Christopher Vondracek
West Central Tribune
Rochford, SD, United States
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Past articles by Christopher:
South Dakota man indicted in espionage case will remain in custody, judge rules
John Murray Rowe Jr., was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on one count of violating U.S. espionage law for sending classified information on fighter jets to a FBI agent in disguise as a member of the Russian Federation. → Read More
South Dakota ballroom burned to the ground night after Christmas, 1951
The Ritz Ballroom sat two miles south of Beresford, South Dakota, drawing performers such as Lawrence Welk and other popular, regional acts, until it mysteriously went up in smoke on a cold winter's night. → Read More
Sioux Falls police say stabbing victim remains in 'dire straits,' 2 others recovering
Two of the three victims of a knife attack in central Sioux Falls on Thursday, Oct. 28, are likely to pull through, police on Friday said. The police chief also defended the actions of officers who shot and killed the man they say carried out the knife attack, 52-year-old Elwood Dwyer. → Read More
What finally closed Deadwood's last four brothels, including the famed Pam's Purple Door
While prostitution was long illegal, local law enforcement in the northern Black Hills town of Deadwood had long looked past the four brothels downtown hiding in the open behind painted doors. → Read More
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem calls Corey Lewandowski affair claim 'total garbage' and 'disgusting lie'
Gov. Kristi Noem took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon to decry allegations aired on a conservative website about a rumored relationship with her informal adviser and Pres. Donald Trump's one-time campaign manager. → Read More
As daughter had trouble securing state license, Noem called agency head for a meeting
The Republican governor says the reporting is an attack against her "family." A Sioux Falls Democrat is calling for an investigation into the ouster of a state employee. → Read More
A son shot his father and left his body in a South Dakota wetland; his hometown friend helped
On an August night in 2007, two 19-year-olds, including his own son, killed 47-year-old Brian Brody Sr. in his trailer. Brody had a history of abuse toward his family, but his death roiled the South Dakota college town -- the first homicide in over a decade. → Read More
Another Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, another potential super-spreader of COVID-19
The 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally — notorious for bawdy bikers and free-wheeling attitudes — kicks off Thursday, Aug. 5. Regional health professionals fear, just as last year's event, the event may ignite a coronavirus outbreak. → Read More
Judge in Ravnsborg case OK's opening pedestrian victim's mental health records
A defense attorney representing Jason Ravnsborg, S.D.'s Attorney General, convinced Judge John Brown on Monday, July 12 in a Pierre courthouse to allow a review of the prescriptions, mental health facility stays of Joe Boever prior to an August trial. → Read More
Ravnsborg attorney: Victim struck on shoulder of road may've initiated collision
The lawyer defending South Dakota's attorney general says he'll ask a circuit judge to open up medical files the victim to suggest the victim had a history of mental illness. However, motions were due last month, and it's unclear whether the judge will allow the request. → Read More
South Dakota Gov. Noem sending National Guard to Mexican border, says private donor will pay
A Tuesday statement from Gov. Kristi Noem's office said the South Dakota National Guard deployment will find up to 50 guardsmen and women at the Texas border with Mexico. A Sioux Falls senator called the deployment a political stunt. → Read More
SD Gov. Noem sending National Guard to Mexican border, says Tennessee-based donors will pay
A Tuesday statement from Gov. Kristi Noem's office said the South Dakota National Guard deployment will find up to 50 guardsmen and women at the Texas border with Mexico. A Sioux Falls senator called the deployment a political stunt. → Read More
'Chase the Ace' card game spreading through South Dakota, raising money for local charities
Called "Chase the Ace," the card game with Canadian roots has turned out big winnings in recent months, including over $1 million in Faulkton, while also raising money for volunteer fire departments, youth hunting initiatives, and even a billboard. → Read More
Small-town South Dakota rodeo club cancels 'slave auction' after outpouring of anger on social media
The rodeo club in Faith, South Dakota had advertised a "slave/branding auction" for next Monday, until apparently pulling the event. One state legislator says the derogatorily-named charities have been routinely held across western South Dakota. → Read More
In video interview, investigators incredulous over South Dakota AG's recollection of fatal crash
New video shows South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg saying he missed two key pieces of evidence the night of his fatal crash on a rural highway — namely a flashlight that investigators say was lit "like a beacon" near the victim's body and a pair of glasses that had landed in Ravnsborg's Ford Taurus after striking the victim on the highway. → Read More
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem calls for AG's resignation after charges in fatal wreck
Last week, a county prosecutor filed misdemeanor charges against South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who hit and killed a man with his car on a highway last September. On Tuesday, Gov. Kristi Noem called for his resignation. → Read More
South Dakota's attorney general charged in crash that killed pedestrian
The announcement from Hyde County State's Attorney Emily Sovell came more than five months after Ravnsborg admitted he hit and killed 55-year-old Joseph Boever with his car along the shoulder of U.S. Highway 14, just outside the limits of Highmore, S.D., the night of Sept. 12. → Read More
Bill to make public Gov. Kristi Noem's taxpayer-funded security costs is killed
South Dakotans' growing interest in taxpayers' tab for funding the state patrol security detail for frequently-traveling Gov. Kristi Noem's security detail hit a roadblock on Friday, when a Republican representative's bill to force the cost into the open was soundly defeated in committee. A similar bill has been introduced in the senate. → Read More
After calling them 'communists,' SD Gov. Kristi Noem asks if new Georgia senators hold 'American values'
South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem called on the public to "examine" Georgia's two, newly elected Democratic U.S. senators to see if their values match "American values." Nearly two weeks ago, Noem received blowback for incendiary remarks, referring derogatorily to Georgia's first Jewish and Black senators as "communists." → Read More
Biden revokes Keystone XL pipeline permit, tipping scales in decade-old fight in western South Dakota
U.S. President Joe Biden followed through on a campaign promise to rescind a permit allowing for the construction of the the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that has been bitterly fought by tribal nations and climate activists. The move came a day after S.D.'s congressional delegation called on Biden to "reconsider" his opposition to the project. → Read More