May 22, 2025 | Latest News
East River Electric Power Cooperative is excited to announce the three winners of the fourth annual Who Powers You? contest, who were chosen from among its 20 finalists. Each year, the contest, held in partnership among Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives throughout the region, spotlights outstanding individuals and organizations across eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota who are making a difference in their communities while recognizing them for their remarkable efforts in empowering and inspiring others.
“As an electric cooperative, our services extend beyond delivering safe, affordable, and reliable power to our member-owners,” said Chris Studer, Chief Member and Public Relations Officer at East River Electric Power Cooperative. The Who Powers You? contest highlights the commitment of our co-op to the communities and member-owners that we serve. We know that our co-op community is filled with people making a difference and we are honored to celebrate them.”
A total of twenty finalists were featured weekly on KELOLAND Living from March through mid-May. Three contest winners were announced on May 22, 2025. Winners were chosen by a panel of judges.
Area IV Senior Nutrition, headquartered in Northern Electric Cooperative’s service territory, has been awarded the first-place grand prize in the contest.
The organization serves individuals across a 16-county region in central and northeastern South Dakota. For 51 years, they have worked to support the health and wellness of older adults by providing nutritious meals and meaningful social connections. Their efforts not only help seniors maintain physical health but also foster emotional well-being through companionship.
As the grand prize winner, Area IV Senior Nutrition received a $3,000 award to support its continued efforts. The Who Powers You? award recognizes the organization and those who work and volunteer there as true ambassadors of rural communities and the individuals within them.
The second place, $1,500 prize, was awarded to GROW South Dakota. Headquartered in the Traverse Electric Cooperative service territory, the organization serves residents across the entire state of South Dakota. It provides vital programs and services that support housing, community development, economic advancement, digital literacy, financial coaching, and more, including energy efficiency outreach like a weatherization program that helps residents lower energy costs and improve their home comfort and safety. The organization’s work is an excellent example of how giving back strengthens and empowers communities. They are powering the region through their dedication and mission to support individuals in numerous ways.
Higgins-Jessen-Olson Post #88 American Legion of White and Toronto, located in the Sioux Valley Energy Cooperative service area, was awarded the third-place $500 award in the contest. For the past 35 years, the post has actively honored veterans and promoted flag advocacy. Their four-person honor guard presents the colors at Deubrook High School sporting events, graduations, and other extracurricular activities. They have also presented at other events in the area when ROTC cadets were unavailable. In the past year alone, the post presented the colors 32 times. They are a shining example of commitment to the communities they live in.
To learn more about the Who Powers You? contest, visit whopowersyoucontest.com.
May 19, 2025 | Latest News
Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota honored some of the area’s most impressive high school seniors Saturday, May 3, during the 23rd Annual Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year Banquet and recognition held at the Student Center on the campus of Lake Area Technical College.
The event honored the 33 high school students who were chosen each week throughout the school year as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week. It’s a program which recognizes students for academic achievement, co-curricular involvement, and community service. The students are featured in weekly segments which air on Dakota News Now television and each student receives a $250 scholarship for being chosen as the Scholar of the Week.
Presley Slaba, a senior at Wagner High School within Charles Mix Electric’s service territory, was selected during the banquet as the Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Year and received a $1,000 award. Lauren Hofer a senior at Mitchell High School, within Central Electric’s territory, and Grayson Rice a senior at Gayville-Volin High School, within Clay-Union Electric’s territory, received $500 scholarship awards. The winners’ names were drawn from among those in attendance.
Lake Area Technical College President Tiffany Sanderson was the keynote speaker. Dakota News Now multimedia journalist Parker Brown served as the master of ceremonies.
Touchstone Energy is a network of over 720 electric cooperatives from around the country – including the electric cooperatives in our region – who are united in the four touchstone values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are local, active members of their communities, dedicated to building our communities, and improving our way of life. The cooperatives have sponsored the Scholar of the Week program since 2002. In that time Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to over 600 students as part of the Scholar of the Week program.
Apr 15, 2025 | Latest News
East River Electric’s 61st annual fundraiser to support LifeScape was a success, raising over $37,000. LifeScape is an organization that promotes independence for over 2,500 children and adults with disabilities throughout South Dakota. The event was held as an online auction and an online raffle. Many local businesses generously donated items to the auction and cash to the LifeScape organization.
“The online auction and raffle were very successful and every year, I am amazed at how our employees step up for this very worthy cause. Commitment to Community is a cooperative value, and our employees strive to demonstrate it every day,” said East River CEO/General Manager Bob Sahr. “My thanks go out to all the East River employees who assisted with this event. We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the local businesses and member cooperatives that donated items to the auction and money to LifeScape. Our fundraiser was a success because of your generosity!”
East River’s annual fundraising efforts have helped provide for the very best in medical care, therapy, education and other services for the children at LifeScape. Several local children and people from around the region are served by LifeScape.
The East River Employees Committee donated $1,000, a total matched by East River Electric at $1,000. In the 61 years since the East River fundraiser began, more than $500,000 has been raised to help LifeScape provide services to children and adults in rural South Dakota.
