Latest news with #SteveHarr
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Davison County board, sheriff discuss long-term need for a new county jail
May 30—MITCHELL — While talk about a potential state prison outside of Mitchell has gotten more attention, Davison County leaders have said their own "worst in the state" corrections facility needs replacement soon. The topic was a discussion item on May 27 as the commissioners went through the county sheriff's 2026 budget. "It's not uncommon to see pieces of concrete coming off of walls," Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr said. "We're very well known in South Dakota amongst law enforcement and inmates that we have the worst jail in South Dakota. It's seen its day." The current facility is located at 1015 S. Miller Ave., one that the county has used for a jail for nearly 30 years. The county purchased the former Methodist hospital in the early 1990s and repurposed a portion of it move the jail from the Davison County Courthouse in 1996. Other elements of the building date back further and the county has had to regularly update the building's mechanical equipment in recent years to keep the building operational. The jail has a maximum capacity of 72 inmates but Harr said the realistic capacity is closer to 60 inmates at once. The current Davison County facility has one big positive that the county doesn't want to lose. It has the sheriff's office, jail and courtroom facilities all in one building, which makes transportation of inmates much easier and the overall administration of courts and corrections move smoothly. "It's going to be an expensive project when we get to it," Harr said. "Expensive probably isn't the right word for it." Harr said he's received a standing offer from Minnehaha County to tour their corrections facility, which was expanded in 2020 to add 320 inmate beds to bring the total to more than 700. Harr would like the commissioners to see the Lawrence County facility near Deadwood, which was completed earlier this year and took more than two years to complete. The commissioners discussed taking a potential field trip to the current Davison County Jail and to Sioux Falls around upcoming meetings to learn more about its needs. Harr said one potential plan to help fund the new facility would be to accept federal inmates. That's something the county can't currently do because it doesn't have the space. A site south of Mitchell is among the possible sites being discussed by a state panel that is looking at building a new state prison, with Mitchell offering the land last month. The commissioners, in a previous meeting, were supportive of that idea , although their own jail needs would almost certainly require a separate project. "I'm still pro getting a prison and putting a little lean-to (building) on it for the county," Commissioner Chris Nebelsick joked about the two potential projects. Commissioner John Claggett said he hopes the county project would be less than the Mitchell High School project, which is nearly $70 million and will be completed later this year. "It won't be," Commissioner Denny Kiner said of Claggett's price hopes being low. "The problem is we're doing a new school, we're spending $15 million on the lake and everyone is just spent right now," Nebelsick said. "And people are going to be asking about a jail but I'm out in the public telling everyone I see that we need a new jail. Anybody that knows me knows me, knows we need a jail and knows why." Harr said a potential collaboration with the city of Mitchell on a new public safety building should also be considered, he said, with a city-county partnership that has become increasingly more frequent in communities in South Dakota and around the Midwest. "It's probably a conversation to have with the city, as well, to have one modern facility rather than two rundown buildings," Harr said.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
'It happens here,' Call to Freedom director says of human trafficking
May 13—MITCHELL — Five clients of Call to Freedom from Mitchell. Countless more across South Dakota. And for Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr, a case that still sticks in his mind, where justice never came. This stark reality was shared Tuesday afternoon at the Mitchell Lions Club meeting, where members heard from Call to Freedom, a Sioux Falls-based nonprofit that has worked with survivors of human trafficking across the state since 2016. "Human trafficking is a reality in South Dakota," said Rachel Schartz, director of impact and program relations with Call to Freedom. "It happens in every community in South Dakota. And until we educate ourselves and become aware, take our heads out of the sand, we'll never be able to solve this issue." Since its founding, Call to Freedom says it has served more than 1,500 clients — many of whom are from smaller, rural communities like Mitchell. The organization has worked in 61 of the state's 66 counties, providing support to individuals statewide. In 2023, Call to Freedom provided assistance to a record 527 individuals. The event was organized by District 20 Sen. Paul Miskimins, a former Lions Club president, who invited Schartz after hearing her speak at the South Dakota Lions convention earlier this year. He hoped the presentation would raise awareness about human trafficking in the state and the resources available for those impacted. "I brought her here to share about human trafficking and what they're doing to help those who have been impacted," Miskimins said. "When you're in the legislature, you have an opportunity to do good — to help others and to try to build a better future for people in South Dakota." Among those listening to Schartz's presentation were Sheriff Steve Harr and Chief Deputy Tim Reitzel, both of whom have worked closely with Call to Freedom, referring individuals in need of support. Schartz confirmed that at least five clients of Call to Freedom have come from Mitchell. Harr added that while some cases might not have been officially labeled as trafficking, several over the years, including one particularly memorable case, likely fit under that umbrella. "Unfortunately, none of those cases ever moved far enough along in the legal process to find justice," Harr said. Schartz explained that getting trafficking cases to court is a persistent challenge. Victims often don't recognize themselves as victims, especially when manipulation or coercion is involved, sometimes by close family