This week in Brookings: October 5–11

This week brings public meetings across county and city boards, plus community events ranging from candidate forums to fall festivals.

The Brookings County Commission meets Tuesday at 8:30 AM to address routine business and approve several agenda items. Among the matters under consideration: an easement agreement between Brookings County and Brookings Municipal Utilities at the County Highway Department; a special events license for an event at Oakwood Lakes Lodge on October 17; and a new public records request policy for the county. The commission will also review the amended bylaws for the Brookings County Extension Board.

The County Extension Board meets the same morning at noon at the Brookings County Outdoor Adventure Center Classroom, with attention to the 2027 approved budget and bylaw revisions. Board openings for 2027 are available—applications close October 14 at 5 PM.

The Brookings Planning & Zoning Commission convenes Tuesday evening at 8 PM to consider three new plat applications (Werre Farm Addition, Berwald Addition, and Froiland Addition) and will hear a variance request under case number 2026var014 for a property in Bruce. The commission will also discuss updates to the Brookings County Zoning Ordinance.

The City Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment meet Tuesday at 8 PM to consider three variance requests and will hear informational reports on amendments to access drive ordinances and front yard setbacks, as well as a review of South Dakota open meetings laws.

The Park & Recreation Advisory Board meets Monday at an agenda time to be determined to discuss 2027 fee schedules for Edgebrook Golf Course and Parks, Recreation and Forestry operations. Directors will provide updates on trails, the splash pad, Arrowhead Park, and the Dakota Nature Park Art Project.

The Brookings Historic Preservation Commission gathers Thursday to hear a presentation on the downtown armory and to discuss landscape award additions for 2027. The commission will also review state case reports for properties at 414 9th Avenue and 401–403 Main Avenue.

Beyond the chambers, District 7 House of Representatives candidates Blake Stevens, Mellissa Heerman, and Roger Degroot will meet voters Monday at 5:30 PM in the City-County Government Center. Monday evening also brings a genealogy talk on immigration research at 6 PM.

The Brookings Professional Network meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Fly Boy Donuts for informal professional networking. The Brookings Farmers Market continues Saturday mornings through the end of October on the 300 block of 6th Avenue.

SDSU volleyball hosts Kansas City on Friday at 7 PM and Oral Roberts on Saturday at 1 PM, both at First Bank & Trust Arena. The musical "A New Brain" runs Friday through Sunday at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. McCrory Gardens holds its Fall Festival on Sunday at 10 AM with free admission, hayrides, food trucks, and a dog day ($1 per pup).