212.

Wednesday, February 8, Pierre, 3 p.m. (CST) – A Student Research Poster Session will be held in the Capitol Rotunda from 3 to 6 p.m. More than 100 undergraduate students from South Dakota colleges and universities will present results of their independent research carried out under supervision of faculty mentors. The poster session is sponsored by the South Dakota Board of Regents, the South Dakota EPSCoR Program, and the South Dakota Academy of Sciences. For more information, contact Janelle Toman, 773-3455.

Wednesday, February 8, Eagle Butte, 6 p.m. (MST) - The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) will host a public information meeting on http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ at the Eagle Butte Upper Elementary School in room 204. http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ is a resource that will help people access prescription medications, if they qualify, at low or no cost. Representatives from DSS will inform people of this new initiative and answer any questions about seeking help with prescription drug costs. To find out more, go to http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ or call 1-866-854-5465 (toll free).

Thursday-Sunday, February 9-12, Las Vegas, Nev. – Lee Harstad, media and public relations representative with the South Dakota Office of Tourism, will attend the 2006 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Tradeshow (SHOT) to meet and market South Dakota to outdoor writers and TV producers including those from Outdoor Life, Cabela's Outfitter Journal, Field and Stream, Heartland USA, Cabela’s Television and The Outdoor Channel. Contact Lee Harstad, (605) 773-3301, (605) 280-4337 or lee.harstad@state.sd.us , for more information.

Thursday-Sunday, February 9-12, Las Vegas, Nev. – Melissa Bump, visitor and industry relations manager with the South Dakota Office of Tourism, and Natasha Bothun, visitor and industry relations representative, will attend the 2006 Sportsmen’s Boat, RV and Travel Show. The tourism representatives will meet with show attendees to market South Dakota to outdoor enthusiasts. Contact Nicole Nordbye, (605) 773-3301 or nicole.nordbye@state.sd.us , for more information.

Thursday, February 9, Watertown, 9 a.m. (CST) - The Department of Labor’s Watertown Career Learning Center will hold a 6-hour Job Hunting Tips Workshop (JSAP) at the Watertown Career Center conference room, located at 2001 9th Ave. SW, Suite 200. The workshop will cover: assessing skills, abilities and strengths; how to and where to look for work; interviewing techniques; job retention/employee loyalty; setting career goals; and written communications, including resume writing, cover letter development, and applications. This workshop is provided at no charge. To register, call 882-5080. Thursday, February 9, Rapid City, 7 p.m. (MST) - The South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) will host a public information meeting on http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ at the Rapid City Public Library, Meeting Room B, located at 610 Quincy Street. http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ is a resource that will help people access prescription medications, if they qualify, at low or no cost. Representatives from DSS will inform people of this new initiative and answer any questions about seeking help with prescription drug costs. To find out more, go to http://www.rxaccess.sd.gov/ or call 1-866-854-5465 (toll free).

Friday, February 10, Sioux Falls, 12:30 p.m. (CST) - The Medicaid Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee will hold a meeting, open to the public, at the Sheraton Hotel. The committee meets periodically to discuss the Prior Authorization process and other issues concerning South Dakota Medicaid. Agenda items include: oral presentations by manufacturers' representatives, pharmacotherapy class review of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors and ADHD medications, and other topics. For more information, contact Mark Petersen, Department of Social Services' Medical Services, 773-3495 or visit http://www.hidsdmedicaid.com/ .

Saturday, February 11, Lake Andes, 3 p.m. (CST) – Nicole Soukup, visitor and industry relations representative with the South Dakota Office of Tourism, and Stephanie Magedanz, graphic designer, will meet with members of the planning committee for Fish Days to develop marketing strategies. The festival is one of four Great Events selected by the South Dakota Office of Tourism. For more information, contact Nicole Nordbye, 773-3301 or nicole.nordbye@state.sd.us .