shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com May 29, 2018 • Page 9 South Dakotans Urged To Take Caution During Transient Vendor Season PIERRE, S.D., -- With many transient vendors beginning to sell products and services in South Dakota, the Department of Revenue advises customers to ensure vendors are reputable before doing business with them. “The Department of Revenue wants to ensure that transient vendors pay the proper amount of tax when they are operating in South Dakota, which is only fair to our in-state businesses,” Doug Schinkel, director of the Department of Revenue’s business tax division, said. “We want to safeguard against anyone taking advantage of our citizens. If you are considering making a purchase from a transient vendor, please take steps to verify that they are reputable. If the vendor can’t or won’t provide proof of a South Dakota business tax license, you should contact the Department of Revenue.” If you are considering hiring repair or construction services, please be advised to: •Ask for a price quote in advance and in writing. •Question the contractor about a permanent address and telephone number. If the information they provide is local, do not assume they are a local business. Transient vendors often have business cards printed with local mailing services or motel addresses and telephone numbers. •Ask for a list of local references and check them before making a decision. •Ask if the contractor has worker’s compensation and general liability insurance. If vendors are not properly insured, homeowners may be liable for accidents that occur on their property. •Be careful about paying for work in advance. Before making final payments, make sure transient vendors have paid their local suppliers or you may be held liable for unpaid materials. •Make sure you are completely satisfied with the work before paying the bill, and do not pay more for the job than originally quoted unless you have given written ap- proval for the additional work or cost. •Ask the contractor for an excise tax license. Out-of-state vendors often travel to South Dakota to sell items like fruit, seafood, meat packages, paintings, magazine subscriptions, rugs, T-shirts, sunglasses, household cleaners, furniture, stuffed animals and asphalting and roofing services. Taking these precautions can help ensure your safety as a consumer: •Question the salesperson about the product, warranties, guarantees, etc. •Get the company’s name, address and phone number in writing. •Ask to see their current South Dakota tax license. State law requires everyone selling products or services to have a current South Dakota sales or contractor’s excise tax license. To verify if the license is valid, call the department’s toll-free helpline at 800-829-9188. All sellers must provide you with a contract or receipt at the time of sale showing the date, the merchant’s name and address and a statement informing you of your right to cancel the contract within three days. After proper cancellation, the seller has 10 days to refund your money. If you have doubts about the vendor or think you may have been the victim of a scam, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office at 800-300-1986 or by email at consumerhelp@state.sd.us. Be prepared to give as much information as you can about the vendor, including the name of the company and salesperson, company address and telephone number and the make, model and license number (if possible) of the vehicle the vendor was driving. Tips from the public are valuable in assisting law enforcement catch illegal vendors before they move on to the next community. For more information on transient vendors, contact the South Dakota Department of Revenue’s toll-free helpline at 800-8299188, press “1” for the business tax division. Summer Season Kicks Off With Warmer Weather BROOKINGS, S.D. - After a near-record cold April, May 2018 is off to a warmer than average start across much of South Dakota. "It appears as if this trend will continue into June, as the dive into summer continues," said Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension State Climatologist. In fact, temperatures across the state were above average for the first 16 days of the month. "Most locations were two to five degrees warmer than usual for this time of year. A handful of locations in the Black Hills, south central and northeast have been more than five degrees above average so far," she said. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Outlook for June 2018, released May 17, leans towards warmer than average as well. "Current forecast projections show very good chances that the end of May and early June will be warmer than typical for this time of year in the Northern Plains," Edwards said. Precipitation Rainfall across South Dakota, as of May 17 has been variable, with the southeast portion of the state experiencing especially wet conditions, which brought many rivers to flood stage in early May. "The eastern rivers have receded now that all the snowmelt has runoff, but water is still high after some recent rain events," Edwards said. There have also been some local rain events in west central and northwestern counties, but the total for the last two weeks is only about an inch to 1.5 inches. The southwest and northeast continue to be the driest areas of the state in the last one to two months. "A look ahead into June's climate outlook does not provide much information for precipitation. The latest map shows equal chances of drier, wetter and near average moisture for the month ahead," she said, and explained that this is not unusual for the Northern Plains. "It is often difficult to predict spring and summer season storms. This is good news, and bad news, for those who are dry in the north, but also those that are too wet in the south and want to make some more progress in planting, fertilizer and early pesticide application." The U.S. Drought Monitor map, released May 17, shows that a new area of moderate drought was introduced in northeastern South Dakota, along the North Dakota border. "This area has been much drier than average for the last 30 to 60 days. Soil moisture is also dry for this time of year," Edwards said. "This has allowed spring wheat, corn and soybean planting to move ahead rapidly, but continued rainfall will be crucial for the rest of the spring season." In the west, despite some recent precipitation, Edwards explained that it has not yet been sufficient to bring the