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Pennington County Commission Postpones Decision on State’s Attorney Salary Increase
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The Pennington County Commission has delayed taking action on increasing the salary of Pennington County State’s Attorney Lara Roetzel. The county’s Human Resource Director asked commissioners for an increase Tuesday. Carol Bankcroft says Roetzel currently makes $140,000 and recommended that raise to $148,340, making it comparable to the county sheriff and coroner. Roetzel said she believed her experience should qualify her for a salary higher than both her current wage and the salary suggested by Bancroft. Commissioner Deb Hadcock disagreed with Roetzel, pointing out Roetzel’s short time in her position. Her motion to continue the topic so Bancroft could do more analysis to find a more suitable number for an increased salary to the January 7th meeting passed.
Rapid City Area Schools Launches Master Planning Survey to Shape Future of District Facilities
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Rapid City Area Schools is seeking feedback from their staff, students and community through their Master Planning Survey. The survey will be used to help the district assess the needs of their facilities for the present and future. The survey is available now and participants will have until the end of the year to submit to the survey. The district will use the input provided to help them locate and prioritize any improvements, updates or long term planning that would be applied to its facilities.
Wisconsin school shooter had 2 guns and got messages from man accused of plotting his own attack
MADISON, Wis. — Police say the shooter who killed a student and teacher at a religious school in Wisconsin this week brought two guns to the school. The 15-year-old girl also was in contact with a man in California who authorities say was planning to attack a government building. The new details became public Wednesday in court documents and interviews with authorities investigating the teenager who took her own life on Monday after opening fire in a study hall at Abundant Life Christian School. Madison authorities also identified those killed as 42-year-old Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara. The Associated Press could not immediately reach family members.
Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen’s rebel-held capital and port city after Houthi attack targets Israel
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Israel launched two waves of airstrikes on Yemen overnight, killing at least nine people, according to the Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah. Israel’s military acknowledged carrying out the strikes on three ports in Yemen and energy sites in Sanaa, saying it was targeting infrastructure used by the Houthi rebels to stage their attacks in the Red Sea. The strikes came after a Houthi missile attack targeted central Israel early Thursday. Israel said it shot down the missile before it entered Israeli territory.
Putin boasts of gains in Ukraine at annual news conference meant to reinforce his authority
MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin has boasted that his military operation in Ukraine has strengthened Russia and denied that the downfall of a key ally in Syria had dented Moscow’s prestige. The Russian leader sought to project strength and ease at his annual news conference and call-in show Thursday. As is typical, he used the tightly choreographed event to reinforce his authority and demonstrate a sweeping command of everything from consumer prices to military hardware. He claimed that nearly three years of fighting in Ukraine has boosted Russia’s economy and military. He praised his troops’ gains there. Russian troops are making steady, if slow, advances in Ukraine. But the Kremlin has also suffered some embarrassing setbacks.
