Thursday,  January 3, 2013 • Vol. 13--No. 168 • 11 of 32 •  Other Editions

News from the

Mickelson trail hosts Black Hills snowshoe hikes

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The George S. Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills will host three snowshoe hikes this winter.
• Hikes will be held at 1 p.m. MST on Saturday and Jan. 19, with both starting at the Englewood trailhead. The final hike will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 2, with the location to be determined later.
• Staff at the Black Hills Trails Office will teach basic snowshoeing skills while leading a nature walk along the trail.
• Mickelson Trail manager Dana Garry says the office has a limited number of snowshoes available for those taking part in the hikes, so people should sign up early to make sure they get a pair of snowshoes.
• Garry says snowshoes are available for checkout any time, not just during guided hikes.
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Winter wheat farmers concerned with lack of snow

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Some South Dakota farmers are concerned about the lack of snow cover protection for winter wheat.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop weather report that snow cover for winter wheat is rated at 61 percent poor with the remaining 39 percent adequate.
• Winter wheat condition is rated at 21 percent very poor, 49 percent poor, 27 percent fair and 3 percent good.
• Alfalfa snow cover is rated at 37 percent poor, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent excellent.
• The USDA says the average snow depth at year's end across South Dakota is 4 inches.
• Farmers and ranchers continue to cope with drought reduced feed supplies and stock water supplies as the winter progresses, though livestock is doing well in most areas of the state.
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Republicans, Democrats to gather for social

• SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Republicans and Democrats are getting together in

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