Kingsbury County Sheriff's Office

08/30/2026

🎡 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE FAIR SAFETY TIPS 🎡

The South Dakota State Fair is almost here! Whether you’re traveling to Huron for the food, rides, concerts, livestock, or simply a fun day with family and friends, please make safety part of your plans.

🚗 TRAVEL SAFELY

• Allow extra travel time and expect increased traffic.
• Buckle up and make sure every child is properly secured.
• Avoid distractions and put the phone down while driving.
• Watch for motorcycles, pedestrians, farm equipment, and slow-moving vehicles.
• Never drive when tired or impaired.

🍻 CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY

If your plans include alcohol, arrange for a sober driver before the fun begins. Use a designated driver, rideshare service, taxi, or stay overnight. Do not let a friend or family member drive impaired.

A DUI can change—or end—a life. No celebration is worth that risk.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

Before entering the fairgrounds:

• Take a current, full-length picture of your child showing what they are wearing that day.
• Write your phone number on a wristband or card and place it securely in your child’s pocket.
• Teach younger children their parent or guardian’s full name and phone number.
• Choose an easy-to-find meeting location in case your family becomes separated.
• Point out law enforcement officers, security personnel, and fair employees so your child knows who to approach for help.
• Remind children never to leave the fairgrounds or go into a parking area with anyone other than their parent or guardian.
• Keep young children within sight, especially in crowded areas and near rides.

If your child goes missing, immediately notify law enforcement, security, or fair staff. Provide the child’s name, age, clothing description, current photograph, and the location where they were last seen. Do not wait to report it.

Let’s work together to make this year’s South Dakota State Fair safe, enjoyable, and memorable for all the right reasons!

Have fun, stay alert, buckle up, and always plan for a sober ride home.

— Kingsbury County Sheriff’s Office

08/28/2026

Let’s Work Together to End Drunk Driving!

From August 19 through September 7, 2026, the Kingsbury County Sheriff’s Office, SD Department of Public Safety-Office of Highway Safety, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be working alongside local law enforcement to deter drunk driving and prevent tragedies during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

According to the South Dakota Office of Accident Records, over the past five Labor Day weekends (2021–2025), impaired driving crashes have resulted in 6 fatalities and 51 injuries on South Dakota roadways. This is why the Kingsbury County Sheriff’s Office is working together with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety-Office of Highway Safety, and NHTSA to remind drivers that impaired driving is not only illegal; it’s a matter of life and death. As you head out to festivities during the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it kills. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this dangerous behavior.
If a driver intends to drink during a Labor Day festivity, he or she should plan ahead for a safe ride home by securing a designated driver. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement.

For more information on impaired driving, visit NHTSA.gov/DrunkDriving, and https://drivesafesd.com/.

Sheriff Steve Strande
Kingsbury County Sheriff’s Office

08/24/2026

Feeding SD in DeSmet, Wednesday, August 26 at 12:15. Bring your ID.
Lake Preston residents are welcome.

08/19/2026

Reminder - school has started, therefore speed limits may change before, during and after school.

If the light is flashing, the speed zone is lowered.

Lake Preston has installed new lights and the speed zone will be 15 mph ALL DAY during the school day.

08/18/2026

With schools starting up in the county, be sure to keep our precious cargo safe!

08/17/2026

If you are wondering who is going around Kingsbury County during the day knocking on doors, it is a University student from Estonia, Parvin Tiks. Parvin is doing a summer exchange program selling educational books and apps for families from young toddlers all the way to college prep. This is his 1st week, so if you see him, don't forget to say hi! His business is legitimate and he has acquired a peddler’s permit.

08/16/2026

They have been found and happy to be home!

Missing since yesterday afternoon from North of Lake Preston residence. Call the sheriff’s office with information.

08/07/2026

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

12 DEATHS IN
6 DAYS IN
SOUTH DAKOTA

Let's all do our part to advance safety by slowing down, wearing seatbelts, avoiding distractions (Buckle Up, Phone Down) and sharing the road with courtesy and respect.

08/04/2026

Sturgis Rally Traffic Reminder

As the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gets underway, we're seeing more motorcycles traveling through Kingsbury County on their way to and from Sturgis.

We want to remind everyone to stay alert and help keep our roads safe:

• Look twice before pulling onto a highway or making a turn.
• Motorcycles are smaller and can be harder to see, so take an extra moment to check for oncoming traffic.
• Give motorcycles plenty of space and avoid cutting in front of them.
• Stay focused and avoid distractions while driving.

A few extra seconds of caution can make all the difference. Let's work together to ensure everyone whether they're traveling on two wheels or four arrives safely at their destination.

Have a safe week, and thank you for doing your part to keep Kingsbury County roads safe!

Kingsbury County Sheriff's Office

07/27/2026

Due to Kingsbury County Achievement Days, the Primary Run-off Election voting location for DeSmet Precinct will be held at the Event Center.