News

Prevailer to host Hill City candidate forum May 12

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 9:38am
The Hill City Prevailer News will host a candidate forum May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Hill City Center.
This is an opportunity to meet the candidates for mayor, alderman ward one and alderman ward two.
The first hour will allow the public to get to know each candidate as well as why they are running, while the second hour will allow constituents to ask questions.
The event is free and open to the public.

Early voting begins in some South Dakota counties after delay

Published by admin on Wed, 04/29/2026 - 9:34am
Early and absentee voting for the June 2 primary election is beginning in some South Dakota counties after a delayed start, though others remain in limbo awaiting ballots.
Davison County, which includes Mitchell, was one of the first in the state to open early voting. The county started about an hour after receiving ballots on Wednesday morning, said auditor Kathy Wingert.
“Despite this rough start to the election season, I’m confident in how the election will run. It should be smooth sailing from here,” Wingert said.

Carnival coming to CHS prom April 25

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 5:20pm

It’s going to be a night of fun, dancing and celebrating at Custer High School prom Saturday, April 25. This year’s theme is “Rio Carnival,” and attendees can expect an abundance of vibrant, leafy, colorful decorations, including some feathers and balloons. 
Students should plan to arrive at school around 6 p.m. to pay for their tickets, take some pictures with friends and family members and prepare to line up for the grand march. Tickets are $15 each. 

Fire opt-out on June 2 ballot

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 5:15pm

Voters in a large swath of Custer County will head to the polls June 2 to decide if they want to supply more money to local volunteer fire departments that are not already part of a taxing district.
The vote will affect voters in every corner of the county, save for those located within the boundaries of the Battle Creek Fire District and the Fairburn Fire District, both of which already have formed their own taxing jurisdictions to collect their own revenue  apart from the county levy.

New ELA curriculum recommended for school

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 4:55pm

Members of the Custer School District literacy/curriculum development team, including Jacqueline Hagen, Conni Virtue, Hallie Webster and Jenn Doyle, presented their process and recommendation for the next English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum at the board of education meeting April 13 in Hermosa. 
The literacy/curriculum development team consists of teachers and administrators from Custer and Hermosa. Doyle said it started by partnering with Compass, but realized it could achieve the same thing independently more efficiently and effectively while saving the district money. 

Town attorney, engineer in crosshairs

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 4:55pm

There was a time last year when citizens were attending Hermosa Board of Trustee meetings with their own popcorn, and after the four-hour April 7 regular meeting, some wondered if that should be revisited.
When the agenda for this meeting was published the week prior, there was an item for approving a budget to hire a new town attorney. 

Lessons learned from Qury Fire

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 4:54pm

Custer County is full of well-trained first responders who are ready to answer the call during an emergency at a moment’s notice.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t lessons to be learned in the aftermath of an emergency.
Such is the case now over a month removed from the Qury Fire, the fast-moving blaze that burned over 9,000 acres of land a little over two miles southeast of the City of Custer.

French Creek flood mitigation site up

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 4:52pm

In 2019, severe rainfall led to flash flooding along French Creek, sending water into streets, homes and businesses through the City of Custer. The event caused widespread disruptions and highlighted how quickly conditions along the creek can become hazardous.

Aldermen table proposal, discuss projects

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 1:43pm
The nearly four-hour Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting April 13 was filled with mostly discussion, ranging from a new proposed ordinance to concerns about the infrastructure projects being over budget.
The city unveiled a proposed display of merchandise ordinance, which city administrator Nate Anderson said came up as a result of “concern over merchandise affixed to buildings.” 

Keystone asking for compound meter

Published by admin on Wed, 04/22/2026 - 1:42pm
Keystone trustees approved a meter for the KBarS Lodge expansion at the April 15 Keystone Town Board meeting. Town engineer Zach Grapentine said the options for the project and advised trustees on how to proceed.
“They were requesting a six-inch meter,” Grapentine said, which he said means that minor flows will not get read. “Anytime someone flushes a toilet or washes their hands quick, none of that stuff will get read through the meter because it’s too low of a flow.”