Hill City Prevailer

New entrance station comes to state park

Published by admin on Wed, 05/28/2025 - 9:19am
Locals and visitors will notice a new seasonal entrance station to Custer State Park this season. The building is already visible on Playhouse Road about a mile after the junction with Hwy. 16A.
“While the park has previously operated a temporary stop during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, staff have observed a noticeable increase in traffic along this route beyond the rally period,” said Nick Harrington with Game, Fish and Parks. “The new entrance station will allow park staff to assist guests with passes, provide maps and answer questions as they enter the park.”

Resident questions meter vs user surcharge

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:35am
Aldermen approved a contract to begin engineering work on the city wastewater treatment plant update at the May 12 Hill City Common Council  (HCCC) meeting. The contract, task order No. 8, costs the city $1,238,650. Joe Noble, from city engineer AE2S, said the contract covers the city for engineering for the entire project, including phases two and three. The city received complete funding for the water project but is phasing out the sewer project.

The Heart of the Hills, an artery with no veins

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:34am
Hill City has long been known as “the Heart of the Hills” for its central location in the Black Hills and the recreational opportunities that come with it. The famed Mickelson Trail has served as a sort of artery, running through the Black Hills since its first stage of completion in 1991.
What is a heart with one artery and no veins? That is exactly what the founders of Hill City Trails thought in 2020 when they sparked the vision for a local network of hiking and biking trails to connect its heart to the hills that surround it. 

New marketing plans in Keystone emphasize collaboration

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:29am
The Town of Keystone is moving in a new marketing direction with a new director of tourism and a rebranding of the chamber of commerce.
About 30 people, including business owners, community members, marketing specialists and town officials attended the first Keystone Area Chamber of Commerce mixer of 2025 held at the Red Garter Saloon May 15. 
The message from the chamber and the town was the same: the need for feedback and collaboration. 

Arts council partnering for summer season

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:26am
Members of the Hill City Arts Council board  (HCAC) gave an update about the nonprofit at a meeting held at the Hill City Center May 12.
The HCAC held six  Live on Stage performances at the Chute Rooster this winter, which board president Kristie Van Bogart called very successful.
Seven thousand, three hundred dollars was raised during the auction portion of the event, which contained items donated by Jewel of the West. The HCAC was able to award scholarships to graduating seniors from the donations obtained from the “pass the hat” at Live on Stage.

Council candidates share views on hot Hill City topics

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:11am
John Johnson is running against incumbent Lori Miner for Ward II alderman of Hill City.  
Johnson, a self-employed electronic technician, said he is running to serve his community while Miner, who is retired, said she is running to give people a choice.
Each was asked to state their position on issues facing Hill City. 

McNulty re-elected president despite accusations

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:10am
New trustees Nikki Ball and Matt Fullilove were sworn in at the May 7 Keystone Town Board meeting. Once again, Casey McNulty was elected as town board president. This came with opposition from Fullilove who accused the board of voting in a block, adding that McNulty was trying to “consolidate his power.” 

Board holds final meeting before graduation, summer

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:09am
The Hill City School District (HCSD) Board of Education convened Monday evening for its final meeting before graduation and the end of the academic year May 22. With the conclusion of one school year and preparation for the next already underway, the board addressed a full agenda, celebrating student accomplishments and approving key infrastructure and staffing plans.

Will economic concern hurt tourism?

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:01am
John Carley joined about 100 other business operators in early May for a meeting of the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association to preview the 2025 tourism season.
The mood in the room, he said, was “a little muted” compared to recent years, when South Dakota set repeated records for visitors and tourism spending.
“I wouldn’t say they were jumping up and down like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to have a great year,’” said Carley, manager of the Elk Creek Resort and Petrified Forest in Piedmont.

Infrastructure plans continue to flow

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 9:41am
Aldermen continued to move forward with the water and sewer infrastructure project by giving approval to several key facets of the project at the April 28 Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting.
Council members approved the funding for phase one of the water and wastewater projects, accepting the state revolving fund program water quality grant agreement  with little discussion.