Jerauld County, SD

Beginning in June 2022, Feeding South Dakota will change its monthly mobile food distribution time to 11:30 a.m. The mobile food distribution is held at the Jerauld County 4-H Building on the third Tuesday of every month.

Since her first day on January 3, the new Ambulance Director for Jerauld County has hit the ground running right from the start. Brenda Mann, an EMT with 12 years experience, said that her first two weeks on the job were “insanely busy.” “I went to the courthouse to fill out preemployment documents followed by Shane (Mentzer) introducing me to staff at the clinic and touring me around the health…

Fifteen area youth competed at the 4-H State Shooting competition held April 22-24 in Pierre, SD. Youth practice alongside coaches in their chosen disciplines throughout the shooting sports season starting in January. Jerauld/ Buffalo offers BB gun, Air Pistol, Air Rifle and Archery. Those who meet the qualification criteria are eligible to compete at the state level.

A powerful storm tore through the Upper Midwest last Thursday, wreaking havoc by way of multiple tornadoes, wind speeds over 100 mph and heavy rains. According to weather recorder Kathy Voorhees, rain totals in Wessington Springs measured in at: Wednesday May 11, .87” and Thursday May 12, .23.” While Jerauld County missed the brunt of the storm, minor damage to buildings and vehicles have been reported. Nothing close to the likes of eastern South Dakota, however, where the storm left days-long power outages and widespread destruction in its path.

After multiple chances of rain missed our place on the prairie throughout the month of April, Jerauld County-area residents breathed a small sigh of relief over the weekend as widespread rain drenched the drought-stricken region. According to Wessington Springs weather recorder, Kathy Voorhees, Wessington Springs received 3.25 inches of rain...

As we’re sure you’ve noticed, the True Dakotan looks a little different this week — both in print and online — as we launch our new website, digital edition and branding. “In the March 9, 2022 issue I promised some exciting changes in our digital offerings...

Certification Maps: 2022 Certification maps are ready! We are currently printing maps for all producers in the county. If you’d like to pick them up before April 29, please call the office first ensuring we have time to gather your respective maps. CRP Expiring September 30, 2022: We are...

A growing awareness of law enforcement’s role when it comes to intervening in mental health issues prompted Jerauld County Sheriff Jason Weber to attend a recent mental health summit. While at the summit, Weber struck up a conversation with Belinda Nelson, CEO of Community Counseling. “She was going over...

Starting next week, Springs Area Council of the Arts (SACOTA) is spearheading a visual art display series featuring local artists in the Jerauld County Courthouse. The series launches with 33 paintings created by Wessington Springs artist Teresa Fonder with the show running April 25 - May 20. Admission is free and art can be viewed during regular courthouse business hours from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The collection includes her “Eye” and “Oreo” oil painting series.

Despite a brisk breeze and chilly temperatures in the 30s, local and visiting families bundled up and gathered in huge numbers at the city park Saturday morning for the annual Wessington Springs Community Easter Egg Hunt. Nearly 100 kids lined up for the group Easter Egg Hunt photo, which can...

The National Weather Service has designated April 25-29, as Severe Weather Awareness Week in South Dakota. The South Dakota Office of Emergency Management says this is a good time to start thinking about what to do when severe thunderstorms or tornadoes impact the state. Severe weather will eventually occur in...

Jerauld Conservation District (JCD), in partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), is celebrating the 67th Annual Stewardship Week from April 24 - May 1, 2022. This year's Stewardship Week theme is "Healthy Soil, Healthy Life." JCD led by manager, Lisa Sall, is a member of NACD, which...

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — A wind farm that Basin Electric owns in central South Dakota has received the release of a $1.5 million bond against damage to roads and public infrastructure and committed a $15 million bond to ensure the project comes down at the end of its lifetime.

Voting remained steady throughout Jerauld and Buffalo Counties Tuesday, April 12 as registered voters in the Wessington Springs School District, Town of Alpena and City of Wessington Springs determined who will represent constituents within the municipalities and on the board of education. The 2022 school board election was combined with...

Grant applications for Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program are due May 2, 2022. Through Operation Round-Up, funds are awarded to organizations that benefit area communities. Applicants do not need to be members of Central Electric Cooperative, but eligible projects should have a positive impact in Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Davison, Hanson, Jerauld, Miner or Sanborn County.

As of press time on Tuesday, April 5, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning and very high wind watches and advisories across the entire state of South Dakota. According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high.

New to the Jerauld County Pioneer Museum, donated by George Allen of Pierre, is a seed wreath made by his relatives circa late 1800 to early 1900 era. “Seed wreaths were a way for parents to keep kids busy and to also teach them about the plants that were growing here at that time,” said Jean Ferguson, volunteer at the museum.

According to the 2020 US Census, the population center of South Dakota moved 4.4 miles east-southeast over the past ten years. The population center is located about 4.2 miles north-northeast of the Spring Valley Colony in Jerauld County. The location is 15 miles east of Wessington Springs and 20 miles south of Kimball.