Page 22 - June 23, 2017

Groton Daily Independent
Friday, June 23, 2017 ~ Vol. 24 - No. 344 ~ 22 of 54
Pierre landscaping crew uncovers human skull fragment
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — State of cials are studying a human skull fragment that was uncovered by a land- scaping crew in Pierre.
Police were called to the scene Wednesday afternoon. Authorities believe the skull fragment was in a load of rock used during landscaping in the area 17 years ago.
An archaeologist from the State Historical Society was brought to the scene but found no other bones.
The skull fragment will be taken to the state forensic laboratory and then sent to an expert in Kansas for further analysis.
State positioned for growth in biotechnology
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Experts say South Dakota’s agri-business strengths and its emerging health care sector puts the state in a great position for growth in the biotechnology industry.
Dr. Christoph Bausch with SAB Biotherapeutics says biotechnology in South Dakota is small, but power- ful. Bausch’s Sioux Falls company works on genetic modi cation of livestock to produce human antibodies to ght diseases.
The Argus Leader (http://argusne.ws/2sXOLiG ) says the state’s companies are involved in a wide range of biotech research; including enzymes, ethanol, antibodies, biomedical devices and genomic medicine.
Bausch says the downside is that biotech businesses lack facilities in South Dakota. Most research parks equipped to handle biotech companies’ special needs are largely full. He says the state risks losing that business if it can’t invest in housing those companies.
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Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com
Total solar eclipse casts spotlight on rural Oregon town GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press
MADRAS, Ore. (AP) — Just before sunrise, there’s typically nothing atop Round Butte but the whistle of the wind and a panoramic view of Oregon’s second-highest peak glowing pink in the faint light.
But on Aug. 21, local of cials expect this lookout point just outside the small town of Madras to be crammed with people from around the world, all hoping for the rst glimpse of the moon’s shadow as it crosses Mount Jefferson’s snow elds. Then, a solar eclipse will throw the entire region into complete darkness for two minutes.
The rst coast-to-coast total solar eclipse to cross the continental United States in 99 years will rst be visible in Oregon, and Madras is predicted to be among the country’s best viewing spots because of its clear, high-desert skies, at landscape and stunning mountain views.
Up to 1 million eclipse chasers will descend on Oregon for the celestial event, and of cials are bracing for as many as 100,000 of them in and around Madras.
In this vast expanse of ranches and farms, rural, two-lane roads could mean traf c jams of cosmic pro- portions. Every hotel in Madras is booked, some residents are renting their homes for $3,000 a night, and campers are expected to ood the national forests and grasslands during peak wild re season.
The state’s emergency coordination center will gear up, and rst responders will prepare to respond to any trouble as they would for an earthquake or other natural disaster. Cell towers could be overwhelmed, traf c will be gridlocked, and police and re stretched to the max managing the crowds.
“Bring extra water, bring food. You need to be prepared to be able to survive on your own for 24 to 48 to 72 hours, just like you would in any sort of emergency,” said Dave Thompson, spokesman for the Oregon Department of Transportation. “This is pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s really worth seeing. But you’ve got to be prepared or you won’t enjoy it.”
When the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, the path of totality — meaning total darkness — from the moon’s shadow will begin on Oregon’s coast, then cross the north-central part of the state