HURON The retirement of longtime Plainsman writer and associate editor Crystal Pugsley after nearly 45 years with the paper was recognized at the Huron City Commission as Mayor Mark Robish declared Thursday, September 18, 2025, as Crystal Pugsley Day in Huron.
Pugsley will have a retirement open house on Thursday at the Plainsman building at 49 Third St. SE from 1 to 3 p.m.
The gallery applauded as Pugsley received her proclamation. Robish, stating that the city of Huron recognizes the value of local journalism, especially after a recent scare where it could have been taken away, acknowledged Pugsleys role at the paper.
She has been a vital cog to keep the newspaper in Huron local, productive, and an integral part of the daily lives of many Huron residents, Robish read in the proclamation.
After the proclamation, during the public forum, Commissioner Rhonda Kludt reminded the public that Beadle County Drug Court will hold a graduation at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the courthouse, and the public is invited.
Assistant city engineer Dennis Bennett presented a pay request from TLC Olson Construction for work on lift stations in the city in the amount of $464,283.92 and a pay request for work on the Third St. bridge by BX Civil Construction for $134,843.34. Both pay requests were approved.
The commission then considered a street vacation filed by HMMI for the east side of Arizona Ave. NW. Commissioners expressed concern about access to gas lines and other utilities in the right of way, but representatives from HMMI were willing to have this put as a condition of the vacation request. After acknowledging that the airport to the north of the business does restrict expansion to the north and that the right of way is 100 feet on that stretch of road rather than the standard 80 feet, the commission approved the request.
The commission also approved two plats for the potential sale of property.
Huron fire chief John Miller made a capital assets request to repair the current ladder truck. After finding that the bid process did not have a ladder truck available in the state, the fire department chose instead to repair the current ladder truck. The request was approved.
Commissioner Bryan Smith informed the public of a street closure on Jersey Ave. that will last three weeks, beginning on Sept. 15.
Commissioners also:
– Approved a special on-sale alcoholic beverage license application submitted by Hursts Corner for a wedding on October 4 at the Issac Walton.
– Approved a lottery/raffle permit filed by Petricore Houseplants for Bingo to be held every fourth Saturday, beginning Sept. 27.
– Approved the first reading of Ordinance 2274-23-47 regarding fence zoning and home occupations. The second reading was set for Sept. 29.
The commission adjourned the public meeting to go into executive session and then held a work session on the 2026 budget after the executive session.
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