area completely out of drought. "Moderate drought remains over a large area of western South Dakota," she said. "Stock ponds filled with early spring runoff, but grasses and pastures will need more time to recover from the last one to two years of drought. This area has overall been slightly drier than average since April 1, which is a critical moisture period for cool season grasses." Wildfire Awareness Month Coloring State Fair Centennial Stage Seeks Contest Winners Announced South Dakota Talent RAPID CITY, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture Wildland Fire division announced the winners of their Wildfire Awareness Month Coloring Contest. Ian Cammack of Enning won the 3-7 age group and Brooklynn Baird of Whitewood won the 8-12 age group. Each will be awarded a plush Smokey Bear toy. The contest theme this year was, “One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire” which encourages members of the community to learn about the danger of embers during a wildfire and what they can do to reduce the risk. South Dakota Wildfire Awareness Month is planned by interagency cooperation and was created to promote wildfire aware- ness, safety, and prevention through public events held throughout South Dakota to remind citizens of the dangers of wildland fire and the simple steps that should be followed to prepare for and prevent them. This year South Dakota has joined a multistate proclamation with eight other states in promoting Wildfire Awareness during the month of May 2017. To learn more about South Dakota Wildland Fire Awareness Month and to see other events, please visit our website: sdwildfireawareness.com. Follow South Dakota Wildland Fire on Twitter @SDWildlandFire and on Facebook by searching SD Wildland Fire. Showing Gratitude To South Dakota’s Veterans And Servicemembers By Sen. Mike Rounds a small way for us to show our gratitude to Each year on Memorial Day, we honor them and their families. the lives of the men and women who The Black Hills National Cemetery was bravely served our country and paid the dedicated by the Army in 1948. It was ultimate price. We can never repay them projected to run out of burial space by 2031, for the sacrifice they made to defend the but this permanent land transfer will make freedoms we enjoy as Americans. We can, sure generations of South Dakota veterans however, work to improve the quality of life will have a place to rest peacefully. for veterans and provide our armed forces It’s an honor to work on behalf of South with the resources they need to be in the Dakota’s servicemembers and veterans in strongest position possible. the United States Senate. I’m committed to I serve on both the Senate Veterans’ advancing legislation to improve veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Senate Armed quality of life, strengthen our armed forces Services Committee. We have recently been and cut red tape within the Department of working on legislation in the Armed SerVeterans Affairs. If you are a veteran or services Committee to authorize funds for the vicemember and have a specific question defense of our nation. We call this the Naor concern, please don’t hesitate to contact tional Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, me. Office phone numbers and locations and it is one of the bills passed by Congress can be found at www.rounds.senate.gov. every year that receives widespread bipartisan support. It’s also one of the most important pieces of legislation to pass out of Congress each year because the defense of our nation MOTOR remains priority number one NIOBRARA, NE as we seek to strengthen our military and improve readiatrick awk ness levels. 251 Spruce Ave • Box 260 In an increasingly dangerNiobrara, NE 68760 ous world, the United States www.moodymotor.com military remains the best of pjhawk@hotmail.com the best. It’s the responsibil(402) 857-3711 (800) 745-5650 ity of Congress to make sure Fax (402) 857-3713 our armed forces have all the tools they need to defend our country and deter attacks from our enemies. Just before Memorial Day, Congress passed legislation I introduced with Sen. John Thune and Sen. Mike Enzi to double the size of the Black Hills National Cemetery. Our bill, which will facilitate a permanent land transfer of around 200 acres from the Bureau of Land Management to the cemetery outside of Sturgis, comes after years of work. This land in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota will be the final resting place for thousands of veterans. Passing this bill is MOODY P H The South Dakota State Fair and entertainer Sherwin Linton are in search of guest entertainers for one of Linton’s fifteen shows on the AARP Centennial Stage during the 2018 South Dakota State Fair, which runs Aug. 30 through Sept. 3. Those interested in being considered should send information to the South Dakota State Fair office. The AARP Centennial Stage features South Dakota musicians and entertainers as opening acts for each of Linton’s shows. “We are now inviting South Dakota talent to submit CDs, DVDs, photos and bios for consideration to be included as a guest on the 2018 AARP Centennial Stage,” stated Sherwin Linton. “We welcome people of all ages and skill levels to submit.” Materials can be sent to: South Dakota State Fair Attn: AARP Centennial Stage 1060 3rd Street SW Huron, SD 57350 The 2018 South Dakota State Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 3. Channel Seeds Preview Day will be Wednesday, Aug. 29. This year’s theme is “Experience the Magic.” For more information on State Fair events, contact the fair office at 800.529.0900, visit sdstatefair.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at sdda. sd.gov or find us on JOB OPPORTUNITY Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. YOUR RADIATOR HEADQUARTERS! • Great Parts • Great Warranty On-Hand & In-Stock! NO WAITING! Cox Auto NIGHT SHIFT POSITION Full Time Full Benefits Responsibilities include: operating truck scale, cattle unloading and cleaning duties. Call: 800-950-0164 or 402-482-5931 1007 Broadway Ave Yankton, SD 605•665•4494 This & That Flea Market June 9th, 2018 • 10:am - 6:00pm Looking for any vendors interested in setting up a spot at our flea market... Clean out the attic & basement your junk is somebody else’s, treasure. Main Street ~ Volin, SD Contact Michelle at 605-661-8405 $5,000 DRIVER HIRING BONUS AWG has a NEW top wage of $22.25 for our truck drivers. 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