Our opinion: South Dakota lawmakers should vote against a bill that would allow the state to prohibit town and county agencies from setting their own rules about plastic.   If you and your family decide to stop using plastic bags and plastic straws, should the state tell you that you can’t do that? Most people would say, “no, it’s my choice.”

Elrod Kaufman, 79, of Freeman, S.D., passed away on Jan. 9 at Oakview Terrace. A Celebration of Life will be held Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Salem Mennonite Church, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at the church. Elrod is survived by his wife, Harriet (Mueller); daughters Jill Whittington, Caldwell, Idaho and Sue (Jeff) Higgins, Boise, Idaho; son, Don, Freeman; two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.