Johnson County Year-in-Review 2020: September-December

Today we will continue our look back at Johnson County’s top stories during the last year as we focus on September through December of 2020.

Johnson County’s Shoreline Regulations concerning Lake DeSmet began review and discussion in September as requested by the county commissioners, who have been contacted by landowners wanting to make changes to their properties adjacent to the shoreline but are not allowed to do so under the regulations. Those discussions are ongoing.

There was an attempted kidnapping in Buffalo in September. According to Johnson County Code Red, an attempt was made to kidnap a 12 year-old female by a white male in a newer pickup with no known license plate. No arrests have been made to date in the case.

A Western movie was filmed at Buffalo’s TA Ranch this fall. The film, entitled “Catch the Bullet,” stars Tom Skerritt, Peter Facinelli, Jay Pickett, and Cody Jones and will be released to the public next year.

In the general election November 3^rd, voters in Johnson County chose John Camino and Scott Madsen for two open seats on the Buffalo City Council. Incumbent Bob Perry was reelected to the county commission. The school board, rural health board, and the newly-created Senior Citizen Service District all gained new members in the election.

Five thousand dollars in seed capital, is to be awarded in the first Buffalo High School Start-Up Challenge, sponsored by IMPACT 307. The five students are: Sam Hulick, Chase Wellington, Caydence Engling, Katelyn Sutton, and Aaron Dyess. The winners of the first round, and a share of $1,500 were Wellington, Hulick, and Engling. The second and final round will take place in January where all five finalists will re-pitch their plans, with each having opportunity to receive a share of the $3,500 in remaining seed fund.

Johnson County Healthcare Center CEO Sean McCallister informed the hospital board in December that their COVID-19 projects are on-time and under budget. The projects include new air-handling units; and renovations in the acute care, surgery patient recovery, and the sterilization areas. The JCHC was approved for the $3.8 million grant for the projects, funded through the State Loan and Investments Board.