By Rep. Liz May Rep. Will Mortenson has mastered the common practice of giving nicesounding titles to particularly bad pieces of legislation. In his editorial entitled “Carbon Pipelines and Landowner Rights in South Dakota”, he used the misleading title “Landowner Bill of Rights” no less than eleven times. That title given to SB201 is an insult to your intelligence. South Dakotans know that our rights come from God and are protected by our Constitution. Rights are not derived from revocable statutes.

By Cindy Knecht Members of Bennett County Jobs for America’s Graduates Program participated at the National Career Development Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 1621. Thirteen students and two chaperons took part in an action-packed trip, navigating new experiences and gaining life-skills. Nine competitors represented BCHS in Prepared Speaking, Project-Based Learning and the Knowledge Bowl.

By DEVI SHASTRI AP Health Writer Allergy season can bring misery to tens of millions of Americans each year. Tree, grass, and other pollens can cause runny noses, itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing.

By Tim Huether At the April 24, regular Bennett County Commission meeting, while reviewing claims to be approved, the board questioned an invoice from Ceplecha Trucking for $238,265. Ceplecha and his attorney, Lee Dayton, were in attendance and commissioner Blu Donovan asked if they wanted to clarify what that was for.

By Kay Cee Hodson Representing Bennett County High School at the 2024 South Dakota Boys State will be Wyatt Huber, Camden O’Bryan, and Gavin Risse. Representing the school at the 2024 South Dakota Girls State will be Sophia May, Hadley Schomp, and Ally Solomon.

Bennett County Sheriff’s deputy Kevin Curtis was on the agenda of the State of South Dakota Law Enforcement officers Standards and Training Commission April 16, for discussion of a proposed agreed settlement of a contested case.

The Bennett County School District’s current opt out is about to expire and the school plans to again approve another opt out. The deadline to opt out is July 15.

In a move that would have Bob Claussen smiling from ear to ear, his granddaughter Stevi Claussen has purchased Bob’s Gas and will be running it with Taylor Palmer, officially purchasing the business on March 1. “What I like is that I get to continue grandpa’s legacy and keep it in the family,” said Stevi about purchasing the business.

By Jacob Waln The Bennett County Commissioners held their board of equalization meeting Tuesday, April 9, with 12 appeals heard during the meeting. Of the 12 appeals heard, 25 parcels were examined due to poor soil on the property that made it no longer farmable.

By Tim Huether The Bennett County School District approved short term interim superintendent contract terms for former superintendent Stacy Halverson at the April 15 regular board meeting. Halverson will be paid $2,800 per week from March 26, 2024, to June 30, 2024.