By Deb Hendrickson

Newly-elected County Commissioners David Bakley and Kyle Harris were sworn in, officially beginning their four-year term, at the January 5 Bennett County Commissioners meeting. Commissioner Kyle Harris attended the meeting via Zoom. Commissioner Jeff Slattery was appointed as Chairman and Commissioner Rod Kirk was appointed as Vice Chairman.

The 2021 yearly board designations…

Read more: Commissioners sworn in, gravel distribution discussed

By Deb Hendrickson

The Covid meeting held last Wednesday, December 30, revealed some positive information for Bennett County pertaining to the pandemic.

Emergency Manager Jeff Siscoe sited Covid Stats for Bennett County on December 30 were:

New Cases – 410

Active Cases – 13

Total Deaths – 8

As of January 3, 2021, Covid Stats for Bennett County show a bit of a decline:

New Cases – 335

Active Cases…

Read more: Covid meeting reveals some positives for Bennett County

By Deb Hendrickson

This year, 2021, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Vetal Volunteer Fire Department’s fundraising event, “The Smoker.” Held annually, the Smoker is instrumental in providing necessary funding for the maintenance and upkeep of the fire hall, trucks and equipment. Replacing dances and box socials, which were originally held as fundraisers, the fire department started holding…

Read more: Vetal Smoker celebrates 50th anniversary

Attention Cattle Producers, Unhappy with the length of your calving season? Seeking management strategies to improve the performance of your cattle? Coming this January, presented by SDSU Extension - BeefUP Calving Strategies for Market Advantages is an informational webinar series based on consolidating the calving window within an operation to maximize profitability. This 4-part series will be…

Read more: SDSU Extension offering BeefUP webinar

Bennett County Hospital and Nursing Home received 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine from Monument Health last week with the option to order more.

According to Debra Kromis, D.O.N. at the hospital, 20 doses have been administered. She stated only minor side effects have been reported by a minority of the recipients. Some of the side effects sited were a sore arm, chills and a headache. No severe…

Read more: First doses of Moderna vaccine arrive in Bennett County

By Deb Hendrickson

Tony Powell, Manager of the Yesway Garage in Martin, received some devastating news at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30. Unbeknownst to him, Yesway Corp. had decided to shut down the garage effective December 12, potentially leaving himself and two other employees out of a job and Martin losing a viable business. Yesway sited the reason for the closure was so they could…

Read more: Tony Powell opens Martin Tire and Repair

By Tim Huether

Bennett County picked up their first win of the girls high school basketball season with a well played, hard fought, 60-55 win over Lyman in Presho Saturday. 

Stefonna Salomon and Amia Cottier had big nights for the Lady Warriors, scoring 18 and 13 points respectively.

The girls played a great overall game, limiting their turnovers and having good ball movement and solid…

Read more: Lady Warriors earn first win of the season

By Deb Hendrickson

The Martin City Council met in regular session on Wednesday, December 9 with all councilpersons in attendance. In the absence of Mayor Gary Rayhill, Kevin Rascher conducted the meeting. 

Motions were made and passed to approve the agenda with flexibility, the minutes from the November 12 meeting, and the finance officer’s report. Finance Officer, Jean Kirk stated that the…

Read more: Martin City Council discuss trees, code enforcement officer hired and ordinances addressed

Bennett County Hospital and Nursing Home staff and residents want to give special recognition to Bee Huddleston for her 103rd Birthday! We are joining the family in their invitation of an ongoing card shower for this amazing lady. Cards can be sent to Bee at Bennett County Nursing Home, 102 Major Allen, Martin, SD 57551.

At, 103 years young, Bee is a COVID survivor. As former teacher, she is a…

Read more: Bee Huddleston turns 103 years young