Stanley County, SD

In a combined Stanley and Hughes County court proceeding last week (May 9-13, 2022), Judge Mayer revoked the felony probation of Daniel Christopher Puppel. In 2021, Puppel was involved in felony thefts in both Counties, he was granted probation with suspended prisons sentences; then failed and refused to pay restitution and successfully complete probation.

The South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles denied Paul Dean Jensen’s request for parole. Stanley County State’s Attorney Tom Maher says in January 1996, Jensen (then 14 years old), kidnapped, robbed and murdered Michael Hare, by one gunshot to the victim’s body and two to the victim’s head. He says after reading reports and submissions and hearing comments from the prisoner, supporters and opponents, the 9 member SD Parole Board last week (May 12, 2022) denied Jensen’s request to be released on parole. It was a 5:4 vote against releasing Jensen on parole; after 8 months, Jensen may again ask to be released on parole.

Have you ever thought twice before buying lottery tickets? Nawaz Haque of Albemarle said he had a strong feeling when buying a Millionaire Maker ticket. He learned that his $30 scratch-off ticket won him a $100,000 prize. Haque said he rarely buys scratch-offs, but after he spoke to the clerk he knew he had to buy the ticket. When asked, he said “Three is my lucky number so I bought it.” Haque won at the Andy’s Mart store on West Church Street in Richfield. We found out his good news when Haque arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to collect his $100,000 prize. After sate and federal tax withholdings, he took home $71,019.

In this evening edition, read about the spread of avian influenza, Ukraine grain stock, and lessons from the farm. Myron Friesen of Farm Financial Strategies provides insight into a reader’s question: “Will giving assets to my daughter’s husband cause a problem?”. Follow Friesen’s steps to figure out...

The Stanley County Commission meets this evening (May 2, 2022) at 5pm. Among the items on its agenda are:. Central South Dakota Communications Contract for E911 and Dispatch Services. The Stanley County Commission meeting is held in the Stanley County Courthouse in Fort Pierre. It is open to the public.

The SD Discovery Center in Pierre is celebrating the opening of its new Treehouse by staying open until 6pm today (an extra hour) in honor of Arbor Day in South Dakota (April 29, 2022). As part of Arbor Day activities, some elementary school students in Pierre and Stanley County received...

The storm warning sirens in Hughes and Stanley counties will be tested today (April 26, 2022). Emergency management director Rob Fines says the testing starts at 10:15am CT. Fines says there are 23 sirens in Hughes and Stanley counties that need to be tested, so the process may take a while to complete.

Circumstances lined up just right so a mid-afternoon grass fire yesterday (April 21, 2022) in Stanley County was quickly extinguished. Fort Pierre Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Tye Odden says sparks from a transformer along Mud Road are the cause of the fire. The National Weather Service says Hughes and...

A 30 year old woman from Fort Pierre and a 25 year old man from Eagle Butte have been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. Regina Maynard and Larry Chavez both pled not guilty. The indictment alleges that on February 7,...

Miss Jennifer Milliken was chosen the 2022 Stanley County School District Teacher of the Year. She was presented with the award by Superintendent Dan Baldwin. Milliken works and finds ways to include all students of varying abilities. She meets with students independently to assess their levels; help create and meet their goals. Milliken is a great leader for her school team and is a member of many other teams within and outside the district. She has an enormous breadth of knowledge and continues to learn through attending and reading various professional development journals. Milliken works hard and puts in the extra time to be a great teacher and coach for our students. She is always willing to stand up for what is best for the students. Milliken has dedicated her time to Stanley County for over 20 years, including a few years at the Hayes Country School. She also assisted the Hayes Community by directing their play for several years.

The National Weather Service has put much of the southern two-thirds of South Dakota in the Very High or Extreme Fire Danger category for today (April 14, 2022). When Hughes or Stanley counties are in the “Very High” or “Extreme” fire danger categories, an open burn ban automatically goes into effect. The open burn ban is automatically suspended when the Grassland Fire Danger Index for both counties decreases to the high, moderate or low categories or the red flag warning has been canceled.