South Dakota
Lennox City Council reviews projected windfall from possible state prison sewer deal • South Dakota Searchlight
LENNOX – The Lennox City Council could pay off three infrastructure projects and eliminate a monthly sewer surcharge for its residents if it agrees to accept wastewater from a men’s prison proposed by the state Department of Corrections, according to a city official.
That’s if the state agrees to a deal similar to one rejected by Harrisburg earlier this year.
The Lennox City Council did not vote to accept an agreement during Monday’s night’s council meeting, as there’s currently no proposal on the table.
Instead, the council reviewed the financial windfall a deal to service inmate sewage could bring to the town of 2,400 if the city were offered a deal like Harrisburg’s.
Council members gave City Administrator Nathan Vander Plaats their blessing to work with the DOC to prepare an agreement.
If a deal comes together, the council could vote on the matter on Nov. 12.
“I think we need to see a deal before we make any decisions,” Council Member Chad Swier said. “We’re just theorizing numbers here.”
Harrisburg says NOPE to state prison wastewater deal
The city of Harrisburg, about six miles from the prison’s proposed location in rural Lincoln County, rejected a state proposal for sewer services after pushback from rural residents with property near the site. That deal would have dropped a $7.1 million one-time payment into city coffers, in addition to annual payments.
The prison proposal would replace the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. The building was erected in 1881, and Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko has argued that the facility is too antiquated to operate safely. Lawmakers have committed $569 million to the project, but there is no guaranteed price yet.
The project has drawn intense criticism from the proposed site’s rural neighbors. Some of those neighbors filed a lawsuit that sought to force the state to adhere to Lincoln County’s zoning ordinances. A circuit court judge dismissed that case last week.
Lennox is about 15 miles from the prison site, across Interstate 29 to the west. Vander Plaats said the city approached the state after Harrisburg’s vote against a sewage deal.
Vander Plaats presented a fiscal analysis of what a deal with Lennox might mean, based on the Harrisburg proposal. It suggests the deal could come in the form of a $10.5 million one-time payment.
That’s enough money for the city to retire its debt on a wastewater treatment facility and two clean water basins. Clearing that debt from the city ledger and adding the state’s payments would boost the city’s bottom line by $350,000 annually, according to an analysis prepared by Vander Plaats. He said the city wouldn’t see the money until 2028 at the earliest.
But that figure drops by $150,000 annually when factoring in around $4.5 million in necessary upgrades to the city’s facilities. The city would take on 200,000 more gallons of sewage each day, the analysis says.
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South Dakota
Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources announces $48 million for statewide projects
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has the approval of over $48 million in loans and grants for statewide projects.
Together with the Board of Water and Natural Resources, a total of $36,958,000 in state loans, including $425,000 in principal forgiveness, was authorized for drinking water and wastewater improvements.
More funding was distributed to the following programs:
BDM Rural Water:
- Received an additional $233,450 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct a new water treatment plant, install a new water reservoir, install a pipe to expand the water system, and replace water meters
Clay Rural Water:
- Received $334,250 in ARPA grant funds to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant
Mid-Dakota Rural Water System:
- Received $917,357.85 in ARPA grant to update the existing water system
Mitchell:
- Received $3,930,000 in Clean Water State Revolving Funds to upgrade the clay sanitary and storm sewer
Rapid City:
- Received a $14,512,000 Drinking Water State Revolving loan to make improvements to an existing well and also construct two new wells
Shared Resources:
- Received $1,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks
Sioux Falls:
- Received $7,648,000 to complete a third connection to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System
- Received $17,746,000 to construct a new Southeast Basin sanitary force main
South Lincoln Rural Water System:
- Received $328,250 in ARPA funds to install an elevated water tank, new pump station, and new water treatment plant
South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources:
- Received $1 million in ARPA funds for its statewide Riparian Buffer Initiative
Toronto:
- Received $770,000 Drinking Water Revolving Loan to accommodate the Department of Transportation installing new storm sewers and highway surfacing
These programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.
The board approved the funding during a January 8 meeting in Pierre.
Copyright 2026 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A harrowing scene at Sheridan Lake ended without serious injury Tuesday after a man, a woman and their dog fell through thin ice near the swimming beach, authorities said.
Keep pets on a leash and never attempt a risky rescue if someone falls through the ice, officials said. Call 911 immediately.
The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks agency advises that ice three inches or less is unsafe. Four inches is generally considered the minimum for walking, ice fishing or skating.
Lt. Casey Kenrick of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is a reminder to take extra precautions this winter.
“Usually at this time the ice is significantly thick on the lakes around the area, well, some aren’t even frozen all the way at this point. The temperatures have been up and down so much that the ice isn’t solid even though it may look like it is, so make sure you know the ice depth that you’re getting onto,” Kenrick said.
Kenrick said those precautions could mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
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