ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA: COUNTY OF THE MONTH

Yankton County

County Name: Yankton

Largest City: Yankton

County Seat: Yankton

Population: 21,779

Founded: 1859

About Yankton County:

In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark began an expedition exploring the Missouri River. Known as the Corps of Discovery, the journey led them up the Missouri River and to the area now known as Yankton County. They traveled the region negotiating peace and exchanging gifts with tribal leaders. They were the first known non-native explorers to ever set foot in the county.

According to legend, Lewis wrapped a newborn baby in an American flag and stated, "This boy will be a great chief among his people and live to be a good American." The boy, Strike-the-Ree (also called "Struck-by-the-Ree"), became a Sioux Chief and helped negotiate the 1858 Yankton Treaty of Cession.

Yankton County was an ideal area that offered access to wood, water and trading. The city flourished and was designated as the capital of Dakota Territory.

Yankton County got its name from the Ihanktonwan Band of Dakota Sioux that inhabited the area prior settlement. Located along the Nebraska border and the Missouri River, the county has played a large role in shaping South Dakota���s rich history.

When gold was discovered in the Black Hills, thousands of prospectors and dreamers flooded the area. The town's weekly newspaper, the Press and Dakotoian (later spelled Press and Dakotan), began publishing a section in the newspaper called the Yankton Black Hiller that released information about the latest news in gold-mining. The newspaper was so popular that it became the first daily newspaper in the state. Today's Yankton Press and Dakotan is our state's oldest continuing newspaper.

In 1922, a small radio station went on the air providing programming to local listeners. Later, WNAX grew into one of the largest radio stations in the Midwest. The station provided a break for many musicians and broadcasters, including Lawrence Welk, who later became the host of the hit television show, The Lawrence Welk Show.

In 1957, Yankton was selected as an All-American City. The award recognizes communities whose citizens work together to overcome community-wide challenges and achieve difficult goals set before them. Since the founding of this program in 1949, 4,000 communities have competed for the award and only 500 have been named All-America Cities.

In 1999, the Yankton Press and Dakotan conducted its Poll of the Century, asking its readers who were the top local personalities of the 20th century. The people of South Dakota voted Tom Brokaw, a former NBC News anchorman, as the Local Personality of the Century. Brokaw was born in Webster, attended Yankton High School and graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1962.
Still today, Yankton County is rich in history, culture and natural beauty. The county is frequently visited for its beautiful scenery, numerous outdoor activities and yearly festivals. Many enjoy the various water recreation activities on Lewis and Clark Lake and the Missouri River.

Tim's Work in Yankton County:

Tim Helps Restore the Missouri River:
Tim secured $6.74 million in funding as a member of the Appropriations Committee for the Missouri River and Wildlife Habitat and Recreation Site Construction in Fiscal Year 2008. The funding was used to enhance the wildlife habitat and fund operations and maintenance. Tim also announced $415,000 in additional funding to address sedimentation and restore areas of the Missouri River.

Tim Works for Local Improvements:
Last year, Tim announced that the Chan Gurney Municipal Airport in Yankton would receive $522,500 in funding to make improvements to the airport. In 2003, Tim announced that the Chan Gurney Airport would receive a $4 million grant to reconstruct the runway and install a high intensity lighting system, and in 2000 he announced a $150,000 grant for runway upgrades.

Tim Fights for Flood Control:
Tim fought for $602,000 in funding for the James River Water Development District last year. The funding was used for an ongoing Environmental Impact Statement, and for the continued preparation for flood control mitigation projects along the James River.

Tim Supports Local Fire Departments:
Last year, Tim announced a $120,000 grant for the Bon Homme ��� Yankton Electric Association. The funding was supplied by the USDA Rural Development and was used to build a new fire station west of Yankton.

In 2003, Tim announced that the Gayville Fire Department would receive a $135,500 grant from FEMA. The funding was used to provide better equipment and training to firefighters, as well as make structural improvements. In 2004, similar awards were made to the Volin Rural Fire Association and the Utica Fire Department.

Tim Continues to Work for Local Improvements:
In 2005, Tim secured $4 million in funding to build the Discovery Bridge and preserve the Merdian Bridge as a pedestrian and recreational attraction. The funding was used to defray the costs of replacing the bridge that spans the Missouri River near Yankton. Tim has been successful in securing millions of dollars for these projects over the past several years.

Tim Promotes Local Community Activity:
In 2001, Tim announced that Lewis and Clark Recreation Area would receive a $33,690 grant to construct an activity and interpretive center. The funding came from the National Park Service's Land and Water Conservation Fund, which provides local communities with conservation money generated by oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf.