Local News Briefs

Thomas named BHS principal for next year
BROOKINGS — Zach Thomas will continue as Brookings High School principal next year.

Thomas, who was hired as interim principal after the departure of Justin Stanley, was rehired unanimously by the Brookings School Board at their Jan. 12 meeting.

The move ends a string of four principals in four years for BHS.

Thomas, a 2010 BHS grad, was hired as assistant principal when Stanley was hired as principal in 2024. He was previously a history teacher and girls basketball coach at BHS.

At its monthly meeting on Jan. 12, the Brookings School Board voted unanimously to make Thomas principal for the 2026-27 school year at Brookings High School.

Thomas was hired as assistant principal in 2024 and then named interim principle after the dismissal of then-principal Justin Stanley.

Thomas, a 2010 graduate of BHS, has become a familiar face in the halls of the high school. He also spent five years as a history teacher and six years coaching girls basketball and two years in the learner support role at the school.

“I’ve heard nothing but positive things. I’ve received many emails and texts messages telling what a great administrative team we have at the high school, so I think this is a good move,” said Deb DeBates, board president.

Superintendent Summer Schultz recommended the move to the board.

Brookings Public Library to offer Silent Book Club
BROOKINGS — Join the Brookings Public Library’s inaugural Silent Stories - Silent Book Club and Social Hour on Tuesday, January 20 at 6:30pm at Mosaic Wine Bar!

Bring whatever book you want, and we will start with 45 minutes of quiet reading time on your own. After the reading portion ends, attendees have the chance to talk with others about what they are reading or to socialize generally. The Library will provide a non-alcoholic drink for each attendee if they wish, though you are welcome to purchase your own food and/or drink from Mosaic! No registration is required.

More information can be found on the Brookings Public Library website calendar (brookingslibrary.org) or on the Library’s Facebook page (@bkglib). The mission of Brookings Public Library is to provide materials and information contributing to the education, recreation, and quality of life for the Brookings community.

Former SDSU coach indicted
A former equestrian coach at South Dakota State University in Brookings has been indicted for allegedly using state resources to pay for her personal horses’ veterinarian bills and to board them for about a year. 

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced on Wednesday that a Brookings County grand jury indicted Kamerra Brown, 38, of Brookings, on Jan. 8.

The total value of the alleged theft is estimated between $5,000 and $100,000, Jackley’s office said. Brown faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.

The case is being investigated and prosecuted by the attorney general’s Public Integrity Unit.

Brown is one of numerous former public employees charged with crimes over the past two years in South Dakota. One former Department of Social Services employee, Lonna Carroll, was sentenced to seven years in prison for the theft of $1.8 million from the state across multiple years.

Other former state employees have been accused or found guilty of charges such as forging food service inspections, falsifying child abuse reports, creating false vehicle titles and issuing themselves a medical marijuana card.

Brown Announces District 8 Candidacy
MADISON— Danny Brown announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives representing District 8. The campaign emphasizes healthy relationships, effective communication, and a work ethic grounded in integrity — values that have guided Brown’s 25‑year legal career and community service.

“I am committed to the community, dedicated to South Dakota,” Brown said in a news release. “Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how building healthy relationships and communicating openly leads to real solutions. In Pierre, I will prioritize listening to the concerns of District 8 residents and working collaboratively with local leaders. By fostering trust and transparency, I will bring people together to address challenges—whether it’s supporting our schools, strengthening local businesses, or advancing policies that reflect our shared values. My commitment is to keep lines of communication open, respond promptly to constituent needs, and always act with integrity on behalf of District 8.”

Brown has over 25 years of legal experience in both the public and private sectors. He currently serves as General Counsel at East River Electric Power Cooperative, a wholesale power provider headquartered in Madison, where he advises leadership and the board of directors, and actively supports strategic planning for the cooperative and its members. His work includes coordination on regulatory matters, contract review, and land and permitting issues central to South Dakota’s energy future.

Previously, Brown served the City of Sioux Falls as Senior Assistant City Attorney (2014–2022), providing counsel on complex civil matters, development negotiations, and policy implementation. Before his tenure with the city, he practiced law in Madison, ultimately becoming a partner at Lammers, Kleibacker & Brown, LLP (2000-2014).

Brown has served on and worked with numerous local boards. For the past 15 years he has served as a member of the board of trustees for Madison Regional Hospital and as a past president of Trinity Lutheran Church. He has called Madison home for the last 26 years and Danny and his wife, Becky, are proud parents to three Madison High School graduates.

Brown earned his Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Arizona. He is admitted to practice in South Dakota, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, and Minnesota.

Hanson Joins Brookings Health System Board of Trustees
BROOKINGS — Shawna Hanson of Volga was recently appointed to Brookings Health System’s Board of Trustees.

Hanson fills a county-appointed trustee position that runs through December 2028. She is employed by Daktronics as general counsel and has experience advising boards and executives on legal and compliance matters.

Hanson received her juris doctorate from the University of South Dakota. She also holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University. She also serves as a board member for Volga Christian School.

Brookings Health System’s Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance associated with all aspects of Brookings Health System programs, services and related organizational, operational and financial activities. The board is comprised of five City of Brookings appointed members, three Brookings County appointed members and one active medical staff member.

About Brookings Health System
Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, municipal health system that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit them at brookingshealth.org .