Restaurant Inspection Program Going Digital

     RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota's restaurant inspection
program is being revamped.
     The state's health inspection program will soon be digitized thanks to
a $150,000 federal grant. This will allow inspectors to score
restaurants electronically and give patrons easier access to the
inspections.
     Currently, the state Department of Health uses a paper-based
system to track health inspections, and inspections are not made
public unless someone requests them.
     Restaurant owners will also be able to renew their licenses
online with the new program.
     Clark Hepper with the Office of Health Protection said the
electronic system will provide more information to the public and
increase efficiency for health department staff.
     The system is expected to be running by Dec. 31.