Fort Pierre solidifies dog law

FORT PIERRE — After months of revisions and discussion, the Fort Pierre City Council unanimously passed an ordinance regulating vicious dogs, ending — for now — deliberation of an issue that has drawn a great deal of community interest over the past three months.

Hughes County road getting too much use

PIERRE — Discussion about the use of a county-owned road at Monday’s Hughes County Commission meeting did little to resolve three months of conversation between county officials and a local developer.

Around the area

Capital Journal staff

Burglaries prevalent in circuit court

Rebecca Bentz
Capital Journal staff

Carrying the burden

ational headlines paint a dark picture: bank failures, massive federal bailouts and news of states and corporations having trouble getting loans. But while South Dakota will probably not escape a national economic downturn, regulators and executives say local banks are in good position to weather the financial storm, protect deposits and continue making loans to homebuyers and entrepreneurs.

Pierre picks police chief

PIERRE — After more than three months of searching and interviews for a police chief, the hiring committee didn’t need to look far.

Road too much work for one developer

PIERRE — White Tail Avenue in the Prairie Rose subdivision is a privately owned road but Rick Geffre, developer and subdivision homeowners association president, says the status is misleading. And given the option of developing the subdivision again with the road complications, Geffre said he wouldn’t do it.

Around the area

Capital Journal staff

A burning desire to learn

PIERRE — It wasn’t flames and smoke that greeted members of the Pierre Fire Department as their trucks rolled up to each of the elementary schools and Pierre Indian Learning Center in Pierre Tuesday. Instead it was the cheers of young children.

A little help from fishermen

PIERRE — Skeletal and in some cases endangered or protected, sturgeon are a fish best avoided. But U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials are asking anglers for a little help if they reel in the prickly, pre-historic fish.

Still short a few points

MURDO -- When Sen. John Thune walked off the Murdo Auditorium basketball court in the 1970s, his high school basketball team came one point short of advancing to the state tournament.

New police chief’s career comes full circle

PIERRE — With more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, Bob Grandpre, Pierre’s new police chief, said his career has now come full circle.

Fort Pierre aware of ID theft risks

FORT PIERRE — Identity thieves use stolen information to get credit cards, home mortgages and big-ticket purchases. Now cities across the state are taking steps to prevent the use of stolen identities for everyday expenses: municipal utilities.

A past with a future

PIERRE — Sitting at the top of Pierre Street, the Hyde building has been a part of the city’s history for longer than 100 years. Now, four developers are hoping renovating the 1906 building will make it part of the city’s future. 

Pro-life group urges vote against IM 11

PIERRE — The already high-stakes debate over the abortion-banning Initiated Measure 11 received a new dose of controversy this week when the anti-abortion rights organization South Dakota Right To Life came out against the measure.

Resident-only pheasant season open on public lands

PIERRE — Resident hunters can beat the opening-day crowds and sharpen their shooting skills during the three-day resident-only pheasant season set for Saturday through Monday.

Johnson maintains 25-point lead in poll

Capital Journal staff

30 years of helping

PIERRE — An organization that gave rise to more than 25 shelters and coalitions across the state of South Dakota is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, which is based in the state capital, celebrated the milestone at the Steamboat Park amphitheater, Sept. 30.

Parking problem

FORT PIERRE — During the Sept. 25 burglary and grand theft trial of Joseph Minor at the Stanley County Courthouse, 63 jurors were called in for screening. But the courthouse has fewer than three dozen parking spaces, creating a sticky situation for nearby merchants. Sutley’s Town & Ranch Market owner Dewayne Strohfus said that day he counted 28 cars in his parking lot, which adjoins the courthouse’s — but only had two customers in his store.

Local couple answers need for dog foster homes

PIERRE — “To err is human, to forgive, canine.”

New ice opening soon for area skaters

PIERRE — It’s taken the work of a skating community to fund and help build the Pierre Area Youth’s Skating Association ice rink, and soon that group would like it to be open to the community.

Around the area

Capital Journal staff

The ultimate sacrifice

PIERRE — Throughout South Dakota’s recorded history, 33 firefighters have died in the line of duty. Though the number may seem small for a state with such a long past, it’s still too large for those affected by the deaths — the family, friends and brothers of those fallen firefighters.