Lake Benton Valley Journal Year in Review Part 3

Check out the stories in part 3 of the Year in Review to see what you may have missed.

Three Elkton-Lake Benton teams earn academic achievement

Photo courtesy of Starrography
The Lady Elks volleyball team was one of three E-LB teams to be honored by the SDHSAA for their academic excellence.

By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com

 
Elkton-Lake Benton High School emphasizes excellence in academics and in extra-curricular activities. That is why three E-LB teams were honored by the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) for excellence in the classroom and on the team.
According to a press release from the SDHSAA, the SDHSAA Academic Achievement Team Award Program is designed to recognize varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups for their academic excellence.

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.

Chamber will celebrate the positive this weekend

The Dakota-Minnesota Saddle Horse Holiday Committee was honored as 2019 Community Organization of the Year during the 2019 Kickoff. Join the Chamber this weekend to find out who the new Community Organization of the Year will be.

By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com

 
The Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce will once again celebrate the positive in Lake Benton. At the 2020 Chamber Kickoff, the Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce will honor one individual and one community group, celebrating everything they have contributed to the community.
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Country House Supper Club this Saturday, Jan. 18. An appetizer buffet and cocktails will be available. Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce or City Office.

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.

Several annual resolutions and appointments approved at county meeting

Lincoln County Sheriff Chad Meester spoke to the county board about joining the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force.

By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com

 
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, Jan. 7 for their first meeting of the new decade. Commissioners Rick Hamer and Corey Sik were absent from the meeting.
The meeting opened with election of the chair and vice-chair. Commissioner Joe Drietz was elected board chair and Commissioner Mic VanDeVere was elected as vice-chair.
Because it was the first meeting of the year, several annual resolutions, decisions and appointments were approved, including the following:
The 2020 mileage rate was set at $0.57 per mile…

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.

Hamer found guilty of drug possession charge at trial

Rick Hamer

By Deb Gau
Reprinted from the
Marshall Independent

Lincoln County Com­missioner Richard Hamer was found guilty of drug possession on Friday, Jan. 3 after a trial held in Lyon County.
A jury returned guilty verdicts for fifth degree controlled substance crime, and for posses­sion of drug parapherna­lia. However, Hamer was found not guilty of a more serious charge of possess­ing methamphetamine with the intent to sell. Ju­rors also found that pos­session of guns found in a shop building owned by Hamer were not an aggra­vating factor in the drug possession charge.

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.

Lake Benton Valley Journal Year in Review, part 2

Check out Part 2 of the Year in Review. You may have missed something or just want to get a second look at the stories in this section.

Get on the ice for good fishing

The annual Ice Fishing Tournament on Lake Benton Lake will take place Saturday, Jan. 25. Cash and prizes will be up for grabs in this tournament. Register early.

By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com

 
Get out on the ice for some good fishing on Lake Benton Lake, Saturday, Jan. 25 when the Lake Benton Sportsman’s Club will host their sixth annual Ice Fishing Tournament.
Fishermen and fisherwomen can preregister from now until Friday, Jan. 24 at the Lake Benton Resort, Kjergaard Sports, S&E Auto, or Brookings Power Sports. Fishers can register at Lake Benton Resort on Friday, Jan. 24 from 3-10 p.m. or bright and early on Saturday, Jan. 25, beginning at 6 a.m. at the DNR lake access.

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.-Correct dates are in bold.

Guy Harding retires after 34 years of service in law enforcement

Guy Harding retired from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department after more than 30 years of service.

By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com

 
After more than 30 years of service, Guy Harding retired from law enforcement at the end of 2019. During his years, he served communities in both England and the United States, ending up as a Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff until his retirement.
Harding began serving in law enforcement in England, his native land, beginning in 1985. He worked as an officer there for 15 years before he moved to the United States in 1999. Before entering law enforcement, Harding spent 12 years as a paramedic in a large city. Harding and his wife moved to Lincoln County in 2000.

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.

City council discusses future of local police department

Mayor Bob Worth announced the Mayoral Appointments at Monday night’s meeting.

By Shelly Finzen
lbvjeditor@gmail.com

 
The Lake Benton City Council met for their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. All council members were present for the meeting.
Police Chief Jeff Bumgarner was absent from the meeting; however he submitted the December police report via email (see elsewhere in this edition for the report). As part of the report, Bumgarner stated that he was still willing to remain in the position for a time, but his hours during January will be diminished. After approving the police report, the council turned the discussion to the future of the Lake Benton Police Department.

For the full story, read this week’s Lake Benton Valley Journal.

Holiday cheer the “ugly” way

Just before the holidays, Lake Benton Elementary School students showed off their holiday spirit with an Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, where students and staff were encouraged to wear their ugliest and cheeriest holiday gear. The third grade class is pictured showing their Christmas cheer.