Construction is expected to start in early April on a 24-unit owner-occupied housing development at Mitchell’s former First Avenue mobile home park site. The project will be built by Van Buskirk Construction after the city transferred the property to the Mitchell Area Development Corporation.
The Davison County Board of Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the North Offices Building in Mitchell. The agenda includes a Legacy Pointe liquor license hearing, a Davison Rural Water land discussion and a fairgrounds storage addition proposal.
Drought conditions are worsening across South Dakota, with moderate drought now showing up in parts of the southeast and southwest, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update. About 29% of the state is rated abnormally dry, with 18.6% in moderate drought.
New unemployment insurance claims in South Dakota ticked up to 273 for the week ending Feb. 7, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Nationally, seasonally adjusted initial claims dipped to 227,000.
Davison County Commissioners approved employee raises, several property tax abatements and routine county business during their Feb. 10 meeting. The board accepted one employee resignation and granted 50-cent hourly raises to multiple staff members who completed introductory periods. Several tax abatements were approved for valuation errors, tax-exempt classifications and property losses involving both businesses and private parcels, including Mitchell School District properties. Commissioners also approved a land plat, county bills and timesheets before adjourning. The next regular meeting is set for Feb. 17.
South Dakota senators approved a proposed constitutional amendment to allow statewide mobile sports betting routed through Deadwood-licensed casinos. Senate Joint Resolution 504 now heads to the South Dakota House.
South Dakota’s latest revenue forecast projects about $30.9 million more than expected, giving lawmakers new room to consider funding increases. Legislative leaders say a 1.25% boost for education, state employees and community service providers is among options now being discussed.
Freeman Academy, a private Christian school in Freeman, will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year after a corporation vote. Leaders cited declining enrollment, ongoing deficits and long-term sustainability concerns.
