Cora Van Olson, Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan Journalist Profile

Articles

For MMU Speaker, Birding Book Turned Into Unexpected Memoir

2 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

This week, a speaker at Mount Marty University (MMU) talked about his recent book, a work that unexpectedly went from being a birding guide to becoming a personal memoir about the complicated intersection of the author’s bird-watching hobby and his Native American heritage.
Thrive’s Nelson Takes Flight To Work With Scholarship Program

2 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

If the flutter of a butterfly’s wings lead to huge impacts, then, over the last decade, Rita Nelson, Workforce Development Director for Yankton Thrive, has successfully released many “butterflies” into the Yankton community. “That’s essentially what Rita has been able to do over the course of time,” Yankton Thrive CEO Nancy Wenande told the Press & Dakotan.
This ‘Little Library’ Delivers Books In Tripp

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

TRIPP — An area family has offered up its “homegrown” version of a book-sharing library for the residents of Tripp — with a little help from staff at the Press & Dakotan. Stephanie Budihas said she and her daughters, 5-year-old Aimee and 12-year-old Gracie, have been intrigued by the “little free libraries” available in many communities. “We’ve seen them in Tabor and we found them very interesting,” said the Yankton native, who now lives in Tripp.
Back To Front At The Chapel

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

A local choral group invites the community to experience a special Lenten musical journey as the group presents a relatively new piece of music in a time-honored, traditional format. In its first solo performance since being reformed at the beginning of the school year, Mount Marty University’s (MMU) Choral Union will present Sir John Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” at 7 p.m. Friday in the Bishop Marty Chapel on the Yankton MMU campus. The event is free and open to all.
Lesterville Raising Funds To Replace Community Center

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

LESTERVILLE — Even the young people are stepping up to pledge their support as Lesterville-area residents dig deep into their pockets to fund a new community center. The current community center is nearly 120 years old and, due to high maintenance costs and structural issues, is in dire need of replacement, according to Daryl Bierle, a Lesterville Board member who has taken on the fundraising effort for a new community center.
Celebrating 70 Years

3 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

For 70 years Yankton radio station KYNT has followed a simple recipe for success. It was spelled out in a recent on-air interview with Dean Sorenson, the station’s former, longtime owner who ultimately sold the station to its current owners, Doyle and Carolyn Becker, in 2008. He talked about overhearing a former station manager explain their policy of local involvement to a new announcer many years prior. “Tom Kearns, who was the first manager under my reign, was explaining it,” Sorenson recalled.
Contact Center Celebrating 50 Years Of Service

4 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

The Contact Center is gearing up to celebrate 50 years of touching lives in Yankton. The first order of business has been to design a commemorative T-shirt for the kickoff event coming up in July. “We would like to see the creativity of the people in the community,” Yankton Contact Center (YCC) Executive Director Rebecca Meier told the Press & Dakotan. “We know Yankton has a great group of people that have creative minds.
Hog Firm Faces Lawsuit: Financial Firm Seeks $19 Million In Damages, Receivership

4 weeks ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson |Jay Gravholt

A Minnesota financial firm has filed a lawsuit in Yankton County against three regional hog corporations, requesting $19 million in damages from the defendants’ alleged check-kiting scheme. “Check-kiting,” a form of bank fraud, involves opening one or more accounts in several banks, drawing checks from one account and depositing them in the other when neither account has any substantial funds, according to court records.
YHS Group, YCL Slated To Screen Film On Social Media Worries

1 month ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

A local student group dedicated to addressing mental health issues has invited the community to discuss the negative impact of social media on our lives. Yankton High School’s (YHS) Bring Change to Mind (BCTM) club and the Yankton Community Library (YCL) are co-hosting the documentary “The Social Dilemma” from 6-8:30 p.m. March 27 at the Yankton Community Library, 515 Walnut Street.
Bailey: Local Nonprofits Will Have To ‘Cut The Fat’

1 month ago | yankton.net | Cora Van Olson

Given federal funding cuts as well as belt tightening on the part of donors, Yankton’s nonprofits will have to “cut the fat” to remain viable, according to a local nonprofit leader. Mount Marty University held its final Community Conversation of the school year Thursday.