Jay Gravholt

South Dakota

Reporter at Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

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Articles

Yankton’s ‘Safety City’ Program Returns For Another Summer

4 weeks ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Yankton area youth have a chance to participate in Yankton’s Safety City program this summer, with the annual program kicking off Tuesday, June 3. Kayla Loecker, a Lincoln Elementary teacher and Safety City coordinator, told the Press & Dakotan openings are still available for some of the classes. Safety City was started in Yankton in 1995 thanks to a grant received through the Department of Public Safety for which the Yankton Police Department applied.
Longtime Yankton Funeral Director Honored

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Kevin Opsahl has owned Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory in Yankton since 1998, when he took it over from Laddie Kostel, carrying on that legacy to this day. Kostel involved the funeral home with the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) — a professional association of independently owned and operated funeral homes dedicated to ethical service to all — more than 60 years ago. Opsahl continued that tradition, too, and served on the board of OGR and even as president from 2010-11.
City Makes Committee Assignments For Its New Term

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Tuesday night marked the first full-length meeting of the Yankton City Commission with its new members and Mike Villanueva as mayor. Naming commissioners to various city advisory boards and committees is a task that the mayor typically does at this meeting and Tuesday night was no exception.
‘The Shadow Of Giants’

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Nearly 100 people were on hand Monday morning for the Yankton Memorial Day program hosted by the Ernest Boyer Post 791 Auxiliary and Military order of Cooties Pup Tent #12 and Auxiliary and Roy Anderson American Legion Post 12. Yankton Mayor Mike Villanueva was the featured speaker at Monday’s event, fittingly held at Fantle’s Memorial Park.
Pumped Up! Heart Pump Gives Yankton Man New Lease On Life

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Those who know Kenny Hansen know a man who has lived life to the fullest — perhaps a bit too much at times, but an adventurous spirit nonetheless. Kenny almost died not that long ago and, if not for a last resort medical device he had implanted in March, this story would not have been written. His family says his heart is what they all love about him, but it was that heart that was just about to give out on the 76-year-old Yankton man.
Youmans Recognized As 2025 Carl Youngworth Award Recipient

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

He came to town on a “hot deal” in 2004 and, by the time he left high school coaching, he had amassed 10 Eastern South Dakota Conference titles in track and field; nine South Dakota AA team championships; and had 27 Top 6 team podium finishes. On May 8, at the First Dakota Relays, former Yankton High School (YHS) track and field coach and cross-country coach Luke Youmans was presented the Carl Youngworth Award.
A Tasty Recipe For Success

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

The Yankton area has had a few barbecue places that have come and gone over the years. It seemed as though Backroad Bar-B-Q restaurant, which opened in South Yankton a few years ago, would be another BBQ joint that made a go of it early but would also eventually close. Keith Eickhoff and Dion Miller had other designs for the old BBQ joint, however, and reopened last July 4.
YAMWI Officials Prepare For Mental Health Conference

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Nearly three decades ago, Matt Michels, who was volunteering with United Way of Greater Yankton, and then-executive director Pam Kettering, established the Yankton Area Mental Wellness, Inc. (YAMWI). Its aim was to showcase talent from the community of Yankton, especially in the areas of human/social service providers.
Short-Term Rain, But Long-Term Pain In Store?

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

Conditions are favorable in the coming week for measurable precipitation, but after that, all bets are off, according to Justin Glisan, Iowa’s state climatologist. Glisan was the presenter during a North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Summary and Outlook webinar Thursday. Yankton just received over three-quarters of an inch of rain early Thursday morning and into the afternoon, and those conditions could replicate within the next week.
As Temperatures Rise, So Do Some Crime Rates

1 month ago | yankton.net | Jay Gravholt

One unfortunate aspect of the weather heating up is that crime rates typically increase with warmer weather. Yankton Police Chief Jason Foote spoke with the Press & Dakotan recently about how vandalism rates typically increase during the spring and summer months, but he said that applies to crime in general. “We do put a reminder out each year for people to be more aware of vandalism, vehicle break-ins and similar issues,” he said. “Normally, when the weather gets nice, they tend to increase.

Journalists covering the same region

Cora Van Olson

Reporter at Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan

Cora Van Olson primarily covers news in the central region of South Dakota, United States, including areas around the towns of Mitchell and Chamberlain.