Huron local news summary

Police department faces staff shortage amid 13 percent rise in calls

Fire department ladder truck remains out of service

City advances tax incentive plan for new Comfort Inn & Suites

Building permit valuations up 40 percent over last year

Multi-year 3rd Street Bridge project officially complete

City to unveil new designs for Gibbs and Stoney Run parks

Police department faces staff shortage amid 13 percent rise in calls

HURON, S.D. — The Huron Police Department is navigating an increase in calls for service while operating with two officer vacancies, the public safety commissioner reported to the City Commission on Monday. The department has responded to 10,392 calls year-to-date, a 13 percent increase over 2024. Incident reports are also up 14 percent. The department is currently staffed with 25 of its 27 authorized full-time officers and is also seeking to fill one of its nine full-time telecommunicator positions.

Fire department ladder truck remains out of service

HURON, S.D. — The Huron Fire Department’s primary ladder truck is still out of service despite recent repair attempts, a city commissioner announced during a departmental update Monday night. The ongoing mechanical issues with the critical piece of equipment will be a subject for "future discussion," the commissioner said. In the report, it was also noted that the department is bolstering its ranks with three new volunteers and seven more scheduled to begin certification training in Dec. The department is also expanding training in specialized areas, including water rescue, rope rescue and hazardous materials response.

City advances tax incentive plan for new Comfort Inn & Suites

HURON, S.D. — The city’s Planning Department is developing a Tax Increment Financing district to support the construction of a new Comfort Inn & Suites hotel. A city commissioner reported Monday that the city is finalizing details for TIF No. 8, which will go before the Planning Commission before the City Commission votes on a final resolution. A TIF district uses the new property tax revenue generated by a development to help finance project costs.

Building permit valuations up 40 percent over last year

HURON, S.D. — Although the city has issued fewer building permits this year compared to 2024, the total valuation of those projects is significantly higher, indicating a robust construction landscape. The Planning Department reported Monday that fee income from permits is up roughly 40 percent from last year. The increase is driven by higher valuations for new commercial construction and residential remodeling projects. To date, the city has issued 342 building permits in 2025.

Multi-year 3rd Street Bridge project officially complete

HURON, S.D. — The City Commission approved the final payment for the 3rd Street Bridge rehabilitation project Monday, officially closing the books on the multi-year infrastructure effort. The commission approved final change orders that resulted in a combined decrease of $16,340 due to unused material quantities. A final payment of $43,737.68 was authorized to contractor BX Civil and Construction, marking the completion of a project that faced several delays since its inception.

City to unveil new designs for Gibbs and Stoney Run parks

HURON, S.D. — The public will get its first look at a potential new designs for Gibbs Park and Stoney Run Park at a meeting this week. The Parks and Recreation Department announced that students from South Dakota State University's landscape architecture program will present their design concepts for the two parks.

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