News

Citizens hear ideas on potential additional tax

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 10:06am
The first public meeting of Hill City Capital Improvement Board (CIB) to discuss potential community area projects was held  July 28 at city hall. 
About 20 people came to listen to the five-person board and its list of potential projects for a proposed 1 percent sales tax voters will be able to decide upon in November. 

Tragedy strikes at Hippie Hole

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 10:05am
A fatality occurred July 28 at the popular and remote swimming and cliff diving area known locally as Hippie Hole. 
According to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), its office was alerted about a possible drowning at the site at 10:30 a.m. The victim’s body was recovered at about 11:10 a.m. 

County budget passes for now

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 10:04am
Pennington County commissioners approved the county’s provisional budget at a July 29 special meeting.
The provisional budget totals $135.6 million, a 2.8 percent increase over the 2026 budget. The county  has 92 vacant positions across Pennington County currently but is paying 777 employees on average during each pay period. Salaries make up $73,151,016 of the budget for 2026.

Miner airs concerns about surcharges

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 10:02am
Hill City aldermen spent a majority of the Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting July 27 discussing the wastewater treatment plant cost and overall potential surcharge to residents.
Alderwoman Lori Miner minced no words saying, “We’re all going to be ridden out of town on the rails,” citing a potential $320/month surcharge on bills for the completed project.
“We’re talking about $320/month for 5,000 gallons a month for water and sewer,” she said.

Fire restrictions in national forest

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 9:41am
Notice of increased fire restrictions in the Black Hills National Forest have created some confusion across the Black Hills. The more stringent restrictions pertain only to the Black Hills National Forest at this time. 

Museum switching tracks as new owner detours lease

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 9:37am
The South Dakota State  Railroad Museum (SDSRM) is losing its lease on the 1880 Train property.
This is according to a statement sent out by SDSRM board president Lesta Turchen. While the sale of the 1880 Train property from the Warder family to World Choice Investments (WCI) occurred in May, a formal decision about the fate of SDSRM was not discussed until a meeting July 27. 
The SDSRM will cease operating to the public Oct. 12 and will close its doors permanently at the 1880 Train location Feb. 1.

Big paydays result from $50M auction of SD T. rex skeleton

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 9:33am
The high sales price for Gus the T. rex could stimulate greater interest in South Dakota’s fossil hunting and dinosaur museum industries.
Multi-million dollar paydays are in store for the company that excavated the Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil that sold last week for $50.1 million, the rancher whose western South Dakota land it was found on and the firm that conducted the public auction.

City, county inching closer to law enforcement pact

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:29pm

Judging by events that took place at the July 22 meeting of the Custer County Commission, it appears the City of Custer and Custer County may be nearing reaching an agreement on a new contract for the county to provide law enforcement for the City of Custer once more.
Nothing is a done deal yet, however, as a proposed requirement for the contract received by Custer County in its most recent letter from the City of Custer has provided the latest sticking point in the negotiations.

City wants more info from CVFD

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:21pm

The Custer City Council wants to see more details of budget figures from the Custer Volunteer Fire Department before agreeing to provide an additional $269,500 in funding to the $30,5000 allocated to the department for 2026.
That was the message relayed to department chief Matt Spring at the July 20 meeting of the council, at which Spring came before the department to make the request for the additional funding.

Hermosa battles water supply issues

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:21pm

After weeks of setbacks and water restrictions, the Hermosa Board of Trustees has mapped out a way forward to preserve and strengthen the drinking water supply to Hermosa residents. The timing of the ordeal coincided with record-setting regional heat and drought conditions, but an end is in sight.