Hill City Prevailer

Keystone logistics, activities discussed for 250th

Published by admin on Wed, 01/14/2026 - 9:59am
About 20 people met at the Keystone Community Center to discuss Independence Day and the 250th celebrations for 2026. 
It was again confirmed that President Donald Trump will attend fireworks at Mount Rushmore July 3. The ticketing system will be made available on recre
tion.gov, although it is not yet available.
Three members of the Keystone Town Board were present at the meeting, but no vote was made and thus did not constitute a quorum. The meeting was advertised as one to present ideas, and many in the room shared exactly that.

Keytone gives thanks at first meeting of 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 01/14/2026 - 9:56am
There were many thank yous given at the Jan. 9 Keystone Town Board meeting. 
Trustee Nikki Ball recognized the Stars and Stripes Alliance for its work at the Keystone Senior Center and Social Club. 
“It brings people together,” said Ball. 
Paula Cottrell wants to break up the dates for the senior center monthly  lunch and brunch into other weekends. The group also wants to offer dinners during the winter.
Town board president Casey McNulty offered  personal funds for assistance with food. 

Library changes policies for county patrons

Published by admin on Wed, 01/14/2026 - 9:55am
Hill City and Keystone library patrons now have a different option for taking out books from the Rapid City Library, as what was formerly known as reciprocal borrowing has ended as of Jan. 10. Reciprocal borrowing allowed library patrons with the Hill City or Keystone library card to take out material from the Rapid City library using their Hill City or Keystone card. 
Rapid City Public  Library director Terri Davis said that program was “easy to trial with libraries since they all had shared funding from the county.” 

Bonfire lights up Beretta Road

Published by admin on Wed, 01/07/2026 - 9:52am
First responders in the area were busy New Year’s Eve as revelers held a bonfire in Johnson Gulch off of  Beretta Road just outside of Keystone and Hill City. The road itself was posted as closed, yet Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies were able to identify approximately 70 individuals who ignored the closure and attended the bonfire.

Forest concessionaire may change

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:33am
Forest Recreation Management (FRM) will no longer be the concessionaire for the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF). FRM has had this permit, which expires at the end of 2025, for the last 20 years.  As a concessionaire, FRM  managed the BHNF developed recreation sites. The forest is looking for a new concessionaire for 2026, a process that began in June. 

Pennington County explains kiosk process

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:32am
Aldermen discussed an auto registration renewal kiosk in Hill City at the Dec. 22 Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting.
Pennington County commissioner Ron Rossknecht  and Pennington County treasurer Annette Brandt spoke to aldermen about the cost and process.
As of March 2025, a kiosk would cost a one-time fee of $90,000 along with a $1,500 per-month maintenance fee and an additional $18,000 annually when an extension renewal or contract renewal goes into effect. The state pays for the kiosks located in Rapid City and Minnehaha counties. 

Standard of excellence from the bottom to the top

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:30am
The Hill City School Districts Early Childhood/ preschool program had good news to share at the December school board meeting. The program has achieved an exemplary status through the School Administrators of South Dakota Preschool Levels of Excellence program. 
The program identified high-quality learning by rating programs as proficient, distinguished or exemplary based on standards of quality in areas such as curriculum, health and family engagement. 

The one issue SD towns agree is holding them back

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:18am
When a group of two dozen economic development leaders gathered in this central South Dakota city in November, they were asked to list the top challenges to growth and prosperity in their communities.
The concerns were as varied as the cities and towns they represent and ranged from pinpointing local problems to big-picture historical hurdles.
Some worried about how vacant or dilapidated downtown buildings were turning away potential new businesses and residents, while others sought ways to attract younger people who can build a community’s future.

ICE's year in SD, from small towns to Operation: Prairie Thunder

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 9:16am
Five months after Operation: Prairie Thunder officially began, the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s collaborative anti-crime and immigration enforcement effort will continue into the new year, the governor’s office has confirmed.  
The program was originally announced by Gov. Larry Rhoden to take place from July 28 through December.

Library funding restored, future of levy unclear

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 10:03am
The Pennington County Commission voted to add funding back to the Rapid City Library. The move came at the Dec. 16 meeting. Commissioners had previously reduced the 2026 budget from $475,000 to $81,000.
Public outcry was apparent after the move. The county explained its position repeatedly, wanting to renegotiate all library contracts with Rapid City, Hill City, Wall and Keystone. These contracts have been in place since 2016 and renewed automatically. Commissioners canceled the contracts in order to renegotiate them.