VERMILLION, S.D. — Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe has been working on jail issues for much of his 22 1/2 years as sheriff.

It began with finding ways to keep an aging jail open and up to code. For much of the past 10 years, Howe's been involved with jail studies that culminated with the passage of a bond issue and construction of a new jail.

After all those years of work and anticipation, he can finally see the end.

Nearing completion, the new Clay County Jail & Law Enforcement Center is expected to open in mid October at Stanford Street and South Dakota Highway 50 on Vermillion's northwest side. Howe happily reported it's on time and under budget.

"I've been talking about issues in the jail almost as long as I've been sheriff," Howe said. "It will be nice to have it over so I can focus

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