Cora Van Olson, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan Journalist Profile

Articles

Wagner Man Is Sentenced In Connection With December Strangulation

1 week ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

A Wagner man has been sentenced to prison for a domestic-violence related strangulation assault that occurred in Yankton last December. At Thursday’s hearing, Jason Lewis Dion Jr., 32, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of domestic abuse aggravated assault — strangulation in accordance with a plea agreement, received a 15-year sentence with five years suspended. Dion was granted credit for the 153 days he has served so far in connection with the charges.
Local A.B.A.T.E. Chapter Rising To The Occasion

1 week ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

Sometimes, it’s better to find out for yourself what a person or a group is about before passing judgment. “Bikers are not all bad people,” John Haas, president of Lewis & Clark A.B.A.T.E.Chapter, told the Press & Dakotan. “We are actually some of the most giving people you’ll come across when it comes to a fundraiser.”A.B.A.T.E., a motorcycle rights organization, stands for A Brotherhood for Awareness Training and Education, according to the A.B.A.T.E. of South Dakota.
Conflicts Of Interest For Public Officials Not Always So Obvious

1 week ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

According to South Dakota law, it’s the role of each elected official to identify and avoid potential conflicts of interest but doing that isn’t always easy or obvious. A recent post on social media by Yankton City Commissioner and longtime Yankton County Register of Deeds Brian Hunhoff brought up the question of conflict of interest to candidates running for City Commission in the last month’s elections.
L&C Behavioral Health Facility Nearly Ready To Go

2 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

Big changes for Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS) are poised to bring major improvements in mental health services in the Yankton region. The new LCBHS facility, located on 31st Street in Yankton, is nearly complete and is slated to open in mid-July.
Domestic Violence Book Offers Online Resource For Abuse Victims

2 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

An online version of some of the work being done at Yankton’s domestic violence shelter aims to reach any victims and survivors of abuse with access to the internet. Since joining the staff at River City Domestic Violence Center (RCDVC) five years ago, Occupational Therapist Beryl Olson has provided a unique set of resources to the shelter’s current residents, as well as those who have moved out into the community.
Reunification Drill Helps Local Officials Prep For School Emergency

2 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

How can families be safely reunited with their school-aged children after an emergency school evacuation? A specialized training event held in the Yankton School District (YSD) Tuesday aimed to answer that question in detail. In keeping with YSD’s adoption of the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s security protocol, for use in a range of circumstances from gas leaks to active shooter situations, the school district held its first reunification training at Tuesday’s teacher in-service.
Singing In Unison

2 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

Beginning this summer, Yankton’s two children’s choirs are joining forces to make beautiful music together. Earlier this month, the board of the Yankton Children’s Choir (YCC) received notification that both the group’s executive director and its choral director would not be returning for the upcoming summer season. “We just thought it was a good time to think about the choir and what we want it to be in the future,” YCC Board member Julie Amsberry told the Press & Dakotan.
‘Goodbye, Webster’

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

Friday, Yankton’s Webster Elementary School closed its doors and said goodbye to students and staff for the final time in its 74-year history. Beginning next term, Webster students in grades 1-5, along with their teachers, will be at Stewart Elementary School and all of the Yankton School District’s (YSD) Pre-K, Jr.-K and kindergarten classes will be moved to Trailhead Learning Center (TLC) for its first official year as the district’s early childhood education center.
Avera Launches ‘Building Hope Here’ Cancer Campaign

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

A local hospital kicked off a new fundraising campaign geared toward bringing top-level cancer care to the Yankton region. According to an announcement made this week, the Avera Foundation announced its $7 million Building Hope Here campaign last week. The fundraiser is part of the medical group’s plans to renovate the former Avera Surgical Hospital on its Fox Run campus, and create a new Avera Cancer Institute location in Yankton.
Yankton Man Pleads Not Guilty To Contact Charges

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

A Yankton man, involved with a group that works with abused children, pleaded not guilty Thursday of charges alleging sexual contact with a child he was mentoring. Lonnie Clyde Bugg, 69, was indicted last month on one count of sexual contact with a child under the age of 16. At Thursday’s hearing, in the company of his attorney, Leo T. Flynn, Bugg entered a plea of not guilty.

Journalists covering the same region

Marcus Dorsey

Video Producer at Lexington Herald-Leader

Marcus Dorsey primarily covers news in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, including cities like Seattle, Washington and surrounding areas.