Fort Pierre Voters Say Yes to Rural Water

Voters in Fort Pierre yesterday backed the city council’s September decision to purchase water from the West River/Lyman Jones Rural Water System. Of the ballots cast yesterday, unofficial numbers show that 351 voted to approve Fort Pierre’s plan to pair with the rural water system and 210 voted against. Mayor Sam Tidball, who cast the deciding vote to enter into the agreement with the rural water system when council members were split on the move in September, says he is pleased with the turnout of city residents who visited the polls to cast their ballots Tuesday. He says the approval of the water agreement gives him a good feeling about how most people really feel on the issue. The purchase agreement between the city and West River/Lyman Jones would be for three years and means a change in water rates for Fort Pierre water users. Tidball says the date for the switchover from well water to rural water is still yet to be determined, as West River/Lyman Jones first has to add a new meter and new electronic valve to its system. The results of Tuesday’s election will be canvassed tonight at a special council meeting at the Stanley County Courthouse.





Campbell County Prosecutor to Decide Possible Charges Against Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy

The Walworth County States Attorney says a neighboring states attorney will likely determine whether charges will be pursued against a former Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy. Christopher Jansen says Campbell County States Attorney Mark Kroontje will take the case of former Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy J.J. Paul, who was fired earlier this month after just a month on the job. Walworth County Sheriff Duane Mohr says Paul was let go for allegations that he stole funds out of the safe in the Sheriff’s Office. When law enforcers in rural areas are accused of crimes, the Division of Criminal Investigation looks into the cases. Jansen says the DCI has yet to issue a report on the allegations. Before serving in Walworth County, Paul was employed as a deputy with Pennington County. He had started working for Walworth County on October 1 and was fired November 6.