News
RESOLUTION 2026-09
BURN BAN
WHEREAS, Stanley County has Ordinance No. 2016-01 FOR THE REGULATION OF FIRE HAZARDS IN STANLEY COUNTY; and
WHEREAS, Stanley County has a substantial amount of remaining vegetation this spring, increasing the potential fuel for a fire; and
WHEREAS, Stanley County is currently experiencing dry conditions due to insufficient moisture during the winter and extending into spring. These circumstances, coupled with ongoing weather patterns, have resulted in the County being under a burn ban by Ordinance No. 2016-01 for more than one day in a row. Additionally, neighboring counties' conditions are similar to ours, thereby increasing the risk of significant, rapidly spreading fires that could impact Stanley County.
WHEREAS, Stanley County is aware of several recent large wildfires in the western half of the state and in Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, Stanley County is aware that the number of state and federal resources available in the state to assist with wildfires is limited because of the current fires in South Dakota and Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, Stanley County is dedicated to taking steps to protect the health and safety of all residents of the County and all property within the County, and
WHEREAS, the Stanley County Commission has consulted with local fire officials and law enforcement officials in regard to the severity of this issue; and
WHEREAS, for purposes of this Resolution, “open burning’ shall be defined as any outdoor fire, including but not limited to campfires, warming fires, charcoal grill fires, or the prescribed burning of fence rows, fields, wild lands, trash, and debris. Fireworks will also be considered open burning and be banned by this resolution. This resolution excludes fires contained within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within all buildings, charcoal grills and fire pits at private residences, burn barrels with a minimum 30-foot clear zone, and permanent fire pits or fire grates located on supervised developed picnic grounds and campgrounds.
WHEREAS, burn barrels, fire pits, or fire grates are not excluded from this Resolution as listed above and are banned when a “Red Flag” or “Extreme Fire Danger” is issued by the National Weather Service for Stanley County; and
WHEREAS, conditions of extreme fire hazard now exist in Stanley County;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Stanley County Commission enact this resolution on an emergency basis and impose a ban to prohibit or restrict open burning in order to protect the public health and safety pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law 7-8-20(18); and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the burn ban will be effective 8:00 A.M., March 26th, 2026; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the ban will be in place until fire conditions improve and the Commission takes action to remove the ban.
Dated this 24th day of March 2026.
ATTEST:
Philena Burtch, Auditor Dana Iversen, Chairman
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STANLEY COUNTY
ORDINANCE NO. 2016-01
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE REGULATION OF FIRE HAZARDS IN STANLEY COUNTY.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Stanley County commissioners that the following restrictions in regard to open burning be imposed:
SECTION 1:
Stanley County Commission may impose a ban to prohibit or restrict open burning in order to protect the public health and safety pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law 7-8-20(18).
Section 2:
Open burning defined. For purposes of this ordinance, open burning means the intentional burning of any substance, whether natural or manmade, or the intentional casting off of any burning substance, whether natural or manmade, except the burning of such substance in a container sufficient so as to prohibit the escape of any of the burning substance, or any sparks, flames or hot ashes from the container. The escape of any of such burning substance, or the escape of any sparks, flames or hot ashes from any such container shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the container was insufficient so as to meet the exception from the definition of an open burning set forth herein. The maintaining of a fire in any interior fireplace, stove or furnace is specifically excluded from the definition of an open burning as contemplated by this ordinance. Fireworks which produce sparks are specifically included in the definition of open burning.
Section 3:
In the interest of public health and safety no person shall conduct open burning outside the municipality in Stanley County when the National Weather Service has declared the South Dakota Grassland Fire Danger Index to be in the VERY HIGH or EXTREME category or has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for any portion of Stanley County. The prohibition against open burning shall automatically be suspended during any period the South Dakota Grassland Fire Danger Index falls below the VERY HIGH, category, or the RED FLAG WARNING has been rescinded or cancelled by the National Weather Service.
Section 4:
Other than when deemed necessary by fire officials for the preservation of life and/or property, exemptions may not be granted during the conditions identified in Section 3.
Section 5:
Stanley County Ordinance 2002-7 remains in effect regarding notifications for controlled burns. That ordinance requires that Pierre Police Dispatch be notified before any controlled burn in the County and also when that burn is completed.
Section 6:
Violations of this ordinance shall be subject to penalties pursuant to SDCL 7-18A-2; and an action of civil injunctive relief, pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law 21-8.
Section 7:
All ordinance or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Adopted this 5th day of July, 2016.
