🌱 Patch AM: Why Jacobson Plaza is becoming Sioux Falls’ favorite family hangout

Hello Sioux Falls! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Jacobson Plaza is becoming Sioux Falls' favorite family hangout
• How Sioux Falls teens turn art therapy into second chances
• How diversion programs are reshaping second chances for Sioux Falls defendants.

Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Humid with a thunderstorm, with a high of 80 and low of 70 degrees.
• Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 88, low: 72. 🌶 Hot!
• Tuesday: Humid with clouds and sun, with a high of 85 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Parents laud award-winning Jacobson Plaza (keloland.com) — Families in Sioux Falls are flocking to Jacobson Plaza, where parents praise the fenced-in play areas, splash pad, skating ribbon, dog park, and on-site Lodge restaurant. The downtown destination, which opened in 2025, has already drawn more than 250,000 visitors and just earned a 2026 Pinnacle Award for how it bundles inclusive, family-friendly amenities in one walkable spot.
   

2. 'You are not a lost cause' (siouxfallslive.com) — At Sioux Falls' Joe Foss School, students in the Vision and Voice art therapy program are preparing poetry and artwork that openly explore mental health, loss, and hope. Supported by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, the long-running program helps at-risk teens build community, heal through creativity, and stay on track to earn their high school diplomas.
   

3. 'It Works If You Want It': People Charged With Crimes Find Hope In County Diversion Programs (yankton.net) — A Sioux Falls woman's recovery from meth addiction shows how Minnehaha County's adult diversion program can help first-time offenders avoid prison while rebuilding their lives. Local and statewide prosecutors describe how diversion, probation, and treatment courts work together, and debate whether South Dakota should fund adult diversion the same way it supports successful youth programs.
   

4. Canaries clinch playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season (dakotanewsnow.com) — Sioux Falls baseball fans just saw the Canaries clinch another Miles Cup playoff berth at the Birdcage, rallying late to beat Lincoln 3–2. Strong pitching from Nicholas Arbach and clutch hitting in the sixth inning sealed the team's fourth straight postseason appearance, with first pitch for their next home game set for Sunday afternoon.
   

5. Sioux Falls Seeing Fewer Canadian Tourists and Other International Guests (dakotafreepress.com) — Tourism leaders in Sioux Falls say Canadian and other international visits tracked at Falls Park are down this year, continuing a broader national slump. Experience Sioux Falls told the city council the drop is noticeable compared with last summer and likely tied to national politics, raising concerns for local businesses that rely on out-of-country visitors.
   

📸 Around Sioux Falls

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Sioux Falls

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday September 12
• Midwest Gold and Silver Show →
  Sioux Falls Convention Center, 1201 North West Ave., Sioux Falls

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Tuesday September 8
• Volleyball Team Meals
  Sioux Falls Jefferson High School E Wing E201 - Learning Lounge
  3:00 pm
Wednesday September 9
• Picture Day
  John Harris Elementary
  8:00 am
Thursday September 10
• Volleyball Team Meals
  Sioux Falls Jefferson High School E Wing E201 - Learning Lounge
  3:00 pm
• PTA Pizza Picnic
  Harvey Dunn Elementary
  5:45 pm
Friday September 11
• All Pro Dad
  John Harris Elementary Gym 106
  7:15 am
• Picture Day
  Robert Frost Elementary
  8:00 am

📣 Sioux Falls Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday September 6
• L.G. Everist Huset's Shootout Presented by Myrl and Roy's Paving →
  Huset's Speedway, 2012 S Splitrock Blvd, Brandon
  6:30 pm
Monday September 7
• City Council Meeting
  Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce 304 Main Avenue. Brandon, SD 57005
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Girls Cross Country: Canton Invitatioinal (Varsity)
  Tea Area School District Hiawatha Golf Club
  4:15 pm
• Volleyball: Tea Area vs Sioux Falls Roosevelt (9A)
  Tea Area School District Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School Gym Auxiliary
  4:30 pm
• Volleyball: Tea Area vs Sioux Falls Roosevelt (Junior Varsity)
  Tea Area School District Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School Gym Main
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Sioux Falls police searching for missing 15-year-old girl
  SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - In a post on social media, the Sioux Falls Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating 15… (Nextdoor S Connie Ave)
• FOUND!
  SHE WAS HIDING IN THE HOUSE!I can't find my cat. Not sure if she snuck out? Corner of s Discovery and president street. Black, orange, and white… (Nextdoor Discovery & Memorial Park)

• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Waitress Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $12-$22/Hr in Sioux Falls. Apply here.
• Sanford Health posted a job opening for Patient/Resident Transportation- Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sioux Falls here.

Ok Sioux Falls! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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