BROOKINGS A young man provided an update to Brookings County commissioners on his multi-year effort to restore Fountain Cemetery near Bushnell at Tuesday mornings meeting.
James Dahl said his latest effort is focused on signage for the resting place of some of the countys earliest residents, which recorded its last burial in 1927, according to earlier reporting by the Brookings Register. Dahl is planning for three metal signs, each measuring 2 feet by 3 feet, and hes hoping the county will assist with associated costs.
He plans to install the signs himself, and he expects to receive a cost estimate in a week or so. Dahl will also work with Highway Superintendent Brian Gustad on sign placement and related issues, and Dahl will also ensure his work doesnt disrupt any buried utilities.
Dahl began his efforts at the cemetery, which is roughly 1 mile north of 209th Street on 477th Avenue, in spring 2023. Around that time, the county repaired the minimum maintenance road leading to the cemetery, putting down a fresh layer of gravel. Since that time, Dahl has been undertaking restoration work, but there have been some trials and tribulations along the way, including dense overgrowth, weather, time constraints and, naturally, mosquitoes.
Dahl will return before commissioners at a later date, at which point additional discussion and possible action could occur.
Very admirable, James, Commissioner Dave Miller praised. Good for you. Itll be a good project.
In other business at Tuesdays meeting:
- Commissioners approved, on two 5-0 votes, the transfer of alcohol licenses to Dakota Shores LLC. The entity, owned by Amy VandeWeerd of rural Bruce, has a new, five-year lease agreement to operate Wagon Wheel Resort west of Bruce. The licenses are a retail on-off sale malt beverage and South Dakota farm wine license, along with a retail on-sale liquor license.
- Commissioners also gave the green light, on a 5-0 vote, to approve a new package (off-sale) liquor license to Dakota Shores LLC.
- Commissioners heard from Gustad that load limits on the countys roads have been removed as of Tuesday morning.
- Gustad also told commissioners that the contractor intends to shut down county Road 25 through White where its known as Hooker Avenue beginning Wednesday for planned roadwork. It would affect the intersections of Fifth Street and Hooker Avenue, along with Main Street and Hooker Avenue, and is expected to take several weeks, depending on weather.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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