News

Bountiful blossoms burgeon show

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 10:45am
The Hill City Evergreen Garden Club flower show blossomed with entries this year. The bountiful blossoms with a country fair theme featured annuals, perennials, container gardens, wildflowers and even beautiful place setting entries.
And while the garden club consists of over 40 adult members it’s the younger generation that truly brings smiles to all who attend the show. Eleven-year-old Grace Daiss created an intricate container garden with a camping theme.

Vacation rental moratorium, registry move to council

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 10:39am
A temporary moratorium on conditional use permits for nightly vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods was recommended by the Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission at its July 19 meeting. That recommendation now makes its way to the Hill City Common Council.
The temporary moratorium, if approved, would not exceed 120 days. This would allow the planning and zoning commission to continue its work in tackling the influx of nightly vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods Hill City has seen.

City has second round of budget talk

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 10:37am
Highways and streets were discussed at length at the July 21 Hill City budget hearing. Alderman Jason Gillaspie questioned why the city had not yet developed a prioritized road plan. 
“I don't see any other street repairs or anything listed on here,” He said. “I know there’s the start of a plan but no mention of anything else.”
And while the city is carrying over $30,000 to a street improvement fund, Gillaspie wanted to know how the fund was going to be used.

‘Children’s Blizzard’ storms South Dakota readers

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 10:32am
The South Dakota One Book is making its way across the state.
The book, entitled, “The Children’s Blizzard,” is a historical novel based on the 1888 blizzard that hit the Western plains of South Dakota and Nebraska. The blizzard killed 235 people, many of whom were children or teachers, as the storm hit suddenly and at the time that many  teachers in one room schoolhouses were letting students out for the day.

Bridge scheduled to go to Watson Park

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 10:31am
The Keystone Board of Trustees approved the no rise analysis and floodplain application proposal from AE2S at its July 21 meeting. This is another step  to place the “Bridge to Nowhere” at Watson Park.  

Planning for rapid growth

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 9:19am

Part 9 of a series examining the economic and lifestyle impacts of the in-migration to Custer County.
Custer County’s growing pains are being felt perhaps nowhere more keenly than in county and city planning departments where revenues from building permits and other fees have soared and planners are regularly taking on new challenges from the increasing numbers of new residents.
County planning director Terri Kester said permits for road approaches (needed for getting a 911 address for new construction) and septic systems are the leaders among fees collected.

‘Cat’ thefts on the rise

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 9:15am

The term “cat burglar” has recently taken on a whole new meaning for law enforcement officials. That’s because “cat” is short for catalytic converter and thefts of the pricey automotive pollution control devices are on rise, both nationally and here in Custer County.
Lt. Jeff McGraw of the Custer County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a felony theft of a catalytic converter from the garage of a local home and said the cases have been increasing in frequency for a couple of years now.

Park project to be rebid

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 9:14am

After receiving a single bid 40 percent over the engineer’s estimate for the project, the Custer City Council has decided to send construction of the first two phases of Harbach Park back out to bid.
The decision at the council’s July 19 meeting came after discussion with Dana Foreman of KLJ Engineering, which has helped with the design and bidding process for the renovation. Foreman said after the lone bid from RCS Construction came in so high he and city staff looked for places savings could be gained through changes, but found minimal ($20,000-$30,000) ones.

First responders gear up for rally

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 9:10am

Although it will be the 81st edition of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally come August, crowds that invade the Black Hills may resemble more of an anniversary rally—think 75th rally—than a normal rally, thanks to pent-up demand due to COVID-19.
That was the message delivered to first responders gathered at the Custer County Search and Rescue building last Thursday morning, as the responders shared planning procedures for the upcoming rally scheduled for Aug. 6-15.

More Gold Discovery Days winners listed

Published by admin on Thu, 07/29/2021 - 8:59am

Whether it was flowers, cars or gold nuggets, everyone brought out their best colors for Gold Discovery Days (GDD) 2021 and several came away winners in various competitions during the three-day annual event.