Hill City Prevailer

Halloween festivities set for Oct. 25-27

Published by admin on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 9:19am
Those looking for ways to celebrate Halloween and the fall season have a plethora of events to choose from in Hill City and Keystone Oct. 25-27.
Things kick off Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. with the Hill City Elementary School (HCES) Costume Parade on the green. 
“Community members are welcome to join us for our costume parade. Our students have very creative costumes and are excited to show them off,” said HCES principal Samantha Weaver. 

Keystone approves sediment removal bid

Published by admin on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 9:01am
By Leslie Silverman
 
Four bids for the Town of Keystone sediment-removal project were received when the town rebid the project. The Keystone Board of Trustees voted to approve a $88,821.50 bid at its Oct. 2 town board meeting. Trustees noted there was quite a large difference between bids. It is not certain when work on the removal will begin. 

Keystone gearing up for Halloween

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:45am
Keystone is poised to become the Halloween headquarters of the Black Hills with several events taking place throughout the month.
The fun kicks off Oct. 11 with the first night of the Haunting of Keystone, a tradition in the tiny town for 14 years.
The event takes place on weekends Oct. 11-13, Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27.
Prices vary depending on what night people choose or if they choose to bundle their experience or just visit one attraction.

Hulse, Swanson are senate candidates

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:42am
District 30 will have a new senator after Amber Hulse defeated incumbent Julie Frye-Mueller in the Republican primary in June.
The General Election ballot will see District 30 residents with a choice between Hulse and Democrat Bret Swanson of Hermosa.

Town leaders make changes to funding

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:36am
Keystone and Hill City are both undergoing some changes in marketing and funding for major organizations in town. The Hill City Common Council members opted to no longer fund two arts organizations, the Black Hills Film Festival and the Hill City Arts Council (HCAC).
That funding, $4,000 for the film festival and $9,000 for the HCAC, instead was allocated to the Hill City Chamber of Commerce. 
HCAC has been funded by the city since 2020 and was funded by an amount given to the chamber in 2017, according to Stacia Tallon, the city finance officer.

Water, wastewater plans submitted to state

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:35am
The next step for Hill City’s Water Facility Master Plan and Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan is in motion. 
During the Hill City Common Council meeting Sept. 23, Joe Nobel with city engineer AE2S requested authorization from the council to add both plans to the State Water Plan (SWP). 

Ponderosa Park shelter to go out for bid

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:34am
By Esther Noe 
 
Ponderosa Park is in the process of getting a new shelter. 
At its meeting Sept. 23, city park board member Nate Anderson presented the design plans for the shelter to the Hill City Common Council.
“Ponderosa Park is our newest named park, formerly known generically as visitor center. The area we’re talking about is on the L-shaped pond where the old warming hut was during the wintertime,” said Anderson. “In fact, that mobile trailer was our inspiration for why we wanted to pursue this shelter.” 

‘Food tax’ measure on November ballot

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:40am
By Nathan Steele
 
As South Dakota voters cast their ballots in this year’s general election, they will be tasked with understanding several ballot questions on topics ranging from abortion rights to landowner rights and from marijuana to Medicaid. Here’s the rundown on all the initiated measures and referred law set to appear on the ballot.
Initiated Measure 28 to prohibit taxes on
anything sold for
“human consumption”

Updated fees for Hill City Center

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:56am
Community coordinator Christy Derynck brought a new fee structure for the Hill City Center to the Hill City Common Council for approval Sept. 23.
“I was asked by the council to come and talk about the fee schedule for the center and probably make a recommendation based on where I think we’re at with that,” said Derynck. 
Derynck stepped into the position in May 2023. At that time, Derynck said things were just getting started. The building was not entirely done with some internal things to finish like doors and painting. 

McMacken will not be reappointed

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:55am
During the Hill City Common Council meeting Sept. 23, mayor Tana Nichols said, “After many lengthy discussions and conversations with (city administrator) Brett (McMacken) and huge appreciation from the city for 16 years of loyal service, I need to announce that I will not be reappointing him as city administrator. I offered to let him continue working a while. However, he chose to make this his last day.” 
With assurances that this was a mutual decision between McMacken and herself, Nichols said she and the council had their work cut out to find the path forward.