Offensive Name In South Dakota Will Change

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota board charged with getting rid of offensive place names is getting closer to recommending a new name for Negro Creek in Meade County.

Based on suggestions submitted by the public, the Board of Geographic Names on Thursday narrowed the choices to three names. But the panel wants to do more research on two of them.

The board agreed the creek might be renamed Bob Lee Creek in honor of a western historian, Howes Creek because it's near the community of Howes, and Rebecca Buffington Creek for a woman reported to have died helping sick Native Americans on the creek.

Board members will seek more research on the Howes and Buffington families.

The panel plans to make a final recommendation Oct. 9, and then hold a public hearing.

AP-WF-09-13-12 2224GMT