First reading: 06/07/2016
Public Hearing: 07/05/2016
Adoption: 07/05/2016
Published: Dana Iversen, Chairman
Stanley County Commission
ATTEST:
Philena Edwards, Auditor
Stanley County, South Dakota
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Congratulations and Happy Retirement, Jackie Husted!
Jackie has been with 4-H/Extension since 1986, working with youth and adult volunteers in Hughes, Stanley and Sully communities, enriching each one of them with the knowledge and desire to succeed.
Jackie's dedication, knowledge and heart have helped the 4-H/Extension program continue to thrive and grow.
Enjoy retirement, Jackie. After 39 Years, you deserve it.
October 2025
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Congratulations, Tom Richardson!
June 1, 2024, marks 40 years of hard work and dedication to Stanley County. You deserve all the compliments, our utmost respect and gratitude for all you have done and continue to do for all of us.
You truly are one of a kind.
Thank you, Lexa.
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Proclamation Declaring May as Mental Health Awareness Month
WHEREAS, nearly one in five adults and one in five adolescents in the United States live with a mental illness; and
WHEREAS, Mental health impacts a person’s emotional, social, environmental, financial, and overall well-being, with significant disparities among racially and ethnically diverse communities; and
WHEREAS, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, with teenagers experiencing a 17.3% increase in the use of anxiety medications since 2010; and
WHEREAS, one third of the United States population lives in a county designated as a mental health professional shortage area; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 44% of residents detained in jails are suffering from mental illness, often with co-occurring substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS, Stanley County and all counties serve as a safety net for residents in need, first responders, and operator of crisis lines, public hospitals, and detention centers; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE PROCLAIMED, that Stanley County Board of Commissioners declares May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Stanley County to highlight the critical role of the county in providing crucial behavioral health resources to its residents; and Be It Further
PROCLAIMED, The Stanley County Board of Commissioners continues its commitment to partner with our community members to ensure that all mental health services are accessible, valuable, and culturally appropriate for all residents.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 7th day of May 2024.
By: Craig Heller, Commission Chairman By: Dana Iversen, Commission Vice-Chairman
By: Mike Kenzy, Commissioner By: Sonny Harrowa, Commissioner
By: Gary Grittner, Commissioner ATTEST:
Philena Burtch, Auditor
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Outdoor Alert Sirens
Outdoor alert sirens are not just "tornado sirens". Sirens may be used for all types of hazards where emergency officials want people in a defined area to shelter.
Chemical Events, Natural Events, Radiological Events, Biological Events, Explosions/Trauma Events
https://www.weather.gov/abr/SDSevereWeatherPreparednessWeek
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2023
Bill Konst has worked as Treasurer for one year. Congratulations! Your hard work and determination has made a positive impact to the County.
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Stanley County Courthouse is lit up in green. This is for Operation Green Light for Veterans. Stanley County has great respect, admiration, and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served our country and our community in the Armed Forces.
November 1-11, 2023, the Stanley County Courthouse will be lit up in green to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom. We encourage everyone to display a green light in a window of their business or residence.
I read a quote the other day, “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all and thank them all!” I don’t know who wrote it, but it says a lot.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2022
Justin Jones has worked for the highway department for 6 years. Congratulations! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2021
Keva Hedman has worked for the highway department for 4 years. Congratulations! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and keeping the crew in line. You are a positive asset, and very much appreciated.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2020
Jackie Husted has worked for 4-H/Extension for 34 years. Congratulations! Thank you for all your hard work, your passion for the work you do and your dedication to 4-H. You are a very important part of a very successful program that benefits so many of our youth.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2019
Bev Stoeser has worked as Register of Deeds for 32 years. Congratulations! Thank you for your hard work, dedication and knowledge.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2018
Bonnie Nickels has worked for the County Health Nurse/WIC for 40 years. Congratulations! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2017
Tom Richardson has worked for the highway department for 33 years. Congratulations! Thank you for your knowledge, hard work and dedication.
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Congratulations to Beverly Stoeser for 30 years of service to Stanley County in the Register of Deeds office. Bev started in the Register of Deeds office in 1987 and has been an elected official since 1991. Thank you for your knowledge and dedication, you are a positive asset.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2016
Philena 'Phil' has worked in the Auditor's office for 4 years. Congratulations! Thank you for all you do.
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Stanley County Employee of the Year 2015
Pat Prince has worked for the highway department for 12 years. Congratulations! Thank you for all you do and for your dedication.
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This mural was painted by Natalie, an 8th grader in Advanced Art Class, Georgia Morse Middle School.
She completed it May 2016.
If you would like to admire her creativity and talent, it is hanging at the grandstands main entrance,
Stanley County Fairgrounds.
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Rooster Rush 2016
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Rooster Rush 2017
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