McLaughin mayor says town had no choice but to disconnect family's utilities

Apr 13, 20200

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Patric White Mountain and Heaven Strong Heart sit with their three children in front of a relative's home they are living at until they can turn their utilities back on at their McLaughlin home. Winter Song, 1, sits on her mother's lap, while 7-year-old Grace sits at her feet. Patric Jr. sits at his father's feet.

A family of five is living in their car and with relatives after they couldn't pay their electric bill and a small South Dakota town shut off the utilities at their FEMA trailer home.

The family and an advocacy group say shutting off water and other utilities creates a public health risk during the coronavirus outbreak. And they ask why the town of McLaughlin is closing buildings and businesses in acknowledgment of the virus but not stopping the shutoffs.

https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/mclaughin-mayor-says-town-had-no-choice-but-to-disconnect-familys-utilities/article_ddabcec9-e1ac-50d1-bdfd-da24b9669292.html