members or trusted acquaintances. Fear of retaliation and a distrust of the system also prevent many from speaking out. "The reality is that human trafficking doesn't always look like what you might expect. It can be someone you know, a family member, or even a trusted friend," Schartz said. "That's why it's so hard to get these cases to a place where we can prosecute them." A new state law, set to take effect on July 1, is seen as a potential game-changer in addressing these challenges. Previously, individuals convicted of trafficking could have their entire sentence suspended, allowing traffickers to avoid serving time. The new law aligns South Dakota's sentencing guidelines with federal law, eliminating the option for suspended sentences in trafficking convictions. This is a critical step in ensuring that those convicted face the full consequences of their actions. "I'm glad the new legislation will be in place should we ever need it," Harr said. Schartz believes the law will serve as a valuable tool in combating trafficking in the future, sending a stronger message that South Dakota will not tolerate trafficking. Since its founding in 2016, Call to Freedom has helped survivors rebuild their lives. Its new facility in Sioux Falls, which opened in late April, is designed to better meet the needs of survivors. The facility features expanded services, including therapy rooms, emergency supplies, a clothing boutique, and more space for training and volunteer activities. Schartz emphasized that many people still believe human trafficking only occurs in large cities or involves international smuggling, but that's not the case. Victims can be trafficked locally, and many are manipulated or coerced into exploitative situations by those closest to them. "Too often, young people are exchanging inappropriate material with someone they believe to be a peer, when in reality, it's an adult manipulating the situation," Schartz said. "This is one of the many ways traffickers exploit vulnerabilities and take advantage of our youth." Schartz also discussed how trafficking can be difficult to identify. Survivors may not always show visible signs of abuse, and the trauma can affect every aspect of their lives, from their mental health to their physical well-being. She advised the Lions Club members to trust their instincts when encountering situations that feel wrong. "If you suspect someone might be involved in trafficking, trust your gut," she said. "It's not always easy to spot, but if something feels off, don't ignore it." The discussion also touched on prevention efforts, with Call to Freedom working to educate communities about trafficking and provide resources for individuals who may be at risk. The organization collaborates closely with law enforcement, medical professionals, and social services to intervene quickly when trafficking situations are identified. "We need more than just awareness," Schartz said. "We need action, education, and resources to support these survivors." Miskimins, reflecting on the day's discussion, reminded the group of the importance of continuing to shine a light on difficult issues like human trafficking. "Cherish your victories," Miskimins said. "Because you can't win all the time and sometimes it's a tragedy and it hurts. But when you make a difference, those are the ones you've got to hold on to."
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sana Biotechnology to Present at the Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference
SEATTLE, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sana Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: SANA), a company focused on changing the possible for patients through engineered cells, today announced that it will webcast its presentation at the Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference at 3:10 p.m. ET on Monday, March 3, 2025. The presentation will feature a business overview and update by Steve Harr, Sana's President and Chief Executive Officer. The webcast will be accessible on the Investor Relations page of Sana's website at A replay of the presentation will be available at the same location for 30 days following the conference. About Sana BiotechnologySana Biotechnology, Inc. is focused on creating and delivering engineered cells as medicines for patients. We share a vision of repairing and controlling genes, replacing missing or damaged cells, and making our therapies broadly available to patients. We are a passionate group of people working together to create an enduring company that changes how the world treats disease. Sana has operations in Seattle, WA, Cambridge, MA, South San Francisco, CA, and Bothell, WA. For more information about Sana Biotechnology, please visit Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements about Sana Biotechnology, Inc. (the 'Company,' 'we,' 'us,' or 'our') within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including those related to the Company's vision; the Company's participation at the Cowen 45th Annual Health Care Conference; and the subject matter of the Company's presentation at the conference. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including, among others, statements regarding the Company's strategy, expectations, cash runway and future financial condition, future operations, and prospects, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as 'aim,' 'anticipate,' 'assume,' 'believe,' 'contemplate,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'design,' 'due,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'goal,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'objective,' 'plan,' 'positioned,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'seek,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' 'would' and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to vary materially, including, among others, the risks inherent in drug development such as those associated with the initiation, cost, timing, progress and results of the Company's current and future research and development programs, preclinical and clinical trials, as well as economic, market and social disruptions. For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that could affect the Company's actual results, please refer to the risk factors identified in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-Q dated November 8, 2024. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. Investor Relations & Media:Nicole in to access your portfolio