Mar 21, 2025 | Latest News
Crews from East River Electric Power Cooperative are supporting Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) in the aftermath of a severe storm that caused significant damage to the region’s electrical infrastructure. East River Electric received a call Wednesday, March 19, requesting storm assistance and the cooperative quickly responded by organizing a team of linemen as well as specialized equipment to support restoration efforts.
An eight-person crew, including Travis Rude (crew foreman), Ryan Himley, Jordan Kisor, Erik Nesheim, Ethan Krier, Jace Jones, Cory Schwinger, and Eli Fanning will join their Iowa counterparts, as well as other co-ops providing mutual aid in Salix, Iowa, just south of Sioux City and plan for up to two weeks of work to restore the damaged infrastructure.
“Our neighbors at NIPCO have always been there for us, and we are proud to return that support in their time of need,” said East River Electric CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr. “I cannot thank our employees enough for their willingness to step up on short notice. This reflects the cooperative spirit of mutual aid and a united commitment to community.”
The conditions awaiting the crew are challenging. The storm has left poles downed and the river bottom area they will be working in is muddy and difficult to navigate, but they will do whatever is needed to help get systems up and running again while ensuring that safety remains a top priority.
Cooperation among cooperatives is one of the principles that guide East River Electric. By stepping up and providing mutual aid, East River employees can assist in recovery efforts, helping NIPCO’s members regain power as quickly and safely as possible.
Mar 11, 2025 | Latest News
Jordan Pedersen of Madison is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from Basin Electric Power Cooperative based in Bismarck, N.D. He is the son of Maria Anderson and Steven Pedersen and Abby Reverts-Pederson.
Basin Electric awards over 170 scholarships per year to children of member cooperative employees and children of member cooperative consumers across the region. Pedersen’s mother, Maria, works as a project coordinator in project services at East River Electric Power Cooperative in Madison, a Basin Electric member.
Jordan will attend South Dakota State University in Brookings to pursue pre-chiropractic. Throughout his years at Madison High School, Jordan was involved in football, baseball, powerlifting, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the National Honor Society. He was also an “A” honor roll student. In his spare time, he likes to play baseball and golf, enjoys the outdoors, volunteering at his church with A/V equipment and teaching the youth programs and engaging in anything that makes him productive. Because Jordan firmly believes in physical health and wellbeing, he frequents the gym.
“I am proud to be part of a rural electric cooperative family because I know that East River Electric cares about keeping their customers’ lights on, they care about the community, and they care about keeping electricity rates as low as possible. These three things improve the quality of life not only in the Madison community, but communities across eastern South Dakota,” said Jordan.
“Jordan has shown himself to be a leader in the classroom, on the field, and across the community. He is very deserving of this award and has a bright future.” said East River Electric CEO/General Manager Bob Sahr. “We will wish him well as he embarks on college.”
Since the scholarship program began, over 5,000 students in the Basin Electric system have benefited from this program. Recipients are selected based on academic record, potential to succeed, leadership, and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of education, and career goals and an outside appraisal by a teacher or adviser.
Nov 25, 2024 | Latest News
East River Electric Power Cooperative recently presented service awards to 23 employees with years of service ranging from five to 45 years.
“Congratulations to the 24 recipients of this year’s service awards. I want to express my gratitude to each one of you. The dedication you have shown to East River and your craft is truly extraordinary. Your commitment has played a significant role in shaping East River into what it is today. The number of employees we celebrated exemplifies the true nature of commitment to our workforce.” said East River CEO/General Manager Bob Sahr.
Billing Analyst, Michelle Burggraff, one of this year’s service award recipients, began working at East River 35 years ago. “East River Electric has a high standard for the services that are provided to its members. This high standard carries over into the workforce and East River recognizes it and acknowledges this by giving credit where credit is due. Employees are given a voice through the various committees within the company. The table is pretty much open if you want, or feel the need, to discuss anything with your supervisor or HR. Some days seem long and challenging; believe me, the years pass very quickly. I would advise anyone to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way so that you may continue to learn and succeed. East River supports the advancement of their employees, which is a huge plus,” said Burggraff.
Paul Lambert, project coordinator, celebrated 45 years at East River. “It is nice that East River carves out some time to formally recognize the employees for their service to the cooperative. Spouses and family members often make a huge sacrifice in supporting the efforts required and it is appreciated that there is acknowledgement for their contribution.
East River celebrated the years of service awards with a luncheon held at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse.
A listing of the awards is as follows:
- Five years: Anne Hall, Kelsey Stone, Melissa Daughtrey, Ethan Roth, Haiden Schmidt, Mitch McNary, Kutler Leighton, Jon Aus
- Ten years: Jennifer Buchholtz
- Fifteen years: Nate Oines, Jennifer Gross, Adam Hansen, Eric Nesheim, Colton Sanderson, Linda Roth
- Twenty years: Jarad Deters
- Twenty-Five years: Jeff May, Chad Nowstrup, Brian Wilkens, Dustin Arthur, Tim Brown
- Thirty-Five years: Michelle Burggraff
- Forty-Five years: Paul Lambert
